cbc 113th congress in review

113TH CONGRESS IN

REVIEW

MISSIONSince its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and to address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the American government to ensure that everyone in the United States has an opportunity to achieve their version of the American dream.

The legislative agenda of universal empowerment that Members of the Congressional Black Caucus collectively pursue include but are not limited to: the creation of universal access to a world-class education from birth through post secondary level; the creation of universal access to quality, affordable health care and the elimination of racially based health disparities; the creation of universal access to modern technology, capital and full, fairly-compensated employment; the creation and expansion of U.S. foreign policy initiatives that will contribute to the survival, health, education and general welfare of all peoples of the world in a manner consistent with universal human dignity, tolerance and respect; and such other legislative action as a majority of the entire CBC Membership may support.

CBC Policy Agenda 17

CBC Meetings 18

International Initiatives 22

CBC In The News 24

Diversifying Nominations & Confirmations 28

Special Order Hours 29

Member Book Releases 30

Acknowledgements 31

Letter From The Chair 03

Letter From CBCF 04

Officers of 113th Congress 05

Members of 113th Congress 06

Tribute to CBC Founding Members 10

Ranking Members 12

Committee Leadership 13

Committee Assignments 15

Committee Taskforces 16

TABLE OF CONTENTSP

2 2014 Year In Review

Dear Friend,

During the 113th Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus fought to be heard, to do what’s right for all Americans, and to ensure that our most vulnerable communities were not abandoned, abused or overlooked.

We are familiar with taking the road less traveled in the name of justice. And we’ve excelled, drawing national attention to a number of critical issues. The CBC is strong today because we have remained true to the motto, “No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.”

The resolve of our nation was tested time and again over the last two years. Our government was shutdown in a display of complete dysfunction in Washington. Student loan debt topped credit card debt, hitting the $1 trillion dollar mark. In our neighborhoods, wartime weaponry was used against protestors. Twenty-three mass shootings, resulting in 100 deaths across 17 states, occurred within one year of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. Supreme Court decisions in Citizens United and McCutcheon allowed a select few to subvert with secret, unlimited money the very political process we are sworn to uphold. State legislators and local officials across the country introduced measures in an attempt to disenfranchise voters. And once again, a number of young black men senselessly lost their lives, further igniting racial tension nationwide.

The CBC recognized the tremendous issues we faced as a nation and sought to do our part. During the 113th Congress, the CBC gave a voice

to immigrants of African descent by injecting issues facing the diaspora into immigration reform legislation. We rallied behind a successful push to reform the Senate filibuster rules in an effort to move forward federal judicial and ambassadorial nominations. The CBC held the line for HBCU students facing dismissal from school because of unjustified and unfair federal Parent PLUS Loan regulations. This regulation and one that would have disproportionally hurt poultry workers were both re-evaluated by the Obama Administration and changed to protect those who would have otherwise been negatively affected.

The Congressional Black Caucus protected minority students from rule changes that would have decreased their chances of acceptance into law schools across the nation. We inserted numerous provisions into food and farming legislation to fund programs important to food banks, HBCUs and minority farmers. And we worked with Democratic leadership to address the need for federal voting rights legislation in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County vs. Holder.

The CBC engaged in bilateral meetings with heads of state across the world and led domestic conversations with President Obama and cabinet members to ensure the issues of the world’s voiceless were heard on topics from humanitarian efforts in Haiti to gang violence in Chicago.

We commemorated many 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights era, from the March on Washington to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, lest we forget. And finally,

the CBC stumped across this country and collaborated with hundreds of clergymen and women to encourage people to vote, an effort resulting in millions being educated on the importance of voting.

The end of this Congress marks a historical point for the CBC. For the first time, one-third of all House Committee Ranking Members during the 114th Congress will be members of the CBC and one of the founders of the CBC, Congressman John Conyers, will be the most senior member of Congress.

I am honored to have served as the 23rd Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. As I pass the gavel, I do so knowing that the CBC will only grow stronger as the years rush on. We will continue to stand proud and strong as not only the conscience of the Congress, but the conscience of this great nation. Thank you.

Sincerely,

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

P

3Congressional Black Caucus

LETTER FROM CBCF

Dear Friend,

In 2014, as President Obama entered the second year of his final term in office, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As the first African-American in the Oval Office, President Obama embodies the tremendous progress made in the 50 years since the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Much of that progress would not have been possible without the work and commitment of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

Since 1971, the CBC has been an important voice in the struggle for equal rights for African Americans and other underserved communities. Members of the CBC continue to lead and advocate for public policies designed to improve conditions for all Americans. The CBC has a rich legacy of fighting for social justice, from advancing voting rights, quality healthcare and education to ensuring that appointed leaders champion progressive policies.

This legacy is documented in the CBCF’s Avoice virtual library project. Avoice is a virtual library that serves as a premier source of information on the political and public policy contributions made by African Americans in Congress. This digital archive includes historical documents, legislative records, letters, photos, videos and reports that are easily accessible online.

Through Avoice, the dynamic historical and contemporary accomplishments of past and present African-Americans in Congress are preserved for future generations. I encourage you to visit avoiceonline.org for an extraordinary glimpse into the significant role that African-American members of Congress have played in helping chart our nation’s course.

In the pages that follow, you will have an opportunity to learn about the achievements of the men and women who are writing the next chapter for Avoice: the CBC members of the 113th Congress. Their work spans the major issues of the day for black communities in the United States and around the world.

Sincerely,

A. Shuanise WashingtonPresident and CEO Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.


OFFICERS OF THE 113TH CONGRESS

CHAIRRep. Marcia L. Fudge

FIRST VICE CHAIRRep. G.K. Butterfield, Jr.

SECRETARYRep. André Carson

WHIPRep. Karen Bass

SECOND VICE CHAIRRep. Yvette D. Clarke


MEMBERS OF THE 113TH CONGRESS

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.

MI – ‘65

Rep. Charles B. Rangel

NY – ‘71

Rep. John Lewis

GA – ‘87

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

DC – ‘91

Rep. Maxine Waters

CA – ‘91

Rep. Alcee L. Hastings

FL – ‘93

Rep. Melvin L. Watt

NC – ‘93

Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

GA – ‘93

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson

TX – ‘93

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson

MS – ‘93

Rep. Corrine Brown

Fl – ‘93

Rep. Bobby L. Rush

IL – ‘93

Rep. Chaka Fattah

PA – ‘95

Rep. James E. Clyburn

SC – ‘93

Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott

VA – ‘93

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

TX – ‘95

* Listed in order of Seniority



Rep. Elijah E. Cummings

MD – ‘96

Del. Donna M. Christensen

VI – ‘97

Rep. Danny K. Davis

IL – ‘97

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

NY – ‘98

Rep. Barbara Lee

CA – ‘98

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II

MO – ‘05

Rep. Keith Ellison

MN – ‘07

Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, Jr.

MO – ‘01

Rep. Al Green

TX – ‘05

Rep. Hank Johnson

GA – ‘07

Rep. David Scott

GA – ‘03

Rep. Gwen Moore

WI – ‘05

Rep. André Carson

IN – ‘08

Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Jr.

NC – ‘04

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke

NY – ‘07

Rep. Donna F. Edwards

MD – ‘08



Rep. Marcia L. Fudge

OH – ‘08

Rep. Joyce Beatty

OH – ‘13

Rep. Karen Bass

CA – ‘11

Rep. Steven Horsford

NV – ‘13

Rep. Cedric Richmond

LA – ‘11

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

NY – ‘13

Rep. Terri Sewell

AL – ‘11

Rep. Robin Kelly

IL – ‘13

Rep. Frederica Wilson

FL – ’11

Rep. Marc Veasey

TX – ‘13

Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.

