wfn.org | CWS, congressional honorees share appreciation at Capitol Hill ceremony

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

CWS, congressional honorees share appreciation at Capitol Hill ceremony

> Friday, October 30, 2009

Editors:

Related hi-res photos available at www.churchworldservice.org/hires

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Appreciation flowed in both directions at an October
21 Capitol Hill reception hosted by Church World Service to recognize a
select group of lawmakers whose work has helped to advance issues
important to CWS and the ecumenical faith community.

The agency also paid special recognition to the United States Agency
for International Development for its collaboration with CWS and other
non-governmental organizations in serving victims of disasters around
the world, including USAID's support for the 2008 emergency response to
Cyclone Nargis in Burma.

Honorees were joined by senior Congressional staff members,
representatives of the faith community, USAID officials and the Church
World Service board of directors.

In the course of being recognized by Church World Service, the honorees
also shared words of appreciation for the work of the global
humanitarian agency.

"We celebrate the collaboration between the ecumenical faith community
and Congress in the pursuit of a more just and ecologically sustainable
world," said the Rev. John L. McCullough, executive director and CEO of
Church World Service, who handed out the awards.

Presenting a plaque to House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC),
McCullough said, "Congressman Clyburn has made important outreach to the
faith community, thereby enabling our churches and ecumenical
organizations to be heard by Congress on behalf of struggling people
around the world."

Clyburn recalled hosting a recent panel on climate change at which, he
said, the faith based speakers were very effective on the issue. "People
left there feeling that we are stewards of the earth," Rep. Clyburn
said.

As part of its Countdown to Copenhagen advocacy initiative around
climate change, CWS currently is inviting people to take the pledge to
address climate change and to create a greener, more just economy.

CWS also has lobbied lawmakers to end restrictions on travel to Cuba.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) was honored for his legislative work on that
issue. Said McCullough, "For as long as the ecumenical faith community
has opposed the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, Rep. Rangel has been the
leading voice Congress in support of efforts to end the embargo. He also
is a champion of efforts to end the ban on travel to Cuba for all
Americans."

Rangel, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee,
responded by telling the gathering that he was "particularly impressed
with the work you have done over the years," and encouraging even more
advocacy visits to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. "You've come to the right
place," Rangel said. "We need you badly."

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), who accepted honors "on behalf of the people
I represent and on behalf of you [CWS]," said, "Without your help, we
can't do any of this important work."

Kaptur, a member of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Refugee Caucus has
sponsored resolutions in the House of Representatives calling for the
U.S. to adhere to moral principles of economic justice and fairness in
its international trade agreements and investment policies.

She acknowledged the often slow pace of change. "Sometimes it takes a
century to achieve something of worth," Kaptur said.

That change takes time is a familiar concept to CWS. Founded in the
wake of the devastation in Europe following World War II, Church World
Service has been providing relief, development and refugee assistance in
the name of its 35 member denominations for more than 60 years.

First-term congressman Andre Carson (D-IN) described the agency's work
as "phenomenal." Rep. Carson was recognized for his support of the
Hyde-Lantos HIV/AIDS Reauthorization bill to provide billions of dollars
in aid to developing countries fighting high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria
and tub
erculosis.

Carson applauded CWS for its persistence and thoroughness. "Often we
don't see follow-up to the talk, but with CWS advocacy you do."

In 2007, CWS and other partners were able to claim success in their
advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill when lawmakers approved funding for
global HIV and AIDS work that exceeded the amount requested by HIV/AIDS
advocates. On the ground in Africa, through the CWS Giving Hope program,
young people orphaned by HIV/AIDS are being empowered to become
self-sufficient by getting educations, starting gardens and small
businesses and making items to sell, as part of a youth-led HIV
prevention, education and self support initiative.

Turning to the issue of climate change, McCullough expressed
appreciation for Rep. Tom Perriello's (D-VA) "courageous stand in the
111th Congress in support of climate change legislation via the American
Clean Energy and Security Act."

Perriello has been a champion of hunger, poverty, climate change
legislation and other issues vital to the interests of poor people
worldwide, and to the concerns of humanitarians and the global
ecumenical community.

The impacts of climate change are of particular concern to Church World
Service. The agency supports climate adaptation programs for sustainable
agriculture and clean water resources in regions where some of the
world's poorest are already facing food insecurity, hunger, and
shrinking water resources, now being intensified by warming and extreme,
unpredictable weather patterns.

Accepting the honor, Rep. Perriello thanked CWS for its "leadership" in
efforts to eradicate poverty, underscoring the importance of Church
World Service advocacy work on Capitol Hill: "We have the capacity to
eradicate extreme poverty in our lifetime. Political will is the only
thing standing in our way."

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), who chairs the House Appropriations
Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, drew upon her childhood to
explain her commitment to public service. "Growing up in the Bronx I
never thought I'd be able to make this kind of a difference. We all have
to take the opportunity to make a difference in our own way."

