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March 9, 2006
Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations Applauds President Bush’s
Consistent Focus on Faith-Based Initiative; Welcomes Set Up of
Office in Homeland Security Dept.
Following
the second National White House Conference on Faith Based &
Community Initiatives held today in Washington, DC, the Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America applauded this
morning's speech by President Bush outlining that which has been
accomplished to date under his initiative and a statement of
goals yet to be achieved. The UOJCA also welcomed the
President’s announcement that he has directed the Department of
Homeland Security to set up a Center for Faith Based & Community
Initiatives to review its policies and procedures for its
agencies’ interactions with faith based entities.
Several
UOJCA leaders including Public Policy Director Nathan Diament
and Development & Resources Director Andrew Goldsmith attended
the President’s address.
After the President’s address, Nathan Diament stated:
We welcome and appreciate President Bush's clear and continuing
commitment to having the government support the "armies of
compassion." The UOJCA has been a proud partner and supporter of
this initiative since its inception and we appreciate what has
been achieved, as well as the challenges yet to be overcome.
We welcome
President Bush’s creation of a Center for Faith Based &
Community Initiatives in the Dept. of Homeland Security. As we
have particularly seen in the wake of last year’s hurricanes,
FEMA – which is within DHS – must reform and streamline their
policies with regard to faith based entities. We hope this
Center will begin that process in earnest.
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