City of ONE

“On the Border, By the Sea” isn’t just a slogan for this historical city in South Texas; it’s their acknowledgment of shared responsibility that accompanies a shared heritage with the global community. On Saturday, I witnessed that expression in action during a press conference celebrating their official proclamation as a city of ONE.

Here’s a brief slide show from the event:

Joining the ranks of 130 other US cities, including Dallas, Brownsville is working to get people involved in efforts that are fighting global poverty, saving lives from disease, putting children in school and increasing opportunity in poor countries around the world. The press conference was followed by a celebration event where local community, faith, business and elected leaders came together to sign a letter to be hand-delivered to their U.S. Congressman, Solomon Ortiz. Along with highlighting their advocacy work, the letter requests an in-person visit with the congressman to discuss ways they can support him as the U.S. keeps its promises to the millennium development goals.

Not surprisingly, that same morning Brownsville welcomed the new Mittie A. Pullam Elementary School into their community. In its mission statement, BISD acknowledges the importance of producing “well-educated graduates who can pursue higher educational opportunities and who will become responsible citizens in a changing global society…”

Lack of access to quality education is preventing millions of people from escaping the cycle of extreme poverty around the world. Most of the 72 million children still out of school are amongst the poorest and hardest to reach. More than half of them are girls. There couldn’t have been a more appropriate time to highlight the crucial role primary education plays in the success of a community, and the responsibility we all have to ensure every child has the opportunity to receive an education. In fact, it was Brownsville’s own Paulina Sosa, ONE member and sophomore at the University of Texas, who returned home to encourage her community to stand up and take action against extreme poverty back in 2009.

It’s exhilarating to witness the growing number of community leaders in the state of Texas who, like Brownsville, advocate for life-saving solutions to end poverty in our lifetime. If the spirit of Brownsville is any indication, we could see neighboring cities throughout South Texas join them in their advocacy efforts. We congratulate your leadership and we look forward to continuing our work with the city “On the Border, By the Sea.”

Pictured left to right: Cris Garza, Rotary Sunrise Member; Ruben O’Bell: Chief of Staff for State Representative Eddie Lucio III; Gustavo Morales, Catholic Diocese Representative; Connie Hensley, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Gloria Miranda, UTB-TSC Representative, Dr. Enrique Escobedo, Brownsville Independent School District Board Trustee; Roscoe Mapps, ONE Regional Director; Paulina Sosa, ONE Brownsville Head Coordinator; Edward Camarillo, Brownsville City Commissioner; Ankjaer Jensen, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Sergio Zarate, Community Liaison for State Representative Eddie Lucio III; Rose Gowen, Brownsville City Commissioner; Martin Arambula, Port of Brownsville Commissioner; Luis Cavazos, Past Rotary President; Pastor Brad Burkes, Brownsville City Chaplain; Charlie Cabler, Brownsville City

I am proud to announce the next city to join the ranks of ONE. Last week, Mayor Eisinger presented Andre Riley and his fellow students from ONE Pines Charter a proclamation declaring Cooper City a City of ONE.

The students were received by the mayor to a large round of applause as they introduced themselves at the City Hall meeting. ONE may not have been the only group honored that day, but thanks to Andre, we were the only group to give an acceptance speech. Andre flashed his famous charismatic smile and took the microphone away from the mayor to offer gratitude, explain the goals of ONE, and direct people to ONE.org to sign the declaration.

Cooper City now joins Pembroke Pines in the book of success stories as the students of ONE Pines Charter endeavor to light up Broward County, city by city, with these proclamations. Congratulations team, on a job well done!

-Danielle DePas, advisor to ONE Pines Charter

Yesterday was a phenomenal day for Los Angeles volunteers and members of ONE. LA was declared a ONE City by Mayor Villaraigosa. Mayor V. had this to say. “The declaration of Los Angeles as a ONE city is a testament to our uncompromising determination to combat poverty and preventable disease in the United States and globally. As a city, we must unite as one, raise awareness and never turn our backs on the most vulnerable members of society”.

We were also thrilled to have Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an important Congressional ally of ONE, attend and offer her support at this historic event. Representative Waters has been a tireless champion for development issues and authored the JUBILEE Act to expand the number of poor countries that are eligible for debt relief. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives last Congress but was stalled in the Senate, and she is expected to re-introduce it this year. Speaking at the press conference yesterday, Representative Waters asserted that, “As individuals, communities, and nations, we can and must join in efforts to fight extreme poverty and prevent deadly diseases. Los Angeles is a global city, so it is appropriate that we are a “ONE City” dedicated to important global causes. Likewise, I will continue to advocate for applying American generosity, ingenuity, and prosperity to aid the world’s poor and vulnerable.” We could not agree more.

Over 50 volunteers turned out for this event, including Paul Avion. Paul got this ball rolling for LA to be a ONE City some time ago. On his own, he was able to usher the ONE City declaration through the approval process and get it approved by the entire LA City Council. What a great example how one person can make a huge impact. A big thanks to Paul for all his efforts, and everyone else critical to this success.

I was doing an interview with a journalist yesterday and they asked me about what “What comes next for members of ONE in LA, was this event the end game?” The truth is no, and we don’t know exactly when the next Kerry-Lugar type bill will hit. But we know that ONE members and volunteers will be ready to make phone calls, write their leaders, and give a voice to the voiceless children in Africa. It was reiterated to me yesterday as I answered that question, that the members of ONE are the power of ONE. Whether it is volunteers raising awareness with local leaders at City Hall in Los Angeles, or ensuring that life-saving legislation is supported within the walls of Congress in Washington—the members of ONE are the power of ONE.

-Matt Higginson, LA ONE Field Organizer

I have some great news! After a lot of hard work from many different people, Los Angeles will be declared a “ONE City” by proclamation during a press conference on Tuesday April 7 at 9:30am. The best part is, everyone in the area is invited.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will hold a press conference on the steps of City Hall to declare his support for ONE and to declare LA as a “ONE City.” This is a historic event. LA is the 2nd largest city in the US, and every member of ONE should be proud of this accomplishment.

The strength of ONE extends to all levels of government, whether it be volunteers in Iowa attending campaign rallies, or municipal governments proclaiming their support for the MDG’s. ONE will continue to build the political will at all levels of government and across all partisan lines to ensure that fighting poverty and saving lives remains a priority for the U.S.

Come show your support for ONE and thank Mayor V. for adding his voice in the fight against extreme poverty and global disease: http://www.one.org/event/GeneralEvent/861

WHEN: Tuesday April 7, 9:30am
WHERE: LA City Hall – 200 N Spring St., Los Angeles CA 90012
WHO: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, fellow ONE members, & YOU!

RSVP here: http://www.one.org/event/GeneralEvent/861

Hope to see you there!

-Matt Higginson

WHEREAS, increasing our efforts will save millions of lives and improve the way America is seen throughout the world…”

-Mayor Ruth Asmundson. Davis, California

I saw it and now you can click here to see it too! Davis, California is now a City of ONE. Tuesday, March 10th I witnessed Mayor Ruth Asmundson make the proclamation to the City Council, Davis citizens, and UC Davis students. Prior to the city council meeting, the ONE Davis team expressed their gratitude to Mayor Asmundson for her support in acknowledging world poverty as a growing concern for the citizens of Davis. The students then used that ONE-on-ONE time to fill the Mayor in on part of their plans for their OCC final challenge.

As a ONE Campus Challenge top 10 school, UC Davis was awarded a $1,000 grant to organize a final project to raise global poverty awareness. The Mayor seemed very responsive to the students’ plans and told me she felt the students were sharp women and good leaders. I have to say, after seeing what they’ve been able to accomplish in a few short months, I couldn’t agree with the Mayor more. It was very exciting to see ONE Davis in action!

If you haven’t had the chance, go to the OCC site, look up your closest university or college, and support their efforts to end extreme poverty around the world!

Special thanks to UC Davis students, Davis Mayor Asmundson and the City Council for inviting me to the event. I look forward to seeing your final project at the end of the month!

-Roscoe Mapps, California Field Organizer

In celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the ONE Campaign Miami in partnership with CARE, Results and Oxfam International is proud to introduce Miami’s Stand Up to Make Poverty History Event, to be held at Bongos Cuban Café in Miami, Florida on October 16, 2008 beginning at 8 p.m.

As part of ONE’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and their initiatives in working with such problems in the world’s poorest countries, Stand Up, offers an opportunity to gather and learn about ways that we can make a difference together.

The evening will feature exciting live music, fair trade artisans, community networking and several information booths with resources from local organizations offering ways in which to become more involved, both locally and globally in addressing these issues.

With billions of people living on just dollars a day around the world, global poverty remains one of the greatest challenges and tragedies the international community faces. Join us as we Stand Up together in Miami to end global poverty.

-Sara J. Paterni

P.S. Check out this awesome video from Miami’s Stand Up event last year.

Compassion has flooded the hallways of Libertyville High School in Illinois. I and my fellow students are taking action for the fight against disease and poverty and today, on March 19, our school will become the first official “ONE High School” at the same time Libertyville becomes an official “ONE City.”

Next month, we’re organizing a massive community benefit concert that will take place on April 18, 2008 at the high school’s field house. Just like the roots of the ONE Campaign, this started as just a few students’ idea and has grown into a movement.

What inspires me the most is how quick more students are to join. Our group continues to grow and we’ve already signed up more than 580 new members in just two days of tabling. Between our school and town, the Libertyville community is truly taking on to the idea that we all can come together as ONE community to change the world.

-Ryan Steel, ONE member and LHS senior, Libertyville, IL

On Monday, October 15, Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas became the 123, 124, 125th “ONE Cities.”

While many may think of the Las Vegas Valley as “what happens here stays here” — Monday’s event proved otherwise. Our elected leaders stepped up to the plate and asked the over 2 million citizens of their respective cities to do the same.

Mayor Goodman of Las Vegas explained the reason he has become such an avid supporter, “I tell you that Las Vegas is a microcosm of the world – we welcome tourists and new residents from all over the world. We are doing our part today to add our collective voice to say enough is enough.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

-Megan Jones

Pictured above: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Clark County Commission Lawrence Weekly, Henderson Mayor Gibson, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce CEO Kara Kelley

On Tuesday, October 16th, the cities of Reno and Sparks in Nevada became “Cities of ONE.” Mayor Bob Cashell of Nevada and Mayor Geno Martini of Sparks met at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) to read their cities’ proclamations in front of about 50 people. I was honored to represent the ONE Campaign for the event.

Robin Mercer, ONE staff in Reno did a great job with the invitees.
Among the attendees were: (more…)

How does one find the words to express what came into fruition in Miami on October 13th? Was it amazing? No, we had the will; we knew we could do it. Was it magical? Well, there certainly was something very thrilling about taking the thread of an idea and weaving it into a reality.

About two months ago a group of ambitious ONEsters met on a weekly basis to plan what became a successful event for the eradication of poverty and the re-emergence of ONE Miami. Different teams worked on various aspects of the event, from advertising to entertainment. One thing that I found particularly striking, was all of the resources we have right here in our community. When you look at how quickly we were able to put this impressive event together, it makes you wonder what more we can do. What are the limits of our capabilities? Imagine if we all pooled our resources together, what positive changes we could make in the world. Do we have the will?

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