Earlier this year we reported that President Bush requested about $21.3
billion for the foreign aid budget in FY 2005, which begins on October 1,
2004. Since the House and Senate have failed to reach a FY '05 budget
resolution, the House Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over
spending matters has moved forward and announced spending caps for all
appropriations bills, including the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill,
which funds many international relief and development activities.
The House Appropriations Committee's ceiling for spending on foreign aid
is only $19.4 billion, $1.9 billion below the President’s request. The
Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet made these same
allocations, but is expected to do so shortly and mirror the House figures.
- Core Relief and Development Accounts. CRS is pleased that the
Subcommittee increased by $100 million funding for development
assistance, which covers such essential programs as basic education
and mother and child health initiatives. This increase was especially
important because of concerns that development assistance funding
would be cut further. CRS and the USCCB are advocating for a $1
billion increase for these accounts.
- Migration and Refugee Assistance. The Subcommittee allocated
$756 million for the Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account,
slightly less than last year, and the same amount as last year for the
Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance account, $20 million.
CRS and the USCCB are advocating for $927 million for MRA and $50
million for ERMA. This funding is urgently needed to help restore the
role of the United States as the world leader in refugee protection.
- HIV/AIDS. The Subcommittee supported the President's overall
budget request of $2.8 billion for HIV/AIDS, by providing $2.2 billion
in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill with another $600
million expected in another appropriations bill. CRS and the USCCB
support an overall level of $3.6 billion.
- Millennium Challenge Account. The Subcommittee halved the budget
request for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to $1.25 billion,
given the existing untapped MCA resources and the limited
implementation capacity of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the
MCA’s governing board.
Let Congress know you care about Foreign Aid. Catholic Relief Services
is calling on Congress to support strong foreign aid funding in FY 2005,
particularly for core humanitarian and development accounts. These
accounts risk cuts in light of increases for new initiatives like the
President’s HIV/AIDS plan and the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
These new initiatives and the proposed increases to fund them are
laudable and the programs have great potential to alleviate suffering and
assist countries in their development. CRS supports these programs, but
wants to ensure that they are funded in addition to valuable ongoing relief
and development programs such as basic education, mother and child
health services as well as refugee assistance.
Therefore, CRS supports the following funding levels for the FY 2005
Foreign Operations Appropriations bills:
- A $1 billion increase above FY 2004 levels for core development and
humanitarian accounts, with particular attention to the peoples of
Africa.
- $927 million for Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) and $50
million for Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA),
funding that is urgently needed to help restore the role of the United
States as the world leader in refugee protection.
We also support the president's request for funding for morally
appropriate, comprehensive programs to combat global HIV/AIDS and
other infectious diseases, and the Millennium Challenge Account. Both
programs will make a critical contribution to the U.S. foreign aid program.
TAKE ACTION NOW! Contact your members of Congress and urge them
to support strong funding in support of our brothers and sisters in need
around the world, especially in Africa. Visit our website ! http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ to call, email or
fax your Members today
Please contact Tina Rodousakis for more information about how to contact
your Member of Congress, 1-800-235-2772 ext. 7462 or visit our website !http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/
and enter your zip code next to the "Elected Officials" button.
Update on the AGJobs Bill
Despite efforts made by Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) and Sen. Edward Kennedy
(D-MA) to bring the AgJOBS bill (S.1645, H.R. 3142) up for a vote as an
amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, the large number of other
amendments offered prevented AgJOBS from moving forward.
However, we expect AgJOBS to be offered as an amendment to another
piece of legislation in the future. Thanks for your many phone calls,
emails, letters, and faxes, the AgJOBS bill already has 62 Senate
co-sponsors and 113 in the House but we urge you to continue your efforts
to build greater support in Congress for this bill, especially in the House.
As we continue to face opposition to the passage of this bill, we need to
let Congress know that there is strong support in communities throughout
the United States, and that we stand in solidarity with our brothers and
sisters who toil in our fields. Please contact your Representative to urge
him/her to co-sponsor the AgJOBS bill today!
