Bread for the World Leaders Tapped For Award in Public Interest Leadership

Bread for the World
Friday, 2 March 2001

Revs. David Beckmann, Art Simon Honored by Center for Public Justice

WASHINGTON -- Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann and BFW founder Rev. Art Simon received the Center for Public Justice's (CPJ) 2001 Leadership Award at a reception Thursday night in the Rayburn House Office Building.

CPJ President James Skillen praised Revs. Beckmann and Simon for their "unending commitment to poor and hungry people the world over." Skillen cited the creation and growing impact of Bread for the World as making manifest the ideals of Jesus when he said "for I was hungry and you gave me food…" in Matthew 25:35.

Each year the CPJ Leadership Award singles out public servants whose actions demonstrate some part of what the Center for Public Justice represents. The goal is not simply to praise a leader but to encourage that leader, and all who take notice, to continue in the pursuit of justice.

Rev. Beckmann pointed to Bread for the World's 2001 legislative agenda, Africa: Hunger to Harvest, as one way for Christians to exemplify the message of Jesus. "In this era of relative prosperity and relative peace, we have the opportunity to end hunger around the world. An annual $1 billion commitment from our government in new poverty-focused aid to Africa would put us on the road to doing just that."

For more information, or to contact Bread for the World, see their website at: www.bread.org