February 17: Press Conference: Christian Leaders and Policy Experts Offer Recomendations to Reduce Poverty
For Immediate Release
Loredana Vuoto, The Clapham Group, (202) 492-4580, lauriev@claphamgroup.com
Jason Gedeik, Sojourners, (202) 745-4633, jgedeik@sojo.net
*******MEDIA ADVISORY******
Politically Diverse Christian Leaders Offer Concrete Policy
Recommendations on Poverty Reduction
“NonېPartisan Approach Represents New Model to Achieving Common Ground”
WHAT:Reverend Jim Wallis of Sojourners and Mike Gerson, former speechwriter for
President George W. Bush, convened a select group of Christian leaders from across the
political and ideological spectrum to develop practical solutions to reduce domestic poverty.
At a press conference on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at The National Press Club, these
experts in antiېpoverty policy, representing government, community, faithېbased, and
grassroots organizations, will outline commonېground solutions that focus on seven key
areas (see below). This group hopes President Barack Obama and Congress will consider
these recommendations as the longېterm work begins for economic recovery.
WHY:With a deepening recession, the current debate around the economic recovery
and the stimulus package and an increasing number of families who are in danger of falling
into poverty, this year increases the urgency to make poverty reduction a serious national
policy priority. This diverse group strongly believes that combating poverty and
strengthening our economy are not mutually exclusive but complementary goals.
WHO:
ېې CoېChair: Jim Wallis, President and CEO, Sojourners
ېې CoېChair: Mike Gerson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
ېې Facilitator: Mark Rodgers, Principal, The Clapham Group
ېې Facilitator: Adam Taylor, Senior Policy Director, Sojourners
Family Policy
– John Cusey, Former Special Assistant to Wade Horn, Administration for
Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
– Kathy Edin, Professor at the Kennedy School of Government
Health Care
– Kathy Saile, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
– Jim Capretta, Fellow in the Economics and Ethics Program of the Ethics and
Public Policy Center
Education
– Dr. Robert Franklin, President, Morehouse College.
– Terrell Halaska, Former Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, U.S. Dept. of
Education
Asset Building
– Mary Nelson, Founder, Bethel New Life
– Randy Brandt, U.S. Department of State
Strengthening Civil Society
– Melissa Rogers, Director of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Center for Religion and Public Affairs
– Stanley CarlsonېThies, Director of Social Policy Studies, Center for Public
Justice
“Making Work Work”
– Ron Sider, Evangelicals for Social Action
– Chuck Donovan, Executive Vice President, Family Research Council
Community Factors (i.e. Crime and ReېEntry)
– Angela Blackwell, Executive Director of Policy Link
– Brent Orrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Relations at the
Administration for Children and Family Services
WHEN: 12:00 p.m. 1:00 pm EST / Tuesday, February 17th
WHERE:The Zenger Room / National Press Club
529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045
TELECONFERENCE: Dial in # (800) 926ې5187
OPTION **Open Q&A for media at end of call
AUDIOA link to an audio recording of the teleconference will be posted
RECORDING by 3:00 pm EST at: www.thepovertyforum.org
For More Information www.thepovertyforum.org