Congressional Tri-Caucus Sponsors Briefing on HR 2269

Four Years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita:

Human Rights and Green Jobs for America's Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Civic Works Act (HR 2269):
Stronger, More Sustainable and More Equitable Communities

A Congressional Briefing Sponsored by The Gulf Coast Civic Works Campaign In conjunction with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Tuesday, September 22nd 2009 Noon-1:30pm (Refreshments will be served starting at 11:30a) Cannon Caucus Room, 345 CHOB

Four years after our nation's largest disaster, Gulf Coast communities, especially residents with disabilities, poor, elderly, minority and immigrant communities, continue to struggle. The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act (HR 2269) builds on the success of innovative resident-led community and faith-based non-profits to rebuild lives and neighborhoods. The Act would create 100,000 green, living wage jobs rebuilding infrastructure and affordable housing, restoring natural flood protection, and promoting energy efficiency. This legislation would allow the federal government to directly partner with municipal officials, non-profits and community agencies to tackle the biggest remaining recovery challenges and ensure hurricane survivors' right to return with dignity and safety and participate in the recovery of their communities. It is supported by over 240 local and national community, faith, environmental, and human rights organizations. Over 100 diverse survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will travel to DC September 22-23 to attend this briefing and discuss the legislation with Congressional staff.

Speakers:

Vicky Cintra, Organizing Coordinator, Gulf Coast Office, Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance

David Gauthe, Program Director, BISCO - Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing

(Thibodaux, LA)

Trinh Le, Community Empowerment Coordinator, Hope Community Development Agency (Biloxi, MS)

Shakoor Alujawani, Organizer, Louisiana Episcopal Community Services (New Orleans, LA)

Moderator: Stephen Bradberry, 2005 RFK Human Rights Award Winner and Nat. Campaign Coordinator, ACORN

Co-Sponsoring Organizations:
RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights - Oxfam America - ACORN - Alabama Arise

All Congregations Together - Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America - BISCO - Boat People SOS

Gulf Coast Civic Works Project - - Hope CDA - Louisiana Episcopal Community Services

LA Interchurch Conference, Council on Environmental Stewardship

Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance - MS Coast Interfaith Disaster Taskforce

MS Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities - NAACP - National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies

National Council of La Raza - Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign

South Bay Communities Alliance - STEPS Coalition

Turkey Creek Community Initiative - Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

United Church of Christ, Justice & Witness Ministries -U.S. Human Rights Network