Write your senator!

If you could, would you do something that would help lower child mortality rates, improve health in impoverished nations, and help curb poverty? If there was the opportunity to help prevent some deadly diseases from spreading, would you take advantage? 

Nearly 900 million people living in the world lack access to clean water. Nearly 2.5 billion lack access to proper sanitation. This is a leading cause of diseases spreading, malnutrition, and the inability to grow crops. 

How valuable is clean water? Reflect for a moment on your own life on how much clean water you use in the average day. Showers, laundry, refreshment, just three of the many uses of water for all of us in a given span of 24 hours. The lack of clean water makes living conditions tough for anyone who has had to go without for even a short period in the Western World. As my grandfather used to say "water is precious, don't take it for granted." 

Currently in the US Senate, a bill has been proposed to bring access to clean water to nearly 100 million people. While it will not solve the problem completely, it will help. To get to the floor of the Senate, this bill still needs co-sponsors, as well as strong minded Senators to vote for the bill to move to the House of Representatives. 

Below is a copy of the letter that I sent to Senator Stabenow and Senator Levin. I'd encourage any of you reading to do the same and consider asking your family and friends to write their Senator to encourage them to support this effort.

Want to help the world and fight terrorism at the same time? Get more people clean water. It will build bridges.

Dear Senator Levin,

Clean water is one of the most vital, precious commodities in all the world. As someone fortunate enough to come from the Great Lakes State, I cannot fathom a life without plenty of water for so many purposes. We’re blessed to be from a state where we have plenty of access for cleaning, drinking, and recreation purposes. 

One issue going on in our complicated world that concerns me greatly is the lack of access to clean water for so many of the human beings around the world. Geography prevents some from enjoying something we take for granted - clean, fresh water. Hundreds of millions of people just like us lack access to the most basic, most necessary resource on the planet. 

I’m pleased to read news of a bill that could be introduced in the United States Senate. The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, which is co-sponsored by Senators Durbin and Corker will help provide access to clean water for nearly 100 million people. While it will not solve the problem completely, it will go a long way to make an impact on so many in underdeveloped countries. 

Efforts such as this, to help those from around the world who share our common humanity will help create partnerships with nations and improve the view of the United States among members of the world community. As residents of a state so rich in access to clean water, I’m confident you agree this measure is worthwhile. 

It is my hope that you will support this bill as strongly as possible by both considering co-sponsoring and voting for the measure when it comes before the Senate.

I’m grateful for your time,

John C. Bernia Jr. 

Oxford, Michigan