January 8, 2001 Vol. 3, No. 43

This Week in Washington...

For more information, contact Reva Price, Washington Representative at rprice@thejcpa.org

New "Paige" for Education? 41 new members of the House and eleven new Senators filled out the ranks of the 107^th Congress as it was sworn in last week. Most members have returned to their home districts for the week. Those still in town include members of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee who will open confirmation hearings on the 10^th for Rod Paige, the Houston School Superintendent nominated by President elect George W. Bush to serve as Secretary of Education. Because the Democrats will control the Senate for the next 12 days, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) will chair the proceedings. With the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and other education initiatives expected to be among the first legislative discussions this winter, Paige will be likely be questioned carefully about his positions on school vouchers and block grants. Conflict over both initiatives stalled this important Reauthorization bill in the last Congress.

Paying Your Dues: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday to discuss payment of US arrears to the United Nations. The Senate had made payment of back dues contingent on lowering the US share of the United Nations and peacekeeping budgets. United Nations Representative Richard Holbrooke negotiated a deal endorsed by the UN General Assembly on December 23^rd which would decrease the US assessment. Although the deal does not achieve everything the Senate had asked for, the compromise is expected to win Committee support.

Hate Crimes Update: MTV will kick off its 2001 "Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination" public service campaign against hate crimes by going dark for 17 hours, beginning 10 pm Wednesday, January 10^th until 3:30 pm Thursday, January 11^th. Replacing the rock videos and star interviews will be a running scroll listing the names of hundreds of people who have been victims of hate crimes. The ADL, National Council of La Raza, Human Rights Campaign and the Southern Poverty Law Center contributed to the compilation of the list. The public service campaign will also include a documentary exploring the different sides of the story behind the vicious attack and murder of Matthew Shepard. A national MTV poll shows that approximately 82% of 12-24 year olds support expanding the federal hate crimes laws.

This Week in New York…

For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org

PLENUM UPDATE: Did you know that there are just 47 days until the Plenum???? Do you know about the PLUS 3 = FREE CHALLENGE? If your community or agency's delegation increases by 3 over last year's Plenum, you automatically get 1 free registration credited for Plenum 2002! Did you know that JCPA has extended Early Bird Registration through WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10th? Did you know that the room bloc at Renaissance Mayflower Hotel is good only through February 9th? Call the Mayflower directly at 202-347-3000 and refer to the JCPA 2001 Program for the discounted rate of $176 per night, single or double occupancy.

Newly confirmed speakers include STEVEN EMERSON, internationally recognized expert on counterterrorism, JEFFREY ROSEN of The New Republic on the Supreme Court, RABBI SAUL BERMAN, leading Orthodox teacher and thinker and expert on social ethics, LEONARD FEIN and HANNAH ROSENTHAL on social justice, and PETER EDELMAN on the impact of welfare reform. Also confirmed: AVRAHAM BURG, Israeli Knesset Speaker; American Red Cross President DR. BERNADINE HEALY; AMB. STUART EIZENSTAT; RABBI IRVING GREENBERG, Chairman, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council; PHIL WARBURG, Director of Israel Union for Environmental Defense and ALON TAL, Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. Special Plenum program highlights include Saturday's Evening of Jewish Jazz with CNN commentator and renowned pianist BEN SIDRAN and FRIENDS; a special performance by the always witty CAPITOL STEPS; late night special meetings on hot topics, including charitable choice and the electoral college; special closing plenary sessions at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Make this the best Plenum ever! Register today to take advantage of the extended Early Bird Registration and save $50 - $55 per person! Need more info? Call JCPA at 212-684-6950. Do you know someone who could use a call to encourage them to attend? Share their name and phone number, and we will have the call made by a senior JCPA lay leader.

For more information, contact Benita Gayle-Almeleh, Senior Community Consultant at bga@thejcpa.org