For more information call:

Michelle Chandler at 212-713-0300

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi at 703-276-1604
or check www.WordsCanHeal.org

(Washington, DC) The United States Senate, in a measure (S.Res.183) led by Senators Harry Reid and Sam Brownback, has passed the first ever "National Words Can Heal Day." In a measure led by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, it passed the House of Representatives last week. WordsCanHeal Day is a time when families and friends can come together -- creating better relationships and strengthening us as a nation. Taking place the day after Thanksgiving, WordCanHeal Day is an ideal time for people to turn the pain from the September 11th attack into positive change.

WordsCanHeal Day's Five Ways to Make the Thanksgiving Holiday More Meaningful:

1. Go around the Thanksgiving dinner table and tell each person one thing that you like about them (why they are special to you).

2. Have each person read the WordsCanHeal pledge. Have them talk about what it means to them.

The WordsCanHeal Pledge:

I pledge to think more about the words I use.
I will try to see how gossip hurts people, including myself, and work to eliminate it from my life.
I will try to replace words that hurt with words that encourage, engage and enrich.
I will not become discouraged when I am unable to choose words perfectly, because making the world a better place is hard work.
And I am pledging to do that, one word at a time.

3. Go around the table and have each person share one dream that they hope to achieve.

4. Ask each person at the table for one action that they could take to make the world (or their family life) better.

5. Ask each person to think about the following fact - There are only 24 hours in the day and we only have so much money. Then have each person say what they would like to accomplish with their charitable contributions, volunteer time and the words they use.

WordsCanHeal.org is a national campaign to eliminate verbal violence, curb gossip and promote the healing power of words to enhance relationships at every level. According to Rabbi Irwin Katsof, Executive Director of the campaign, "September 11th will never leave our memories. Yet the good of the country depends on our ability to return to our normal lives. But why settle for normal when we've learned we are capable of so much more? In response to the tragedy, we've seen the depths or our compassion. In many ways, we've become better Americans and kinder human beings. This doesn't have to fade away. Every word we speak offers a chance to keep the good alive. Let's work together to create a better normal."

Continues Katsof, "At a time when many Americans feel that outside events are beyond their control, Words Can Heal.org offers concrete tools to rebuild our communities and relationships through the words we speak and the way we communicate."

Words Can Heal is focusing on a goal "Why go back to normal?" It enables Americans to capitalize and expand on the sterling qualities of kindness and compassion with which they responded to the tragedy. Words Can Heal provides tools for schools, communities and families to foster respect, mutual support and tolerance. In the battle between good and evil that the United States is waging, Words Can Heal strengthens our ability to look for the good in others and use kind words to show our appreciation.

Words Can Heal was initially rolled out with an ad campaign on September 4, 2001, in Washington, DC, fast on the heels of the release of a Luntz/Laszlo national poll demonstrating that millions of Americans are hurt by verbal violence and gossip every day.

According to the poll,

• 90% of Americans agree that verbal violence and gossip is a problem in our schools, homes and the workplace.
• More than 60 million Americans feel that someone is using negative speech about them behind their back each week.

According to Michelle Chandler, Campaign Director of WordsCanHeal.org, "a key part of why people gossip and use verbal abuse is because they are not talking about real things of meaning. We challenge families to discuss real issues that matter."

Words Can Heal has captured the imagination and commitment of an unprecedented coalition. Its board includes the top Congressional and gubernatorial leadership, leading diplomats, Wall Street's most influential CEO's, America's leading clergy, Hollywood celebrities and community leaders of every stripe, including Tom Cruise, Rene Russo, Goldie Hawn, Senator Tom Daschle, Senator Sam Brownback, Congressman Peter Deutsch, Alan Hassenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Hasbro, Warren Weiss, Venture Partner at Charles River Ventures and Robert Schuller, Founding Pastor of Crystal Cathedral.

Rabbi Irwin Katsoff and Michelle Chandler are available for interviews.

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