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Title: Bishop Backs Campaign Finance Reform ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF March 12, 1997 BISHOP BACKS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM The Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, added his name to a list of 36 religious leaders asking Congress to "support campaign finance reform as one of the first acts of the new Congress." The National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. released the open letter Feb. 13. "As religious leaders we believe in government's role in seeking justice for all people and in building the common good. Justice cannot be achieved unless the rules governing the democratic process are just and fair to all," it said. "Campaign finance reform is not simply a political or public relations dilemma but a moral matter," the letter continued. "The present system of financing elections has become a major scandal." The religious leaders said they recognized the fact that they're asking politicians to reform the very system that put them in office. "However, we see the inordinate pressure to raise funds continuing to impede the public service that those holding office have been elected to give. Without substantial reform we see further erosion in the public trust." For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html