Washington Office

The Presbyterian Washington Office

Washington Office reports on staff changes, their web page, and the continuing need for support

[e-mail dated 9-18-02, posted here 9-21-02]

Dear Advocate,

As I send this annual financial appeal letter, the Washington Office has said goodbye to our three interns. You have seen their names in both our printed and E-Serve publications: Leah Hrachovec, Julia Binger and Jenny Lin completed their terms in August. We are thankful for the skills and passion of these talented young activists.

We have now welcomed two new people. Carolynn B. Race started on August 1, as the new Associate for Domestic Poverty Issues and the Environment. Jessica Tate arrived on September 1, as the Intern for Outreach Services and Immigration Issues. We are grateful for these additions.

Congress is winding down the work of the 107th session and will soon gear up for full campaign activities as part of this mid-term election. The issues of peace and civil rights have taken on new meaning following the events of September 11, 2001. These issues are not very popular in Washington and even within some sectors of the religious community. However, our biblical and theological understanding of these issues say that this is not the time to back away. This old challenge, to work for peace, is still there. A new challenge is the scandal of the business community and the investment practices. How should we address them? Should we address them? Congress will look more deeply into financial regulatory practices and how they have hurt the small investor. Social security will be looked at with new eyes. Will we still hear the calls for the privatization of Social Security? How should we respond? We could use your support as we work on these issues.

I hope that you have become a regular visitor to our web page at www.pcusa.org/washington. From this page, you can join one of our E-Serves on the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Ecology & Environment, Global Security, Women & Families, Civil Rights & Religious Liberty, Health Care or Hunger & Human Needs. You will also be able to download the newly revised Christian & Citizen -Election Year packet. Our Stewardship of Public Life written publications continue.

Once again, on behalf of the Washington team, we would like to say how much we have appreciated working with you on the social issues of the day, as we Speak Truth to Power during these uncertain times.

Sincerely,

Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director
Washington Office
Presbyterian Church (USA)

In support of the Washington Office of the PC(USA). Please send your contribution to: Presbyterian Church (USA), Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289, ECO#865714. Thank you.

A NOTE FROM THE WITHERSPOON SOCIETY:

We warmly encourage you to consider making use of this opportunity for an Extra Commitment gift.

New staff person joins Washington Office

[7-9-02]

We have just received this announcement from the Presbyterian Washington Office, dated 7/9/02:

The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is pleased to announce the hiring of Carolynn Beth Race as the new Associate for Domestic Poverty and Environmental Issues. Carolynn will begin her new duties on August 1, 2002.

Ms. Race received her B.A., cum laude in government from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in Medford MA (a suburb of the Boston /Cambridge area). Her areas of concentration were Development Economics, Africa, and US Foreign Policy. She completed additional course work at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University. She also spent a Semester abroad at the Middlesex University of London. And concentrated on the British Political System.

Previous employment includes the Research Assistant at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in the World Peace Foundation Program for Intrastate Conflict, conflict Prevention, & Conflict Resolution; Manager of Health Policy at the Gay and Lesbian Center; and the Development Associate/VISTA for Habitat for Humanity of San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valleys.

Ms. Race served as co-founder of the California HIV Advocacy Coalition, a statewide coalition of HIV organizations and individuals impacted by HIV/Aids seeking to encourage progressive actions in the area of HIV/Aids in the California state legislature. She interned for Senator John F. Kerry and drafted memorandum and developed talking points on prescription drug and civil rights policy.

In the cover letter to her resume she said:

"I have been active in congregations in both the Flint River Presbytery (Georgia) and Eastminister Presbytery (Ohio). I participated in a PC (USA) youth exchange to Ghana, and served as the co-chair of the Youth Advisory Delegates at the 1994 General Assembly. In college, I continued in my endeavor to be theologically informed through my study of world religions and facilitating meetings of the Interfaith Council. As a government major, I also looked at the role of religion in world conflict, analyzing its role on the African continent, and through a study tour of Israel."

Carolynn brings lots of skills to the Washington Office. The staff looks forward to working with her. We will all have to learn to spell Carolynn with double "n". Bernadine Grant McRipley, previously held the position she will fill, from 1991 through March 2001 and by Douglas Grace from April 2001 through January 2002.

Presbyterian Washington Office -- our best-kept secret?

[posted here in 2000]

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