Forwarded from the USCCB by the Joliet Diocese Legislative Advocacy Network.

Dear Colleagues,

 

With the help of your advocacy, the Congress passed a bill before the July 4 recess that provides important new funding for poor people around the world affected by the food crisis, for migration and refugee assistance, especially for Iraqis, and for improving lives in Sudan, West Bank/Gaza and other poor countries. See the attached Alert. The President signed the bill this week. Thanks for all you support!

 

Gerry Flood
Policy Advisor, International Justice and Peace United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

July 1, 2008

 

THANK YOU!

 

Your actions will help hungry people, assist refugees and support humanitarian efforts!

Thanks in part to your 4,395 advocacy messages, the Senate approved the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill before they recessed for the July 4 holiday that will feed hungry people, assist refugees, and support humanitarian efforts. President Bush has signed the bill into law. It will provide critically needed funding for:

 

International food assistance to help feed hungry people who are suffering because of the ongoing global food crisis ($1.245 billion); International development assistance to help people increase crop yields and avert future hunger crises ($200 million); International disaster assistance for countries hit hardest by the global food crisis ($440 million); Migration and refugee assistance, especially to assist Iraqi refugees ($665 million); Economic support fund for Sudan, West Bank/Gaza, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Jordan to promote social, political and economic development ($713.5 million).

 

WHAT DOES THIS FUNDING HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Catholic social teaching is rooted in the sacredness and fundamental dignity of every human life. As Catholics, we are also called to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters worldwide who are suffering because of war, disease, natural disaster and poverty. Our nation’s acts of solidarity with people in need can save their lives and help build a more stable and peaceful world. Pope Benedict XVI recently stated at the World Food Security Summit: "If you do not feed someone who is dying of hunger, you have killed him” and “everyone has a right to live."

 

Thank you for your help in letting Congress know that the world’s poorest people couldn’t afford to wait for urgently needed help from the U.S. We will continue to monitor opportunities to assist our brothers and sisters worldwide and look forward to continuing to work together for a more just and peaceful world.

 

For more information, contact:

Tina Rodousakis, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, CRS, 410-951-7462, trodousa@crs.org

Gerry Flood, Policy Advisor, International Justice and Peace, USCCB, 202-541-3167, gflood@usccb.org