Million Mom March Scandal Fact Sheet
Available from http://www.stentorian.com/2ndamend/mmm/mmm.doc, may be copied and distributed freely.
-
This fact sheet documents the original Million Mom March's alleged misuse of 501(c)(3) tax exempt money to fund a political campaign and its provision of inaccurate information to the Internal Revenue Service
-
The Million Mom March also lied to its own supporters and allies about firearm misuse killing "12 children a day."
-
The Million Mom March was a project of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly Handgun Control Incorporated) and its actions reflect on the character and integrity of the Brady Campaign, as well as that of the prominent political figures who were involved in it. Hillary Clinton was closely connected to the Million Mom March, noting that it was put together by her close associate Donna Dees-Thomases.
-
The section on "lawmakers' Web sites that implicate the Million Mom March even further" identifies other politicians who may have benefited or sought to benefit from the MMM's creative use of tax-exempt funds.
Contents
Liquidation following alleged misuse of 501(c)(3) tax exempt money 2
The Scandal 2
Other organizations distance themselves from the Million Mom March 3
The Million Mom March's frantic efforts at damage control 4
Electioneering at the Mother's Day March 4
Provision of inaccurate information to the Internal Revenue Service 7
This is what the Million Mom March told the Internal Revenue Service: 7
This is what the Million Mom March actually did: 8
The Million Mom March engaged in substantial lobbying. 10
Further evidence that the MMM's fiscal 2000 tax return is less than truthful 11
Lawmakers' Web sites implicate the MMM even further 15
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) 15
Senator Jack Reed (D-NJ) 18
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) 18
Thomas Daschle 19
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) 20
Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN) 21
Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) 21
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX) 22
Congresswoman Connie Morella (R-MD) 23
The Million Mom March lied to its own supporters (and donors) 25
Million Mom March's poor judgment in soliciting personal information 25
Liquidation following alleged misuse of 501(c)(3) tax exempt money
While the reason for the Million Mom March Foundation's liquidation is unknown, it is reasonable to speculate that the organization knew its 501(c)(3) tax exemption would be revoked for blatant misuse of tax exempt money to electioneer on behalf of Albert Gore and other political candidates who are listed below. Such an event would have devastated the anti-Second Amendment movement's credibility. It is easy to see the Million Mom March's handlers liquidating the organization preemptively, thus relieving the Internal Revenue Service of the need (and opportunity) to revoke its tax exemption.
The Brady Campaign (http://www.bradycampaign.org/about/) itself acknowledges,
Q. How is Brady connected to the Million Mom March Chapters?
In 2001, the Million Mom March Chapters merged with the Brady Campaign. What started as one of the largest marches on Washington is now a national network of 75 Chapters around the U.S. that work locally, yet stand together, in their fight against gun violence and the devastation it causes.
Here is what actually happened:
The Scandal
In late April 2000, it was observed that the Million Mom March, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, was promoting House candidates on its Apple Pie Award web page while putting pro-Second Amendment supporters in its Time Out chair and threatening them with defeat at the polls. This information was sent to columnist J.R. Labbe who published a column in early May, a couple of weeks before the Mother's Day march in Washington DC.
The Million Mom March is violating federal law.
At least that's the view from here. Hardly a soul can question the organization's political nature. Just check out its Web site, with the "Time Out Chair," which threatens to unseat politicians who don't vote the way MMM wants.
"Come Mothers' Day, we mothers will stand together on the mall of Capitol Hill to remind your PRO-GUN House that on Election Day, the voters will stand by our children," writes Rene King of Kentucky, in a letter posted by MMM castigating House Majority Whip Tom DeLay.
Or how about the Mom's Apple Pie Awards, serving up sugary kisses to "Rep. Joe Hoeffel, D-Pa., who plans to co-sponsor a bill next year, along with Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., that would require the licensing of handgun owners and the registration of handguns. ... It will be up to us to convince Congress to pass it."
Labbe goes on to point out that "federal tax law expressly prohibits 501(c)(3) nonprofits from engaging in political activity," as may be verified from the Internal Revenue Service's own Web site. The result of this public whistle-blowing was the immediately-visible collapse of the Million Mom March, with obvious and blatant efforts at damage control, excuses, and cover-ups.
