Inside this issue:

• Special Edition of Washington Weekly
• CCUSA President Testifies on Gulf Coast Oil Crisis
• President Obama Signs Bill to Extend Unemployment Insurance
• Catholic Charities USA Attends Meeting on Family Financial Stability
• Senate Committee Advances HUD Spending Bill
• Human Trafficking Caucus Hosts Briefing on Human Trafficking
• Participate in Catholic Charities Sunday
• Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

Special Edition of Washington Weekly

Please watch for a special edition of Washington Weekly this week with information about the Catholic Charities USA Centennial Gathering and the historic advocacy day on Capitol Hill.

CCUSA President Testifies on Gulf Coast Oil Crisis

On July 20, Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing on the immediate need for charitable assistance in the Gulf Coast Region.

His testimony provided the subcommittee with insight on the impact of the oil leak on local communities and the challenges facing Catholic Charities agencies in meeting the demands for services. To date, Catholic Charities agencies along the Gulf Coast have provided more that 20,000 units of service to local communities. He reported that funding for these services is being provided out of the agencies’ standard operating budgets and that there is a dire need to access greater funding that can be used to serve the immediate and long-term needs of the growing vulnerable population.

He stated that one major challenge facing the region is that several national efforts to raise support have received limited response. He told the subcommittee that Americans are generous and supportive during disaster, but due to the type of media coverage and the federal government’s response to this current oil leak, the public has not responded with the same level of donation as in past disasters.  Though BP might be held accountable for the damages caused to the environment and many of the small businesses in the region, the long-term impacts of this disaster on local non-profits will be costly. Without increased public engagement, both in terms of volunteers and monetary support, the impact on non-profits will be severe because BP will not cover all the damages and families will continue to turn to local service providers for help in rebuilding their lives.

During his testimony, Fr. Snyder called for a national disaster declaration, a new program of disaster unemployment assistance, and congressional approval of a coordinated regional plan to develop a long-term recovery.

Catholic Charities USA continues to advocate for assistance to local agencies in the region working to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by the oil crisis.

To download the complete testimony, click here.

To watch the testimony, click here.

President Obama Signs Bill to Extend Unemployment Insurance

On July 23, President Obama signed into law legislation to extend unemployment insurance benefits to an estimated 2.5 million workers who have been out of work for at least six months. This extension will provide benefits through November 2010 and benefits will be retroactive to June 2, 2010 when the last extension expired.  After a long and sometimes contentious debate in the Senate, the measure finally passed with the support of two Republican Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) was the sole Democrat to vote against the measure. Earlier in the week, President Obama held a press event at the White House to urge Congress to pass legislation to extend benefits. The President was joined by several dislocated workers, including a consumer of services from Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org

Catholic Charities USA Attends Meeting on Family Financial Stability

On July 22, Candy Hill, Senior Vice President of Social Policy and Government Affairs attended an invitation only meeting on promoting family financial stability hosted by Bank of America, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, LISC, the McArthur Foundation, and United Way Worldwide.

The two-day meeting brought together policy makers, partners and practioners to share tools and technology as well as celebrate the efforts of early leaders in the mission to promote family economic success.

For more information, please contact Candy Hill, Sr. Vice President of Social Policy and Government Affairs at chill@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Senate Committee Advances HUD Spending Bill

On July 22, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation- Housing and Urban Development marked up and approved its fiscal year 2011 spending bill. The bill provides $122 billion for transportation and housing programs. This is roughly $700 million below the administration’s request for these programs. The bill includes $68 billion in discretionary spending, equaling fiscal year 2010 spending level. The bill includes the following funding levels for several housing programs that impact the families served by Catholic Charities agencies:

• $2.5 billion for the public housing capital fund, an increase of $467 million above the President’s budget request and $10 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level. The bill also includes $4.8 billion for the public housing operating fund, which is $54 million more than the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
• $9.4 billion for the project-based section 8 program, including over $9.1 billion for the renewal of all expiring project-based contracts for a full 12 months. This is $830 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and equal to the President’s budget.
• $2.055 billion for homeless assistance grants. This level of funding is nearly $200 million above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level and is equal to the President’s request.

The package also rejected the administration’s proposed cuts to Section 202 Housing for the Elderly and 811 Housing for the Disabled. Elderly housing is funded at $825 million and disabled housing at $200 million.

The bill will now go to the Senate floor for consideration; however, the timing is uncertain.

More information on the legislation is available here.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Caucus Hosts Briefing on Human Trafficking

On July 19, The Victims’ Rights Caucus and the Human Trafficking Caucus held a briefing to discuss the pervasive and troubling issue of domestic sex trafficking of minors.  Speakers included:

• Former Congresswoman Linda Smith, Founder, Shared Hope International who discussed the need for anti trafficking legislation in the United States as well as access to improved systems and shelters.
• Sergeant Ryan Long, Vice Division, Seattle Police Department stressed the need to include law enforcement in training and prevention programs. In addition, he discussed the trauma bond that exists between trafficked children and the person who is trafficking them.
• Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children spoke of the need for different community sectors to work together.
• Emily Fitchpatrick, Director, Hope House shared her experiences as a shelter provider and provided insight on trauma and trust issues.
• Sidney Ford, Executive Director and Founder of You Are Never Alone (YANA) spoke of the need for a national response as well as the successes of local task forces.

