[Press Release] Bread for the World Responds to State of the Union Address

from PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rev. David Beckmann,
President of Bread for the World, issued the following statement in
response to the State of the Union address delivered tonight by President
George W. Bush:

"With turmoil in our nation's housing and financial markets, the
President took the opportunity in his State of the Union address to push
for quick passage of the economic stimulus package he sent to Congress last
week. While the package includes incentives for businesses to invest in
facilities and equipment and tax rebates that would also go to most
low-income working families, it does not include important provisions like
temporary increases in food stamp and unemployment benefits. It is critical
that the stimulus package take into consideration the needs of those
vulnerable families who will be hit hardest by the recession.

"Trade can be a powerful engine of economic growth and poverty
reduction in developing countries. Bread for the World is pleased that the
President reiterated the U.S. commitment to a successful Doha Development
Round. We will hold President Bush to doing everything in his power to
ensure that the Doha Round results in an agreement with development at its
core.

"Bread for the World hopes the President will continue to work with
Congress to ensure that this year's Farm Bill lives up to its potential as
a source of help and hope for rural communities, farm families of modest
means, and hungry and poor people here at home and around the world. This
would help to kick-start the Doha Round, allowing member nations to reach
an agreement before the end of the year.

"What the President said about global poverty was right on the mark.
One of the great legacies of this Administration will be its commitment to
the continent of Africa particularly in the field of health. Reducing
poverty and disease around the world has been one issue on which
Republicans and Democrats have worked together.

"The President's HIV/AIDS Initiative has shown amazing success in a
very short time. However, in many regions of the world, HIV/AIDS is a
disease of poverty and cannot be solved by drugs alone. The President's
upcoming FY 2009 budget request must regain a sense of balance between
emergency response to the HIV/AIDS crisis and the investments in long-term
development. Nutrition, clean water, and livelihood assistance will help
achieve success in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensure that countries can
build the capacity to take on the care of their citizens in the future.
Programs like the Millennium Challenge Account seek to build this
sustainable capacity and deserve equal investment.

"Feeding hungry people must be the number one priority of our food aid
programs. It is scandalous that half of every food aid dollar does not go
to feed those in greatest need, but into the pockets of U.S. companies for
processing, packaging, and transport. Bread for the World supports a shift
to from our current system to one where local purchase of emergency food
aid in appropriate circumstances can be accomplished. We are pleased that
President Bush used his pulpit to push for this change."