Take Action Now - Here are suggested things you can do now to help further the causes on TIAR’s action agenda. For those items asking you to contact a state official, contact information is found at the bottom of this page.
In our faith traditions, we share a common belief that we have a responsibility to care for our environment. If you have been following the controversy regarding natural gas drilling in New York State and the use of the hydraulic fracturing process, you are aware of the risks that hydraulic fracturing poses to our environment. If you are as concerned about those risks as we are, we ask that you take one or more of the following actions:
1) Contact your State legislators.
To find out who your Assembly Rep is: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
To find out who your Senator is: http://www.nysenate.gov/
The current legislative session ends about June 20th, so the time window is small to encourage them to take action against fracking. The following Bills are “in committee” in both the Assembly and the House, and your representatives may not have even heard of them, unless they are on the particular committee where they are being considered. Here’s your chance to do some education of your representatives. These Bills, while not sufficient to prevent fracking, are essential as steps towards protecting our communities’ air, water, and thus resident’s health. Summaries of the Bills are provided here, as are the links to the full text:
2) Comment on the Department of Conservation’s revised draft Supplemental Generic Impact Statement (draft SGEIS). We are now in a public comment period, and that’s where you come in. Use the letters prepared and sent by TIAR as a model and send your own. Copies of the letters are at:
3) Have a little fun to keep your spirits up! Watch this, then forward it to others:
http://www.propublica.org/article/fracking-music-video <http://www.propublica.org/article/fracking-music-video>
Many of us may know that there is a large and growing wealth gap between a tiny fringe of super-rich Americans and most of the rest of us. But how many realize that this gap robs all of us? And that doesn’t mean just financially. It helps keep people in poverty, erodes the middle class, and results in a decline in numerous measures of our nation's wellbeing, as is shown in recent research. In addition, such enormous wealth concentrated in the hands of the elite few is cracking the democratic foundation of our nation.
Why? Because an extreme concentration of wealth translates into political power, which is helping to shape our government’s actions and laws. The elite few can afford armies oflobbyists and legal expertise, and they can funnel enormous amounts of money into elections. This helps a small minority keep and grow their power and wealth – even though millions of people struggle and suffer at the economic margins.
Wealth is, in itself, not bad. But when the disparities grow as huge as they are now, we have a problem – a problem that affects society at all levels. In response, we are called by our faith to be justice-seekers – to help ensure that the basic human needs of all people are met and that our government truly serves the common good.
Do you want to learn more? Join <http://www.networklobby.org/join-mind-the-gap> our Mind the Gap! campaign to educate our entire nation about our huge and widening wealth gap, where it came from, and its impact on all of us.
Other organizations are endorsing <http://www.networklobby.org/mind-the-gap-endorse> the Mind the Gap! campaign. And feel free to share your comments and questions with us by emailing us at mindthegap@networklobby.org <mailto:mindthegap@networklobby.org> “The dignity of the individual and the demands of justice require, particularly today, that economic choices do not cause disparities in wealth to increase in an excessive and morally unacceptable manner (32)… Economic activity . . . needs to be directed towards the pursuit of the common good, for which the political community in particular must also take responsibility. (36)” - Caritas in Veritate (2009), Pope Benedict XVI
We, the undersigned, ask Congress and the President to enact the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan proposal, which would create a pathway to citizenship for thousands of young students who were brought to the United States years ago as children.
If Congress fails to act, another entire class of outstanding, law-abiding high school students will graduate without being able to plan for the future, and some will be removed from their homes to countries they barely know. This tragedy will cause America to lose a vital asset: an educated class of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our society.
Please sign the petition by copying the link below; tell your friends, family and neighbors:
http://action.dreamactivist.org/dreamact/
At its September 17, 2009 Board Meeting, TIAR adopted the following resolution supporting a single-payer insurance system for health care, but if such is not yet possible, at least providing a strong public option. The resolution appears below and please note the third “Resolved”, namely to ask all of you to call upon your Congressional representatives and the White House to enact and sign into law such legislation.
