By Alabama Public Radio
Atlanta, AL – Former state Senator Charles Steele is the new president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He takes control of an organization that has been dealing with some internal conflict, particularly concerns about the organization's direction. Steele has outlined a plan to get the group out of debt. The S-C-L-C owes 43-thousand dollars in state and federal taxes. He says the group will raise money from private and corporate donors because dues-paying membership has been declining. Steele also says the civil rights group will work against injustice around the world. He says the S-C-L-C will open offices in Italy and will establish conflict resolution centers around the world. Steele says the Israeli government has asked the organization to help in Middle East peace talks.