April 29

United States Committee for a Free Lebanon Logo

April 29, 2002

U.S Committee for a Free Lebanon Action Alert http://www.freelebanon.org/

To: Friends of Lebanon around the World

After more than a decade of frustration, struggle and activism, Lebanese-Americans have been rewarded finally by courageous and visionary leading members of the US Congress.

As you know already two legislation have been introduced in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate calling for:

1) Withdrawing the Syrian Army from Lebanon

2) Putting an end to Terrorism in Lebanon, including Hizballah

3) Calling for sanctions against Syria if does not comply with these and
other demands

The two members of the House who introduced Bill (HR # 4483) are:

Congressman Dick Armey (R, Texas)
Congressman Eliot Engel (D, New York)

The two Senators who introduced Bill (S. 2215) are:

Senator Barbara Boxer (D, California)
Senator Rick Santorum (R, Pennsylvania)

As you can see, this is a bipartisan initiative on behalf of a significant group of US legislators. The main thrust of the legislative move is to mobilize Congress and the American public against Syria's occupation of Lebanon and its endorsement of Terrorism.

This campaign launched by US congressional leaders should be openly and wholeheartedly endorsed and supported by our American Lebanese community. This initiative is a historic opportunity for our community to help our people in Lebanon. It presents a unique opportunity to raise the question of occupation of Lebanon by Syria with the American people.

We call on you to:

I. THANK THE BILLS INITIATORS; by writing a short note to the aforementioned initiators of the bills:

SAMPLE FOR A THANK YOU NOTE TO THE FOUR LEADERS:

Honorable Senator or Congressman,

On behalf of the (name of your local group or person, State, City) I fully endorse the bill you have introduced in the House (or Senate) [insert the appropriate number} with regards Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon. We fully support the implementation of UN Resolution 520 and the departure of all foreign forces including the Syrian Army and intelligence from all Lebanese territories.

Lebanese Americans are very concerned about the continuous occupation of their mother country by Syrian forces and by the activities of terror organizations such as Hizballah and other radical armed groups. We are equally concerned by the large scale abuse of human rights in Lebanon and the threats targeting the multiethnic and pluralist nature of Lebanon.

We thank you for your courageous initiative in Congress, and express our readiness to assist you in any way we can to pass this legislation. Feel free to contact us for any joint action. We are planning on reaching out to our elected officials to endorse your bill. We will remain in contact with your local office, as our national leadership will be in touch with your office on Capitol Hill.

Sincerely,

II -WRITE TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

1. Find out who your Senators and House Representatives are (from both parties)

2. Write them a letter in the name of your branch, local club or association.

3. Encourage your friends and community centers to write similar letters.

4. Copy the letter you sent to us and copy us any response by your federal representative so that we can coordinate efforts nationwide

SAMPLE OF THE LETTER TO YOUR LOCAL FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE (SENATOR AND HOUSE MEMBER)

Honorable Congressman (or Congress woman where it applies)

Congressmen Dick Armey (R, Texas) and Eliot Engel (D, New York) have introduced Bill (HR # 4483) to the house.

or

Dear Senator..........

Senators Barbara Boxer (D, California) and Rick Santorum (R, Pennsylvania) have introduced Bill (S. 2215) to the Senate

On behalf of ................ (State, City) I fully endorse this bill with regards Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon. We fully support the implementation of UN Resolution 520 and the departure of all foreign forces including the Syrian Army and intelligence from all Lebanese territories.

Lebanese Americans are very concerned about the continuous occupation of their mother country by Syrian forces and by the activities of terror organizations such as Hizballah and other radical armed groups. We are equally concerned by the large scale abuse of human rights in Lebanon and the threats targeting the multiethnic and pluralist nature of Lebanon.

We ask you to fully support this bill and thank you for your support. We express our readiness to assist you in any way we can to pass this legislation. Feel free to contact us for any joint action. We are reaching out to all our elected officials to endorse this bill. We will remain in contact with your local office, as our national leadership will be in touch with your office on Capitol Hill.

Sincerely