Mrs. Alma Powell, Chair, America’s Promise Alliance—Welcome Remarks at National Release of Every Child Every Promise: Turning Failure into Action Report—American Red Cross Headquarters
Washington, DC - November 15, 2006
On behalf of the America’s Promise Alliance, I’d like to welcome all of you who have joined us on this important day.
As I look at these magnificent Tiffany stained glass windows that symbolically depict the work of the Red Cross, I realize how fitting it is that we meet here today — both because of the allegorical story in these windows and because of the story BEHIND them.
How these windows came to be here in 1923 is relevant to our work today. They were a combined gift from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Women’s Relief Corps of the North — two groups that obviously did not share the same point of view but DID share a common goal: to ease the suffering of those in need.
The America’s Promise Alliance also brings together groups with a whole range of viewpoints: policymakers from different parties… businesses that may be competitors in the marketplace… nonprofit organizations that may focus on very different and distinct areas… the faith community representing a broad array of beliefs. Together, we are working toward the common goal of ensuring that our young people have the critical resources in their lives that build success: the Five Promises of caring adults… safe places… a healthy start and healthy development… an effective education that builds marketable skills… and opportunities to help others. We know that working together across all sectors of our society is the ONLY way we can keep the promise of America to our children and grandchildren. The job is too big for government alone. It is too big for schools and parents alone. It is too big for charity alone. But it is not too big for America. These windows remind us that we are called to work together.
The panel to your right depicts Una, wife of the Red Cross knight in Edmund Spenser’s epic allegorical poem, The Faerie Queen. Una represents truth, and one of the maidens accompanying her carries a lamp of wisdom.
Truth is what we are presenting to you today in Every Child, Every Promise. Much of it will not be happy news. But confronting the truth is the beginning of wisdom.
This report, which has been long in the making, reflects the first systematic research to determine how many of our nation’s young people are equipped with the Five Promises — the resources that build success. Quite simply, we have much work to do. And because our young people are preparing to enter a world that is more challenging and competitive than ever before, our work has never been more urgent. Our nation needs to hear the truth that much effort will be required from all of us if we are to equip our young people to succeed — and that our continued prosperity, our security and our values all hinge on whether we keep America’s promise.
The panel to your left depicts St. Filomena, who was noted for her healing powers. She is accompanied by Love and Compassion, by Faith, by Mercy, by Charity and especially by the anchor of Hope. That’s fitting, too, because this report is also about Hope. There is sobering news, but much of what you hear today will be encouraging… exciting. It gives us strong reason for hope and for keeping the faith. It gives us a roadmap for turning failure into action. It affirms the real power of the Five Promises to transform lives.
The center panel behind me depicts knights headed for battle. The scene reminds us that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement was conceived on a battlefield. The knights have stopped to give food and water to a fallen comrade. Today, most important of all, you will hear a call to act — to be the knights in armor for our young people. As an Alliance, we have made a five-year goal of changing the lives of 15 million under-served young people in America through the power of the Five Promises. Reaching this goal will measurably strengthen our nation. We can achieve it only if we all make the goal our own. The knights in this window were on a mission. But they took time from it to take on the mission of caring for their fellow in need. In just this way, the corporate and nonprofit partners in our Alliance, the foundations and faith communities all have their own distinct missions. But they also recognize the wisdom and necessity of bringing Americans together to make young people a priority.
A companion to the Every Child, Every Promise report, the Call to Action, includes concrete ways that all of us can act to improve every child’s chances of success. You’ll hear more about what you can do from some of our distinguished guests a little later. Whatever else you do, I urge you to help ensure that this report becomes part of our national dialogue. The time has come to bring every sector of our nation, at every level, to action on behalf of our young people. Too much is at stake to leave America’s Promise unkept.