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January 16, 2004
Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
of America Applauds President Bush’s
Continued Commitment to Supporting
Faith-Based Social Service Agencies
The Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America applauded President Bush
for his continued commitment to supporting America’s faith- and
community-based social service agencies. In a speech delivered in
New Orleans on Thursday, the President recognized the critical
role that such social service agencies play in local communities
and continued to press for the reform of federal rules and
regulations that discriminate against faith-based agencies by
excluding them from partnerships with the federal government
solely on the basis of their religious character.
Consistent and simultaneous with the President’s speech, it was
announced that several proposed reforms of Department of Justice
regulations were being finalized in order to “level the playing
field” so that faith-based groups might participate in social
service programs administered by that Department. The President
also called upon Congress pass the pending Omnibus spending bill
next week which includes $48 million for the Compassion Capital
Fund, designed to assist faith-based agencies in building their
capacities, and $50 million for a program to mentor the children
of prison inmates.
Nathan J. Diament, director of public policy for the Union, issued
the following statement in reaction to the President’s speech:
The Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations of America applauds President Bush’s
continued commitment to America’s faith- and community-based
social service agencies. Americans associated with such
organizations are working to serve their fellow man and woman in
need. Such efforts must be supported, wherever appropriate and
possible, by partnerships with the government. And no agency
should be excluded from such productive partnerships merely
because its members coalesce around a set of religiously
inspired principles.
The UOJCA has been a proud partner with President Bush since the
inception of his faith based initiative, and we look forward to
our continued mutual efforts in the cause of compassion and
service.
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