Today's alert is a repeat of last night's and yesterday's, with some small adjustments. Even if you have already made contact, please do so again. And please share this issue with family and friends, your pediatrician, ob-gyn, midwife, doula, family doctor, local hospital, etc. Be sure to relay the urgency.
You can make contact no matter where you live. We are all stakeholders in breastfeeding legislation.
You can make more than one form of contact. Yes - it's ok to email and then call, too.
There's a lot of info here, so there are different colors for the different actions. Just scroll from color to color - from TPPA to EMAILS to PHONE CALLS to VISITS.
TTPA:
Texas Policy Action's report is out. It
is a "no" rating. Because we are working to change this, don't mention it in your communications with legislators.Many Republican members will be influenced by this. They say a woman can choose to
breastfeed, but she is not free to choose both (to breastfeed and to
work) if she is unsupported in her workplace. This report demonstrates a
lack of knowledge regarding lactation and a complete and utter
dismissal of family values. Currently it also is an analysis based on the initial filing of the bill not the committee sub passed by the Business & Industry Committee. We must urge them to change it to neutral, if not yes.
In addition to contacting them by email and phone below, they are on Facebook and on Twitter @TPPAction. As always - BE NICE! We need them to hear us as parents, not feel berated by a bunch of crazy, rude lactivists.
In addition to contacting them by email and phone below, they are on Facebook and on Twitter @TPPAction. As always - BE NICE! We need them to hear us as parents, not feel berated by a bunch of crazy, rude lactivists.
Do NOT bring up HB 1706 - it's not on their radar right now & we don't want to put it there.
Please send a quick email to hbell@texasaction.com, nferguson@texasaction.com. If you need some help, there are a few talking points at the end of this post.
Please call 512-369-3453.
Talking Points for Emails/Calls to Texas Policy Action
- A mom who can pump breastmilk at work takes fewer sick days and lowers health insurance costs.
- Moms who receive breastfeeding support at work are more dedicated employees with less turnover since their need to express milk has been fulfilled.
- Per current law, every business with more than 50 employees is required to have a private area suitable to express breastmilk for their non-exempt employees. The business would not need to set up a separate area for additional employees. If a lactation area has not been established, it is very easy to repurpose an existing space into a private area suitable for breastfeeding.
- Breastfed babies are less likely to be sick thanks to antibodies in their mothers' milk. This means less sick days for both parents.
- Breastfeeding is a parental right.
- Breastfeeding supports families.
- Breastfeeding is a public health issue and as such has a significant impact on the economy.
EMAILS:
Copy and paste the following email addresses into the "To" section of your email. If any bounce back, try sending them in a small group or individually.
Alma.Allen@house.state.tx.us, Roberto.Alonzo@house.state.tx.us,
Carol.Alvarado@house.state.tx.us, Rafael.Anchia@house.state.tx.us,
Charles.Anderson@house.state.tx.us, Trent.Ashby@house.state.tx.us,
Jimmie.Aycock@house.state.tx.us, Cecil.Bell@house.state.tx.us,
Dwayne.Bohac@house.state.tx.us, Dennis.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us,
Greg.Bonnen@house.state.tx.us, Dan.Branch@house.state.tx.us,
Cindy.Burkett@house.state.tx.us, Lon.Burnam@house.state.tx.us,
Angie.Button@house.state.tx.us, bill.callegari@house.state.tx.us,
Terry.Canales@house.state.tx.us, Giovanni.Capriglione@house.state.tx.us,
Stefani.Carter@house.state.tx.us, Travis.Clardy@house.state.tx.us,
Garnet.Coleman@house.state.tx.us, Nicole.Collier@house.state.tx.us,
