Debbie Neustadt's comments: I got a call from a "Gobal Trade"
organization urging me to make a call. When I pressed and asked who was
a target they mentioned Boswell. I know that he has voted with us
before. I don't know if there is some reason to assume he won't be with
us again or if they just want to make sure. This was a memo posted on
another club listserve that I recieved by way of a Genetic Engineering
activist.


Sierra Club Responsible Trade Program
Urgent Action Alert
Oct. 12, 2001

Stop Anti-Environmental Fast-Track Bill

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bill Thomas (R-CA) is STILL trying
to
use the crisis created by terrorist attacks on our country to ram
through
Congress a divisive, environmentally-destructive fast-track trade bill.
The Ways and Means committee approved his fast track bill on Tuesday,
opening the door for a floor vote in coming weeks.  But only two
Democrats
supported his legislation, making it the most divisive trade legislation

ever to emerge from the Ways and Means Committee.  Meanwhile Reps. Levin

(D-MI) and Rangel (D-NY) offered a fast track alternative that enhances
Congress's oversight role and provides stronger negotiating objectives
on
labor and environment.

TAKE URGENT ACTION

Call or write your US Representative today.  Dial 1-800-393-1082
(courtesy
of the AFL-CIO). Ask for your Rep's office and then the "trade
legislative
assistant."

For more information, see www.sierraclub.org/trader contact
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TALKING POINTS

House Ways and Means Chair Bill Thomas (R-CA) is trying to use the
crisis
created by terrorist attacks on our country to ram through Congress a
divisive, environmentally-destructive fast-track trade bill.  Thomas'
bill
will only distract Congress from the urgent need to make our country
safe
from terrorist attacks and to quickly turn around our economy.

The Thomas fast-track bill is bad for the environment.  It would expand
controversial "investor" rules that have empowered foreign corporations
to
sue over our environmental laws.  And it denies Congress an effective
decision-making role in shaping future trade deals that can profoundly
affect our quality of life.

Congress can't possibly make good decisions about complicated trade
policies in the present climate.  Thomas should postpone action on fast
track until such time as we can have a thoughtful, deliberate debate on
these critically important issues.

COMMENT: As I said yesterday, our best strategy at this point -- and
eminently possible -- is to run out the clock.  The fact that
NAFTA would allow corporations to further exploit unfair labor practices
is why the AFL-CIO is donated the toll-free phone line.
 The combination of labor plus environmentalists was potent at Seattle
and still is.  Tell your Rep that you'd like his/her position in
writing.  Say that you believe that "defense of the homeland" must
include fighting for fair labor practices and protection of the
environment -- these are issues which affect the quality of life of us
all.

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