Lowey has championed poverty-focused development assistance via the
2009 foreign operations bill, which is helping to reduce global poverty
by investing in education and economic development and in fighting
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

"Iâ??ve had the privilege to travel around the world ­  Tanzania,
Pakistan ­ but you are right there on the ground, doing good work.  The
opportunity to fill othersâ?? dreams is really what life is all  about,"
said Lowey. Rep. Lowey authored the Global Resources and Opportunities
for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Act, which would provide a comprehensive,
practical strategy to specifically address women's poverty in developing
countries.

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) received recognition for his support of faith
community efforts to end restrictions on religious travel to Cuba. A
member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the House
Cuba Working Group, Rep. Flake is a sponsor of the bi-partisan Freedom
to Travel to Cuba Act, which would end the travel ban for all
Americans.

Flake, who has said he believes "the most effective action the U.S. can
take to hasten democratic reforms in Cuba is to loosen trade and travel
restrictions," told the assembled guests that Church World Service is
"making a difference, and I know that the members of Congress here
appreciate it."

A powerful mission

Another staunch supporter of an end to Cuba travel restrictions,
honoree Barbara Lee (D-CA), vowed to achieve victory in the effort. "It
doesn't make sense that members of the clergy cannot go to Cuba," Rep.
Lee said. "We will lift this travel ban."

Rep. Lee, co-author of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States
Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Reauthorization Act of 2008, which authorizes $48 billion over five
years to fight the diseases in devel
oping countries, thanked CWS for
"leading the fight against HIV and AIDS" and called CWS peace and
justice work "a powerful mission."

The importance and the effectiveness of Church World Service's robust
advocacy on Capitol Hill and projects done in conjunction with local
partners around the world also was evident in remarks by Rep. Donald
Payne (D-NJ), recognized for his dedication to addressing the HIV/AIDS
pandemic and his efforts to ensure that food security and nutrition
activities are integrated into HIV prevention, care, treatment and
support activities.

Payne told CWS and the ecumenical leaders present, "Your work assists
us in Congress with moving forward on issues that are important. My
portfolio would not be successful without strong advocates, so you are
important. Because of your great efforts those who would be neglected
otherwise are included."

Long-time champion for the interests of Africa Sen. Russ Feingold
(D-WI), who is chairman of the African Affairs subcommittee of the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, also received recognition.

The continent's challenges are of particular concern to Church World
Service, which supports food security, water resource, income generation
and other development programs, and has just completed a multi-year
Africa initiative.

Well aware that Church World Service's hunger-fighting efforts in
Africa, the United States and around the world are funded in part by
donations to annual CWS-sponsored CROP Hunger Walks, Feingold revealed
that he had walked 30 miles in his first CROP Hunger Walk in 1971. "When
I see all the work you do, this is something I am reminded of," he
said.

Hunger advocate 'humbled' by CWS work

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) speaks directly to the concerns of the
ecumenical faith community as an advocate in Congress ending global
hunger. She introduced the Global Food Security Act of 2009, a bill to
authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, assisting
foreign countries in their efforts to promote agricultural development
and food security, develop rural infrastructure and stimulate rural
economies, and improve emergency response to food crises.

Even in the face of her own legislative efforts, McCollum described
herself as "humbled by the work you all do" and embraced the scope of
Church World Service work, saying, "Your organization represents women,
children, hope, love, peace and justice."

Honoree James McGovern (D-MA), who has worked for many years to shape
U.S.- Latin America policy in support of human rights, people-centered
development and opposition to militarization, was honored for his
tireless efforts to address violations of human dignity in Latin
America, Africa, Asia and throughout the world.

Rep. McGovern also expressed his "admiration" for Church World Service.
"A lot of things are problems we cannot solve," said McGovern, "But
hunger is not one of them. Hunger is a political problem and we are
working to solve the political problem."

In a poignant moment at the reception, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
accepted honors on behalf of his father, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy,
whose impressive list of legislative achievements spanned civil rights
to immigration to health care and more.

Rep. Kennedy said, "We get lobbied on many issues, most of which the
advocates have a financial stake in. You are lobbying on behalf of
social justice."

Church World Service works with grassroots partners throughout the
world on projects to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace
and justice by supporting sustainable development, disaster relief, and
refugee assistance, and by educating and advocating around food security
issues. In the U.S., CWS helps communities respond to disasters,
resettles refugees, and promotes fair national and international public
policies.

Other lawmakers recognized for support of faith-based work around
hunger and poverty, water resources, sustainable development,
immigration and other social issues, but not present at the cere
mony,
are:

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), who sponsored the Senator Paul Simon Water
for the Poor Act:Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who plays a leadership role
in climate change legislation; Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who has been a
champion for trade justice; Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), who has opened
his doors to the community of churches and faith-based institutions and
has reached out to ensure a hearing for the concerns of churches and
faith based instituions; Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Rep. David Price
(D-NC and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), all strong advocates for more
robust U.S. leadership in helping bring about a two-state solution and a
just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians; Rep. Eddie
Bernice Johnson (D-TX), a strong advocate for climate change
legislation;and environmental sustainability; and Rep. Maxine Waters
(D-CA), a leader in the House of Representatives on behalf of the
Jubilee Campaign to cancel the international debts of impoverished
countries.

Media Contact:

Lesley Crosson, 212-870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526, jdragin@gis.net