wfn.org | Episcopalians say economic stimulus shouldn't bypass poor

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2001-307

Episcopalians say economic stimulus shouldn't bypass poor 

by Jan Nunley
jnunley@episcopalchurch.org

     (ENS) Responding to a mandate from the General Convention to  "support 
increased funding for the Federal Women's, Infants, and Children's Program" 
(WIC), the Episcopal Church has signed on to a letter calling on members of the 
Senate to support WIC funding at $4.247 billion when House and Senate conferees 
meet, or include additional funding needed for the WIC program in a proposed 
Economic Stimulus Package.

     That amount is $250 million above the House-approved funding level and $140 
million above the Senate level for fiscal year 2002. The program's caseload has 
grown from 7.271 million in January to over 7.455 million in August, as 
unemployment has risen steadily. 

     WIC serves nearly 7.5 million women, infants and children--nearly one out of 
every two infants born in the US--with programs that include foods, nutrition 
education and breastfeeding support, prenatal and pediatric referral, and 
immunization screening.  

     "With the rapid decline in the economy, the tragic events of September 11th 
and increased worker layoffs, nearly 350,000 women, infants and children are at 
risk of losing benefits next year," said a policy alert from the church's Office 
of Government Relations. "Debate on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill 
(S.1191), including WIC funding, is expected very soon. Without the infusion of 
additional funds, WIC providers will be forced to cut services to the most 
vulnerable in our country."

     The 70th General Convention, held in Phoenix in 1991, passed a resolution 
(C027) supporting increased funding for the WIC program.

     Other faith community signers included: Bread for the World, Central 
Conference of American Rabbis, Friends Committee on National Legislation 
(Quaker), Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, Lutheran Services of America, 
Mother-to-Mother Ministry, National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, 
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Union of American Hebrew 
Congregations, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and the 
Washington Ethical Action Office.

Morally right, economically sound

     Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold also signed on to a letter to President 
George W. Bush asking for increased funding for the Food Stamp Program, WIC, and 
an increased federal minimum wage as part of a proposed economic stimulus 
package.

     "As people of faith, we deeply believe that the needs of low-income people 
in this country should come first in any plan to revive our country's faltering 
economy. This is not only morally right; it is economically sound," the letter 
said.

     "With our economy sputtering, and layoffs mounting by the tens of thousands, 
the first to feel the effects are those at the bottom of the economic ladder. 
These are the hotel and restaurant workers, the airline industry personnel, the 
sales clerks and factory workers, the aides and drivers that are the sinews of 
our economy. They are the hard-working people, who even in a strong economy, live 
paycheck to paycheck. Now they are having to struggle with where their next meal 
will come from, how they will get medical help for their sick children, and how 
they are going to get through the winter if they can't pay their utility bills," 
the letter continued.

     Other signers included representatives of the African Methodist Episcopal 
Zion Church, the Christian Reformed Church, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, 
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., Reformed Church in 
America, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), United Methodist 
Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Leadership Conference of Women Religious, American Baptist Churches, USA, 
Congress of National Black Churches, Lutheran Services in America, Unitarian 
Universalist Association of Congregations, Islamic Society of North America, Call 
to Renewal, and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

--The Rev. Jan Nunley is deputy director of Episcopal News Service.