Democracy in Action: Five days in DC
The Bread for the World Arizona Delegation takes to Capitol Hill for a day of advocacy. Solveig Muus (L) and the Rev. Katie Sexton of Arizona Faith Network.
Hunger advocates from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 10-11 to celebrate Bread for the World’s 50th Anniversary, and participate in the 2025 Bread for the World Advocacy Summit. LAMA director Solveig Muus joined colleagues for the two days of worship, training, strategy, fellowship and advocacy on Capitol Hill.
Under Bread’s theme, “Nourish Our Future,” this year’s advocates urged their legislators to protect, strengthen, and fully fund SNAP and WIC; and protect and fund lifesaving global health and nutrition programs.
The Southwest delegation was invited to the Advocacy Summit by Ken Fujimoto, BFW Southwest Regional Organizer, whose territory includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona. The region strategized together, then took to The Hill in state-specific teams for appointments with their legislators. The Arizona delegation included Rev. Katie Sexton, executive director of Arizona Faith Network (AFN) and Solveig Muus of LAMA, and a Bread for the World research staffer named Emily. We met with Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ01) and Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ03), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) as well as enjoyed impromptu visits to Rep. Eli Crane’s (R-AZ01), Rep. Greg Stanton’s (D-AZ04) and Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s (R-AZ06) offices.
Solveig had time to see the sights along with way (including 5 luxurious hours at the American History Smithsonian Museum!), observe the WorldPride parade, visit the ELCA Advocacy office, break bread with longtime LAMA supporter Sarah Payne Naylor as well as ELCA Witness in Society staff.
