PEOPLE LOBBYING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE • MARCH/APRIL 2007

Our Children, Our Future dear members IN MEMORIAM Rev. Robert F. Drinan, SJ ��������� What a time these first Nov. 15, 1920 –Jan. 28, 2007 ���������������������������������������� few months of the NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement 110th Congress have for justice and peace— been! Through our joint educates, organizes and advocacy we have achieved lobbies for economic some significant victories and social transformation. including votes for a NETWORK Board of Directors Elizabeth Avalos, BVM minimum wage increase Marie Clarke Brill and building the movement Simone Campbell, SSS Joan Carey, SSJ toward peace in Iraq. There Cathleen Crayton are many more parts of our Patricia Crowley, OSB Jackie Griffith, SSJ agenda that now have some Linda Howell-Perrin, LSW political interest on Capitol Cherished friend of NETWORK for many years, Fr. Drinan was a Barbara Jennings, CSJ Barbara Lange Hill. Member of Congress, internationally known human rights activist, Marie Lucey, OSF It was in the midst of accomplished author and Georgetown University law professor. We are Lourdes Mendoza profoundly grateful for his life and legacy of justice. ABOVE: Congressman Kateri Mitchell, SSA this happy hubbub that Drinan accepts NETWORK award from Peggy Comfrey, CSJ (1974). Suzanne Sassus, CSJ we learned of the death Aisha Smith Taylor Sandra Thibodeux, MMB of our friend Father Bob Mary T. Yelenick Drinan, SJ. Whenever he Contents NETWORK Education Program saw any of us, he would Board of Directors envisioning Kit Hinga, SSJ always mention how proud Dorothy Jackson, SCN You Could Save My Child Kathleen Phelan, OP he was of our work before 3 Margaret Phipps Simone Campbell, SSS, hears the anguished cry proceeding to give us of an Iraqi mother. Mary Ann Smith, MM ideas on how to move our NETWORK Staff agenda forward. I will miss cover story Communications Coordinator/Editor— Stephanie Niedringhaus Making Health Coverage for his physical presence in 4 Coordinator of Annual Giving—Hanna Rutz our lives, but trust that he All Children a Reality in 2007 Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving— will intercede for us and all Marian Wright Edelman presents the Children’s Lindsay Gonzales Defense Fund’s new health initiative. Executive Director—Simone Campbell, SSS those in need. Field Associate/Editorial Assistant—Jessica This dual reality tells me focus on the hill Guentzel Field Coordinator—Jean Sammon that we live on the cusp 8110th Congress Quickens IT Coordinator—Joy Wigwe of change—birthing and Its Pace Lobbyists—Marge Clark, BVM; Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ dying. It made me think of The new Congress is off to a fast start. What Lobby Associates—Morgan Gregson, my little poem: comes next? Elena Lacayo Office/Membership Coordinator— Only between winter toward a global community Ann Dunn and spring, 10 There Are No More Children NETWORK Education Program Staff summer and fall Shahla Waliy speaks about the tragic loss of Jean Sammon (part-time) is daylight childhood innocence in Iraq today. Articles in NETWORK Connection may be balanced with reprinted. Please include the following highlighting people on the reprints: “Reprinted with permis- darkness. sion from NETWORK, a National Catholic Poised on the edge Fire in the Heart Social Justice Lobby, 25 E Street NW, 12 Suite 200, Washington, DC 20001, www. Helen Peterson tells the story of Mary Jo of birthing networklobby.org.” Please send us a copy and dying, Copeland, a woman who truly radiates God’s love. of the reprinted article. our world hurtles spread the word January/February 2007—Vol. 35, No. 2 in a brief balance NETWORK Connection before 13 Meeting Children’s Needs ISSN 0199-5723 rolling on Copy and distribute this call to activism for all our Published bimonthly by NETWORK children. PHONE 202-347-9797 FAX 202-347-9864 to the next phase E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: www.networklobby.org of disequilibrium. making a differencee POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO May this phase of 15 Double Vision NETWORK disequilibrium be good for Jessica Guentzel tells the story of lessons taught 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 and learned as she and her twin sister worked Washington, DC 20001 the working poor families with children in the U.S. and India. Annual dues: $50/$60 international. in our country. Copyright © 2007 NETWORK. Comments on this issue? Ideas for future issues of Design: Eugenia Kim Connection? Let us hear from you! Cover photo by Earl Dotter. [email protected]

2 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org envisioning You Could Save My Child BY SIMONE CAMPBELL, SSS T