Byron.Cook@house.state.tx.us, Philip.Cortez@house.state.tx.us,
Tom.Craddick@house.state.tx.us, Brandon.Creighton@house.state.tx.us,
Myra.Crownover@house.state.tx.us, Tony.Dale@house.state.tx.us, Drew.Darby@house.state.tx.us, John.Davis@house.state.tx.us,
Sarah.Davis@house.state.tx.us, Yvonne.Davis@house.state.tx.us,
joe.deshotel@house.state.tx.us, Dawnna.Dukes@house.state.tx.us,
Harold.Dutton@house.state.tx.us, craig.eiland@house.state.tx.us,
Gary.Elkins@house.state.tx.us, Pat.Fallon@house.state.tx.us,
Joe.Farias@house.state.tx.us, Marsha.Farney@house.state.tx.us,
Jessica.Farrar@house.state.tx.us, Allen.Fletcher@house.state.tx.us,
Dan.Flynn@house.state.tx.us, James.Frank@house.state.tx.us,
John.Frullo@house.state.tx.us, Charlie.Geren@house.state.tx.us,
Helen.Giddings@house.state.tx.us, Craig.Goldman@house.state.tx.us,
Larry.Gonzales@house.state.tx.us, Mary.Gonzalez@house.state.tx.us,
Naomi.Gonzalez@house.state.tx.us, Lance.Gooden@house.state.tx.us,
bobby.guerra@house.state.tx.us, Ryan.Guillen@house.state.tx.us,
Roland.Gutierrez@house.state.tx.us, Patricia.Harless@house.state.tx.us, District105.Harper-Brown@
Then
choose one of the following five sample emails below (in black) and
copy and paste it into the body of your email. Please personalize it as
much as you can take the time to do (but better sent generic than not
sent at all - just change anything in ALL CAPS). As you personalize
your email, consider the following:
District39.Martinez@house.
district121.straus@house.
- Begin by introducing yourself as a constituent, IF you are a Texas resident. Find your district number here. If you are writing on behalf of a group, please identify yourself here ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc)
- Keep it short (two paragraphs).
- If you have been affected by discrimination for nursing in public or a lack of support for pumping at work, relate this very briefly.
- Ask that the legislator vote for HBs 1706 and 741.
- Ask for a written response on the Representative's position on the bill. That way a staffer has to do some research and the member has to sign a letter with a position on it.
- Make certain that letters are not antagonistic or accusatory.
- Please include with your signature (for Texans only - out of state supporters please just sign your name and phone number):
- Name
- Physical Address
- Zip Code
- Phone Number(s)
- Your organization if you are writing on behalf of a group ("Member of Texas Breastfeeding Coalition", "Secretary of IBCLCs of Dallas", etc)
Letters should begin with an introduction of your group. They should talk about health benefits of BF, how you support BF in your community, and HB 1706 and HB 741. Letters from a mom should be personalized from the mom's point of view, but these letters should be personalized from the organization's view. These letters can be more lengthy than the 2 paragraph max for letters from individuals (but still somewhat brief).
Please make clear that you represent constituents outside of just your zip code, if that is the case. Please give an idea of how many people are in your group, and/or how many people your group serves.
Example #1
Dear Legislator,
I hope this email finds you well. As a resident of (DISTRICT #, REGION, OR TEXAS AND MEMBER OF ORGANIZATION), I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, 5/8. For many breastfeeding moms that plan on returning to work, the worries of continuing to breastfeed while away from their baby lead to many sleepless nights. While Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Break Time for Nursing Mothers Provision) provides moms who are non-exempt employees protection to pump at work, it does not cover all working, breastfeeding moms. Texas House Bill 741 will extend current work-site pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk. I would be grateful for a written response letting me know your position on HB 741.
