New York – Following the announcement of the 2016 presidential election results, naming Donald J. Trump as the President-elect, the Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of Church World Service, released the following statement.
“As one of nine refugee resettlement agencies in the United States and a global humanitarian organization, we have closely followed this election, especially given the impact it will have on the future of our country and the world. After what has proven to be a highly competitive and contentious cycle, I congratulate Mr. Trump on his victory and affirm our commitment to work with all policy makers to address the many urgent issues facing our nation and global community.
“In this time of immense transition and change, we urge the new administration to recognize the critical need for a renewal of civil dialogue and absolute commitment to healing the deep divides within our nation. We urge this new administration and all of us to work to mend the social, economic, racial and ideological wounds that have surfaced during this election. As a pastor, it is critical for me to underscore that words and proposals from either side of the political aisle that promote discrimination, fear and hate are not only unproductive in confronting our challenges, but dishonor our legacy as a nation and our values as people of faith. Unequivocally, CWS stands with our immigrant brothers and sisters, including refugees who are seeking safety and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“Mr. Trump now stands as the next leader of our nation. By accepting this position, he must also recognize that he is accepting the challenge to truly represent every person in the nation—regardless of their beliefs, gender, political party, race, religion or country of origin. In this age where we are more globally connected than ever before, we must avoid sowing mistrust and fear toward our neighbors, and instead focus on fostering unity and developing partnerships that will create a brighter future for us all. As a country, we must recognize that it will take all of us united at every level, beyond social, party and religious divides, to solve the urgent issues facing our nation and world.
“Today, with more than 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes and more than 795 million lacking enough food to lead full and healthy lives, the time for bold leadership and moral courage is now. We stand committed to working toward these goals, affirming the rights of immigrants and the critical importance of refugee resettlement, and finding solutions to the issues of global hunger, climate change and the largest refugee crisis of our generation.”
Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty.
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Media Contacts
Christina Levin, Megan Cagle and Laura Curkendall: media@cwsglobal.org