Dear Supporter,

CT HB 5117 has a new name, File No. 307 in the General Assembly. This File No. brings the GMO labeling bill in CT one step closer to being called for a vote in the CT House of Representatives.

Thank you for the incredible response to our last update on the CT GMO labeling bill. So many of you have expressed an interest in forming Non GMO groups and hosting GMO talks. Please continue to join the tipping point network so you can connect with other like minded individuals in your area. http://action.responsibletechnology.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=2925.

Since the last update on the CT GMO Labeling Bill, HB 5117, there have been more events and more legislators speaking out in support of the bill. On April 1st over 200 people attended the event "Don't Be Fooled By GMOs" in Westport. Five state representatives spoke that night about why they support our right to know what is in our food: Kim Fawcett, Jonathan Steinberg, Tony Hwang, Brenda Kupchik, and Dick Roy.

Senator Richard Blumenthal made an appearance and told the crowd why he is in favor of GMO labeling. If you are interested in reading some of the news coverage on this event please see http://fairfield.patch.com/articles/grassroots-bump-for-gmo-labeling-legislation and http://www.thehour.com/story/522833/connecticut-may-become-the-first-state-to-label-genetically-altered-foods.

On April 10th Beth Beisel and Tara Cook-Littman spoke at the Farmington Public Library and were joined by Representative Brian Becker and Representative Bill Wadsworth. Becker and Wadsworth told the crowd of over 30 individuals that they are receiving a tremendous amount of e-mails and phone calls in support of HB 5117.

They said our efforts to get this bill passed are working! But, they also urged us to keep the pressure on our legislators. The legislative session ends on May 9th, so unless the bill is called for a vote in the CT House of Representatives, it will die and the entire process will begin all over again.

Please view this video of Bob Burns, a longtime GMO activist and currently a CT farmer who is creating GMO free farmers markets in CT. http://ledyard.patch.com/articles/video-legislators-may-vote-to-follow-farmers-market-lead#video-9482753. Bob is hosting an event at his farm, Aiki Farms on Friday April 20th at 6:00 PM at 769 Shewville Road, Ledyard, CT 06339. Call 860-536-6407 for more information.

Photo taken by Analiese Paik from Fairfield Green Food Guide

Here are a few actions steps you can take to show your support for HB 5117.

Write and call Speaker Donovan urging him to call the bill for a vote. Donovan has the discretion whether or not to call this bill.

Chrisopher Donovan
Legislative Office Building, Room 4100
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
860-240-8500 or 1-800-842-1902
Christopher.donovan@cga.ct.gov

Urge your State Representatives and Senators to support HB 5117. This is still an important action to take even if you already sent an e-mail. It will only take a few moments to send a letter of support. In this action alert we are not only asking the legislators to support the bill but to get the bill called for a vote. http://www.capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=61160746&type=TA

Write or call Governor Malloy and tell him to support HB 5117 and give CT residents the right to know what is in our food. The Governor needs to hear about HB 5117 before it lands on his desk. http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/site/default.asp

Host a GMO talk in your area to educate more individuals about GMOs.

Thank you for taking action today. We need your help to get HB 5117 passed. Let's make CT the first state of many to pass GMO mandatory labeling bills in 2012!

Thank you,

Tara Cook-Littman, Jeffrey Smith, and the IRT Staff

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