TAKE ACTION NOW! Visit our web site !http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ to contact your Representative
today to urge him/her to co-sponsor this important legislation. If your
Representative has already co-sponsored this bill, please thank them for
their support.
To find out whether your Representative has co-sponsored the AgJOBS bill,
go to our website !http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ and enter your zip code next to the “Elected Officials”
button. Click on your Representatives’ image and then click to view the
“Co-sponsorship Status.” You can also contact Tina Rodousakis at CRS
1-800-235-2772 x 7462 for more information.
Background: As previously reported, CRS has been working closely with
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services
Department (MRS) to support the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits,
and Security Act of 2003, S. 1645 and H.R.3142 ("AgJOBS bill"). This bill is
a bipartisan initiative that would improve the plight of vulnerable farm
workers in the United States and help stabilize a work force crucial to the
production of food for all Americans.
CRS supports this important bill because many of the migrant workers who
would benefit from the bill's provisions are people who have been
displaced from rural sectors in countries where CRS works, particularly in
Latin America. We have seen firsthand the hardship faced by people in
these rural communities.
At the same time, migrant farm workers who have left their homes and
families to work in the United States perform some of the most dangerous
and strenuous jobs, working long hours in difficult conditions. Their labor
is often a primary source of income for families left behind as well as a
vital support to our nation's agricultural industry, helping to provide a safe
and bountiful food supply for all Americans.
The AgJOBS bill was introduced in Congress last year by Senators Larry
Craig (R-ID) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Representatives Chris
Cannon (R-UT) and Howard Berman (D-CA). It represents a negotiated
agreement between the United Farmworkers Union and agricultural
employers and is a bipartisan initiative with 62 co-sponsors in the Senate
and 113 in the House.
CRS supports the AgJOBS bill because its provisions are an improvement
over the current agricultural worker program (known as H2A), including
allowing undocumented workers to work toward permanent residency,
protecting workers rights, allowing farm workers to sue in federal court
when their rights are violated, and shortening the time it takes for workers
to get visas.
Urge Congressional Support for the Northern
Uganda Crisis Response Act (S. 2264)
Northern Uganda has been embroiled in a
brutal conflict for some 18 years. The
conflict involves the Ugandan military on
the one hand, and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group that
has had the support of the government of Sudan, on the other. An
estimated 1.5 million people have been displaced because of this war and
the civilian population is suffering tremendously due to lack of food, safe
drinking water, sanitation and other basic supplies. The situation is
worsened by the LRA's brutal attacks targeted at the civilian population.
The most striking effect of this war is the abduction of children by the LRA
to serve as slaves and combatants. They are tortured or killed if they
attempt to escape. Thus the "night commuters" phenomenon has emerged
- tens of thousands of northern Ugandans, mostly children leave their
families before sunset every night to make their way to shelters in larger
towns for fear of being abducted.
It is for all these reasons that the United Nations Under-Secretary General
for Humanitarian Affairs, Jan Egeland, recently noted that northern Uganda
may be the biggest forgotten and neglected humanitarian crisis in the
world.
CRS is among several international relief and development agencies
involved in promoting peace in northern Uganda. Through our partners, we
support the work of Archbishop John Baptist Odama of the Gulu Diocese.
Archbishop Odama is a tireless advocate for peace in northern Uganda and
his diocese includes the most affected districts in northern Uganda. He is
Chair of the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative (ARLPI), which
includes Christian and Muslim religious leaders working closely with
traditional leaders. His group has emerged as one of the most effective
advocates for an end to the conflict in Uganda.
In June, Archbishop Odama met with high-level U.S. government officials
to advocate for U.S. engagement in seeking a lasting peace in northern
Uganda. The Catholic community in the United States can support
Archbishop Odama, the ARLPI and our brothers and sisters in northern
Uganda by joining in advocating for important measures the U.S.
government can take to resolve this conflict, and bring peace and justice
to this troubled region. Please visit our website! http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ for background resources
on the war in northern Uganda, which can be used by individuals, small
groups and others for a better understanding of the crisis.
