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All posts tagged Americans Abroad Caucus
American Citizens Abroad Gives 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award to Representatives Maloney and Wilson
Last month, American Citizens Abroad (ACA) awarded its Benjamin Franklin Award to Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Joe Wilson (R-SC).
The award honors Representatives Maloney and Wilson for co-founding and co-chairing the Americans Abroad Caucus. According to ACA’s press release:
The Benjamin Franklin Award was created by ACA to recognize members of Congress for their extraordinary contribution on behalf of overseas Americans and has been given only once before in the early 1980s to Representatives Bill Alexander (D-AR) and Bob McClory (R-IL).
ACA believes that Representatives Maloney and Wilson, in founding the Americans Abroad Caucus, have manifested their recognition of the important role played by overseas Americans as unofficial diplomats representing the interests of the United States abroad as well as their support for the particular issues which concern American citizens living overseas. All Americans abroad see the Americans Abroad Caucus as a major step forward in obtaining a voice in Washington and place high hopes in the Caucus.
The Americans Abroad Caucus was launched during Overseas Americans Week in Washington D.C., in April 2007. The bipartisan caucus now includes 24 members of Congress. (6 Republicans and 18 Democrats).
This is Overseas Americans Week
This is Overseas Americans Week (“OAW”) – the annual lobbying visit to Washington by the Association of Americans Resident Overseas‘ (AARO), American Citizens Abroad (ACA), and the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO). Stay up-to-date with the latest developments through AARO-OAW blog, “Mr. Coyne Goes to Washington“. Launched today and running only until Friday, April 18, the blog will provide an inside look at OAW.
OAW is good opportunity to write to the members of of your Congressional delegation and enumerate the issues that concern you. While you’re at it, ask your Senators and Representative to join the Americans Abroad Caucus.
FAWCO’S U.S. Liaison Page
FAWCO, The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, Inc., is an international NGO with more than 75 member clubs and associations with a combined membership of approximately 18,000 in 35 countries. Importantly, the FAWCO U.S. Liaison promotes the rights of U.S. citizens living abroad and helps keep them “informed and responsible citizens”. The site states that, “Efforts are currently focused on election reform and representation of overseas Americans in Washington.”
The U.S. Liaison page on the FAWCO website is a treasure trove for Americans Abroad wishing to get up to speed on the issues affecting us all in Washington, DC. From the latest news on the Americans Abroad Caucus and for tips on writing to Washington, including instructions for requesting your representatives to join the caucus: Is YOUR legislator a member of the Americans Abroad Caucus?
The page has links to the latest information on the Help America Vote Act (“HAVA”) for those interested in election reform, and information about the 2010 Census – which is important to ensure that we finally get an accurate count of the number of Americans living overseas..
The page includes an “U.S. Liaison: Action Items” section that lists information on topics that affect FAWCO members, and if the current page contents are representative of future content, all Americans abroad.
