FCNL's Revised Statement of Legislative Policy Approved

November 26, 2003

NATIONAL QUAKER LOBBY APPROVES GUIDELINES Marking the 60th anniversary
of the founding of the Friends Committee on National Legislation,
more than 200 Quakers from across the United States gathered in
Washington, DC, November 13-16 for FCNL's General Committee Annual
Meeting.

A key item of business was the revision of FCNL's Statement of
Legislative Policy, the framework for FCNL's legislative programs.
In preparing the document, the Policy Committee considered input
from more than 100 Quaker monthly meetings, churches, and individuals.
The final version of the revised statement was approved by the
General Committee on the last day of the session. You can view the
newly revised FCNL Statement of Legislative Policy by clicking here:
http://www.fcnl.org/legpolcy/indx_extnd.htm.

Marion Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund,
delivered a powerful keynote address on Friday night, reminding
FCNL staff and Annual Meeting attendees of her organization's
longstanding commitment "To Leave No Child Behind."  Ms. Edelman
urged her audience to be aware of proposed legislation that would
unravel the "Head Start" program if passed.  Information about the
Children's Defense Fund can be found on its web site at
www.childrensdefense.org.

Senator Russ Feingold (WI) was honored on Saturday evening as the
recipient of the eleventh annual Edward F. Snyder Award for National
Legislative Leadership to Advance Disarmament and the Building of
Peace.  The award recognizes Feingold for his opposition to the USA
PATRIOT Act in 2001.  Mr. Feingold was the lone senator to vote
against the USA PATRIOT Act following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
In a prepared statement, Sen. Feingold commented, "It is gratifying
to see, two years later, an increasing number of Americans from
across the political spectrum beginning to recognize the potential
for abuse of power unleashed by that law."  The full text of the
senator's statement can be read by clicking here:
http://www.fcnl.org/issues/ed_snyder_award/feingold.htm.

Previous recipients of the Snyder award include Rep. Elizabeth Furse
(OR), Sen. Mark Hatfield (OR), Rep. Ronald Dellums (CA), Sen Patrick
Leahy (VT), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (OH), Sen. Jim Jeffords (VT), and
Sen Paul Wellstone (MN).

Coming soon! Look for pictures of the 2003 Annual Meeting on FCNL's
Photo Gallery at http://www.fcnl.org/quakers/photo-indx.htm.