| United Nations Association of Greater Oklahoma City |
| United Nations Association of the United States of America Greater Oklahoma City Chapter P.O. Box 60856 Oklahoma City, OK 73146-0856 Contact Us |
| The United Nations Association is a not-for- profit, nonpartisan organization that supports the work of the United Nations and encourages active civic participation in the most important social and economic issues facing the world today. As a local chapter of the nation's largest grassroots foreign policy organization, the UN Association of Greater OKC offers Oklahomans the opportunity to connect with issues confronted by the UN -- from global health and human rights to the spread of democracy, equitable development and international justice. |
| Advocacy |
Congress Members Recognized
for Leadership on UN Funding
August, 2004
Two members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, Brad Carson and Tom
Cole, earned recognition from our chapter this year for their consistent votes in
support of full funding for the United Nations. Our chapter has written a letter to
the two Oklahomans expressing our appreciation for their leadership in support
of the UN.
The letter, signed by Advocacy Co-Chair Bill Bryant, reads:
“On behalf of all Oklahomans who value global security, I would like to say
‘Thank You’ for your support of America’s commitment to the United Nations.
“The members of the Greater Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations
Association have taken note of the leadership you displayed in voting for H.R.
4754, which includes full funding of President Bush’s request for UN dues and
peacekeeping assessments.
“Your votes in favor of these priorities reflect Oklahoma’s dedication to the
principles of constitutional and international law. We would like to take this
opportunity to express our appreciation for your faithful support of America’s
promise to the UN.
“As the world struggles to deal with the complex problems of poverty, disease,
environmental challenges, and threats to global security, it is more important
than ever for the nations of the world to work in a cooperative fashion – to
provide protection and security for all people. We hope that you will continue to
demonstrate leadership on these issues.
“Thank you for your votes in favor of full funding for the United Nations.”
The votes occurred in July, 2004, when the U.S. House of Representatives
approved its version of the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill funding the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and the federal judiciary. Included in
the annual Commerce-Justice-State bill are dues payments for the U.N.
administrative budget, eleven U.N. specialized agencies, U.N. war crimes
tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as well as anticipated
assessments for U.N. peacekeeping operations. The House approved the full
amount requested by President Bush.
Three Amendments To Withhold U.N. Funds Voted Down
During floor debate of the bill, three amendments were offered to withhold
funds from the UN appropriations. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) offered one
amendment to prevent the payment of U.S. dues to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and introduced
another that would block funding for all U.S. assessments to the U.N. system. In
addition, Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI) offered an amendment of his own that would
have cut $20 million in funding for the United Nations. All three amendments
were defeated.
Representatives Carson and Cole voted with the majority who blocked the
amendments and approved the full UN funding.
Regrettably, three other members of the Oklahoma delegation – John Sullivan,
Frank Lucas, and Ernest Istook – voted with the minority who wanted to block
all U.S. assessments to the UN.
Source:
www.unausa.org/newindex.asp?place=http://www.unausa.org/policy/NewsActionAlerts/newsinfo.asp
for Leadership on UN Funding
August, 2004
Two members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, Brad Carson and Tom
Cole, earned recognition from our chapter this year for their consistent votes in
support of full funding for the United Nations. Our chapter has written a letter to
the two Oklahomans expressing our appreciation for their leadership in support
of the UN.
The letter, signed by Advocacy Co-Chair Bill Bryant, reads:
“On behalf of all Oklahomans who value global security, I would like to say
‘Thank You’ for your support of America’s commitment to the United Nations.
“The members of the Greater Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations
Association have taken note of the leadership you displayed in voting for H.R.
4754, which includes full funding of President Bush’s request for UN dues and
peacekeeping assessments.
“Your votes in favor of these priorities reflect Oklahoma’s dedication to the
principles of constitutional and international law. We would like to take this
opportunity to express our appreciation for your faithful support of America’s
promise to the UN.
“As the world struggles to deal with the complex problems of poverty, disease,
environmental challenges, and threats to global security, it is more important
than ever for the nations of the world to work in a cooperative fashion – to
provide protection and security for all people. We hope that you will continue to
demonstrate leadership on these issues.
