wfn.org | March 13-15 D.C. Conference on Welfare Reauthorization

[Carol Fouke <carolf@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol Fouke, NCC News, 212-870-2252/2227
In Washington, D.C.: 202-544-2350
E-mail: news@ncccusa.org; Web: www.ncccusa.org
NCC3/11/02

MARCH 13-15 ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE ON WELFARE REAUTHORIZATION

WHAT: Sharp differences with the Bush Administration's welfare policy
proposals are likely to characterize the National Council of
Churches-sponsored "TANF Action Days for Poverty Reduction," an ecumenical
conference on the pending reauthorization of "Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families" and other key welfare policies.  March 13-15, Washington, D.C.

The conference follows up on the NCC's February 2001 "Consultation on the
Reauthorization of TANF and Related Programs" and NCC General Assembly
resolution, in November 2001, laying out principles of improvement for these
programs (see www.ncccusa.org/publicwitness/tanf.html and especially
www.ncccusa.org/publicwitness/tanfresolution.html).

WHEN/WHERE:

Wednesday, March 13 - 4 to 8:30 p.m., National City Christian Church, on
Thomas Circle (15th & "M" Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C.)  (Many
participants will be coming directly from a 2 p.m. "Lenten Vigil" at the
U.S. Capitol in support of the "Act to Leave No Child Behind.")  Opening
worship, welcome and background before dinner, presentation of the "Hunger
No More" curriculum and then small group discussions after dinner.

Thursday, March 14 - 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Rayburn House Office Building
(Independence Ave., S.W., between First St., S.W., and South Capitol
Street), Room 2226 (House Judiciary Committee Hearing Room).

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) will speak first, on the Poor People's Caucus,
followed by an overview on the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Act and panel presentation on key issues.  The afternoon will be spent in
visits with senators and representatives.  The day will conclude with a 5
p.m. reception and book signing party (venue: United Methodist Building, 100
Maryland Ave. N.E.) with Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg and Sheila D. Collins,
the authors of "Washington's New Poor Law: Welfare 'Reform' and the Roads
Not Taken."

Friday, March 15 - 9 a.m. to Noon, National City Christian Church (Thomas
Circle - 15th & "M" Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C.).  Debriefing from Hill
visits, media training and closing worship.

BACKGROUND: The NCC - the nation's leading ecumenical organization whose 36
Protestant and Orthodox member denominations comprise 50 million adherents -
in 2001 launched a 10-year mobilization against U.S. poverty, giving it
particular emphasis every March (see the NCC's "March: On Poverty 2002" at
www.ncccusa.org/poverty/.)
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