Statement of Resolution
LCWR will advocate for legislation that will help people move out of poverty as the welfare act of 1996 comes up for reauthorization in 2002.

Rationale
In a resolution at its 1996 National Assembly, LCWR opposed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Subsequently, NETWORK, with whom LCWR collaborates closely, initiated a study on the impact of that legislation on people who are poor. Three major partners in that study were the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and the Daughters of Charity. Key findings reported in the study, “Poverty Amid Plenty,” were that:
- Poverty continues as people receive less government assistance.
- Suffering continues as basic needs go unmet.
- The working poor are suffering.
- People without government assistance are suffering.

NETWORK will gather further data on the impact of the legislation on those who have lost benefits. The predominant message in the media and the public conversation seems to be that welfare reform is working because welfare rolls are declining. There is little awareness or concern for those who have continued to go deeper into poverty as a result of being cut off the rolls. One of LCWR’s goals for 1999-2004 is to “work for a just world order by...continuing to use our corporate voice and influence in solidarity with people who experience poverty, racism, powerlessness or any other form of violence or oppression.”

Calls for Specific Action
1. Members will educate themselves and the members of their institutes on the impact of the 1996 Welfare Reform legislation on people who are poor and use that information to influence the public debate of the 2002 reauthorization legislation.
2. Members will emphasize the goal of moving people out of poverty by communicating with members of Congress and candidates for political office and by writing letters to the editors of newspapers.
3. Members will encourage their co-workers and various publics in this advocacy effort.
4. Members will cooperate when possible with NETWORK’s next phase of the Welfare Reform Watch Project.

Related Information:
NETWORK’s web site: www.networklobby.org, including the 1999 report Poverty Amid Plenty

Origin of Proposal:
LCWR Global Concerns Committee, Regions 1, 10, 11, 14, 15

Contact Persons:
Judy Cannon, RSM, 301-588-4955; Peggy Comfrey, CSJ, 617-746-2026; Shalini D’Souza, SCN, 502-348-1561; Mary McGlone, CSJ, 314-966-4048; Claire McGowan, OP, 606-336-9303; Susan Mika, OSB, 210-735-4988.

Statement of Resolution
LCWR membership will be informed and work actively for the improvement of the living, working, and environmental conditions of our 1.2 million brothers and sisters (ages 16-25) who work in maquiladora manufacturing facilities along the Mexico-U.S. border and in other sweatshop conditions.

Rationale
- We are brothers and sisters to one another. There are no borders that can define or confine basic relationships based in the reality that we are all God’s family.
- Human rights call for a job with sustainable wages and a dignified human existence. Basic human needs include shelter, food, water, medical accessibility and a safe environment.

Facts
With the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, more U.S. corporations have moved their manufacturing operations to Mexico. Low labor costs and lack of enforcement of safety and waste disposal regulations attract the corporations. Manufactured goods are sent back across the border and sold for high profits. Stockholders receive the profit through dividends.
- Some corporations discard waste without safety measures and contaminate soil and water.
- Workers earn an average of $3.99 per day in Mexico and less in other countries. This is not a sustainable wage. Many workers suffer under oppressive and poor working conditions.
- Thousands of people migrate to border towns in hopes of finding employment. The towns’ infrastructure is not ready to sustain the newcomers. Hundreds of children do not attend school. Families live in substandard housing without running water, sewage facilities or adequate medical attention.
- Increased cases of leukemia, lupus, type A hepatitis and neural tube defects are being found.

Call for Specific Action (You are encouraged to join in as many actions as possible.)
1. Pray for the decision-makers in the corporations, the maquiladora workers and the individuals in this movement who seek justice.
2. Educate yourself and members of your organization on the issues surrounding the maquiladoras.
3. Use stockholder power to change the unfair labor and illegal toxic waste dumping practices of corporations and join actions that empower maquiladora workers.
4. Determine under what conditions our sponsored institutions have their uniforms/logos produced. Take action as appropriate.
5. Avoid purchasing clothing made under sweatshop conditions.

Origin of Proposal: Regions 12, 5, 6, 10, 14

Contact Persons: Susan Mika, OSB, 210-735-4988, snmika@texas.net;  Heloise Cruzat, OP, 713-747-3310, hcruzat@domhou.org.

Statement of Resolution
LCWR will endorse the establishment of a global nonviolent standing peace force to support local and regional groups striving to resolve conflict.

Rationale
- With recent history in Kosovo, Iraq, and East Timor, our world needs an alternative to massive military intervention in situations of serious conflict. During the last two decades, 20 or so non-governmental organizations have intervened to reduce regional hostilities. Building on this peacemaking work, the proposed Global Nonviolent Peace Force will deploy to conflict areas to protect human rights and prevent death and destruction, thus creating the space for local groups to struggle, enter into dialogue, and seek peaceful resolution.
- LCWR’s mission includes “initiating and strengthening relationships with groups concerned with the needs of society, thereby maximizing the potential of the Conference for effecting change” (Bylaws). Current goals include “continuing to use our corporate voice and influence in solidarity with people who experience … violence or oppression.” The theme of the 1996 Assembly was “The Fierce Urgency of Now: Imagining Leadership for a Nonviolent World.”

Background
- This proposal arose from the Hague Appeal for Peace in May 1999, where more than 9,000 people from 100 countries, including U.S. women religious, gathered to discuss alternatives to war. It was further supported as a recommendation by the UN Millennium Forum in June 2000. Endorsers include Nobel Peace Prize Laureates The Dalai Lama, Oscar Arias, and Mairead Maguire, as well as many organizations throughout the world.
- The Peace Force will be deployed at the invitation of local organizations or nonviolent movements. Attempts will be made to gain approval from all sides involved in the conflict.
- The project is currently in the research and planning phase. The goal for the next two years is to organize 200 skilled peacemakers, 400 reserves, and 500 supporters, and to raise $8 million.
- Information is on the web site www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org.

Call for Specific Action
1. Continue educating ourselves about personal, communal, and societal nonviolence.
2. Direct the national staff to share periodic information with the membership about the development of this and other alternatives to war.
3. Endorse the project by adding LCWR to the list of endorsers.
4. As individual congregations, consider contributing funds to the project directly.

Origin of the Proposal: Patricia Keefe, OSF, supported by Region 11

Contact Persons: Monique Schwirtz, OSF, 507-282-7741;  Katherine DuVal, SSND, 507-389-4222
 

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has approximately 1,000 members who are the elected leaders of their religious orders, representing 76,000 Catholic sisters in the United States. The Conference develops leadership, promotes collaboration within church and society, and serves as a voice for systemic change.