Disaster Relief

I do not know one Lineman that expects praise, recognition or thanks. However, these brave, hardworking men and women risk their lives everyday to bring comfort and security to people's homes. That is on an easy day! On a storm it gets even worse through sleep deprivation, lack of food and water and horrible weather. I am starting this petition to have those in the Line Industry to be legally recognized as First Responders. Since Hurricane Harvey and Irma hit the United States I have seen post after post on social media sites complaining. Complaining we all have come to get used to, it's expected, but for Linemen and their crews to be turned away from places (restaurants, City Hall's, etc) and not be offered any sort of refreshment because they're not first responders is appalling! They deserve so much better than the treatment they are being given and their families deserve to be able to know that yes, their spouse or significant other is okay and safe. These men rush straight into the storm while others are running away. If that isn't what a brave, courageous first responder looks like, than I truly do not know what does. **Senate Resolution 95, does not "officially" name Linemen as First Responders but does designate a day of recognition, National Lineman's Appreciation Day (April 18th)   113th CONGRESS1st Session  S. RES. 95 Recognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety, and expressing support for the designation of April 18, 2013, as National Lineman Appreciation Day. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 10, 2013Mr. Isakson (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTIONRecognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety, and expressing support for the designation of April 18, 2013, as National Lineman Appreciation Day. Whereas the profession of linemen is steeped in personal, family, and professional tradition; Whereas linemen are often first responders during storms and other catastrophic events, working to make the scene safe for other public safety heroes; Whereas linemen work with thousands of volts of electricity high atop power lines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to keep electricity flowing; Whereas linemen must often work under dangerous conditions far from their families to construct and maintain the energy infrastructure of the United States; Whereas linemen put their lives on the line every day with little recognition from the community regarding the danger of their work; and Whereas April 18, 2013, would be an appropriate date to designate as National Lineman Appreciation Day: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) recognizes the efforts of linemen in keeping the power on and protecting public safety; and (2) supports the designation of April 18, 2013, as National Lineman Appreciation Day.    

Everyone has seen the unprecedented devastation in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  The entire island is without power and thousands of Americans may die.  Many have asked how they can help.  This petition focuses on cutting through bureaucracy that could cost lives and add to the suffering of millions of Americans in Puerto Rico.  The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act 1920, 46 U.S.C. § 883) prevents foreign ships from carrying cargo between the US mainland and noncontiguous parts of the US like Puerto Rico. Foreign ships can't stop in Puerto Rico to offload goods. Instead, goods are dropped off on the mainland and brought to the island on US flag ships. This makes everything more expensive, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, could actually cost lives. The Department of Homeland Security extended a waiver of the Jones Act to relieve PR, but the waiver expired on September 22, 2017.   I started this petition on Saturday, September 23rd.  By September 28th, this petition garnered nearly 500,000 supporters, and President Trump and DHS agreed to waive the Jones Act for 10 days.  While this is a good start, Puerto Rico will need additional time to rebuild its economy and infrastructure and should receive the benefit of foreign support.  For example, Germany has already begun assisting Puerto Rico with restoring its power grid.  By signing this petition, you are telling the Department of Homeland Security and the President of the United States to waive the Jones Act for 12 months to give Puerto Rico the relief it needs to recover and rebuild its infrastructure and economy.  

United Way Ventura, CA is SURPRISED by the "soft demand" for assistance and reported a surplus of millions of donated funds to the VC Star on May 31, 2018. Deserving people were NOT ALLOWED to APPLY due to the unfair and unrealistic income eligibility criteria established by United Way Ventura County! When more than 13,000 people from over 100 countries donated money, they trusted their financial gifts would reach ALL who experienced total/partial loss of their homes due to the Thomas Fire tragedy. It's simple. We want a new application phase without income restrictions. It is wrong for United Way Ventura County to discriminate against people who have lost everything they owned! https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2018/05/31/thomas-fire-relief-funds-have-more-money-than-demand/617352002/ We have emailed CEO of UW Ventura County: Eric Harrison and as of 2pm Friday, June 22 he has not responded to our request for positive change. We were ignored for three weeks. Your help supporting this cause is very much appreciated! Please add comments to JOIN THE CONVERSATION below. An update will be posted soon. UPDATE: We sent this email to CEO Eric Harrison on June 27:We received your letter. We are a small team of volunteers, who are Thomas Fire Survivors, representing Ventura and Ojai. Our goal is simple, we want the income restrictions lifted so that any Thomas Fire Survivor can apply and receive donations that were sent to the UW Fund. We understand the application should include a process for proving loss, but it is our hope that UW will eliminate the tax documents and paystubs requirements.The Change.org Petition currently has 800 signatures. Our next steps will be to involve media and to increase our social media presence, if need be. We will share your reply with our followers after confirmation that ALL are eligible to apply for and receive donated funds.Sincerely,The Positive Change for Thomas Fire Group

Many citizens are shocked and outraged by the war that is taking place against immigrants who are seeking asylum in this country.  These individuals came to our borders hoping to find safety for their children, only to have them taken away to be caged and neglected.  These children have been taken hostage and have become prisoners of a war whose objective is to fulfill the current administration's wishes.  As prisoners of war, it is the Red Cross'  purpose to investigate their well being, and to ensure that their needs - including essential care, are met.  We the people of America, many of whom have donated to the Red Cross when children of other countries have been in peril, strongly recognize the peril these children are facing.  We urge the Red Cross to demand access to these children to ensure their safety and well being.  Barring returning the children to their parents, we will not accept anything less.