“You could save my child,” offered an and our political leaders’ grand visions. of a politician kissing a baby that will Iraqi mom in the pediatric oncology In the United States, like the rest make a difference. No, we need to unit in Baghdad in December 2002, of the world, the real health and other invest ourselves in the children around Yas I thanked her for allowing me to needs of children who are in middle us. We need to give our hearts to the play with her little son, Hyder. This class or working poor families often teens with the piercings or purple hair. message, possibly even an accusation get lost in the political machinations of We need to give our hearts to the crying and certainly a plea, seared my soul. I medical-industrial giants and politicians baby on the bus or the loud children on was overwhelmed by this responsibil- seeking re-election. Children’s educa- the street. We need to give our hearts to ity and my powerlessness in the face of tion gets lost in standardized tests and children in church or at the neighbor- our government’s refusal to let needed teacher punishment. Children’s basic hood center. Risking a conversation is medicines enter Iraq during the period security gets undermined by poor hous- important for our long term growth. It of sanctions. Since that day, I have been ing and limited opportunities as parents builds relationships that are at the core haunted by this anguished statement. struggle in low-wage jobs. of the reign of God. For, as we know, it I have since heard this statement In the world’s richest country, it is a is children who are at the heart of the repeated over and over by mothers scandal that we are not investing in our mission of Jesus. around the world. Mothers plead for future by responding to the needs of our So I have come to know that the Iraqi their children everywhere—in Sudan own children and children around the woman was begging all of us to respond and Somalia, Bangladesh and Myanmar, world. Through investment in housing, to the all too real needs of her child and Ecuador and Brazil, Spain and Russia. healthcare and education, we can make of all children. Are we willing to walk The world over, their plea is for their a future of hope for these emerging this searing path of relationship, exer- children’s survival and growth. This global citizens. At NETWORK, we work cising responsibility wherever we can? If plea is not mirrored in most people with daily for responsible policies in housing we are, then we will not need to shrink political power. In fact, leaders’ lexicons and healthcare and collaborate with oth- from the statement of reality: you could include “collateral damage” and “unin- ers who advocate for quality education. save my child. tended consequences” that lead to the With the advocacy of our members we death or maiming of the next genera- attempt to partner for change—creating Simone Campbell, SSS, is NETWORK’s tion. Children, the hope of our species, a world focused on the common good. Executive Director. Photo by Rick are often lost in their parents’ struggles It is not an easy slogan or a photo McDowell.

www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 3 Making Health Coverage for All Children a Reality in 2007 BY MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN As the new political year gets off to a North Korea, or bring a lasting peace in special opportunity and responsibility to start, many leaders are spending a lot the Middle East. But we do know how to take the next logical, moral, and achiev- of time talking about what they want solve the crisis of uninsured children. It able steps to ensure health and mental to accomplish for the American peo- is disgraceful and costly to let more than health coverage for all children in Amer- Aple. Our leaders do not know how to nine million children in America—the ica as a significant down payment on extricate from the Iraq and Afghanistan richest nation in the world—go with- health coverage for all Americans. quagmire, stop nuclear prolif- out health coverage. Another uninsured CDF offers its proposal as Congress eration in Iran and baby is born every 46 seconds. As Con- prepares to reauthorize funding for gress must act to reauthorize funding for SCHIP, a program CDF championed in the State Children’s Health Insurance 1997. Children’s Medicaid and SCHIP Program (SCHIP) this year, it has a have made significant progress in

Covering All Children in 2007: A Logical, Moral and Achievable Goal

WHY ACT NOW? for our nation and leaders in all parties to take the next Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance logical, incremental, smart and just steps to ensure health Program (SCHIP) have made tremendous progress in and mental health coverage for all children in America as a improving children’s health insurance, currently providing significant down payment on health coverage for all. coverage to over 30 million children. Yet more than WHAT WOULD THE CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND 9 million children in America, almost 90 percent PROPOSAL DO? living in working households and a majority in two- parent families, are still uninsured. Millions more are It would ensure affordable access to comprehensive underinsured. Chronic budget shortfalls, often confusing health and mental health care for all children in enrollment processes, and dramatic variation in eligibility America. It would simplify and consolidate children’s and coverage from state to state prevent millions of health coverage under Medicaid and SCHIP into a single currently eligible children from living healthy and realizing program that guarantees children in all 50 states and the their full potential in school and life. As Congress prepares District of Columbia all medically necessary services. A to consider reauthorization of SCHIP in 2007, the Children’s child’s chance to survive and thrive should not depend on Defense Fund (CDF) believes there is a special opportunity the lottery of geography.

