GA - McKinney Challenges "Diebold Democracy" ...

Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA-4^th ) holds a press conference on Saturday, September 30th at the Omega Center, 3951 Snapfinger Parkway in the Lower Level Break Room, Decatur, Georgia to address concerns about the disfranchisement of voters through the use of inaccurate and unverifiable voting machines in recent national and local elections.

In the award-winning film "American Blackout" several experts testify to current efforts to discourage and disfranchise African-American voters who won their right to vote during the civil rights struggles of the last century, as well as manipulation of the primaries and elections in predominantly African-American DeKalb County. “Without a clear paper trail or use of paper ballots, there is no way to verify electoral results, and many ways to compromise them,” McKinney said. Experts will demonstrate the use of a variety of verifiable voting machines and discuss the vulnerability of those currently being used to hacking and other manipulation, and their lack of verification to certify for election results.

Speakers include: Roger Perez, CEO of *IBS*, who will demonstrate their voting machine; Donzella James, Former Georgia State Senator, candidate 13th District; Bev Harris, founder of Black Box Voting; Abbe DeLozier, co-author of "HACKED! High Tech Election Theft in America"; Garland Favorito, plaintiff in suit against electronic voting machines; Karon Fitzpatrick, DeKalb NAACP; Lithonia Middle School PTA *Richard Searcy*, a freelance reporter; Mike Raffauf, attorney

CA - Gov. Signs Dymally's Groundbreaking Family Law Bill

Assemblymember Mervyn M. Dymally (D-Compton) announced today that California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar signed AB 402, the Collaborative Family Act, a groundbreaking new law that establishes procedures related to proceedings for the dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, and legal separation.

AB 402 will allow the parties to those proceedings, by written agreement, to utilize a collaborative law process, rather than an adversarial judicial proceeding to resolve those disputes. The bill requires a court to issue a statement explaining the factual and legal basis for its custody decisions upon the trial of a question of fact in a proceeding to determine the custody of a minor, upon the request of either party.

“The very nature of divorce puts added strain on all parties, especially the children of the marriage,” commented Dymally. “The goal of this bill is to reach an agreement between the two parties without resorting to an adversarial posture and sparing all involved a lengthy litigation process.”

Lee Bill Will Stop Millions in Federal Contracts from Going to Companies that Support Darfur Genocide

"More than $600 million in federal contracts has gone to international companies whose business in Sudan may directly or indirectly support the Sudanese government’s campaign of genocide in Darfur, according to members of Congress who want to put an end to the practice.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and other members of Congress held a press conference on Capitol Hill today to announce the introduction of legislation that would bar international companies whose business in Sudan directly or indirectly supports the genocide in Darfur from receiving tax payer funded federal contracts at a press conference on Capitol Hill today.

“No one should have to worry that their tax dollars are supporting genocide,” said Lee. “This bill is designed to wash the blood off of our federal contracts, protect the rights of states to divest their own public pension funds from companies doing business in Sudan and increase the financial pressure on Khartoum to end the genocide in Darfur.”"

H.R. 5680 - Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2006

H.R.5680

Title: To encourage and facilitate the consolidation of security, human rights, democracy, and economic freedom in Ethiopia.

Sponsor: Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 6/26/2006) Cosponsors (26)

Latest Major Action: 6/27/2006 House committee/subcommittee actions.

Status: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, by Unanimous Consent.

H.R. 4844 - House Passes Voter ID Bill

H.R.4844

Title: To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require any individual who desires to register or re-register to vote in an election for Federal office to provide the appropriate State election official with proof that the individual is a citizen of the United States to prevent fraud in Federal elections, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Hyde, Henry J. [IL-6] (introduced 3/2/2006)

Cosponsors (11) Related Bills: H.RES.1015

Latest Major Action: 9/19/2006 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1015 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4844 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on House Administration now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. House Reports: 109-666