Amen brother:
http://www.sdjewishworld.com/...
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) co-sponsored the Social Security and Marriage Equality (SAME) Act of 2014 to make sure all legal marriages are treated equally by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The bill would ensure that same-sex spouses receive the same spousal benefits afforded to married, heterosexual couples.
Because the Social Security Administration uses an individual’s current place of residence to determine benefits, many legally married same-sex spouses who live in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage have had their applications for Social Security spousal benefits put on hold. The SAME Act would eliminate this discriminatory standard.
“Same-sex couples legally married in Hawai‘i or in the many other states that recognize same-sex marriage should have access to the Social Security benefits they have paid into,” Senator Schatz said. “Equality under federal laws doesn’t end when you cross state lines. Social Security is a vital lifeline for so many seniors and our bill will make sure that everyone is treated equally, providing Social Security spousal benefits to those legally eligible, regardless of who they love and where they live.” - San Diego Jewish World, 5/20/14
Here's some more info:
http://www.hawaii247.com/...
The SAME Act, introduced by Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sen. Mark Udall (D- Colo.) would amend the Social Security Act to:
• Confer Spousal Benefits to any individual legally married in United States.
• Eliminate the requirement that the spouse reside in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits.
• Ensure spouses legally married outside the United States are eligible for Social Security benefits.
Earlier this year, Schatz introduced legislation that would help service members discharged solely due to their sexual orientation correct their military records to reflect their honorable service and reinstate the benefits they earned. Since World War II, more than 100,000 Americans are estimated to have been discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation.
Those forced out of the military may have left with discharge statuses of “other than honorable,” “general discharge,” or “dishonorable,” depending on the circumstances. - Hawaii 24/7, 5/19/14
Please do contact your Senator and tell them to support the SAME Act:
https://www.senate.gov/...
This is just one of several reasons why we need to make sure Schatz wins his primary against Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D. HI) on August 9th. By the way, here's something to look forward to:
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/...
The world’s largest conservation event is heading to the Aloha State in 2016. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Council has selected Hawaii as the host of the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress.
The Congress is held every four years and “brings together leaders from government, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, business, UN agencies and indigenous and grass-roots organizations to discuss and decide on solutions to the world’s most pressing environment and development challenges”, the organization says.
“After a robust evaluation process and careful consideration of the two exceptional proposals received from Hawaii and Turkey, we are extremely pleased to announce Hawaii as the host of the next IUCN World Conservation Congress,” said Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General, in the official media release. “I have every confidence that Hawaii, with its outstanding facilities, rich biological diversity, vibrant indigenous culture, ‘Aloha spirit’ and strong commitment to conservation and sustainable development, will provide an outstanding setting for our 2016 Congress.”
“I am delighted by this decision and thank both Turkey and the State of Hawaii in the United States for their excellent and enthusiastic proposals,” said IUCN President Xinsheng Zhang. “This decision is a great first step towards what I am confident will be a milestone in the world conservation agenda.”
Hawaii lobbied extensively for the opportunity to host. The Department of Land and Natural Resources took the lead. A four-person delegation representing the IUCN came to Hawaii in February. Site visits included a stop at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea volcano.
“We are elated IUCN selected Hawaii as the ideal venue to host its 2016 World Conservation Congress,” said Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie in the IUCN news release. “The conference will allow the Aloha State to highlight its conservation efforts to the rest of the world and demonstrate leadership in addressing global environmental and development challenges.” The governor plans to hold a press conference on the announcement today at 10 a.m. HST. - Big Island Video News, 5/21/14
Schatz played a big role in putting this together:
http://www.internationalmeetingsreview.com/...
In 2012, Schatz travelled to Jeju, South Korea to represent the State of Hawaii as Lieutenant Governor at the last IUCN World Conservation Congress and began the State of Hawaii's bidding process for 2016. In February, Senator Schatz joined the Hawaii congressional delegation to urge the State Department to submit a letter of interest to the IUCN for Hawaii’s 2016 bid. After the State Department responded with concerns about financial issues, Senator Schatz organized and led a bipartisan group of Senators to urge U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to reconsider. He also called senior leaders at the State Department to press Hawai‘i’s case. As a host finalist, Senator Schatz worked in collaboration with Governor Abercrombie’s office to resolve the State Department's financial concerns and finally secure the U.S. Government's support for the State of Hawai‘i's bid.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s oldest and leading global environmental organization. It includes over 1,200 member organizations, over 200 government and 900 non-government organizations. This will be the first time the United States has been a host of the forum, since the organization’s creation in 1948. Hosting the event will result in major economic benefits for the state, bringing in nearly $50 million in visitor spending and tax revenue according to state estimates.
As Lieutenant Governor, Schatz also helped lead preparations for the State of Hawaii’s to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, which brought 20,000 government and business leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies to Honolulu in 2011 and $37.7 million for Waikiki hotels.
Led by the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club, the heads of seven large conservation groups wrote the State Department in support of the Hawai‘i bid because "to host the next World Conservation Congress in Honolulu during the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service would be a new landmark in resolving the global environmental issues President Obama has so clearly outlined." - International Meetings Review, 5/21/14
If you would like to donate and get involved with Schatz's campaign, you can do so here:
http://brianschatz.com/