From the fiscal 2000 tax return (Form 990), it looks like the group could have declared some expenditures in lines 36 and 37 without incurring tax, as tax-exempt groups are allowed to spend a limited portion of their resources on lobbying.
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) provides
photographic evidence against the Million Mom March http://www.senate.gov/~feinstein/releases00/gun_license_bill.html
QUOTED
from her site: Senator Feinstein Introduces Gun Licensing and Record of
Sale Bill May 9, 2000
WASHINGTON, DC -- Flanked by mothers in Washington for the Million
Mom March, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced legislation
today to require that all purchasers of handguns and semi-automatic firearms
that take detachable ammunition clips be licensed and a record of the sale
be retained.
On any given day in America 80 people are killed by gun violence,
12 of them children. [Note that Feinstein has also proven herself a liar,
not that this is any surprise.] The time has come to say enough is enough
and demand of Congress the passage of common sense gun laws, Senator Feinstein
said.
...Under this bill, anyone wishing to obtain a firearm license will
need to go to a federally licensed firearms dealer there are currently
more than
100,000 such dealers -- or a State-designated entity (if the state
has a certified program of its own). The purchaser will need to:
Provide information as to date and place of birth and name and address;
Submit a thumb print;
Submit a current photograph;
Sign, under penalty of perjury, that all of the submitted information
is true and that the applicant is qualified under federal law to possess
a firearm;
Pass a written firearms safety test, requiring knowledge of the safe
storage and handling of firearms, the legal responsibilities of firearm
ownership, and other factors as determined by the state or federal authority;
Sign a pledge to keep any firearm safely stored and out of the hands
of juveniles (this pledge will be backed up by criminal penalties of up
to three years in jail for anyone failing to do so);
Undergo state and federal background checks.
Licenses will be renewable every five years, and can be revoked at
any time if the licensee becomes disqualified under federal law from owning
or possessing a gun.
The fee for a license is $25.
[END QUOTE]
Senator Jack Reed (D-NJ) http://reed.senate.gov/releases/0061.htm
Reed Rallies with Moms to Urge Congressional Passage of Gun Registration and Common Sense Gun Safety
Sunday, May 07, 2000
PROVIDENCE - At a press conference today with Kathleen Dickerman, Myrth York and Karina Wood, Rhode Island organizers for the Million Mom March, Clifford Montiero, President of the Providence National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and moms from throughout Rhode Island, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) called for support of the goals of the May 14th, Million Mom March, including Reed's legislation to require that all handguns be registered.
Kathleen Dickerman stated, "As moms, we're always trying to bring out the best in our families. We're the problem solvers, the cheerleaders, we're the ones to always say, 'I know you can do it! Try it again! Try a little harder!' On May 14, a million moms will be asking Congress, the NRA, the gun manufacturers and our elected officials to protect our families from gun violence. We will insist that Congress try a little harder. We know...The goal of the Million Mom March is to urge Congress to enact a law requiring that all gun owners be licensed, registered and take mandatory safety training.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) http://www.senate.gov/~schumer/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/PR00194.html
CHARLES E. SCHUMERFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2000 [covered by the Form 990 tax return]
SCHUMER MEETS WITH NYC & LI MOMS ON EVE OF MILLION MOM MARCH
Senator, Moms Discuss School Safety, Gun Violence
....The mothers released a letter calling on Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott to move gun control legislation.
Schumer plans to deliver the letter to Lott for the mothers.
DASCHLE AMENDMENT NO. 3148 -- (Senate - May 16, 2000)
DASCHLE AMENDMENT NO. 3148 -- (Senate - May 16, 2000)
[Page: S4026] GPO's PDF
---
Mr. DASCHLE proposed an amendment to the bill (S. 2521) making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes; as follows:At the appropriate place add the following:
Since on Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, an estimated 750,000 mothers, fathers, and children united for the Million Mom March on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and were joined by tens of thousands of others, in 70 cities across America, in a call for meaningful, common-sense gun policy;
...
