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Congress Demands WHINSEC Release Information on Students and Instructors |
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WHINSEC Remains Open: Congress Narrowly Fails to Halt Funding the Former School of the Americas |
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On Thursday June 21, 2007 at 11:52 p.m., Congress voted on the McGovern/Lewis Amendment curtailing funds to the former School of the Americas (SOA), now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) after PR consultants suggested a name-change to improve its image. With an outcome of 214 to 203, the school survived by a slender margin of six votes, leaving the amendment defeated and the military school open. Of Democrats voting, only 42 out of 180 cast ballots to continue funding the institute, while 172 Republican Representatives voted against the measure.
According to the School of the Americas Watch (SOAW), a human rights organization and advocacy group founded in 1990 by Father Maryknoll Roy Bourgeois, “the WHINSEC PR machine and high ranking Pentagon officials used taxpayer money to put a lot of pressure on members of Congress.” Thus, Congressional representatives—who initially had committed themselves to cut funding to the WHINSEC—succumbed to these Pentagon pressures and shifted their votes.
The Recent Fight Against the SOA
Despite the failure to pass the amendment, those opposed to the WHINSEC were still able to gain support from some incoming Republicans and other new members of Congress. This year those opposing WHINSEC came closer to victory than last year, when the amendment to reduce funding to the institute failed by a margin of 15 votes. The SOAW mentioned the remarkable grassroots mobilization effort at work this year that consisted of “tens of thousands of emails, faxes and calls [that flooded] the halls of Congress,” three days before the amendment was introduced. Veterans, students, clergy and union members from around the U.S. traveled to Washington and visited scores of Congressional offices “to communicate clearly that there is no room for institutions like SOA/WHINSEC in the future.” The SOAW stated that their movement not only has brought to light the issue of an unjust organization being funded by the U.S. treasury, but also showed that House members opposed to the school have “tremendous power” when they come together and fight for justice.
SOAW’s response to its most recent defeat was brimming with optimism; it vowed to continue its fight against the WHINSEC despite the current legislative setback. The communications coordinator for SOAW, Joao da Silva, emphasized that the human rights organization and advocacy group has “gained a lot of ground in Congress” and that achieving its goal to shut down the “school of death is coming closer and closer.” The SOAW also warned, “If we can mobilize around the vote the way that we have, we can mobilize around targeted primary elections and make clear to constituents in those districts how their candidates feel about supporting the Pentagon policies and this school of shame.”
SOAW’s Passionate Protesters
For the past two years U.S. protestors have rallied for the closure of the WHINSEC, most notably on November 16, the anniversary of the assassination of six Jesuit priests and two Salvadorian women who where brutally murdered by a Salvadorian military unit led by a WHINSEC graduate in 1989. These plucky activists have protested on the Fort Benning campus where they have often been arrested and later spent time in federal prison for their demonstrations. According to the news organization, Toward Freedom, “since 1990, 211 SOA Watch human rights defenders have collectively spent over 92 years in prison, while over 50 people have suffered probation sentences.”
The SOA Loses Support in Latin America
Over the past two years, the SOAW has succeeded in convincing several Latin American leaders to remove their military and police attendees from the school. In 2005, Venezuela withdrew its troops. A year later, Argentina and Uruguay followed suit and, according to Bolivian president Evo Morales, La Paz as well will gradually pull out their military personnel from the WHINSEC as well. After serious talks with SOAW representatives, Costa Rican president Oscar Arias announced on May 16, 2007, that he would stop sending his personnel to the school. Even though Costa Rica does not have an army, the Central American country, over the years, has sent 2,600 police officers to WHINSEC and its predecessor for training. Arias stated, “We agreed that when the courses end for the three policemen we are not going to send any more.”
Criticism Against SOA Opposition
In a heated letter from WHINSEC’s Public Affairs Officer Lee A. Rials, to COHA, he criticized the research organization’s negative position toward the WHINSEC. He called COHA’s recent article, School of the Americas: A Black Eye To Democracy, “a work of fiction.” However, it is important to keep in mind that almost half of Congress voted for the closure of WHINSEC, based mostly upon the same facts that were presented in this recent COHA article. Convincing evidence against the WHINSEC in the past has made it increasingly obvious that a strong argument can be made for closing down the school, and that this would be a step that would advance Latin American democracy.
