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Show Page Resident Attends Congressional Strategy Conference in D.C. 8 Ladies, by Fred Dedrich On March 12 in Washington, D. C. the Congressional Black Caucus, which consists of Blacks elected to Congress, held a strategy conference concerning the Nixon budget cuts. The purpose of the conference was to bring together leaders and representatives from various civil rights and poverty groups from around the country to decide on ways to educate the country to the effects of the budget cuts and how to best fight them. The week before members of 20 national civil rights groups met to explore forming a coalition to Chairman of the Poverty Subcommittee of the House Committee on Housing, Education and Labor, was the next speaker. He outlined the budget cuts in the areas of employment, housing and the Legal Services and Community Action programs. He mentioned three pieces of legislation that need support from people across the country: House Concurrent Resolution 122 - opposing the impoundment of funds. H.R. 5398 sponsored by progress made by the poor and Y.) Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-is which similar to the Mahon bill requiring the President to come to Congress before impounding funds. H. R. 5109 calling for the minorities in the 60's. Legal fight Nixon's cuts on a national level. Many of the group's representatives argued that the cuts will erode much of the Unfortunately, because of strained relationships between some of the groups it was not decided whether forming a new coalition was either feasible or desirable. The Congressional Black Caucus sent invitations to 300 leaders of orgnaizations including the NAACP, the National Urban League, PUSH, the Southern Christian Leaderhip Conference, the Congress on Racial Equality, the Civil Rights Leadership Conference ( coalition of 122 civil rights and labor groups), organized labor, and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr. The strategy conference began with an introduction by Rep. Louis Stokes who (D-Ohi- outlined the agenda of the conference. The first speaker was the Rep. Carl Albert Speaker of the House, who critized the President severely for impounding funds appropriated (D-Okla- .) by Congress. He agreed that a ceiling shoud be set on Federal spending but said that it was very clear that such action was the constitutional perogative of the House of Representatives. He noted Congress had refused an earlier request by the President that he be allowed to impound funds and Nixon simply issued an executive order without the consent of Congress. Rep. George Mahon (D-Texa- s) spoke next. His appearance was significant in that he is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee which helps set spending priorities for Congress. He spoke briefly about the impoundment bill (H. R. 5193) he is introducing which would require the President to obtain the advice and consent of the Congress before he impounds funds. Rep. Augustus Hawkins, continuation of the Services program while a new structure is being formed. Rep. Hawkins is also conducting hearings around the country to determine the effect of the cuts in major cities. He advised that every city conduct similar hearings. Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn- then spoke and .) encouraged the perseverence of all groups in fighting the cuts. He suggested that if the criteria that Nixon was using to determine the effectiveness of poverty programs were applied to space programs, defense programs and taxation guidelines there would have to be drastic reductions in those programs also. He added that the President's duty to execute the laws passed by Congress did not include "executing many of its programs. Sen. Humphrey emphasized the need to contact people in business, labor, and agriculture and explain to them the effects of the budget cuts. Many of these groups, he said, had been fooled into thinking that these programs would be replaced in the near far-reachi- future. Revenue sharing simply will not be enough to offset the impoundment of funds, said the Senator. He distributed to the conference members a resolution he is introducing in the Senate. The resolution calls for the Congress to set equally rigorous standards for military and foreign aid, space programs, and unwarranted tax preferences. He suggested that the savings from these measures would result in approximately $10 - 14 million and that this money should be applied to increased public assistance for education, health, housing and the environment to name just a few. Sen. Ted Kennedy spoke on the retreat from the War on Poverty. He the need to continue the battle begun in the 60's but sidetracked by the Vietnam War. He urged everyone present to demand accountability from their Congressmen and Senators for their stand on social service programs. After the Senators had spoken, Dick Warden of the United Automobile Workers and Dick Clark from Common Cause talked briefly about mobilizing various groups in the community who would be helpful in (D-Mass- .) supporting low income organizations. This was followed by some brief reports form the various coalitions working against the budget cuts. George Wiley, Welfare of National the formerly Rights Organization, and now the national coordinator of the down to listen to things (most of which they already knew) is not potential Set your own schedule enthusiasm. It still comes down to the necessity for local groups to get No experience themselves together, get the word out to the public, and call home their representatives to make them accountable. necessary Training provided Glamorous field contact: Director Named Mrs. Keller 355-887- study. designed to bring Blacks, minorities and whites "adversely affected by the budget cuts together. According to the Strategy local action and organization would be coupled with a strong national legislative strategy. The legislative strategy would put clear focus" on a major piece of legislation such as the Legal Services Program. This piece of legislation would be the rallying point for local action. The "local act on plan would have three focal points: 1 . Fact finding hearings to air the specific impact of the budget proposals. (Rep. Wayne Owens Grundfossen resigned to head a Salt Lake County year-long government modernization It Is 4-- H Gardening Time maxi gardens a tomatoe plant in a container Mini gardens - -- Whether you raise vegetables, or flowers in a small area or a large one, gardening is satisfying and fun. Wednesday, April 4, the 4-boys and girls from Sumner School led by Joyce Olsen and Kent Schmidt heard some guidelines to gardening. The action appropriate to the prevailing social conditions. In conclusion, it must be said that the conference was a bit disappointing. Many people were brought there under the impression that the strategy for fighting these cuts should come from the grassroots up as well as from the leaders down. Unfortunately together from gathering people all around the Services Offered By Agency information was given by Melvin Horticulturist for the Utah State University. Along with showing them how to care for their soil, he brought tomatoe plants and gave each child a plant to transplant into his own container and take home. The boys and girls were encouraged to prepare some spot in their own yard where they can 3. A series of rallies andor actions: Scheduled for June 30 or July 1st and held at key sites in local districts, this series would greet the new Fiscal Year with Barry Lynn. April 3, Fri. 8:00 p.m. Spalding Hall St. Marks growing in your window. meeting.) 2. Town meetings: scheduled to rally broad public interest and support by focusing on the major piece of legislation. Performance 1 Burningham, Salt designed Solo Benefit By has already held a similar for late May or early June of tomorrow gs Former director Pete coalition of some 80 national organizations. It kosmetics for the communities n action plan is 6 Your Distributor in Koscot Kosmetics Deputy Director Mel Darton has been promoted to direct the Salt Lake Model Cities program during the third and final action year. The Model Cities program is scheduled to end in May, 1974 and agency staff is being reduced May 1, 1973 in a winding-dow- effort. adopted Unlimited earning conducive to generating Movement for Economic Justice outlined a suggested strategy to counter the Nixon budget cuts and impoundments." The Strategy is a "local by a cnssm country and then sitting them raise carrots, beets, squash, 'spinach or any of the other desired seeds available. Chester Hensley, father of members was three of the 4-there to help and encourage new gardeners. He is doing gardening with his own family in the Central H City area. Should your family want to gardening get involved in a 4-program, USLJ Extension will help you all they can. For further H information, call The Division of Family Lake Area 328-574- 5. Services has a Financial Counseling Unit to work with consumers who are having money Call ask and for Records management problems. 486-181- 1 and Reception. There is a program for unwed mothers which provides help with problems, medical care and counseling. The Division has Handimen who can do minor household repairs for home financial owners in the model neighborhood and public assistance consumers. You supply the material and the Handimen will supply the labor. If you need assistance with Day Care perhaps the Division can heip with one of its many Day Care programs. For information on any of the above and ask services, call 486-181- 1 for Records and Reception. |