Legislation to address domestic trafficking has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. To view the full text and summary HR 5575 the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010, please click here. To view the full text and summary of S. 2925 Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009, please click here.

Every year hundreds of thousands of American and international children under the age of 18 are sexually exploited. Another 300,000 American children and youth are at risk each year of becoming victims.

Catholic Charities USA makes domestic and international trafficking resources available for agencies to use to help mobilize their communities to identify and serve all children who are victims of trafficking.

For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Participate in Catholic Charities Sunday

On September 25, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will celebrate its Centennial anniversary. This anniversary provides a once in a lifetime platform from which to proclaim the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the person and call all individuals, families, communities and organizations to work together to help us meet our needs, address our issues, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society.

As Catholic Charities USA reflects on the last 100 years, the impact of partnership efforts, like ours, have been pivotal to the help and hope that has been created for millions of people on the margins of our society. Thus, as we recognize the potential and responsibility of our centennial, Catholic Charities USA is once again seeking your partnership.

In honor of the centennial, the U.S. Catholic Bishops designated Sunday, September 26, 2010 as National Catholic Charities Sunday. National Catholic Charities Sunday provides parishes with the opportunity to celebrate Catholic Charities’ long standing efforts to provide help and create hope for millions of people in need each year and to advance a vision for our society in which individuals and communities can reach their God-given potential.

Catholic Charities USA has developed materials to help parishes celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Catholic Charities by reflecting on the Gospel and the witness of Catholic Charities, raising their voice to advocate for life and dignity for all, and responding to need and injustice in their communities. These materials are available in English and Spanish at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ccsunday.

We ask that you encourage your networks to host and spread the word about National Catholic Charities Sunday.  Please forward this information and materials along to your contacts at parishes and dioceses.

If you have any questions or need any support, please contact me at rlustig@catholiccharitiesusa.org or (703) 236-6234

Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

One hundred years ago, 400 delegates from 24 states gathered in Washington, DC to form what is now known as Catholic Charities USA, a compassionate network of social justice advocates and caregivers, providing help and creating hope for millions of Americans each year.

On September 25-28, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will once again gather in Washington, DC to celebrate our Centennial and make plans for the next 100 years.

We invite you to join us in Washington and take this historic moment to reflect upon our 100 year history, recognize regional programs that are effectively reducing poverty, and renew your commitment to each other and to our brothers and sisters in need. 

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

In addition to hundreds - even thousands – of Catholic Charities agency staff, social justice advocates, partners and coalition representatives, and people of good will, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with:

• Josef Cardinal Cordes, President, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will provide the keynote at Sunday’s breakfast
• Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, will serve as celebrant and homilist at Saturday’s liturgy
• Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, will preside at the Mass on Catholic Charities Sunday and present a keynote address
• Rev. Bryan Hehir, Former President of Catholic Charities USA
• Mark Shields, syndicated columnist and political analyst, PBS Newshour
• Any many more new and familiar faces! Check our Web site for updates.

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

Inside this issue:

• House Committee Approves Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill
• Bishop Kicanas Testified on Immigration Reform before House Subcommittee
• Congress Sends President Financial Reform Legislation
• First Lady Introduces Lets Move Campaign for Healthy Children
• Senate Appropriations Committee Cuts President Budget Request
• Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

House Committee Approves Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill

On July 14 and July 15, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor marked up and approve the “Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act,” (H.R. 5504),  The measure was approved by a vote of 32-13.

The bill would add roughly $8 billion over the next ten years to the program for child nutrition programs.

Chairman Miller offered an amendment, which would recognize and adjust for certain differences with the Senate version, including an expansion of the after-school meal program that is already being executed in 14 states. It additionally added a requirement for the Agriculture Department to contract for independent review of any new ingredients to be purchased for the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Other amendments included extending eligibility for Native American foster children from Rep. Kildee (D-MI) and assisting in establishing an organic food pilot program from Representatives Woolsey (D-CA) and Kucinich (D-OH).

Rep. Kline (R-MN) introduced an amendment that would substitute the 250-page bill with a 32-page bill that would reauthorize existing programs and not provide further expansion, such as the six-cent increase to pre-meal reimbursement rates for schools that meet the higher nutritional guidelines or the grant of authority to the Agriculture Department to determine what is sold in school vending machines and ‘a la carte’ lines.

