After the town hall event, Trevor and I were able to meet the Congressman. He immediately recognized our ONE gear and was happy to see us at yet another one of his events! Afterward, we spoke with two members of Rep. Ryan’s staff and asked them to carry on the great work for the world’s poorest people that was championed in the past by people like Sen. John Sununu and Gov. John Kasich. We also implored them to urge the congressman not to attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the world’s poorest people.

Finally, Trevor and I reminded Rep. Ryan’s staff of the fact that foreign aid accounts for less than one percent of the federal budget — something the congressman himself has said publicly time and again. We reiterated that with such a small fraction of our budget, we can do a world of good — including saving 4 million kids’ lives by 2015 with effective vaccines. Speak out now to let our leaders know that you support funding for two new vaccines that will prevent two of the deadliest killers of children, pneumonia and diarrhea.

In response, the congressman rightfully reiterated the fact that foreign aid accounts for less than one percent of our federal budget, something we here at ONE know very well. In fact, “even if we got rid of all of it,” Rep. Ryan told the crowd, “it won’t get us even close to balancing our budget this year.”

After the town hall event, Matthew and I handed Rep. Ryan 20 letters from his constituents. They reiterated the fact that in just the past decade, thanks to American leadership, 15 million more kids are alive and 46 million more in school. They also asked the congressman to protect that proud legacy without busting the budget. New vaccines can help prevent 4 million child deaths by 2015, but only if we commit to supporting their distribution. Speak out now to ask our leaders to fund proven, effective measures that protect children around the world.

Hitting the campaign trail on behalf of ONE Vote 2010, longtime ONE supporter Bob Bowers, also known as “Da Pirate,” had the chance to meet with Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold on Thursday. Bob is a 26-year thriving survivor of HIV/AIDS and is a well-respected educator and advocate.

Sen. Feingold was at Madison College for a student meet and greet. Madison College students and a few of Bob’s friends were on hand to thank Sen. Feingold for his continued support of ONE and his help in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Sen. Feingold enthusiastically put the ONE band on his wrist to show his support.

ONE member Shawn Alexander and the UW-Madison film team helped me prep and run the event. It was wonderful to have an HIV/AIDS professor there to answer questions from an education point of view, and tell us a little about the current issues surrounding the Global Fund, PEPFAR and the impact of antiretroviral drugs.

One of the highlights during the event was meeting AIDS activist Bob Bowers, who said a few words during the event. He mentioned that about 3,300 people are on a waiting list for antiretroviral drugs in the U.S., and told the audience that he was a living proof of the success of access to AIDS drugs.

He’s a big supporter of ONE and his message was powerful. We should all do what we can to provide a similar outcome for life to the millions who live with AIDS today in underdeveloped countries.

I also got introduced to an on-campus group (some of their members were there) that raises awareness on HIV/AIDS, malaria and other advocacy issues in Africa.

Madison is a really good setting for ONE activities and the university has many young people who are very interested in becoming more involved with ONE.

- Sando Johnson, ONE congressional district leader for Wisconsin’s 4th District

We asked Brad to thank Congressman Kind for being a supporter of ONE, particularly as a cosponsor of the Berman-Kirk bill, also known as the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009. Mr. Kind also voted against cuts to this year’s Foreign Operations bill and voted for its passage, for which we are grateful.

We were pleased to be joined by Rosine Urujeni, an exchange student from Rwanda currently studying at Viterbo University. Hearing her unique perspective and how important United States aid is to her country simply underlined the importance of our meeting. Rev. Kent Johnson of the Lutheran Office for Justice and Peace in La Crosse brought Rosine, knowing her first-hand knowledge of the poverty, disease, and daily African struggle to survive.

We encouraged Congressman Kind to add his voice as a member of the Wisconsin delegation to urge Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Obey to fulfill the President’s request and fully fund the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Brad assured us that Congressman Kind has been and will continue to be a supporter of our efforts. He agreed to pass along our concerns and requests to continue in the fight against global poverty.

-Joyce Dunbar, Wisconsin ONE Member

Pictured: Kent Johnson, Amy Lunde, Brad Smith, Staff to Congressman Ron Kind, Joyce Dunbar, Wes Dunbar, Rosine Urujeni

We thanked Representative Kagen for voting in favor of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations bill which contains the majority of funding for ONE’s priorities, and urged his continued support for funding.

