Press Releases

Washington, D.C. Leading activists, academics, and civil and human rights leaders will gather for the "Building the 21st Century Movement for Our Children" Symposium at CDF Haley Farm near Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 18 - 19. The goal of the two-day forum is to develop a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for ensuring that we truly leave no child behind during this critical juncture in American history.

In 2004, America finds itself at a crossroads. Fifty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court issued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. Forty years ago the War on Poverty was launched, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law, and the Mississippi Freedom Summer empowered the oppressed. CDF's Symposium is designed to fulfill the promise of those momentous times by creating a new movement to rescue millions of children from the dangerous intersection of race and poverty; break up the cradle-to-school-to-prison pipeline; and save all of our children from the moral drift in a society mired in materialism, militarism, and individualism.

"It's time to wake up, stand up, and act together to save all of our children from the real challenges that face them in the 21st century," said Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of CDF. "America has become a complacent nation, satisfied with the progress made over the past 50 years. For an unacceptably high number of Americans, especially children living in poverty, the rising tide of opportunity and equality has instead become a drought of despair and hopelessness that shows no sign of improvement. For two days in July, prominent leaders in various fields will gather at CDF Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee, not only to analyze the past but also to be the leaders on the frontlines of a new movement that will not rest until the promise of Brown and the other milestones from the Civil Rights Movement become a reality."

In addition to the Symposium, CDF will host the dedication of the Riggio-Lynch Chapel at CDF Haley Farm on July 18th from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Internationally renowned artist and designer, Maya Lin, whose previous work includes the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed the Chapel. CDF Haley Farm is the only location in the world that has two structures designed by Ms. Lin.

Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact John Norton, Press Secretary for the Children's Defense Fund, at 202-662-3609.

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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds.