Midwest Regional by Nancy Porter, chair, NEA Caucus

Thank you to those who attended our social at the Legislative Conference. It is always great to be together with the ones who care. Welcome AnneMarie Kraus and Kris Wingate and Karen Person to our Iowa delegates who care enough to support the Peace and Justice Caucus and direction. Thank you for your membership dues and continued support.

The Midwest Regional Conference was well attended and interesting, but, perhaps, over shadowed with the doom and gloom of the legislature in Iowa being run by a majority of Republicans in the House. They are doing exactly what they said they would do and cut the budget. The budget cuts, however, are a scathing blow to Public Education which is getting attacked from every angle. Thanks to the Des Moines local for focus from the media attacks through movies. They have organized several awareness events. Thanks to our ISEA for organizing great speakers at the hearing for the defeat of the HF 45 bill which, hopefully, the Senate will be able to diffuse. Thanks to those who testified and attended.

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Regional Caucus Reports

The Midwest Regional had a caucus meeting with about 10 attendees. Several new members were added to our caucus and about $296 was collected. This is far below what has been collected in the past and I contribute that to only selling 2 shirts....we need new ones and I am in the process of having some printed sooner rather than later. CR has a union printer. Tom Wolfe spent the whole regional time at a table and collected most of the money. The caucus meeting did not produce any new thoughts or ideas. Tom is entitled to the $100 assist from P&J.

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Iowa Caucus Meeting

The Iowa NEA Peace and Justice Caucus is planning to host a social and hold a short meeting at the ISEA Legislative Conference in Des Moines on Friday, January 7 at the conclusion of the evening session. More details will be announced at the conference.

Please join the Iowa Peace and Justice Facebook page!

Midwest Regional is Approaching

Dear Midwest Peace & Justice Members,

Hello to all of you once again. It's been some time since I've last written you, and I apologize for that. I've had too much going on in my life, and I've tended to procrastinate some things, and this is one of them. I'm now trying to make recompense. I hope things are going well in your lives and that you are able to think a little bit about your membership in our Peace & Justice Caucus. It is my hope that many of you will be attending the NEA Midwest Regional in Kansas City this month from January 14-16. Our Peace & Justice Caucus plans to have a table in the hallway for all to see, and we hope you will visit. We also will hold a caucus meeting on Saturday morning, January 15. If you haven't yet registered to attend it, please consider doing so. You can eat breakfast in our caucus room, so there is no conflict there. At present, Nancy Porter, our national chair, and I plan to be there and preside, but if I can't be there Nancy will handle it all herself. Either way, we will have a presence.

Professional Educator's Creed

Join other educators across this country and stand up for our profession by signing on to the Profession Educator's Creed at change.org.

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Paul Mann Youth Activism Award

Please nominate an individual youth activist, K through 14, who has been outstanding in the struggle for human rights, social justice, peace, and/or youth empowerment. The student selected as this year’s Paul Mann Youth Activist may be invited to the 2011 NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago, IL, or to the sponsoring state education association affiliate’s Representative Assembly to receive recognition for their achievements.

For nomination papers and more information visit http://www.neapeaceandjustice.org/content/paul-mann-youth-activism-award

Special Comment: Obama Turned His Back to the Base

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Imprisoned trade unionist on hunger strike: Reza Shahabi

URGENT ACTION: REZA SHAHABI ON HUNGER STRIKE

Reza Shahabi, a leading member of an independent but unrecognized trade union in Iran, remains detained in Evin Prison, Tehran, where he has begun a hunger strike. Although Saeed Torabian, another leading member, was released on 20 July, other union members have since been arrested, bringing the total in prison to six.

Dream Act: House Passes Dream Act; Tell The Senate to Act

Each year, thousands of undocumented students who have lived in the United States for at least five years graduate from U.S. high schools. Among these students, with whom NEA members work every day, are valedictorians, straight-A students, and idealistic youth committed to bettering their communities. Yet, because of their lack of legal status, they are unable to pursue higher education.

On December 7, the House passed the bipartisan DREAM Act by a vote of 216-198. The bill gives eligible young people the opportunity to resolve their immigration status and work towards citizenship.

On December 8, the Senate voted to table action on the bill, as supporters work to secure the 60 votes needed for passage. The Senate could take up the bill again the week of December 13.

Take Action:

Urge your Senators to support the DREAM Act
See how your House member voted on passage of the DREAM Act
See NEA’s co-sponsored ads (ad 1; ad 2; ad 3) in support of the DREAM Act

P&J Chair Nancy Porter, Panelist for the First Annual Iowa Peace Intitiative Conference

The first Iowa Peace Initiative Conference was held in Dubuque 9/18/10 to celebrate the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations annually on September 21.

Over twenty groups concerned about keeping the peace movement alive were represented by about 200 people. Veterans for Peace and Physicians for Peace and the NEA Peace and Justice Caucus furnished the panel of three presidents/chairs to open the conference.