The Massachusetts Council of Churches

Please join us in honoring

Speaker of the House

Salvatore F. DiMasi

for leadership in opposing gambling expansion in the Commonwealth

Monday October 27, 2008  6:00 P.M.

Sproat Hall

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Directions to The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

138 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

                The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is located across Tremont Street from the Park Street Station of the Green and Red MBTA Lines, one block from the Downtown Crossing station of the Orange Line and a few blocks' walk from the commuter rail terminal at South Station. We highly recommend that you take advantage of parking at MBTA terminal stations, and use public transit. The closest parking garage is at Zero Charles Street, under Boston Common.

Speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi led the opposition effort in the Statehouse against legalizing Class III gambling and casinos. A lifelong resident of Boston’s North End, Speaker DiMasi has faithfully represented his district since 1979. He served as Assistant Majority Whip, Majority Whip and Majority Leader before being elected Speaker in September 2004. Speaker DiMasi is a strong and dedicated advocate against the social costs of casinos and importing a “casino culture” into our state.

Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar currently serves as the President and CEO of Common Cause, the nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen’s lobbying organization dedicated to promoting open and honest government. Rev. Edgar was the general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA for seven years immediately before becoming Common Cause President.  Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974 to represent the Seventh Congressional District of Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, Bob was part of the congressional class nicknamed "the Watergate babies," those elected in the wake of the Watergate scandal and who led sweeping reforms of Congress.

The Massachusetts Council of Churches has opposed state-sponsored and state-promoted gambling from the beginning of dog racing 1934 and the start of lottery in 1972 with just one ticket costing  ¢50, which was supposed to solve public education funding. By legalizing highly addictive slot machines, our government proposes intentionally bringing something into the Commonwealth that is known to cause harm.

This year, the MCC helped form Casino Free Mass- a non-partisan, statewide coalition made up of a diverse group of citizens from all walks of life, from across the political spectrum and from all corners of the state who oppose legalizing gambling casinos in Massachusetts. We’ve been told to want for our neighbors what we want for ourselves. If you don’t want a mega-casino in your backyard, why would you put it in your neighbors? For more information, visit: www.casinofreemass.org & www.masscouncilofchurches.org

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Celebrate with the Massachusetts Council of Churches

Monday October 27, 2008– 6:00PM

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Kindly Respond by Monday October 20, 2008

Checks may be made payable to the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

      Before there was a casino in Cripple Creek, CO. there were 66 restaurants and taverns; after the casino
     there  were zero. I’ll give $66 to keep casinos out of our state and attend the October 27th event.

«

“A Star in your Crown”

A traditional phrase among church folk, indicating going above and beyond, adding a “star in your crown’” in heaven

  «With 85% of casino revenue coming from 20% of the players, I want to give $85.00 to the Massachusetts Council
                 of Churches to fight predatory gambling.

  ««With 1 slot machine for every 395 residents in the country, I think we have enough highly addictive machines.
                      I want to stop the onslaught of slots with a gift of $395.

  ««« Massachusetts already has the highest per capita sales of any lottery, $707. I’d rather give $707 to the
                            Massachusetts Council of Churches to fight gambling expansion.

Please indicate if you do not want to be identified for your gift.