Forwarded from CRS with Endorsement from the Joliet Diocese Legislative Advocacy Network

Urge the Administration to Support Major New Debt Relief for the Worlds Poorest Countries -- But Not at the Expense of Development Assistance

Please contact the White House and the U.S. Treasury Secretary during the week of September 20-24 to express your support for new debt relief for poor countries and to urge that the proposed 100 percent debt cancellation increases funds available to poor countries for critical investments in education, health and poverty reduction.

Click here to read the complete action alert and to take action today!

Or visit www.crs.org/actioncenter.cfm

Sign-on Letter in support of Peace in Colombia

Dear Colleague,

Please consider signing the following letter being circulated by a number of faith-based organizations and addressed to the two major presidential candidates, calling for a significant change in U.S. policy towards Colombia. This conflict-torn Latin American country continues to be one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a religious leader or a union leader advocating for peace. U.S. policy towards Colombia needs a new vision that will provide support for human rights, economic development, and a just and negotiated path for peace.

This fall, as the U.S. Congress debates the amount and the terms of U.S. foreign assistance to Colombia, this letter to the candidates will help promote a strong and unified message from faith-based organizations.

We are cooperating with other ecumenical allies on this issue to facilitate the gathering of signatures for this letter to President Bush and Senator Kerry.

For the text of the letter and to sign on behalf of your faith-affiliated community group, click here:

http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/semana_letter_intro.cfm.

The new deadline for sign on to the letter is September 30, 2004.

Also, please visit our website to learn about CRS work in Colombia: http://www.catholicrelief.org/our_work/where_we_work/overseas/latin_america_and_the_caribbean/colombia/index.cfm

Catholic Relief Services' advocacy efforts flow from the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, especially the call to protect the dignity of people, uphold rights and responsibilities, safeguard the common good and to act in solidarity with people in poverty.