“Thank you for your votes in favor of full funding for the United Nations.”
The votes occurred in July, 2004, when the U.S. House of Representatives
approved its version of the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill funding the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and the federal judiciary. Included in
the annual Commerce-Justice-State bill are dues payments for the U.N.
administrative budget, eleven U.N. specialized agencies, U.N. war crimes
tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as well as anticipated
assessments for U.N. peacekeeping operations. The House approved the full
amount requested by President Bush.
Three Amendments To Withhold U.N. Funds Voted Down
During floor debate of the bill, three amendments were offered to withhold
funds from the UN appropriations. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) offered one
amendment to prevent the payment of U.S. dues to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and introduced
another that would block funding for all U.S. assessments to the U.N. system. In
addition, Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI) offered an amendment of his own that would
have cut $20 million in funding for the United Nations. All three amendments
were defeated.
Representatives Carson and Cole voted with the majority who blocked the
amendments and approved the full UN funding.
Regrettably, three other members of the Oklahoma delegation – John Sullivan,
Frank Lucas, and Ernest Istook – voted with the minority who wanted to block
all U.S. assessments to the UN.
Source:
www.unausa.org/newindex.asp?place=http://www.unausa.org/policy/NewsActionAlerts/newsinfo.asp
Join the E-Action
Network
Make sure you're
registered with the
E-Action Network to
receive action alerts
throughout the year
on these important
U.N. issues. To join,
visit the E-Action
website where you'll
be able to send
letters to elected
officials with just a
few clicks of your
mouse.
Network
Make sure you're
registered with the
E-Action Network to
receive action alerts
throughout the year
on these important
U.N. issues. To join,
visit the E-Action
website where you'll
be able to send
letters to elected
officials with just a
few clicks of your
mouse.
| Updated July 2, 2005 Webmaster |
| The results are in! Forty-four people participated in our online survey of opinions on our Advocacy Agenda for 2005. Widespread support was found for the UNA-USA’s recommended priorities. Additionally, there was broad agreement that we need to continue our efforts to educate the public, including our elected officials, about the purpose and mission of the United Nations. Click here to see the results. |
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2005 Advocacy Agenda
Developed in consultation with UNA-USA's chapters and divisions, the
advocacy agenda gives direction and focus to the Association's advocacy
activities by identifying priority issues affecting relations between the United
States and the United Nations. The success of UNA-USA's advocacy efforts is
largely influenced by the extent to which the activities of chapters and other
Association constituencies are aligned with the agenda's priority issues. With
the UN involved in a wide array of global issues, aligning activities with
advocacy agenda topics helps UNA-USA to maximize its work in support of
effective US engagement with the United Nations. It is also important to note
that the items on the agenda are broadbased issues that will be critical to the
US-UN relationship not only in 2005 but for years to come. To establish
continuity and allow for the development of long-range plans, the general
agenda topics are likely to be carried over from year to year, with specific
recommendations for action tailored annually.
For a complete description of our 2005 Advocacy Agenda, please visit the
UNA-USA Advocacy Center.
Developed in consultation with UNA-USA's chapters and divisions, the
advocacy agenda gives direction and focus to the Association's advocacy
activities by identifying priority issues affecting relations between the United
States and the United Nations. The success of UNA-USA's advocacy efforts is
largely influenced by the extent to which the activities of chapters and other
Association constituencies are aligned with the agenda's priority issues. With
the UN involved in a wide array of global issues, aligning activities with
advocacy agenda topics helps UNA-USA to maximize its work in support of
effective US engagement with the United Nations. It is also important to note
that the items on the agenda are broadbased issues that will be critical to the
US-UN relationship not only in 2005 but for years to come. To establish
continuity and allow for the development of long-range plans, the general
agenda topics are likely to be carried over from year to year, with specific
recommendations for action tailored annually.
For a complete description of our 2005 Advocacy Agenda, please visit the
UNA-USA Advocacy Center.