Bread for the World Responds to 2008 State of the Union Address

Washington, DC, January 28, 2008 – 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 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.”

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