NJ – ‘12

Sen. Mo Cowan

MA – ‘13

Sen. Cory Booker

NJ – ‘13


MEMBERS ELECTED TO CONGRESS 2014

For their undying commitment to doing what’s right, and their willingness to serve as advocates for justice and catalysts for change, we thank and acknowledge the indelible contributions and public service of our outgoing Members: Representative Mel Watt (NC-12), Delegate Donna Christensen (VI), and Representative Steven Horsford (NV-04).

THANK YOU

Rep. Alma Adams Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Rep. Brenda Lawrence

Del. Stacey PlaskettRep. Mia Love


A TRIBUTE TO THE

N O P E R M A N E N T F R I E N D S ,

N O P E R M A N E N T E N E M I E S ,

O N LY P E R M A N E N T I N T E R E S T S


Newly elected Members and beneficiaries of court-ordered redistricting, William (Bill) Clay, Sr., of Missouri, Louis Stokes of Ohio, and Shirley Chisholm, of New York, embraced the concept of a group for black legislators to “seize the moment, to fight for justice, to raise issues too long ignored and too little debated”—all of which quickly translated into a more influential association for African-American Members. Representatives Clay and Stokes formed a fast and enduring friendship. Their close personal relationship boosted momentum to craft a permanent organization. Stokes drew upon his efforts to forge an independent political organization within his own district. “The thrust of our elections was that many black people around America who had formerly been unrepresented, now felt that the nine black members of the House owed them the obligation of also affording them representation in the House,” Stokes explained. He added that, “in addition to representing our individual districts, we had to assume the onerous burden of acting as congressman-at-large for unrepresented people around America.

“With the opening of the 92nd Congress (1971–1973), the number of black Representatives rose to 13—the greatest number of African Americans ever to serve simultaneously in Congress. The Democratic Select Committee met on February 2, 1971, and accepted a recommendation put forth by Clay to create a nonpartisan, formal network for African-American Members. Charles Rangel of New York, who narrowly defeated longtime Representative Powell in 1970, thought of a new name for the group: the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). The CBC elected Representative Charles C. Diggs, of Michigan, as its first chairman. “Black people have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies…just permanent interests,” Clay declared—a theme that set the tone for the CBC during its formative years and evolved into its motto. Unlike many Members of Congress, Clay surmised, the participants in the new caucus did not owe their elections to traditional liberal or labor bases of support. “We were truly uninhibited, really free to decide our own issues, formulate our own policies, and advance our own programs,” Clay recalled. “Our mission was clear. We had to parlay massive voting potential into concrete economic results.”

We honor and thank our Founding Members for their vision, bravery and leadership.

* Excerpted from the History, Art & Archives of the U.S. House of Representatives

FOUNDING CBC MEMBERS


113TH CONGRESSCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUSRANKING MEMBERS

Ranking Members Elected in 2014

COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY

Bennie Thompson of Mississippi

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE

Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Virginia

COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORMElijah Cummings of Maryland

COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

Corrine Brown of Florida

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

John Conyers of Michigan

COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES

Maxine Waters of California

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE & TECHNOLOGY

Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas


113TH CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

COMMITTEE ONAGRICULTURE

COMMITTEE ONAPPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ONFINANCIAL SERVICES

COMMITTEE ONENERGY AND

COMMERCE

COMMITTEE ONFOREIGN AFFAIRS

Rep. David ScottSubcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk ManagementRep. Marcia L. FudgeSubcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition

Rep. Sanford Bishop Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related AgenciesRep. Chaka FattahSubcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies

Rep. Gregory Meeks Subcommittee on Financial InstitutionsRep. William Lacy Clay, Jr. Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade

Rep. Al Green Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Rep. Bobby Rush Subcommittee on Energy and Power

Rep. Karen Bass Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations

COMMITTEE ONHOMELAND SECURITY

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee Subcommittee on Border and Maritime SecurityRep. Yvette Clarke Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies

