BC Dems Platform & Resolution Committee has met twice since the last BCD Central Committee meeting. We met last Wednesday, May 12, from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the new BC Dems Headquarters at 1229 Main Street in Philomath, and 2 weeks previous on April 27.

APRIL 27th P&R meeting
Those present at the April 27th meeting were: Gail Wolcott, Kathy Conner, Dave Conklin, Russ Youmans, George Estreich, LoErna Simpson, Marion McNamara, John Puma, Ann Gaidos-Morgan, and Mark Armour.

Dave Conklin, Gail Wolcott and LoErna Simpson reported on the 2nd quarter State Central Committee meeting on April 23-24. A resolution endorsing HJR 28 was passed by the SCC, introduced by Dave Conklin and the BCDems Platform & Resolution committee. This was similar to the one passed last month at our BCD CC.

We then discussed how to get the most out of resolutions AFTER we pass them. We decided the following should happen:

• Distribution of the resolution to state officials, political leaders, and others as appropriate.
• Formation of an 'action team' to have ongoing study and action occur.
• Finding someone to serve as a Speaker on that issue and notifying Linda Ramsey for the Speakers Bureau.
• Preparing handouts to be distributed when speakers give talks on that issue.

The rest of the discussion on April 27 focused on which topic to study next. The top two choices were Energy Policy, Fuel Conservation and Global Warming, and US Aggression Against Other Countries. It was decided to invite representatives from Alternatives to War to speak at our next meeting.

MAY 12th P&R meeting
An incomplete list of those present at the May 12 meeting included: Dave Conklin, Kathy Conner, LoErna Simpson, Russ Youmans, John Puma, Bart Bolger, George Estreich, Rachel Ozretich, and ...... plus guests from Alternatives to War, Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Jeanne Raymond and Bobbi Hall.

During the first hour, Aleita, Jeanne and Bobbi from Alternatives to War shared some of the things their group is doing which the BC Dems could also do to help stop US aggression and make progress for justice and peace. Their suggestions included:

• Work on a resolution to withdraw American troops from Iraq and bring the Oregon troops home.
• Support the request by BCBORDF (Benton County Bill of Rights Defense Committee) to support the Letter to 509J Superintendent to clarify questions about military recruitment on the high school campuses.
• Join the ROP (Rural Organizing Project) state-wide event 'Walk for Truth, Justice & Community' on June 12 to 18 from Salem's capital to Portland.
• Attend the Onward Oregon Technology Project meeting for progressive folks in Corvallis on Saturday May 21, 9am-11am: A conversation with Lenny Dee from Onward Oregon on how to use technology for local advocacy efforts. Contact Aleita for details ( aleita@cmug.com).
• Sign on to PDA, Progressive Democrats of America, a one year old, growing, national organization for progressive Democrats. ["About Progressive Democrats of America - Progressive Democrats of America is one of the fastest growing political organizations in the country. PDA is currently active in all 50 states. PDA was formed to provide a counter-balance inside the Democratic Party to the Democratic Leadership Council. PDA has a national policy board of noteworthy leaders and grassroots activists who are formulating the true Progressive position on issues of national security, economic progress, shared prosperity, sustainable ecology, equality for all and a peaceful, just future. Learn more about Progressive Democrats of America by visiting: http://www.pdamerica.org ."]
• Support the creation of a Department of Peace. On Sept. 13, 2005, the bill to create a Department of Peace will be reintroduced in the House of Representatives by its sponsor Rep. Dennis Kucinich. At the end of 2004, H.R. 1673 (its old number) had 53 co-sponsors. Rep. Peter DeFazio was the only Oregon Representative that co-sponsored this bill last year. Contact DeFazio to ask his support again, and contact other Oregon Congressional members to co-sponsor this, too. (It will be given a new number after it is introduced.) This bill establishes nonviolence as an organizing principle of American society, providing the U.S. President with an array of peace-building policy options for domestic and international use. The Department of Peace would focus on nonmilitary peaceful conflict
  resolutions, prevention of violence, and promotion of justice and democratic principles to expand human rights.
  http://www.thepeacealliance.org/action.htm
• Continue to increase the Visibility of BC Dems by participating in various community events:
  • BC Dems are encouraged to participate as a group at the daily Courthouse Vigils one day a week. Wednesday was suggested. Bring a sign that says 'BC Democrat for Peace', etc.
  • Aug 6 will be Hiroshima Day awareness.

DISCUSSION on some of the above items included the request to bring a Resolution to the May 19th BC Dems Central Committee meeting on Withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. LoErna Simpson and Bart Bolger volunteered to work on this, looking at wording of Resolutions already passed by Democrats in CA, NM, WA, and Multnomah County, OR. They will bring it to the CC as individuals, since it is a timely issue but our P&R committee wouldn't have time to review it for approval because of the fast approaching May 19th meeting.

The SECOND HALF of our meeting was devoted to reports by individuals on Energy, Fuel Conservation, and Global Warming topic. Systematic approaches to a healthier planet were presented by LoErna Simpson on The Natural Step Framework for Sustainability, by Rachel Ozretich on
Citizens for Global Solutions and on the Earth Charter. George Estreich asked for more clarification of topics for Bills to identify at the national and state level. Russ Youmans reported on Rocky Mountain Institute information on nuclear power, hydrogen industry and oil. At our next meeting on Wed, May 25, other p&r members will report on additional topics.

Reported by LoErna Simpson, co-chair