DREAM Act Portal Forum - Coordinating "Senator of the Week" efforts

Maybe the DAP should coordinate their calling efforts with the NILC's list.

I couldn't figure out how to post the link straight from my email so I copied and pasted it.

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DREAM Act

NEW Weekly Updates

Please send all email responses to [email protected]

What is the DREAM Weekly Update?

In response to the many, many emails and calls we have been getting about the status of the DREAM Act, the National Immigration Law Center will be sending weekly updates about the status of the legislation. We will use this opportunity to share gains but we will also be asking for your helping in reaching out to new targets. Specifically, each week we are asking for your help in:

· Adding an additional FIVE (5) cosponsors in the House of Representatives and

· Targeting the Senators from One (1) state

In addition, we will report on any feedback we receive from advocates on meetings, events targeting Members as well as press clippings so please forward all these items to [email protected].

Actions for the Week of April 13 - 17th!

* Call your Representatives and ask them to cosponsor the DREAM Act. To call your Representatives in the House and Senate please call the switchboard operator at 202-224-3121. Remember we are working to reach a goal of getting 5 additional cosponsors on the bill within the next week!
* The target state for this week is ILLINOIS. Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) has yet to sign on as a cosponsor the DREAM Act. Additional information about the Senator including contact information can be found here.

GAINS

* Thanks to the great work of DREAM students and other advocates in Missouri, Senator McCaskill said in a recent town hall meeting that she "will probably vote for the DREAM act" though she has not supported the bill in the past. The article from the St. Louis Beacon is available here.
* Representative Honda in a Commentary in Education Week argued forcefully on the positive effects that the DREAM Act would have on our struggling economy.
* Since introduction of the legislation, there have been 11 new cosponsors in the House and 12 in the Senate. All are listed below. Please take a moment to thank your Representative as he or she has probably already heard from those who oppose the bill!

NEW HOUSE COSPONSORS: NEW SENATE COSPONSORS:
Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (NY-5) Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Rep. Lois Capps (CA-23) Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Rep. Michael Capuano (MA-8) Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-17) Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Rep. Sam Farr (CA-17) Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY)
Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51) Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Rep. Charles Gonzalez (TX-20) Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4) Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-39)

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Chairman of Immigration Subcommittee in the Senate
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

* Note: Both Senators from the following states CT, CA, MA, FL and NY have already cosponsored the DREAM Act. Excellent work on the part of the advocates!
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