4 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org EARL DOTTER EARL

improving children’s health insurance in the past decade. Currently over 30 million children are covered by Medic- aid (25 million) and SCHIP (5 million). But one in nine children in America is still uninsured. Almost 90 percent of them live in working households, and a majority in two parent households. Mil- lions more children are underinsured. Chronic budget shortfalls, enrollment processes that can often be confusing, and dramatic variations in eligibility and coverage from state to state prevent mil- lions of currently eligible children from leading healthy lives and realizing their full potential in school and when they become adults. According to a Hart Research poll con- ducted for CDF, more than three-fourths of Americans think it is “important” or “extremely important” for elected lead- ers in Washington to provide health care continued on page 7

WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE? comprehensive coverage of all medically necessary • All children with family incomes at or below 300% of care equivalent to current Medicaid benefits. the federal poverty level ($60,000 for a family of four in 2006) would be eligible. Children with family incomes WHAT WOULD BE THE COST FOR FAMILIES? over 300% could buy into the program. • Children in families with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level ($40,000 for a family of four in • Pregnant women at or below 300% of the federal 2006) would pay nothing for coverage or services. poverty level would be eligible for prenatal, delivery and post-partum care for at least 60 days after birth to • Children in families with incomes between 201% ensure babies are born healthy and new mothers get and 300% of the federal poverty level would have no the health and mental care they need to care for their premiums for coverage but could be charged some child. affordable amount for services. • Youth who have transitioned from the foster care • Children in families with incomes over 300% of the system through age 20, and other special needs federal poverty level who enter the program would pay children covered by current law, would be eligible. both premiums for coverage and some affordable amount for services. WHAT BENEFITS WOULD BE INCLUDED? • All children enrolled in this new program would receive continued on page 6 www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 5 What would it cost to cover ALL children in 2007? Less than 3 ½ months of the cost of war in Iraq 16 days of military spending in 2007 5 months of the tax cuts to the richest 1 percent in 2007 (with average incomes of $1 million) 5½ months of an estate tax repeal 25 days of spending on Medicare prescription drug benefits in 2007 FOR $26 BILLION, ALL CHILDREN IN AMERICA COULD HAVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE IN 2007.

CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND

continued from page 5 HOW WOULD THE CDF PROPOSAL STREAMLINE services; and obstacles to enroll and stay enrolled would ENROLLMENT? be eliminated. • All children currently enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP would be enrolled automatically. OTHER KEY PROVISIONS • There would be no additional cost to states for child • All children currently receiving services under certain coverage expansion or enhanced benefits. Funds for federal assistance programs like school lunch and food coverage expansion and improvements would come from stamps would be enrolled automatically with opportunity for the federal government. families to “opt out.” • All eligible children would be guaranteed coverage under • All parents would also have the option to enroll their child this program regardless of their state of residence. at birth, school registration, or issuance of a Social Security card. • To improve children's access to health and mental health services, payment to health care providers would be • Applications would be short and simple to complete; increased to the same level as Medicare. children would be presumed immediately eligible for

6 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org continued from page 5 for all children in America now. Almost and it is especially important that they seven in 10 think the federal govern- get regular medical care so they grow up ment is doing “too little” to help chil- healthy.” And when they were asked to dren who don’t have health insurance choose which statement came closest to coverage. It’s clearly time for a change their view about why it is important to and for our leaders in both political par- provide health insurance to uninsured ties to catch up with their voters. CDF’s children, some said it was “the right proposal would ensure comprehensive thing to do” or “the fair thing to do,” but health and mental health coverage for all even more said it is “the smart thing to children in America. It would simplify do.” Health care coverage for all children and consolidate children’s health cover- is certainly the smart thing to do, and age under Medicaid and SCHIP into a the Congress and President have fallen single program that decreases bureau- behind what the country wants and cracy and guarantees children in all 50 needs. How we take care of our children states and the District of Columbia all speaks to our very values as a society. medically necessary services. A child’s With your voice telling Congress that chance to survive and thrive should not health coverage for all children is a must depend on the lottery of geography. do in 2007 for your vote in 2008, we can In the same research poll, when do it, and show our children we care. Americans were asked to choose among a variety of possible reasons for provid- Marian Wright Edelman is President and ing health insurance to all children, they Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund thought the most important was that (CDF) and its Action Council whose Leave “children cannot take care of themselves, No Child Behind® mission is to ensure

CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND DEFENSE CHILDREN’S every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

The Children’s Defense Fund Asks That You Contact Your Members of Congress Here is a sample letter: Dear [Decision Maker], I’m writing to you today to tell you that I will hold you accountable with my voice and my vote for enacting urgently needed comprehensive health and mental health coverage for all children now.

ABOVE: Marian Wright Edelman. It is unjust, morally intolerable and economically costly that more than 9 million children lack health coverage and a baby is born without health insurance every 46 seconds in our rich nation. • Almost 90% of uninsured children live in a home where at least one parent works; • The majority of uninsured children live in two-parent households; • Reading scores and school attendance of uninsured children improve dramatically after they become insured; • The tax cuts Congress and the President enacted for the top 1 percent of all taxpayers will cost $61 billion this year, enough to provide health coverage to all the 9 million uninsured children We can and must do better in protecting the health and well-being of all our children. Enact urgently needed comprehensive high-quality health coverage for all children now! Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address]

