For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 15, 2002

Statement by the President

I was pleased to meet this morning with the leadership of the United Jewish Communities (UJC). We share a strong commitment to see passage of the CARE (Charity Aid, Recovery, and Empowerment) Act. The UJC and more than 1,600 other organizations -- ranging from America's Second Harvest to the YMCA -- support this important piece of legislation, which will spur charitable giving and create a more level playing field for faith-based and community organizations.

America should stand by the charities that support people in need and in crisis. Giving to many charities -- and particularly to social service organizations -- is down, while the demands on them remain great. The Senate should pass the CARE Act, and the Congress should send me legislation that I can sign that will help support the vital work of thousands of faith-based and community-based charities across America.

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