Can you sign on to the letter?/Can you deliver the letter on Feb. 19?

Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

Rep. John Sarbanes
600 Baltimore Ave.
Suite 303
Baltimore, MD 21204

February 19, 2014

Dear Representative Sarbanes:

Members of the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore are voters and supporters of Progressive Democrats of America. We are writing to you to raise three issues.

As citizen activists, we first call upon you to speak out and to vote against The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act [H.R. 3830], any “Fast Track” legislation, as well as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) itself. . Dr. Martin Luther King and his movement marched for jobs and justice. Honor Black History Month by cosponsoring the Voter Empowerment Act (H.R. 12), and the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act (H.R. 1000).

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a very bad deal for American families. Members of Congress and trade officials report that it would send America jobs overseas, and ban efforts to save jobs such as the "Buy America" campaign. It would empower foreign companies to sue Americans in international tribunals for $billions in “future lost profits,” and contravene local, state and federal laws. “Fast Track” would take away your trade authority by railroading the deal through Congress. It is an extreme and rare procedure—only used 16 times in U.S history. Good deals don't need “Fast Track,” only bad deals do. Therefore, you must speak out against and vote against H.R. 3830, any "Fast Track" trade authority, and against the TPP itself.

Second, the Voter Empowerment Act is necessary legislation that would "modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for individuals with disabilities, protect the ability of individuals to exercise the right to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes." Please contact Rep. Lewis' office at (202)-225-3801 to cosponsor H.R. 12, unless you already have.

Third, we need jobs. The Labor Force Participation Rate remains at historic lows. The Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act would promote job creation through Employment Opportunity Grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes as well as Workforce Investment programs. It would also bring together business, labor, government, and other parties to create jobs. Please contact Jenny Perrino in Rep. Conyers' office at (202)-225-5126 / jenny.perino@mail.house.gov to cosponsor H.R. 1000, unless you already ha

Finally, we are seeking an end to the use of killer drone strikes, which we believe to be illegal and unconstitutional. We ask you to speak out against this assassination program, which ignores any veneer of due process. Consider as well a request for the full, unclassified release of information surrounding the administration’s drone policy.

We look forward to your response. And when you are ready, we would like to meet with you, preferably in Baltimore. But if necessary, we will travel to your D.C. office. We thank you for your consideration regarding these critically important issues, and look forward to ongoing discussion and engagement with you in the coming months.

Peace,

Max Obuszewski, on behalf of Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore/Fund Our Communities

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs