It is with great sadness that JALSA (Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action) members learned about the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. For countless years, we have regularly turned to him for help and leadership on boundless issues, ranging from civil rights, elimination of poverty, and economic justice to our efforts to free Jews imprisoned in the former Soviet Union. His leadership on the whole range of social and economic justice issues will be sorely missed.

His efforts for equality of health care for all were a lifetime passion.

Our tribute to his legacy must be the passage of a strong health insurance bill with the establishment of a structure that will help the U.S. move to universal health coverage.

There are a few weeks left to the August recess when members of Congress are home in their districts. This time has been used by opponents of health care to try to defeat any and all proposals. All of us have seen efforts to raise fears about government playing a role in our health care system (notwithstanding the contrary evidence of half a century of Medicare) and to mobilize residents around town hall meetings.

Fact and fiction are twined in these debates.

Two very important debates are scheduled in our area. It is important that proponents be present to demonstrate support of a strong public option. Please attend:

Congressman Stephen Lynch’s Town Hall meeting on Thursday, August 27 at 5 p.m. (Supporters of a strong public option will be meeting at 3 p.m. in front of the main entrance gate)
Curry College 1071 Blue Hill Ave, Milton, MA

(You can get to Curry College via #128, north on #138, you go right by the gate or
(You can get to Curry College via #128, north on #138, you go right by the gate or go to Mattapan Square and then go south on #138.)

Meet with Senator John Kerry

Senator Kerry sits on the Senate Finance Committee that is currently stalled out in its bipartisan negotiations, and has become a bottle-neck for health reform. Kerry has stated that he supports single payer reform, but he emphasizes that the politics of health reform in the Senate are looking very grim currently, and that there might not be enough votes to pass even a public option. We need his leadership on that committee whether or not the votes are there on the Committee. Urge his active leadership in Committee and on the Floor of the Senate.

Senator John Kerry’s Town hall meeting is on Wednesday, Sept 2 7:30 p.m. (Proponents of a strong public option will be meeting at 5 p.m. in front of Somerville High School. Meet in the auditorium, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA.

Sheila Decter
JALSA
Boston, MA