Families USA National Health Action 2002 Closing Plenary
January 18, 2002 Washington, DC
Marian Wright Edelman Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund
"And he (Martin Luther King) called then for a Poor People's Campaign. And at that time, there were 11 million poor children, and he reminded us, that we have the resources, in this world's rich nation, that we have the know-how, we have the experience. And that was the call to action. And here we are now, in the beginning of a new millennium and century, and an economy that has tripled in wealth and we have 12 million poor children.
"We've made a lot of progress. We've made a lot of incremental progress, and we're in a little dip at the moment. But, we're still the wealthiest nation in history and it is time to finish that call for a poor people's campaign for an America, where everybody has enough, where every child has hope. We do have the know-how. We do have the experience. And don't you let anybody on Capitol Hill tell you we don't have the money.
"We don't have a money problem; we have a morality problem. We have a political priority problem.
"I would not deny anybody, their first or second million or even billion. But, you know, there's something out of balance when just four wealthy Americans, possess greater wealth than the GNP of the 34 least developed nations in the world, with over 650 million people. And the same Americans, possess more wealth than that of 14 million American families. Their wealth, four people, exceeds the revenues of 24 states, with 42 million citizens.
"You know, they didn't need a tax cut last spring. They don't need another tax cut, under the guise of economic stimulus. This money that has been given them, even small percentages of it, the individual tax rate, the estate tax, could lift every child out of poverty, could provide every child and human being in America health care.
"And they must hear our voice saying, 'enough.' That no more tax breaks take effect, for the wealthy, while there are homeless and uninsured children. I mean it is not--it's un-American, to have people lined-up to get more out of greed when we have hunger and homeless children.
"So, that's what the issue is for us before this Congress, and we should not be discouraged. We've got to get out there and tell those stories. We've got to get out there and say how much money. -- Why should it be so hard to do what is right? When it saves money, saves lives, you know, holds families together. Why should it be so hard to raise children in this country?
"And so, I think this is a moment of enormous opportunity for us, and so, just do not lose heart. What's going to happen in this country is going to depend far more on what we do, than on what people on the Hill do. We can make them find the same money they found for the tax break... for children... if we mobilize and organize."
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