www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 7 focus on the hill

110th Congress Quickens Its Pace

BY MARGE CLARK, BVM, CATHERINE PINKERTON, CSJ, AND SIMONE CAMPBELL, SSS

Even before the 110th Congress began the Health and Human Services (H.H.S.) needs programs. The Senate only com- its work, House leaders established sev- Secretary from negotiating prices for pre- pleted appropriations related to defense eral goals for the first 100 hours of its scription drugs. It also would prohibit and homeland security. Therefore, the Edeliberations. They worked quickly and the Secretary from establishing an exclu- 110th Congress has been forced to fund within the first 50 hours, they were able sive list of drugs to be covered under the government for the rest of FY 2007 to pass legislation affecting congres- Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D plans through a Continuing Resolution, based sional ethics, the minimum wage, the will still able to obtain discounts below on the previous year’s funding level. Medicare prescription drug program, the negotiated price, a privilege already The Continuing Resolution is proving student loans and other issues. The Sen- available to veterans. detrimental to a number of social ser- ate began to consider two vital issues: vices programs, but has spared losses the minimum wage increase (S. 2) and a Budget in areas such as low-cost housing, Pell reduction in drug costs for seniors (S. 3). Budget season is also upon us. Some Grants and Head Start. After years of dealing with slow-acting years, it seems to last from the president’s Work on the FY 2008 budget com- legislators, NETWORK was heartened by annual budget request in February to menced with the presentation of the the quickened pace. But this is just the the Christmas recess. We are hopeful President’s budget request on February beginning. There is much that still needs that the budget process will move more 5th. It is now the task of the appropria- to be done if we are to address the needs smoothly and quickly this year. tions and authorizing committees to of so many people who struggle with The 109th Congress failed to com- determine the levels at which programs poverty, violence, war and injustice. Let plete its most critical responsibil- under their jurisdiction will be funded. the pace continue… ity: passage of the FY 2007 budget. This is an important time for NET- The House never introduced the final WORK members to be in contact with NETWORK’s Agenda Moves Forward appropriations bill for Labor, Health their Members of Congress to advocate NETWORK worked hard for two of and Human Services and Education, for the needs of those with the least the “First Hundred Hour” issues: the which funds the vast majority of social economic power. minimum wage increase and for cost reductions for senior citizens’ drugs. The new Congress has brought Amer- ica’s lowest-paid workers a step closer to a living wage by passing the Fair Mini- mum Wage Act of 2007. After more than 9 years without increase, this bill will raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15/hour to $7.25/hour over a two- year period. While the House version of the bill (H.R. 2) was passed without any amendments or tax breaks, the Senate passed its version (S. 2) with tax incen- tives for businesses. Since the bills differ, they must be taken to conference before being sent to the president for his signa- ture. NETWORK supports efforts to raise the federal minimum wage, as one step toward attaining a living wage. We continue to urge Congress to repair the mistakes in Medicare Part D. One step being taken is H.R. 4/S. 4, which would repeal the law prohibiting

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8 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org Accepting NETWORK awards for their 100% rating on NETWORK’s voting record: (left) Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) with Lobbyist Marge Clark, BVM and Associate Elena Lacayo; and (right) Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) with Intern Timothy Prendergast, Lobbyist Marge Clark, BVM and Intern Janet Cashman, SCL.

Trade and Globalization to enter into trade negotiations with a NETWORK continues to advocate for A January 30th hearing on trade and nation and then bring any agreement to peace building and economic develop- globalization called by Rep. Charles Ran- Congress for an up or down vote with- ment as the alternative to military action. gel (D-NY), chair of the Committee on out debate. Fundamentally, granting We are heartened that Congress is begin- Ways and Means, was a welcome signal. fast track authority to the president is ning to see these as important elements It showed that exploring trade in rela- constitutionally questionable in that the for the long term. It is expected that tionship to globalization will be a key Constitution gives Congress jurisdic- the FY 2007 Supplemental funding bill avenue of discussion in the 110th Con- tion over commerce. Further, limiting will be out of the House by the end of gress, as indeed it should be. The tone the participation of Congress in crafting March and out of the Senate by the end of the meeting was a welcome departure trade agreements jeopardizes the effec- of April, but these dates can slip as the from such committee sessions in previ- tiveness of these agreements. issue becomes more contentious. ous years. Here, committee members of both parties became heavily engaged in Iraq Immigration the dialogue following presentations by The escalation of the war in Iraq con- With the change in the Congress, six highly qualified witnesses. tinues to be center stage in Congress. comprehensive immigration reform is Congress is faced with approving At first, the Senate Republican leader- alive and well. It appears likely that the several trade agreements already negoti- ship did not want to address the issue Senate will begin to address the issue ated by the president—Peru, Columbia of the president’s plan to increase troop in March and report something out in and Panama, among them. However, levels, so they extended debate on the April. It appears that the bill that most the Democrats have signaled their reluc- minimum wage bill in order to forestall likely to be proposed is based on last tance to approve such agreements unless it. It appears that there is a growing bi- session’s McCain-Kennedy bill and the the president strengthens provisions on partisan consensus to disagree with the bill that passed the Senate. While NET- labor and environmental protections. president’s policy. However, the admin- WORK was not 100% in favor of the end This is a strengthening of the Democrats’ istration has enough money in the cur- result because of problems with imple- position regarding the Central American rent budget and supplemental to at least mentation, it was certainly an important Free Trade Agreement, which passed by begin the troop increase. step forward. We are working with our a small margin in the last session. General funding for the wars in Iraq coalition partners to improve the bill Another issue key to current trade and Afghanistan will take up much of and ensure its passage this year. deliberations is the question of extending the time of the policy and budget com- the president’s trade promotion authority mittees as Congress considers the “Sup- (TPA or “fast track”), which expires June plemental” funding bill and the FY 2008 Marge Clark, BVM, and Catherine 30th of this year. TPA, which was denied Budget. The House expects to have hear- Pinkerton, CSJ, are NETWORK Lobbyists. to President Clinton but later given to ings on the budget for the wars and the Simone Campbell, SSS, is NETWORK’s President Bush, authorizes the president best way forward. Executive Director.

