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Wow. There has been so much happening today I hope I can convey it to you in a comprehensive way. First, very good news from Washington, D.C. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) is introducing legislation this afternoon that in essence would nix federal funds that would be used to implement any type of mandatory HPV vaccine program. I believe it would also prohibit pharmaceutical companies and others from funding any effort to mandate the HPV vaccine. It is called the Parental Right to Decide Protection Act. It does not have a number since it is in the process of being introduced. It will include the following language: "No Federal funds or other assistance may be made available to any State or political subdivision of a State to establish or implement any requirement that individuals receive vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV)." Congressman Gingrey is an M.D. -OB-GYN. Here is an excerpt from a letter by Congressman Gingrey to his house colleagues: "The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually- transmitted disease that is associated with about 70% of all cervical cancers.In June of 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine that protects against the HPV types 6,11,16, and 18. As an OB/GYN physician for nearly 30 years, I applaud this achievement in modern medicine."This act needs co-sponsors. So far from CO, Rep. Doug Lamborn (5th) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (4th) have signed on. I am asking you to call your Congressman's office and ask that he/she sign-on as a co-sponsor to the Parental Right to Decide Protection Act by Rep. Phil Gingrey. Here are the names and numbers of the Congressman that have not signed on: Rep. Diana DeGette - House District 1 - 202-225-4431 Rep. Mark Udall - House District 2 - 202-225-2161 Rep. John Salazar - House District 3 - 202-225-4761 Rep. Tom Tancredo - House District 6 - 202-225-7882 Rep. Ed Perlmutter - House District 7 - 202-225-2645 You may also call Rep Doug Lamborn (202-225-4422) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (202-225-4676) and thank them for signing on. The bills introduced here in CO plan to implement federal funding as one of their resources for the HPV vaccine programs. This Act would put a stop to it. If enough of a grassroots effort is initiated to gain co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle there is a good chance this will pass. Please help Rep. Gingrey in his efforts as a M.D. to stop the funding of the HPV mandates. I don't know about you but I have had it with legislators and drug companies trying to tell me what to do with my children. I cannot depend upon a parental opt-out always being there. I am joining this effort and I hope you will, too. I have been in communication with Rep. Gingrey's office and will pass on to you any news I receive and any ways we can help. I am also including the HSLDA letter to Texas members concerning what is going on there with the HPV vaccine. Many thanks to those of you who signed the letter to Gov. Perry. I recognized most of the names. Please read this letter, print and keep it. It has valuable information that can be used in our efforts here in CO against the HPV mandate. SB 07-097 is scheduled for second reading on Tuesday. The cervical cancer info was removed but at least $1,000,000.00 was allotted for the CO Immunization Fund. I did not see anything that would prevent these dollars from helping the HPV effort. Also, HB 1301 is coming up that sets up a Cervical Cancer Immunization Program, and more. SB 07-080 which is the bill mandating the HPV vaccine for girls to enter the sixth grade has not been rescheduled for Senate Appropriations. Who know what else will pop out of the woodwork. Hopefully, the Religious Freedom Restoration legislation will be introduced here in CO very shortly. I will keep you posted on this issue. It is similar to what was introduced last session but will be an Act and not a constitutional amendment - at least that is what I understand. Many thanks to Chris Klicka for his efforts with this legislation. Also, every homeschool parent in CO should send Chris a thank you for his efforts in ending the discrimination against homeschoolers concerning college admissions. For years the CO Commission on Higher Education has enforced the policy that required all state colleges to automatically assign every homeschooled applicant's high school transcript a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. It didn't matter if the actual GPA was higher. Thanks to Chris's continued and relentless efforts on our behalf, the CCHE officially changed their policy and will now treat homeschooled applicant's transcripts the same as any other college applicant's. Thank God for Chris Klicka and his determination to maintain homeschooling freedoms - and to win them when necessary. His contact info is at the end of the Texas letter. I encourage you to thank him. The legislature will not be in session Monday in honor of President's Day. A needed break for many. |
