Faith leaders, parents urge Congress to expand children's health care

Published: 2007-03-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Jesuit Father John Baumann came to Washington from Oakland, Calif., in early March to tell members of Congress that "children are a gift from God and they deserve the blessing of good health." And he was not alone. Hundreds of clergy and parents from across the country were on Capitol Hill March 7 for a Faith and Families Summit organized by the PICO National Network, the community organizing network that Father Baumann founded 35 years ago. The Jesuit is executive director of the Oakland-based PICO, which began as the Pacific Institute for Community Organizations but changed its name in 2004 to People Improving Communities through Organizing. The interfaith network now includes more than 1,000 congregations from 50 denominations or faith traditions, representing an estimated 1 million people in 17 states. About half of the members are Catholics, the priest said.

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