Rep. Cedric Richmond Subcommittee on Transportation SecurityRep. Donald M. Payne Jr. Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications


113TH CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

COMMITTEE ONSCIENCE, SPACE AND

TECHNOLOGYRep. Donna Edwards Subcommittee on Space

COMMITTEE ONSMALL BUSINESS

Rep. Yvette Clarke Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations

COMMITTEE ONRULES

Rep. Alcee Hastings Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process

COMMITTEE ONTRANSPORTATION AND

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rep. André Carson Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Building and Emergency Management

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton Subcommittee on Highways and TransitRep. Corrine Brown Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

COMMITTEE ONWAYS AND MEANS

Rep. Charlie Rangel Subcommittee on TradeRep. John Lewis Subcommittee on Oversight

COMMITTEE ONTHE JUDICIARY

Rep. Bobby Scott Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and InvestigationsRep. Mel Watt Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet


113TH CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Committee on AgricultureRep. David ScottRep. Marcia L. Fudge

Committee on AppropriationsRep. Sanford BishopRep. Chaka Fattah Rep. Barbara Lee

Committee on Armed Services Rep. Hank Johnson Rep. André CarsonRep. Marc Veasey

Committee on the Budget Rep. Barbara Lee Rep. Gwen MooreRep. Hakeem Jeffries

Committee on Education and the WorkforceRep. Bobby ScottRep. Marcia L. FudgeRep. Frederica Wilson

Committee on Energy and CommerceRep. Bobby RushRep. Donna ChristensenRep. G.K. Butterfield

Committee on EthicsRep. Yvette Clarke

Committee on Financial ServicesRep. Maxine WatersRep. Emanuel CleaverRep. Mel WattRep. Gregory MeeksRep. William Lacy Clay, Jr. Rep. David ScottRep. Al GreenRep. Gwen MooreRep. Keith EllisonRep. Terri SewellRep. Joyce BeattyRep. Steven Horsford

Committee on Foreign AffairsRep. Gregory MeeksRep. Karen Bass

Committee on Homeland SecurityRep. Bennie ThompsonRep. Sheila Jackson-LeeRep. Yvette ClarkeRep. Cedric Richmond Rep. Donald Payne Jr.

Committee on the JudiciaryRep. John ConyersRep. Bobby ScottRep. Mel WattRep. Sheila Jackson-LeeRep. Hank JohnsonRep. Karen BassRep. Cedric RichmondRep. Hakeem Jeffries

Committee on Oversight and Government ReformRep. Elijah CummingsRep. Danny K. DavisRep. William Lacy Clay Jr.Rep. Robin KellyRep. Steven Horsford

Committee on RulesRep. Alcee Hastings

Committee on Science, Space and TechnologyRep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonRep. Donna EdwardsRep. Frederica WilsonRep. Marc VeaseyRep. Robin Kelly

Committee on Small Business Rep. Yvette ClarkeRep. Donald Payne Jr.

Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureRep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

Rep. Corrine Brown Rep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonRep. Elijah CummingsRep. André CarsonRep. Donna Edwards

Committee on Veterans’ AffairsRep. Corrine Brown

Committee on Ways and MeansRep. Charlie RangelRep. John LewisRep. Danny K. Davis

Permanent Select Committee on IntelligenceRep. Terri Sewell

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEES

Committee on Commerce, Science and TransportationSen. Cory Booker

Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipSen. Cory Booker

Committee on Environment and Public WorksSen. Cory Booker


113TH CONGRESS CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS TASKFORCESAfrica TaskforceRep. Gregory Meeks, Co-ChairRep. Karen Bass, Co-ChairRep. Bobby RushRep. Barbara LeeRep. Keith Ellison

Rep. Hank Johnson

Budget, Appropriations, and Taxation TaskforceRep. Charlie Rangel, Co-ChairRep. Bobby Scott, Co-ChairRep Sanford BishopRep. Gwen Moore

Rep. Cedric Richmond

Civil Rights and Judiciary TaskforceRep. John Conyers, Co-ChairRep. John Lewis, Co-ChairRep. Eleanor Holmes-NortonRep. Sanford BishopRep. Corrine BrownRep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonRep. Bobby ScottRep. Mel WattRep. Bennie ThompsonRep. Sheila Jackson-LeeRep. Donna ChristensenRep. Danny DavisRep. William Lacy ClayRep. G.K. Butterfield Rep. Al GreenRep. Gwen MooreRep. Keith EllisonRep. Hank JohnsonRep. Cedric RichmondRep. Frederica WilsonRep. Donald M. Payne Jr. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

Rep. Marc Veasey

Diversity TaskforceRep. G.K. Butterfield, Co-Chair Rep. Barbara Lee, Co-Chair

Rep. Maxine WatersRep. Sanford BishopRep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonRep. Mel WattRep. Bennie Thompson

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

Economic Development and Wealth Creation TaskforceRep. Maxine Waters, Co-ChairRep. Al Green, Co-ChairRep. Bobby RushRep. Mel WattRep. Sheila Jackson-LeeRep. Gregory MeeksRep. Cedric RichmondRep. André Carson

Education and Labor TaskforceRep. Chaka Fattah, Co-ChairRep. Danny Davis, Co-ChairRep. Bobby RushRep. Bobby ScottRep. David ScottRep. Gwen MooreRep. Hank Johnson

Rep. Frederica Wilson

Energy, Environment, and Agriculture TaskforceRep. Bobby Rush, Co-ChairRep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Co-ChairRep. Alcee HastingsRep. Bennie ThompsonRep. Al GreenRep. Cedric RichmondRep. Marc VeaseyRep. Emanuel Cleaver

Foreign Affairs and National Security TaskforceRep. Bennie Thompson, Co-ChairRep. Marc Veasey, Co-ChairRep. Sanford BishopRep. Gregory Meeks

Rep. Barbara LeeRep. Hank JohnsonRep. Keith Ellison

Healthcare TaskforceRep. Donna Christensen, ChairRep. John ConyersRep. Eddie Bernice JohnsonRep. Bobby ScottRep. Danny DavisRep. Barbara LeeRep. David ScottRep. Donald M. Payne Jr.Rep. Marc Veasey

Immigration Reform TaskforceRep. Yvette Clarke, Co-ChairRep. Steven Horsford, Co-ChairRep. Hakeem Jefferies, Co-ChairRep. Eleanor Holmes-NortonRep. Bobby RushRep. Sheila Jackson-LeeRep. Bennie ThompsonRep. Al GreenRep. Marc Veasey

Poverty and the Economy TaskforceRep. Barbara Lee, Co-ChairRep. Emanuel Cleaver, Co-ChairRep. Joyce Beatty, Co-ChairRep. Bobby RushRep. Bobby ScottRep. Gwen MooreRep. Donna ChristensenRep. Keith EllisonRep. Donald M. Payne Jr.

Technology and Infrastructure Development TaskforceRep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Co-ChairRep. Corrine Brown, Co-ChairRep. Donna EdwardsRep. Cedric RichmondRep. Frederica Wilson


113TH CONGRESSCONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUSCBC POLICY AGENDA

Voter Protection and Empowerment, including but not limited to:

• Protecting the Voting Rights Act.

• Modernizing the current voting system.

• Eliminating barriers for all eligible voters to cast their ballots.

Poverty and the Economy, including but not limited to:

• Championing policies that help eradicate poverty in America.

• Advocating for policies that provide parity in access to economic opportunity, particularly within the African American community.

• Championing policies that create and sustain jobs.

• Protecting against cuts to social and economic programs that are vital to African Americans, sen-iors and other vulnerable populations.