TAKE ACTION NOW! The bipartisan Northern Uganda Crisis Response
Act, S. 2264, sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Lamar
Alexander (R-TN) recently passed the Senate by unanimous consent. For
more information about this important legislation, please visit our
Grassroots Action Center. http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
We expect the House to introduce companion legislation shortly. Please
call your Representative and ask to speak with the Members' Chief of Staff
or Legislative Aide handling international issues. Urge them to support the
Northern Uganda Crisis Response Act when it is introduced in the House.
CRS is also supporting additional funding for night commuters programs in
northern Uganda. Don't forget to mention the need for more financial
resources for the children of northern Uganda who must leave their homes
every night for fear of abduction.
For your Representative's contact information, please visit our website http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ and
click on "Elected Officials" or call Tina Rodousakis at 1-800-235-2772 ext.
7462. You can send a message directly from our website!
Forward this action alert to your family, friends, and fellow parishioners by
visiting our Grassroots Action Center http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
and clicking on TELL-A-FRIEND!
The Latest News on Food Aid Appropriations
The House Appropriations Committee recently marked up food aid funding
and authorizing language for the fiscal year 2005. The President's budget
request included $1.185 billion for FY 2005 Title II food aid. CRS is
disappointed that the House Apropriations Committee made a slight cut of
$5 million to that request, but this came against the backdrop of overall
reductions in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. CRS is advocating
for $1.2 billion for Title II food aid in FY 2005.
At the same time, we are pleased that the Committeee increased funding
for Global Food for Education by $25 million compared to last year. The
final level is the budget request of $75 million. This account supports
programs that use food as part of education programs.
CRS is pleased that the bill includes language mandating that
non-emergency, developmental food aid be fully utilized as well as general
language that expresses the need for more food resources for health
programming. This provides the framework for us to advocate for full and
robust use of developmental food aid funding for health and HIV/AIDS
programs.
As the Senate moves forward with its food aid appropriations bill, we will
advocate for more explicit support for the use of Title II food aid in
HIV/AIDS programs as well as higher levels in the Senate to help offset
increased commodity and freight costs.
Be a Faithful Citizen this Election Year!
As Catholics in the United States, what does our faith require of us during
an election year? How can we examine political platforms and policies
looking through the lenses of our faith?
For the last 28 years, U.S. Catholic Bishops have offered guidance for
Catholics on just these questions. Their statement Faithful Citizenship: A
Catholic Call to Political Responsibility has been released every four years
in advance of U.S. presidential elections since 1975. The statement
summarizes teachings on public life and moral concerns within the
framework of our faith. In their latest statement the bishops note that,
"…responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process
is a moral obligation. All believers are called to faithful citizenship, to
become informed, active, and responsible participants in the political
process."
Faithful Citizenship highlights four areas of particular concern to the
Catholic community in the United States:
- Protecting human life
- Promoting family life
- Pursuing social justice
- Practicing global solidarity
Catholic Relief Services, as the official overseas relief and development
agency of the U.S. Catholic community offers a distinct perspective on the
statement's call for solidarity with the world's poor. We echo the
statement's call for Catholics to practice global solidarity with people
around the world living in abject poverty, innocent civilians affected by
regional or local conflicts, and migrants attempting to survive in a new
hostile environment.
In light of the Faithful Citizenship statement, we have developed "Global
Issues for Faithful Citizens," supplemental materials that highlight CRS'
policy priorities for use in parishes, dioceses and the general public. The
materials include a Powerpoint presentation and background resources on
issues concerning development assistance, food aid, HIV/AIDS, and trade.
To download these background materials, please visit our website. http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ We
encourage you to use these materials as you consider the candidates
running for public office in your area.
Meet With Your Elected Officials During the
2004 Congressional August Recess
Congress' 2004 August recess is scheduled for July 26 - September 7.
During this time, Senators and Representatives usually return to their
home districts, which provides a perfect opportunity for you to arrange a
personal visit with your Senators and Representative to communicate your
concerns regarding policy issues.
