wfn.org | U.S. Must Act to Reduce Poverty, NCC General Secretary Says

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

For Immediate Release

Our Nation Must Act to Reduce Poverty, NCC General Secretary Says
As Census Bureau Reports Deepening Poverty in the United States

September 26, 2003, NEW YORK CITY -- Commenting on the U.S. Census Bureau's
report today that poverty is deepening in the United States, the Rev. Dr.
Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches,
called on the Bush Administration and the Congress to pass legislation that
will reduce poverty and lessen the burdens of those who are in need.

"While our government focuses massive expenditures on helping rebuild
war-torn Iraq, including establishing a complete health care system to serve
all the Iraqi people, we must do no less to alleviate poverty for those in
our own country, especially children," Dr. Edgar said. "Every 60 seconds a
child is born into poverty in the United States. How can we, as a
self-proclaimed people of conscience, fail to mobilize our abundant
resources to overcome this problem?"

Dr. Edgar's full statement follows:

"Poverty numbers have increased again in the United States. According to
2002 statistics released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, 34.6 million
Americans are living in poverty, including 12.1 million children. With the
wealthiest economy in the world, our nation must not stand idly by as if we
could do nothing to help the most vulnerable among us who are suffering more
and more each year. Our leaders have both a moral obligation and a public
duty to re-energize efforts to end the unnecessary struggle that so many in
our country endure.

"While our government focuses massive expenditures on helping rebuild
war-torn Iraq, including establishing a complete health care system to serve
all the Iraqi people, we must do no less to alleviate poverty for those in
our own country, especially children. Every 60 seconds a child is born into
poverty in the United States. How can we, as a self-proclaimed people of
conscience, fail to mobilize our abundant resources to overcome this
problem? If we have billions to spend in Iraq, we clearly have the ability
to provide those living in poverty in America with the opportunity to
improve their living conditions and become self-sufficient.

"The National Council of Churches calls on the Bush Administration and the
Congress to pass legislation that will reduce poverty, not increase it; to
lessen the burdens of those who are in need, not intensify them. We urge our
elected leaders to act now to protect and strengthen programs that will
improve the quality of peoples lives. We urge them to reauthorize Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (welfare reform) and strengthen the program by
increasing opportunities for recipients to move out of poverty. Head Start
must receive adequate funding and be more comprehensive. The child tax
credit should be available to low-income families; and affordable,
accessible health care should be available to all Americans.

"We believe that offering authentic hope to the disadvantaged and acting in
concert for the common good are not only core values expressed in Scripture
and Christian ministry, but are deeply held ideals of the American public.
As we pursue our 10-year, faith-based Mobilization to Overcome Poverty with
renewed vigor, we call on our President and Congress to do legislatively
what we will do programmatically through our churches and partnerships.

"Reliant upon Gods grace we look toward a measurable reduction of poverty
in America and a greater potential for all persons to live the lives for
which they were created."

-end-

NCC Media Contact: Leslie Tune, 202-544-2350 x 11
ltune@ncccusa.org; www.ncccusa.org

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