Restore human rights to Afghanistani girls and women

I truly hate communicating with you via email, but I'm just overworked at the moment. I do not wish for this to be construed as "lukewarm" interest a lack of passion on this topic. We as American citizens, and as residents of a country which is a leader in the United Nations, have cycled through action and inaction on the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan. It's a horror story. I don't have to tell you that. That is why I am writing to urge you to become a co-sponsor of The Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2009 (S. 229) introduced by Barbara Boxer (D-CA). If passed, this bill will strengthen and empower women and girls in Afghanistan by providing critical resources to non-governmental organizations working to promote literacy education, provide essential health care services, protect women and girls from trafficking, abuse and sexual violence, and to assist especially vulnerable populations such as widows and orphans. This bill is critical as the maternal death rate for Afghan women is tragically high--with an estimated 1,600 deaths for every 100,000 live births. The bill provides equipment, medical supplies and other assistance to health care facilities to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Your commitment to help empower women and girls is critical not only to their future, but also to the stability of Afghanistan as a nation. In recent months, attacks against schools that educate girls have increased substantially. As the U.S. works to foster democracy in Afghanistan, we must be vigilant in ensuring that women take their rightful place in Afghan society. This includes funding to help establish primary and secondary schools for girls; expanding vocational training; and providing special educational opportunities for girls whose schooling was ended by the Taliban. Please co-sponsor The Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2009 to support women and girls in Afghanistan and give them opportunities to build a better life. I do thank you for your time, and I'm not going to be satisfied with a "I'll look into it" response. Tell me that you would be ashamed were S. 229 not to be pushed through the full Senate chamber immediately, and that you understand a failure to sign on as a co-sponsor will show folks in Alabama that you don't care. What would it hurt to assume some leadership on this issue?