John Edwards @ Harvard U. 10/20

Dear MoveOn member,

This Thursday, Senator John Edwards will be at Harvard University, continuing his national speaking tour on the generational challenge of ending poverty. He's asked us to invite MoveOn members in the area to join him. Here are the details:

WHO: John Edwards, Harvard students, and MoveOn members from the community
WHERE: Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
Taubman Building, 5th Floor
WHEN: Thursday, October 20th, 3:30 PM

Seating is limited, so please reserve tickets today at:

http://www.opportunityrocks.org/tour-2005/tickets/moveon/

After Katrina, Americans were shocked by the inequality and poverty that the storm forced onto national news. There was a lot of talk in Washington about serious reforms to help the hurricane victims and tackle poverty on a national scale.

Now, 6 weeks later, congressional Republicans are instead trying to cut tens of billions of dollars from vital national services for the young, the elderly and those most in need.

We need to show that a commitment to equal opportunity is not a fad to be replaced with business as usual. Senator Edwards' tour, and the national student-led activist network it's helping to launch, are important first steps. We hope you can join in.

Below is a letter to MoveOn members from Senator Edwards with more information this issue and his tour:

Dear Friend,
Throughout our history, people around the world have been drawn to America because of what we stand for: the belief that all of us are created equal, and that each of us has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

They've also been drawn to the character of our people, particularly our young people. I'm thinking of the brave young men and women like those who fought in World War II; who powered the civil rights movement; who served in Vietnam, and who spoke out about the war back home, and the thousands who served in the Peace Corps.

Young Americans have a legacy they can be proud of. With solidarity and focus, this generation can make America a country that we can be proud of. I know that many young people are searching for a way to make their imprint on this great country of ours, and I believe that fighting for opportunities for others is actually, in a very real sense, an opportunity for today's young people. But it will only be an opportunity for our young people to change the direction of the country if seize they seize this important moment.

We want the world to see a different America—an America that is working every day to live up to what was written in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. A lot needs to be changed to make this happen. One important change must be our country's commitment to the fight against poverty.

That's why over the next two weeks I will be traveling to college campuses across the country. I believe that the fight against poverty will be the cause of this generation, and I'm coming to these campuses because I believe there are young men and women who are looking for an opportunity to lead a cause like this one.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming college tour and get a free ticket to the event in your area. http://www.opportunityrocks.org/tour-2005/tickets/moveon/

Katrina shined a spotlight on the widespread poverty of the Gulf Coast region, and on the fact that poverty is rising across the country. As the Census Bureau recently reported, the poverty rate in America has risen each of the past four years. Last year alone 1.1 million Americans fell into poverty, raising the nationwide total to a staggering 37 million. And millions of these are working Americans with families—people who work hard but still can't build the assets they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Among young people in our country, there is a powerful hunger to fight poverty and to create a stronger and more compassionate national community. Of course, we understand that each American must work hard and take responsibility for him or herself. But we also know there's more to America than just living your life on your own. Our government exists not just to protect us from threats foreign and domestic, but also to ensure that all Americans—especially the hard working—don't have to live in constant fear of losing their apartment, of not being able to pay the heating bill, of not being able to see a doctor when their children are sick.

This is a historic moment when our country is ready to act, but the question is, will the attention to poverty be sustained? Or will it be transient? That depends on people like you and me. In this moment, we must step forward with plans for change and with the will to see those plans through. We can't wait for others to do it. We've waited too long already. Our nation needs leaders, especially young leaders, who will rise to this occasion.

Over the next two weeks I will be traveling to college campuses across the country looking for such leaders. During some visits I will focus on important poverty-fighting policies that we can advocate. During other visits I'll discuss community service opportunities that young people can engage in—a chance to see firsthand how bad the problem has gotten, and a chance to become a part of the solution. Young people can influence the leaders of this generation, and you can become of the leaders of the next one—but only if you step forward and act in moments like these.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming college tour and get a free ticket to the event in your area. http://www.opportunityrocks.org/tour-2005/tickets/moveon/

Will our country remain focused on the problem of poverty? Or, as memory of Katrina fades, will poverty remain a problem that most of us don't think about? You have the power to determine how we as a nation answer that question. Join me as I fight to make this a country we can be proud of.
—John

Thanks for all that you do,

–Noah, Ben, Jennifer, Micayla, Eli and the MoveOn.org Civic Action Team
Tuesday, October 18th4, 2005

October 20
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Kennedy School of Government
Taubman Building, 5th Floor
3:30 PM — Doors open
Sold Out

But not too late to venture to Dartmouth....

October 21
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Collis Common Ground, The Collis Center
11:30 AM — Doors open

It was a great talk - I'll try to build a thread on it later today.