This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Eliana Monteforte |
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Hold the Accomplices of the School of the Americas Accountable! |
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These 26 Congresspeople ignored the call of the American people to close the SOA. Ignoring your voices, these 26 voted for injustice, for impunity and for the continuation of a school whose shameful legacy is one of torture and support for brutal dictatorships. They caved to the demands of the WHINSEC & Pentagon, who spent unknown quantities of tax-payer money pressuring these Representatives just before the vote. Offered a chance to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, they chose to side with a school whose graduates have killed tens of thousands of people throughout Latin America.
These 26 Congresspeople ignored you, the very consituents they are elected to represent, and they need to hear from you.
Click here for Nonviolent Action Suggestions.
Click here for a map with the locations of the distric offices of the 26 Members of Congress.
The 26 are:
Rep. Neil Abercrombie Ignored consitutent requests and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC . After over a decade of actively opposing the SOA/ WHINSEC, mysteriously changed his vote to NO.
 
Web Site: www.house.gov/abercrombie
Washington Office:
1502 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1101
Phone: (202) 225-2726
Fax: (202) 225-4580
Main District Office:
300 Ala Moana Blvd., #4-104
Honolulu, HI 96850
Phone: (808) 541-2570
Fax: (808) 533-0133
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Ignored consitutent requests and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After years of actively opposing the SOA/ WHINSEC, mysteriously changed her vote to NO, despite being a cosponsor of HR 1707 and voting yes to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC just one year ago.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/ebjohnson
Washington Office:
1511 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4330
Phone: (202) 225-8885
Fax: (202) 226-1477
Main District Office:
3102 Maple Ave., #600
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 922-8885
Fax: (214) 922-7028
Rep. Sanford Bishop Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES. He spoke on the House floor in favor of the school, despite evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC and also asked his friends to vote NO instead of letting them represent their constituents. Also circulated a Dear Colleague letter with incorrect information supporting the SOA/ WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/bishop
Washington Office:
2429 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1002
Phone: (202) 225-3631
Fax: (202) 225-2203
Main District Office:
Albany Towers, Ste. 114, 235 Roosevelt Ave.
Albany, GA 31701
Phone: (229) 439-8067
Fax: (229) 436-2099
Rep. Dennis Cardoza Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
 
Web Site:
www.house.gov/cardoza
Washington Office:
435 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0518
Phone: (202) 225-6131
Fax: (202) 225-0819
Main District Office:
2222 M St., Ste. 305
Merced, CA 95340
Phone: (209) 383-4455
Fax: (209) 726-1065
Rep. Christopher Carney Ignored constituent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
carney.house.gov
Washington Office:
416 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3810
Phone: (202) 225-3731
Fax: (202) 225-9594
Main District Office:
233 Northern Boulevard, Suite 4
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Phone: (570) 585-9988
Toll free: (866) 846-8124
Rep. Kathy Castor Ignored consitutent requests asking her to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
castor.house.gov
Washington Office:
317 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0911
Phone: (202) 225-3376
Fax: (202) 225-5652
Main District Office:
4144 North Armenia Avenue, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (813) 871-2817
Fax: (813) 871-2864
Rep. James Clyburn Ignored consitutent requests and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After supporting previous amendments to prohibit funding, mysteriously changed his vote to NO.
