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	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

REMARKS BY:	TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:	Compassion Capital Fund Remarks, Washington, D.C.
DATE:	June 5, 2002

What a pleasure it is to be here this afternoon and what an achievement Darrell has accomplished. Darrell exemplifies the best in professional athletes as a role model. Instead of taking the money and running, he used his fame to build something wonderful here. He is giving back to the community that has supported him for so long. Thank you for what you've done and thank you for what you will do for Washington's kids. I'm honored to stand with you today.

I also want to thank you for providing such great hospitality to a rabid Green Bay Packer fan, which I know can't be easy given our rivalry over the years, and the success the Packers have had against the Redskins lately. However, as long as the Redskins aren't playing the Packers I'll root for you to win.

Thank you also to our distinguished guests for their hard work in building community and faith based organizations here in Washington. In order to serve a diverse a community as Washington, it takes all kinds of organizations working together to meet the needs of our citizens. And this includes faith-based organizations. Finally, thank you to the staff of the Learning Center -- Debra Knight the Center's Director and Emanuel Barnes the Assistant Director and from the Youth Life Foundation --JC Sherrod. Thank you for helping us make this event happen today.

The President is deeply committed to faith-and community-based outreach. We believe that no organization should be discriminated against because of its basis in religious faith.

Our effort is not to subsidize religion but to support programs that work. And the simple, undeniable fact is that faith-based programs are amazingly effective in helping hurting people and their families climb from dependency and despair and onto the path of hope and healing.

They often operate with limited funds ... makeshift facilities ... underpaid staff ... and in the toughest neighborhoods. But they are the heartbeat of compassion. They labor in fields where the harvest seems, to outside observers, very modest. But they know that with love, conviction and faith, those fields can produce a rich harvest of transformed lives.

Many of you in this audience know firsthand the joy of seeing a life transformed by the power of the Gospel. You pray diligently ... work earnestly ... and rejoice as you see the bread you have cast on the waters come back to you ten-fold.

Yet you also know the squeeze of monthly bills ... the pain of seeing needs unmet because you can't afford them ... and the sadness of men, women and children in crisis as you tell them that you've reached the end of your ability to provide the practical assistance that they need.

So it's with great pleasure that I'm here to announce the availability of $30 million in funds to help level the playing field for faith- and community- based organizations as they compete for federal grants. The Compassion Capital Fund represents the first appropriated federal funds that are specifically designed to assist grassroots organizations since President Bush announced his faith-based and community initiative last year.

The Compassion Capital Fund demonstration program is providing nearly $25 million to 10-15 organizations that will provide technical assistance to faith-based and community organizations. They will help faith-based groups more effectively access funding sources, operate and manage their programs, develop and train staff, expand the reach of programs into the community and replicate promising programs.

Intermediary organizations that receive funding will also have the option to issue sub-awards to faith- and community- based organizations to support start-up costs, operations or expansion of programs. Technical assistance must be offered at no cost to interested organizations.

Community- and faith-based organizations understand the communities they serve, and the contributions they make to society are irreplaceable. But while they may understand the needs of those they serve, understanding the numerous rules they must follow to qualify for federal grants is much more difficult. These funds will make that process an easier one.

In addition, the remaining $5 million of the Compassion Capital Fund will be used to establish a National Faith-based Resource Center and to support research into promising practices for intermediary organizations providing assistance to grassroots organizations. The Center will also conduct research into the role that faith-based and community organizations play in their communities.

We provide this funding mindful that no program can change a life. Only faith can reach into a heart and turn it from death to life.

But government can help with the day-to-day duties that free you up to fulfill your high calling. And that's what the Compassion Capital Fund is all about.

Thank you again, and thank you Darryl for hosting us this afternoon.

Now it is my pleasure to introduce Jim Towey (Two-e). Jim is the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director. He is doing a terrific job and I appreciate the work his office has done on this issue and the cooperation that has gone on with our Faith Based Office at HHS. Jim...

Let me introduce a man who needs no introduction in Washington or in any town that has a professional football team. Darrell is universally recognized as being one of the greatest cornerbacks in the history of professional football. But, in Washington he is equally well known for his work with kids and for this Learning Center. His commitment to this program and to it kids is incredible and we all thank you for it. Darrell...