Congressional Black Caucus Announces Honorary
Co-Chairs for ALC 2009
(BlackNews.com) May 14, 2009
The
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation announced that U.S. Reps.
Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania and Yvette Clarke of New York will
serve as honorary co-chairs of the 39th Annual Legislative Conference
(ALC), from September 23-26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention
Center in the nation's capital. This year's conference theme is
"Reinvest...Rebuild...Renew." The web site is
www.cbcfinc.org
Headlining ALC will
once again be the 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
who will lead forums on education, health care, the environment,
economic development, criminal justice, housing, transportation
and international affairs. ALC is expected to draw nearly 18,000
officials, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging
leaders and everyday Americans. The conference includes an awards
dinner, exhibits showcase, book signings and networking opportunities.
Rep. Fattah was elected to Congress in 1994 and serves on two subcommittees
under the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Brooklyn native
Rep. Clarke, in her second term, serves on three House committees
and is the chair of the Emerging Threats Subcommittee on Homeland
Security.
"Reps. Fattah and
Clarke have been involved with the Foundation's events since their
arrival in Congress," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president
and chief executive officer for CBCF. "We are excited about
working with them in coordinating an ALC that is meaningful and
timely," she said.
"They understand
the importance of what we do in the community and have supported
our efforts to provide scholarships, internships and fellowships,
to improve economic parity and to decrease health disparities,"
remarked Rep. Kendrick B. Meek, chair of the CBCF Board of Directors.
The conference theme
challenges the audience to join in a renewed responsibility and
purpose in leading the way to facing and defeating the many obstacles
Americans are facing today.
"ALC is recognized
as one of the most important gatherings of African-American leaders
in the nation," said Rep. Fattah. "Its reputation for
inspiration, coupled with its record for probing issues that are
pertinent in the black community, makes it an event not to be missed,"
he said.
"Together we must
take advantage of this chance to truly rebuild, reinvest and renew
our collective communities for posterity," added Rep. Clarke."In
these tumultuous times, it is imperative that we as people of color,
convene together to address, hash out and hopefully resolve the
issues that plague our respective communities."
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., was established
in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and
education institute to help improve the socio-economic circumstances
of African Americans and other underserved communities.
CONTACT:
Muriel Cooper
202-263-2829
mcooper@cbcfinc.org
Priscilla Clarke
202-723-2200
pclarkepr@aol.com
