Jan 12th, 2012 1:03 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
Nov 8th, 2011 3:17 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
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Last weekend, Orange County ONE member Gina Kim opened her home to her community to join her in writing letters to Senator Dianne Feinstein, asking her to oppose any cuts to the FY12 State and Foreign Operations bill. This bill funds ONE’s priorities, including agricultural development, childhood vaccines and HIV/AIDS treatment. Last week, we learned a vote would soon be coming to the Senate floor and ONE members across the country have been calling and writing their senators with a similar message: “International affairs programs help tackle the root causes of conflict and extremism, respond to humanitarian crises, and build new markets for US goods and services, so please oppose any more cuts to the foreign aid budget.”
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Sep 9th, 2011 10:37 AM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
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Right before Labor Day Holiday weekend, ONE member Michelle Droz and I had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Jackie Speier. Elected as the Representative of the 12th US Congressional District in California in 2008, Rep. Speier has been a vocal leader on several domestic issues and voted to expand our global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs, and we asked her to also support childhood vaccines, agriculture development and other poverty-fighting programs.
While discussing the enormous drive of California ONE members and our steadfast dedication to prevent budget cuts to these important programs, Rep. Speier quickly expressed her support for issues ONE members care so much about, and seemed especially pleased with our bipartisan position. Rep. Speier encouraged us to continue educating and informing our neighbors of why these programs matter.
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Jun 23rd, 2011 4:26 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
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On Monday, I was honored to join an incredible panel in Fort Worth, Texas at the Refugee Services of Texas (RST) Advocacy Forum for World Refugee Day. Together, we raised awareness around refugees and the importance of consistent advocacy within our own communities. Kim Gudimetla, who works with the agency, organized this extraordinary event at the First United Methodist Church, which was attended by many distinguished guests.
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Jun 6th, 2011 4:10 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
Mar 4th, 2011 1:48 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
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If you’ve ever had a chance to meet Pastor Rick Warren, I’m sure you’ve familiar with his legendary bear hugs. Well, Ryan and I got ours — along with a full dose of encouragement yesterday during Catalyst West. Catalyst West is a gathering of young West Coast leaders who seek to learn, worship and create together with a momentous energy to passionately pursue God. Last year, Eugene Cho, founder of One Day’s Wages, a ONE partner, spoke at this incredible event.
This year’s speakers, with the theme “Take Courage,” have so far included civil rights leader John M. Perkins and CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien. Pastor Rick was excited to see us with ONE gear and said he loved and appreciated our work. We thanked Pastor Rick Warren for his longtime support for ONE Sabbath and we encouraged people of faith to help raise awareness. Churches have been incredible ONE partners over the years, and this coming April 10th they will once again demonstrate the power of their voice on Lazarus Sunday. More to come at Catalyst West in Southern California…
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Mar 2nd, 2011 5:41 PM UTC
By Roscoe Mapps
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ONE members across the country are always looking for opportunities to speak directly to their members of Congress about the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. Some great volunteers took advantage of Senator Scott Brown’s book tour last week and were able to catch up with the senator four times at his stops through Texas and California!
In Houston on Thursday, Senator Brown told the volunteers that (he had worn his ONE T-shirt earlier that very day on his morning run! Then, the following day in Simi Valley, California, Senator Brown signed his book, “To the ONE Campaign. Keep the faith.” Thanks to all our volunteers who supported ONE out in the community and thanks to Senator Scott Brown for giving ONE such a warm welcome as he traveled around the country!
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