Statement from Student Leaders at the 2002 COOL Conference:

"We the students of this nation support the eradication of poverty within the United States.

We feel that every citizen has the inalienable right to adequate housing, food, education, healthcare, and income.

We call on the Leaders of our country to address these issues by supportingpolicies that implement the following:

• Affordable Housing, such that no individual or family is forced to spend more than 30 percent of their yearly income on sufficient and safe housing.

• Living Wage, such that any person who is in full time employment shall earn enough that no more than 30 percent must be spent on housing, 7 percent on healthcare, 21 percent on food, and 16 percent on child care.

• Accessible Human Services, so that all people living in the United Sstates have access to adequate healthcare, education, rehabilitation programs, family services, and emergency assistance.

• Respect and Dignity, so that every individual is treated as a valued citizen of this country and a fellow human being, regardless of economic status, gender, ethnicity, age, or physical or mental ability.

This call serves as a reminder of the basic tenets expressed through the Bill of Rights established to ensure sufficient living standards for all American citizens throughout all time."

Signed and created at the 2002 COOL Conference
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA