News And Press Releases

Read what the media is saying about the work of the American Values Network:

• Health Care Cacophony (Christianity Today – October 30, 2009).
• Religious Right Opposes Health Care (But Where’s the Religion?) (Politics Daily – October 26, 2009)
  

  “Here’s another irony: The other new religious-based ad, from the liberal folks at Sojourners and The American Values Network, is all about Bible-based imperatives for health care reform.”

• Remembering “God’s Children” Healthcare Ad (CBN Brody File – October 23, 2009)
• American Values Network Makes Religious Case for Health Care Reform (Huffington Post – October 15, 2009)
• The Rise of the Religious Left (The Guardian – October 16, 2009)
  “The American Values Network is one example. It is promoting radio and television ads that make the moral case not only for healthcare but for climate change legislation as well. On health care the Network tells Americans that “scripture warns against those who pursue wealth at the expense of the lives and welfare of others”.”
• This Week in God (Washington Monthly – October 17, 2009)
• Religious Groups Push for Climate Change Legislation (U.S. News and World Report – September 25, 2009)
  “In the House, religious activists helped to narrowly pass a climate bill in June. A group called the American Values Network, founded by the religious outreach director for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Burns Strider, bought Christian radio ads promoting the bill in conservative congressional districts.”
• Health care not only Congress’ top priority (CNN – September 8, 2009)
• Backers of climate bill spend more on ads (USA Today – September 3, 2009)
  “Also spending heavily: the American Values Network, a religious advocacy group that has pumped about $400,000 into an advertising and e-mail blitz in support of the bill in 14 states, including ads on Christian, country and talk radio.”
• The Morning Fix:  American Values Network Pushes on Climate Change (Washington Post – August 18, 2009)
• In Political Ads, Christian Left Mounts Sermonic Campaigns (Wall Street Journal – July 3, 2009)
  “A religious coalition called the American Values Network spent nearly $200,000 placing the global warming ads. Some political analysts credit the campaign with boosting support for the Waxman-Markey climate bill, which narrowly passed the House last week.”
• Christian Left Takes Messages to the Air Waves (Christianity Today Politics Blog – July 7, 2009)
• General Influences Coloradans’ Use of Clean Energy (CBS, Grand Junction, CO – June 25, 2009)
• Selling the Climate Change Bill in Indiana:  a Franciscan Sister (U.S. News & World Report – June 26, 2009)
• North Dakota Radio Ad Calls for Energy Bill Passage in House (North Dakota Ag Connection – June 25, 2009)
• God in Government (Washington Post - May 9, 2009)
• New Liberal Faith Group Takes on Global Warming (Washington Post – May 5, 2009)
• Dems Launch Christian Radio Ad Blitz On Climate Change (Huffington Post – May 5, 2009)
• Christian Radio Ads Urge Support for Climate Change Legislation (Associated Baptist Press – May 5, 2009)
• In the Beginning . . . (Christian Broadcasting Network – May 5, 2009)
• New Progressive Faith Group Launches Christian Radio Campaign for Climate Bill (U.S. News & World Report – May 6, 2009)
• Perriello foresees jobs in climate change (Richmond Times Dispatch – May 11,2009)
• Hot Button (Washington Times – May 6, 2009)

Click on a title below to read press releases by the American Values Network:

September 23, 2009 – TIME Magazine Highlights Health Crisis on Vieques Following New Revelations About Weapons Testing
September 18, 2009 – American Values Network Announces National Advisory Committee
August 24, 2009 – American Values Network Launches “Thank You” Radio Spots Thanking Members of Congress for Leadership on Energy Bill
August 11, 2009 – 350K is a Great Start, Now Let’s Roll!!
July 29, 2009 – American Values Network Releases White Paper: Vieques Today, A Sea of Broken Promises
July 2, 2009 – It Is Time To End The Pain On Vieques
June 23, 2009 – American Values Network Launches Colorado Media Tour
On Passing Energy Bill and Why It Matters to National Security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 23, 2009

TIME Magazine Highlights Health Crisis on Vieques Following New Revelations About Weapons Testing

Arlington, VA – As Hermogenes Marrero is set to give a critical deposition this week on the Navy’s use of toxic substances on Vieques, a major story in Time magazine highlights the Navy’s contamination of the island and the ongoing health crisis there. Marrero, a former Marine sergeant stationed on Vieques in the early 1970s, says part of his job was to help the Navy test hazardous chemical and biological weapons on the island 10,000 American citizens call home, Time reports.

