The Council of Governors, Senior Fellows, Senior Advisors and Advocacy Team of the DISCIPLES CENTER for PUBLIC WITNESS wish you, your family, and all your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us pray that the love of God will be born anew in our hearts, and that our lives might more fully incarnate the Biblical vision of shalom--a vision of peace and justice for everyone throughout the world.


Please remember The CENTER in your holiday giving:
www.centersupport.org

- or -

Disciples Center for Public Witness.
c/o Christian Church Capital Area
8814 Kensington Parkway, Suite 208
Chevy Chase, MD 20815-6743

Birth of God is an icon by Nicholas Markell.
More of his art can be found at Bridge Building Images.

Senate Passes START Treaty

By a vote of 71-26, senators approved the strategic nuclear arms pact between the United States and Russia. Under the treaty, Russia and the United States agree to limit the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 each, down from the ceiling of 2,200. The pact also establishes a system for monitoring and verification.

The treaty was signed by Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8.

For more, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Meets With Congressional Hispanic Caucus about DREAM Act and Immigration Reform

In an Oval Office meeting today, the President discussed immigration reform with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

The President and the members discussed their "deep disappointment" with the DREAM Act failing in the U.S. Senate despite "having the support of a majority of Senators and a majority of the American people," noting that "it would have cut the budget deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years." The President reiterated that he will not give up on the DREAM Act, and thanked the members for their work on this issue.

The President also reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform, insisting that "we can no longer perpetuate a broken immigration system that is not working for our country or our economy." The President and the members agreed that the American people expect both parties to come together around "common sense approaches to solve our toughest problems," and agreed to work with each other and with the Congress to "get the job done."

They also agreed that immigration reform should remain a top priority for the coming Congress, and to work together to advance proposals that not only to strengthen security at the nation’s borders, but also "fix what everyone agrees is a badly broken immigration system."

Government of Canada Renews Support for Aboriginal Languages Across the Country

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced a three-year renewal of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, as well as a new formula for First Nations languages that distributes funding according to the regional realities of languages across Canada.

The new funding formula for First Nations languages is based on regional distribution of these languages. First Nations organizations active in language initiatives in provinces and territories with a greater number of languages will have access to more funding than those where fewer languages are found. The new formula comes into effect on April 1, 2011.

"Language is critical to the maintenance and transmission of cultural identity," said Minister Moore. "With the renewal of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, we are ensuring that support continues for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit language revitalization."

Minister Moore also announced funding for 16 language projects in British Columbia: 12 under the auspices of the First Peoples' Cultural Foundation and 4 other First Nations projects.

To read more about this, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Senate Rejects Amendments Altering New START Treaty

The Senate on Sunday rescued a new arms treaty with Russia from Republican efforts to amend it in a way that would require the entire treaty to be renegotiated, but whether the Senate can ratify the New START treaty before the end of the lame-duck session remains in doubt.

Senators have been debating the treaty for days, and Sunday's vote was the second time Democrats thwarted GOP efforts to alter the pact that President Obama insists is critical to future U.S.-Russia relations.

Democrats are pushing to ratify the treaty before Congress adjourns for the year. Republicans, whose numbers increase in the Senate in January, say additional debate is needed.

Democrats now need two Republican votes to cut off debate on the treaty and nine to ratify it.

Sen. Richard Lugar, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee and a treaty supporter, predicted that the treaty would be ratified if only Democrats could cut off the Republican-led debate.

To read more of this story by Susan Ferrechio of the Washington Examiner, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Senate Votes to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

By a vote of 65 to 31, the Senate just now voted to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy that banned openly gay persons from serving in the military and denied recognition and acceptance of any sexual orientation other than heterosexuality.

Earlier this week, the House passed the bill (H.R. 2965) by a vote of 250-175. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.

Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Passes Senate Procedural Vote

The Senate will take a final vote this afternoon on legislation that would overturn the military ban on openly gay troops known as 'don't ask, don't tell.'

Senators cleared the way for final action with a 63-33 vote to move the bill forward. The actual vote on the bill itself is now set for 3 p.m.

Opponents Successfully Block Vote on DREAM Act

Today, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the DREAM Act, bipartisan legislation that, had it been passed, would have provided undocumented young women and men who were brought to the U.S. as young children with a pathway to U.S. citizenship if they attend college or perform military service.

An effort to bring the House version of the bill (HR 5281) to the floor for a vote was rejected, 55-41.

SENATE VOTE IS TOMORROW: Urge Your Senators to Pass the DREAM Act

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act will be voted on TOMORROW, Saturday, December 18th in the U.S. Senate. Please urge your Senators to do the right thing tomorrow by voting "YES" on the cloture vote to enable the passage of this important legislation.

202-224-3121.

