FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2012

CONTACT: Stephanie Niedringhaus, 202-347-9797 x 224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

In Light of New Data Showing 46 Million Americans Living in Poverty, Nuns Invite Presidential Tickets to Witness Stories of Hardship

Washington, DC – Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, and leader of the recent “Nuns on the Bus” tour, today formally invited both Democratic and Republican presidential tickets to join the nuns for a day at an Ohio social service agency to meet hardworking Americans living on the economic margins. The nuns hope President Obama, Vice President Biden, Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan will come and take part in real conversations with individuals and families who Catholic sisters met during the “Nuns on the Bus” tour and are working every day to climb out of poverty and become self-sufficient.

“This is an opportunity for both the presidential and vice-presidential candidates to hear the stories that we heard on the ‘Nuns on the Bus’ tour and understand the consequences of cuts to these vital safety-net programs,” said Sr. Simone Campbell. “We sincerely hope they will come and understand the everyday lives of those struggling to make ends meet.”

With today’s announcement that the median household income fell and poverty remained stagnant in 2011, it is vital for our elected officials and presidential candidates to truly comprehend the consequences of an inadequate safety net. NETWORK calls on America’s elected officials and presidential candidates to stand with those on the economic margins and walk with our brothers and sisters through these trying economic times.

XXX