Letters

Letters

FCNL

Helps With

National

Issues

To the Editor:

Over 50 years ago, during W.W.II, some Quakers around the country set up the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) in Washington, D.C., for years the only registered lobby of a religious group, firnded with non-tax deductable contributions.

The impetus for its founding was the need to help conscientious objectors, many of whom were Quakers. Following, the war, mindful that work for peace and a just society is an every-day necessity, the Committee decided to continue its work.

Quakers and others from throughout the nation are members and they set the organization’s policies and up-date its priorities before a new Congress convenes. Three lobbyists work on its agenda and keep subscribers to its news letter informed of important actions before Congress and, sometimes, before the administrative agencies.

Every Friday afternoon a legislative up-date is recorded on a tape where anyone may call to find out about issues the organization believes are important and advise on what a concerned citizen may do to try to affect actions on them. The phone number is f202) 547-4343.

People following matters on Capitol Hill often have information and ideas that are not generally available or talked about—especially in ways that the best informed participants understand. The last call I made gave me some facts about threatended cu,ts in the proposed budget for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA), perhaps even threats to the Agency’s existence. I also learned why FCNL lobbyists are opposed to the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment. I was urged to write to my representative and senators asking them to oppose cuts in ACDA and to oppose the legislation that contains the Balanced Budget Amendment.

It has occurred to me that some of our citizens might like to know that by calling the FCNL “Hot Line” they can receive information on issues of importance they might otherwise not know about and might appreciate the insights a group of Quakers have on pending legislation.

FCNL works with many other religious and civic groups interested in affecting public policies and often takes a leadership role in permanent and temporary coalitions. Its longtime experience and unusually competent staff have brought it respect in the Congress and among everyone who knows of its work, whether or not they affirm its positions. The office is located at 245 2nd St. N.E. just beside the Hart Senate Office Building.

I have been a member of the Committee since 1972 and I have attended most of its annual meetings since then and worked, until this year, on several of its governing committees.

DIANA BIRD

Washington