A Resolution on Health Care Reform
Adopted at TIAR Board Meeting on September 17, 2009
The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester (TIAR)—an organization composed of members of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other faith communities—recognizes the injustice of nearly 50 million Americans without access to health care. We believe that this is a moral issue. We share the belief that each human being is sacred and possesses God-given inalienable worth. Health care is an essential component in promoting and protecting the inherent dignity and life of all individuals across their life spans. Moreover, should all people in the United States be provided with access to adequate and affordable health care, the well being of the entire society would vastly improve. Costs for universal coverage must of course be managed in such a way to further the common good. Providing health care should be a nonprofit endeavor. Therefore, be it
Resolved, that TIAR endorse “single payer,” currently detailed in H.R. 676, as the best possible plan in which the sole insurer would be the government much like the current successfully-run Medicare program and paid for through a modest progressive taxation system; and be it further
Resolved, that, until a single-payer universal health care program is established, TIAR support legislation that would provide a strong “public option” for people who cannot afford to buy insurance without some assistance from the government and that would guarantee a high level of quality care; and be it further
Resolved, that TIAR urge residents in the Greater Rochester Area to call upon their Congressional legislators to enact, and the President to sign, legislation by the end of 2009 providing adequate health care and insurance coverage for everyone in the United States.
TIAR supports the Citizens for a Better New York in their efforts to reform state government, including the public financing of election campaigns which is also an issue at the federal level. Go to the following web site for more information on this important issue and guidance on urging your Congressperson and Senators to add their support. http://www.campaignmoney.org/campaigns/main/make-fair-elections-a-priority
People leaving prison are without even basic necessities, and about half have no family to assist them. (See “Monroe County Re-entry Task Force” below) Please consider donating “welcome” kits for men (and some women). This can be a great project for a church group, scout troop or school community service project. Kits can contain items like toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, disposable razor, lotion, socks, washcloth, underwear, pocket calendar book, pen, a personal note to encourage—or whatever your imagination inspires. To receive information on how to prepare a Welcome Kit, contact Paul Brayer at brayerpm@frontiernet.net
Resource materials for use in educating groups on the reentry of prisoners back into our communities are available from the Diocese of Rochester. They are useful for panel discussions, prayer, bulletin inserts, book clubs, adult education, preaching, etc. and may be found at the following web site: http://www.dor.org/charities/dioprograms/Prodigal.htm
The Greater Rochester Community of Churches (GRCC) is collaborating with Monroe County to inaugurate a Rochester Community Supplemental Burial Fund to meet the burial needs of the poor in our community. Their current task is to raise money for this fund and they seek your help by asking for donations to establish this important initiative.
In 2006, Monroe County reduced the it’s average contribution for a funeral under its Burial Assistance Program from $1,850 to $1,250, enough only for cremation. For some people, cremation violates their religious beliefs and their cultural and ethnic traditions. The cost for a traditional burial ranges from $2,600 to over $6,000.
Concerned citizens, including TIAR, have been working with the county since 2006 to seek ways of providing for the poorest among us. As a not-for-profit agency, GRCC will serve as the holder of the funds raised for the Supplemental Burial Fund. A Burial Advisory Council will provide oversight. Monroe County will continue to determine eligibility for assistance and provide a respectful burial for those who qualify.
Please consider a contribution to the Rochester Community Supplemental Burial Fund, in any amount you feel appropriate. You can send your check to the GRCC office at the address above, or use the Paypal link at the bottom of the GRCC website.
If your church, temple, organization or company and would like to donate on behalf of the group, GRCC would be willing to help you think about creative ways to fundraise for this necessary initiative. Call or email, (585) 254-2570 , grcc1@frontiernet.net, if you have any questions.
The Peace and Non-Violence group is concerned that our federal government's funding priorities do not serve human needs. We are sharing the following information from the Friends committee on National Legislation (FCNL). The coins graph demonstrates how the federal budget does not reflect the moral values TIAR supports. If you agree, we urge you to be in touch with your Congress people to oppose the funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In recent weeks Congress again voted for emergency funding for the Afghanistan War in spite of the recent release of documents by Wikileaks that indicate the failed military policies in Afghanistan from 2003-2009, and which troop increase by President Obama has not really changed.
How Did the Federal Government Spend the Income Taxes We Paid in 2009? (dollars in millions)
Total Pentagon spending for current & past wars 33% ($1,039,531)
Pentagon and related spending 24% ($767,463)
Interest on Pentagon debt 6% ($176,544)
Veterans 3% ($95,524)
Supporting the Economy 27% ($850,453)
Recovery & bailouts 26% ($815,227)
Other jobs, education and social programs 1% ($34,926)
Health Care 17% ($532,094)
Responding to Poverty 11% ($354,632)
General Government 9% ($299,140)
Federal government operations 2.6% ($83,363)
Interest on the public debt 6.8% ($215,777)
Energy, Science and Environment 2% ($72,944)
Diplomacy, Development and War Prevention 1% ($36,094)
Because of the availability of TIAR’s Poverty Video and workbooks, we are now using these resources to carry out a program to educate the general public, including religious groups, about the problems of poverty in the Rochester area and ways to get involved in addressing it.
