MCC action alert

July 30, 2009

Encourage your Representative to co-sponsor the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act. The bill seeks to empower residents to create stronger and more equitable communities, by creating 100,000 green jobs for hurricane survivors rebuilding communities and restoring the environment.

Background: In 2005 and 2008, a string of severe hurricanes hammered the Gulf Coast, exposing the ugly reality of poverty and racism in our country. Four years after Katrina and Rita, much rebuilding remains and many residents still struggle to find affordable housing and living-wage jobs.

This spring, bipartisan legislation was introduced that would create thousands of green jobs to help rebuild the Gulf Coast, restore natural flood protection and promote energy efficiency—beginning to right the wrongs of the past and helping to protect the region from future deadly storms and the growing effects of climate change. The bill prioritizes jobs and training opportunities for Gulf Coast residents and returning evacuees. It provides for local accountability and oversight, and prioritizes rebuilding public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

More than 200 local and national organizations have expressed support for the bill, including MCC and several partner organizations in the Gulf Coast.

Faith Reflection: Our witness as a church is most meaningful when it is rooted in our own lived-out example--when our lights shine brightly in both what we say and what we do. Mennonites have been actively involved in the “doing” part--helping to rebuild homes along the Gulf Coast and supporting local communities as they work for justice.

But we can use our voices as well. Many local leaders have pointed to the need for investment that benefits whole communities—not just a select, privileged few, as has happened with far too much of the rebuilding money that has gone to the Gulf Coast. Those of us around the country can support community leaders in the Gulf Coast by conveying their concerns to our policymakers.

Action: Encourage your Representative to support communities along the Gulf Coast by co-sponsoring the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act.

Parts of this email have been adapted from an alert sent out by the Gulf Coast Civic Works Campaign.