Unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation are deadly forces undermining efforts to alleviate extreme poverty around the world. In June, we began a campaign to bring attention to the problem of shortages of clean water and proper sanitation amongst the world’s poorest people. We issued a petition asking senators to sign on as cosponsors to the Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act of 2009, with the goal of reaching 150,000 ONE member signatures and 20 cosponsors in order to move the bill along in the legislative process.

So far, we’ve had a strong response from our membership, with over 107,000 signatures. Our voices are definitely being heard. Since our last update, Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have all signed on, bringing the total to 17 cosponsors:

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Bob Corker, Bob (R-TN)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Sen. Byron Dorgan D-ND)
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT)
Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD)

We’re almost there! With 17 co-sponsors to date, we only need 3 more to reach our goal of 20 senators. In order to meet this goal, we will keep the petition open, hoping to get 150,000 signatures, so if you haven’t signed yet, you can sign it here. If you have signed it, please send the petition along to family and friends, and post it on your favorite social network site. This piece of legislation will be essential in the survival of millions of people, particularly women and children, and in the fight against extreme poverty. We need your continued support.

-Darren Nowels