PRESS RELEASE

10/18/2006

Former Faith-Based Initiative Leader Refutes David Kuo's CBS '60 Minutes' Interview
 

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- "As someone who was on the front line of President Bush's faith-based initiative, I can state categorically that David Kuo's allegations about the Initiative are false. What David Kuo is saying about the President and his efforts is nothing more than a cynical attempt to sell books and line his pockets with 30 pieces of silver.

"To say that the Bush White House 'politicized the Initiative' and only cares about Christian's for their votes is to demean the hard work of thousands of volunteers in hundreds of faith-based charities across the country who are helping to change lives and impact communities.

"The White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives where David Kuo worked is not the frontline of the President's effort; the agencies are. At the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where I served as the deputy for the Center for Faith- Based and Community Initiatives, what we accomplished was real and meaningful. The Centers, located in 11 federal agencies, are responsible for implementing the program, which has leveled the playing field for faith-based organizations and awarded more than $2 billion in competitive social service grants to faith-based organizations. These are organizations that are impacting their communities for the better.

"President Bush has been committed to the faith community for longer than he's been President. In Texas, then-Governor Bush gave strong support and recognition to faith-based organizations that were impacting lives. Organizations such a faith-based program that works with inmates in the Texas Correctional Centers led by Chuck Colson and an inner city outreach program impacting communities, led by Dr. Tony Evans."

David Contreras previously served as Deputy Director, Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2003-2004. He is currently Texas director of the Council on Faith in Action.