There was no further headway in identifying a revenue source for the bill. However, the House Committee increases are in line with President Obama’s request for $10 billion over that time. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee approved a measure in March that would expand the program by $4.5 billion over ten years, setting forward $2 billion in offsets from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Senior Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement, lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Bishop Kicanas Testified on Immigration Reform before House Subcommittee

On July 14, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law held a hearing on the Ethical Imperative for Reform of our Immigration System. Four witnesses spoke at the hearing:

• Richard D. Land, Ph.D, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention of Washington, DC, stated that the borders must be controlled, not closed, and that there must be an earned path to citizenship with appropriate penalties while also recognizing how much the undocumented immigrant community is integrated with the US.
• Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, Arizona and Vice-President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, brought attention to the humanitarian issue that is unauthorized migration. The current system leads to family separation, worker exploitation, human smuggling, and death. The US accepts the toil and money from undocumented workers without protecting them.
• Mathew D. Staver, J.D., Founder and Chairman of the Liberty Counsel and Dean and Professor of Law at the Liberty University School of Law, Lynchurg, PA, presented three options: amnesty, deportation, and a path to earned legal status. He argued that amnesty would not solve the problem, deportation was both impossible and unjust, and a path to legal status would both solve the problem and be both just and fair.
• James R. Edwards Jr., Ph.D, Fellow of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, DC, claimed that Christian doctrine that may apply to an individual should not necessarily apply to the government and that the government may cause injustice in the name of mass mercy.

To read Bishop Kicanas’s testimony, please click here. Catholic Charities USA supports comprehensive immigration reform and will keep you updated.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Sr. Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Congress Sends President Financial Reform Legislation

On July 15, the U.S. Senate approved a conference report for the landmark financial reform legislation. The measure, the “Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010″ (H.R.4173) was approved by a vote of 60-39, with three Republicans voting to approve.  The legislation will impose new restrictions on risky financial investments, create a special agency to protect consumers, and require financial institutions to hold more capital to protect against future financial turmoil.  The final package also requires the Federal Reserve to regulate the amount that merchants or charities accepting donations can be charged for debit transaction fees. Supporters of the measure argued that this bill will significantly reduce the risky financial practices that caused the most recent financial crisis. Those opposing the bill claimed that the approved package did not go far enough. It is expected that President Obama will sign the measure into law later this week.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Senate Appropriations Committee Cuts President Budget Request

On July 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee adopted its fiscal 2011 spending plan, cutting $14 billion from President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget request. This was roughly double the cuts proposed by the House. The allocations include a of $2 billion in State-Foreign Operations, nearly $1 billion in Labor-HHS Education, and over $8 billion in defense spending, suggesting a more serious stance on budget cuts across departments.

The Committee voted 17-12 along partisan lines for the $1.114 trillion discretionary spending cap. This came after Chairman Inouye (D-HI) offered the middle ground of a $14 billion reduction between the Democrats’ initial offer of a  $8 billion reduction and Republicans’ proposed $20 billion. Both the House and the Senate have yet to pass traditional budgets. The House has instead focused on one-year spending limits and the Senate is currently considering its options.

Catholic Charities will keep you updated regarding the possible implications of these proposed cuts.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

First Lady Introduces Lets Move Campaign for Healthy Children

On July 13, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the Lets Move Campaign.  The campaign is a priority for the First Lady to address the growing number of issues related to children’s health.  The program states:

We can solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight if we all work together. Through the Let’s Move! campaign-a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative that addresses all of the various factors that lead to childhood obesity-we are engaging every sector of society that impacts the health of children to provide schools, families and communities the simple tools they need to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.

Catholic Charities USA believes that it is unacceptable in a nation as bountiful as ours that children experience food insecurity that puts their physical, mental and developmental health at risk.  To visit the campaign, please click here.

For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

One hundred years ago, 400 delegates from 24 states gathered in Washington, DC to form what is now known as Catholic Charities USA, a compassionate network of social justice advocates and caregivers, providing help and creating hope for millions of Americans each year.

On September 25-28, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will once again gather in Washington, DC to celebrate our Centennial and make plans for the next 100 years.

We invite you to join us in Washington and take this historic moment to reflect upon our 100 year history, recognize regional programs that are effectively reducing poverty, and renew your commitment to each other and to our brothers and sisters in need. 

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

In addition to hundreds - even thousands – of Catholic Charities agency staff, social justice advocates, partners and coalition representatives, and people of good will, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with:

• Josef Cardinal Cordes, President, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will provide the keynote at Sunday’s breakfast
• Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, will serve as celebrant and homilist at Saturday’s liturgy
• Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, will preside at the Mass on Catholic Charities Sunday and present a keynote address
• Rev. Bryan Hehir, Former President of Catholic Charities USA
• Mark Shields, syndicated columnist and political analyst, PBS Newshour
• Any many more new and familiar faces! Check our Web site for updates.

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

By Ken Hackett,

President, Catholic Relief Services

Six months ago the earth shook in Haiti for 35 seconds. Thirty five seconds that ended so many lives and changed many more. Let me share with you a story that is very typical of life in Haiti over the last six months.

Elucienne Lampi was at her street stall selling goods when the quake hit. She ran home to find that the house next door had collapsed onto hers, bringing down the roof. Luckily, everyone was okay. Since then, Elucienne, her three daughters and three grandchildren have been living at one of the hundreds of camps in Port-au-Prince that sprang up after the quake.

