This Week’s Update at a Glance/Summary

1) September 2003 Legislative Education Notice (“LEN”): IV-D

2) Media Update: Bill O’Reilly Interviews Tommy Thompson USDHHS

3) Upcoming Meetings and Events

a. Note: Some Corrections from Last week

4) Individual Case Victories

September Legislative Education Notice: IV-D

Please find attached the 3^rd consecutive monthly letter for all legislators. CPR sends this to the entire MN legislative body. To print on one page, use the following margin set-up: top (.5), bottom (.3), left (.75), right (.5). Legislators continue to respond to these letters.

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM: We ask that YOU make two copies and send this September LED to YOUR two legislators. To find out who your senator and your representative is in your local area, call 651/296-2146, where you can also obtain the address. It is SIMPLE and QUICK, and only will cost you two postage stamps, but it makes a big difference towards family law reform. If you have not seen or sent the July and August LEN letter, please contact CPR and they can be emailed to you as well. Direct any questions to info@cpr-mn.org

Media Update: Bill O’Reilly Interviews Tommy Thompson USDHHS

On Wednesday October 1, 2003, Bill O-Reilly (oreilly@foxnews.com) interviewed Tommy Thompson, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The focus was deadbeat dads, especially as it relates to the recent capture of Francis Eugene Giberson. On the O-Reilly program, Mr. Thompson provided the typical propaganda that anyone who gets behind in their child support is a deadbeat. As a representative of the federal government, he also provided false information regarding the IV-D program. Mr. Thompson said “only a few” men have been in jail for non-support. We know there is more than a few in Minnesota alone. From what the media has provided, the facts are not out as to whether Mr. Giberson was a true deadbeat (i.e. had the money and didn’t pay) or if he was forced underground due to driver’s license suspension, unreasonable child support, inability to find work after his attorney license was suspended due to child support arrears, etc.

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM: We ask YOU to email Bill O’Reilly and let him know how the reality of the oppressive nature of the state/county child support system that tears your family apart, increases the animosity in the already fractured family, works against your family, and works against your ability as a father to have a relationship with your children. Tell Bill O’Reilly what was intended to be a child support enforcement program FOR the children is now working AGAINST the children.

If you want to write Mr. Giberson, he is at the Sherburne County Jail, 13880 Hwy 10, Elk River, MN 55330 (send a self-addressed stamped envelope).

Upcoming Meetings and Events

NEXT CPR GENERAL MEETING: Third Sunday of the Month. October 19, 2003, from 5pm-8pm at William Mitchell College of Law. Guest Speaker will be an attorney, talking about pro se and custody issues.
HOW TO LOBBY MEETING: Thursday October 9, 2003, 6:30-8:30pm. Meeting will take place in St. Paul. If you are interested, email Diane Anderson at gma@pro-ns.net, to let her know you will be there, and get specific directions.
CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINE HEARING: Tuesday October 28, 2003, from 10am – 12/1pm. 175 State Office Bldg – basement meeting room (across from the Capitol). If you are interested in testifying, email Diane Anderson at gma@pro-ns.net. We encourage you to attend to observe and start to learn what the legislative hearing process is all about.
FREE 30 MINUTES WITH AN ATTORNEY. Unique opportunity! Don’t miss this! Mini-Law clinic available, only for a few more weeks. Email info@cpr-mn.org if you are interested in a few 30 minutes with attorney. Provide your phone number to info@cpr-mn.org, and the attorney (Roxanne) will call you back to arrange a specific time convenient for both of you. This week her schedule will work best on Thursday October 9, 2003, noon – 5pm.
CPR Speaking at Local Jail to answer questions and provide education about child support, visitation, parenting time, and custody related issues. October 10, 2003.

For the Activist - Your ACTION ITEM: We ask YOU to attend as many different meetings as you find interesting. Information is power. The more you know, the more empowered you will be to make a difference.

Non-Custodial Parent’s Individual Victories/CPR Success

· Non-custodial dad, B.D. from Duluth received notice that his IV-D child support case has finally been CLOSED (after drivers license suspensions, contempt charges, incarceration, etc). He says “I finally have my life back.”

· Non-custodial mom, N.S. filed an appeals brief to challenge the Magistrate’s finding that she was voluntarily underemployed, even though she has been on unemployment and actively seeking work. She says “If I can win this appeal and prevent the court from falsely accusing non-custodial parents of being voluntarily underemployed, maybe we can reduce the unfair practice of imputing income.”

· Non-custodial dad, C.H. was approached unexpectedly by the mother of his child (paternity action) after the NCP filed for an appeal – the custodial mother is now interested in working together to arrive at some sort of settlement.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL ALONG TO ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT (or anyone else who is concerned for the non-custodial parent) WHO YOU THINK IS EFFECTED OR INTERESTED IN HELPING TO REFORM FAMILY LAW AND ANY NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN THEIR FAMILY LAW CASE. WE WELCOME YOUR PARTICIPATION AND WE NEED ALL INTERESTED NAMES AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN TO ORGANIZE AND MOBALIZE TO ACHIEVE THE GRASS ROOTS REFORM NEEDED.

You are receiving this email from CPR-MN because you have indicated interest in the group. If you would like to discontinue receiving these emails, please reply with "unsubscribe" in the email subject and your name will be removed from our list immediately. CPR-MN holds their membership information as very private information and will only use information for internal and informational purposes.