A free press is one of the pillars of democracy.

Abject poverty is demeaning, is an assault on the dignity of those that suffer it. In the end it demeans us all. It makes the freedom of all of us less meaningful.

Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.

The call now is for each of us to ask ourselves: are we doing all we can to help build the country of our dreams?

We now undertake that we cannot rest while millions of our people suffer the pain and indignity of poverty in all its forms.

It generally appears outlandish until its carried out.

If you are poor, you are not likely to live long.