Congresswoman McCollum Speaks to RESULTS
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We went to the RESULTS event in St. Paul, MN last Saturday which was held in a church basement. Looking around the room and hearing the energy in people’s voices, we realized that we had never seen so many activists and “do-gooders” in one place before!
We got to learn about RESULTS and hear one of their volunteer’s amazing story. Having lived in Africa and seen social, political and moral injustices first hand, she decided that she wanted to learn more about how she could make a difference and take a step forward towards doing what is right. It was inspiring.
The best part of the event however was hearing the keynote speaker, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, passionately talk about the issues of poverty. We were sitting towards the front of the room and upon seeing our ONE t-shirts she recognized us, saying that she often works with ONE in Washington. She came up to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said “Thanks for being here, I know you guys will help with the maternal health bill that I’m working on in Washington”. Congresswoman McCollum spoke about poverty and how important it was that volunteers are standing up for the voiceless and faceless victims of it all around the world. Betty McCollum talked about some of the successes in the fight against poverty and noted the importance of helping our “neighbors, not just across the street or across the river, but across the ocean”.
We gave Rep. Betty McCollum a ONE wristband and thanked her for her continued support. She thanked us for ONE’s work and said that it was always nice to see ONE volunteers coming out and showing fresh energy in the fight against extreme poverty.
We left the event reassured that our elected leaders care and that with their support we can truly make a difference.
-Tzviatko Chiderov and Reena Dhake, ONE Twin Cities Members
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The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with frequent contributions from volunteers, members and partner organizations.
The ONE Blog updates readers daily with the latest in global development news and analysis and what ONE members and our partners are doing around the world to influence world leaders in the fight against global poverty.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE or ONE Action. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
March 4, 2009 at 3:32 pm
YAY! Great Job to the Twin Cities RESULTS group. You guys are rockstars.
March 4, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Here is some other interesting action happening in Minneapolis/St. Paul-Researchers from the U of M released new HIV prevention research.
This link explains the process well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyLMqvBgxrQ
March 4, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Thanks to Reena, Tzviatko, the ONE Campaign, Congresswoman McCollum and her staff, Yolande Saboutey from Togo, West Africa and her friends, and the people who share their passion for a world that works with nobody left out, like they did on Saturday afternoon.
Bravo to the HIV prevention researchers in Minneapolis-St Paul and elsewhere. Kudos to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria. We almost extinguished TB in the ’70s (we DID extinguish smallpox) and we can do it again.
The incredible power of communication in person, and via this blog, and when we share what’s in our hearts, gives us a glimpse of what is possible when people have functioning outlets for all our energies and vision. I suggest the people in this network of communication form a community that is causing opportunity for us all, and rapidly expanding the boundaries of what’s possible for human beings.
March 4, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Kudos to One volunteers and to St. Paul Congressperson Betty McCollum for coming to the RESULTS fundraiser last Saturday at the Methodist Church on Fairmount Ave. in St. Paul
Once again the power of the individual communicating directly with our elected officials was demonstrated as we learned from Betty how to communicate with her office, why the Democratic “Blue Dogs” are essential to the success of Democratic legislation and how to work with the other “not so progressive” members of the MN Delegation.
Thanks Betty, thanks to the One Volunteers and most of all to the RESULTS volunteers for hosting the event….unstoppable commitment until the political will to eliminate hunger and poverty becomes every child’s birthright.