Western New York's Three Congressmen to Discuss Church-State and Civil Liberties Issues at Public Forum

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Western New York's three Congressmen will discuss church-state and civil liberties issues when the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) holds its fourth annual "On the Issues" community educational program.

The program with Rep. John LaFalce, Rep. Tom Reynolds and Rep. Jack Quinn will be held at 7 p.m. on March 3 in the Center for Tomorrow on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

Co-sponsors of the program are the UB Law School and League of Women Voters of Buffalo Niagara. The program will be free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Among the topics to be addressed by the congressmen are:

o Charitable choice and faith-based initiatives

o Education issues, including vouchers, charter schools, school prayer and religious displays in public schools

o Civil liberties and the War on Terrorism

o Immigration policy after Sept. 11th

A question-and answer-period will follow the program. Carol Kaplan of WGRZ-TV, will serve as moderator.

"The War on Terrorism has raised serious civil-liberty concerns as we try to balance our need for security with the preservation of our democratic tradition," said Ilene Fleischmann, AJC program chairperson and associate dean in the Law School.

"This forum will provide an opportunity for citizens to hear what our federal officials have to say about these public policy concerns, as well as the solidity of the wall that has traditionally separated government from religion."

For more information call the AJC Office at 877-6234. This program is made possible by a grant from the Klingenstein Foundation.