If passed, the DREAM Act would make a huge difference in the lives of undocumented youth who were brought to the U.S. by their parents and now, because of their lack of legal status, face obstacles to their future. By removing such barriers, the DREAM Act will allow immigrant students to pursue their dreams through college education or military service.

202-224-3121.

Act Now! Urge your Senators to support the DREAM Act, which will open the door to higher education for some of the more than 65,000 undocumented immigrant students who graduate from American high schools each year.

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the UN Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement following the announcement by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, that a new UN Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s Health has been established. The Commission will be co-chaired by Prime Minister Harper and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete:

"This year, G-8 leaders endorsed and launched the Canadian-led Muskoka Initiative to save the lives of women and children in developing countries.

"As part of the Muskoka Initiative, G-8 countries agreed there was a need for improved accountability reporting.

"Today, Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, announced a new UN Commission to improve global reporting, oversight and accountability on women’s and children’s health.

"I welcome the new Commission and I am honoured to have been asked to serve as co-chair along with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.

"Canada’s participation in this Commission means that we will continue to play a leadership role in helping the world meet both G-8 and Millennium Development Goal Summit commitments – commitments that will help significantly reduce the appalling mortality rates among women and children in the developing world."

To read more of this statement, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For further information on the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, please visit: www.g8.gc.ca.

For further information on Canada’s actions on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, please visit: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca.

Canada: Feds Propose Private-Sector Pension Plan

Conservative Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has shelved plans for a modest enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and instead is pitching a new private-sector pension plan which he claims will help Canadians prepare for retirement.

The initiative, to be called Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs), is revealed in a letter that Flaherty has sent his provincial counterparts in advance of a meeting in Alberta he is holding with them early next week.

It is a significant shift for Flaherty, who, just six months ago, was touting an enhancement of the government-run CPP as the way to go. He signalled at a news conference Thursday that this option is now on the back burner because of provincial opposition.

The surprise move has drawn conflicting reaction from provincial capitals and criticism from opposition leaders.

To read more of this Postmedia news story by Mark Kennedy, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

BREAKING NEWS: House Passes Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

The House passed a repeal of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that has affected the service of gays and lesbians in the military.

The stand-alone legislation calls for an end to the policy that since 1993 has barred recruiters from asking about sexual orientation while prohibiting soldiers from acknowledging that they are other than heterosexual.

The legislation now goes to the Senate.

UPDATE: U.S. Senate Passes Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Bill

The Senate has passed legislation that would temporarily extend the George W. Bush-era tax cuts and renew unemployment benefits for 7 million Americans, moving the compromise package on to the House of Representatives.

DREAMers Pray for Passage of the DREAM Act, Visit Senators

Supporters of the DREAM Act, which would create a path to citizenship for college students and soldiers who are the children of undocumented immigrants, pray in the atrium of the Hart Senate Office Building on Dec. 14th.

Supporters, including religious leaders, also visited Senate offices, expressing strong support for this Act by diverse people of faith.

Call your Senator today and express your support: 202-224-3121.

Canadian Church Leader Says Stephen Harper Fails Test of Leadership on Climate Change

The news last week that Canada was ranked the fourth worst of 57 countries evaluated for their climate change performance is a shameful ranking for a country that could do so much better, says the Moderator of The United Church of Canada.

In a commentary published in today’s Ottawa Citizen, Moderator Mardi Tindal calls on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to exercise accountable leadership on climate change.

Tindal describes accountable leadership as accountability to truth, accountability to democracy, and accountability to our children.

"When the Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-311) was defeated in the Senate after being supported by the House of Commons, Prime Minister Harper called the bill 'irresponsible' and argued that its targets would throw 'possibly millions of people out of work.' This was a failure of leadership," comments Tindal.

She argues that, while ultimately in a democracy all of us are called to exercise leadership, a prime minister has a unique position of leadership, and there are some actions that only government can take.

"Now is the time for the prime minister to introduce urgently needed legislation to replace the Climate Change Accountability Act," says Tindal.

Canada Joins World Leaders in Praising Holbrooke

World leaders are praising U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke, who died Monday in a Washington, D.C., hospital following surgery for a tear in his aorta.

Holbrooke was remembered for engineering the end of the 1992-1995 Bosnia war -- Europe's bloodiest conflict since the Second World War -- and for seeking to bring stability to war-torn Afghanistan.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon was among those offering condolences on Tuesday, calling Holbrooke "a trusted friend of Canada" and "an inspiration to all of us."

"Today marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Accords, the agreement that Mr. Holbrooke brokered to end the war in Bosnia and open the door to stability, and democracy for the people of the western Balkans," Cannon said in a statement.

"We valued his views and counsel on the many issues that brought Canada and United States together to promote our common values in a world fraught with conflict and fragility."

