April 27, 2009
The Honorable James L. Oberstar
House of Representatives
2365 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2308
Washington, D.C. 20515-2308
Dear Minnesota Representative James L. Oberstar,
I am writing to you today to address an issue that has been brought to my attention. I currently support the proposal to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to improve public notification and community relations concerning actions for the removal of environmental hazards.
With the improved Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, homeowners who reside in homes built before the 1950's will protect their health and be aware of the hazards in their homes. The problem is that many home-owners do not know that their houses might contain lead-based paints that were used in their homes because lead-based paints were not considered a health threat before the 1950's. This issue is part of a goal for HealthyPeople 2010 where Objective 8-22 states that their goal is to increase the proportion of persons living in pre-1950 housing that has been tested for the presence of lead-based paints. With the current Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, this act does not require the head of the lead agency for a response action to many different home hazards of pre-1950's homes. With the amended act, notifications and concerning actions for the removal of lead would be improved.
With your decision to support this act, lives will be changed. This act will provide appropriate actions to protect the health of the people and the people that support you. The citizens in the 8th congressional district that you represent are directly effected by this issue. The biggest city in your congressional district that you represent is the city of Duluth, MN. Recent data shows that 80% of homes in Duluth were built before the 1950's. This population living in these homes are the majority of the people that support you. I think that the families, children, pets, students, etc. living in these homes have the right to know if their homes are contaminated with a life-threatening poison.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
Your position as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has been positively reflected in the successes of your past support and quick action with the collapse of the I-35 W Mississippi River Bridge. With your approval of passing legislation to appropriate $250 million to build a replacement bridge, I know many lives were positively changed by this decision.
To assure our communities health and safety, I believe the best course of action is to vote "YES" to House Bill 1005: To amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to improve public notification and community relations concerning actions for the removal of environmental hazards.
Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the contact information provided below. Thank you for devoting your time to this issue. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Katherine S. Choh
(Contact info)
**Alright group, there is my letter! Would love feedback :)**
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
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6 comments:
Wow! Kathy, you did an amazing job with this! The whole time I was reading it all I was thinking was how professional it sounded. I think if Oberstar were to read this he would definitely take note! Awesome job Kathy! Have a good one!
Steve
I agree with Steve, this post was very professional! And way to set a great example for others and have it done on Monday night! WHOO=) Keep up the great work Kathy!!!
Awesome job Kathy-
You sounded very professional as Steve said. I especially liked all the statistics you talked about throughout the proposal. I know that Oberstar would sign this if it were for real.! haha.. good job!
I really like the structure of your letter. There is a good overall flow of main ideas.
Kathy
Such a great post, again! I really like you're topic that you chose for this whole advocacy project. I think that's so true that people don't know that there house is a problem in the first place! I like how you added the part about the I-35 W Bridge. Great job Kathy!
Kathy!! Good letter..I think it is really informative and covincing! I would vote for it!
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