Other organizations distance themselves from the Million Mom March
Upon discovering that the Million Mom March was evidently misusing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt money, former allies like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America disowned the MMM and disassociated from it within weeks if not days. (The Labbe column first appeared at the end of April or the beginning of May; note the 16 May date on this statement.) ELCA, in fact, effectively accused the MMM of lying to it:
Lutheran Church Not Informed of Gun Control March Politics
By Scott Hogenson
CNS Executive Editor
16 May, 2000
(CNSNews.com) - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is distancing itself from the so-called 'Million Mom March' because of the gun control group's stated intention of supporting political candidates.
…Church officials also said they were not aware that MMM organizers planned to become politically active regarding candidates for office, and would have preferred knowing the organization's plans before the event.
The latter paragraph is a polite way of saying that the Million Mom March lied to ELCA about its true agenda.
The Million Mom March's frantic efforts at damage control
Note the May 13 2000 date, within weeks if not days of the appearance of J.R. Labbe's column in newspapers all over the country.
Saturday, May 13, 2000
Million Mom March will go political after rally
Leader of grassroots gun-control group says focus will change to endorsing, opposing candidates
Associated Press
…Donna Dees-Thomases, a public relations executive from Short Hills, N.J., said Friday that starting next week, she and other mothers "will take off our oven mitts and look at candidates very closely. Shame on us if we do not keep it going."
Dees-Thomases told a news conference that she expects the "Million Mom March" organization would likely apply for a tax-exempt status that would permit political activities while promoting social welfare. It is unlikely that the organization would start a political action committee, she said.
In other words, once the Million Mom March was effectively caught with its hand in the cookie jar, it proclaimed its intention to change its tax exempt status so it could legally engage in the kind of extensive lobbying it was already doing on 501(c)(3) tax exempt money. (Even 501(c)(4) organizations are not, however, permitted to electioneer on the behalf of specific candidates as the Million Mom March did.)
The truth is that even the 501(c)(3) Million Mom March was allowed to engage in a limited amount of lobbying for anti-Second Amendment legislation, as long as it reported its activities to the Internal Revenue Service. Its failure to do so merely compounds its wrongdoing and the associated scandal that reflects on every political figure who was closely involved with it. Here is a screenshot from the organization's 2000 Form 990 tax return.
Electioneering at the Mother's Day March
The events of the year 2000 Mother's Day march in Washington DC prove further that the Million Mom March intended to run a campaign rally with 501(c)(3) tax exempt money. Per the July 2000 issue of the American Rifleman,
Daniel T. McElrath wrote, "The march itself turned out to be a thinly disguised Clinton-Gore rally designed to rouse the flagging interest of the 'soccer moms' whose support the Democrats need in November."
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre added, "The 'hate NRA' theme was only matched by the demand for political action. '…Get out there and use your vote.' 'Support Al Gore.' 'In November, march with our feet to the polling booth.' 'Take us to November. We're gonna vote!' 'We are going to vote, write checks.'"
The following material was taken directly from speech transcripts that were posted on the Million Mom March's own Web site. It's convincing evidence that there was a concerted effort at the Mother's Day Rally, which almost certainly used 501(c)(3) tax-exempt funds, to influence the November elections. A slip of the tongue by one speaker could have been construed as an accident, and something not sanctioned by the event's organizers. Had this been the case, the organizers would of course have reminded the other speakers that electioneering was not appropriate at a tax-exempt activity. Slips of the tongue by at least six speakers, including at two House candidates (Rush and McCarthy) and Maryland's lieutenant governor, are no longer an accident.
-
Excerpt from Elizabeth Wright (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence), advocating the defeat of George Bush: "We will translate the incredible energy and enthusiasm generated by this Million Mom March into power at the voting booth in November. We will organize to elect state and local representatives who will advocate sensible gun control legislation. We will make sure that the NRA does not have an office in the White House come November!"
-
Excerpt from Rabbi Eric Yoffie's (Union of American Hebrew Congregations, also 501(c)3 tax-exempt) speech urging the election of Albert Gore: "We are ready for a knockdown, drag-out, no-holds barred battle against the NRA - which is the real criminal lobby in this country, and which is drenched in the blood of murdered children. Sure, we may not have the money of the NRA, but we've got savvy, grit and passion, and we're going to find out who's getting NRA funds, and who's benefitting from NRA ads, and we're going to vote for the other guy! ..." "The American people, I believe, are ready for a leader who will take on the fanatics and support sensible gun control."
