Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to W. B., May 10, 1996

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. COMMITTEES ID FINANCIAL SERVICES Congress; of tfje Uniteb States $оийе of &epregentatibeg muftington, Ш 20515-2002 May 10, 1996 315 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville. MD 21' Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns with the ill-conceived settlement of the lawsuit filed by the ACLU against the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Baltimore City Housing Authority. Let me state from the outset, I am adamantly opposed to this proposal and believe it is terrible public policy. I intend to pursue every appropriate avenue available to defeat this effort. Forcing poor people to move from their neighborhoods to middle class areas in the suburbs does not address the problem of poverty and is fundamentally unfair to citizens who have worked hard to buy their homes and set an example for their children. I am unwilling to stand by and accept this abuse of the judicial process -- legislation by consent decree — even though others believe the settlement is a fait accompli. Enclosed are a number of materials which address this complex, but important issue. Among these items is a notice for a town meeting sponsored by many community groups in the area where I will speak about the settlement and its likely consequences. I hope you will be able to attend and also encourage you to bring your friends and neighbors. To remain silent in the face of this flawed policy is the same as accepting defeat. I strongly urge everyone to call and write the news media, elected officials, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the ACLU and the President to express your opinion about this situation. The judge presiding over the case, The Honorable Marvin Garbis, should also be made aware of the community’s interest in having individuals who are not parties to the suit address the court. Letters to him may be sent to 101 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. Please feel free to call my chief administrator, Karl Aumann, in my Lutherville office should you have any questions. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress