Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship

To recognize Arab-American students who excel in Media Studies.

Amount: $1000

Juniors, Seniors, or Graduate Students. Must be attending college in the 2008-09 academic year. Must be majoring in Mass Communications, Journalism, Radio, Television, and/or Film. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen of Arab heritage.

Applicants should send the following to the ADC Research Institute: A one-page statement stating that you are a US citizen, explaining your goals and why you merit the scholarship. Copies of articles, videos, films, etc. Official academic transcripts including your GPA. Two letters of recommendation from Mass Communications professors. Permanent home address, phone number, email address; also address, phone number, and email address during the school year.

Deadline: April 1, 2009

Awards will be announced and presented during ADC's Annual Convention in Washington, DC.

Send materials to: Attn: Nawar Shora ADC Research Institute (ADCRI) 1732 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington, DC 20007 Tel: 202-244-2990 Fax: 202-244-7968

AAI Summer Internships

This summer, The Arab American Institute (AAI) will place interns in Washington in the Communications and Government Relations Departments, as well as with advocacy groups, government agencies, the national political parties, and organizations that focus on Middle Eastern affairs. The deadline for AAI's summer internship program is coming up fast. Applications must be received by April 9. Click here for the complete details, including how to apply online.

National Call-in Day

Tell Virginia Senators to Give Cluster Bombs the Boot!

Monday, March 30th

Call toll free: 1-800-590-6313

On Monday, March 30, make a free phone call to help save lives and limbs. Call your senators at 1-800-590-6313 and urge them to co-sponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2009 (S. 416), a bill that would ban the use of cluster bombs.

Two weeks ago, Congress and the president permanently outlawed exports of nearly all U.S. cluster bombs. Now, we need to take the next step and make sure the U.S. never again uses its vast arsenal of these weapons, which always end up harming more civilians than soldiers. Right now, 24 senators support S. 416. Your call can help increase this number by getting Senators Warner and Webb onboard—so far, neither one is a cosponsor. Growing co-sponsorship will show President Obama that he has the support he needs to sign the new global treaty banning these weapons and send it to the Senate for ratification.

Take Action: On March 30th, call toll free 1-800-590-6313, which will redirect you to the Capitol Switchboard. Ask for your senator’s office. Once you reach someone in the senator's office, identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak to the legislative assistant who deals with foreign or military policy issues. If that person is not available, either give the below information to the receptionist or ask for the legislative aide’s answering machine and leave your message there.

Suggested talking points for your call:
· My name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY, STATE]. Thanks for taking my call.
· I am calling to encourage Senator [NAME] to cosponsor S. 416, the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act.
· Senator [NAME’s] co-sponsorship of this bill will help align U.S. policy with that of our closest NATO allies and ensure that we no longer use weapons that are known to have a record of killing more civilians than soldiers.
· Will co-sponsorship of this bill be possible? (Give or leave your phone number if you would like a call back.)

Tell your friends and family about the call in day. To learn more about cluster bombs, visit http://www.fcnl.org/weapons/mar30_more_info.htm

Virginia Democrats Grassroots Rally

Join the rally with Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Dick Cranwell to kick-off the 2009 campaign season and to show the strength and excitement for all of our great candidates.

Saturday, March 28th, 11:00 am

Mason District Park
6621 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003

Please RSVP: http://www.vademocrats.org/page/s/CampaignKickOff
804.644.1966 x237

Congressman Keith Ellison and Congressman Brian Baird's Gaza Video

Tuesday, March 17 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

North Orientation Theater
Congressional Visitor Center
Washington

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) will hold a screening and discussion of his video on Gaza along with Congressman Brian Baird (D-CA.) Both Congressman recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. They were the first Members of Congress to travel to Gaza in almost three years. Using first hand footage filmed while there, they created a 45-minute video.

An rsvp is required and bags will be searched upon entry into the Congressional Visitor Center.

Please rsvp@adc.org by 5pm March 16

Hillary Clinton Offers Handshake of Friendship to Syria

Check it out here