Our speaker was David McGuire, the Executive Director of the ACLU of Connecticut. He talked about the organization and what it has been championing lately. ACLU of Connecticut is 75 years old, and David has been with the organization for 12 years now.
Some of the organization’s efforts include fighting for racial justice and civil rights by testifying at the legislature on proposed bills that address these issues. ACLU CT is working to secure representation for children caught up in immigration enforcement in Ct and Western MA. Many children, some as young as 5 years old, are not represented at court in these cases. ACLU CT is pushing for new laws to be passed guaranteeing representation for these children. While representation is a right in criminal cases, immigration proceedings are in the civil courts, and no such right exists there
Another area of effort is in voting rights. They are working to amend the state constitution to provide for early voting, something many other states enjoy. Tolls are a big issue in our state, but no one is really talking about tolls in relation to Privacy. ACLU CT is pushing to make sure that data on people’s movement around the state is not kept long term. In criminal investigations and Amber alerts that data should be accessible immediately, but the state should not be allowed to keep it long term or sell the information to private businesses. One example given was Billboard Companies, which would love to know when your demographic passes their signs.
Dave Amberg, A Life of Integrity, Love & Service
Our meeting concluded with Chickie Amberg sharing her thoughts about Dave’s relationship with Rotary, as well as talking about their life together. Dave had a saying hung on his wall that summed up his attitude about life: “This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God”. This was what encourage Dave to join the club (along with Bob Wood’s “pestering”).
He found in the club friendship a spirit that coincided with his belief system (The four-way test), and a ready source of golf partners. The club taught him how to get involved in the community. Habitat for Humanity became a passion for him.
Dave loved Rotary so much that he stepped out of his comfort zone to lead us for a year as President. He was always ready to help when asked for our various efforts, such as the Marathon. Chickie told us she was extremely proud that he “showed up” for so many charitable causes. She then spoke about how she and Dave met, and how they spent their next life together. She shared many fond memories, giving us a window into their life together. Dave passed away quietly last Friday of bronchitis, without suffering, with the love of his life at his side. He will be greatly missed. God's speed, Dave.
Yours, Wes Willett