-
Excerpts from a speech given by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, lieutenant governor of Maryland. "It is time for Congress to follow the example of courageous leaders like Governor Parris Glendenning, Vice President Al Gore, and Bill Clinton. Today we march with our feet to Washington. In November we will march with our feet to the polling booth!" "Now, let me ask you to join me in a chant that will take us to November: We're going to vote! We're going to vote! We're going to vote!"
-
Excerpt from a speech given by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL). "I want to thank President Clinton for his outstanding leadership on this issue, and the First Lady, and the Vice President." [Ms. Clinton was, of course, running for Senate (NY)] "You're here today, and I tell you, tomorrow, after you leave, this Congress won't be the same. In November this Congress won't be the same. In January, this Congress won't be the same, because of you!"
-
Excerpt from a speech by representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), who also was touted on the "Apple Pie Award" page. "Now you are going to go home, and you're going to talk to your legislators, and you're going to vote for those people that stand up for the rights that we believe in -- in making this a safer country for all of us!" "I thank you for coming here. Now go home, and you make the difference. Get out and vote! And bring ten people with you. Get out and vote! And vote for those that stand with you on your issue, and we will beat the NRA!"
-
Excerpt from the speech by Reese Witherspoon: "I want them to go to the polls in November with gun control in mind, and vote for those representatives who are committed to saving this nation from gun violence. It's just that simple."
All of the above statements were made at a rally that was apparently funded with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt money.
Then there was the following press release (October 2000):
Million Mom March to the Polls
Million Mom March
Press Release
9 October 2000
CHICAGO, 9 October 2000 (PRNewswire) -- The Million Mom March today challenged the Commission on Presidential Debates to include questions about gun violence and the safety of our nation's children in next week's debate.
"It was disappointing and disgusting that an issue so important was ignored in the first presidential debate, said Mary Leigh Blek, President of the Million Mom March. "Ten kids die from gun violence every single day in this country. Gun violence is a major public health problem costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
The Million Mom March has been organizing chapters across America since its Mother's Day rally earlier this year. More than 750,000 mothers and others marched on Washington and in 73 additional cities in an historic show of force to demand sensible gun laws and safe kids.
The Moms today announced major get-out-the-vote efforts in key congressional districts including Florida 22nd, New Hampshire 2nd, Connecticut 5th, New Jersey 3rd and 12th, Kentucky 3rd and 6th, Pennsylvania 13th, Ohio 12th, Illinois 10th, Utah 2nd, California 27th and Washington 2nd.
Furthermore, one of the group's regional directors (Katina Johnstone) was herself running for Congress in 2000.
The scandal does not end, however, with the Million Mom March's apparent misuse of 501(c)(3) tax exempt money to support a political rally. Its Form 990 tax return to the Internal Revenue Service is less-than-accurate and the reader can form his or her own conclusion about the organization's character and ethics.
This is what the Million Mom March told the Internal Revenue Service:
This is what the Million Mom March actually did:
The following is from the Million Mom March's own Web site. It is word-for-word with no alterations, except for the bracketed commentary and inserted reminders of what the Million Mom March told the Internal Revenue Service.
Million Mom March
Sensible gun laws, safe kids
Backgrounder
Every day, 12 children die from gunshot wounds [a fraudulent statement]. Each day there is no action on this issue, we lose 12 more children. It is the horror of events like Columbine that grab the news headlines, but these daily deaths are even more commonplace than a dramatic school shooting-they are happening in everyone's backyard.
The Million Mom March was conceived in the fall of 1999 by a New Jersey Mom [and associate of political candidate Hillary Clinton] who had enough. Donna Dees-Thomases received a wake-up call while watching the footage of the Granada Hills Day Camp massacre. Her young children were untouched by gun violence, and she was fiercely determined to keep them that way. Her hope was to harness the passion of hundreds of thousands of people who are determined to keep our kids safe.
The Million Mom March is not about banning guns. The Million Mom March is about common sense gun laws-specifically they are urging Congress to enact a law requiring that all gun owners be licensed and registered, including mandatory safety training.
The hope is that this Mother's Day, from every part of the country, a voice of reason will ring out demanding that Congress take action this session.
(c) Copyright 2000 Million Mom March. All rights reserved.
Further evidence (from sources apparently friendly to the Million Mom March) that the group gave the IRS inaccurate information in Schedule A, Item III, line 1. (Note: Internet links are old and may have changed but the statements can probably be confirmed by a Google search for the key phrases.)
-
http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/wash_update/crime/momsmarch.htm
"The mission statement of the Million Mom March says, 'We, the mothers, are calling on Congress to enact common sense gun control legislation by Mothers' Day 2000.'"
-
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/00/poltalk_051100.htm
Direct quote of MMM Regional Director Katina Johnstone: "This march is asking Congress to regulate the sale, possession, manufacture and distribution of handguns, which would dramatically reduce the number of gun deaths in this country. With regulation, a ban is not needed."
The Million Mom March engaged in substantial lobbying.
Note: the Bell Campaign links are no longer online. This information was obtained almost two years ago, but it applies to the Million Mom March's fiscal 2000 statement to the Internal Revenue Service.
1. http://www.bellcampaign.org/media/NRA_attack.htm: "We demand that Congress take action on the President's request to pass the Gun Show Background Check legislation by April 20, the first anniversary of Columbine. The NRA played a major role in the fact that all gun legislation stalled after Columbine. We also call for licensing of gun owners and registration of all handguns."
2. Media release dated September 23, 1999 at http://www.bellcampaign.org/media/million.htm WASHINGTON, DC: Representatives of The Bell Campaign joined Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY- 4), Congresswoman Connie Morella (MD-8) and Donna Dees-Thomases, founder of the "Million Mom March Mother's Day 2000", today on the steps of the nation's capitol in calling on Congress to pass laws that protect communities from gun death and injury.
3. Press release dated August 12, 1999 at http://www.bellcampaign.org/media/jccpress.htm. The title is "Bell Campaign Demands Congressional Action." "With yet another gun violence tragedy occurring this week at a Jewish Community Center near Los Angeles, The Bell Campaign calls on the United States Congress to stand up to the gun industry and pass responsible gun laws."
4. Bell Campaign's attempt to influence Congress on The Safe Streets and Neighborhood Act of 2000 (U.S. H.R. 4051), at http://www.bellcampaign.org/done/maryleighblekhousestatement.htm. (April 6, 2000) "So I am here today to say that calling for the establishment of a grant program to provide incentives for states to enact mandatory minimum sentences will do little to prevent gun deaths and injuries. More importantly, it will divert money and attention from where it truly belongs. What we need are comprehensive and common sense gun policies that include consumer product safety protections, especially in design features to prevent child and other unauthorized use. We must address the many loopholes in our current laws that allow for the distribution of firearms to criminals and prohibited classes of persons. It is way past time to hold gun owners personally accountable and responsible for the possession of firearms and that means a system where all gun owners are licensed and all guns are registered. …"
5. Bell Campaign calls on Congress to enact "common-sense gun laws" on April 17. http://www.bellcampaign.org/done/nraadpresresponse.htm "Licensing gun owners and registering guns are just common sense legislation that is way overdue in this country. The Million Mom March is yet another example that the people have had enough of the gun lobby dictating our gun policy. On Mother's Day 2000 there will be a million moms and others joining with victims in Washington D.C. and in local marches as they call upon Congress to enact common sense gun laws."
6. Bell Campaign brochure at http://www.bellcampaign.org/images/bellcambro.pdf: "We will demand national, state, and local gun policies to reduce access to guns." In addition, this brochure, as downloaded on June 15, still represents the Bell Campaign as tax exempt. "Your additional tax deductible contribution will advance our mission to prevent gun death and injury, and to support the victims of gun trauma."
Further evidence that the MMM's fiscal 2000 tax return is less than truthful
http://128.121.250.41/activism/mmm/index.asp (7/6/02) Brady Center testifies that the MMM's tax return is not truthful.
"On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, 2000, over 750,000 mothers, fathers and children converged on the National Mall in Washington, DC to let our elected officials know that gun control legislation is needed and the rhetoric needs to end."
http://archive.nandotimes.com/election2000/story/0,3977,500204245-500283510-501519874-0-nandotimes,00.html (Nando Times archive)
"Hillary Clinton faces mob scene at Million Mom March" By SHANNON McCAFFREY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (May 14, 2000 6:09 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -
"A crush of media and excited onlookers forced Hillary Rodham Clinton to take a detour shortly after she joined the Million Mom March as it moved along the National Mall on Sunday."
"The Mother's Day march was intended to send lawmakers and the gun lobby a message that American families support stricter gun control laws."
http://www.zip.com.au/~cpa/garchve2/1002usa.html The Guardian, 31 May 2000
US women rally for gun control
by Tim Wheeler
O n Mother's Day 750,000 women rallied in Washington to demand enactment of "sensible gun control" laws. The protesters, many of them mothers holding portraits of their slain children, cheered as speakers called for ousting lawmakers tied to the National Rifle Association (NRA) who block gun control legislation.
