Hurricane Harvey

This petition is regarding the treatment and current living conditions of inmates at the United States Penitentiary at Beaumont Texas . The BOP IS covering up the inhumane conditions at which our loved ones are currently being housed in due to Hurricane Harvey. They insist that the conditions are acceptable. However, there is proof that the conditions are substandard & inhumane.   The BOP was previously named in a class action lawsuit for the same thing in 2008 during hurricane Rita. These men are not only human beings but they are also our loved ones and they deserve to be treated as so. Please help by signing this petition. 

Please cancel the STAAR test this school year. Let's take all the money we spend on the test and use it to rebuild the MANY schools in Texas that were damaged from Harvey! Let's cancel the STAAR test so that when our children return to the classroom, we can teach and care for them and not have to feel guilty for using instructional time to comfort a child who just lost everything. Let's focus on our future and not scores. Let's take care of our children and think with our hearts. Fellow teachers and parents, please consider signing this petition and share as much as you can. We chose this profession to make a difference in the life of a child and there are so many out there in need of our love!

Update: We want to be clear that our call to action regarding the HSPCA has nothing to do with unsubstantiated rumors that have been floating around the internet that the HSPCA is killing animals in Beaumont. Our concern is for the long-term commitment to the animals, and that’s why we’re asking you to read and sign the petition below. ***Please sign the this petition to hold Houston SPCA to these simple life saving guarantees. Help save the pets in Hurricane Harvey!  People are risking their lives to rescue Harvey pets, yet some may go to shelters where they may be killed.  Yesterday the Best Friends Animal Society team on the ground in Texas arrived in Beaumont. Beaumont is one of the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Harvey and is struggling to provide basic services – the entire community lost access to clean water. The animals rescued from the area were being housed at a pavilion-type shelter set up at the Ford Center. The reports from our team on the ground late yesterday were that the animals were in dire need of basic medical care, and the heat was taking its toll.The Houston SPCA obtained the memorandum of understanding (MOU) from local officials to serve as the small animal lead at the Ford Center. That’s when the rumors began to swirl.The Houston SPCA has a history of a lack of transparency around consistent reporting regarding the outcomes for the animals entering their care.  They have questionable policies regarding pit bull type dogs and have received continued criticism from the animal welfare community around these policies. So it’s understandable that the rescue community and other pet-loving members of the public, aware of the Houston SPCA’s history, would be worried about what was taking place with the pets in Beaumont.We contacted the Houston SPCA and spoke with the organization’s President, Patti Mercer. Knowing the Houston SPCA is already stretched thin from their necessary work in Houston, Best Friends offered to relieve them of the responsibility in Beaumont and take over the MOU to provide care and reunion efforts for the animals rescued in  Beaumont. This offer was denied.We then offered assistance and general help for the animals of Beaumont to the Houston SPCA, but this offer for help was also declined. While Ms. Mercer did verbally commit to at least a 30 day hold for the animals of Beaumont to be reunited with their owners, our attempts to determine if there would be an adoption guarantee for these animals regardless of where they might be transferred failed – we were told by Ms. Mercer to wait for a “press release” and she was unwilling to put anything in writing to us. The list of possible receiving agencies for these animals that she cited are not known for their commitment to no-kill policies.We detailed the expectations Best Friends has set for ourselves for animals we rescue from this storm, and asked the Houston SPCA to commit to the same, in writing. Minimum 30-day stray hold so owners can reunite with their pets Proactive pursuit of families and reunion of all pets displaced by Harvey A clear, transparent operation that offers an appropriate standard of care A guarantee for a positive outcome for all animals rescued. In other words, that all the animals in Beaumont are either reunited with their families; adopted into a loving home; or are transferred to an agency who will guarantee a no-kill outcome Sharing of raw data so that the above points can be audited and confirmed by interested parties Ms. Mercer refused to put these simple commitments and procedures in writing, and again she referred us to a yet-to-be-made press release. We advised her that her personal word in writing to us would do more to allay the public’s concerns than a press release, but again Ms. Mercer declined. Without this in writing, Best Friends does not feel comfortable with what is happening in Beaumont, or anywhere else the Houston SPCA is rescuing pets.Whether it is a time of disaster or not, organizations that rescue animals need to be held accountable by the communities they serve. Best Friends is committed to help the animals of Texas, and will not back down.**As is often the case when talking about animal welfare organizations, there is confusion regarding the relationship between the Houston SPCA and other SPCAs, including the national organization, the ASPCA. While these organizations share the SPCA moniker, they are separate organizations with their own 501(c)(3) designation, boards, leadership, policies and so forth. The Houston SPCA is an independent organization and should not be confused with any other animal welfare organization.**

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.