Supporting Human Rights; Help with FAFSA
Protests in Egypt
Over the past week, we have been inspired by the people of Egypt seeking real democracy through peaceful protests. As a long time advocate for human rights around the world, I join Secretary Clinton and President Obama in supporting an orderly transition to fair elections and condemning the violence taking place, especially attacks on peaceful demonstrators and the media.
The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt due to the ongoing political and social unrest.
- To inquire about family or friends that are U.S. citizens currently in Egypt, you can email EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or call 1-888-407-4747.
- Please continue to see the most updated information on Egypt at https://travel.state.gov.
Ugandan LGBT activist David Kato
The murder of human rights activist David Kato in Uganda is a shock to many of us all over the world including President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and the American LGBT community. We are saddened by this senseless loss of life. In Uganda, David was a man of great courage and conviction. He took a principled stand on the side of justice and equality for LGBT individuals, at great risk to his own safety.
San Francisco’s history of advocacy for equal rights fills me with great purpose in continuing to uphold the dignity and rights of all people, at home and abroad. The murder of David Kato, and the recent murders of five members of the LGBT community in Honduras, challenges our conscience. No one should suffer persecution, discrimination, or violence because of who they are, how they look, or what they believe. I join President Obama in calling on the Governments of Uganda and Honduras to investigate these killings and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
On January 1st of each year, the Department of Education begins accepting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. This application for federal aid was designed to offer prospective students a chance to obtain grants and loans that will help them pay for college.
Congresswoman Pelosi greets San Francisco teacher Valerie Ziegler, 2010 California Teacher of the Year, and her students from Lincoln High School during their visit to Washington, D.C.In 2010, the Department of Education released a new form that streamlined the process of applying for aid. This update eliminated 20% of the form’s questions, making it faster and easier for you. The new system also offers an online process that gives you an instant estimate of your eligibility for federal loans and Pell Grant awards.
Click here to find out if you are eligible to apply for aid through the FAFSA. You can fill out the application online by going here. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is a marker of new beginnings and a fresh start for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country. In San Francisco, we take pride in being home to one of the largest, strongest, most vibrant AAPI communities in the country, and some of the most festive Lunar New Year celebrations anywhere. This year, we are particularly proud of the leadership of Mayor Ed Lee, our city’s first Asian-American mayor. I offer my warmest wishes on the year of the Rabbit
Casework Corner
As an example of how my office can assist constituents, one of my caseworkers in San Francisco helped the Moscow Classical Ballet obtain visas to perform in San Francisco and around California.
If you have a problem with a federal agency or obtaining your federal benefits, you can learn more about how my office can be of assistance to you at my website or by calling my office at 415.556.4862.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my Web site. I am also on Twitter https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.