AU-Hawai'i Secretary letter to Senator Akaka and Inouye dated Nov. 30, 2001:

The United States Government must not enact "Faith-based initiative" legislation that, like H.R. 7, crosses the constitutionally protected line separating church and state.

That bill is divisive. It permits church groups to receive federal funds even while they practice discrimination in violation of federal law. It allows proselytization of the poor using the largesse of federal funds.

The Senate wisely has declined to follow the lead of the House. Now is the time for both houses of Congress and the Executive branch to craft a consensus agreement that will promote greater faith-based organizations' participation in charity --yet fully respect the Constitution and existing laws against discrimination.

I urge you, Senator Akaka, to work in the Senate to produce legislation that will promote faith-based involvement yet protect the Constitution and federal laws forbidding discrimination.

AU Hawai'i Members are urged to use the above as the basis for their own letters to Hawai'i's two Senators. Their addresses are: Senator Abraham Akaka and/or Senator Daniel Inouye, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20001