[MKE - Indymedia] CONGRESSWOMAN BETTY MCCOLLUM INTRODUCES HOUSE RESOLUTION ON COLOMBIAN LOCAL PEACE BUILDING

[Vicky Whetstone]

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NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802, esollie at lwr.org


CONGRESSWOMAN BETTY MCCOLLUM INTRODUCES HOUSE RESOLUTION ON COLOMBIAN
LOCAL PEACE BUILDING

Baltimore, May 22, 2006-Lutheran World Relief commends Representative
Betty McCollum (D-MN) for introducing a resolution in the U.S. House of
Representatives recognizing and promoting local peace building efforts
in Colombia. The resolution lifts up organizations and networks like the
Peace Sanctuary Churches with which Lutheran World Relief has worked for
several years, and urges the U.S. State Department to closely monitor
acts of violence against those working for peace in Colombia. 

Working with Lutheran World Relief advocates in her Minnesota district,
McCollum is an outspoken advocate in Congress on behalf of the millions
of displaced Colombian civilians suffering the effects of the nation's
five-decade armed conflict. 

In the resolution introduced last week, McCollum writes, "The Peace
Sanctuary Church Movement is essential to Colombia's peace building
efforts . . . churches and faith communities in the U.S. and Colombia,
as well as non-governmental organizations working for peace, democracy
and human rights . . . provide ongoing support, advocacy and a voice for
the millions of Colombians struggling to survive in the face of poverty,
displacement and violence."

The resolution was co-sponsored by Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN); Rep.
Martin Olav Sabo (D-MN), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Donald Payne
(D-NJ), Rep. James Moran (D-VA), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Sheila
Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and Rep. Neil
Abercrombie (D-HI).      

Lutheran World Relief works in partnership with the Peace Sanctuary
Churches, which aspire to be places of hope and refuge in a nation
ravaged by violence. Little is known outside their own country about
their courageous work feeding the hungry, sheltering the displaced, and
facilitating peaceful dialogue. But through LWR's "Sal y Luz" project,
partnering the Colombian churches with faith communities in the U.S.,
the word is spreading. 

"Lutheran World Relief wholeheartedly supports this resolution
recognizing the contributions of the Peace Sanctuary Churches and other
civil society organizations in Colombia," said LWR President Kathryn
Wolford. "We thank Rep. McCollum for her efforts to raise the visibility
of these organizations that are showing tremendous courage in their work
to bring peace to their nation." 

Also last week, Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) entered a statement into the
Congressional Record in support of the National Day of Prayer for
Colombia May 21, during which people of faith across the nation joined
together in prayer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. "As a
Lutheran myself," he writes in the statement, "I believe protecting
human rights in Colombia must remain a high priority." LWR commends Sen.
Johnson for his support.   

WHO IS LWR? Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Lutheran World Relief
(LWR) has been responding to emergencies and disasters since its
founding in 1945. Working through partners and global relief and
development networks, LWR works in 35 countries to provide not only
relief but to combat the causes of poverty and restore the dignity it
robs from people's lives. We advocate for Fair Trade that helps farmer
and artisan families earn a better income. We teach people to better
care for themselves, their communities and the environment. We teach
people how to be less vulnerable to natural disasters. We advocate with
them for policy change that more fairly represents them. We counsel them
after human and natural disasters, and help them recover with material
aid and long-term programs. We do all of this exclusively with partners
from the communities we serve.

LWR works in global development and relief on behalf of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LWR
is a member of Action by Churches Together. 

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