A recent hair sample study of inhabitants showed that 34% had toxic levels of mercury and 70% or more were contaminated with arsenic, cadmium, and antimony–all of which are found in the weapons tested up-wind and up-current from the civilian population for 62 years.

“The science and moral arguments cannot be questioned. If Americans knew the severity and scope of the problem in Vieques, they would demand immediate action,” states Eric Sapp, Executive Director of the American Values Network. In a piece written in response to the Time article, Sapp asks, “What would you do if you found out that people in your neighborhood had a 30% higher cancer rate, 25% higher infant mortality rate, and 95% higher cirrhosis of the liver rate than the surrounding area?”

Marrero’s deposition is part of a federal suit filed by Eaves Law Firm on behalf of 7,000 residents of Vieques who have been affected by toxins left behind by the Navy. A federal judge is set to rule this fall on whether to uphold the government’s claim of sovereign immunity and dismiss the suit without hearing it on its merits.

To learn more about the history of the health crisis and the studies by Yale, University of Georgia, University of Puerto Rico, etc. documenting the pollutants and health problems, visit:

http://americanvaluesnetwork.org/vieques/

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, September 18, 2009

American Values Network Announces National Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee of Noted National Leaders, Young Americans and Clergy Add Voices and Support to Mission of the American Values Network

Arlington, VA – The American Values Network today announced the formation of its national advisory committee (NAC). The NAC will provide ongoing support, advice and direction of the nascent and quickly growing American Values Network.

“We are honored to have garnered the support of such a nationally renowned group of Americans,” commented American Values Network President Burns Strider. “Our advisory committee is representative of committed and active citizens making a real difference in the lives of their fellow Americans. They add so much to the work of the American Values Network. In the few months since the founding of this network, we are pleased with the response we have received from values voters and our expanding efforts to share the truth wherever light may need shining.”

The American Values Network is currently conducting an ongoing climate change campaign including radio ads in 20 states, messaging to more than 18 million Americans through e-advocacy, building a coalition of religious groups representing more than 100 million Americans and organizing grassroots volunteer and advocacy efforts, including the Frontier Project in the western U.S., to bring attention to climate change issues.

The American Values Network has also been leading the effort to bring attention and help to the American citizens of Vieques, Puerto Rico who have struggled with cancer, birth defects and heavy metal poisoning for decades due to more than 60 years of naval weapons testing on this island.

Also, the American Values Network has been working on refocusing the healthcare debate back on the people most affected, stimulus package issues, educating policy makers that budgets are moral documents and beginning the important work of creating dialogue and platforms that showcase the power and promise of America’s diversity, the crucial importance of civil discourse and finding the common ground that makes us all Americans.

The American Values Network is barely 7 months old.

“The American Values Network is speaking out and organizing on behalf of the left out and left behind,” added NAC member Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. “Most compelling, they are creating a public square which insures honest and civil conversation. I am delighted to offer my voice and support to the American Values Network.”

Click Here To See The American Values Network National Advisory Committee

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 24, 2009

American Values Network Launches “Thank You” Radio Spots Thanking Members of Congress for Leadership on Energy Bill

LISTEN TO AD HERE — AMERICAN VALUES NETWORK

ARLINGTON, VA – American Values Network has launched a local pastor thank you campaign thanking Members of Congress who voted in favor of the House climate bill. The campaign is a continuation of American Value Network’s half a million dollar media campaign built upon faith and military leaders coming together to highlight the moral and national security implications of climate change.

