Senators: Please help our neighbors

EDITOR’S NOTE: The author has submitted this letter to U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Dear Senator:

I write as a constituent, person of faith, and a volunteer with Catholic Relief Services. My congressman, Eliot Engel, introduced H.R. 2615, the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, which recently passed in the House and has been referred to the Senate.

I urge you to become a co-sponsor of this effort in the Senate. We will never be able to deal with the crisis at the border without understanding its root causes. This legislation attempts to do just that, requiring investigation and analysis of the situation on the ground in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Civil society and the rule of law are breaking down, legitimate authorities are compromised and ineffective, and gender-based and gang violence are rampant. Climate change is affecting crops and livelihoods.

I reiterate that I strongly urge you to sponsor this legislation in the Senate. As with any issue, serious research and examination are needed to develop real, genuine and long-lasting humane solutions.

I look forward to hearing from your office as soon as possible.

Lois Harr

Have an opinion? Share your thoughts as a letter to the editor. Make your submission to letters@riverdalepress.com. Please include your full name, phone number (for verification purposes only), and home address (which will not be published).