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For the first time ever, the UULM Action Network is serving as one of the co-sponsors of a piece of legislation - AB1242, the Human Right to Water Act (Ruskin). We have supported bills before, but this is our maiden voyage as co-sponsors of a bill. Watching the UUs who serve on our Climate/Water Steering Committee work to improve the language of the bill before it was introduced has been pretty amazing. All their suggestions for improvement were accepted by the coalition.
UULM has also been able to open the door to link the environmental justice expertise of our national UUSC partner to help with the struggle for the human right to water in California. The UUSC signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill, and has offered invaluable support.
As a native Californian who grew up drinking healthy, plentiful East Bay MUD water drawn from the Sierra, I lived in ignorance that other Californians were struggling with toxic water from their taps. At a recent lobby day on the Human Right to Water Act (AB1242) I was particularly struck by the testimony from the father who worries that his kids will accidentally drink contaminated water from their kitchen faucet. Eunise Martinez from the Community Water Center also spoke powerfully to the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, asking the legislators how they would feel if they had to shower in water that is full of nitrates.
When the veil of ignorance starts to lift, much more becomes visible. A couple of weeks ago, I got into conversation with a cab driver. He was moved that there were people of faith working on the right to water and shared his own story. His family had to live for two months with no water in their house here in California. They had fallen on hard times, could not keep up with the bills, and the water was shut off. California has a lifeline rate for electricity and phone service, but not for water.
If the Human Right to Water Act (AB1242) passes and is signed into law, it will not only create a significant foundation from which to build toward justice in California, it will also have an impact on the US, which is currently one of only seven nations that does not recognize the human right to water.
We still need your help to pass AB1242 and get it signed into law. Between now and May 26, 2009, the week it is heard in the Appropriations Committee, we need to fax in more letters of support.
Click here for all the resources you will need to get involved in getting letters from your congregation - from posters and fact sheets to sample letters.
You can also join our coalition partners at a lobby day on June 2nd here at the Capitol or give your legislator a call at their home office. To find your legislators contact info, click here. Please let us know if you are able to organize a visit to your legislator at their home office.
Thanks for helping to make history!
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