If you plan to arrange a visit, please don't forget our brothers and sisters
around the world. Use our "Global Issues for Faithful Citizens" background
resources for ideas on what questions to ask your elected officials or what
policies to advocate for. You may also visit our website for the latest
policy issues we are pushing for in Congress, or contact us. advocacy@catholicrelief.org
For Congressional district office contact information, please visit our
Website http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ and click the "Elected Officials" tab and follow the instructions to
find your Congressional representative. You can also call Tina Rodousakis
at 410-951-7462 or email TRodousa@catholicrelief.org for more
information.
Here are some general tips for making your Congressional visit a
successful endeavor.
- Know who your legislators are and schedule an appointment to meet
with them. You can find out who your legislators are and their contact
information by visiting our Grassroots Action Center. http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
Go to the
"Elected Officials" tab and follow the instructions to find your
Congressional representative. Highlight your representative's name
and click 'Go' to access their background and contact information.
- Numbers Count: invite your family, friends and fellow parishioners to
accompany you to this meeting.
- Know your legislator's background and position on the issue. You can
find your representative's co-sponsorship record on CRS advocacy
priorities at our Grassroots Action Center. http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
- Have a basic understanding of the legislative process. Also know your
issue and limit the number of issues to be discussed. Prepare the
points you want conveyed in this meeting and designate who will
speak.
- Firmly support your issue while remaining respectful in the dialogue
with your Congressional hosts.
- Be sure to send a thank you message to your Congressional office
after the meeting.
For questions, please contact Tina Rodousakis, Legislative Network
Specialist, Phone (410) 951-7462 or E-mail: Trodousa@catholicrelief.org
CRS Grassroots Action Center Turns One
Over a year ago a new grassroots advocacy advocacy@catholicrelief.org section on CRS' website was
unveiled. The web site has lived up to our expectations double fold,
serving as an effective tool to engage our grassroots supporters in
advocacy on U.S. policies that affect poor people around the world. The
site allows you our grassroots audience the ability to:
- Access an online Congressional directory and easily identify your
elected officials in Congress, including Senators and Representatives.
On this site you can also retrieve background and contact information
on 2004 presidential candidates.
- View officials' voting records on CRS' advocacy issues.
- Respond immediately to CRS legislative action alerts by sending
e-mail messages from our website to government officials, including
members of Congress, the Administration and federal agencies.
- Sign up for our legislative network and tell your friends and family,
colleagues and fellow parishioners about our work and our grassroots
advocacy efforts.
For questions, please contact Tina Rodousakis, Legislative Network
Specialist, Phone (410) 951-7462 or E-mail: TRodousa@catholicrelief.org
Barb Ballenger Departs CRS, Embarks on a
New Journey
For almost two years Barbara Ballenger has been a cherished colleague
within CRS' Community Engagement department, contributing greatly to
the department's progress and successfully managing the publication of
the monthly Advocate. In her tenure here she also produced important
background resources on such issues as the Africa Hunger Crisis, Peace in
the Holy Land, World AIDS Day, and many more.
She has also coordinated CRS' Africa Campaign activities for the last six
months and managed the publication of Prayer Without Borders:
Celebrating Global Wisdom. Prayer Without Borders is a compilation of
prayers, wisdom stories and reflections from more than 25 countries where
Catholic Relief Services serves. It is a first of its kind for the agency and is
due out this July. Order information including a toll free number can be
accessed at this web site: http://www.CRSprayer.org/ .
At the end of July, Barb, along with her husband, Jess and two children,
Jesse and Hannah Rose will depart Baltimore to begin a new life in State
College, PA where her husband takes up a teaching position at Penn State
University.
Fortunately Barb will continue to serve as a consultant to CRS' Community
Engagement department, particularly on resource development. Although
her presence will be sorely missed, we are very happy for the new
opportunities awaiting the Ballengers in Pennsylvania and pray for God's
blessings as they begin this new and exciting journey.
Resources to Put Your Faith Into Action!
Faithful Citizenship - We have developed Faithful Citizenship
supplemental resources that include a downloadable PowerPoint slideshow
and information sheets on CRS advocacy priorities.
Slideshow --This provides an overview of the Faithful Citizenship
statement, brief description of sections of the documents, CRS and the
global solidarity, and how to get involved.
