Labeling of genetically engineered foods in Colorado

["Carolyn" <bninski@uswest.net>]

Hi,

As a fellow Green, I thought you might be interested in suppporting the
efforts of the Consumer Coalition on Food Labeling to get genetically
engineered (GE) foods labeled in the State of Colorado. Please pass this
information on to any interested people in your areas or to your lists
if you think it is appropriate. (Both the state and national Green party
platforms  have strong anti-GE language.)  A bill was introduced last
Friday in the Colorado State Legislature and we need people to make
phone calls to the committee chair, other committee members and to their
own legislators. Please feel free to give me a call with questions. We
realize that labeling is only a first step. It could be significant,
however, in raising people's awareness on this issue and also in forcing
agribusiness to segregate GE crops, which would result in major pressure
on the industry to respond to consumer pressure opposing GE foods.
Thanks for your help on this issue of enormous significance to the
future of life on earth. See the memo below for the details, phone
numbers, etc. 

Carolyn Bninski
Boulder Greens and the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center
303-444-6981x15


Call your State Legislator Today in Support of A New Bill for the
Labeling of Genetically Engineered Foods.

On Friday, Janaury 25, Ron Tupa introduced a bill in the Colorado State
Senate for labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. The bill,
S01-146 is called the "Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Act of
2001". It would require the labeling of processed food on the container
and on the shelf for bulk food or produce. The bill has been sent to the
Business Affairs and Labor Committee.

Please take a minute and make a few calls in support of the bill:

The Chair of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee is Joan
Fitzgerald. She needs to be encouraged to give strong support to the
bill. Everyone should call her, whether you1re in her district or not.
If you DO live in her district, let her know you1re a constituent (leave
your address when you call). Her district is Clear Creek County, Gilpin,
Jefferson, Summit, and the mountain areas of Boulder County. Basically
her district is mountain towns, including Nederland, Ward, Rollinsville,
 Central City, Black Hawk, Idaho Springs, Lyons, Jamestown and Ward.
Call her number and leave a message on her machine at the Capitol 303-866-4873.


Please call the following committee members ONLY if you live in his/her district.
If you don1t know if you live in their district, you can call the County
Clerk at the following numbers:  Adams County: 303-654-6020      El
Paso: 719-520-6226

If you don't live in the district of one of these committee members,
please call your own state Senator. (You don't need to call Ron Tupa, if
you live in his district)
 
Business Affairs and Labor Committee members:
Stephanie Takis  (Adams County) 303-866-4855 
Alice Nichol (Adams County) 303-866-4865 
Terry Phillips (Boulder County)-Louisville, Longmont and Lafayette
303-866-5291 
Doug Lamborne (El Paso-Colorado Springs) 303-8664835 
Andy McElheny  (El Paso-Colorado Springs) 303-866-4880

The Message is something like this: " I1m a constituent of yours. I live
at_______Please support Senate Bill 01-146, the "Genetically Engineered
Food Labeling Act of 2001". I1m concerned about the health effects of
genetically engineered foods because they haven1t been tested for
long-term safety, and so I am trying to avoid buying these foods. I
can1t avoid them if they1re not labeled. I believe I have a right to
know what I1m eating. Please support the labeling of these foods. And
whatever else you want to say.........". I think the machine will cut
you off at two minutes. Your message can be short or up to two minutes.
MAKING THESE CALLS WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO. IT IS MOST LIKELY
THAT YOU WILL BE LEAVING THE MESSAGE ON THE LEGISTOR1S MACHINE.

For more information, call the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center 303-444-6981x15.
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