At first they only had clothing and sheets to cover themselves, but they later received tarps and other materials to construct the 8 x 15-foot tent they now live in. Elucienne has used sheets to divide it into four different sections. It is hot under the tarps and, unless it rains, everyone is outside by 8 a.m. In the early days, there was no bathroom so people were forced to go behind trees. Neither was there a supply of clean water. 

Elucienne’s biggest worry is that she had no money or basics like food. She needs money for medical treatment for herself and her daughter, and to fix the roof of their home. But now she does have a little money and a little hope, thanks to a new job. In June, she started a cleaning job at the camp. “I sweep, carry water and wash. It is hard work but at least it is a stable income,” she says. She hopes to go back to her house when she has enough money to fix the roof.

Elucienne’s job is part of a Catholic Relief Services (CRS) cash-for-work program at the camp that employs the residents to perform important tasks, such as keeping washing stations clean. Vital work gets done, those in need like Elucienne earn an income and cash is put into the local economy.

Elucienne is one of approximately 6,000 people CRS has employed in cash-for-work activities such as the clearing of drainage canals, or digging new drainage channels. These are designed both to provide income to vulnerable people and benefit communities.

Since the quake hit, CRS has installed over 600 latrines and hand-washing stations, so important in preventing the spread of disease. We have also set up potable water tanks and inflatable water bladders in Port-au-Prince, including the ones at Elucienne’s camp. We now supply an estimated 375,000 gallons of clean water every month.

CRS has provided emergency shelter materials to more than 114,000 people, including the shelters at Elucienne’s camp. We have distributed 10.6 million rations of food to nearly 900,000 people, and are currently providing food to more than 90,000 students in over 270 schools, and monthly food rations to more than 100 orphanages and child-care centers in Port-au-Prince and beyond, benefiting nearly 10,000 children.

The huge outpouring of support from Catholics and others of good faith in the U.S. has enabled CRS to bring life-giving aid to hundreds of thousands of people over the last six months. But if we are to build back a better Haiti, much more needs to be done.

There are some 1.6 million people like Elucienne and her family living in camps, and another 400,000 are living with extended family or friends. Over 1,300 schools and 50 health care facilities were completely destroyed and more are significantly damaged. The level of destruction is extraordinary. The debris alone would fill 8,000 Olympic swimming pools. The Inter-American Development Bank estimates that the earthquake that hit Haiti has had the largest proportional impact that any country has ever experienced.

Catholic Relief Services Enters Long-Term Strategy to Help Rebuild in Haiti

CRS has made strides in meeting desperate need since the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, feeding some 900,000 people and providing food, water, sanitation, shelter materials and medical care for hundreds of thousands in Port-au-Prince and beyond.

The huge outpouring of support from Catholics and others of good faith in the United States has enabled CRS to bring life-saving aid over the last few months.“We are grateful for the generous outpouring of aid to Haiti in the first phase of operations. On July 12, we remember those who rushed to the spot like heroes to save lives, relieve pain, give food and drink, welcome, house and express their solidarity,” said Bishop Pierre Dumas, President of Caritas Haiti.

Between mid-January and June, CRS has provided food to some 900,000 people, and is continuing to supply food regularly to approximately 100,000 children in over 270 schools and 100 orphanages and child-care centers. CRS provided emergency shelter materials to more than 114,000 people, and water and sanitation services that are benefitting tens of thousands.

“While CRS continues to address humanitarian needs such as food, water and shelter, we are now embarking on a long-term and comprehensive plan of rebuilding and rehabilitation that is mapped out for at least the next five years,” says Ken Hackett, CRS President. “This long-term strategy will encompass a variety of sectors, including 8,000 new temporary structures to house as many families.”

Transitional shelters as well as reconstruction of community infrastructure like schools and health centers are major components of CRS’ long-term strategy.  Other focus areas include food and job security, health and wellbeing, protection of the vulnerable and education of children and youth.

“We have worked in Haiti for more than 50 years and we intend to remain alongside Haitians for many more years to come,” Hackett says.

Inside this issue:

• President Obama Speaks on Immigration
• Senate Fails to Advance Jobless Benefits
• Rep. Carolyn Maloney Introduces Minor Sex Trafficking Legislation
• House Committee Holds Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization
• Unemployment Rate Decreases Slightly
• Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

President Speaks on Immigration

Last week, President Barack Obama made an appeal to the public and Congress for an overhaul of the nation’s broken immigration system.  During his speech, the President stated that the gathering of 11 million undocumented immigrants would be “logistically impossible and widely expensive.”  He also recapped what has been done to secure the southern border and mentioned that crime around the southern border is down and that the data reflect a significant reduction in the number of people trying to cross the border illegally.  In addition, the President called for an end to partisan posturing, stating that “there is no reason that comprehensive immigration reform cannot pass this year, and it comes down to Democrats and Republicans coming together.”

While the speech included no new recommendations or offered no timetable for congressional action, it reiterated the President’s commitment and signaled that the White House would push for comprehensive immigration reform which includes strengthening border security, a legal path to citizenship with a requirement to pay a fine and learn English. 

