March features units choice. Please check with your unit chair. March
also brings the meeting on D.C. drinking water March 24. Special thanks to D.C. members of
the NCA Water Task Force: June Duke, Myles Glasgow and Geri Albers.
February was a short, but action packed month. Thanks to hosts Madlyn
Calbert and Constance Tate, the D.C. League was well represented in the attendance, and
acknowledged at the 74th Annual Black History Month Luncheon sponsored by the Association
for the Study of Afro-American Life and History on February 6th. Baltimore mayor Kurt
Schmoke focused our attention on education and brought with him an impressive group of
teachers and students who are making a difference in his city.
The following day, Feb. 7 the Trinity Unit hosted their first
coffeehouse fundraiser.
The unit met on February 9 and decided to focus their "unit's
choice" on the issue of Welfare (March 16, 9pm Cuvilly Hall).
February 9 saw a very informative discussion on the International
Criminal Court, led by Monroe Leigh and John Washburn, two attorneys with extensive
experience negotiating rules and procedures for the ICC. We cosponsored this meeting with
UNA/NCA.
February 12 and 13, leading legal minds from around the country
gathered to discuss "Campaign Finance as a Civil Rights Issue" at Howard's
School of Law. Campaign Finance has been a major issue for the League and members from as
far as Florida and Michigan came to share their experiences. Tallahassee leaguer, Anita
Davis, who raised $125,000 for her election campaign, earned 40% of the vote, but lost to
the candidate who raised $980,000. Others asked are we a democracy or a plutocracy? When a
candidate receives most of her contributions from outside of her jurisdiction, who will
influence her the most? Her constituents or her contributors? The conference coincided the
Public Campaign's web publication of "The Color of Money"
(www.publicampaign.org) tel: 202-293-0222.
Lively discussion developed around the issue of D.C. voting rights and
attendees signed the Coalition petition. Dean Alice Bullock who co-hosted the conference
with John Bonifaz of the National Voting Rights Institute (NVRI), promised to make the
meeting an annual event. For conference proceedings: 617368-9100, email:
nvri@world.std.com) Howard students who facilitated the meeting are planning a symposium
on D.C. Statehood on March 31, 5-10 p.m. (contact Talib Karim, NBA 202-737-4116 email: tkarim@bellantic.net ) Luci Murphy
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Mar 3 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., LWVDC Board Meeting, LWVUS, 1730 M
Street, NW
Mar 9 (Tue), Deadline DC Voter: April/Annual Mtg
Mar 9 (Tue) noon, Unit Council, LWVDC, 1234 Mass. Ave., NW
Mar 10 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., Education Committee, LWVDC
Mar 10 (Wed) noon, I.R. Great Decisions: NATO, noon LWVUS, Goodman Room, see below
Mar 16-18, Units: Units' Choice, see unit calendar
Mar 17 (Wed) 11:00 a.m., I.R. Open Mtg: U.S.-U.N. Relations, LWVUS, Board Room, see below
Mar 19 (Fri), April Voter Mailing
Mar 31 (Wed) noon, I.R. Great Decisions: Japan, LWVUS, Goodman Room, see below
LWV/NCA
Mar 5 (Fri) 10:00 a.m., NCA Board Meeting, LWVUS, 1730 M Street, NW
Mar 24 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., General Mtg: NCA Water Resources, Sumner School, see below
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General Meeting:
Future of the Drinking Water Supply in Washington, D.C.
March 24, 1999 10:00 a.m. Noon
Sumner School Lecture Hall
1201 Seventeenth Street NW (at M Street)
Joy Hecht and Robert Perry, co-chairs of the LWV/NCA
Eric Hagen and Roland Steiner, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
An insert included with this Voter provides
background for this forum. See also NCA notes
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Chevy Chase, Call for address, Barbara Luchs, 202/347-3020, Mar 17 (Wed) 9:45
a.m.
