The following is from the SOA Watch organization, which is trying to close the School of the Americas (renamed WHINSEC).  Go to http://www.soaw.org for more information on how our government exports torture and blackmail to Latin America, all from Ft. Benning, GA.

House of Representatives Votes to

Force the Pentagon to Release

Information to SOA Watch

Thanks to your efforts and hard work in defense of human rights, the culture of secrecy and lack of accountability surrounding Defense Department policies suffered a blow today when the U.S. House of Representatives approved the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA)-Lewis (GA) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2010. (Click here to tell the Senate to follow their lead!)

The amendment forces the public release of names, rank, country of origin, courses and dates of attendance of WHINSEC's graduates and instructors to the public. The amendment was approved with a 224 to 190 vote! This is a major victory for the international human rights community! You spoke up and now we are one step closer to transparency and to closing the SOA/ WHINSEC!

But it's not over...

We will continue to update you on our progress for ensuring this language becomes law, so please continue to visit the Legislative Action Index and learn how to stay plugged into our legislative campaigns over the summer and leading up to the November Vigil.

Also, please consider making a contribution to SOA Watch to support our legislative campaign in the U.S. Senate. Your support will help make this campaign a success!