wfn.org | Three Issues Briefings Will Mark Washington Office's 50th

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Anniversary 14-November-1996 
 
 
96450           Three Issues Briefings Will Mark  
               Washington Office's 50th Anniversary 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Three "Witness in Washington" briefings covering a broad 
range of church-related political issues have been scheduled in 1997 as the 
Presbyterian Church's Washington Office celebrates its 50th anniversary of 
Presbyterian witness on Capitol Hill. 
 
     Each briefing will feature presentations by key members of the U.S. 
Congress and expert policy analysts and workshops on specific topics. 
Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with their own 
representative and senators. 
 
     The first briefing, Feb. 9-11, is on the theme "Faith and the Role of 
the Federal Government in American Society."  Plenary addresses will focus 
on the role of the church in American government, the current crisis in 
federalism in the United States and an assessment of the new Congress. 
Invited speakers include recently retired U.S. senators Nancy Kassebaum 
(R-Kan.) and Bill Bradley (D-N.J.); James Dunn of the American Baptist 
Convention's Washington Office; and Sarah Fritz, a Washington correspondent 
for the "Los Angeles Times." 
 
     Workshop topics will include federalism, the effects of governmental 
decentralization, and church/state and religious liberties issues. 
Registration deadline is Jan. 26, 1997. 
 
     A May 12-13 briefing will address the theme "Faith and the Domestic 
Concerns Facing the U.S." It will specifically focus on issues such as the 
new welfare system, racial tensions, environmental protections, the plight 
of public education, our national tax structure, gambling and the need for 
holistic health care.  
 
     Invited speakers include various members of Congress, White House 
staff, federal agency executives and public policy specialists from some of 
Washington's leading advocacy organizations.  Registration deadline is May 
4, 1997. 
 
     The third briefing, "Faith and America's Response to International 
Affairs," will be held Oct.  12-14.  It will focus on international issues 
and situations that question global peace and justice. Specific topics will 
include the U.S.'s involvement in the United Nations, international human 
rights and economic justice, regional issues and U.S. policies affecting 
them, global environmental concerns and U.S. international military policy.   
 
     Participants will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue on how 
our country's policies affect these international issues with members of 
Congress, White House staff, federal agency executives, and public policy 
specialists from some of Washington's leading advocacy organizations. 
Registration deadline is October 1, 1997. 
 
     All three briefings will be held at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 
in Washington, D.C.  For further information, call or write Douglas Grace 
in the Presbyterian Washington Office, 110 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 104, 
Washington, DC 20002.  His phone number: (202) 543-1126; fax number: (202) 
543-7755; and e-mail address: doug_grace@pcusa.org 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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