Released on = June 11, 2007, 6:53 am

Press Release Author = Joel S. Hirschhorn, Friends of the Article V Convention
National Press Secretary, media@foavc.org,

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = National campaign begins to force Congress to give Americans
the first Article V convention to propose constitutional amendments.

Press Release Body = In letters to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid the newly formed national organization Friends of the
Article V Convention declared its challenge to Congress. "The time has come to stop
playing games with the U.S. Constitution and respect the rights of Americans," said
FOAVC founder and National Press Secretary Joel S. Hirschhorn, a former senior
congressional staffer.

FOAVC told Pelosi and Reid that Congress has a legal obligation to call a convention
and that it is initiating a national campaign to build public pressure on Congress
for a convention. \"The one and only requirement specified in Article V for a
convention is that two-thirds of state legislatures apply for a convention. With
over 500 applications from all 50 states on record with the Congress that sole
requirement has been more than met. Congress has never passed any law to expand or
further specify requirements for an Article V convention, meaning the language in
Article V prevails," said FOAVC.

"Congress has cheated Americans by not obeying Article V of the Constitution.
Members of Congress are violating their oath of office to faithfully obey the
Constitution," said Hirschhorn, "and we must hold them accountable."

"Members of Congress seem more effective as lawbreakers than lawmakers," added
California congressional candidate Byron De Lear and an FOAVC founder. "If Congress
can silently and unilaterally ignore or veto one part of the Constitution, then it
can disobey any part of it," said De Lear.

Thomas E. Brennan, former Chief Justice, State of Michigan, and an FOAVC founder has
said publicly that a convention "is necessary, desirable, and feasible." The
convention option "is to be taken seriously.it is not a joke, nor an illusion. It
would bring a new, responsible dimension to American politics," said Brennan.

"Operating outside the control of the federal government convention delegates could,
like members of Congress, consider any constitutional amendments they deem necessary
to address unresolved national problems - and that's what frightens politicians,"
noted Hirschhorn.

De Lear said, "Congress can't have it both ways. Give Americans its first Article V
convention or propose a constitutional amendment to remove the convention option."
FOAVC reminded Pelosi and Reid that Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower
supported use of the convention option. "Sadly, no current Democratic or Republican
presidential candidate has done likewise, especially mavericks like Dennis Kucinich,
Mike Gravel and 'champion of the Constitution' Ron Paul," noted De Lear.

The non-partisan FOAVC at www.foavc.org urges Americans and state legislatures to
demand that Congress obey the Constitution, respect states' rights, and announce the
first Article V convention. FOAVC does not support any specific constitutional
amendment, though it invites groups advocating specific reforms that might be
achieved through amendments to become Affiliate Members.


Web Site = http://www.foavc.org

Contact Details = Friends Of the Article V Convention
P.O. BOX 1242
Auburn , WA 98071-1242
E-Mail: media@FOAVC.org
http://www.FOAVC.org