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Protect Gulf Coast Workers

Extend Unemployment Assistance for Katrina & Rita's Most Vulnerable

On June 3rd, more than 80,000 Gulf Coast Workers who lost their jobs because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will begin to lose unemployment benefits—while Congress goes on a paid vacation. Congress can extend the benefits by bringing existing legislation to a vote. Leadership in the House and Senate is simply not making it a priority.

Please take a moment to tell your representative and senators to pass an extension of disaster unemployment assistance immediately.

Add your voice now!

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Read the e-mail message that we sent to our members about this petition.

Here is the letter that we'll send to your representative, unless your create your own. The letter will have your name on it.

Dear Rep/Senator [Name],

I am writing to ask that you act immediately to extend disaster unemployment benefits for survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I urge you to press for passage of H.R. 5392 in the House--and S. 3030 in the Senate--before Congress ends its session on May 26th.

Unless Congress acts by Friday, 80,000 workers who are unemployed because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be cut off from assistance on June 4th. Many of these workers have little other assistance, and having been provided no opportunity to return home and rebuild, are still struggling to find housing and jobs in their new communities. To end their meager unemployment benefits -- which pay $104 a week, on average -- would be heartless and wrong.

There is no excuse for allowing thousands of families to be thrust into abject poverty while Congress enjoys a paid vacation. I urge you to pass a 13-week extension to disaster unemployment assistance immediately.

Sincerely,

[your name here]