 Contact Field Offices Toll Free at 1-888-JIM-0006 (1-888-546-0006)
Web Site:
www.house.gov/clyburn
Washington Office:
2135 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4006
Phone: (202) 225-3315
Fax: (202) 225-2313
Main District Office:
1703 Gervais St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 799-1100
Fax: (803) 799-9060
Rep. Mike Conaway Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. Also circulated a Dear Colleague letter with incorrect information supporting the SOA/ WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/conaway
Washington Office:
511 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4311
Phone: (202) 225-3605
Fax: (202) 225-1783
Main District Office:
6 Desta Dr., Ste. 2000
Midland, TX 79705
Phone: (432) 687-2390
Fax: (432) 687-0277
Rep. Jim Cooper Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
cooper.house.gov
Washington Office:
1536 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4205
Phone: (202) 225-4311
Fax: (202) 226-1035
Main District Office:
706 Church St., Ste. 101
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 736-5295
Fax: (615) 736-7479
Rep. Jim Costa Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/costa
Washington Office:
1314 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0520
Phone: (202) 225-3341
Fax: (202) 225-9308
Main District Office:
855 M St., Ste. 940
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 495-1620
Fax: (559) 495-1027
Bakersfield office:
Phone: (661) 869-1620 - Fax: (661) 869-1027
2700 M St., Ste. 225, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Rep. Phil Gingrey Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES. He spoke on the House floor in favor of the school, despite evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC and also asked his colleagues to vote NO instead of letting them represent their constituents. Also pressed for language into legislation praising the SOA/ WHINSEC for human rights despite the school admitting known human rights abusers financed by U.S. taxpayer dollars. Coordinated Dear Colleague letters to the House with incorrect information about the SOA/ WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/gingrey
Washington Office:
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1011
Phone: (202) 225-2931
Fax: (202) 225-2944
Main District Office:
219 Roswell St.
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: (770) 429-1776
Fax: (770) 795-9551
Rep. Bart Gordon Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After years of actively opposing the SOA/ WHINSEC, mysteriously changed his vote to NO, despite cosponsoring legislation in the last 5 Congresses to close and/or investigate the school, and voting yes to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC just one year ago.
Web Site:
gordon.house.gov
Washington Office:
2310 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4206
Phone: (202) 225-4231
Fax: (202) 225-6887
Main District Office:
305 West Main St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: (615) 896-1986
Fax: (615) 896-8218
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After previously supporting closing and/or cutting funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC in previous Congresses, now mysteriously changed his vote to NO.
Web Site:
rodriguez.house.gov
Washington Office:
2458 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4323
Phone: (202) 225-4511
Fax: (202) 225-2237
Main District Office:
1950 SW Military Drive
San Antonio, TX 78221
Phone: (210) 922-1874
Fax: (210) 923-8447
Rep. Ron Klein Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
klein.house.gov
Washington Office:
313 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0922
Phone: (202) 225-3026
Fax: (202) 225-8398
Main District Office:
800 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 300
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 522-4579
Fax: (954) 522-4965
Rep. Nick Lampson Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After previously supporting closing and/or cutting funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC in previous Congresses, now mysteriously changed his vote to NO.
Web Site:
lampson.house.gov
Washington Office:
436 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4322
Phone: (202) 225-5951
Fax: (202) 225-5241
Main District Office:
10701 Corporate Drive, #118
Stafford, TX 77477
Phone: (281) 240-3700
Fax: (281) 240-2959
Rep. Jim Marshall Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/marshall
Washington Office:
504 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1003
Phone: (202) 225-6531
Fax: (202) 225-3013
Main District Office:
682 Cherry St., Ste. 300
Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 464-0255
Fax: (478) 464-0277
Rep. Kendrick Meek Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After the DC office indicated to constituents the week of the vote that Meek would vote YES, Meek mysteriously changed his vote to NO despite voting yes to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC just one year ago.
Web Site:
kendrickmeek.house.gov
Washington Office:
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0917
Phone: (202) 225-4506
Fax: (202) 226-0777
Main District Office:
111 NW 183rd St., Ste. 315
Miami, FL 33169
Phone: (305) 690-5905
Fax: (305) 690-5951
Rep. Patrick Murphy Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. After communicating with officials at the school, refused to listen to the facts and took their PR campaign at face value.
Web Site:
patrickmurphy.house.gov
Washington Office:
1007 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3808
Phone: (202) 225-4276
Fax: (202) 225-9511
Main District Office:
60 North Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: (215) 348-1194
Fax: (215) 348-1449
Rep. Jack Murtha Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/murtha
Washington Office:
2423 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3812
Phone: (202) 225-2065
Fax: (202) 225-5709
Main District Office:
647 Main St., Ste. 401
Johnstown, PA 15901
Phone: (814) 535-2642
Fax: (814) 539-6229
Rep. Ed Perlmutter Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. Their office also indicated they would vote yes and subsequently he switched his vote.
