June 24

On June 24, thousands of faith advocates for health care reform gathered on Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC for an Interfaith Service of Witness and Prayer.

Download the event program

The program included four keynote speakers:

Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., President and Founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation of New York and Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church.

Read Rev. Dr. Forbes’ biography.

View Rev. Dr. Forbes’ speech (YouTube).

Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
Read Rabbi Saperstein’s biography.

View Rabbi Saperstein’s speech (YouTube).

Dr. Sayyid Syeed, Executive Director of the Islamic Society of North America.

Read Dr. Syeed’s biography.

View Dr. Syeed’s speech (YouTube).

Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director of NETWORK.

Read Sister Campbell’s biography.

View Sister Campbell’s speech (YouTube).

Other portions of the program include:

Musical Inspiration from:

• Milpa Cultural Association

Liturgical Dances:

• “Selah”, New Prospect Family Praise and Worship Center

• Claudina P. Harrison, Anointed2Dance

Call to Action:

• Rev. Dr. Teresa Snorton (Christian Methodist Episcopal)

• Rev. Timothy McDonald (Baptist)

Greetings from the Administration:

• Neera Tanden, Senior Advisor, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Reform
• Joshua DuBois, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Response From Congress:

• Congressman Tom Perriello, VA (D-5)

Prayers for Health Care offered by:

• Mr. Narenda Desai and Mrs. Prema Desai (Hindu)

• Rev. Tom Hay (Presbyterian Church USA)

• Rev.  Ileana Rosario (United Methodist Church)

• Bishop Richard Graham (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

• Rabbi Michael Feinberg (Jewish-Reconstructionist)

• Mary Hillebrand (Buddhist Peace Fellowship)

• Jim Winkler (United Methodist Church)

• Rev. Miriam Burnett (African Methodist Episcopal Church)

Personal Testimonies by:

• Susan Molina, Denver, Colorado

• Dr. Janelle Goetcheus, Unity Healthcare, Washington, DC

• Jacqueline Dunn-Bell, Detroit, Michigan