Good morning,
Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you today on the issues of poverty and effective solutions that can create more opportunities for those who are less fortunate in our country.
As we move into the second term of the 110th Congress and the final year of President Bush’s term, we are once again faced with some critical decisions regarding the future of America and how we serve and create opportunities for the least among us.
The manner in which a society treats the least among is a statement as to what our priorities are as a nation.
Every year Catholic Charities USA surveys its member agencies to get a snapshot of the incredible services delivered across this country each year.
The figures are as impressive as they are alarming. Nearly 8 million were served by Catholic Charities agencies in 2006. Over 50 percent of these individuals were living below the poverty level. While we’re justifiably proud of our ability to serve nearly in 10 persons in poverty, we are saddened and alarmed at the growing numbers and know that we must work in partnership to reduce these number by providing help and creating hope.
In just one year, the number of people served by Catholic Charities increased by hundreds of thousands. Part of this increase reflects the extensive response of Catholic Charities agencies to help people affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as well as other disasters in 2006. More alarming is the number of people who are accessing our agencies for basic needs of shelter, food and health care who are working and just simply cannot make it.
However, in 2002, Catholic Charities agencies served 43 percent of people below the poverty line and by 2006 the number had jumped to 52 percent.
If we are going to truly work to reduce the number of people in poverty, the federal government must do its part. Organizations like Catholic Charities simply cannot continue to handle the increasing demands in our communities.
America must do more to ensure everyone has access to health care, proper nutrition, access to affordable housing and opportunity for a better future for their children. All human beings should be able to live with dignity and respect being able to meet their most basic needs of adequate food, shelter, health care and economic security. It is a matter of fundamental justice.
More than 36 million people living in poverty in this county is unacceptable. It is a moral and social crisis because as a country we have the knowledge and resources to significantly cut this number. While it’s true that certain choices and behaviors can lead individuals into poverty, the fact is that far more often the greater fault lies with the social and economic structures that shape the opportunities for the poor.
These fundamental principles guided the launch of our Campaign to Reduce Poverty, at the beginning of 2007. As part of the campaign, we outlined a bold legislative agenda to help reduce poverty and create opportunities for all Americans.
We also promised to hold ourselves, Congress and the administration accountable for making progress on that agenda. Unfortunately, while much debate has occurred in the last 12 months, Congress and the Administration failed to pass legislation in a number of key areas including addressing the long term health care needs of poor children -- just yesterday, the House Representatives failed to override President Bush’s veto of legislation to strengthen the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
This is unacceptable and a move in the wrong direction when so many families are struggling to make ends meet in the weak economy.
The Catholic Charities network has a long history of serving and advocating on behalf of people in poverty. Our Catholic tradition commands us to continue our work of providing help and creating hope for those less fortunate. Our experience also tells us that Catholic Charities — and the faith community at large — simply cannot do this work alone. We need a renewed commitment from our political leaders to address the problems of poverty and inequality.
It is imperative for the Administration and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to step up and do the right thing. During this election, America must do more to ensure everyone has access to adequate health care, housing, proper nutrition and an opportunity for a secure future. Individually, we must all do more to make sure that our political leaders find the right priorities. In all of our faith traditions, we are called to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. We are all part of the human family and we must take action now.
If not us, then who?
And if not now, then when?