Web Site:
perlmutter.house.gov
Washington Office:
415 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0607
Phone: (202) 225-2645
Fax: (202) 225-5278
Main District Office:
12600 West Colfax Avenue, #B400
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 274-7944
Fax: (303) 274-6455
Rep. Collin Peterson Ignored consitutent requests and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC . After years of actively opposing the SOA/ WHINSEC, mysteriously changed his vote to NO despite voting yes to prohibit funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC just one year ago.
Web Site:
collinpeterson.house.gov
Washington Office:
2211 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2307
Phone: (202) 225-2165
Fax: (202) 225-1593
Main District Office:
714 Lake Ave., #107
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Phone: (218) 847-5056
Fax: (218) 847-5109
Rep. Loretta Sanchez Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES and did not show up to vote. She accepted a position on the Board of Visitors and switched her voting history despite evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.lorettasanchez.house.gov
Washington Office:
1230 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-0547
Phone: (202) 225-2965
Fax: (202) 225-5859
Main District Office:
12397 Lewis St., #101
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Phone: (714) 621-0102
Fax: (714) 621-0401
Rep. Joe Sestak Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES. He spoke on the House floor in favor of the school, despite evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC and also asked his friends to vote NO instead of letting them represent their constituents.
Web Site:
sestak.house.gov
Washington Office:
1022 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3807
Phone: (202) 225-2011
Fax: (202) 226-0280
Main District Office:
600 North Jackson Street, Suite 203
Media, PA 19063
Phone: (610) 892-8623
Fax: (215) 892-8628
Rep. Ike Skelton Ignored consitutent requests to vote YES. He spoke on the House floor in favor of the school, despite evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC and also asked his friends to vote NO instead of letting them represent their constituents. Also allowed language into legislation praising the SOA/ WHINSEC for human rights despite the school admitting known human rights abusers financed by U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/skelton
Washington Office:
2206 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2504
Phone: (202) 225-2876
Fax: (202) 225-2695
Main District Office:
514-B Northwest 7 Hwy.
Blue Springs, MO 64014
Phone: (816) 228-4242
Rep. Zach Space Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC.
Web Site:
space.house.gov
Washington Office:
315 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3518
Phone: (202) 225-6265
Fax: (202) 225-3394
Main District Office:
137 East Iron Avenue
Dover, OH 44622
Phone: (330) 364-4300
Fax: (330) 364-4330
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland Ignored consitutent requests asking him to vote YES and ignored evidence of the human rights and transparency problems of WHINSEC. Also circulated a Dear Colleague letter with incorrect information supporting the SOA/ WHINSEC.
Web Site:
www.house.gov/westmoreland
Washington Office:
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1008
Phone: (202) 225-5901
Fax: (202) 225-2515
Main District Office:
1601-B East Hwy. 34
Newnan, GA 30265
Phone: (770) 683-2033
Fax: (770) 683-2042
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District Office Meeting Tips |
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A great way to get involved in the SOA Watch legislative campaign without making a trip to Washington D.C. is to schedule a meeting in your Representative?s office right in their own district. House Representatives operate at least one office in their home state, and sometimes several, giving constituents like yourselves an opportunity to visit with them or their staff about the issues that are important to you.
While opportunities exist throughout the year to schedule a meeting in the district office, a good opportunity to time your visit is during one of the congressional district work periods. District work periods give Representatives a chance to take an extended trip back to their home districts to visit with constituents and attend to business in their home state. The chances are higher during these work periods that you will get a chance to meet directly with a Member of Congress during the week as opposed to one of their staffers. The House of Representatives posts the annual calendar for the upcoming year in December and here are the scheduled district work periods for 2007:
February 19 - 23
April 2 ? 13
May 28 ? June 1
July 2 ? 6
August 6 ? 31
For more information on scheduling a meeting with your Representative, visit the meeting tips section of the Legislative Action Index.
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Take Action 
