Commentary
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Bangladesh: A Step Forward Compensating Victims of Garment Factory Tragedies
Read the recent Wall Street Journal article. When I was in Bangladesh in early December 2013, the issue of compensation for victims of the fire and building collapse tragedies was one of the issues in the forefront. (The other major issues were building safety and working conditions going forward.) Adequate compensation for workers who were disabled and family members whose breadwinners had died was sought. We have insurance and other compensation mechanisms in place in the United States. These are not in place in Bangladesh. Therefore the establishment of this victims fund and the initial contributions to it are major steps forward. Progress does not come easy or all at once,…
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Again the Weather
Neither sleet nor hail…. Not only the postmen and women… On my way to work this morning, walking to the subway in sleet and snow, I passed so many hardworking New Yorkers. They were cold, battling the weather and diligently at their posts – shoveling sidewalks, plowing streets, selling coffee, crossing kids near schools. Here’s a picture of one school crossing guard in Morningside Heights in Manhattan. With a little prompting from God this morning, I remembered to say thank you to her. Why don’t you do the same today to those who cross your path?
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Religious Freedom – Not to Be Taken for Granted
Yesterday, President Obama spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of deliberations on matters related to religious freedom and expression. Three things in particular caught my attention: It was a national prayer breakfast. The President quoted Pope Francis and spoke about his upcoming meeting with him. The issue of religious persecution was discussed by the President. A number of years ago, I participated in testimony before a congressional committee considering legislation that would include monitoring violations of religious freedoms as part of a broader focus on international human rights violations. This legislation passed and now there are regular…
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“I Don’t Get It.” A Different Take on Aftermath of Philip Seymour Hoffman Death
Famous actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman dies of overdose: large scale publicity and police hunt to find drug seller. What about the thousands of unnamed youth in the communities and neighborhoods of NYC and across the nation who suffer similar tragic fates? Where’s the interest, concern and caring? I don’t get it. Are not these youth and their families and friends also made in the image and likeness of God?
- Commentary, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
House Republicans Announce Immigration Reform Principles: Let the Negotiations Begin
The next step has been taken to fix our nation’s broken immigration policies with the release of the House Republican’s immigration reform principles. I was present at Capital Hill last spring when a bi-partisan group of Senators made an earlier step forward by introducing Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation. The Senate later passed this as a bill on June 27, 2013. The Senate’s steps last year – while positive – did not bring us to the end of the race. The House’s steps towards immigration reform – while positive – remain principles, not an approved bill and a long way from becoming law. These differ greatly, but I am not prepared…