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| Christian Leaders Urge Bush to Move on Child Tax Credit Benefit | |||
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WASHINGTON, DC - Twelve leaders from Christian denominations affiliated with the National Council of Churches USA have written President George W. Bush asking him to urge Congress to restore the child tax credit benefits that were dropped from the final tax bill, which he signed into law last month. Reminding the President that he has called faith-based groups "soldiers in the armies of compassion," the religious leaders asked him to "lead us in the fight for the children of low-income families by interceding on their behalf. Without your personal intervention, this bill will surely die in Congress." Initially the tax bill excluded relief to lower income families. However, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation, supported by President Bush, to include the child tax credit in the final tax bill by a margin of 94 to 2. The remedial legislation would restore the lost tax relief to the working parents of almost 12 million children - one out of every six children under the age of 17, and more than a million children of military personnel. The bill is now being held up in the House of Representatives and the faith leaders believe the President's leadership is needed to move the bill forward. "We really need the President to move on this. Our children need us to show them through our actions that we care about their well-being. And, the President can do that by urging Congress to pass the child tax credit benefits now," said Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the NCC, a former Congressman from Pennsylvania's Seventh District and the initiator of the letter. Denominational leaders from the Presbyterian Church (USA), American Baptist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Methodist, United Church of Christ and Episcopal churches among others signed the letter. The full text of the letter follows. June 19, 2003 Dear Mr. President: You have said, "there's nothing more powerful than an individual that says to a child in need, somebody cares for you; somebody loves you." In fact, this is what our faith teaches us. Mr. President, today we need your help to say this to our children. The National Council of Churches urges you to call on the House leadership to restore the child tax credit benefits that were dropped from the final tax bill. You have called faith-based groups "soldiers in the armies of compassion." As faith leaders we implore you to lead us in the fight for the children of low-income families by interceding on their behalf. Without your personal intervention, this bill will surely die in Congress. Unfortunately, the tax bill you signed into law last month excluded a provision to provide much-needed tax relief to the working families of almost 12 million children. As a result, the families of one out of every six children under the age of 17-including more than one million children of military personnel-will not receive the tax relief they need this summer. The faith community was encouraged by the Senate's quick response to pass bipartisan legislation, by a 94 to 2 margin, to restore the child tax credit benefits that were dropped from the final tax bill; however, we have grave concerns now. We pray that you will demonstrate America's concern for every child by urging the House to accept the Senate version of the bill without further delay. Your leadership is crucial at such a time as this. Without it millions of low-income families will be denied the relief they need. Please insist that Congress act now! Sincerely, Rev. Bob Edgar Ms. Elenie K. Huszagh, Esq. The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick Thomas Jeavons The Rev. A. Roy Medley The Rev. Ronald Brugler The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting The Rev. Mark S. Hanson Bishop Melvin G. Talbert The Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey The Rev. David L. Wickmann Dr. Audrey A. Miller |
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