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July 20,
2005
Action Alert: Legislation to Change
Daylight Savings Time
The Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs urges all
members to oppose a Congressional proposal that would extend
daylight savings time (DST) by two months each year.
The measure, now part of the Energy Bill would extend
daylight-saving time two months by moving to the first Sunday in
March the start date and by pushing the end date to the last
Sunday in November.
Pushing sunrise back to 8:00 AM or later would make it impossible
for those in certain parts of the United States to pray Shacharis
(morning prayers) before work.
The Orthodox Union joins a broad and diverse coalition in opposing
this measure, including the Bush Administration, the Airline
industry, and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Points to stress in your call/email include:
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While we support the goal of a energy independent America, this
proposal is the wrong way to achieve it.
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Criminals and others who could victimize children will have the
cover of darkness in which to operate.
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The US Airline industry will lose millions of dollars due to
schedule disruptions and landing rights issue at European
airports.
A
sample email follows on the next page for you to cut and paste.
Contact each of the four critical contacts, as well as CCing your
own US Senators and Member of Congress.
If you are unsure of your own US Senator/Member of Congress
contact information, see the attached links:
Senate:
www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
House:
www.house.gov (and input your zip code)
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SAMPLE EMAIL & CONTACT LIST:
Dear Senator,
I am writing to urge you to oppose a measure extending Daylight
Savings Time by two months, currently in a House-Senate Conference
(HR 6, passed the House on April 21).
We all wish to see a United States free from dependence on foreign
oil and with a clean, health environment for our children and
grandchildren, but this proposal is the wrong solution.
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Those
same children will be forced to wait outside for school buses in
the dark, making them susceptible to accidents and criminals.
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In
addition, our Airline industry will lose millions of dollars due
to the time conflict with Europe.
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And for
those of us who are Orthodox Jews, who say our morning prayers at
sunrise each day, it may force a direct conflict between our faith
and our livelihood.
The
opposition to this measure is as diverse as America itself: the
Bush Administration, big business, Orthodox Jews and Catholic
Bishops.
Each of us will support efforts to lesson our dependence on
foreign oil, just not this one.
Please remove this measure from the bill.
Very truly yours,
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CRITICAL CONTACT LIST:
US Senators
Senator Pete Domenici (R - NM),
Chairman, Energy Committee
(202) 224-6621
Web Form:
http://www.domenici.senate.gov/contact/contactform.cfm
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM),
Ranking Member, Energy Committee
(202) 224-5521
E-mail:
senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
Senator Orrin Hatch (R - UT)
(202) 224-5251
Web Form:
http://www.hatch.senate.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Offices.Contact
US House of Representatives
Hon. Roy Blunt, Majority Whip
H-329 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202)225-0197
http://majoritywhip.house.gov/contact.asp
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