[HQRP] Fw: KP1/5 Project_D41 News Release0205(1)

[Andy MacAllister]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "NA5U" <na5u@sbcglobal.net>
To: <na5u@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 10:26 PM
Subject: KP1/5 Project_D41 News Release0205(1)





DXers, contesters, and other interested hams,

The KP1/5 Project Team in conjunction with the Lone Star DX Association
wants to let you know that the effort to gain access to Navassa and Desecheo
Islands has begun again. You will recall that Representative Nick Rahall
(D-W.Va.) introduced H.R. 5361 in the 108th Congress. The bill has now been
introduced in the 109th Congress and its number is H.R. 298. Fortunately, it
is again a bipartisan bill with co-sponsorship by Representative Richard
Pombo (R-Calif.). This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
allow public access to the islands, which would open the door to Amateur
Radio expeditions.
As before and even more now, we need your help to ensure passage of this
Bill in the House of Representatives. You can help by contacting your
representative and encourage them to support H.R. 298 and become a
co-sponsor. If you are not sure who or how to contact your representative,
go to http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Be sure to use your 9-digit zip code
to ensure that you find the right representative. It is very important to
use that same 9-digit zip code in your correspondence so that your
representative knows that you are their constituent. You can find your
9-digit zip code by going to http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp. Also,
remember that emails are fine and please follow-up with a telephone call to
ensure your request is being acted on. Insist on a point of contact for you
to follow-up with.  If you need assistance determining who your Congressman
is or your correct 9-digit zip code, contact us at KP1-5@DXer.org.
There is another very important date coming in April. The KP1/5 Team will be
traveling to Washington, D.C. to make a presentation on Capitol Hill. The
purpose of the presentation is to educate our legislators about the Amateur
Radio Service, highlight the importance of Amateur Radio and the vital role
it plays in national and worldwide communications, and of course focus on
the facts surrounding the Fish and Wildlife Service's unjustified closure of
Desecheo and Navassa to Amateur Radio DXers and contesters.  The
presentation will take place on April 8th in the Longworth House Office
Building. Your representative can contact Representative Rahall and Pombo's
offices for the exact time and location.
In summary, we are asking that you contact your Representative as soon as
possible and ask them to support H.R. 298, co-sponsor the Bill, and finally
encourage them or their staff to attend the briefing on Capitol Hill on
April 8th. A sample letter to legislators, news updates and information
about the KP1/5 Project can be found at www.KP1-5.com .
Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who does not have
electronic access and may be interested or can help.