Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry
A Franciscan Ministry among African American Families
St. Clare Friary- Province of the Immaculate Conception

&

National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life

440 West 36^th Street  ♦  New York, New York 10018

(212) 868 1847

News Release

February 22, 2005

Novena for the Feast of
St. Katharine Drexel on the 50^th

Anniversary of her death   (Feb 22- March 2)

  President Bush and Members of Congress
Please Don’t Leave the Poor Behind

New York City  (February 22, 2005)  - The President of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life and the Pastoral Director of Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry based in New York City, today called on African American Catholics for Life and people of goodwill, to contact or meet with their members of congress (February 22-25, 2005) to make sure that President Bush’s new budget does not place further hardships on children and families, while giving tax cuts to millionaires.

“President Bush’s budget proposes cutting at least $45 billion over 10 years in Medicaid nationally.  Giving states the
option to spend federal moneys for services for abused and neglected children in a way that holds the states less accountable and ends the guarantee to provide security for those most vulnerable and in need of assistance,”
said Father James E. Goode, OFM.

According to studies done by “Children and Family” welfare agencies, and the “Children’s Defense Fund”, under
President Bush’s budget:

-         Up to 300,000 people will lose food stamps

-         25,000 poor children will no longer be in their Head Start programs

-         300,000 children of the working poor will lose child care

-         The federal guarantee of protection for abused and neglected children would be terminated

“In the name of Life and in the name of our children and families I urgently appeal to those who Respect Life to contact your congress member immediately,” Father Goode said.   “Ask your congress member to protect the vulnerable children by maintaining the legal federal protection for abused and neglected children.  Encourage them to make a commitment to fund health insurance, Head Start and child care programs that directly impact our children’s quality of life.”