S.C. Leaders Join to Fight Poverty

Former and current South Carolina politicians, church leaders and academics are joining to send a message to the candidates for the 2012 presidency: the U.S. must be involved in the battle against extreme world poverty.

ONE, an advocacy group that fights poverty, especially in Africa, launched its "ONE Vote 2012" campaign in South Carolina Wednesday.

Former Governor David Beasley and former Attorney General Henry McMaster will co-chair a local committee of ambassadors. The team will work with the more than 12,000 ONE members across the state during the primary season to bring awareness to the issues that affect the world's poorest people.

They will urge this year’s Republican presidential hopefuls to protect programs that provide childhood vaccines, treatments that prevent the transmission of HIV from mother-to-child and teach advanced farming techniques that help families feed and support themselves.

One percent of the U.S. budget goes to programs for the world's poor, according to ONE's website. Members of the organization are fighting to keep those funds from being reduced. 

The committee features prominent conservative voices, including President and CEO of the Palmetto Family Council, Oran Smith. 

“It isn't possible to put a price tag on life. But when we do look at the bottom line, we see our assistance has saved millions of lives, each one precious, for less than one percent of the budget,” Smith said in a statement. “We have also seen that respect for life leads to democracy, stability and economic growth.” 

Here is the full list of co-chairs and ambassadors for the S.C. campaign: 

ONE Vote 2012 Co-chairs:

• The Honorable David Beasley, former Governor of South Carolina
• The Honorable Henry McMaster, former Attorney General of South Carolina

 ONE Vote 2012 Ambassadors:

• The Honorable Weston Adams, former US Ambassador to Malawi, Reagan Appointee
• Dr. Alice Burmeister, Associate Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Winthrop University
• Edward Cousar, Second Vice-Chair, South Carolina Republican Party 
• Timothy Ervolina, President, United Way Association of South Carolina
• Reverend Wendy Hudson-Jacoby, Pastor, North Charleston United Methodist Church
• Narcie Jeter, Director, Winthrop Wesley Foundation in Rock Hill
• Christy McMillin-Goodwin, Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill
• The Honorable Barbara Nielsen, former State Superintendent of Education
• Reverend Len Ripley, Midland Park United Methodist Church
• The Honorable Robert Royall, former US Ambassador to Tanzania, George W. Bush Appointee
• The Honorable James Smith, Captain, South Carolina Army National Guard and veteran, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
• Dr. Oran Smith, President and CEO of the Palmetto Family Council
• Bryan Stirling, Deputy Attorney General, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office
• Trey Walker, Director, State Government Relations, University of South Carolina
• The Honorable Joe Wilson, U.S. Representative (R, SC-2)