To view President Obama’s speech, please click here.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Sr. Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Senate Fails to Advance Jobless Benefits

On June 29, the U.S. Senate failed in its latest attempt to extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to jobless workers. Democratic leaders in the Senate failed to gather enough votes to end debate on a scaled down version of the stalled tax extender and unemployment benefits package.  The latest proposal, which was offered as a substitute amendment to the stalled bill, would have extended UI benefits through November 30, 2010. It also included an extension of the homebuyer tax credit that would allow the deadline for closing on a new home purchase to be shifted from June 30 to September 30, 2010. The Senate had identified sufficient revenues to pay for the homebuyer provision, but not the UI extension. After a failed vote to end debate on the substitute, the Senate passed by a voice vote the first time homebuyer extension provision as a standalone measure.

The Congress is expected to revisit the jobs creation and work support debate when it returns from the July 4^th recess.  The debate will include a number of important provisions that will help the families that Catholic Charities agencies serve including an extension of the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund and new resources to fund youth summer jobs.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Sr. Director of Government Affairs at dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney Introduces Minor Sex Trafficking Legislation

On June 23, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) introduced “The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010″ (H.R. 5575). Representatives Maloney and Smith were joined by 6 cosponsors. 

The bipartisan bill would create up to 6 grants of $2 million to $2.5 million aimed at preventing the sex trafficking of minors, treating child victims of trafficking, and prosecuting offenders.  The grants could be used for a variety of activities with at least 50 percent going to services and shelter for victims.  The legislation favors a state level approach which brings different authorities and agencies together to combat the sex trafficking of children.  The bill also makes some changes to the National Crime Information Center database reporting requirements with the goal of identifying runaway children that are particularly at risk.

In response to this bill, the House Human Trafficking and Victims’ Rights Caucus will hold a Joint Briefing in Washington, DC in July.

Catholic Charities USA makes domestic and international trafficking resources available for agencies to use to help mobilize their communities to identify and serve all children who are victims of trafficking.  To access this information, please click here.

To access the House version, H.R. 5575, please click here.

To access a summary of the Senate version, S. 2925, please click here.

For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

House Committee Holds Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

On July 1, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor held a hearing to consider the pending reauthorization of child nutrition programs in, “The Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act” (H.R. 5504)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack urged Congress to approve a strong reauthorization, stating that for a variety of reasons childhood hunger was perhaps the biggest issue that must be confronted.  Secretary Vilsack focused on several improvements including an expansion of school breakfast programs, improving consistency in nutrition across schools, improving the quality of the food, bridging the nutritional gaps during weekends and summers, reconnecting children with their food supply, and better education for making better nutritional decisions.  He presented the need for a holistic approach to better nutrition and exercise in children’s lives. Other witnesses included:

• Tom Colicchio, chef and restaurateur, who urged reauthorization of child nutrition programs and stressed the importance of instilling lifetime preferences through education.
• Robert Rector, Senior Research Fellow of Welfare and Family Issues of The Heritage Foundation. Rector cautioned against wasteful spending and brought attention to the lack of control group evaluations in current programs.
• James Weill, President of the Food Research & Action Center. He lauded the some of the provisions currently in the package but suggested expansion of areas such as afterschool or summer programs to all states instead of the limited pilot programs currently implemented.
• Dr. Eduardo J. Sanchez, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, provided a picture of the high costs, both financially and medically, of child and adult obesity. He stated that reauthorization will expand current successes to a much wider area and save billions over the next 10 years alone.
• Major General Paul D. Monroe U.S. Army (ret.), a member of the Executive Advisory Council for Mission Readiness, warned about the higher number of youth who are too unfit or overweight to fight and that obesity is not just a health issue, but a matter of national security.

Catholic Charities USA continues to work in collaboration with USCCB, Catholic and other Coalition partners for a strong reauthorization with improvements that will allow more children to access programs both during the school year and when school is out of session.  Please look for updates of Child Nutrition Reauthorization in future editions of Washington Weekly.

For more information, please contact Lucreda Cobbs, Sr. Director of Advocacy and Civic Engagement at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Unemployment Rate Decreases Slightly

On July 2, the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the most recent unemployment numbers.  The national unemployment rate decreased to 9.5 percent and the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was unchanged at 6.8 million.  In June the US economy lost 125,000 jobs.

More information on the recent unemployment data is available here.

For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Conference Call: Fighting Poverty with Faith Mobilization

As Catholics, we celebrate a tradition of justice and compassion, and we are called upon to hold ourselves and our communities accountable to the moral standard of this tradition. However, as we look across our country today, we see a nation where millions of people are lacking the basic necessities of life; we see growing numbers of jobless individuals, and even more people who are working, but whose wages are not enough to keep them out of poverty.