Northeast Day, Woodridge Library, 18th & Benning Road, Mar 18 (Thu) 12:45 p.m.
Northwest Day, Iona House, Jeannette Miller, 202/347-3020, Mar 16 (Tue) 1:00 p.m.
Northwest Eve, Call for address, Geri Albers, 202/347-3020,
Mar 18 (Thu) 7:30 p.m.
Southwest, Call for address, Phoebe Layton, 202/347-3020, Mar 16 (Tue) 9:45
a.m.
Trinity, Trinity College Cuvilly Hall, Stephanie Dorko, 2021347-3020, Mar 16 (Tue)
9:00 p.m.
Upper 16th St., Call for address, Johnetta Kelly, 202/347-3020, Mar 17 (Wed) 9:45
a.m.
March Units are Units' Choice: Getting to Know Elected Officials
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Welcome new members: Jacqueline Jones, Ernest Lent. Welcome back: Lucinda
Dennis.
Thanks to those who donated to LWVDC or LWVDC Ed Fund: Lucinda Dennis, Jean
Fleming, Kelly Young.
Bed & Breakfast Hosts and Hostesses needed:
If you have an extra room that could be used occasionally by LWV members from outside
D.C. when they are in town, please call Jacqueline Russler at 202/347-3020.
This is not only a great service to League members, but serves as a fund-raiser for the
D.C. League and allows you to connect with other Leaguers!
D.C. Council Observer Wanted:
LWVDC is in need of persons to observe D.C. City Council. The individuals should be
able to report in writing observed actions taken and recommendations. If you want to see
better citizen participation in government, please call or write Anna Marsh,
Vice-President for Local program, at 202/347-3020.
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Trinity College Unit held a coffeehouse evening fund-raiser on Sunday,
February 7 in the college Pub. The event attracted a variety of guests and performers from
both Trinity and the community. Performers ranged from poets to actors to singers and even
featured a sing-along segment. League president Luci Murphy and her daughter, Topaz Terry
(a Trinity student), were among those performers.
The event was a great success and raised over $60.00 for membership
dues. An extra thank you goes to Jenn Kletter, the Trinity student who planned and
organized the entire event. Be on the lookout for upcoming coffeehouses at Trinity!
Stephanie Dorko, Trinity Unit Chair
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January's Chicago Voter reports on a "Future Voter"
program in their public schools. This program includes school-wide campaigns, mock party
conventions, mock debates, visits with notable elected officials and civic leaders, and
field trips. Eight flexible modules were designed by the Chicago League with help from
consultant Lisa January.
The February Bulletin of the LWV-Arlington (VA) encloses their Housing Study
Committee's extensive report, complete with regional (Washington Metropolitan Area) data
as well as information specifically concerning Arlington County.
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At the next meeting of the Education Committee, Marlene Berlin will lead a discussion
on the special education services of the D.C. Public Schools. All are welcome Wednesday,
March 10 at the D.C. League office. At the last meeting we agreed on activities for the
coming year. Kathy Schmidt, Chair
Next Meeting: "Special Education," March 10, 10:00 a.m., LWVDC.
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Open Meeting on U.S.-U.N. Relations March 17: All members are
invited to another open committee meeting on "U.S.-U.N. Relations: Outlook for Work
in the 106th Congress," on Wednesday, March 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (brown
bag). Our speakers will be Zarrin Caldwell, Assistant Director for Research, United
Nations Association of the U.S., and Jee Hang Lee, lobbyist on U.N. makers for LWVUS.
Zarrin covers Capitol Hill as the principal reporter for the UNA/USA's new on-line
publication, Washington Report. Jee Hang is relatively recently arrived at LWVUS
where he also lobbies on the campaign finance reform issue a busy man. We will meet
in the Board Room at LWVUS, 1730 M Street, NW (Metro: Farragut North). Join us for some
special insights into Capitol Hill's take on the U.N. and what the League hopes to do to
remedy the arrears problem. For information, call Sheila Keeny (202/347-3020).
LWVUS Supports U.N. Funding as 1999 Legislative Priority: As
reported elsewhere in this DC Voter, the LWVUS Board at its January meeting again
adopted support for full funding of the U.N. as a level-two priority (after Making
Democracy Work) in its legislative agenda for the 106th Congress. This means funding not
only for U.S. annual dues for the U.N.'s regular biennial budget and peacekeeping
requirements but also for paying accumulated arrears of over $1 billion which the U.S.
owes the U.N. These arrears originate in regular budget assessments from the past with
which the U.S. disagreed as well as the costs of peacekeeping operations for which we
voted in the Security Council but have failed to support financially.
But no Position on the International Criminal Court:
Although the League will also support the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, it has no
position on the International Criminal Court, subject of a standing room only meeting
sponsored by the LWVDC, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area and
the American Bar Association on February 9. The enclosed summary of
the speakers' presentations provides important background information on the Court
which will be discussed at Unit Meetings on "U.N. Treaties in Trouble" scheduled
for April. President Luci Murphy, in thanking our outstanding speakers, seized the
opportunity to urge all those present to sign our petition to Congress regarding D.C.
voting representation in Congress, noting that the right to representation is a human
right enshrined in various U. N. human rights declarations and covenants to which the U.S.
is a party.
Great Decisions: March schedule The Great Decisions
discussion group will meet on March 10 (Wednesday) to discuss "NATO
Enlargement," with Coralie Farlee leading the discussion, and again on March 31
(Wednesday) when Evelyn Falkowski will lead our discussion of "Japan in Crisis."
We meet in the Rosalie Goodman Room at LWVUS Headquarters, 1730 M St., from 11:00 a.m. to
1:00 p.m. Guests and visitors are welcome; call Janet Burmester at 202/3473020 for
information. Sheila Keeny, Chair
I.R. Committee Meetings:
March 17: Brown Bag on U.S.-U.N. Relations, LWVUS.
March 10: Great Decisions: NATO, LWVUS.
March 31: Great Decisions: ''Japan in Crisis," LWVUS.
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As we go to press, we anticipate a major article in the spring issue of
the National Voter relating to Making Democracy Work for real in the
District, namely, the lawsuit being pursued by Covington & Burling to remedy our lack
of voting representation in Congress. We will all read the article with great interest. I
note here that informational material submitted to the Coalition has been finalized (fact
sheet, Q&A package, and chronology). Below Kathy Schmidt brings you up to date on the
Coalition for D.C. Representation in Congress:
The Coalition for D.C. Representation in Congress continues to seek
redress in the District to seek redress for the citizens of the District of Columbia.
Along with the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia, organizations which
have indicated support for the coalition are the League of Women Voters of the United
States, Foundry Methodist Church, D.C. League of Republican Women, American Civil
Liberties Union, Americans for Democratic Action, American Veterans Committee as well as
several groups which have indicated interest but have not yet completed forms.
The mission of the Coalition for D.C. Representation in Congress
Education Fund is to educate the public and the Congress of the United States about the
need for citizens of the District of Columbia to enjoy full voting representation in the
U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The Coalition brings together any and
all organizations, citizens, and other supporters of the principles enumerated in the
Constitution that guarantee democratic representation of all citizens and assert the
principle of "one person one vote." The Coalition is open to all who wish to
pursue those goals through non-violent means and with respect for all other members of the
Coalition. Barbara Yeomans and Kathy Schmidt
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As I have reported earlier, the 1997 D.C. Revitalization Legislation
(see our "ABC's...XYZ's" publication) required a study on "...correctional
privatization, including a review of relevant research and related legal issues, and
comparative analysis of the cost effectiveness and feasibility of private sector and
Federal, State, and local governmental operation of prisons and corrections programs at
all security levels." I have obtained a copy of the report submitted to Congress in
1998, via letter from the Acting Attorney General Sutin to Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin
Hatch. The report was prepared by Abt Associates Inc., titled "Private Prisons in the
United States, An Assessment of Current Practice." The report and cover letter are
filed in the general program files under "Criminal Justice."
It is clear from the cover letter that more research is needed.
Following are some salient points from the cover letter:
- "...the Abt study concludes that there is not yet sufficient information to allow
confident conclusions concerning whether the cost and quality of operations in private
prisons is lower, higher, or equivalent to that of public sector prisons."
- Abt's review of earlier research and studies indicate that "to date all such
studies have been methodologically flawed."
- The short time allowed for the report (effectively less than one year) precluded Justice
from undertaking the sort of primary research that is necessary to fully understand the
nature of private prison operations regarding a variety of important issues (e.g., types
of programs available to prepare inmates for release). Additionally, the time constraint
meant that the Abt study had to be selective in order to meet the reporting deadline.
- "Few would disagree that the potential cost savings that may result from
privatization would not justify creating substantial threats to public safety or wholesale
failure to prepare offenders for what hopefully will be a crime-free return to the
community after release from prison."
- "The available data reported in this study suggests that the private sector has
very limited experience with 'high' or 'maximum' security inmates."
- Even though legal issues associated with privatization can be averted, "...the
potential for serious problems remains when inmates are transferred to privately-operated
facilities outside the custodial jurisdiction..." This is because the facility is
subject to the laws and regulation of the state or jurisdiction where located. Yet state
or local jurisdiction is not a party to the contract with the operator. "Thus, the
two sources of control ordinarily available to public agencies who contract for private
prison bed space (legislative/regulatory and contracting) are somewhat compromised when
inmates are housed in facilities in other jurisdictions."
Barbara Yeomans
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President: Naomi Glass, 202/686-0124.
Editor: Forest Williams, 301/552-1681. email: forestwill@aol.com
The NCA Water Supply Task Force has just completed its study of the adequacy of the Potomac River water supply to
meet the needs of the Washington metropolitan area in the 21st Century. While a severe
drought may not deplete our stored water supplies until 2035, such a drought could require
water-use restrictions as early as the next decade. The study reviews a number of
strategies for responding to this threat, including conservation, construction of new
reservoirs, and recycling the effluent from Blue Plains. The task force does not
prioritize those options, but recommends a region-wide public process through which they
can be analyzed and a consensus reached about the appropriate choice.
At the February 5 meeting of the NCA Board, task force co-chairs Bob
Perry and Joy Hecht presented the report and the group's hopes for follow-up. The task
force in interested in joining the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in a
League/COG partnership to facilitate the region-wide process to address water supply
issues identified in the study. Such a process around the water supply issue might be the
start of an ongoing partnership between League and COG to foster regional discussion of
other questions, such as transportation and land use. The Board unanimously favored such
cooperation. The report provides background for unit meetings and general meetings of
member leagues. Check your League's program schedule. Contact Bob Perry, 703/534-5421.
Funds needed. Printing and distributing the Water Resources
report will take a big bite out of our bank account. Printing 500 copies and mailing
several hundred will cost about $ 1,300.00. Contributions to help defray the costs will be
much appreciated and allow us to continue sponsoring such valuable pursuits. Make checks
payable to NCA (or to NCA Education Fund, for tax-deductibility) and send to Treasurer
Beryle Lednicer, 826 Bowie Road, Rockville, MD 20852.
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Because of the weather-imposed Board-meeting cancellations in January,
approval of the Award rule was delayed until February 5. Member leagues have since been
formally invited to submit applications by March 20. The Award will be presented at NCA
Council (May 8). Contact Pat Dougherty, 301/983-4916.
The NCA Roundtable's first meeting was January 22. We are making lists
of objectives, including problems and questions that we want to resolve. Next meeting:
February 19, at LWVUS, 10:00 a.m. for everyone with membership responsibilities,
resources, and interests. Main topic: retaining members. Contact: Forest Williams,
301/552-1681.
Our convention, on May 8, will be held at Channel Inn on the scenic
D.C. waterfront. $20.00 per person. Details later. Contact: Mary Elizabeth Gordon,
703/280-5186.
Next NCA Board meeting, March 5. Interested members invited; to
propose an agenda item, call Naomi, 202/686- 0124.
Dates to remember:
March 5 Board Meeting, LWVUS, 1730 M Street, NW
March 20 Naumann Award Applications Deadline, see
above
May 8 Convention, Channel Inn, SW D.C. (details to follow)
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DC Council, 441 4th Street, NW, 20001. Directory 1999:
Council Period Thirteen
Serving |
Name |
Room # |
Phone |
Fax |
Party |
Assistant |
Chair |
Linda Cropp |
Room 704 |
724-8032 |
724-8085 |
Democrat |
William Rumsey, Jr. |
At-Large |
Harold Brazil |
Room 701 |
724-8174 |
724-8105 |
Democrat |
|
At-Large |
Carol Schwartz |
Room 706 |
724-8105 |
724-8071 |
Republican |
Jacques Rondeau |
At-Large |
David A. Catania |
Room 712 |
724-7772 |
724-8087 |
Republican |
Joshua Dunkelman |
At-Large |
Phil Mendelson |
Room 720 |
724-8064 |
724-8099 |
Democrat |
Chris Weiss |
Ward 1 |
Phil Graham |
Room 718 |
724-8181 |
724-8109 |
Democrat |
Twanna Clark |
Ward 2 |
Jack Evans |
Room 703 |
724-8058 |
724-8023 |
Democrat |
John Ralls |
Ward 3 |
Kathleen Patterson |
Room 709 |
724-8062 |
724-8118 |
Democrat |
JoAnne Ginsberg |
Ward 4 |
Charlene Drew Jarvis |
Room 708 |
724-8052 |
724-8120 |
Democrat |
Audrey Duff |
Ward 5 |
Vincent B. Orange, Jr. |
Room 702 |
724-8028 |
724-8076 |
Democrat |
Esteil Mathis-Lloyd |
Ward 6 |
Sharon Ambrose |
Room 710 |
724-8072 |
724-8054 |
Democrat |
Marge Francese |
Ward 7 |
Kevin P. Chavous |
Room 705 |
724-8068 |
724-8097 |
Democrat |
Denise Reed |
Ward 8 |
Sandra Allen |
Room 707 |
724-8045 |
724-8055 |
Democrat |
Ron Dennis |
Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary |
Phyllis Jones |
Room 716 |
724-8080 |
724-3070 |
|
|
Counsel |
Charlotte Brookins-Hudson |
Room 711 |
724-8026 |
724-8129 |
|
|
Budget |
Artie Blitzstein |
Room 971 |
724-8139 |
724-7819 |
|
|
Committees:
Committee |
Room |
Phone |
Chair |
Members |
Clerk |
Consumer and Regulatory Affairs |
Room 710 |
724-8072 |
Ambrose |
Allen, Brazil, Catania, Graham |
Ester Bush |
Economic Development |
Room 708 |
724-8152 |
Jarvis |
Brazil, Chavous, Evans, Orange |
John McGaw |
Education, Libraries, and Recreation |
Room 705 |
724-8068 |
Chavous |
Ambrose, Mendelson, Pattterson, Schwartz |
Jerry Johnson |
Finance and Revenue |
Room 703 |
724-8058 |
Evans |
Brazil, Chavous, Jarvis, Patterson |
Lyle Blanchard |
Government Operations |
Room 709 |
724-7808 |
Patterson |
Ambrose, Catania, Jarvis, Schwartz |
Jason Juffras |
Human Services |
Room 707 |
724-8045 |
Allen |
Catania, Mendelson, Patterson, Schwartz |
D. Hunger |
Judiciary |
Room 701 |
724-8116 |
Brazil |
Ambrose, Chavous, Evans, Orange |
Jim Abely |
Local and Regional Affairs |
Room 712 |
724-8900 |
Catania |
Allen, Graham, Mendelson, Orange |
Kathy Sternberg |
Public Works and Environment |
Room 706 |
724-8271 |
Schwartz |
Allen, Evans, Graham, Orange |
Adam Maier |
Committee of the Whole |
Room 704 |
724-8196 |
Cropp |
All Members fo the Council |
Christopher Murray |
For information on legislation, call Legislative Services, 724-8050
For Calendar of the Week 24-hour updates, call 724-8554
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Extracted from an early February report by Eleanor Revelle, Chair, LWVUS Program
Committee
The LWVUS legislative priorities for 1999 are:
- Level One (i.e., central to Making Democracy Work [MDW])
- Campaign Finance Reform
- Enhancing Voter Participation
- Protecting the national Voter Registration Act,
- Voter participation initiatives,