Immigration Reform, including but not limited to:

• Advancing legislation and policies that lead to comprehensive immigration reform.

• Providing a voice for undocumented immigrants of African descent within the comprehensive immigration reform debate.

• Addressing issues of mass detention and unjust criminality of immigrant populations.

• Ensuring policies that are aimed at improving conditions within low-income and vulnerable communities

Through its issue and primary taskforces, the Congressional Black Caucus will also continue its legislative work on:

• Healthcare Reform and Implementation of the Affordable Care Act

• Education Reform and the Achievement Gap

• Justice Reform

• Immigration Reform

• Economic Development and Human Rights in Africa

• Budget, Appropriations and Taxation

• Economic Development and Wealth Creation

• Energy, Environment and Agriculture

• Healthcare

• Civil Rights and the Judiciary

• Education and Labor

• Foreign Affairs and National Security

• Technology and Infrastructure Development

For more than four decades, the Congressional Black Caucus Policy Agenda has promoted and advocated legislation that supports social and economic progress, equality and fairness among all Americans and particularly for African Americans and neglected communities. Protecting civil rights legislative victories such as Section 5 the Voting Rights Act and championing policies that protect vital programs to the communities served by Members of the CBC are consistently two of the Caucus’s most significant priorities.

With the start of each new Congress and under the leadership of its new Chair, the Congressional Black Caucus commits to focusing on a slate of issues that guide its legislative work. During the 113th Congress, the CBC continued to advocate for changes to policies that adversely impact communities of color and CBC constituencies with a specific focus on:


CBC MEETINGS

2/13

/13

2/6/

13

2/5/

13

5/16

/13

6/12

/13

6/26

/13

6/26

/13

7/9/

13

3/13

/13

3/14

/13

3/14

/13

Senior AdvisorValerie Jarrett

Congressman Luis Gutiérrez

SecretaryKathleen Sebelius

Congressman Chris Van Hollen

Secretary Arne Duncan

General Eric Shinseki

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Secretary Ray Donovan

Leader Nancy Pelosi

South African Delegation

President Barack Obama


CBC MEETINGS

7/11

/13

7/31

/13

9/9/

13

9/9/

13

9/9/

13

9/11

/13

3/20

/13

4/10

/13

4/24

/13

5/8/

13

5/15

/13

Former Congresswoman Eva Clayton

Secretary Arne Duncan

Congressman Steny Hoyer

Speaker John BoehnerMignon Clyburn

Ambassador Michael Oren

Secretary Anthony Foxx President

Barack Obama

Vice President Joseph Biden

AmbassadorRachad BouhlalSusan Rice


CBC MEETINGS

3/31

/14

United Nations

4/30

/14

Paul Ryan

5/7/

14

SecretaryJohn Kerry

10/2

2/13

Dr. David Michaels

10/3

0/13

U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power

11/9

/13

Carolyn Colvin

11/1

2/13

John Thompson

11/1

2/13

Leader Nancy Pelosi

10/2

2/13

Secretary Tom Perez

11/2

0/13

Vice Primer Madam Liu

6/25

/14

ChairMary Jo White

7/16

/14

SecretaryJeh Johnson


CBC MEETINGS

11/1

9/14

DirectorKatie Fallon

12/3

/14

Lieutenant GeneralRobert Caslen

11/1

9/13

Department of Transportation

2/5/

14

Senior Advisor Valerie JarrettPresident Michel Martelly &Director Sylvia Burwell

12/1

2/13

ChairmanMartin Castro

3/12

/14

NBC—LEO

3/12

/14

Security AdvisorSusan Rice

9/10

/14

Chairman Robert JohnsonPresident Don Thompson &Chairman Teresa Clarke

9/17

/14

President/CEORosalind Brewer


INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

C H I N A E G Y P T U A EA commitment to doing what’s right knows no boundary - physical or otherwise.