Donna Dees-Thomases, Million Mom March initiator, said "Our votes are our power and we will use that in force in the November elections."
...First Lady Hillary Clinton, a candidate for the US Senate from New York, said in a taped message: "We have had enough bloodshed, enough violence. When children are afraid to walk down their own blocks or walk to their own schools ... or even visit neighbours, it is time to say enough!"
http://www.hud.gov/library/bookshelf18/pressrel/pr00-230.html Clinton's HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo bears witness that the Million Mom March Foundation filed an inaccurate tax return:
HUD News
HUD No. 00-230
For Release Tuesday September 5, 2000 Or contact your local HUD office
SECRETARY CUOMO, MILLION MOM MARCH ORGANIZERS RENEW CALL FOR GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON - On the day Congress started its return to session, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with local organizers of the Million Mom March to urge passage of sensible gun legislation that would protect children and keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Joining Cuomo at the event were U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) and James Moran (VA); Handgun Control Inc. President Michael Barnes; Million Mom March board member Beckie Brown; and gun violence victims from DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
"On Mother's Day, hundreds of thousands of mothers cried out that they would no longer tolerate gun violence, and demanded lawmakers to pass laws to stop the epidemic. And no one knows the grim reality of gun-related child mortality better than America's mothers," he added. "As my wife and I stood with America's moms on the Mall that day, we all hoped Congress would end its gridlock on this issue. Sadly, little has changed and the gridlock remains."
As a result of the lack of legislation, Million Mom March leaders today announced November's "March to the Polls," a grassroots effort to elect those candidates who pledge to support gun legislation, and vote against those who do not.
Organizers of today's event say they want Congress to:
require handgun owners to be licensed and all handguns be registered;
close the "gun show" loophole;
limit gun buyers to purchasing one gun a month; and
require consumer product safety standards for guns.
"On May 14, we called on Congress to enact sensible gun laws for the sake of our children and our nation," said Claudette Perry, local Field Office Director for the Million Mom March. "Now, we renew our call. And if these lawmakers do not listen, we will elect new ones."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/121000-01.htm Published on Sunday, December 10, 2000 in the Sunday Times of London
Yoko Ono May Help Lead New US Gun Control Campaign by Tom Rhodes
...However, the NRA is not the force it was. Following a series of shootings in schools, public opinion has started to turn against it. Earlier this year thousands of women in Washington DC took part in a "Million Mom March" against guns, led by Hillary Clinton and the mothers of several children shot dead at Dunblane. Electors were urged to vote against politicians who backed guns.
Their efforts were evident in the results of the November 7 election. Eight out of 12 senators and congressmen deemed to be the staunchest advocates of the gun lobby were resoundingly defeated. Bush failed to win states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan where he had promoted gun ownership as a pillar of his campaign.
Million Mom ally, Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, provides damning evidence at http://www.loga.org/MAY00LUMillionMomMarch.htm
LOGA May 2000 Legislative Update
Million Mom March Comes to DC
T he Million Mom March (MMM) is a grassroots movement of mothers and others who will march on the Capitol in Washington D.C. on Mothers Day, May 14, to call upon Congress to pass sensible gun legislation. The March will take place at the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. The stage will be close to the Air and Space Museum. Rosie O’Donnell has agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies. An interfaith service will take place at 10:00 a.m. The rally will begin at noon and will finish by 3:00 p.m.
The MMM is dedicated to the mission of educating and mobilizing concerned families nationwide to seek common sense gun control laws and no-nonsense enforcement of those laws in order to protect our children and our children’s children. The MMM mission statement calls for: 1) cooling off periods and background checks before guns may be purchased, 2) licensing of handgun owners and registration of all handguns, 3) safety locks for all handguns, 4) limiting handgun purchases to one per month per person, and 5) no nonsense enforcement of existing gun laws. Check out the ELCA website www.elca.org/dcs/communit.html for the message on Community Violence.
ACTION NEEDED: Come to Washington on May 14th. Church Women United is planning a briefing on Monday morning, May 15, after which people will be encouraged to go to the Hill and talk to their members of Congress. Bring your husbands, daughters, sons and friends as well. If you can’t come to Washington, additional marches and events are also scheduled in cities across the nation.
