Oregon Alert: We're One Step Closer to Passing the Second Chance Act

This alert was sent to members on August 17, 2006

We're making progress on the federal Second Chance Act, which moved onto the House floor shortly before Congress' summer recess. The Second Chance Act will inject millions of dollars into re-entry and mentoring programs across the country, potentially helping some of the the three thousand people in Oregon who will leave prison in the next year.

The Second Chance Act has 112 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, but Earl Blumenauer is currently the only Oregon representative who has signed up as a co-sponsor. We've heard that your emails are making a difference, and we're going to keep the pressure on while our representatives are here in Oregon this month. Take a couple minutes to call their office and let them know that you want them to pass the Second Chance Act.

Take a Couple Minutes to Call Your Representative's Office

An effective call can take less than two minutes. Here's a sample of how your call might go, and some points for you to bring up.

"Hello, I live in Representative _____'s district, and I'm wondering if he/she has taken a stand in support of House Bill 1704, the Second Chance Act?"

Listen to their reply. They are likely to say that the representative has not yet taken a stand, and wants to hear more from her/his constituents.

"I'm calling to ask my representative to sign on as a co-sponsor. If the Second Chance Act passes this fall, it will help some of the thousands of people in Oregon who are leaving prison and coming back to Oregon communities. This bill has sponsors from both parties and I hope my representative signs on."

Or

"I was calling to ask Representative ______ to sign onto House Bill 1704. I'm concerned that we need to be doing more to help people successfully transition from prison to the community. After all, 95% of people in prison are coming home someday. Can you please pass my comments on to Representative _______?"

Thank the person for their time.

Remember to:

• Mention the bill by name (Second Chance Act) and by number (House Bill 1704).
  
• Ask them to sign up as a co-sponsor, and pass the bill this session.
  
• Be courteous and brief with the staffer, who takes many calls on many different issues.
  

Phone Numbers for Representatives

Representative Earl Blumenauer Portland Office: (503) 231-2300 (thank him for co-sponsoring and ask him to encourage his colleagues to join him)

Representative Peter DeFazio Eugene Office: (541) 465-6732

Representative Darlene Hooley Salem Office: (503) 588-9100

Representative Greg Walden Bend Office: (541) 389-4408

Representative David Wu Portland Office: (503) 326-2901

Not sure who represents you in Congress? This webpage will tell you: www.house.gov

Please click here to let us know that you've made a call

Want to Know More About the Second Chance Act?

We recently interviewed Gene Guerrero, who is in Washington D.C. lobbying in support of the Second Chance Act. He explains the origins of the Second Chance Act, what it's designed to do, and why it has gained so much bi-partisan support. Read the full interview.

Later this month, we'll start calling our senators in support of the Second Chance Act. Thanks for being part of the Action Alert Network.