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DISCIPLES CENTER for PUBLIC WITNESS
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NOVEMBER 7, 2005
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Rev. Ken Brooker Langston (contact)
Email: disciplescenter@comcast.net
Phone: 410-212-7964 |
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WATKINS URGES CONGRESS: RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE NOW
The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), joined other religious leaders in sending a letter to Congress calling on elected officials to take action on an important issue affecting millions of Americans: the minimum wage.
Noting that "prophetic voices throughout the ages have called upon their nations to show justice to the poorest and most vulnerable in society," Dr. Watkins and other religious leaders urged Congress "to raise the minimum wage in the 109th session." According to the letter sent to Congress, "low-wage workers have been unable to support themselves and their families, even though they work several jobs, trying to make ends meet. . . . It is unacceptable that such a state of affairs be allowed to continue. . . ."
Resolution 0157, passed by the 2005 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, calls on the member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to "support national movements toward the passage of legislation that guarantees workers sufficient wages to supply adequate food, clothing, shelter and health care for themselves and their families." Consistent with this resolution, the letter signed by Dr. Watkins is part of a larger campaign to "address the living wage and cooperate with workers, employers, labor unions, and organizations that are working to affirm workers' dignity."
The letter to Congress was released on November 7th at a press conference in Washington, DC. Speakers at the press conference announced the launch of a grassroots campaign of more than 50 religious and community groups to raise the minimum wage on the federal and state level.
The "Let Justice Roll/Living Wage Campaign" will include "Living Wage Days," scheduled to take place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, January 14-16, 2006. During that weekend, worship services and rallies will take place around the country to inspire, educate and mobilize congregations and community organizations to support and act for raising the minimum wage.
To read the letter on the minimum wage, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
To read the recent General Assembly resolution on the living wage, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
To learn more about the "Let Justice Roll/Living Wage Campaign," PLEASE CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE to read a recent interview with Dr. Watkins about the indispensibility of justice to the life and witness of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). |
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