Sr. Gratia L’Esperance coordinates our reconstituted Task Force to take on this task. She has several volunteers who are acquainted with the video (now a DVD) and other resources, and are a prepared cadre of speakers. However, an effort like this needs audiences to hear the message and be motivated to take action.
TIAR is offering to any community group the opportunity to schedule an informative and enlightening presentation on poverty issues in Rochester. This free program is composed of the 28-minute DVD, "The Faces of Poverty: Not Just Faces, But Our Neighbors." It puts real faces on poverty, and is accompanied by a knowledgeable group discussion leader. Appropriate handouts will be available including a list of Volunteer Opportunities to provide suggestions for involvement.
The purpose of the presentation (one hour with discussion) is to help educate the community about the realities of poverty in Monroe County, raising such questions as, “If you had a sudden large unexpected expense next month, and your funds could not cover all the needs for housing, transportation, child care, health care, food, and clothing, where would you turn? Which would you choose to do without?”
Anyone interested in participating in this effort – whether a member of TIAR or not, or whether as a trained presenter or to schedule a presentation – is welcome to contact Sr. Gratia at gratia.lesperance@frontiernet.net.
“Blasting through obstacles.”
Here in Monroe County, more than 2,500 people are released from incarceration every year. Without help, about two-thirds of them will return to prison within three years, at a cost of about $35,000 a year per person; prison, for most people, is an expensive and ineffective deterrent to crime.
What’s this got to do with you? Maybe more than you think. In the U.S., we incarcerate people at about eight times the world average—in our country, more than 2 million people are in state prison, 70,000 in New York alone, and that doesn’t include county jails or federal holding centers. Most people are incarcerated for non-violent offenses. It is very likely that someone close to you will be touched by the corrections system. Of everyone who goes to prison about 97% return home, regardless of their crime. At that point, the community ex-offenders return to has a vested interest in each releasee’s success.
A safe, stable place to live, food, health care, and jobs are just the beginning. The most important gift we can give them is hope, a reason to live and the sure knowledge that they have what they need to overcome the past and find their true future. And success does happen! The result: lower crime rates, safer neighborhoods, healthier families, and lower costs for all of us.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Graham
Coordinator
Monroe County Reentry Task Force
Catholic Family Center
87 N. Clinton Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604
585-262-7163
agraham@cfcrochester.org
The Monroe County Reentry Task Force is a program funded in nine counties across New York by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Monroe County, and Catholic Family Center. It represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between corrections, law enforcement, service providers and faith-based groups to enhance the safety of our community by working together to stabilize the lives of people leaving prison and giving them the tools and support they need to succeed.
The annual "Fair Election Campaign" ceremony sponsored by TIAR and the League of Women Voters took place at the Monroe County Office Atrium on September 8, 2010. Literature and ads covering important local matters about budget priorities, policies on education, community safety, road maintenance, parks, etc. are what brings citizens out to vote. Each year the LWV / BMA and TIAR encourage all voters to go to the polls. Negative campaigns discourage citizens from voting; positive campaigns educate people about choices among candidates and makes all of us feel empowered with our vote.
The purpose of the FEPC is to encourage positive campaigning and to keep the focus of the election on the issues. In 2009, there were a total of 26 complaints received with 20 of them having a hearing. There were 3 primary election complaints and 17 general election complaints heard by the Committee.
Many, many thanks go to the Committee members: Sarah F. Liebshutz (Chairperson), John G. Curran, Margaret Freeman, Thomas Frey, Channing Philbrick, and alternates Lois Geiss, William Kelly, Joanne Van Zandt, and Kay Wallace.
TIAR has supported the efforts of the Coalition for Dignified Burial to give all people - no matter what creed, color, sex or financial situation - access to a simple, decent and respectful funeral.
An Unexpected Gift
In December, 2006, a donation was made to TIAR from the proceeds of a concert by a musical artist as a special memorial to her deceased father. Her gift was a most creative way of memorializing him, and we are blessed to have people like her making a difference in our troubled world. It was a great honor for us to be entrusted with it; however, TIAR has since used all the funds to assist persons in need, and so is not currently accepting requests. This effort has now been taken over by GRCC as noted above under “Take Action Now”
Immigration forums on various aspects of the immigration problems are being planned. As the 2008 U.S. election campaigns continue, we see immigration coming to the fore as a key issue. We also see increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from national and local groups.
A helpful website that can offer clues about the hate language
and where it comes from: http://www.wecanstopthehate.org/
Check it out-it's really good!
