Grassroots Action

From Bill Ramsay, St. Louis Instead of War Coalition: "Today we received word from Rep. William Lacy Clay’s chief to staff that he will be withdrawing his co-sponsorship of HR 362. Below is the Congressional Record of his request that his name be withdrawn from the co-sponsorship list.

Last week, we wrote letters asking that Clay withdraw. We received letters back indicating that he would not. Yesterday after a phone conversation with his foreign policy aid, fifteen local activists went to his local office seeking a conference call with Clay. Within 30 minutes we were in a conference room discussing the resolution with Clay by teleconference. He still held to his position of co-sponsoring the resolution.

After the conference call we remained in the office discussing the resolution with four of his local aides and among ourselves. When the local staff announced that the office was closing, several of the activists announced that they were staying in the office until Clay changed his mind. The aides called Washington.

A few minutes Clay was on the phone asking us to leave and agreeing to meet with us again today. We remained in the office and a few minutes later his chief of staff called indicating that he personally would

meet with Clay all evening if necessary to discuss the resolution and that for us to call today at 10 AM to find out the results of that meeting and whether Clay would be available for another teleconference at 4:30 today.

When I called back this morning, the Chief of staff gave me the word that Clay would withdraw his co-sponsorship and release a statement this afternoon.

Hopefully other groups around the country are having similar successes. We will turn our efforts now to Rep. Carnahan (MO 3rd Congressional District)."

Bill Ramsey
St. Louis Instead of War Coalition
And Iran Peace Shield Project

REMOVAL OF NAME OF REP. WM. LACY CLAY AS COSPONSOR OF
H.CON. RES. 362
House of Representatives - July 9, 2008

Mr. CLAY: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my name as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 362
The SPEAKER pro tempore: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.