THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310541
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 86 lines
It's not abandoning its past political goals, but the Christian Coalition unveiled a 1997 legislative agenda Thursday that could establish it as an important private force for racial reconciliation, anti-poverty and anti-crime efforts.
The ``Samaritan Project'' continues a broadening of the Chesapeake-based group's agenda beyond abortion, school prayer and other issues, calling on the conservative churches that are its core constituency to supplement governmental efforts to rebuild inner cities and educate ``at-risk'' children.
``For too long, our movement has been predominantly - frankly, almost exclusively - a white, evangelical movement whose political center of gravity was planted safely in the suburbs,'' said Ralph Reed, the coalition's executive director.
The Samaritan Project ``shatters the color line and bridges the gap that has separated us from our African-American and Latino brothers and sisters,'' he asserted.
Reed told reporters the Coalition will ask religious conservatives to contribute up to $10 million by the end of the decade to help black and Hispanic churches minister to troubled youths.
He also reiterated plans to host a national ``Congress on Racial Justice'' this spring in Baltimore.
In Congress, Reed said, the Coalition will push a package of anti-crime and anti-poverty programs, including:
Federally financed scholarships to let children from 100 impoverished school districts attend private schools.
Tax credits of up to $500 for Americans who make financial contributions and volunteer their time to community service groups.
Additional federal aid to states which require couples with young children to receive counseling and complete a waiting period before divorcing.
Creation of ``empowerment zones'' in 100 impoverished communities by giving tax relief to fledgling business in those areas, and providing transportion for inner city residents to jobs in the suburbs.
Special aid to states that reduce juvenile and gang-related crime and implement policies to address the growth in juvenile crime.
$150 million in additional federal spending to educate teen-agers about sexual abstinence to prevent pregnancy.
Founded by businessman, religious broadcaster and 1988 presidential hopeful Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach, the Christian Coalition has emerged as the best-financed and most-disciplined division in an army of conservative, religion-based political activists.
That coalition is now the single most influential constituency in the Republican Party, but it's almost exclusive identification with the GOP and with divisive issues such as abortion and school prayer has made the group a lightning rod for criticism.
Political opponents were quick to denounce its new program Thursday as an effort to blur the constitutional line between church and state.
``Ralph Reed's `conservative, Christian, compassion-based agenda for the poor' makes a great soundbite,'' said Carole Shields, president of People for the American Way, a liberal advocacy group.
``But read the fine print and watch your wallet. When the Christian Coalition talks about helping the poor, it always leads to moving tax dollars to religious institutions.''
Thursday's announcement was the Coalition's most dramatic effort to date to extend its base of support beyond evangelical Christians. Reed was flanked by six Hispanic and black ministers as he outlined the program to reporters.
Reed has ``laid out for us what our agenda is . . . to undo the heavy burdens of the oppressed and let the enslaved go free, to let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,'' declared the Rev. Lawrence F. Haygood of Tuskegee, Ala., one of the clergymen.
Two years ago, the coalition's ``Contract with the American Family'' began the drive to broaden its appeal, downplaying such divisive issues as abortion in favor of support for things like a $500-a-child tax credit and the creation of Individual Retirement Accounts for homemakers.
Reed said the Samaritan Project grows out of efforts last year to mobilize white evangelicals in support of efforts to rebuild burned-out African-American churches. The coalition raised more than $750,000 to assist those churches and offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of church arsonists.
``In the course of that, we developed friendships and relationships with people in the community,'' said D.J. Gribbin, the coalition's field director.
``What we're doing is, we're continuing to advance our agenda in a way that meets those needs.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Executive Director Ralph Reed
KEYWORDS: CHRISTIAN COALITION