Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Persistence: An Example for People in Pain

Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Mission

Congresswoman Barbara Lee is the U.S. Representative for California’s 13th congressional district. She spent 10 years working to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). On June 29, 2017, “In a surprise move, the House Appropriations Committee approved bill language to end the 2001 authorization of the use of military force and any operations conducted under it,” according to Defense News.

It took her a decade, but Congresswoman Lee was able to accomplish what she set out to achieve. She is an example of what persistence and perseverance can produce.

Recently, I wrote a letter to her that I’d like to share with you:

My Letter to Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Dear Ms. Lee:

Congratulations on winning bipartisan support for repealing the 2001 AUMF. You are a model for others who fight for change in the face of what seems to be insurmountable opposition.

I have been trying to give people in pain a voice for 20 years, and now the opposition seems even more difficult due to the complex opioid crisis. From your statement about Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ draconian drug sentencing guidelines, I can see that you understand that mandatory sentences and mass incarcerations do nothing to make our communities safer or to mitigate the opioid crisis. Additionally, legislation such as California’s “Three Strikes Law” hurts people with addiction and pain.

As a past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, I appreciate your persistence in making your voice heard. I’m so pleased that people with addiction and pain can look to you as an example of how effort and courage can yield positive results. We need positive leadership, and you are providing that for us.

Sincerely,

Lynn R. Webster, M.D.

 

Congresswoman Lee’s Commitment to Change

In an official statement about the passage of Passage of the AUMF Amendment, Congresswoman Lee said, “At long last, I am pleased that my Democratic and Republican colleagues supported my effort to put an end to the overly broad blank check for war that is the 2001 AUMF. If passed into law as part of the DOD bill, it would repeal the 2001 AUMF eight months after enactment of this legislation. That would allow plenty of time for Congress to finally live up to its constitutional obligation to debate and vote on any new AUMF. It is far past time for Congress to do its job and for the Speaker to allow a debate and vote on this vital national security issue. I am glad that this amendment passed in a bipartisan manner and I look forward to continuing to work to finally have the debate and vote that our service members and our nation deserves.”

Although Congresswoman Lee is affiliated with a specific political party, she has been a voice for all of her constituents. You may or may not agree with most of her political positions. But I hope you’ll feel inspired by Congresswoman Lee’s accomplishment after years of effort.

Make Your Voice Heard in a Positive Way

It’s not easy to fight for your principles when the odds are against you and you feel that no one is listening. It’s tough to keep up your efforts when you feel as if you’re wasting your time.

Sometimes, it’s almost impossible to maintain hope in the face of darkness.

However, Congresswoman Lee’s story illustrates that the struggle can be worth it. Even though positive results are not guaranteed, doing the right thing for its own sake is still the best course of action.

And doing it in a positive way that respects other people’s opinions and takes into account their points of view, and allows for a dialogue to take place, is the best approach of all. That is the method that Congresswoman Lee used to achieve her goal.

Congresswoman Lee believes in her right to be heard, and I believe we all have that right. I believe it’s also our responsibility to try as hard and as courageously as Congresswoman Lee did. It takes time to affect change, but in the end, I believe that it can occur.