Sen. Judd Gregg

It was a late night for Celtics fans, but an early morning for ONE members here in New Hampshire. After a speech to the Concord Chamber of Commerce, I and some more ONE members caught up with New Hampshire’s Senior Senator Judd Gregg.

On the way out the door, we spoke with Senator Gregg about the importance of passing the new global AIDS bill, PEPFAR, which has passed the US House with great bipartisan support and is now in the US Senate.

And ONE member, Kevin Schmidt was able to briefly speak with Senator Gregg about the great work that the Millennium Challenge Corporation is doing to partner with well-governed, yet impoverished, countries. Kevin also noted how ONE Vote ‘08 Chair, former Majority Leader Senator Frist sits on the board of the MCC with Catholic Relief Services CEO Ken Hackett – and he urged Senator Gregg to fully fund the MCC as we head into the very important Appropriations season in the halls of Congress.

By uniting as ONE, and finding way to make our voices heard by our elected leaders, we have the ability to pass, and properly fund, critical and lifesaving programs that will help millions of people that live each and every day in extreme poverty.

-Matthew Bartlett

Just now, ONE member Melissa Skinner dropped off over 50 letters to Sen. Gregg’s Office from “UNH for ONE” urging him for more funds for the international affairs budget.

Check out the video:

After, Melissa talks about leaving a message for Sen. Gregg, Melissa urges all ONE members to take action today by calling their Senators’ offices and urging them to support a maximize increase for the 2009 international affairs budget.

-Matthew Bartlett