U.S. House Passes Sex-Trafficking Bill
The U.S. House passed legislation May 9 to protect women and children from sex trafficking. The bill includes provisions for sanctions against violator nations and asylum for victims of the American sex trade. According to estimates, more than 1 million women and children worldwide are involved in sexual slavery. An unusual coalition of Christians, Jews, and secular feminists pushed for passage of the bill (CT, March 6, p. 24).
Repayment Effort Ends for Investors
Restoring Our Integrity, an effort to repay investors of the insolvent Baptist Foundation of Arizona (BFA), has shut down due to lack of church participation. Of about 400 Southern Baptist churches and ministries in the state, only 66 contributed to the fund, Baptist Press reports. The group had not yet received tax-exempt status. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Fund, created by the state convention, has received nearly $400,000 for repayment efforts. The BFA, which filed for bankruptcy last fall, owes about $586 million to 12,000 investors (CT, Oct. 25, 1999, p. 18).
Elián Legal Fund Shifts to NCC
A legal fund established by the United Methodist Church for the Cuban relatives of Elián González has been transferred to the National Council of Churches. The transfer occurred April 19 over concerns that church monies were used to support the fund. The funds cover legal expenses of attorney Gregory Craig (CT, May 22, p. 32).
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