Today, the 111th Congress was sworn in, and in it are many new representatives and senators that will need to hear from ONE members about the importance saving lives in the developing world. I am in DC today, so I decided to swing by the office of my new senator from New Hampshire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

When I got to there I noticed that former Press Secretary to President Clinton, Mike McCurry was in the room and I immediately noticed the ONE band he was sporting. We spoke briefly about the ONE Vote ‘08 launch in New Hampshire that he attended back in 2007. I also ran into New Hampshire Representative Paul Hodes and spoke with him about the campaign trail back in the Granite State.

Then I briefly spoke with Sen. Shaheen about ONE and our efforts to fight global disease and extreme poverty, and I am sure that she will be hearing from ONE members as she has been named to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Today I met my new senator, and urged her to take action to help save millions of lives. But ONE members everywhere should call, write, and meet with your new members of Congress to make sure they know that saving lives in the world’s poorest places is not only possible, it is a priority!

-Matthew Bartlett