Here is an article from the PDA National Website, written by Leader of
this chapter, Judy Hess

PDA Takes Impeachment to the Statehouse

By Judy Hess

When I enthusiastically joined PDA last September in Washington, D.C., I could not have imagined
how much that would change my life. I knew immediately that I wanted to found a chapter in San Diego.
I helped reinvigorate one, and am presently founding another. I became my precinct's leader. I knew I
wanted to help our country in every way I could. But my membership in PDA, and the inspiration
engendered by its vibrant leadership, has thrust me into the fray of the most serious constitutional and
national security crisis of our era.

The impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney, a top-priority PDA
action item, is an urgent national issue. Unfortunately, many of our federal legislators do not seem to share
our concerns about Bush's and Cheney's imperial aspirations. PDA is on the cutting edge of bringing our
citizens' concerns to these legislators, ready or not!

In school we learned that our House of Representatives has constitutional duties, high among them the
investigation of treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors by our federal officers. The House
operates somewhat like a grand jury to determine whether the officer should be tried for his crimes by the US
Senate. However, in the face of demonstrated -- even admitted -- violations of our laws and Constitution by
the president and vice president, our House members have, with notable exceptions like Rep. John Conyers of
Michigan, ignored these responsibilities. The brave voices like his in the House have been drowned out, one
stroke of the gavel at a time, even one shameful step to the basement of the Capitol at a time. Conyers' effort
to create a special committee to investigate administration abuses of power, (H Res 635) supported by 37
representatives, is stalled.

PDA can help, thanks, in part, to Thomas Jefferson. As Vice President, he wrote the Jefferson Manual, adopted
by the House in 1837, a series of parliamentary rules to implement the intent of the Constitution. Later authors
added to these rules a provision that states and other governmental entities could bring to the House charges for
impeachment of errant federal officers.

What does it take? A petition, properly framed, adopted by the state, city, whatever, must be sent to the House
of Representatives, forcing the issue.

PDA is at the forefront of encouraging our governmental entities to utilize this provision. What began as tiny flickers
in little towns from Vermont to California have merged into flames of gold, licking and lapping at the steps of three
statehouses: in Vermont, Illinois, and the largest state in the Union, my home, California.

Patriot Paul Koretz, progressive Democrat Assemblymember from Hollywood, CA, has introduced Assembly
Joint Resolution 39, calling upon the State of California to resolve that an impeachment petition charging Bush and
Cheney must go to Washington! He spoke passionately with us about his resolution in the PDA Hospitality Room
at the California Democratic Convention two weeks ago. Once passed by the state Assembly and Senate, the
Secretary of State must transmit it to the House of Representatives. Not even our "Terminator" governor can
stop it.

PDA is already in Sacramento to help Koretz's Resolution on its way. We've just begun the lobbying effort. I was
first, having left San Diego to spend Tuesday, May 16, walking the halls of the state Capitol. I wanted to say it was
a privilege, forgetting it is my right, no, my obligation, to do this. But I did feel privileged, because I sat in the
company of some wise, thoughtful Assemblymembers, interested chiefs of staff, and enthusiastic legislative aides
who understand the gravity of our national dilemma.

One office at a time, one person at a time, they understood, many of them long before I got there. One got me off
message, running through a litany of violations, from illegal war to illegal prisons, to illegal wiretaps. All this man
needs is a willing ear on the part of his Assemblymember, and citizen support to make it plain that we expect
appropriate action.

One aide said to me, "Where has everyone been? We've been unable to understand why there has not been a
groundswell by the people! I am so glad you are here!" In another office, even the receptionist could not remain
at her desk, so enthused was she that she had to participate.

As I walked my listeners through my own litany of constitutional abuses, and the method to stop them, I became
more comfortable, more sure of myself in this first effort at lobbying on my own. (I had lobbying help in my first
two offices.) I shared more than once that all of us who are doing this work are the Paul Reveres and Thomas
Paines of our day. I lamented to one, "Little did I ever dream that we in this country would need them." Those
early patriots must be our beacons.

Each vote is precious! One Assemblymember looked me straight and somberly in the eye and told me he had
just decided, "You have one vote." I knew I had his solemn word. It was awe-inspiring and humbling. The gravity of
the work settles deep in your soul at that moment.

Not that this is an easy effort. Our resolution is in the Rules Committee now, and with the requisite votes, will move
to another committee, and possibly others, before it can get to the Assembly floor. Then it must go to the state
Senate. Many are not yet ready to risk their political skin to take a brave stand. But the numbers are growing.
PDA will be there to help bring them the courage to act, knowing that we and others have their backs.

This is our charge today in PDA for the nation we love! Help us make our local and state officials understand they
must act, since the House will not do it without their insistence. Launch your own lobbying effort without delay.
Visit with your elected representatives, whether at your city council, county board, water district or school board.
All governmental entities can do this, and citizens can, too! Join a lobbying group to pound on the doors of your own
statehouse.

Properly framed, a call to impeach is deemed by Jefferson's Rules, a matter of "high constitutional privilege." A
direct or positive proposal to impeach takes precedence over all other House business on the floor. If we can
persuade a House member to introduce such a petition on the floor, there must be a full floor vote to deal with it,
one way or another. All members must then reveal their positions, and we will then know who among them are
guardians of our Constitution.

We must bring the House close to collapse under the weight of these petitions. Our representatives must understand
that we will no longer tolerate the abuses of power by our highest officers of government. They must know that if
they fail to act for us, they will answer to us.

Day by day, but quickly, we must make the stacks of petitions and lines of Congressional representatives to
introduce them grow, until these papers, introduced one by one are the only business the House can conduct. We
The People must require our House to face the fact it must do its duty.

What began as little flames in tiny towns at both ends of the country must grow into a fire from the several states,
to become a conflagration raging its way up the steps of our national Capitol.

And we in PDA will be among those stoking that noble fire.

(For information how to prepare and bring these resolutions, and to help this effort, go to
www.ImpeachBush.tv, www.afterdowningstreet.org and www.impeachpac.org .)