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www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 9 toward a global community ThereAreNoMoreChildren BY SHAHLA WALIY One year ago, in March 2006, NETWORK was instrumental in bringing a delegation of Iraqis to Washington to speak with U.S. lawmakers and the media about what was happening in their country. As we know, conditions in Iraq have worsened since that time. The violence and lack of basic services have affected everyone, especially the children. We recently asked Shahla Waliy, a member of last year’s delegation, to update us on how Iraqi children are faring today. Her response was heartbreaking…

The main problem with children in Iraq Because many children are not going is that they have lost their childhood. to school, we have a growing problem There are no more children. They are of uneducated street children. Seeing not outside playing with toys or playing the violence drags them into other areas, Tin the street. They don’t even go to little sometimes to becoming criminals or to shops for candy. Instead, they are trying joining militias. If the situation remains to survive. like this, I don’t think there is a bright Fear is the dominant feature in their future for them. lives. It used to be that when Hummers In the schools, teachers are obliged to drove by, they would run and wave. tell the students about what is happen- Now they don’t. It’s too dangerous. They ing today. My friend’s nephew, who is are afraid of the militias and of being in primary school, never thought about kidnapped. distinctions among the friends he played Children see bodies in the street and with—whether they were Shi’a or Sunni. hear the hammer of militias’ guns. They One day, he came home from school and know about criminal actions and friends told his parents that his teacher said who have been kidnapped. There are so he must be separated from his friend many stories of children who have seen because of their religious backgrounds. their parents killed or kidnapped or He asked his mother, “Why? Are they arrested. All of this moves them out of childhood to another stage of life, where they only know fear. They have lost something that is very precious. And there’s nothing for the teenagers to do. In Yarmuk, which is a neighbor- hood in Baghdad, there used to be clubs where people were able to find enter- tainment. Those clubs were turned into military bases and political offices so the entertainment is gone. It’s dangerous for children and teen- agers to go to libraries so they can’t get books. And they can’t even watch tele- vision in their homes because in many places, neighborhoods only get electric- ity for one hour a day. Going to school, which used to be a regular part of being a child, is now very difficult. There is violence in the streets and children are kidnapped and raped because they are easy targets. Parents try to take their children to school but it is very dangerous. Some are only able to go to school for one or two days in the week, and in many schools there are few desks or books.