Determined, That it is the sense of the Senate that--(1) the organizers, sponsors, and participants of the Million Mom March should be commended for rallying to demand sensible gun safety legislation; and
(2) Congress should immediately pass a conference report to accompany H.R. 1501, the Violent and Repeat Juvenile Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation Act, before the Memorial Day Recess, and include the Lautenberg-Kerrey gun show loophole amendment and the other Senate-passed provisions designed to limit access to firearms by juveniles, convicted felons, and other persons prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing firearms.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), from http://www.house.gov/lowey/mmm.html
At right: Nita Lowey and Tipper Gore
Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN)'s page http://www.house.gov/sabo/pr00-14.htm
May 12, 2000
Washington -- Congressman Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN) today applauded the thousands of women who will join forces on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Sunday as part of the "Million Mom March" for stricter gun safety legislation.
... "In 1997, guns killed 346 Minnesotans -- 55 of these were victims under the age of 20," said Congressman Sabo. "It's time that Congress acts to approve the gun safety measures that these mothers demand."..."I hope the Million Mom March will spur our leaders in Congress to act soon on gun safety legislation," said Sabo. "We owe it to our children, and our communities."
Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) http://www.house.gov/moran/20000905.htm
"The Million Mom March was a grassroots movement that finally demonstrated, in a tangible way, organized support for firearms safety legislation," he said. "That has not been seen before in the fight for gun control, and it is a force that will be felt this fall in every congressional district in the United States."
Congressman Christopher Shays (D-CT) http://www.house.gov/shays/press/mmm.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2000 [period covered by the Form 990 in question]
Shays Voices Support for Million Mom March'
Rep. Shays is an original cosponsor of H.Res. 498, a resolution supporting the Million Mom March, introduced this week in the House of Representatives. The resolution applauds the efforts of the March's organizers and participants, and states the resolve of the House to work with those participants and interested groups to approve reasonable Federal gun safety legislation. H.Res. 498 has not been scheduled to be acted on by the House.
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) http://www.house.gov/maloney/press/107th/20010513gunsafety.html
May 13, 2001 [period covered by the Form 990]For Immediate Release
SAVING LIVES ON MOTHER'S DAY
MALONEY AND MILLION MOM MARCH MEMBERS SPEAK OUT FOR
FEDERAL GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION
NEW YORK: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) joined members of the Million Mom March today, to announce the planned delivery of thousands of postcards from New Yorkers to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert (R-IL) calling for sensible gun safety legislation at a federal level.... Also attending today's news conference were: Edie Smith, President, Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March Kathryn Gaffney, Secretary, Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March,numerous members of the Manhattan Chapter of the Million Mom March, Barbara Holt, President of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Katherine Falio, Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX) http://www.house.gov/gonzalez/pr51100a.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2000
THE MILLION MOM MARCH -- MOTHER'S DAY 2000 -- WASHINGTON, DC
CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE GONZALEZ AND FAMILY TO JOIN PRESIDENT CLINTON, ROSIE
O'DONNELL & MOMS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY
(Washington, D.C.) On Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, his wife Becky Whetstone, and several of their family members will join President Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, and Moms from all walks of life in Washington, DC and in 65 cities throughout the country to encourage Congress to pass common sense gun legislation.
"We decided to join the Million Mom March because we believe in common sense gun legislation aimed at protecting children - - legislation which will help put an end to the outbreak of violence in our communities, in our schools, and in our own backyards. We cannot afford to allow this to become nothing more than a campaign issue that gets bounced around and is never addressed. This issue is too important for Congress not to act," Congressman Gonzalez said.....The Million Mom March, a grassroots organization, is linking thousands of mothers and others from across the United States to march on the National Mall in Washington, DC and in cities across the country this Mother's Day to encourage Congress to enact tougher controls on guns.
...In the words of the organizers of the Million Mom March, "We are putting our elected officials on notice that we, the mothers, will not tolerate them putting the gun lobby before the safety of our children any longer. Our event in Washington, DC will send a strong message to Congress that they must take responsible action this session or else face a permanent time-out in November, 2000."