The first of the new ads, “A Spirit of Power,” will run at heavy saturation rates throughout central VA on Christian, country, and talk radio. In the ad, local pastor Rev. Neal Halvorson-Taylor thanks Congressman Tom Perriello for his vote and leadership on the climate bill and for being a leader who is willing to do what is right and best for the district even in the face of big-money opposition.

“These ads are running only days after new revelations that lobbyists hired by the ‘American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity’ sent fraudulent letters to Congressman Perriello, and others, purportedly from senior centers, the NAACP and Hispanic groups asking him to vote against the climate bill,” stated Eric Sapp, Executive Director of American Values Network. “We need honest, strong leadership, like Congressman Perriello, putting the interests of people first in Washington. The narrow special interests will do anything to keep the status quo. Perriello is standing up to them.” POLITICO — STORY ON FRAUDULANT LETTERS

The ad will run in every media market in the Fifth district.

Script: “This is Rev. Neal Halvorson-Taylor. The Apostle Paul teaches that we should not have a spirit of timidity but of strength and love. Yet today, many leaders abandon this Biblical teaching to follow the wide and easy path. But our Congressman Tom Perriello is made of stronger stuff.

Tom knew the big energy companies were spending millions of dollars attacking those who voted for the landmark climate bill. But he also knew the bill would be good for Virginia and America. The climate bill will create good American jobs in our district, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect God’s creation for our children.

Tom voted for what was right. Political party doesn’t matter. When we face big challenges, it’s safer to do nothing and easier to play on people’s fears. But what we need are leaders who demonstrate a spirit of power and do what is right. I know Tom and Tom Perriello is that kind of leader. Paid for by AmericanValuesNetwork.org.”

LISTEN TO AD HERE — AMERICAN VALUES NETWORK

www.americanvaluesnetwork.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

What a great start we’ve had at the American Values Network!

In the last several months the American Values Network has raised over $350,000 to launch the largest paid media campaign ever by the progressive faith community toward passing climate legislation.

Our efforts have gained tremendous press coverage, including the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and have been credited as being instrumental in getting the climate bill passed in the House.

The need for this work could not be more urgent. Just this week the New York Times ran a piece detailing the national security threats posed by climate change and the need for immediate action.

Our radio ads urging Congress to take action have saturated the airwaves in over 10 states and we’ve sent over 11 million emails as part of a massive email campaign (see examples here and here).

AVN also launched an incredibly successful media tour featuring General John W. Douglas, Ret., who spoke about the military dangers posed by climate change.

This work is only possible through the large and small donations of people like you who understand the fierce urgency of now and are willing to act in spite of the cynics and nay-sayers.

In the upcoming weeks we are planning to run ads thanking members of Congress for their politically risky votes for climate legislation, and urging the Senate to take action.

But we need your help for these ads to be heard.

Every $25 we raise puts another ad on the air in a region where it will make a real impact; every $5,000 allows us to send those ads directly to 1.5 million independent and swing faith voters through our email program.

We need your support.

Please consider making a donation today.

Hope, Joy and Celebration,

Burns Strider

President, American Values Network

www.americanvaluesnetwork.org

PS: We look forward to announcing our National Advisory Committee of noted, leading advocates and clergy from across the nation in the coming couple of weeks!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

American Values Network Releases White Paper: Vieques Today, A Sea of Broken Promises

Washington, DC – A new white paper by American Values Network examines the current situation in the island municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico, USA. Vieques is a small U.S. territorial island located eight miles from the main island of Puerto Rico. The people of Vieques are American citizens who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country’s national security. For over 200 days per year from 1941-2003, the Navy used significant portions of the Island of Vieques for training exercises and munitions testing. During this period, the Navy tested nearly every kind of munitions employed by the military, dropping over 80 million pounds of ordnance on Vieques from 1984-1998 alone. The Navy has refused to disclose the complete list and amounts of all materials sprayed, dropped, tested, or disposed of on the island and surrounding ocean during the 62-years of weapons testing.

The people of Vieques have a 25% higher infant mortality rate, 30% higher rate of cancer, a 381% higher rate of hypertension, a 95% higher rate of cirrhosis of the liver, and a 41% higher rate of diabetes than those on the main island of Puerto Rico a mere 8 miles away. Despite these facts, the Navy denies any culpability and refuses to help alleviate the suffering it has caused.

The health claims of the American citizens in Vieques have been supported by a multitude of groups and faith-based organizations, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and the American Values Network, among others.

The full report can be downloaded here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 2, 2009

IT IS TIME TO END THE PAIN ON VIEQUES, THE PUERTO RICO SENATE AND HOUSE ALONG WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AGREES

Keeping Campaign Promises Concerning Vieques is Crucial

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate and the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, as well as the United Nations, have given their voices and full support to the citizens of Vieques in their struggle with disease, contamination and neglect from the United States Navy.

“The people of Vieques, Puerto Rico are United States citizens. In fact, their young have provided one of the highest percentages of volunteerism for the U.S. military,” said Burns Strider, President of the American Values Network. “Yet, they struggle with disease, illness, contamination, birth defects and many other tragic problems arising from the toxic contamination caused by more than six decades of naval bombardment and other military exercises on their island.”

The people of Vieques have filed claims against the Navy in federal district court in San Juan to address the numerous health matters affecting the residents of this island municipality.

To the surprise of many, the Obama Department of Justice responded with a motion to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. This decision means that the US government is in fact asking an American judge to deny American citizens — as it is the case of the people born in Vieques, a municipality of Puerto Rico — their day in court and the opportunity for the case to be addressed on its merits.

The U.S. government claims “sovereign immunity,” an archaic principle derived from the Middle Ages when the King would say he could do no wrong because what he does is ordained of God.

Fortunately, earlier this week, the Puerto Rico House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution urging President Barack Obama to instruct the appropriate agencies to take the necessary steps to address both the health claims of the residents of Vieques and the environmental situation of the island.

The actions taken by the Department of Justice have raised numerous concerns among activists and community leaders regarding the administration’s commitment to provide fair compensation to the Viequenses. This is particularly relevant given that many of these community leaders actively supported Obama during both the primary and the general election.

Furthermore, many of the victims feel puzzled by the way the new Administration is responding to the Vieques claims since as a candidate, President Obama made a commitment that his administration would “promote appropriate remedies to health conditions caused by military activities conducted by the U.S. Navy on Vieques” and even sent surrogates and advisors to Vieques to campaign on his behalf.

In fact, the resolution passed by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives includes a clear reminder to the Administration about the contradictions between the DOJ’s actions and Obama’s promises when it states that: “…lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice have filed motions based on the ‘Federal Tort Claims Act’ asking the judge to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. This is contrary to the spirit of the promises made, as well as to the notion of access to justice deserved by a people that were subject to sacrifices in the interests of the national security for so long.”

This House Resolution comes on the heels of another resolution unanimously approved by the Senate of Puerto Rico, which recognizes “the contributions and sacrifices that our brothers and sisters of Vieques, have made in the interests of the national security of the United States of America, as well as the lasting effects of more than sixty years of military exercises endured by the residents of Vieques” and asks President Obama “to provide appropriate remedies for health conditions of the people of Vieques that could be related to the military activities conducted by the U.S. Navy.”

In addition, the Senate resolution notes that in the past “the United States of America has compensated both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens who have endured injuries and/or damages comparable to those suffered by the U.S. citizens of Vieques.”

According to the Senate Resolution, “it would be in the best interests of the United States of America to address the losses and ongoing medical and economic needs of the U.S. citizens on Vieques, which could be resulting from the U.S. Navy’s long bombardment and contamination of the island” and that the “the fastest, fairest, and most efficient way to correct the injustice and health crisis is for the U.S. government to resolve the claims pending in the US District Court in San Juan as well as those pending for the Municipality of Vieques before the Secretary of Navy.”