Background Sheets --These provide more information on key global issues
addressed in the statement, including development assistance, food aid,
HIV/AIDS and trade. Also included are stories about CRS' work overseas,
policy questions to ask candidates, and actions people can take around
these issues.
To download these background materials, please visit our website. http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ For
additional Faithful Citizenship resources or to order a copy of the
statement, visit the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' web site http://www.usccb.org .
Northern Uganda - The northern Uganda conflict is one that has captured
the attention of the international community in the last few months. This
eighteen-year old war between the Ugandan military and a rebel group,
the Lord's Resistance army has claimed numerous lives over the years,
displaced over a million people and made life very difficult for those
residing in the war-affected areas. In June, Archbishop John Baptist
Odama of the Gulu Diocese and Chair of the Acholi Religious Leaders'
Peace Initiative (ARLPI) met with high-level U.S. government officials to
advocate for U.S. engagement in seeking a lasting peace in northern
Uganda.
The Catholic community in the United States can support Archbishop
Odama, and all our brothers and sisters in northern Uganda by joining in
advocating for important measures the U.S. government can take to
resolve this conflict and bring peace and justice to our brothers and sisters
in this troubled region.
Please visit our website http://capwiz.com/catholicrelief/home/ to download resources for education and action on
northern Uganda and to help spread the word about the situation in this
region of Africa.
Prayer Without Borders - This month Catholic Relief
Services will publish Prayer Without Borders,
Celebrating Global Wisdom. The book contains prayers,
wisdom stories and reflections from people in 25
countries CRS serves. Priced at $12.95, it can be
ordered on-line or by phone: 800-736-3467.
The book was compiled and edited by Barbara Ballenger
and Gabe Huck. For more information visit
http://www.CRSprayer.org/ , or contact Barbara Ballenger,
project coordinator in the Community Engagement
department, at 800-235-2772, ext 7424.
Register to Vote - There is still time to register to vote. - With the 2004
presidential elections inching closer this is a reminder that you can
register to vote online at CRS' Grassroots Action Center. http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
We encourage
you to also direct your friends to this site to get registered. The site
provides information about 2004 political candidates including contact
information, background, and voting and co-sponsorship record on
legislation CRS supports. You can also find your Congressional
representatives. Be sure to send them a message asking them to support
our advocacy priorities!
Contact Us
E-mail the Community Engagement Department at advocacy@catholicrelief.org
or call us toll-free at 1-800-235-2772, ext.
7264.
Community Engagement Staff:
Kathy Brown, Community Engagement Director, ext. 7232
Barbara Ballenger, Project/Africa Campaign Coordinator, ext. 7424
Alice Cutchember, Administrative Assistant, ext. 7264
Rowena Gono, Advocacy Communications Specialist, ext. 7496
Tina Rodousakis, Legislative Network Specialist, ext. 7462
Chris West, Community Organizer, ext. 7454
The Advocate is a monthly publication of the CRS Community Engagement
Department. A two-page, print-ready version, as well as archived editions,
can be downloaded from the grassroots advocacy pages http://www.catholicrelief.org/get_involved/advocacy/grass_roots/index.cfm
of the CRS web
site. Or e-mail us at advocacy@catholicrelief.org and we'll send it to you.
Glossary
Appropriations: The passage of an appropriations bill provides federal
agencies with the authority to spend money for specific purposes.
Government funds cannot be spent unless they are appropriated by
Congress. Generally, programs must first by authorized before funding for
them can be appropriated.
.
The Global AIDS initiative: The United States Leadership Against
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 was signed into law in
May 2004. The legislation authorizes a total of $15 billion to be spent over
the next five years for comprehensive programs to fight HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria in Africa and the Carribean. The bill authorizes $3
billion to be spent annually from 2004 to 2008.
.
The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA): In 2002 President Bush
proposed a new foreign aid program called "The Millennium Challenge
Account" (MCA), which envisions a $5 billion increase in the current foreign
aid budget by the year 2006. The proposal calls for new ways to grant
foreign assistance, linking eligibility to a country's performance in areas of
good governance, investment in people and economic freedom.
