Joyce Akins called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  Several candidates were present and spoke briefly; these candidates included K.Stone, K. Derr, C. Silverman, M. Laster, C.O.Bradford, S. Herskowitz, A. Burks, D. Roth, H. Litt, C. Obando and S. Castello.  Approximately 46+ people were present at the meeting.

Joyce introduced our Congressman, Al Green.  The topic was mostly about health reform.  Some quotes from Green included:  "Where do we stand at the times of challenge and controversy?  I will stand with the least, the last, and the lost.  $1 of every $6 is spent on health care; 14,000 people per day lose their health insurance.

"If we want to have a system that covers everyone then we should support HR3200--a health care exchange--we will give an exchange to buy an insurance policy----.  There will be a public option--there has to be a non-profit motive.  We will help small businesses in this piece of legislation, HR 3200.

 "Regarding undocumented/illegal residents--anyone who gets hit by a car will be helped, will get medical attention but they are not covered in the reform act."

Other comments by Green:  "I have found upon query that people are pro-choice if they find themselves in a difficult situation and once you have made a pro-choice decision, you are pro-choice.  Men should respect women who have to make very difficult decisions."

 We as your representatives need to know what the people want--there is a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at the Power Center, South Post Oak/South Main--it will be open to the public--show up and send OUR message.  Have government deliver what we all have fought for....

Q&A:  Questions came up about the Israel/Palestine conflict, the Speaker of the House, drug costs, Medicare, public option, campaign funds.  Notes as follows:

Green very much likes Nancy Pelosi as Speaker and she has said there WILL be a public option.  Green took a vote from those present and it was almost evenly divided about whether he should vote for an option that does not include a public option...very evident of how difficult the problem is...if we get a bill that gives us everything except public option, it is difficult to decide what to do--here is where the least, last and the lost come into play.

There will be an opportunity in the reform for Medicare to negotiate for lower drug costs--the VA already does this.  People need to remember that Medicare is government

Green stated he may have received campaign funds from the health care industry, but he is going to do what he was sent to Congress to do regardless.  He pays his way on trips and recently came back from Israel.  He has visited the Gaza strip and he has thoroughly learned about the Hamas creed, which states in exact terms "we will kill all Jews".  Thus, the conflict is not as simple as it seems.

Mr. Green stated that the medical system is broken--we asked why aren't things getting done in the House and he said they are.  Where is the Democrat unity in Congress was asked.  Green said the "Gang of Six" is not an official committee.  He also mentioned that health reform would not take place until 2013.  Are we headed to another "bail out" for the insurance companies?  Someone stated that Obama needs to make a firm statement about the Public Option.  In response to another question, Green stated "It is sinful to equate this President with Hitler".

"Not only proper, but timely, treatment is important and wellness type of approaches will be needed."

Bert Anson said that we need something to send out to our radical conservative friends. Green promised to send him something he could share with the rest of us.  We need responses to the continuous hateful untrue emails most of us are receiving from the conservative right.  End Q&A.

The minutes of July, taken by Sylvie Adams, were read and approved as read.  The Treasurer's report was read and approved as read; our current balance is $1067.88.  We again collected USO donations.  We have already sent $200 to the USO!

Resolution:  Margaret Buckhorn made a motion to open discussion.  Joe Mumbach read our draft--this resolution will be presented to Al Green to show our desire for health care reform.  A very active discussion as to wording then commenced.  Changes to several bullets were made.  Joyce and Joe kept track of the changes in wording.  It was also suggested that we post our resolution every place we can think of and get it out to the neighborhood since it is coming from the Sharpstown club.

Joyce will finalize the resolution and will deliver it to Al Green.  Thanks to Aster Eyob and Mike Laster for today's refreshments.  Our next meeting is Saturday, September 26.  The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper  with help from Aster Eyob.