To read more of this CBC story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Still Planning to Hold a Vote on the DREAM Act

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to forge ahead with a vote on the DREAM Act, said his spokesman, Jim Manley.

"We intend to have a vote," Manley said. "We're still trying to figure out when."

Republicans have threatened a filibuster on the DREAM Act, which would grant certain undocumented youth conditional legal status and a chance to pursue U.S. citizenship. Democrats, led by Reid, a Nevada Democrat, have tried to buy time to secure more votes and, they hope, a better chance for passage.


To read more of this story from FOX News Latino, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Parliament to Hold Emergency Debate on Haiti

Canada's opposition on Monday called for troops to be sent to help stabilize Haiti and deal with a cholera outbreak, as parliamentarians readied for an emergency debate on Haiti's problems.

Haiti has been hit by more upheaval and unrest following the disputed results of November presidential elections.

Liberal MP Denis Coderre told AFP the opposition party during the session would also press Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government to send a special envoy to Haiti and release millions of dollars in aid funds.

Coderre, who represents an electoral district in Montreal that is home to a large Haitian diaspora, said Ottawa had promised to match 220 million dollars in donations for quake-ravaged Haiti, but has yet to release the monies.

He also said the Canadian military's Disaster Assistance Response Team (or DART), which was sent in following January's earthquake, should be deployed again to the Caribbean nation.

To read more of this AFP story, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Signs Child Nutrition Act into Law

DREAMers Prayer Vigil

Dreamers Prayer Vigil from LIRS on Vimeo.

First Trinity Lutheran Church in D.C held a candlelight vigil for young students organizing in favor of the DREAM Act. The vigil brought together faith leaders and “dreamers”: young immigrants who came to this country as children and now, as they get ready to go off to college or serve in the military, find themselves denied the opportunity to live a full and productive life. Among the “dreamers” was Lucina Martinez, a 19-year old from San Antonio who had been on a hunger strike for 27 days.

Senate Fails to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

A last-ditch effort to scrap the military's controversial ban on gays and lesbians serving openly failed today after several moderate Republicans whose votes were considered crucial voted against repealing the "don't ask don't tell" policy.

President Obama said he was "extremely disappointed" that the bill failed.

The "don't ask, don't tell" law "weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality," the president said in a written statement. "While today's vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts. I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session."

Susan Collins, A Republican from Maine, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who caucuses with Democrats, said after the vote that they now will introduce free-standing legislation -- separate from the annual defense authorization bill -- to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

"Sixty -- and I think maybe more than 60 members of the United States Senate -- have made clear that they support the repeal of 'don't ask don't tell,' and while that is the case, and it is the case, we are not going to give up," Lieberman said.

To read more of this ABC story by Matthew Jaffe, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

UPDATE: Senate Postpones Vote on DREAM Act

Today the Senate tabled discussion of the Senate version of the DREAM Act. Next week, they will try to vote on the House version.

Keep calling and urging them to support it: 202-224-3121.
Toll free: 1-866-945-0566.

BREAKING NEWS: House Passes DREAM Act

The House of Representatives just passed the DREAM Act. The Senate will vote on this tomorrow at around 11 AM.

CALL YOUR SENATORS: 202-224-3121.

Urge them to pass the DREAM Act now!

President Obama Calls Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance Agreement "a Good Deal For The American People"

Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6:

"On December 6, 1989, the lives of 14 young women were cut short in one of the most heinous acts of violence in Canadian history. They were daughters, sisters, wives and friends whose lives were full of promise and hope, horrifically taken by a gunman at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal.

"That these women were gunned down for no other reason than their gender is as incomprehensible now as it was in 1989. While we cannot, and probably never will, be able to make sense of the events of that day, we can work to ensure that it never happens again.

"Today, let us remember Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte. And let us pay tribute to their memory in the best way that we can: by working to eliminate violence against women while making our communities safer for all Canadians."

House Passes Child Nutrition Bill

After months of heated debate, the House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $4.5 billion child nutrition bill, a valued project of first lady Michelle Obama that survived both Democrats' unrest about paying for the measure with cuts to the federal food stamp budget — and Republicans' last-minute attempt to sidetrack it.

House Democratic leaders overcame an eleventh-hour procedural hurdle: a GOP-sponsored amendment that would bar federal money from child care institutions that hire workers who refuse background checks or lie about their past. The amendment would have sent the bill back to the Senate, effectively stalling it until Republicans take control of the House in January--decreasing the chances that it would have won enough support to pass.

The bill, which the Senate passed by unanimous consent, cleared the House with support from all but four Democrats and only 17 Republicans. It would increase the reimbursement rates for school lunches and set nutritional standards for all food offered in public schools.

To read more of this Politico article by Abby Phillip, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

President Obama & General Powell Push for a New START Treaty