John Fredriksson of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service discussed current legislation in Congress that could change immigration laws. The Rev. Karen L. Bloomquist, ELCA director for studies, talked about the church's developing a social statement on economic life. The Rev. John R. Stumme, ELCA associate director for studies, presented the newly adopted statement on peace. The Rev. John L. Halvorson, coordinator for the ELCA World Hunger Program, reported on the program's advocacy role in educating Lutherans and public policy makers of the needs of people around the world. The ELCA has state public policy advocacy offices in the capitals of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
Associate offices are in Montana, Virginia and Ontario.
The Ontario office is the Office for Public Policy and Governmental Affairs of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. In October 1994 the Augsburg Fortress board of trustees decided to centralize its distribution function in Columbus, Ohio. Previously these activities were performed at eight locations across the United States. This was attributed to the clearance sale of discontinued products. We can learn from the past, but not dwell on it.