10 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org bad?” His mother tried to explain the realities of war and what is happening in Iraq. But that’s a lot of information for a little child. It is a burden for him. Children are not getting healthcare. There is no health system. Most of the doctors have left, and health facilities are either not working or working with very limited resources, taking care of emer- gencies only. Many mothers now give birth at home or are in the hospital for TheBrutalityofWar just a short time. We used to have vacci- The new generation in Iraq has been ing with formula difficult. Drinking nation programs for children, but today burdened by a war that is shattering water is most likely contaminated routine healthcare is secondary. The pri- the innocence of their youth. They due to dormant waste and sewage. ority is just to survive. have lost necessities such as basic . For many families, the risk of send- Many sick children need to get out of health care, food and education. They ing their children to school is too Iraq to neighboring countries or Europe have lost family and friends due to great. On January 29, 2007, The so they can get treatment or operations. violence and religious segregation. New York Times reported a school This is one way people outside of Iraq Loving memories of birthday parties, explosion in Baghdad in which five can help. family vacations and candy shops are girls were killed and 20 left wound- Children in my family have left their replaced with recollections of mortar ed. “She hugged and kissed me,” homes, but the situation for so many blasts, brutal deaths, and terrorism. a teacher spoke of one girl, “[and] children still in Baghdad is much worse. They are a generation seared by fear then went out and the bomb hit. They are depressed. They are going and hate—lost in the abyss of war. After a few minutes, she was dead.” through trauma. If they stay in Iraq, they . Stunted, underweight and underfed, Interior Ministry officials confirm are traumatized. But if they leave they many of Iraq’s poorer households are that schools in the area have been are separated from their friends, and malnourished. UNICEF reported attacked at least six times during the there can be a language barrier. that children are the major victims month of January. To help the children of Iraq, people of this food insecurity, as one out of must work to stabilize the whole coun- . In a haunting reaction to violence, three children in these households many children are becoming numb try. We need to rebuild the infrastruc- is chronically malnourished. Tragi- ture, healthcare and education, and to to bloodshed and emboldened by cally, infants aged 12 to 23 months sectarian passions. Christian Caryl, stop the violence. All the problems will old are affected most severely, hin- be better if we can stabilize Iraq. reporting in the January 22, 2007 dering cognitive and physical devel- issue of Newsweek, wrote about the opment. Having served as the Iraq director of generation of Iraqi children who Counterpart International, Shahla Waliy . Thousands of infants die because “may well become the violent jihad- is currently a graduate student in the U.S. hospitals lack standard cheap equip- ists of tomorrow. These are young Shahla was interviewed by the Education ment. Doctors report children with people shaped by daily bloodshed.” for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) during lost limbs, left without prostheses. her March 2006 Washington visit, and Save the Children reports that Iraq At least one million children in Iraq excerpts of that interview appeared in has one of the highest mortality rates have seen their lives ravaged by the May/June 2006 issue of Connection. and that children die who could conflict. What will become of this This article is drawn from her telephone otherwise be treated by medication burdened generation? What would conversation with NETWORK worth two dollars. Powdered formu- these children’s lives be like without Communications Coordinator Stephanie la milk is expensive, and problems war? We are left to wonder how many Niedringhaus on February 2 of this year. with intermittent electricity and gas more childhoods will be lost. Photos by Rick McDowell. supply makes boiling water for mix- —Jessica Guentzel www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 11 highlighting people Fire in the Heart BY HELEN PETERSON I was first introduced to Mary Jo Cope- work after her children were grown. She they’ve ever had. They don’t have to live land fifteen years ago by my mother, told of red tape and paperwork that used in a car, in a home with insect infesta- who made knitted hats for Mary Jo’s to stymie her ability to help. She shared tion, or jammed in with relatives. Iorganization. Inspired, I decided to take her deep faith and devotion to the Virgin my students to see her work firsthand, Mary, which inspired the transformation Prayer Is the Center so we left the farm country of southern of this spirited mother of 12 into a cata- Each day begins in church at 4 a.m. as Minnesota for the warehouse district lyst of God’s Love. she prays and attends Mass to “recharge” of downtown Minneapolis where she Nicknamed the “Mother Teresa of her “spiritual batteries.” Afterwards, worked. It was a long way from a small Minnesota,” Mary Jo single-handedly Mary Jo opens the facility, listening to town lacking a single traffic light, but founded Sharing and Caring Hands the 500 people who line up daily to tell our apprehensions about the inner city to address the needs of impoverished her their stories. They need eyeglasses, evaporated when we met Mary Jo. people in the inner city. Built entirely rent money, a place to stay, funeral help, by faith and donations, her center grew dental care, showers, food, and—most On Fire from a 2,000-square-foot storefront to importantly—love. Seeing Jesus in their Jesus warned about being lukewarm, a 27,000-square-foot day shelter, teen faces, she directs help their way. Twice a and with a contagious fire within her center and transitional housing facil- day, she gets on her knees, washing and heart, Mary Jo was anything but tepid. ity. Mary Jo continues to identify where massaging their weary feet. She walked briskly to greet us, telling her those who are poor need help and is story of an unhappy childhood, a beau- fundraising $30 million for a new chil- Changing Hearts tiful marriage, and turning to volunteer dren’s residential facility. Recently, I visited Mary Jo with my Because of her unhappy childhood, students, a journey I’ve made dozens of Mary Jo Copeland washes the feet of those who come she holds a special place in her heart times. She greeted and prayed with us, through her door, a practice she does daily. “Jesus washed his Apostles’ feet,” she explains. “He came to for children—taking delight in holding sharing her story. Her steps were brisk serve, not to be served. Can we do less? BOTTOM: Mary Jo their hands, singing and praying with and she looked much like when I first saw prays before every meal. More than 1,000 people are fed them. Her pockets bulge with dollar her. Her hair, now slightly graying, was each day at Sharing and Caring Hands. bills to surprise them. still neatly pinned. Again, students were Sadly, she constantly transformed and inspired, an affect she’s sees children with growing had with thousands of students through needs. Children who used the years. With a passionate voice, Mary to reside at the shelter for Jo asked, “What will God ask you at the 45 days now stay up to a end of your days? It will be simply, how year because their parents, much have you loved, and shared and 85% of whom are working, cared. Be that beacon of light who reaches can’t afford new housing. out in kindness to others wherever they Children transfer schools are. A smile and an outstretched hand is four to five times a year— the beginning of a miracle in the unspo- unable to keep up socially ken need of another heart.” or academically. For some, the shelter is the best home Helen Peterson is the Campus Ministry and Religion Communications Director for Loyola Catholic School in Mankato, Minnesota. She has been a close friend of Mary Jo Copeland for over 15 years.

