Source: The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7952-2004Jun1.html?referrer=email

On June 2, 2004 The Washington Post reported, "More than 1,600 religious leaders and social workers from across the country converged on the Hilton yesterday for the first White House National Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. It followed 12 regional conferences that drew more than 15,000 people. Bush spoke to the group, at times adopting the rapid cadence of a Baptist preacher, and was greeted with hearty responses of 'Amen!' and 'Yes!' Bush spoke for 40 minutes and drew a standing ovation when he said: 'I'm telling America we need to not discriminate against faith-based programs. We need to welcome them so our society is more wholesome, more welcoming and more hopeful for every single citizen.'... The president spoke in front of a White House-produced backdrop with the words 'Compassion in Action.' He said he was addressing 'all faiths, whether it be the Jewish faith or the Christian faith or the Muslim faith or the Hindu faith.'"