HB 1706 (scheduled for 5/9) will strengthen Health and Safety Code 165.002, a law that asserts a mother's right to nurse her baby in public. This law is regularly violated, and the fear of a confrontation serves as a barrier to breastfeeding for many women. Please support both of these bills in the interest of child and maternal health.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #2
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well. I am a mother who resides in the State of Texas (OR BE SPECIFIC ABOUT DISTRICT/REGION IF IT IS THIS LEGISLATOR'S) and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, 5/8. While hourly public employees have reasonable accommodations to express breastmilk at work, salaried public employees are currently exempt. Many moms stop breastfeeding after they return to work due to lack of employer support. Texas House Bill 741 will extend current work-site pumping protections to salaried public employees so that they can contribute to the work force while still providing their babies with breastmilk.
Breastmilk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. It gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development. It is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses - such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide. Breastmilk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance (World Health Organization, 2012). HB 1706 will address another barrier to breastfeeding, a fear of nursing in public. It is on the calendar for Thursday, 5/9. We have a law that asserts a mother's right, but does not protect it, and it is frequently violated. HB 1706 will strengthen the existing law. Please vote in favor of House Bills 741 and 1706. I would very much appreciate a written response explaining your position on House Bills 741 and 1706. I would welcome the chance to further discuss the importance of community support and breastfeeding!
Thank you for your time and support,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #3
Hello,
I'm a new mother in (CITY/DISTRICT/REGION, TX, AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and I breastfeed my baby and I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for a vote on Wednesday, 5/8. HB 741 will extend work site accommodations to salaried public employees, which are already afforded to hourly employees. Breastfeeding rates of initiation are around 80%, however, as women return to work and are unsupported in their efforts to express breastmilk for their babies, breastfeeding rates drop dramatically. This is a public health issue. Increased breastfeeding rates will save lives and a lot of money.
Another way in which mother's need support is to protect their right to breastfeed their babies in public. Health and Safety Code 165.002 is frequently violated. A law which is flouted with impunity weakens the rule of law. HB 1706 would strengthen existing law.
Please support these bills, and support Texas mothers and babies.
Thank you,
NAME and son/daughter NAME (NUMBER OF months)
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #4
Hello,
I am a constituent of district (DISTRICT NUMBER AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and breastfed/am breastfeeding my child(ren). I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and coauthored by Rep. Hernandez Luna. This uncontroversial bill passed unanimously out of the Business and Industry Committee. HB 741 is on the schedule for vote on Wednesday, May 8th. HB 741 will support mothers who return to work in their efforts to continue to provide breastmilk for their babies by providing reasonable accommodations to salaried public employees that are already afforded hourly employees. While the great State of Texas already recognizes breastfeeding as the best method of infant nutrition, there are no laws in place to support an exempt public employee that wishes to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
HB 1706 (set for Thursday, May 9th) will go a long way to reducing discrimination regularly faced by women whose right to nurse their babies in public is violated frequently. I would very much appreciate a written response regarding your position on House Bills 741 and 1706, and I fervently hope that they have your support.
Respectfully,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
Example #5
Dear Legislator,
I am a breastfeeding mother living in (DISTRICT #, REGION, OR TEXAS, AND ORGANIZATION IF ANY) and it has come to my attention that House Bill 741, authored by Rep. Walle and co-authored by Rep. Hernandez Luna, is to be voted on today. I’m writing to ask for your support of House Bill 741. While breastfeeding in Texas has a high initiation rate, there is a large drop around the time moms return to work. Many moms stop breastfeeding due to a lack of support from their employers. And while federal law requires that working mothers paid on an hourly basis receive reasonable breaks for pumping and a space in which to pump, there is no such protection for salaried public employees, such as teachers. HB 741 would extend current pump at work laws to all state public employees, including salaried employees.
Another bill, HB 1706 (set for Thursday), would educate and enforce an existing law that has been on the books since 1995 and asserts a mother's right to nurse her baby in public. This is a vital right, as mothers must go to the grocery store and run errands, and babies must eat every couple of hours. I ask that you help us to support these pieces of legislation so that we can give our children the best possible nutrition without fear of harassment; so mothers won't be forced to choose between their babies and their jobs. I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this important public health issue, and I hope to receive a written reply with your position on the bills. Thank you for your consideration.
Best Regards,
NAME
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
ORGANIZATION (IF ANY)
CALLS:
We MUST be courteous in all communications. Even if the staffer you talk to is cold - even out and out rude - no matter what, be respectful.
The list below does not include most of the Business and Industry or Calendars Committee members, as they have shown the bills support.
If you are not a Texas resident, start by calling Republicans. While breastfeeding is bi-partisan, conservatives will be more hesitant about placing regulations on businesses, and they are in the majority. The women are marked with two asterisks (**) and are in red. The more conservative men are marked with one asterisk (*) and are in blue.
Call your own rep if you reside in Texas, then any districts that are close to yours, particularly conservatives (use the district numbers as a guide - they're not necessarily logical but they are to a degree). Find your rep here: http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/
Please leave a comment listing who you called, so that we can be sure all reps are being called. If you are told that a rep does or does not support either bill, please note this in the comments.
The Austin area code is 512.
Name (Party) District # Phone Number
Alma A. Allen (D) 131 463-0744
Rafael Anchia (D) 103 463-0746
Charles "Doc" Anderson (R) 56 463-0135
*Trent Ashby (R) 57 463-0508
Jimmie Don Aycock (R) 54 463-0684
Cecil Bell (R) 3 463-0650
Dennis H. Bonnen (R) 25 463-0564
Greg Bonnen (R) 24 463-0729
**Cindy Burkett (R) 113 463-0464
Lon Burnam (D) 90 463-0740
Angie Chen Button (R) 112 463-0486
William A. "Bill" Callegari (R) 132 463-0528
Terry Canales (D) 40 463-0426
*Giovanni Capriglione (R) 98 463-0690
**Stefani Carter (R) 102 463-0454
*Travis Clardy (R) 11 463-0592
Garnet Coleman (D) 147 463-0524
Nicole Collier (D) 95 463-0716
*Byron C. Cook (R) 8 463-0730
Philip Cortez (D) 117 463-0269
Tom Craddick (R) 82 463-0500
*Brandon Creighton (R) 16 463-0726
**Myra Crownover (R) 64 463-0582
Tony Dale (R) 136 463-0696
Drew Darby (R) 72 463-0331
John E. Davis (R) 129 463-0734
**Sarah Davis (R) 134 463-0389
Yvonne Davis (D) 111 463-0598
Joseph "Joe" Deshotel (D) 22 463-0662
Dawnna M. Dukes (D) 46 463-0506
Harold V. Dutton (D) 142 463-0510
Gary Elkins (R) 135 463-0722
*Pat Fallon (R) 106 463-0694
Joe Farias (D) 118 463-0714
**Marsha Farney (R) 20 463-0309
Jessica Farrar (D) 148 463-0620
*Allen Fletcher (R) 130 463-0661
Dan Flynn (R) 2 463-0880
James Frank (R) 69 463-0534
Charlie L. Geren (R) 99 463-0610
Craig Goldman (R) 97 463-0608
Larry Gonzales (R) 52 463-0670
Mary E. Gonzalez (D) 75 463-0613
Naomi Gonzalez (D) 76 463-0622
Lance Gooden (R) 4 463-0458
Robert Guerra (D) 41 463-0578
Ryan Guillen (D) 31 463-0416
Roland Gutierrez (D) 119 463-0452
**Patricia F. Harless (R) 126 463-0496
Linda Harper-Brown (R) 105 463-0641
Ana Hernandez Luna (D) 143 463-0614
Abel Herrero (D) 34 463-0462
*Harvey Hilderbran (R) 53 463-0536