- Voting representation for the District of Columbia;
- Level Two (non-MDW areas)
- The Patients' Bill of Rights
- United Nations Funding
- Global Warming/Clean Air
With respect to the D.C. representation issue, LWVUS does not expect
legislative action in this session; however, other political strategies are to be pursued
to advance this issue. On the other hand we recall interest in hearings in the last
session. We will be following the matter of hearings closely.
LWVUS will maintain the flexibility to take action in any program area
should circumstances and needs change. In particular, LWVUS will be alert to opportunities
for action on a limited number of other key issues, e.g., Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
LWVUS has already signed on to a letter to President Clinton urging him to redouble his
efforts to secure Senate approval of the CTBT. LWVUS is an active member of two coalitions
of arms control and peace groups the Monday Lobby Group Organization and the
Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Danger. (Recall my report in the February issue concerning the
reasons for the decision not to endorse the Abolition 2000 campaign.)
The Board report also noted that LWVUS joined in a letter to President
Clinton in December urging greater investment in initiatives essential to the well-being
of the American people investment in education, meeting human needs,
infrastructure, environmental protection, and research and development. At this time
National has no plans to examine, and make a statement on, the proposed defense budget.
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The official call is out. Council is held in the year between
conventions, and typically in Washington, D.C. This year it is to be held June 12-14 at
the Marriott Metro Center Hotel, 775 12th St., NW. Per LWVUS Bylaws, Article X, Section 4,
the purposes of Council are: "give guidance to the national board on program and
methods of work, adopt a budget, and transact such other business as shall be presented by
the national board." LWVDC is entitled to send two voting delegates, plus other
participants. Determination of the delegation will be made in due course. Stay tuned.
Barbara T. Yeomans, 3rd Vice-President (National Program)
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To join the DC League of Women Voters, print out the membership
form and mail it to LWVDC, 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005
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Freedom Plaza. March 21, 1999, 2:00 4:00 p.m.
Rally promoting self-determination for District residents and focusing
attention on the ballots concerning Initiative 59, legally cast by D.C. residents in last
fall's General Election and still uncounted due to U.S. Congressional funds restrictions.
For more information, call Wayne Turner, 202/547-9404, or Arthur Spitzer, 202/457-0800.
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Howard University School of Law, March 31, 1999. 5:00 10:00 p.m., Call Talib
Karim, 202/737-4116 for more information.
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The DC Voter is a monthly publication of the League of Women
Voters of the District of Columbia. It is available either through membership
($40.00/year) or through direct subscription ($10.00 per year). President, Luci Murphy,
Treasurer, Naomi Glass; Editor, Virginia Spatz (email: vspatz@access.digex.net).
LWVDC, 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. 202/347-3020. Fax:
202/347-2522.
Website: http://www.capaccess.org/lwvdc
E-mail: voters1@capaccess.org.
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