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/press2000/pr5_1_2000mmmchicago.html
MAY 1, 2000SCHAKOWSKY PARTICIPATES IN KICK OFF NEWS CONFERENCE FOR MILLION MOM MARCH
CHICAGO, IL U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today in Chicago joined Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) in a kick off news conference for the May 14th Million Mom March events scheduled nationwide. The purpose of the march is to mobilize mothers across the country in a show of force to call on Congress to pass sensible gun safety legislation.
Congresswoman Connie Morella (R-MD) http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/md08_morella/gunsmom.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 1999 [MMM fiscal 2000 is, I believe, July 1999 through June 2000]
Congresswoman Morella and The Million Mom March Call for Passage of Gun Safety Legislation
Congresswoman Connie Morella this morning joined Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and mothers from a new organization, The Million Mom March, to call on Congress for the passage of common-sense gun control legislation.
...The Million Mom March is dedicated to educating our children and our country about the dangers of gun violence. The organization is mobilizing mothers across the nation to urge passage of common-sense legislation to protect children from guns.
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) joins with Million Moms to pass gun laws http://www.house.gov/nadler/press/51400prs.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2000
CONGRESSMAN NADLER JOINS WITH MILLION MOMS TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF GUN SAFETY LAWS
WASHINGTON Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) celebrated Mothers Day today by standing in solidarity with mothers and their families marching for passage of sensible gun laws. Rep. Nadler participated in the festivities surrounding the Million Mom March, along with President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and actress/comedian Rosie O'Donnell."I am pleased to join with so many people, including my fellow New Yorkers, like Mrs. Clinton and Rosie O'Donnell, in calling on the Republican leadership in Congress to allow common-sense gun bills to be considered," said Rep. Nadler. "Hopefully, millions of mothers will have more of an impact than the millions of NRA dollars that line the pockets of the Republican party."
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, September 13, 2000 [but the highlighted comment refers to May 15, which is covered by the Form 990]
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity
to join the Gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Rush Holt.
We know the Congress will soon adjourn and we have not done anything
to approve commonsense gun legislation.
That is why we are calling on Speaker Hastert to direct the Juvenile
Justice Conferees to meet and complete action on the Juvenile Justice Bill.
We request other colleagues to join us.
Earlier this year, the Million Mom March came to Washington and to
more than 60 cities around the country. I addressed this march that united
moms, dads, sons and daughters behind a common goal.
They urged the Congress to stop its delay and move forward
with gun safety legislation.
Now it is time for the Congress to stop stalling and to enact this
gun safety legislation.
To date, I regret the Congress has accomplished next to nothing to
enact commonsense gun safety legislation.
Have we closed the gun show loophole that permits criminals to get
guns easily? No!
Have we required gun manufacturers to install child safety locks on
all new guns? No!
Have we banned the importation of high-capacity ammunition clips on
assault rifles? No!
World Socialist Web Site confirms accusation against Million Moms http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/may2000/mmm-m17.shtml
President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, who is running for the US Senate from New York, enthusiastically embraced the march, and the march leaders reciprocated. They depicted the White House and the Democratic Party as enlightened defenders of America's children, and all but turned the proceedings at the National Mall into a campaign rally for Vice President Al Gore and the congressional Democrats.The overall political perspective advanced by the march organizers could hardly have been more superficial or conservative. The entire effort was directed at lobbying Congress to pass the gun-control measures supported by the Clinton administration.
Found by Google Search (not officially verified as New York Post): "So in the end, the Million Mom March turned out to be little more than a superhyped Democratic Party campaign rally. ... Bill and Hillary Clinton hosted the organizers at the White House. Mrs. Clinton and Tipper Gore campaigned personally among the obviously sympathetic crowd." --New York Post
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/millionmom000512_shaner.html
"The group wants Congress to enact a law that requires all gun
owners to be licensed and registered-which includes mandatory safety training.
Dees-Thomases
said organizers sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch
last summer asking Congress to act on gun legislation."
http://www.gunfree.org/content/coalition/coal_fedlegupdates_62200.html
(Thanks for selling me the shovels, Gunfree.org!)
"Licensing and Registration: On May 9th, 2000, flanked
by mothers from the Million Mom March, Senator Diane
Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation to require that all purchasers
of handguns and semi-automatic firearms that take a detachable ammunition
clip be licensed and their firearms registered."