Donna Howard (D) 48 463-0631
*Dan Huberty (R) 127 463-0520
*Bryan Hughes (R) 5 463-0271
*Jason A. Isaac (R) 45 463-0647
Eric Johnson (D) 100 463-0586
Kyle J. Kacal (R) 12 463-0412
James L. "Jim" Keffer (R) 60 463-0656
*Ken King (R) 88 463-0736
*Phil S. King (R) 61 463-0738
Tracy O. King (D) 80 463-0194
Tim Kleinschmidt (R) 17 463-0682
**Stephanie Klick (R) 91 463-0599
**Lois W. Kolkhorst (R) 13 463-0600
*Matt Krause (R) 93 463-0562
Lyle Larson (R) 122 463-0646
**Jodie Laubenberg (R) 89 463-0186
George Lavender (R) 1 463-0692
*Jeff Leach (R) 67 463-0544
Tryon D. Lewis (R) 81 463-0546
Oscar Longoria (D) 35 463-0645
J.M. Lozano (R) 43 463-0463
Marisa Marquez (D) 77 463-0638
Armando A. "Mando" Martinez (D) 39 463-0530
Trey Martinez Fischer (D) 116 463-0616
Ruth Jones McClendon (D) 120 463-0708
Jose Menendez (D) 124 463-0634
Borris L. Miles (D) 146 463-0518
Doug Miller (R) 73 463-0325
*Rick Miller (R) 26 463-0710
Joe Moody (D) 78 463-0728
**Geanie W. Morrison (R) 30 463-0456
Sergio Muñoz (D) 36 463-0704
Jim Murphy (R) 133 463-0514
Elliott Naishtat (D) 49 463-0668
Poncho Nevarez (D) 74 463-0566
*Rob D. Orr (R) 58 463-0538
John C. Otto (R) 18 463-0570
*Chris Paddie (R) 9 463-0556
*Tan Parker (R) 63 463-0688
**Diane Patrick (R) 94 463-0624
Mary Ann Perez (D) 144 463-0460
*Charles Perry (R) 83 463-0542
Larry Phillips (R) 62 463-0297
Joseph C. "Joe" Pickett (D) 79 463-0596
Jim Pitts (R) 10 463-0516
*Four Price (R) 87 463-0470
*John Raney (R) 14 463-0698
Bennett Ratliff (R) 115 463-0468
Richard Peña Raymond (D) 42 463-0558
Ron Reynolds (D) 27 463-0494
**Debbie Riddle (R) 150 463-0572
Allan B. Ritter (R) 21 463-0706
Justin Rodriguez (D) 125 463-0669
Toni Rose (D) 110 463-0664
Scott Sanford (R) 70 463-0356
*Matt Schaefer (R) 6 463-0584
Kenneth Sheets (R) 107 463-0244
*J.D. Sheffield (R) 59 463-0628
Ralph Sheffield (R) 55 463-0630
*Ron Simmons (R) 65 463-0478
David Simpson (R) 7 463-0750
Wayne Smith (R) 128 463-0733
John T. Smithee (R) 86 463-0702
*Drew Springer (R) 68 463-0526
*Phil Stephenson (R) 85 463-0604
*Jonathan Stickland (R) 92 463-0522
Mark Strama (D) 50 463-0821
Van Taylor (R) 66 463-0594
Ed Thompson (R) 29 463-0707
Senfronia Thompson (D) 463-0720
*Steve Toth (R) 15 463-0797
Chris Turner (D) 101 463-0574
Scott Turner (R) 33 463-0484
Sylvester Turner (D) 139 463-0554
Jason Villalba (R) 114 463-0567
Michael "Mike" Villarreal (D) 463-0532
Hubert Vo (D) 149 463-0568
*James White (R) 19 463-0490
Gene Wu (D) 137 463-0492
William "Bill" Zedler (R) 96 463-0374
John Zerwas (R) 28 463-0657
VISITS:
If you can visit the Capitol, that will make a great impact. Call 512.655.9647 to coordinate efforts. A good place to park is at 1201 San Jacinto in the Capitil Visitors Parking Garage. Dress business casual if you can. It's fine to bring children. And of course, be respectful and courteous. The Capitol is at 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX.
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