E-mailing Iowan Legislators
Please include in your emails the following key points:
- Ask legislator to support HF 230 on targeted Sudan Divestment
- Targeted divestment is a way in which Iowa and other state can act to end the genocide in Darfur. Six states have already enacted Sudan divestment legislation and over 20 states currently have targeted divestment legislation pending.
- Just as Iowa and other states took the lead in pressuring South Africa to end apartheid in the 1980s, today we can take the lead in pressuring Sudan to end the genocide
- The Sudanese government does respond to economic pressure. The United States used economic sanctions to get Sudan to cooperate against al-qaeda and a divestment campaign helped lead to a peace agreement to end the 20 year civil war in Sudan between the North and South
- The targeted nature of this legislation means that only the worst offending companies will be affected.
- The legislation protects investment returns.
- Personalize the message. If you have worked with Sudanese or Darfuri refugees, let them know that. If you are an IPERS member and don't want your retirement funded by companies that are complicit in genocide, let them know that. If you are frustrated by the lack of action by the federal government and see this as a way to make a difference, let them know that.
The members of the House sub-committee and their emails:
Representative Dawn Pettengill (D-Mt. Auburn) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Carmine Boal (R-Ankeny) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Jack Drake (R-Lewis) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Chuck Gipp (R-Decorah) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Todd Taylor (D-Cedar Rapids) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Representative Roger Wendt (D-Sioux City) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To reach a member of the sub-committee by phone, please call the House switchboard at 515-281-3221. If the legislator you are trying to reach is not available, the switchboard operator will either take a message or allow you to leave a message in the Representative's voicemail.
We also want to email the Republican leadership in the House and Senate, and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald. We are making good progress with the Democratic leadership who control debate in both chambers and we want to start building the bi-partisan support that targeted divestment has enjoyed in other states. The State Treasurer was very involved in the South Africa divestment and can be a very good ally if we convince him to support the divestment legislation.
In the Senate please contact Senator Mary Lundby (R-Marion) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In the House please contact Representative Christopher Rants (R-Sioux City)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
To contact State Treasurer Fitzgerald, please e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
