Friends, I spoke with Manuel Contreras at the HELP Cmte this morning about the Senate resolution recognizing AEFL Week. The good news: Senators Murray and Alexander will take the lead as sponsors. The following have signed on as cosponsors: Richard Durbin (D - IL) Thad Cochran (R - MS) Susan Collins (R - ME) Joe Donnelly (D - IN) Christopher Murphy (D - CT) The bad news: The resolution won't be introduced until Monday, though it will be introduced first thing. This is a strategic decision by HELP staff within the larger context of the fraught healthcare context this week. So my plan of action, given Senator Cochran's sign-on as cosponsor, is as follows: - Send out the announcement about the four Literacy Leadership Awards today - Communicate privately with Cochran's staff about the special recognition today/tomorrow - Announce the resolution on Monday morning when I get the go-ahead from Manuel - Send out a separate announcement about the Cochran special recognition next week Let me know immediately if you have any objections to this plan. I have to say, I never anticipated having this much fun when I agreed to be your president. Deborah