November 1, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), joined 10 other Christian leaders in the United States in an appeal to Congress to increase the federal minimum wage as "a matter of economic and racial justice." In an October 24 letter the church leaders asked members of Congress to vote to increase the minimum wage after they return here from the elections.

"Minimum wage workers today have less buying power than minimum wage workers did in 1950," the church leaders wrote, calling the current minimum wage a "poverty wage."

"We are grateful that the 109th Congress renewed expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act, but we remain deeply concerned that Congress has failed to address the issue of the federal minimum wage," the letter said. "Poverty disproportionately affects people of color who, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, experience a higher rate of poverty in this country."

"It is time to put this important matter of economic and racial justice in a prominent place in the national debate and to act upon it when Congress returns after the elections."

Full Text: Letter to Members of Congress Urging Minimum Wage Increase
OCTOBER 24, 2006

Dear Members of Congress:

We write to you on the eve of the 2006 elections, as leaders of eleven faith communities who have come together in Churches Uniting in Christ and pledged to combat racism together in our churches and in our society as the hallmark of this new relationship. We represent over 25 million communicants nationwide.

We are grateful that the 109th Congress renewed expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act, but we remain deeply concerned that Congress has failed to address the issue of the federal minimum wage. It is time to put this important matter of economic and racial justice in a prominent place in the national debate and to act upon it when Congress returns after the elections.

Through the millennia prophets have called for economic justice for all. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “There is nothing except shortsightedness to prevent us from guaranteeing an annual minimum – and livable – income for every American family.” Pope John Paul II stated, “In every case, a just wage is the concrete means of verifying the justice of the whole socioeconomic system.” Today we add our appeal to these voices.

There is a growing hidden underclass in the United States today. By keeping the minimum wage as a poverty wage, Congress compounds this reality that has major impact on all segments in our society. But poverty disproportionately affects people of color who, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, experience a higher rate of poverty in this country. Indeed, African Americans and Hispanics are nearly three times as likely to live under the poverty line, and nearly two times as likely to live under twice the official poverty.

The real value of the minimum wage today is nearly $4.00 less than it was in 1968. Minimum wage workers today have less buying power than minimum wage workers did in 1950. At the same time, Congress clearly recognizes the results of inflation when it gives itself raise after raise, most recently this summer.

Signed,
+ the Right Rev. Philip R. Cousin Sr., senior bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
+ Bishop William Graves Sr., senior bishop, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
+ the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church, USA
+ the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, ELCA
+ the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the general assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
+ the Rev. Michael Livingston, president, International Community of Churches
+ the Rev. Dr. Larry D. Pickens, general secretary, ecumenical staff officer, United Methodist Church
+ the Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president, United Church of Christ
+ the Most Rev. George W. Walker Sr., senior bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
+ the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
+ the Rev. David Wickmann, president, Provincial Elders, Moravian Church Northern Province

ELCA News Service
Annie Lynsen is director for grassroots advocacy and communication, ELCA Washington Office.