Lawmakers' Web sites implicate the MMM even further
This section also identifies Senators and House members who may have tried to benefit from the Million Mom March's creative use of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt money.
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
provides photographic evidence against the Million Mom March http://www.senate.gov/~feinstein/releases00/gun_license_bill.html
Note the Million Mom March representative at the right.
Q UOTED from her site: Senator Feinstein Introduces Gun Licensing and Record of Sale Bill May 9, 2000
WASHINGTON, DC -- Flanked by mothers in Washington for the Million Mom March, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation today to require that all purchasers of handguns and semi-automatic firearms that take detachable ammunition clips be licensed and a record of the sale be retained.
“On any given day in America 80 people are killed by gun violence, 12 of them children. [Note that Feinstein has also proven herself a liar, not that this is any surprise.] The time has come to say enough is enough and demand of Congress the passage of common sense gun laws,” Senator Feinstein said.
...Under this bill, anyone wishing to obtain a firearm license will need to go to a federally licensed firearms dealer – there are currently more than
100,000 such dealers -- or a State-designated entity (if the state has a certified program of its own). The purchaser will need to:
• Provide information as to date and place of birth and name and address;
• Submit a thumb print;
• Submit a current photograph;
• Sign, under penalty of perjury, that all of the submitted information is true and that the applicant is qualified under federal law to possess a firearm;
• Pass a written firearms safety test, requiring knowledge of the safe storage and handling of firearms, the legal responsibilities of firearm ownership, and other factors as determined by the state or federal authority;
• Sign a pledge to keep any firearm safely stored and out of the hands of juveniles (this pledge will be backed up by criminal penalties of up to three years in jail for anyone failing to do so);
• Undergo state and federal background checks.
• Licenses will be renewable every five years, and can be revoked at any time if the licensee becomes disqualified under federal law from owning or possessing a gun.
• The fee for a license is $25.
[END QUOTE]
Senator Jack Reed (D-NJ)
http://reed.senate.gov/releases/0061.htm
Reed Rallies with Moms to Urge Congressional Passage of Gun Registration and Common Sense Gun Safety
Sunday, May 07, 2000
PROVIDENCE - At a press conference today with Kathleen Dickerman, Myrth York and Karina Wood, Rhode Island organizers for the Million Mom March, Clifford Montiero, President of the Providence National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and moms from throughout Rhode Island, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) called for support of the goals of the May 14th, Million Mom March, including Reed's legislation to require that all handguns be registered.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)
http://www.senate.gov/~schumer/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/PR00194.html
CHARLES E. SCHUMER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2000 [covered by the Form 990 tax return]
SCHUMER MEETS WITH NYC & LI MOMS ON EVE OF MILLION MOM MARCH
Senator, Moms Discuss School Safety, Gun Violence
....The mothers released a letter calling on Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott to move gun control legislation.
Schumer plans to deliver the letter to Lott for the mothers.
Thomas Daschle
DASCHLE AMENDMENT NO. 3148 -- (Senate - May 16, 2000)
DASCHLE AMENDMENT NO. 3148 -- (Senate - May 16, 2000)
[Page: S4026] GPO's PDF
---
Mr. DASCHLE proposed an amendment to the bill (S. 2521) making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes; as follows:
At the appropriate place add the following:
Since on Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, an estimated 750,000 mothers, fathers, and children united for the Million Mom March on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and were joined by tens of thousands of others, in 70 cities across America, in a call for meaningful, common-sense gun policy;
...
Determined, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the organizers, sponsors, and participants of the Million Mom March should be commended for rallying to demand sensible gun safety legislation; and
(2) Congress should immediately pass a conference report to accompany H.R. 1501, the Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act, before the Memorial Day Recess, and include the Lautenberg-Kerrey gun show loophole amendment and the other Senate-passed provisions designed to limit access to firearms by juveniles, convicted felons, and other persons prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing firearms.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
from http://www.house.gov/lowey/mmm.html
At right: Nita Lowey and Tipper Gore
 
Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN)
page http://www.house.gov/sabo/pr00-14.htm
May 12, 2000
Washington -- Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN) today applauded the thousands of women who will join forces on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Sunday as part of the "Million Mom March" for stricter gun safety legislation.
... "In 1997, guns killed 346 Minnesotans -- 55 of these were victims under the age of 20," said Congressman Sabo. "It's time that Congress acts to approve the gun safety measures that these mothers demand."
..."I hope the Million Mom March will spur our leaders in Congress to act soon on gun safety legislation," said Sabo. "We owe it to our children, and our communities."
Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA)
http://www.house.gov/moran/20000905.htm
"The Million Mom March was a grassroots movement that finally demonstrated, in a tangible way, organized support for firearms safety legislation," he said. "That has not been seen before in the fight for gun control, and it is a force that will be felt this fall in every congressional district in the United States."
Congressman Christopher Shays (D-CT)
http://www.house.gov/shays/press/mmm.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2000 [period covered by the Form 990 in question]
Shays Voices Support for ‘Million Mom March'
Rep. Shays is an original cosponsor of H.Res. 498, a resolution supporting the Million Mom March, introduced this week in the House of Representatives. The resolution applauds the efforts of the March's organizers and participants, and states the resolve of the House to work with those participants and interested groups to approve reasonable Federal gun safety legislation. H.Res. 498 has not been scheduled to be acted on by the House.
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) http://www.house.gov/maloney/press/107th/20010513gunsafety.html
May 13, 2001 [period covered by the Form 990]
For Immediate Release
SAVING LIVES ON MOTHER'S DAY
MALONEY AND MILLION MOM MARCH MEMBERS SPEAK OUT FOR FEDERAL GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
NEW YORK: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) joined members of the Million Mom March today, to announce the planned delivery of thousands of postcards from New Yorkers to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert (R-IL) calling for sensible gun safety legislation at a federal level.
... Also attending today's news conference were: Edie Smith, President, Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March Kathryn Gaffney, Secretary, Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March,numerous members of the Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March, Barbara Holt, President of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Katherine Falio, Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX)
http://www.house.gov/gonzalez/pr51100a.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2000
THE MILLION MOM MARCH -- MOTHER'S DAY 2000 -- WASHINGTON, DC
CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE GONZALEZ AND FAMILY TO JOIN PRESIDENT CLINTON, ROSIE O'DONNELL & MOMS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
(Washington, D.C.) On Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, his wife Becky Whetstone, and several of their family members will join President Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, and Moms from all walks of life in Washington, DC and in 65 cities throughout the country to encourage Congress to pass common sense gun legislation.
"We decided to join the Million Mom March because we believe in common sense gun legislation aimed at protecting children - - legislation which will help put an end to the outbreak of violence in our communities, in our schools, and in our own backyards. We cannot afford to allow this to become nothing more than a campaign issue that gets bounced around and is never addressed. This issue is too important for Congress not to act," Congressman Gonzalez said.
....The Million Mom March, a grassroots organization, is linking thousands of mothers and others from across the United States to march on the National Mall in Washington, DC and in cities across the country this Mother's Day to encourage Congress to enact tougher controls on guns.
...In the words of the organizers of the Million Mom March, "We are putting our elected officials on notice that we, the mothers, will not tolerate them putting the gun lobby before the safety of our children any longer. Our event in Washington, DC will send a strong message to Congress that they must take responsible action this session or else face a permanent time-out in November, 2000."
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Rod Blagojevich (D-IL)
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/press2000/pr5_1_2000mmmchicago.html
MAY 1, 2000
SCHAKOWSKY PARTICIPATES IN KICK OFF NEWS CONFERENCE FOR MILLION MOM MARCH
CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today in Chicago joined Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) in a kick off news conference for the May 14th Million Mom March events scheduled nationwide. The purpose of the march is to mobilize mothers across the country in a show of force to call on Congress to pass sensible gun safety legislation.
Congresswoman Connie Morella (R-MD)
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/md08_morella/gunsmom.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 1999 [MMM fiscal 2000 is, I believe, July 1999 through June 2000]
Congresswoman Morella and The Million Mom March Call for Passage of Gun Safety Legislation
Congresswoman Connie Morella this morning joined Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and mothers from a new organization, The Million Mom March, to call on Congress for the passage of common-sense gun control legislation.
...The Million Mom March is dedicated to educating our children and our country about the dangers of gun violence. The organization is mobilizing mothers across the nation to urge passage of common-sense legislation to protect children from guns.
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
joins with Million Moms to pass gun laws http://www.house.gov/nadler/press/51400prs.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2000
CONGRESSMAN NADLER JOINS WITH MILLION MOMS TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF GUN SAFETY LAWS
WASHINGTON – Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) celebrated Mothers Day today by standing in solidarity with mothers and their families marching for passage of sensible gun laws. Rep. Nadler participated in the festivities surrounding the Million Mom March, along with President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and actress/comedian Rosie O'Donnell.
"I am pleased to join with so many people, including my fellow New Yorkers, like Mrs. Clinton and Rosie O'Donnell, in calling on the Republican leadership in Congress to allow common-sense gun bills to be considered," said Rep. Nadler. "Hopefully, millions of mothers will have more of an impact than the millions of NRA dollars that line the pockets of the Republican party."
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, September 13, 2000 [but the highlighted comment refers to May 15, which is covered by the Form 990]
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to join the Gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Rush Holt.
We know the Congress will soon adjourn and we have not done anything to approve commonsense gun legislation.
That is why we are calling on Speaker Hastert to direct the Juvenile Justice Conferees to meet and complete action on the Juvenile Justice Bill. We request other colleagues to join us.
Earlier this year, the Million Mom March came to Washington and to more than 60 cities around the country. I addressed this march that united moms, dads, sons and daughters behind a common goal.
They urged the Congress to stop its delay and move forward with gun safety legislation.
Now it is time for the Congress to stop stalling and to enact this gun safety legislation.
To date, I regret the Congress has accomplished next to nothing to enact commonsense gun safety legislation.
Have we closed the gun show loophole that permits criminals to get guns easily? No!
Have we required gun manufacturers to install child safety locks on all new guns? No!
Have we banned the importation of high-capacity ammunition clips on assault rifles? No!
The Million Mom March lied to its own supporters (and donors)
The Million Mom March also lied to its own supporters for the purpose of obtaining volunteer time (e.g. driving to the Washington march or other rallies) and contributions. When the Million Mom March told prospective donors and volunteers that "Every day, 12 children die from gunshot wounds. Each day there is no action on this issue, we lose 12 more children," it included 18- and 19-year olds (legal adults) to inflate the figure.
The Million Mom March doubtlessly knows that this age group is among the highest in terms of violent crime, and the young adults (and older teenagers) cited in this figure are not "children" who kill themselves or playmates because they found Daddy's loaded gun lying around. They are almost exclusively violent criminals who obtain guns illegally and then use them to kill rival drug dealers, rival gang members, or innocent crime victims.
Million Mom March's poor judgment in soliciting personal information
As yet another example of the Million Mom March's total contempt for its prospective members, including their personal security, the organization set up an insecure Web site that invited identity theft. The following was sent to the MMM by a Second Amendment supporter to protect the organization's own members from the MMM's irresponsibility. The Million Mom March chapter application was placed on a secure Web page on July 31, 2000— possibly due to the following letter. (Note that it was E-mailed the day before the page was moved to a secure server.)
Subject: Possible identity theft exposure on Million Mom March Web site
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 12:32:55 -0400
From: [name and e-mail given]
To: chapters@millionmommarch.com CC: StopGunVio@aol.com
You'll be getting a certified letter from me about this, but I'm telling you by E-mail so you can correct it as rapidly as possible.
Your chapter application form at http://www.millionmommarch.com/html/chapters/chapterappl.html asks for the chapter organizer's date of birth, Social Security number, and driver's license number. The lock icon for encrypted transmission does NOT appear on my browser (Netscape 4.7) when I look at this form. Per the San Mateo Sheriff's Office at http://www.smcsheriff.com/id-theft.htm, "Identity theft is when someone uses your name and your identifying data such as; Date of Birth Social Security Number Drivers License Number Other personal information like your mothers maiden name to illegally use your identity To defraud, extort or commit various types of financial crimes."
And your Web page requests three out of four of these (all but mother's maiden name) over an insecure connection.
I do not want innocent people, even if they're on the other side of the gun control issue, to get hurt by identity thieves or credit card thieves because the Million Mom March compromised their personal and financial information. The following is NOT expert or professional security advice, and I urge you to consult a computer security professional, but these items come to mind immediately.
-
Fix your security exposures before requesting this kind of information in the future or, even better, don't request it at all.
-
Secure (or delete) this information if it's on your computers.
-
Warn people who have already transmitted this form to put fraud alerts on their credit reports (see the San Mateo Sheriff's link for the three credit bureaus).
-
Encrypt your connection for ordering Million Mom March T-shirts if you haven't already done this (to prevent interception of credit card numbers). The lock icon doesn't show up on that page, either.
The same people who say that gun owners cannot be trusted to lock up their firearms to keep them out of the wrong hands have shown that they themselves cannot be trusted not to request highly-personal information over insecure Internet connections. |
Yüklə 1.23 Mb.