Posted on the site, a nine-minute video of Governor Blunt’s and St. Louis Mayor Slay’s speeches.

I am glad to congratulate the State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis on joining a worldwide movement to recognize the challenges faced by the world’s poorest nations and people.

Without question, disease, famine, and poverty are rampant afflictions that take the lives of millions every year while depriving many millions more of a future full of their potential. Solving these problems is a common interest in our state, our nation and our world. Regardless of political convictions, religious upbringing or personal background, those who fight for the world’s less fortunate are bound by their commitment to service and their concern for humanity.

I have long worked on hunger issues as a member of Congress, and there is one incomprehensible contradiction in this fight: the difference between our ability to fight hunger and our efforts to do so. Eliminating this difference requires us to follow up on the pledges made today with actions that target the sources of poverty’s ills. We can seek solutions through public policy, by contacting our elected officials, in our personal lives, and with faith-based institutions.

The challenges before us are significant, but our response is full of a uniting promise. I appreciate Governor Blunt and Mayor Slay for joining the efforts of ONE, and I thank you all for raising awareness about global poverty.

-Jo Ann Emerson, Member of Congress, 8th District – Missouri

I’m sorry that the congressional schedule would not allow me to attend the ONE Missouri event yesterday. But please know that you have my complete support and admiration for your efforts.

Ghandi once said that “poverty is the worst form of violence.” He was right. We hold in our own hands, the power to prevent and treat AIDS, end hunger, erase the burden of crushing debt, and move millions from dependency to self-sufficiency.

I commend the ONE Campaign for uniting people from all faiths and backgrounds, from all over the world, in this holy mission to alleviate suffering and bring wholeness to humanity.

Thank you for making St. Louis a “City of ONE.”

With best wishes for your mission.

-Wm. Lacy Clay, Member of Congress, 1st District – Missouri

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Blunt, Slay unite with Oliver, et al as ONE

Gov. Matt Blunt and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay presented a united front against extreme poverty this morning, as both presented proclamations declaring that the city and the state share a ONE commitment to join the fight.

Both were featured speakers at a news conference at Washington University, where they were joined by several dozen students and other ONE volunteers.

KWMU (NPR)

Missouri and St. Louis join fight against poverty

ST. LOUIS, MO. (2007-09-06) The state of Missouri and city of St. Louis are joining an effort to bring attention to global poverty.

The world-wide movement is called One: a Campaign to Make Poverty History.

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay signed on Thursday becoming the ninth state and 120th city to do so.

Student Life, The Independent Newspaper of Washington University in St. Louis since 1878

Governor, mayor commit to fight global poverty

This Thursday morning, Governor Matt Blunt and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay convened on the Washington University campus with other prominent members of the St. Louis community to declare their solidarity with the ONE campaign in the fight against global poverty and disease.

“As Americans living in the twenty-first century, we enjoy an unprecedented level of freedom and prosperity that really is unequaled in the world,” said Governor Blunt. “But prosperity and freedom are not the only qualities that distinguish us. There is also a can-do attitude that leads more American to service than any other nation in the world.”

As Governor of Missouri, I wanted to get involved in an effort that is sweeping through our state called the ONE Campaign. To date, almost 40,000 Missourians have already joined.

I declared Missouri a State of ONE to support my constituents and took the proclamation a step further. I encouraged mayors, city councils and university officials from across the state to issue a similar proclamation making their city a ONE City or their university a ONE Campus. These proclamations can help raise awareness around problems that exist in countries suffering from extreme poverty.

ONE’s mission is to end extreme poverty and eradicate diseases that are easily prevented – and to the surprise of many, the mission is not impossible. ONE was created to inform people on the facts and mobilize them to take action.

To my fellow Missourians, we can help lead the nation with ONE Cities and ONE Campuses. Contact your local officials today and encourage them to join. The time spent is minimal, but the outcome can be life saving.

-Missouri Governor Matt Blunt