<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><o:SmartTagType
namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="Street"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="address"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PersonName"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:black;
font-weight:bold;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:black;
font-weight:bold;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>As a clarification, we want to ask Gene Green to co-sponsor the <u>Federal</u>
legislation in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>
House of Representatives calling for publicly financed campaigns on the
congressional level. U.S. Congressman John Larson (D) of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Connecticut</st1:place></st1:State> is sponsoring this legislation.
He wrote a letter to his colleagues in November of 2007 asking for their
support of the Larson Bill and their co-sponsorship of same. We want Gene Green
to co-sponsor the Larson Bill. We also want him to support publicly financed
campaigns in <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State>, and we want public
officials in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:State>
to sponsor/co-sponsor legislation on the state level for Clean Elections
beginning with the state judicial races.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>As a side note, I am strictly playing things by ear regarding tonight’s
Town Hall meeting at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Denver</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Multi</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Service</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
on <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Market Street</st1:address></st1:Street>.
I was planning to attend tonight’s meeting and possibly be the one to ask
Gene to support the Larson Bill and Clean Elections in Texas, however, I am
watching this weather closely. If it appears the roads will be flooded I will
not be getting out and driving to <st1:place w:st="on">East Houston</st1:place>.
I’ll make my mind up later today. Hopefully, this tropical storm will
blow on through and the rain will stop. The rain is coming steadily down in my
neck of the woods as I write this.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>If anybody has any questions just drop me an e-mail. I’ll do my
best to answer them.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>Kris<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Ron and Kris Graham</st1:PersonName> [mailto:graham2639@mindspring.com]
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, August 01, 2008 5:46
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [PAA-Discuss] Town Hall
Meetings With Gene Green to Promote CleanElections</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>I got an e-mail today from Andy Wilson of Public Citizen in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Austin</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">TX</st1:State></st1:place>.
Andy is going to be in town next week. He wants a bunch of us to be present at
one or more of the Town Hall meetings scheduled with Congressman Gene Green
next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Gene has indicated he is in favor of
publicly financed campaigns in Texas, and we need to be present at the town
hall meetings to ask him if he will co-sponsor the Larson Bill provided to him
by Public Citizen calling for publicly financed campaigns in Texas beginning
with the state judicial races. Gene did sign the Voters First pledge in 2006,
so hopefully he will agree to co-sponsor legislation getting publicly financed
campaigns in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>
for all elective offices. I am pasting the e-mail exchanges between Charlie
Mauch, Andy Wilson and me today regarding the three (3) Town Hall meetings
coming up with Gene Green next week. Please let Charlie and me know if you can
attend one or more of these meetings. We need a large presence at the meetings
to show great support for Clean Elections in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>Charlie had some questions about the Town Hall meetings which Andy
answered below. Please look over the e-mails I have pasted below. They should answer
any questions you might have. It is extraordinarily important that we get
legislation passed in the 2009 session that makes publicly financed campaigns a
reality in this state. Please do your best to attend one or more of the
meetings. Thanks a bunch.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'>Kris<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The basic point is this:
he is doing these meetings to hear from his constituents to hear what is on
their minds. Most questions will be about pressing issue (gas prices,
economy, etc) and we can't let him forget his commitment to campaign finance.
Especially since the action is so simple and you might think not many people
care about it, we want to show him that people DO care about this issue.<br>
<br>
Let me go point by point quickly:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 12:45 PM, <<a href="mailto:ChasMauch@aol.com"
title="blocked::mailto:ChasMauch@aol.com">ChasMauch@aol.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I am not familiar with the procedure at
townhall meetings so would appreciate some details:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>1. I think there is a Q & A (public
comment) part of the meeting. Would we have a spokesman from our group ask him
to co-sponsor the legislation? Would we ask the same question at all three
meetings? That would seem kind of redundant since he would hear the same thing
3 times.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>We need different people to ask (basically) the same thing at every
meeting. This will be most effective if the people are a) from Gene
Green's district and b) diverse. (This is why I would be a bad
"messenger" - from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Austin</st1:City></st1:place>,
work for an advocacy group, younger white male-- not Gene's constituents for
sure)<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>2. Why do you need a group to attend the
meeting if only one will speak? Would others get up and make the same request
or just provide moral support, applause, or whatever?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>One will ask the question, then we have the rest of the group
applauding/holding signs/providing support, etc.<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>3. Would you plan to attend the meetings?
You would be the best spokesperson since you are familiar with the
legislation and could answer any questions he might have. Otherwise someone
will need to be educated about it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I will be there and I'm happy to write the question for someone.
Ultimately, what I envision is 1 person asking the question, flanked by me and
another person from Common Cause, LWV, etc-- something like that. They
are asking the question but I can provide a follow-up, support, etc.<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>4. Are you proposing that we
get up a group to meet with Green about co-sponsoring this bill? If so that
could be done at his office, couldn't it? Or would it be better done after one
of the meetings?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>We may not NEED a meeting at his office if we get enough people to
these meetings. I can then just follow up with his staff to make sure
things happen. But when I spoke to his Chief of Staff she told me if the
Congressman was interested we could maybe have a short talk before/after one of
the meetings. Of course, we may need a meeting, but the meeting will be
about facts and figures, these townhalls are about showing public support.<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Feel free to call me to coordinate any of this better. Let me
know if you think you can get several people there, do I need to make signs or
will you make them, etc?<br>
<br>
Andy Wilson<br>
Public Citizen TX<br>
512-477-1155 (office)<br>
917-238-0761 (cell)</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>In a message dated 8/1/2008 11:58:14 A.M.
Central Daylight Time, andy.citizen@gmail.com writes:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>It's Gene Green and he is doing some
townhall meetings next Mon, Tues, and Wed that i would like to make sure we
make our voices heard on public financing: he signed the "Voters
First" pledge in 2006 to support public financing and I would like him to
co-sponsor a piece of legislation to make it happen. I have been in touch
with his Chief of Staff so he knows we're putting a group together and we may
have a chance to briefly meet with him about supporting this draft
legislation. Let me know if you can come to any of these and feel
free to forward this to other people who want to help:<br>
<br>
Topic: Town Hall<br>
Official: Rep. Green (D-TX-29th)<br>
When: 08/04/2008<br>
Starts: 06:30 PM<br>
Where : Aldine Branch Library<br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">11331 Airline Drive</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Houston</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">TX</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">77037</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
<br>
Call (281) 999-5879 for more information.<br>
<br>
Topic: Town Hall<br>
Official: Rep. Green (D-TX-29th)<br>
When: 08/05/2008<br>
Starts: 07:00 PM<br>
Until: 08:00 PM<br>
Where : <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Denver</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Harbor</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Multi-Service</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">6402 Market Street</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Houston</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">TX</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">77020</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
<br>
Call (281) 999-5879 for more information.<br>
<br>
Topic: Senior Citizens' Issues Forum<br>
Official: Rep. Green (D-TX-29th)<br>
When: 08/06/2008<br>
Starts: 10:00 AM<br>
Until: 11:00 AM<br>
Where : <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">South</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Houston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Community</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1007 State Street</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">South Houston</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">TX</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">77587</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
<br>
Call (281) 999-5879 for more information.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
<br>
<br>
Andy Wilson<br>
Public Citizen TX<br>
<a href="mailto:awilson@citizen.org"
title="blocked::mailto:awilson@citizen.org
mailto:awilson@citizen.org">awilson@citizen.org</a><br>
512-477-1155 (office)<br>
917-238-0761 (cell)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:black;font-weight:
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>