INTERNATURALLY NUDIST NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

House Bill 158 would amend Virginia state law
to prohibit nude youth camps of the type sponsored
by the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

NAC is asking that you:
  1) contact the members of Senate Education and Health Committee
  2) attend the Senate committee hearing for the bill on March 4, 2004.

BACKGROUND
This situation is the latest in an ongoing series of repercussions that can be traced to a New York Times newspaper article published this past summer.  The promotional article, which featured details of an AANR nude youth camp in Florida, ignited a fierce backlash among conservative pundits and Republican lawmakers, the most notable of whom was Congressman Mark Foley of Florida.
House Bill 158 was introduced by Virginia Delegate John S. "Jack" Reid (R-Richmond) Reid's measure would deny an operating license to "the owner or lessee of any hotel, summer camp or campground in this Commonwealth that maintains, or conducts as any part of its activities, a nudist camp for juveniles.  A 'nudist camp for juveniles' is defined to be a hotel, summer camp or campground that is attended by openly nude juveniles whose parents or legal guardians are not in attendance."
After its introduction, the bill was amended slightly to allow grandparents on the list of those who, by their presence, could qualify a child for participation in a nude youth camp.
The bill was given a House subcommittee hearing before being passed without a "No" vote in a House committee chaired by Del.  Reid himself. From there, HB 158 went to the floor of the House, where it was passed by a vote of 98-1. The lone dissenting voter believed the bill wasn't tough enough!

WHAT IS NAC DOING?
The Naturist Action Committee has engaged in dialog with Virginia lawmakers and legislative staff concerning this matter. NAC board member Jonathan Shopiro testified against House Bill 158 at a legislative hearing in Richmond on January 29, 2004, and he is scheduled to speak again at the Senate hearing on March 4.

NAC IS ASKING YOU TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
The Naturist Action Committee is asking ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS to contact lawmakers on the Education and Health Committee of the Virginia Senate.  This NAC Action Alert includes contact information for lawmakers on the committee and suggestions for what to say when you call or write.
   NOTE: Those who live outside Virginia DEFINITELY ARE    being asked to contact Virginia lawmakers at this time.    This issue has a nationwide impact.

CONTACT THESE LAWMAKERS!
The Education and Health Committee will be considering this matter a week from this coming Thursday.  If you would prefer to send letters by conventional mail, you still have time.  The postal address for ALL SENATORS is: P.O. Box 396, Richmond, VA 23218.
Because time is short, NAC recommends that you send e-mails or faxes and follow each message with a phone call.
Regardless of how you chose to do it, pleases contact as many lawmakers from the committee as you can!

   Senate Committee on Education and Health
   Sen. H. Russell Potts, Jr. (R-Winchester)  Committee Chair
   E-mail:  district27@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7527
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Frederick Quayle (R-Chesapeake)
   E-mail:  district13@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7513
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Stephen Martin (R-Chesterfield)
   E-mail:  district11@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7511
   Fax: (804) 698-7981

   Sen. Stephen Newman (R-Lynchburg)
   E-mail:  district23@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7523
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. William Bolling (R-Mechanicsville)
   E-mail:  district04@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7504
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Frank Ruff, Jr. (R-Clarksville)
   E-mail:  district15@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7515
   Fax: (804) 698-7953

   Sen. William Mims (R-Leesburg)
   E-mail:  district33@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7533
   Fax: (804) 698-7947

   Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake)
   E-mail:  district14@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7514
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Richard Saslaw (D-Springfield)
   E-mail:  district35@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7535
   Fax: (804) 698-7969

   Sen. Benjamin Lambert III (D-Richmond)
   E-mail:  district09@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7509
   Fax: (804) 698-7956

   Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania)
   E-mail:  district17@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7517
   Fax: (804) 698-7954

   Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth)
   E-mail:  district18@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7518
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston)
   E-mail:  district32@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7532
   Fax: (804) 698-7955

   Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke)
   E-mail:  district21@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7521
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

   Sen. Mary Whipple (D-Arlington)
   E-mail:  district31@sov.state.va.us
   Phone: (804) 698-7531
   Fax: (804) 698-7651

WHAT TO SAY?
When you phone, write, fax or e-mail the lawmakers on the committee, NAC reminds you to be polite.  We can be persuasive without being combative.
If you call, ask to speak to the Senator by name, but expect that the lawmaker will not be available to take your call personally.  That's okay.  Leave your message with the legislative aide who is trained to handle such things on behalf of the lawmaker.
Whether you call or write, be sure to give your name and address. Anonymous calls and letters are generally ignored.  If you are a constituent of the lawmaker you're contacting, be sure to say so. Contacts from constituents can be enormously important!
Say clearly that you OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 158.
Keep your message brief. You may wish to consider the following points:
1) This is fundamentally an issue of parental rights. Naturist parents have the same right as other parents to imbue their children with values important to the parents. The conditions imposed by HB 158 would single out naturist families for unique restrictions based on their naturist preferences and nothing else.
2) Naturists are strongly committed to the safety and well-being of their children.  House Bill 158 is an unjustified and alarmist measure based on no documented evidence whatsoever.  The fact is that nude youth camps of the type targeted by HB 158 have been going on for more than a decade without a blemish to records of safety or security.
3) Naturist children benefit from naturist experiences. Documented studies have shown that children raised in naturist environments have a more positive self image and tolerance of diversity. These are among the attributes reinforced at the very youth camps that House Bill 158 seeks to cripple with its selective restrictions.
NAC suggests that you conclude your contact with each lawmaker by asking specifically for a NO vote in the committee's consideration of House Bill 158.  Thank the lawmaker for his or her attention to this important matter.

ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING
Date:  Thursday, March 4, 2004 Time:  8:00 a.m. Place: Senate Room B, General Assembly Building
NAC encourages you to attend the public hearing before the Senate Health & Education Committee. With personnel in attendance from NAC, AANR and AANR-East, we will likely have an adequate number of speakers. You are, of course, welcome to address the committee, especially if you are a Virginia resident. But even if you choose not to speak, NAC encourages you to be present. By your presence, you support naturist and nudist speakers and demonstrate the strength of our opposition to HB 158.
Please plan to meet and coordinate with other naturists outside the hearing room about a half hour before the start of the hearing.

MORE INFORMATION
For more information, including the complete text of HB 158 and the position paper sent to Senate Health & Education Committee members by the naturist Action Committee, please go to the web site of the Naturist Action Committee:
http://www.naturistsociety.com/NAC
Select "Alerts," then click on "View Current," to select and view this NAC Action Alert. Links will take you to additional information, including the complete text of Virginia HB 158.

PLEASE HELP NAC HELP NATURISTS!
The Naturist Action Committee exists to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout North America.  Because we don't have a membership roster on which to assess dues, NAC relies on the voluntary generosity of its supporters.
Please help today by sending a donation of any size to NAC. If you contribute $20 or more, you will receive 12 issues of The Newsletter as our token of appreciation.  It's a great way to keep up to date on issues and events of importance to naturists.
To donate to NAC, use the address below, or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard or Visa.

NAC   PO Box 132   Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!
Naturally,
Jonathan Shopiro Board Member Naturist Action Committee