Congressmember Chris Chocola:
100 Suite East Wayne Street
South Bend, IN 46601

Dear Rep. Chocola:

We hope that you and your family are well. We hope that you and not just your computer will look at this letter. We were impressed this week by a quote from President Bush. It went as follows:

"I oppose using federal money to destroy life."

There seems to be a huge disconnect with the way he, with your approval, is directing the Iraq war budget, which has now cost over $173 billion dollars. It has more importantly cost the lives of over l600 American troops, over l50 Coalition troops and over 20,000 civilians. There are over 12,000 US wounded. And it goes on as we know to expect from all the former wars. This war is an expensive horrible failure.

Peace would be cheaper and more consistent with the president’s proclamation above.

We urge you to explore the disconnect between the perception of being for life because you oppose the killing of embryos and blastocysts and the reality of the killing you are promoting in the world.

On this Memorial Day we wish to honor veterans by working towards no more war.

Sincerely yours,

Ellyn Stecker and Peter Smith for the Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition