National Critic of Income and Wealth Inequality to Speak at Pitt

March 12, 2003

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics and the University Honors College will present a lecture by Chuck Collins, cofounder of both United for a Fair Economy (UFE) and Responsible Wealth, from 9:30 a.m. to

10:30 a.m. March 21 in the Auditorium of the Frick Fine Arts Building, Schenley Drive, in Oakland.

Collins cofounded UFE in 1995 and serves as its program director. UFE is a national organization that draws attention to the consequences of growing income and wealth inequality in the United States and inspires action to reduce economic inequality. UFE's programs and strategies include education, legislative campaigns, research and media work, and creative direct action organizing.

In 1997, Collins cofounded Responsible Wealth, a UFE project to bring together business leaders and investors to publicly speak out against economic policies and corporate practices that worsen economic inequality. Recently, he coordinated the Call to Preserve the Estate Tax, signed by more than 1,100 prominent Americans, including Bill Gates Sr. and George Soros.

In 1999, Fast Company magazine recognized Collins as "one of 17 leaders, doers, and change makers." In 2001, Boston Magazine named Collins among its annual list of the 100 most influential people in Boston.

Collins has written numerous books and articles on economic inequality, housing policy, and social-change funding. His latest book, coauthored with Gates, is Wealth and Our Commonwealth: Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes (Beacon Press, 2003).

This free lecture is open to the public. For more information, call 412-624-1837.

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