Press Release
For Immediate Release - May 7, 2001
Contact: Betsy Leondar-Wright
(617) 423-2148 x13

Bill Gates, Sr., Marian Wright Edelman, Senator Conrad and Others Rally to Preserve Estate Tax

"My grandfathers fled European serfdom to become self-employed farmers. Their achievement is threatened far more by concentration of wealth in the United States than by estate taxes."

— Robert Rohwer, Iowa farmer

WHAT: Rally to preserve the estate tax

WHEN: Thursday, May 10 at 12:00 Noon

WHERE: "The Swamp" on Capitol grounds, off Constitution Ave. between the Capitol and Russell Senate Office Building

WHO: Sponsored by Responsible Wealth and Nonprofits for Preserving the Estate Tax

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

WILLIAM H. GATES, SR.
Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

"While we may not be able to ensure that all children start their lives on a level playing field, that is something we should strive for, and the estate tax keeps us closer to that ideal."

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN
Founder & President, Children’s Defense Fund

"I hope that Congress will wait until hungry children are fed, homeless children are housed, and all children have health insurance before seeking to repeal the estate tax for the wealthiest few in America."

SENATOR KENT CONRAD (D - North Dakota)
Ranking Member, Senate Budget Committee, member of Finance Committee

ROBERT ROHWER
Iowa farmer since 1951. Will pass on his farm to his son.

WHY NOW: The Senate Finance Committee is discussing President Bush’s tax cut proposal and whether to eliminate the estate tax or to modify it. The estate tax affects only the richest 2% in America. The repeal would help create an aristocracy of wealth and a shortfall of revenues for education, health care, the environment and children’s programs.

Responsible Wealth is a network of business leaders, investors and other affluent Americans seeking to reduce economic inequality in the United States. United for a Fair Economy is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to focus public attention on income and wealth inequality.