FRANCES ESKIN-ROYER

ADVENT NOT ARMS - GLOBAL BISHOPS AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS LETTER FOR END OF ARMS TO ISRAEL; Joined a letter prepared for Christian leaders (Bishops, Presidents, Executive Directors or similar executive level) targeting their respective national leaders during the Season of Advent. In the United States, Churches for Middle East Peace handled sending the letter to President Biden with all signatories included.

ADVOCACY IN SUPPORT OF S. 1146, THE FIND AND PROTECT FOSTER YOUTH ACT: Continued outreach to Sen. Cornyn's office to help him promote passage of S. 1146.

CRIME VICTIMS FUND STABILIZATION ACT OF 2024 (S.4514/H.R.8061): Action alert in support of this bill to help domestic violence programs, rape crisis centers, child advocacy centers, and other victim service organizations keep their doors open. DEATH PENALTY: Following President Biden's mass commutation for 1,500 people recently, urged President Biden to take the additional step of commuting all federal death sentences.

ENERGY PERMITTING REFORM ACT: Letter to Congress expressing concern with the Energy Permitting Reform Act (S. 4753), which passed out of committee early this fall and will likely be a priority for its sponsors when Congress reconvenes after the election. The letter leads with our moral values and our concerns for communities on the frontlines of polluting industries, focusing most on the LNG (liquified natural gas) terminal provisions. The legislation comes at a cost to families, living in the most affected areas where there are disproportionately black, brown and Indigenous first nations.

FREDERICK DOGLASS TVPRA (H.R. 5856): Urged network to continue to call for passage of FD TVPRA this session (H.R. 5856). Met with the offices of members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging passage of this seminal legislation. Urged House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to work together to pass some kind of anti-human trafficking legislation...noting that the provisions in H.R. 5856 were amenable to both chambers. Did targeted request to NY constituents to urge Schumer as leader of the Senate to have the Senate take up and pass H.R. 5856 CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN: Encouraged members of Congress can help end the civil war in Sudan by co-sponsoring H.R. 8501. Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to ongoing conflicts between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting, which began in April 2023, has resulted in widespread displacement, food insecurity, and human rights violations. UNRWA FUNDING EMERGENCY RESTORATION ACT OF 2024 (S. 5388)- ORGANIZATIONAL ENDORSEMENT LETTER TO SENATE: Part of an endorsement letter for the legislation. This legislation would end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA). The Senate companion has minor edits/updates from the House version that include acknowledgment of UNRWAs implementation of reforms, the dangerous Knesset bills that would dismantle UNRWA operations, and recent actions of the Administration. Recently, the Knesset passed legislation to terminate UNRWA operations in East Jerusalem and risks preventing deconfliction in Gaza that is necessary to facilitate UNRWAs ability to safely provide humanitarian assistance. Urgent action by Congress is now more important than ever. Congress has the opportunity to send an important message that Americans support humanitarian assistance to starving women, children, and families desperate for food, medicine, and shelter. NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Group letter inviting Congressional members to participate in a Special Order in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 13. After votes have concluded on November 13, Congressman Jim McGovern hosted a Special Order focusing on the pressing issues surrounding nuclear weapons. Our faith traditions call us to prioritize international cooperation, seek peace, and reject nuclear saber rattling that makes the world less safe. Currently, arms control talks remain at a standstill and nuclear spending continues to skyrocket. At this pivotal time, this Special Order is a unique opportunity for your office to reinvigorate the conversation around the need to preserve existing nuclear guardrails, develop ethical safeguards, roll back increased nuclear spending, and work for justice for those impacted by the nuclear weapons industry.

GLOBAL POVERTY: Letter from Catholic organizations to President Biden to work for the release of what are called Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Its a little-known area of advocacy that has enormous potential for positive fiscal impact in many struggling countries, especially those in the Global South.

CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIALS OF NORTH AMERICA

CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIALS OF NORTH AMERICA

CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIALS OF NORTH AMERICA

CONFERENCE OF PROVINCIALS OF NORTH AMERICA