Fighting Poverty with Faith is part of our response to this painful reality.  Fighting Poverty with Faith (FPWF) is building a nationwide movement to cut domestic poverty in half between 2010 and 2020. We are a diverse coalition of national and local faith groups that refuses to accept the status quo of poverty in United States.  We bring the moral authority and the organizing power of the faith community to ensure that meeting the needs of those living in poverty is a national priority, and to highlight solutions that policy makers, community leaders and concerned individuals can take to address the root causes of poverty.

FPWF is asking individuals, houses of worship, and community organizations to join together in the month of October 2010, to educate and to advocate around poverty in America.  Catholic Charities USA is cosponsoring an informational conference call on Thursday, July 15^th at 3:30 pm, EST.  During this call you will learn about the mobilization, the resources and tools that we are creating and how participating in this movement will benefit your community.

To participate:

Dial-In Number:            1-888-632-5060

Participant Code:           9221598

We want you to be on this call.  Please RSVP for the call to Ryan Smith at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

One hundred years ago, 400 delegates from 24 states gathered in Washington, DC to form what is now known as Catholic Charities USA, a compassionate network of social justice advocates and caregivers, providing help and creating hope for millions of Americans each year.

On September 25-28, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will once again gather in Washington, DC to celebrate our Centennial and make plans for the next 100 years.

We invite you to join us in Washington and take this historic moment to reflect upon our 100 year history, recognize regional programs that are effectively reducing poverty, and renew your commitment to each other and to our brothers and sisters in need. 

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

In addition to hundreds - even thousands – of Catholic Charities agency staff, social justice advocates, partners and coalition representatives, and people of good will, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with:

• Josef Cardinal Cordes, President, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will provide the keynote at Sunday’s breakfast
• Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, will serve as celebrant and homilist at Saturday’s liturgy
• Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, will preside at the Mass on Catholic Charities Sunday and present a keynote address
• Rev. Bryan Hehir, Former President of Catholic Charities USA
• Mark Shields, syndicated columnist and political analyst, PBS Newshour
• Norah O’Donnell, chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC 
• Any many more new and familiar faces! Check our Web site for updates.

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

Visit www.mncatholiced.org for more information regarding registration, specific worshop times and offerings, hotel discounts, and the Minnesota Catholic All-State Honor Choirs.

Trafficking in persons is the coerced use of people as a form of commerce, in slave labor and extreme forms of sexual exploitation. It is a multibillion-dollar-a-year growth industry.

Just last month, the U.S. State Department released its 2010 Report on Human Trafficking. Its authors estimate that 12.3 million adults and children are currently held in modern-day slavery, including forced labor and prostitution. And for the first time, the report included the United States in its rankings, based on the same standards on which we judge other countries. This is a reminder that trafficking is not just a foreign enterprise, but occurs in many American cities as well. In fact, human trafficking is the third-largest criminal enterprise worldwide, behind trafficking in drugs and weapons. Yet there were only 4,166 successful prosecutions of human traffickers in 2009.

Read this month’s letter from CRS President Ken Hackett.

Inside this issue:

• Senate Fails to Advance Tax Extender and Jobs Bill
• Congress Reaches Deal on Financial Reform Legislation
• Senator Franken Introduces Legislation to Protect Children During ICE Raids
• U.S. Department of State Releases 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report
• Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!
• Join our Online Forum to Reduce Poverty

Senate Fails to Advance Tax Extender and Jobs Bill

On June 24, the U.S. Senate once again failed to advance “The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010″ (H.R.4213).  This is the third attempt by the Senate to pass this bill. The House passed its version on May 28. Late on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) decided to pull the measure from the Senate floor after Democrats failed to gather sufficient votes to end debate on the bill and move it toward a final vote for passage.  This last attempt came after several weeks of negotiations and modifications to the package to contain cost.

The legislation under consideration contains a number of important provisions that will assist the families that Catholic Charities agencies serve including:

• $2.5 billion to extend the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund through fiscal year 2011;
• $1 billion to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). The NHTF was originally created in the “Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008″ to provide much needed housing opportunities for those with the lowest incomes;
• $1 billion to support an estimated 300,000 jobs for youth through summer employment programs;
• An extension of extra federal Medicaid assistance to states; and
• An extension on expanded Unemployment Insurance and COBRA subsidies.

It would continue the poverty line hold harmless policy which would ensure that the current poverty line for federal income-based programs can be no lower than the poverty line of 2009.  It would also extend for one-year enhanced charitable deductions for contributions of food inventory, the tax-free distribution from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes, and an enhanced charitable deduction for corporate contributions of computer equipment for educational purposes.

The negotiation in the Senate collapsed over the cost of the package, a lack of identified revenues, and the potential impact on the federal deficit.

Read more about this legislation.

Catholic Charities USA will keep you updated on this legislation.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Congress Reaches Deal on Financial Reform Legislation

On June 25, during early morning negotiations, Congressional leaders reached an agreement on the landmark financial reform legislation. The House-Senate conference committee approved the “Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010″ (H.R.4173), legislation that will impose new restrictions on risky financial investments, create a special agency to protect consumers, and require financial institutions to hold more capital to protect against future financial turmoil.

The final package also requires the Federal Reserve to regulate the amount that merchants or charities accepting donations can be charged for debit transaction fees. The conference report must now be approved by the full House and Senate before it can be sent to the President’s desk for his signature.

For more information, please contact Desmond Brown, Senior Director of Government Affairs, dbrown@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Senator Franken Introduces Legislation to Protect Children During ICE Raids

On June 22, Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) introduced the “Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections (HELP) for Separated Children,” a proposal that aims to keep children safe, informed, and accounted for during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. According to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, 108,434 parents of U.S. citizen children were deported over the past 10 years.

As introduced, the bill would:

• Require that schools, states, and local authorities are notified before or soon after a raid occurs;
• Allow child welfare and non-governmental agencies to screen and identify parents with children;
• Allow detainees to arrange care as well as allow daily calls and regular visits with their children;
• Allow detainees to contact their children prior to being transferred;
• Protect children from witnessing their parents’ interrogations and/or translating on behalf of ICE agents;
• Require authorities to assist detained parents with family court proceedings affecting their children; and
• Require ICE to take into consideration the best interest of children in detention, release, and transfer decisions affecting parents.

The future of the legislation is uncertain as the bill has not received bipartisan support. Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Lynn Woosley (D-CA).

Catholic Charities USA is supportive of the legislation and will provide you with updates as the bill moves through the legislative process.

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

U.S. Department of State Releases 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report

On June 16, the U.S. Department of State released its annual Trafficking in Persons Report.  The report outlined trends seen throughout the world including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the challenges and successes in identifying and protecting victims, and the need to include anti-trafficking policies in our response to natural disasters.

For the first time, the United States has taken a ranking using the same criteria as all other nations.  Recommendations for the United States include:

• Improving law enforcement data collection;
• Improving training for federal agents;
• Providing additional federal oversight on trafficking to field offices;
• Encouraging local, state, and federal investigations and prosecutions; and
• Strengthening enforcement tools.

The report also outlines policy priorities to decrease trafficking in the United States.  These include more prosecution, protection, prevention, and partnerships. It also calls for dismantling the “3Ds” (detention, deportation, and disempowerment) approach to human trafficking

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans and international children under the age of 18 are sexual exploited. Another 300,000 American children and youth are at risk each year of becoming victims. Catholic Charities USA makes domestic and international trafficking resources available for agencies to use to help mobilize their communities to identify and serve all children who are victims of trafficking.

To view resources available through Catholic Charities USA, please click here.

To read the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report, please click here.

For more information, please contact Ryan Smith, Policy Analyst at rsmith@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Register Today for Catholic Charities USA’s Centennial Gathering!

One hundred years ago, 400 delegates from 24 states gathered in Washington, DC to form what is now known as Catholic Charities USA, a compassionate network of social justice advocates and caregivers, providing help and creating hope for millions of Americans each year.

On September 25-28, 2010, Catholic Charities USA will once again gather in Washington, DC to celebrate our Centennial and make plans for the next 100 years.

We invite you to join us in Washington and take this historic moment to reflect upon our 100 year history, recognize regional programs that are effectively reducing poverty, and renew your commitment to each other and to our brothers and sisters in need. 

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

In addition to hundreds - even thousands – of Catholic Charities agency staff, social justice advocates, partners and coalition representatives, and people of good will, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with:

• Josef Cardinal Cordes, President, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, will provide the keynote at Sunday’s breakfast
• Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, will serve as celebrant and homilist at Saturday’s liturgy
• Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York, will preside at the Mass on Catholic Charities Sunday and present a keynote address
• Rev. Bryan Hehir, Former President of Catholic Charities USA
• Mark Shields, syndicated columnist and political analyst, PBS Newshour
• Any many more new and familiar faces! Check our Web site for updates.  

Register now! Early bird registration ends July 31st.

Join our Online Forum to Reduce Poverty

Catholic Charities USA created an online forum to generate 21st century solutions to reduce poverty using 21st century technologies.  There is only one rule — Think Big.  We start this discussion with two questions that are vital to our fight against poverty. Your input will help us shape the discussion and frame the debate.

Contribute your BIG idea today!

For more information, please contact Monica Maggiano, Director of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America at bigideas@catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Catholic Relief Services Honors Outstanding Catholic Journalists 

Baltimore, MD, June 3, 2010 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) today announced the winners of the 2010 Egan Award for Journalistic Excellence competition at the Catholic Press Association Convention in New Orleans. The award recognizes journalists who have written about humanitarian and social justice issues for Catholic publications in the United States.  The 2010 winners are as follows:

• Division A (national circulation): Barbara Fraser for her article “Nun helps Bolivia’s street kids build future from past of addiction” in Catholic News Service
• Division B (regional circulation above 35,000): J.D. Long-Garcia for his article “Life savers or desert desecrators?” in the Catholic Sun and  Julie Carroll, for her article “Modern-day slavery a reality in Minnesota, across globe” in the Catholic Spirit
• Division C (regional circulation under 35,000): Liz Quinn for her article “‘Out of Africa’: Young Woman Returns Home from Kenya’” in the Belleville Messenger

All winners will be awarded a trophy and an all-expense paid trip to visit Haiti to see the lasting effect of the January 2010 earthquake and gain an understanding of complex relief and recovery efforts. The trip will provide the journalists with an opportunity to witness firsthand the work of CRS and to meet people whose lives have been changed by the generosity of the Catholic community in the United States.

The finalists for the Egan Award were judged by a distinguished panel of judges from the secular media, including Ann Cooper, professor at the Journalism School of Columbia University; Peggy Stack, religion reporter with the Salt Lake Tribune; Kevin Sullivan, deputy foreign editor with the Washington Post; and Howard Weaver, former vice president of news for McClatchy.  

Now in its 15th year, the award is named after Eileen Egan, CRS’ first professional staff layperson, who devoted four decades of her life to assisting refugees and helping the poor in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

For more information about the Egan Award, please visit http://www.crs.org/newsroom/egan-award/.

From the Director

Oil Spill Tragedy:  A Call for Prayer and Contrition

As oil continues to pollute the water and land in Louisiana and beyond, I hope you will join me in reflecting on our own complicity in this tragedy.  Our thirst for energy drives our economy but the price can be very steep, as the people along the Gulf Coast–and especially those who died in the oil rig explosion–know so well.  By consuming less and conserving more we can all do our part and begin to demonstrate a love of our Creator by caring for Creation.  

From Catholic Charities

In Louisiana:  Catholic Charities is Assisting Those Hardest Hit by the Oil Spill

Catholic Charities agencies throughout Louisiana are responding to the hardship imposed by the loss of fisheries for many dependent on the abundance of the Gulf for their livelihoods.  Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish, which encompasses Vietnamese Catholics east of the Mississippi River in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, sponsored several outreach gatherings in the archdiocese to hear from those most impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Read more here.

Please consider an “offset” for your carbon footprint by donating to the oil spill relief effort in one of the hardest hit dioceses, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  Click here to donate.  

For Reflection

Praying for the Coast, Fishers, & Wildlife Impacted by the Oil Spill

The annual Mass for Mariners and People of the Sea celebrated in Washington May 22 took on special significance in light of the massive oil spill endangering people’s livelihoods and sea life in the Gulf of Mexico. Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, the main celebrant and homilist, dedicated part of his homily to the situation. 

“Perhaps it takes a tragedy such as the events in the Gulf of Mexico to remind us of how life-giving the water is and how it touches all of us in one way or another… Our prayer for our brothers and sisters, mariners and people of the sea, is that with them we are united not only in the solidarity of support and prayer, but a solidarity of faith and new life made real in the waters of baptism and the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit,”  Archbishop Wuerl said.

The Mass was hosted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Apostleship of the Sea national office and the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church.  Read more here about the liturgy.  

SCIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE

NEW National Academy of Sciences Report on Climate Change

In its clearest language yet–and in response to a request by Congress in 2008–the National Academy of Sciences issued three new documents on climate change focusing on the science, ways to limit future change, and suggestions for adapting to climate change impacts.  Panels of scientists outlined why the U.S. should act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and why the U.S. should have a national strategy to adapt to the inevitable. Read a summary of  the reports here. Read news accounts in this article “US Top Scientists Urge Coal, Oil Use Penalties.“ 

The reports compiled by the Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, are part of a suite of studies known as “America’s Climate Choices.”   See a video about this impressive work toward a comprehensive approach to climate change. 

Scientists Issue Statement on Climate Change to Policymakers

In addition to these reports, 255 members of the National Academy of Sciences: “CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE INTEGRITY OF SCIENCE” urges action now to curtail greenhouse gas pollution and answers some of the recent questions about the consensus of the scientific community on climate change.  The letter was recently published in Science magazine.  

STORY:  Diocesan-wide Energy Savings Project 

Child Care Facility Makeover Saves Money

Rich Vannucci, Project Director,  Building Commission, Diocese of Venice, sent this story:

I have been exploring energy efficiency programs for our facilities with MUCH success. Currently, I have assembled a 10 item ‘menu’ of programs that will save our campuses at least 25% in energy and 25% in water usage. It is our goal to reach the 33% – 50% savings and God willing, install Solar PV’s throughout our diocese to come close to getting us ‘off-grid’.

Our energy provider selected one of our programs that received a new efficient AC unit; new duct work; window tinting; programmable thermostats; new light fixtures; UV Light air handlers; new faucets/toilets and the like. St. Martha’s Early Learning Center in Sarasota, FL is now enjoying energy efficient upgrades that should help the center save up to $1,000 a year. FPL’s Nonprofit Energy Makeover team joined forces with several community businesses to provide the upgrades. St. Marthas provides child care to pre-school age children from low-income families, and every dollar saved on its electric bill is a dollar that can be used to help others.  See the video about St. Martha’s here.  Read the full story here.

Do YOU have a STORY to tell ?

Please submit your STORY about how you, your family, your parish, school, or  religious community, are fulfilling the St. Francis Pledge and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint.