LETTERS: Welfare debate was true to ads

To the Editor: Furthermore, we began the evening by stating that the goals of this event and the Poverty Awareness Committee in general were to promote education and awareness of poverty issues. Both of these goals were met that night; our committee and the Program for Student-Community Involvement have received numerous calls and e-mails from attendees who thanked us for bringing this education and awareness to campus and asked for future events. As for Bailey's concern there were no panelists who supported the welfare reform, we remind him that Don Jose Stovall, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia County Assitance office was a panelist. Stovall is the director of government welfare programs in Philadelphia. His office is the major proponent of the new reforms and we invited him specifically so that the pro-bill viewpoint would be represented. Interestingly, as the DP accurately reported, he did admit to flaws in the new reforms but he also highlighted ways in which he feels this bill is an improvement over the pre-reform welfare system. The other panelists also were critical of aspects of the pre-reform welfare system as well as the current reforms, and this generated considerable debate and discussion during the evening, to which other audience members can attest. As for Bailey's attack on a certain audience member for expressing her anti-reform views during the question and answer period, we contend it was her right to express her views during that time. Many attendees at the forum took this opportunity to express their views, as Bailey did as well. The Poverty Awareness Committee provided a forum about past and present welfare reforms which was open to all at the University. We feel we acted responsibly in both our advertising and presentation of the event. We hope students with diverse viewpoints will continue attending our events and create the debate and discussion that made this welfare reform panel so educational and worthwhile. Toni Roth College '98 Poverty Awareness Committee (Nine signatures follow)