Moreover, the President of the Puerto Rico Senate, Thomas Rivera Schatz, wrote a letter to President Obama urging his “intervention and attention to the health issues affecting thousands of disenfranchised U.S. citizens in the island municipality of Vieques, Puerto Rico.”

As Puerto Rico Senator Jorge Suárez, of the Popular Democratic Party, aptly put it in his July 1st letter to President Obama, there are many people that “hope and trust that you will heed this call, that you will take the necessary steps to allow for the compensation of the affected Viequenses, and that you will thus finally take swift action to put an end to the health crisis among the U.S. citizens of Vieques, people who have borne a very heavy burden in support of our rights and freedoms.”

As a result of more than six decades of bombings, at least four generations of American citizens in Vieques have now been exposed to toxins and heavy metals with devastating medical consequences. Numerous scientific studies have revealed that the rates of serious illnesses among Viequenses, including cancer, hypertension and diabetes, far exceed those on the main island of Puerto Rico. As pointed out by the President of the Puerto Rico Senate, Thomas Rivera Schatz, “in spite of this, nothing is being done by Federal authorities to address the major health problems suffered by our fellow Americans in Vieques. They have borne a very heavy burden in defense of our national security. Even though the bombings stopped in May 2003, they continue to suffer from the toxic chemicals and heavy metal hazards that are the legacy of decades of bombing and military practices in Vieques.”

But those are not the only two allies of Vieques. A Special Committee of the United Nations recently approved a resolution urging the government of the United States to complete the return of occupied land and installations on Vieques Island and “expedite and cover the costs of the process of cleaning up and decontaminating the impact areas previously used in military exercises through means that do not continue to aggravate the serious consequences of its military activity for the health of the inhabitants of Vieques Island and the environment.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 23, 2009

American Values Network Launches Colorado Media Tour
On Passing Energy Bill and Why It Matters to National Security

General John W. Douglas, Ret., this Week Travels Colorado in Initial State Media Tour,
Discussing How Passage of the Energy Bill is Essential to Our National Security

ARLINGTON, VA – The American Values Network today announced a week long media tour of the state of Colorado. General John W. Douglas, Ret., will travel throughout Colorado meeting with media, citizens and political leaders discussing the crucial importance of energy policy to our national security.
“We import more than half our oil from hostile nations. Last year, we paid over $255 billion to countries that are primary funders for terrorists groups like Al Qaeda,” shares General Douglas. “We consume more oil than any other country so by increasing use of domestic, renewable energy and decreasing use of foreign oil we greatly lower the incomes of these foreign nations and that alone enhances our security and makes our families and communities safer.”

General Douglas is retired from the U.S. Air Force where he was deputy U.S. military representative to NATO, director of plans and policy and director of science and technology in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and assistant to the under secretary of defense for acquisition. General Douglas has also served our nation for five years at the National Security Council in the White House and as assistant secretary for the Navy for research, development and acquisition for both the Navy and Marine Corps.

The American Values Network’s Colorado media tour will take General Douglas to Denver, Pueblo, Pagosa Springs, Durango and Grand Junction while holding phone interviews with media in other regions of the state.
“The American Values Network’s Media Tour in Colorado is about raising public awareness of the need to pass the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill pending in Congress,” stated Burns Strider, President of the American Values Network. “Our national security is at stake along with the dire consequences of climate change this bill addresses. Our ongoing work to pass this bill includes a months-long e-advocacy campaign to more than 5.3 million Americans and radio ads that have been running in 8 states.”

The Mission of the American Values Network (AVN) is to enroll, engage, and enable Americans to stand up, speak out, and actively participate in building up the American values of family and community that are the core of our pursuit of a “more perfect union.”  We believe America needs leaders who embrace the values common to all citizens and that guide us in making America a shining beacon of hope and freedom to the world.  The American Values Network and its state affiliates offer citizens a grassroots avenue to active involvement — engaging the issues they care about and the ideals that define our nation.

www.americanvaluesnetwork.org

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