September 6, 2007—Today marks the first of a 40-day fast led by retired campus minister and long-time social activist Rev. David Duncombe, of White Salmon, Washington. He will drink only water as he fasts and lobbies on Capitol Hill to win support for the Jubilee Act, a bill that would cancel the debts of 67 of the poorest countries and establish responsible lending practices for the future.
Last month, local organization Jubilee Oregon hosted Rev. Duncombe for a special send-off, in which local Portlanders agreed to fast in solidarity for one or more days. Local organizations endorsing the fast include: the Jubilee committee of Witness for Peace, St John the Baptist, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, the Interfaith Council and the Spiritual Life Center of Portland State University.
Over 20,000 other Americans, and over forty major religious and influential leaders, are also expected to join Rev. Duncombe for one or more days of this 40-day rolling fast. Leaders include: Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Rabbi Michael Lerner of Tikkun, Ron Sider of the Evangelicals for Social Action, Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners in Health, former Zambian president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, and others.
While people of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faiths are in support of the Jubilee Act, Rev. David Duncombe says he doesn't fast for religious reasons. "My spiritual life is very important, but it's not why I fast," he says. "I fast for the millions of people in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas who are forced to live without access to clean water, lifesaving medical care and education because their governments are paying on debts from corrupt regimes, civil wars and dishonest lending practices."
2007 marks the "Sabbath Year" a time when the Hebrew texts and New Testament call for an end to debt and slavery. This Sabbath Year fast is intended to secure a hearing on the Jubilee Act in the House of Representatives and the introduction of a companion bill in the Senate. It also marks the halfway point to the Millennium Development Goals of cutting worldwide poverty in half by 2015.
 Jubileeoregon@gmail.com
www.jubileeoregon.org
www.jubileeusa.org/cdfpressroom
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