As the only WI Member to sit on the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Kagen can play a critical role in the fight against hunger. We asked him to cosponsor H.R. 3077, the ‘Global Food Security Act of 2009’ to develop a long-term approach to improving agricultural development and sustainability.

Amanda said she would follow up on the status of each bill we discussed and pass along our message to the Congressman. We look forward to Rep. Kagen’s support for those in need across the globe!

-Amy Lunde, ONE Wisconsin

AIDS Walk Wisconsin 2009 was a great event for ONE. Walkers at this event are always very generous and warm to the ONE message. They come, listen and want to take action to be a part of the effort to fight extreme poverty and AIDS – not just in Milwaukee, but all around the world.

This year, ONE had a table at the AIDS Walk and saw over 120 new volunteers sign up to join ONE. Many people took information and will hopefully visit the website as we encouraged them to do.

I especially enjoyed engaging new sign-up members this year because my home country Liberia was highlighted in ONE’s “Past Campaigns” section, detailing ONE’s efforts to engage the IMF to eliminate the $800+ million debt which has been a huge obstacle in Liberia’s economic growth and stability.

I was able to explain to new members how ONE played a direct role and why it’s so important for more people to join the larger voice tackling important issues like these. I look forward to more of these success stories from all over the world to be able to encourage more to join the fight against global poverty.

We will continue to represent ONE in Milwaukee, WI!

-Sando Johnson, Milwaukee, WI ONE Member

Excerpts from Branton’s letter below, full piece here.

I joined ONE members from Madison last week to meet with Sen. Herb Kohl’s staff to encourage the senator’s continued work on behalf of the impoverished around the globe. ONE is a growing grass-roots force across the globe, and over 27,000 strong in Wisconsin.

We requested that Kohl sign on as a co-sponsor of the Sen. Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009, a bipartisan effort to provide 100 million people with access to clean water and sanitation. We also know how critical it is that the senator support the international affairs budget this year and fully fund the Global Fund for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

As we commit to global aid, we are improving the world’s health and increasing economic development and stabilization. The Global Fund has already saved an estimated 2.5 million lives. These advancements are consistent with our security interests, our economic interests, and our moral and national values.

-Chris Scott

Last week I joined several Milwaukee ONE members to meet with Rebeca Lopez of Senator Russ Feingold’s staff, to encourage the Senator’s continued work on behalf of the impoverished around the globe. As we met, we thanked Senator Feingold for his efforts to alleviate poverty, including his support of HIV/AIDS relief.

We told Ms. Lopez of ONE’s growing grassroots force across Wisconsin with over 27,000 members and mentioned our uniting with various groups in the state- from campus organizations to the United Nations chapter in Milwaukee.

We asked that the Senator consider the effects of climate change on many underdeveloped countries and devote 5% of climate legislation revenue to the world’s poorest people to adapt to climate change.

Finally, we requested Senator Feingold sign on as a cosponsor of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009, a bi-partisan effort to provide access to clean water and sanitation to 100 million people. Rebeca informed us that the Senator has requested of the Foreign Relations Committee that the bill be brought up for a vote this year.

Rebeca assured us that our requests and concerns would be passed on and that Senator Feingold, already an advocate for poverty-stricken nations, would continue to support the fight against global poverty.

-Andrew Hable, Wisconsin ONE Member

Yesterday President Obama made a visit to Green Bay’s Southwest High School to discuss healthcare. I was part of the ONE volunteers present to thank President Obama for his work on behalf of the world’s poorest people, and encourage him in the fight for the $51.7 billion for the International Affairs Budget.

While we work to improve America’s healthcare system, President Obama understands that we can’t back away from our responsibility to help fight the global health care crisis that sees millions of people dying every year from preventable diseases.

Lieutenant Governor Barb Lawton, Wisconsin’s newest Ambassador for ONE, was also present at the event.

We found new ONE supporters on the spot and excited to “Fan” our facebook page! Join ONE Wisconsin’s grassroots team in Wisconsin by emailing onewisconsin@one.org or on Facebook.

-Jim Weigand, ONE Member, Green Bay, WI