Hello all:

I'm sure you've all heard that the "Financial Modernization Act" (HR 10) is up for a vote in the full House of Reps THIS THURSDAY!! This is a critical time to make sure your Reps understand how important it is not only to PRESERVE the Community Reinvestment act, but also to MODERNIZE it, so that communities can continue to use it to fight disinvestment even after HR 10 changes the financial landscape for the 21st century.

Here are some "Talking Points" from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and the Center for Community Change -- and the phone number appears at the end. Sincerely, Maryellen Lewis

-- PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE WHERE APPROPRIATE -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TALKING POINTS: * Vote against ANY amendment that would weaken CRA (such as a small bank exemption, safe harbor, "sunshine," or anything similar).

* Support the Gutierrez CRA MODERNIZATION and the Barrett INSURANCE DATA DISCLOSURE amendments--

These will "modernize" CRA for the new policy environment that HR10 will create, and will give the public important information about insurance similar to what is now disclosed about mortgage lending under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).

The Barrett amendment recognizes the critical link between credit and insurance, and the need for systematic data to make sure that insurance companies are providing full and fair access to insurance for all customers and all communities.

* If the Gutierrez and Barrett amendments are not adopted, vote against HR 10. Without these changes, the bill will do nothing to insure that low and moderate income people and people of color have full and fair access to financial services.

REMEMBER THAT THE VOTE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, JULY 1. There is no time to lose in contacting your Representative. All Representatives can be reached through the US Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.