There is a brutal civil war taking place in The Democratic Republic of Congo. We are complicit in this conflict, in fact, many of the metals that are used in technology come from the corrupt mining operations that support this war. Electrodes in your cell phones, components in your computer, your catalytic converter, and materials of the green economy are regularly mined in The Democratic Republic of Congo. You might find electronic devices that funded this conflict in your pocket right now.
The two bills that contain steps toward regulating conflict minerals have recently gained some ground.
During the full committee markup on Wednesday, ranking member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) solidified her support of H.R. 4128 by announcing she would become a cosponsor of the legislation.
The other cosponsors who signed on were:
Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Tell Congress to help stop this bloody conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo by urging your senators and reps to support these two important pieces of legislation. The senate bill is S.891.
Last night, I wrote a diary about Mama Muliri -- a pioneering member of the Congolese relief organization HEAL Africa. She is in the US trying to raise awareness about this brilliant organization, and how it is impacting the conflict in the DRC. I met with her last week -- and she is on her way to Washington DC today.
Meet Jeanne Muliri Kabekatyo, known as "Mama Muliri" to her friends and colleagues. This brilliant woman pioneered the Heal My People program at HEAL Africa, a Congolese relief organization centered in Goma. She is visiting the United States and telling the story of how HEAL Africa is changing the face of the Deomcratic Republic of Congo. She is without a doubt one of the more inspiring people I know.
Mama Muliri directs HEAL Africa's program Gender and Justice, which is a strategic, long term response to gender-based violence. She is the ultimate community organizer, bringing together leaders from area villages, faith-based organizations, relief workers, and the women of the DRC to affect positive change in a lasting way. They will create a new future.
Read the rest of the diary here.
I am unsure of her meeting schedule in Washington, but calling your congresspeople would do nothing but help the cause. Call them. Even if they are Republican. It's an issue that really is bipartisan.
Here is a message from Jim McDermott, HR 4128's sponsor. The numbers are outdated, but the message is fresh.
Please act. There is hope, and you will save lives.