DATE:       December 19,  2003

TO:             Bishops of Florida
                    Diocesan Department Heads
                    Conference Commissions and Committees
                    Interested Others

2004 Legislature
The 2004 Florida Legislature will be in regular session from March 2 until April 30, 2004 and major public policy issues of interest to the Church will be under consideration.  This mailing includes the 2004 Public Policy Issue Paper and other information to assist you in being an active participant in the political process.

Legislative Reports
The Conference has a preliminary 2004 legislative report available on the website and will issue legislative reports on the 10^th, 30^th, and 50^th days of this session, with a final report after the session concludes.  Church leadership, including the Bishops, diocesan departments and those on Conference committees, will automatically receive these reports.  Catholic parish staff and others may subscribe to these reports by contacting the Conference (contact information above) or by sending an email to fccadvocacy@flacathconf.org.

E-Mail Reports
During the 2004 session, we will provide regular email reports about key legislation.  For email reports about educational issues, particularly the rights of parents and their children placed in Catholic schools, contact Larry Keough at lkeough@flacathconf.org.  For email reports on health issues (health care accessibility, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia and/or end-of-life care, sterilization, state health planning and regulation), contact Michael Sheedy at msheedy@flacathconf.org.  For email reports on social concerns and respect life isues (adoption, immigration, farmworkers, domestic violence, affordable housing, homeless, elderly, environment, disabled, abortion and death penalty), contact Sheila Hopkins at shopkins@flacathconf.org.

Website Legislative Page
The following items are available via the FCC website Legislative Page:  1) Public Policy Issues; 2) Legislative Directory; 3) House and Senate Bills Being Monitored by FCC; 4) Legislative Reports; 5) Testimony/Correspondence; 6) Alerts; 7) Position Papers.  This page also links to the Florida On-Line Sunshine network (http://www.leg.state.fl.us), which allows access to the Florida Statutes and all proposed legislation.

Communicating with Legislators
Each of us shares in the responsibility to instill the values of the Gospel as a norm for society.  We are called to become informed, active and responsible participants in the political process, which is part of our democratic system.  When we communicate to a legislator on an issue of public policy, we fulfill both spiritual and civic purposes.  Please join us in our legislative efforts by becoming informed, talking with others, and communicating with your legislators.  Biographical and contact information on all legislators is available on our website through the Legislative Page.  Please pray for your legislators and all those serving in government.

Thank you.

DMMc:cs
Enclosures