12 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org spread the word Children in Need RICK M RICK ● 12.1 million children—one out of every six—live below the official poverty line. c DOWELL ● 17.9% of American children are hungry or at the risk of being hungry.

● An American child is more likely to be poor today than 25 or 30 years ago; more likely to be poor than an American adult; and more likely to be poor than a child living in Canada, Germany, France, Britain or Spain. —The State of America’s Children 2004, the Children’s Defense Fund

U.S. Catholic Bishops have stated that Very many poor families with children receive no government assistance, have no health insurance, and cannot pay medical bills. Less than half are immunized against preventable diseases such as diphtheria and polio. Poor children are disadvantaged before birth; their mothers’ lack of access to high quality prenatal care leaves them at much greater risk of premature birth, low birth weight, physical and mental impairment, and death before their first birthday. —Economic Justice for All, #177

As members of the Body of Christ, it is our responsibility to care for those who are most vulnerable. Children in poverty are more likely to experience poor health, unemployment, drugs and criminal activity, and a shockingly high number suffer young and violent deaths. Many are unable to keep up in class so they drop out of school or finish high school functionally illiterate. And tragically, children who grow up in poverty are significantly more likely to be poor as adults than children who did not grow up in poverty. So the cycle continues. Catholic Social Teaching tells us that “the fulfillment of the basic needs of the poor is of the highest priority” (Economic Justice for All, #90), and it is clear that concern for our children is concern for our nation’s future. Because children do not have a voice in the government, it is our job to make sure that their needs are met. Contact your Members of Congress today to ask them what they are doing about child poverty.

WRITE: CALL: U.S. House of Representatives Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Senate E-MAIL THROUGH THE NETWORK WEB SITE: Washington, DC 20510 www.networklobby.org

We encourage the reproduction and distribution of this back-to-back fact sheet.

NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 • Washington DC 20001 202-347-9797 • www.networklobby.org

www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 13 spread the word

Meeting Children’s Healthcare Needs

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is cooperatively financed by both state and federal governments to provide comprehensive health insurance to more than six million children. This year, approximately 17 states will not receive enough federal funding to cover the cost of SCHIP and over 630,000 children are in danger of losing access to healthcare services.

Last year, the 109th Congress passed a bill (H.R. 6164) that addressed a portion of this shortfall by redistributing unspent SCHIP funding from the previous two years. Unfortunately, this money will only make up for the shortfall until May 2007. NETWORK will closely follow the SCHIP funding issue, and will work to ensure that all states receive adequate funding.

There are many ways for you to get involved in supporting our nation’s children. You can stay updated through NETWORK’s weekly legislative updates, and you can make sure you are aware of your own state’s status concerning children’s healthcare coverage. Check with local agencies, especially hospital social workers, to understand SCHIP policy in your area. At a local level, it is important to write letters to the editor about this issue, as they are a great way to educate and inform your community. By writing letters to your state legislators RICK M RICK and encouraging others to do so as well, you can also be effective at the state level. c DOWELL

The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) has proposed a plan that would ensure that all children in the United States have access to affordable comprehensive healthcare, regardless of their geographical location. This plan would effectively combine children’s coverage under SCHIP and Medicaid into one plan. By working together, we can ensure that the right for all children to live healthy lives is met.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: www.cbpp.org/6-5-06health2.pdf Children’s Defense Fund: http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer Families USA: http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/medicaid/medicaid-action/

By NETWORK Lobby Associates Elena Lacayo and Morgan Gregson

We encourage the reproduction and distribution of this back-to-back fact sheet.

NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 • Washington DC 20001 202-347-9797 • www.networklobby.org

14 Connection March/April 2007 www.networklobby.org making a difference Double Vision Two Twins. Two Continents. One Shared Vision for the Common Good.

