Media Advisory: January 29, 2014
Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370
Oakland Clergy Gather in Support of the Congressional Black Caucus’s National Day of Prayer to End Poverty and Income Inequality
#CBCDAYOFPRAYER
Oakland, CA– On Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 4pm, East Bay clergy will gather at Allen Temple Baptist Church located at 8501 International Blvd. in Oakland, CA to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus’s(CBC) first annual National Day of Prayer to End Poverty and Income Inequality.
Earlier that day, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and interfaith leaders from around the country will gather on the Capitol Hill East Lawn for the first national CBC Day of Prayer to End Poverty and Income Inequality.
As the co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' Task Force on Poverty and the Economy, Congresswoman Lee is leading the charge in pushing for legislation to eradicate poverty by addressing its fundamental causes. She sponsored H.R. 2182, the Half in Ten Act, which would establish a Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty, and develop a National Strategy to cut poverty in half in ten years. More recently, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, she successfully included language in the omnibus spending bill, which supports the principles of the Half in Ten Act by requiring Congress and the Administration to work together to implement policies, inter-agency efforts, and support proven anti-poverty programs that reduce the existence of poverty.
WHO: Reverend Dr. J. Alfred Smith Jr., Senior Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist Church
Reverend Ruben Hurtado, Pastor of Iglesia Bautista de Allen Temple
Reverend Clarence Johnson, Senior Pastor, Mills Grove Christian Church, Oakland
Reverend Dr. Donna Allen, Senior Pastor, New Revelation Community Church
Reverend Daniel Buford, Minister, Prophetic Justice Ministry, Allen Temple Baptist Church
Reverend Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Assistant Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist Church
WHAT: Oakland National Day of Prayer to End Poverty and Income Inequality
WHEN: Thursday, February 6, 2014; Doors Open at 3:30pm, Program Starts at 4pm
WHERE: Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
WHY:
Since 1953, leaders from all religions backgrounds, sectors of society, and communities around the world have gathered in Washington, DC for the National Prayer Breakfast to unite in faith and to build new relationships that will benefit goodwill for all. This year, when faith leaders gather in our nation’s Capital, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will also host the first National Day of Prayer to End Poverty and Income Inequality in our communities. As millions of American families continue to live below the poverty line, and the gap between the wealthiest in our nation and all others continues to grow, interfaith leaders are invited to attend and stand in solidarity with the CBC as we pray for the consciousness of America to be awakened and united against this startling and harrowing trend.
This event is free and open to the public and the media.
###
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of both the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the newly formed Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.