From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Daily News Istook Coverage Letter Date: Sun, 7 Jun 1998 23:23:49 -0400 (EDT) June 5, 1998 Philadelphia Daily News PO Box 7788 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: Philadelphians have an active and historical interest in the First Amendment. We are a religiously diverse people, living in the first city in a colony that was founded on the principle of religious liberty, and the city where the United States Constitution was ratified Given your generally excellent coverage of religious and constitutional issues, we were alarmed that you failed to report on the defeat of the Istook Amendment. Surely a concerted attempt in Congress to amend our religious freedom, even an attempt that failed by only sixty-six votes, was worth at least a small article. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 congregations and organizations and 58 clergy from 15 religious traditions. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.