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THE BUDGET--
NEW YORK STATE LABOR-RELIGION COALITION
ANNOUNCES 40 HOUR FAST

        The New York State Labor-Religion Coalition (NYSLRC) will
be holding a "Fast of 40 Hours" from March 18-20, 1996 "so that
ALL New Yorkers might have their God-given dignity respected...
and receive a fair and just share of New York's abundance." The
fast will be led by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard and Thomas Y.
Hobart, Jr., co-chairs of the coalition.

        Hubbard and Hobart commented on the coalition in a recent
mailing to New Yorkers:

     "Drawing on the invaluable insights offered by our
     religious heritages, and the tried and proven values,
     principles of the labor movement, we can make a
     difference. Together, we can be effective advocates for
     the poor and for working men and women, guaranteeing
     that the success achieved by labor over this past
     century does not become a victim of he market forces in
     our global economy or of the pure arrogance and greed
     of a privileged few."
     
                          Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard
                                               Bishop
                     Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
                                                       
     "The virtues promoted by all great religious leaders--
     justice and compassion--are concepts brought to reality
     in the American labor movement and in its struggle for
     the right to work in dignity. As groups seeking to
     divide America on social, religious and economic lines
     grow in power and influence, the need for working men
     and women and the religious community to speak out
     together has never been greater."
     
                                Thomas Y. Hobart, Jr.
                                            President
                       New York State United Teachers
                                                                 
        The purpose of the fast is threefold, according to the
group's flyer:

     1. To pray - for our public officials, as they make the
        difficult budgetary, policy and regulatory choices that
        affect the common good of all residents of the state.
     
     2. To sacrifice - bodily and individually from food, so that
        we might influence the body politic to provide the basic
        "foods" of life (clothing, shelter, food, education,
        health care and a living wage job) for all New Yorkers.
     
     3. To communicate - with our public officials and the larger
        community why we are fasting and why we believe the
        decisions of public officials must respond to the 
        vulnerable middle class and to the powerless, especially
        "the widows and orphans" and "the least of our brothers
        and sisters."
     
The New York State Labor-Religion Coalition works to:

     -- promote social and economic justice through sound public
        policy on issues of mutual concern to organized religion
        and labor;
     
     -- meet the critical needs of the poor and oppressed;
     
     -- prevent the deterioration of essential public services;
     
     -- protect and advocate for workers' rights;
     
     -- prevent job dislocation and advocate for training and
        economic conversion;
     
     -- neutralize the impact of extreme political factions by
        encouraging community participation, promoting tolerance
        and understanding among different segments of our
        society, and increasing the level of quality of public
        dialogue; and
     
     -- establish a just and healthy society for our families and
        their futures.
     
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Brian O'Shaughnessy, State Coordinator
159 Wolf Road
Albany, New York
Phone: 518-459-5400
Fax: 518-454-8414

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Eye On New York
http://www.webcom.com/albany/ny.html