Lots of good news today...

GLOBALLY,
Last night the FY2011 budget compromise passed through the U.S. Senate, and I'm happy/relieved to report that nearly all of the funding for international humanitarian aid programs remained intact.  This is great news for people around the world who are helped by these initiatives.  Thanks to everyone who signed petitions, wrote letters, and made phone calls expressing your support for international aid.

NATIONALLY,
The California State Senate passed statewide conflict-free regulations!  Under the new legislation, state agencies would be barred from contracting with businesses that aren't making efforts to comply with the new Dodd-Frank legislation that passed last year.  Not only is this an important legislative landmark, but it's also a sign that awareness of the Congo conflict is spreading across the country.  As more people become aware of the crisis, we can expect to see more grassroots movements, legislative action, and commitment to the cause.  This awareness is so critical.  I think of something Nicholas Kristof wrote in an op-ed last year:

"An ugly paradox of the 21st century is that some of our elegant symbols of modernity — smartphones, laptops and digital cameras — are built from minerals that seem to be fueling mass slaughter and rape in Congo. With throngs waiting in lines in the last few days to buy the latest iPhone, I’m thinking: What if we could harness that desperation for new technologies to the desperate need to curb the killing in central Africa?"

LOCALLY,
Preparations for our June 11 5K are rolling along!  We now have printed large posters that we are ready to start distributing around the Salt Lake area.  Would you like to put up a poster or two (or 3, or 10) for us?  Leave a comment or contact us on our facebook page and we can make arrangements to get posters to you.  We also need help contacting local businesses about in-kind donations for our prizes and our raffle items.  If you would like to donate something or help  us contact businesses, let us know.

Thanks, everyone, for your support!