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Rev. Shaw Previews National Baptist Convention

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BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Thousands of people expected to attend this year's National Baptist Convention in Los Angeles, which will kickoff tomorrow.

The Reverend William Shaw now live from Los Angeles for a preview of this year's convention. He is president of the convention and has been a pastor in White Rock, Philadelphia for 44 years.

Reverend Shaw, hello.

REV. WILLIAM SHAW, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION: Good morning, John, how are you doing?

HEMMER: It's Bill, but that is OK, reverend. It is good to have you with us, on this Labor Day weekend. Appreciate you taking time.

Listen, it is 2000, what is your big issues this year at the convention?

SHAW: The convention will be focusing on four or five major issues facing the African-American community. One, we are going to be focusing on the matter of aggressive church growth and strengthening. Two, we are going to focus on developing avenues to strengthen the family. We're going to have a conference in the year 2001 on parents in crisis. And we want to be in dialogue with the representatives of the National Medical Association, the National Teachers' Association, and Mr. Mfume from the NAACP, as we focus on educational, medical, and social concerns.

HEMMER: Reverend, with all due respect, I understand your points there, absolutely acceptable. How do you go from talking the talk to walking the walk, though, and coming out of L.A. and really initiating programs back in to different churches across the country?

SHAW: Well, because we are structuring this week in response to the issues that will be presented to us, the aggressive programs of church growth have already been developed and will be presented to the convention by a board of evangelism.

The focus on the family has a format that will be presented and will begin implementation following convention.

The convention itself is already organized into avenues that will enable us to relate to our state bodies and to local churches because we are structured through organizations that begin at the local level and move to the state level and then to the national level.

HEMMER: You know it's an election year, does your organization support a candidate Al Gore, George Bush? or do you stay out of that?

SHAW: The convention has invited both candidates to appear, not that we might endorse, but because the election will deal with matters that are so vital to the African-American community.

HEMMER: What about those vital issues? what do you pinpoint in this election?

SHAW: We are particularly concerned about the delivery of health care and the changing health environ. That's why we have invited the National Medical Association to share with us issues that are of important to them. We're concerned about what's happening with the public school systems in the country, and what kinds of policies both parties will pursue with reference to strengthening the capacities of our public schools to really do an effective job?

HEMMER: You said you extended an invitation to Al Gore and George Bush? any chance they have accepted? or when will you hear?

SHAW: I -- we are in communication with them as to means by which they can communicate with the convention on Thursday afternoon.

HEMMER: All right, your convention starts tomorrow goes through Friday I understand; correct?

SHAW: That's correct.

HEMMER: OK, have a good time, OK? Reverend William Shaw, appreciate your time today.

SHAW: Thank you very much.

HEMMER: And happy Labor Day.

SHAW: Thank you.

HEMMER: Go get yourself some rest. Reverend, thanks.

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