BY JESSICA GUENTZEL

My twin sister Theresa and I didn’t do wondered how often they felt BR but two cows—along IA N H anything out of the ordinary. Thousands they couldn’t do something E with rabbits, ducks IL M before us had ambitious dreams of chang- just because their fami- A and chickens. They N ing the world and conquering injustice. lies couldn’t afford the understood what Thousands have taught children to read, “right” clothes or the their contribu- to tie their shoes, and to always remem- latest video game. tions meant and ber to say “please” and “thank you.” It’s The class and I got smiled, knowing been done before. But that’s what made busy. Individually, that someone, our experience exciting—knowing that they collected cans, somewhere, was anyone can follow Jesus’ example of found coins on the able to feed their showing unconditional love. sidewalk, and made family better. Diplomas in hand, we left the College lemonade. As a class, M e a n w h i l e , of St. Benedict in Minnesota, challenged we scripted a letter to across the Pacific, by the call of Catholic Social Teaching. send to people we knew. little Pinky, one We had the same vision to serve, but this Each child received a copy of India’s “untouch- Su sh iss. vision led us to destinations of our script with mit l k ables,” waited patiently G a g ayfu UE ives sa a pl NT There 8,454 miles apart. The- ZE the promise that at the orphanage one day L FA resa mentored orphans M I would make sure for my sister Theresa to heal her scabies. IL Y P in Calcutta, India, H a recipient was Behind Pinky stood Shushmita, a child O T moonlighting as the O found for each from the upper caste with a tiny cut on local nurse. I moved letter written. her finger. Theresa gently scolded Shush- to a poor elementa- At the end of mita when she wanted to go first, and ry school in western our 40 days, Jes- Shushmita stomped furiously to the end Tennessee. We each sica had written of the line. Pouting, she peeked around A . u k th r tapped into the pure, o pa the most letters in the others, intently watching Theresa r a a n at unprejudiced love within d h ss her class, an action work. Shushmita returned each day er cce third ir su the children’s hearts as we graders celebrate the that didn’t cost a penny. afterwards, asking to stand at Theresa’s helped them understand that they She was also the top fund- side. She learned to carefully clean and didn’t have to be grown-up or affluent to raiser, surpassing her goal by $349.99. disinfect other children’s wounds before make a difference. Together, the class purchased not one, Theresa bandaged them, and soon asked During Lent, my students and I set a to do all of the cleaning. Not only did

TH goal to raise $500 to purchase a cow from ER she now want to help the other children, ES A GU Heifer Project International, a non-profit EN she would pout if she couldn’t do so. TZ that works to end hunger and poverty. EL One evening, after the children went Because many families struggled to bed, my sister and Rod, a fellow financially, my students had one nurse, cleaned up the clinic. Rod rule: they couldn’t ask their commented to Theresa, “You parents for money. Each child know, this is why I do this and set a personal fundraising why I love what I do. We goal that they considered are lucky. We get to live the practical and attainable. Gospel every day.” Jessica, one of my top In the end, all of the chil- students, set a goal of dren taught us an impor- one penny, which I knew tant lesson—to expect wasn’t unreasonable. Her great things from humble family struggled, and her beginnings, an open heart, well-worn uniform seemed and a child’s vision of the to have been passed down, common good. barely surviving the rough playtime tumbles of her older Jessica Guentzel is NETWORK’s brothers. Her story resembled Field Associate and Editorial those of many of my students. I Assistant. Pi nk y d an ci ng. www.networklobby.org March/April 2007 Connection 15 NETWORK recommends

Traveling with the Turtle; A Small Group Process in Women’s Spirituality and Peacemaking by Cindy Preston- Pile and Irene Woodward, Pace e Bene Press, Oakland CA. www.turtle.paceebene.org or 702-648-2281.

Lives for Sale DVD, a documentary on immigration and human trafficking that appeared on PBS in January 2007. Produced by Maryknoll Productions and Lightfoot Films in association with Faith & Values Media. www.livesforsale. com or 1-800-258-5838. Where There’s a Will, Making an enduring gift to a Without the support of people like ministry you care about is a you, NETWORK can’t continue to There’s a Way! meaningful way to continue the be a leader in the movement for generosity you have shown during justice and peace. your lifetime. “Planned gifts”— For more information and a free made through a will, trust, life booklet, How to Make a Will That calendar insurance plan, retirement plan Works, fill out the envelope in the or by other means—help build the center of this magazine, or contact justice movement. To further Lindsay Gonzales, Director of NETWORK’s mission, please con- Major Gifts and Planned Giving, Mar. 8-10, St. Louis, MO sider making a lasting contribution at [email protected] Simone Campbell, SSS, that will support justice. NETWORK’s Executive or 202-347-9797 x214. Director, facilitates workshops on law, political issues and religious life NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION for treasurers, attorneys ��������� U.S. POSTAGE and leaders of religious ���������������������������������������� PAID communities at the Legal PERMIT NO. 6962 Resource Center for 25 E Street NW, Suite 200 WASHINGTON, DC Religious gathering. Washington, DC, 20001 PHONE 202-347-9797 FAX 202-347-9864 Mar.16, Detroit, MI www.networklobby.org Simone Campbell, SSS, facilitates a workshop on law and leadership for new leaders in religious communities at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious meeting.