Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action - www.jewishalliance.org. 
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320, Boston, 02108 - tel: 617-227-3000 fax: 617-227-3453

19 Cheshvan 5764           Legislative Alert                       November 14, 2003

Stem Cell Legislation
The legislature is planning to recess for this session on November 19. It is vital that
you call Speaker Finneran's office today if we are to successfully get stem cell legislation.

ONE CALL ESSENTIAL TODAY or MONDAY, at the latest.
Please call Speaker Finneran’s Office, 617-722-2500, and ask that the House include in the
Economic Stimulus bill the Senate’s language supporting all forms of stem cell research.

Background:
JALSA has been working to get the State Legislature to pass a bill
supporting stem cell research in Massachusetts. Stem cell research
may hold the keys to curing devastating genetic diseases. Such
research may also be a boost to our economy by encouraging biotech
companies to create jobs in our state, This bill, like similar legislation
passed in California, would express our state’s support for this
type of research and give biotech companies the reassurance they need
to locate jobs in our state, and conduct their work. Unfortunately,
the anti-choice community has vehemently opposed work with
embryotic stem cells, arguing that it is the moral equivalent of abortion,
and has urged legislators to reject support for this scientific research.
(Embryotic stem cells are currently mostly available as
a result of reproductive fertility technologies when more embryos are
fertilized than can be used. )

The Senate decided to include the stem cell support language in
its version of the economic stimulus package, now being debated by a
House/Senate conference committee. If we can get the House
to accept the Senate’s language, it is likely that the stem cell
support language will become law.

The Legislature is ending its session on Wednesday, November 19.
We need to generate some pressure in the House NOW so that
they will accept the Senate’s language.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:
Fax (617-722-2008) the following paragraph to the Speaker’s Office

The Honorable Thomas Finneran
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Speaker Finneran:
I am writing to urge you to include in the Legislature’s final economic stimulus
language that endorses all forms of stem cell research. By affirming all forms of
stem cell research, while explicitly banning reproductive cloning, Massachusetts
will maintain our state’s position at the forefront of biomedical science. Stem cell
research holds the potential for curing many degenerative ailments, such as
Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and
Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), to name a few. Thousands of our residents could
potentially benefit from treatments developed using stem cells. Thank you for your
time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
(Your Name and Address)

Thanks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact JALSA, 617-227-3000.
 

Protection of Reproductive Rights

See Thursday's Ellen Goodman Boston Globe column for an AP picture showing President Bush,
surrounded by five other men, signing the first federal law criminalizing safe abortion procedures.
This law does not even have an exception to protect the mother's health. Want to do something
in response. See the following ideas:

1.
SAVE WOMEN’S LIVES
MARCH FOR FREEDOM OF CHOICE
APRIL 25, 2004 WASHINGTON DC

Join the Massachusetts for Choice Coalition for an Information Session
Monday, November 17 -Two Sessions 1-2 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.
775 Commonwealth Ave. George Sherman Building Room 312
Learn more about becoming a co-sponsor, creating a delegation,
and get information on transportation.
RSVP to 617.232.1017 or email info@nonstopchoice.org. 

2.
An article on the current 30 hour session in Washington where Senate Republicans
are drawing attention to the continuing filibuster of Senate Democrats against four
ultra-conservative nominees to Courts of Appeals. Notwithstanding that Senate Democrats
have helped to confirm 168 of the 172 Bush judicial nominees, Republicans hope that
this 30 hour session will secure public criticism of the filibuster.
 www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/1103/13judges.html. 

3.
If you believe that that Senators should continue to oppose persons dedicated to
overturning Roe v. Wade and other important laws dedicated to equality in the workplace,
environmental protection, or persons Senators believe are not able to judge cases
in an impartial way, please call your Senators continuing to oppose the nominations
of Alabama Attorney General William Pryor, selected for the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
who has opposed civil rights, women's rights and federal environmental protections;
federal district Judge Charles Pickering, nominated for the 5th Circuit,
Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, another 5th Circuit nominee, who was criticized
by her court colleagues for letting her personal anti-abortion views go beyond the letter of the law
she was asked to construe, or California Justice Carolyn Kuhl, nominated for the 9th Circuit,
who supported tax-exempt status for Bob Jones University while it was still segregated;
and California Justice Janice Rogers Brown, nominated for the influential D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals, who has said she's not sure the Bill of Rights should ever have been applied to the states.

You can also call the toll-free number of People for the American Way - 1-888-508-2974 -
Learn more at www.prochoice.org/legal/nominations. 

4.
Attend and Support The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Massachusetts
Second Annual Faith & Freedom Awards
Tuesday November 18 6:30pm buffet and cash bar; 7-8:30pm program
Holiday Inn Newton, Grand Ballroom, 399 Grove St., Newton
Awardees:
The Elizabeth Friedman Abrams Lifetime of Faithful Service Award: Sheila Decter
The Leap of Faith Award: Mount Sinai Baptist Church

Individual tickets $35. Sponsors: $300.
RSVP to Rosemary Candelario, Executive Director
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice of Massachusetts
PO Box 1129, Brookline, MA 02446, 617-616-1671
info@rcrcofma.org.  www.rcrcofma.org.  (secure website for reservations)
The Holiday Inn is conveniently located at Exit 22 on I95/128, directly next
to the Riverside T stop on the Green D line

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice serves an important role demonstrating
that many religious persons support reproductive freedom. Many national religious
groups are represented in RCRC, including Protestant and Jewish groups and
Catholics for Free Choice. RCRC provides testimony that religious individuals make moral
decisions about their health and their lives. RCRC works to ensure reproductive choice
through education and advocacy. It especially gives a voice to persons of color and persons
living in poverty and other underserved populations.

Upcoming JALSA Meetings

Young Social Activists Meeting
Sunday, December 7 5-7:00 pm
Temple Israel, Slater Lounge, lst Floor, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston
A Place to Call Home: Meeting the Challenge of Housing People in Massachusetts
Presenter: Chris Norris, Assistant Director, Citizens's Housing and Planning Association
Light Supper served ($5 voluntary contributions appreciated);
bring potluck appetizers or desserts
RSVP cindy@jalsa.org.  (RSVP by Wednesday, December 3)
Children are welcome (but no separate child care activities this time).

Hold the Date
JALSA Annual Meeting
Sunday, December 14 10:30 am
Holiday Inn, Brookline
Brunch and Meeting
Honoring Ellen Feingold, civil rights activist
Invitation coming

Community Projects

Only a few days left to order your Thanksgiving Pies to benefit Community Servings
Go to www.pieinthesky.org.  and order your pies for Thanksgiving. Each year, Boston's
top pastry chefs, bakeries, churches, celebrities, and caterers bake a variety of
Thanksgiving pies as part of Pie in the Sky, an annual fundraiser to benefit Community Servings,
the home-delivered hot meals program for persons with AIDS that our JALSA members
helped to initiate. The pies are sold throughout Greater Boston by corporate sponsors,
community groups, and volunteers-and finally, end up on Thanksgiving dinner tables
in more than 10,000 homes.

Order from www.pieinthesky.org.  and select your pick up location from http://www.pieinthesky.org/pages/pickup.html. 
$20 brings you your choice of apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, kosher apple,
diabetic, or purchase a pie for a Community Servings client.
For $100, purchase a Celebrity Pie.

Breast Cancer
New Pink & White M&M's
There are many women out there who have breast cancer.
The makers of M&M candies has teamed up with the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
to raise funds through the sale of their new "pink & white " M&M candies.
For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M
(Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. The next time you
want a treat, please pick up a bag (now sold in stores nationwide) - you
will be donating to a great cause and satisfying your sweet tooth.

Wish List

JALSA is in need of a laptop pc computer. Call the office if you have access to one.
617-227-3000.

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