Responses

October 10, 2002

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the possibility of U.S. military action against Iraq.

I believe that the vote to allow the President to send U.S. troops into combat is perhaps the most serious and important vote that I can make as a United States Senator. Accordingly, I am considering this issue as thoroughly as possible. I have attended countless meetings and briefings to get the most detailed information available. In addition, I have held town hall meetings throughout the state to hear my constituents' views. I have also received thousands of phone calls, letters, and e-mails like yours from New Yorkers across the entire state. These contacts have given me the chance to hear many New Yorkers express their views on the possibility of U.S. military action against Iraq, and these views will play a large role in shaping my decision.

In the coming days, Congress will begin to contemplate whether or not to provide the President with the authority to initiate military action against Iraq. I can assure you that I will keep your thoughts in mind while considering this extremely important issue.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me with your concerns regarding the use of U.S. military force against Iraq. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I may be of assistance on this, or any other matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate
 

September 24, 2002

Dear Friend:

Thank you contacting me regarding your concerns about our military confrontations with Iraq. It is always good to hear from my constituents.

It is indeed unfortunate that matters have escalated to a point where there are almost daily military engagements over the Northern and Southern no-fly. However, as long as Saddam Hussein continues to pose a threat to his neighbors and his own population by developing and using weapons of mass destruction (WMD), I believe the U.S. must continue to use a firm hand with Iraq.

During his 20 year presidency, Saddam Hussein has deliberately and maliciously attacked the sovereign nation of Kuwait, dropped poison gas on Iraqi Kurds, misappropriated aid money for sick and starving Iraqis, and flagrantly disregarded United Nation mandates to end his WMD programs. Therefore, while I believe that diplomacy is usually the best way to solve international conflicts, it is clear that the only way to keep Saddam Hussein in check is through military, economic and diplomatic pressure.

Thank you again for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance please feel free to get in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate

Dear Mr. Brinkman:

Thank you for taking the time to share with me your concerns about S.J. 45, the joint Congressional resolution regarding Iraq. I can think of no more important decision than my vote on this resolution.

Attached is a copy of my statement of support for the resolution. I hope that you will take the time to read it with as much care as I have given to making this decision.

Please continue to share with me your thoughts and concerns. Decisions made in the United States Senate profoundly affect our history for generations to come. Please know that I make them with care and deliberation always keeping you and your opinions in mind.
 

September 24, 2002

Dear Mr. Brinkman:

Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding the possibility of the United States taking military action against Iraq. As you know, this is a serious issue that raises important questions for the Administration, Congress, and the American people. I appreciate the effort that constituents like you are making to share your thoughts with me.

I join many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who believe we need to have a thorough public debate on United States policy on Iraq and the possibility of military action and I support the President's decision to seek the support of the United Nations. The President has proposed a draft resolution to Congress regarding Iraq and negotiations between the White House and Congress are ongoing concerning the final language.

Clearly, there are very serious questions that must be addressed. As I have said for quite some time, I agree with the bipartisan consensus that a regime change is needed in Iraq because Saddam Hussein is a threat to American security. However, the Administration needs to make its case for military action directly to Congress and the American people, and I want to make sure we receive the information that enables us to determine what policy makes the most sense.

Thank you again for writing. I take this issue very seriously, and will give the questions before Congress and the public the attention they require. Please check my website at http://clinton.senate.gov for regular updates on this and other important issues being discussed before the United States Senate.

If you would like to respond to my e-mail or contact me via e-mail about this or any other subject, please use my web response form at http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html. Because of the size of my constituency and the growing number who choose to communicate through e-mail, I have selected the web form as the fairest and most equitable system to respond to e-mail messages. E-mails that are sent as a direct response to my outgoing e-mail fall outside the system and do not receive a response.

Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton

June 26, 2002


Mr. Eric Brinkman
109 E State St #305
Ithaca, New York 14850

Mr. Brinkman:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to express your support for
the Innocence Protection Act. I wholeheartedly agree with you that
without the proper procedures in place, such as expanded DNA testing,
innocent people may be sentenced to prison or placed on death row-an
abhorrent occurrence that the criminal justice system must ensure does
not happen. 

I strongly support the use of DNA testing as evidence in criminal cases
since it can conclusively establish a defendant's guilt or innocence.
DNA evidence is often more conclusive than any other form of proof and
is especially important to appellate review of cases years after
conviction. I also strongly support the availability of professional
and experienced counsel for defendants and recognize the need to inform
juries of all sentencing options available. 

Again, thank you again for writing to me on this important issue. If I
may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. 


Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator 

CES/e

May 13, 2002

Dear Mr. Brinkman:

Thank you for writing about the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is an important human rights treaty that is a valuable instrument for upholding the human rights of women around the world.

The United States remains one of only a handful of countries that has not ratified CEDAW. I believe the ratification of CEDAW should be a priority as the Senate moves forward to consider pending treaties. Although President Carter signed CEDAW in 1980, it was not ratified. In 1994, President Clinton sent a package of reservations, declarations and understandings prepared by the State Department to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration. The Committee has failed to consider this package.

Fortunately, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on CEDAW on May 15. I will continue to call on the Senate to ratify CEDAW in the coming weeks and months. The United States has long been regarded as a leader in human rights, and our refusal to ratify this treaty sends the wrong message to the world. CEDAW works to ensure that women have equal access to opportunities in life by guaranteeing the basic rights we sometimes take for granted: education, health care, employment and the vote.

I will work for ratification of this important human rights treaty and for continued United States leadership on human rights issues at home and abroad. Grassroots efforts led by constituents like you will increase the likelihood that the Senate will have an opportunity to vote on CEDAW. I encourage your efforts and appreciate your concern.

If you would like to respond to my e-mail or contact me via e-mail about this or any other subject, please use my web response form at http://clinton.senate.gov/email_form.html. Because of the size of my constituency and the growing number who choose to communicate through e-mail, I have selected the web form as the fairest and most equitable system to respond to e-mail messages. E-mails that are sent as a direct response to my outgoing e-mail fall outside the system and do not receive a response.

Please check my website, http://clinton.senate.gov, for updates on this and other important legislative matters.

Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton


http://clinton.senate.gov

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3226

March 20, 2002

Mr. Eric Brinkman
Address
Ithaca, NY 14850

Dear Mr. Brinkman:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the political imprisonment of Rebiya Kadeer
by the Chinese government. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

You will be pleased to know that I have signed the Rebiya Kadeer letter to President
Bush. As you know, the arbitrary arrest and conviction of Ms. Kadeer is a clear violation of
international humanitarian law. It is my hope that Chinese government will heed our calls
and immediately release Ms. Kadeer.

Thanks again for sharing your views. I hope that you will keep me informed on issues
that concern you.

Best regards.

Sincerely,

Maurice D. Hinchey

MDH:mi