Sr. Gratia’s comment from a Christian perspective:
If Jesus Christ came back tomorrow in the Second Coming, would we want to label him an undocumented immigrant and arrest, imprison, torture, deport, or execute him (as he was in the First Coming)?
Poverty / Economic Justice
1 DVD Education Sessions (in cooperation with Let Justice Roll): See above for description. For scheduling, contact Ed Lemon.
2 Burial of those without resources
3 Rochester Children’s Zone Proposal (Glenny Williams) / Children’s Agenda
4 Economic Justice: Hotel Workers Union Organizing
5 Judicial Process Commission’s Re-Entry Case Management Project for released offenders / Adult Mentoring Program – See above
National / State / Local Government
1 Fair Campaign Pledge (local / NYS)
2 Local Legislative Forums (in collaboration with GRCC)
3 Citizens for Better Government (NYS)
a. Campaign finance reform – public financing of campaigns
b Redistricting by independent non-partisan committee
c Legislature rules reform
4 Immigration Forums (in collaboration with Downtown Community Forum)
5 Voting with Wisdom and Clear Vision – a program on preparation for voter responsibilities
6 TIA National
a First Freedom First Petition
b Voting Rights Act (lack of federal enforcement)
Peace / Non-Violence
Area being coordinated by Heide Parreno and Marilyn Wienk. Following TIAR’s adoption of a Peace Resolution at its November, 2007 meeting, the group is now considering appropriate follow-up activities.
Health Care
Area seeking a coordinater; no specific TIAR projects going on in this area at this time.
Senator Charles E. Schumer
3040 Federal Building
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
263-5866 fax 263-3173
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
4195 Federal Building
100 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
263-6250 fax 263-6247
Hon David A. Paterson, Governor
Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
www.ny.gov/governor
Your State Senator
Michael F. Nozzolio
119 Fall Street
Seneca Falls, New York 13148
888-568-9816 fax 315-568-2090
or
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2366 fax 518-426-6953
nozzolio@senate.state.ny.us
James S. Alesi
220 Packett?s Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
223-1800 fax 223-3084
or
905 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2015 fax 518-426-6928
alesi@senate.state.ny.us
Joseph Robach
2300 West Ridge Rd.
Rochester, New York 14626
225-3650 fax 225-3661
or
902 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2909 fax 18-426-6938
robach@senate.state.ny.us
George D. Maziarz
2578 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Wheatfield, New York 14304
716-731-8740 fax 716-731-8746
or
811 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2024 fax 518-426-6987
maziarz@senate.state.ny.us
Your Member of the Assembly:
Joseph Errigo
3045 East Henrietta Rd.
Henrietta, New York 14467
334-5210 fax 334-5437
or
427 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5662 fax 518-455-5918
errigoj@assembly.state.ny.us
Susan John
840 University Ave.
Rochester, New York 14607
244-5255 fax 244-1635
or
522 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4527 fax 518-455-5342
johns@assembly.state.ny.us
Joseph D. Morelle
1945 East Ridge Road
Rochester, NY 14622
585-467-0410 fax 585-467-5342
or
716 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5373 fax 518-455-5647
morellj@assembly.state.ny.us
David F. Gantt
74 University Avenue
Rochester, New York 14605
585-454-3670 fax 585-454-3788
or
830 Legislative Office Bldg.
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5606 fax 518-455-5419
ganttd@aseembly.state.ny.us
William Reilich
2737 West Ridge Road
Rochester, New York 14626
585-225-4190 fax 225-6502
or
322 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4664 fax 518-455-3093
reilichw@assembly.state.ny.us
David Koon
268 Fairport Village Landing
Fairport, New York 14450
585-223-9130 fax 223-5243
or
643 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5784 fax 518-455-4639
koond@assembly.state.ny.us
Stephen M. Hawley
121 North Main Street Suite 100
Albion, New York 14411
585-589-5780 fax 585-589-5813
or
433 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5811 fax 518-455-5558
hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us
We are committed to an inclusive democratic process based upon the mutual responsibility of public officials, public institutions, and the general public. It requires honest and civility through open discussion of issues and full participation open to all citizens.
We work towards a public good that offers dignity and wholeness to all people. This includes a quality public education, a sustainable environment, a living wage, comprehensive health care, adequate housing, and a voice for people of faith in the political arena that respects the First Amendment.
As a growing and diverse interfaith community, we bring a constructive and healing witness to public and political life in the Greater Rochester community. The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester is one of many local alliances in a national coalition of people of faith.
Home | Active Programs | Calendar | Meeting Minutes From the President | Doings at National | Sign Up! | Links | Contacts