During the 113th Congress, Members of the CBC traveled near and far to connect with

and support those doing good work around the globe.


INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

I S R A E L M O R O C C O


CBC IN THE NEWS

As legislators, the CBC works to ensure that the needs and experiences of the Black

community are heard and included in the decisions made in our nation’s capital. With an

eye to improving access to education, protecting the overlooked and under appreciated, and

advocating for those who support our mission, the following pages share a sampling of the

issues the CBC championed this term.


CBC IN THE NEWS


DIVERSIFYING NOMINATIONS & CONFIRMATIONS

Committed to ensuring that diversity is represented in every branch of leadership, the

Congressional Black Caucus worked to ensure that Presidential nominations and confirmations

reflected the rich diversity of the nation. From supporting nominations that would place men

and women of color in high-ranking positions, to opposing nominations that, upon confirmation,

would imperil the advancement of communities of color in this country, the CBC ensured that

the voices of their voters were heard in this all-important process as well.


SPECIAL ORDER HOURS

Anchored by Representatives Horsford and Jeffries, the Congressional Black Caucus hosted Special Order Hours weekly.

Topics this Congress included:

• “The Importance of Raising the Debt Ceiling”

• “My Brother’s Keeper”

• “Celebrating Women’s History Month 2014”

• “Violence in America: Where Do We Go From Here?”

• “The 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education”

• “Wealth Creation and the Opportunity Gap”

• “The 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer & the Civil Rights Act of 1964”

• “Halting the March Toward Impeachment”

• “ Community Policing, Lessons Learned From Ferguson”

• “ The March Toward a More Perfect Union: Where Do We Go From Here?”

• “ Black in America: What Ferguson says about where we are and where we need to go?

• “Ending Hunger in America “

• “Closing Health Disparities”

• “The Impact of Sequestration”

• “Building a Better Budget”

• “The Debt Ceiling: The Dangers of Brinksmanship as a Political Tool”

• “The Continuing Resolution: Gambling with America’s Future”

• “ACA – Making Good Health My Reality”

• “Achieving Economic Security

Through the Labor Movement”

• “Student Loans”

• “Race and Justice in America”

• “The Life and Legacy of Rep. Bill Gray”

• “A Culture of Violence”

• “The Voting Rights Act”

• “Entrepreneurship and Black America”

• “Lifting Americans Out of Poverty”

• “Improving Access to a Quality Education”

• “The Importance of Comprehensive Immigration Reform”

• “The CBC Budget – A People’s Budget”


Rep. John Lewis brought his young collaborator to the Alabama bridge, to where he long ago spilled his blood, because it wasn’t enough to simply see it in photos. The artist, hired to render the congressman’s memoir, needed to listen to the history right where freedom was forged through the fear and tear gas — and to stand where John Lewis stood on that day he thought he was going to die. That infamous incident on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, on that Bloody Sunday in March 1965, opens Lewis’s graphic-novel debut, “March: Book One,” a riveting and beautiful civil-rights story.

Early in his new memoir, “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” Rep. Keith Ellison prints the lyrics of an 1843 abolitionist version of the titular song, one lamenting slavery in America and heralding the day it would end. He wrote that he draws as much inspiration from that version of the song as the more famous one, and that, taken together, they paint a picture of an imperfect country making progress toward liberty and equality.

Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the third-ranking Democrat in the House, spoke recently at Roxbury Community College about his new memoir, “Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black.” In it, he shares lessons learned from a childhood in the Jim Crow South, the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, election defeats, and a long career in Congress.

MEMBER BOOK RELEASES


This book is a publication of the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION, INC.

ANDAVOICE VIRTUAL LIBRARY PROJECT

(c) 2014 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


For more information about African American members of Congress, visit avoiceonline.org.

The CBCF would like to acknowledge the Congressional Black Caucus Staff

for the important and necessary work they do every day in service to the Congressional Black Caucus.

LaDavia Drane, Executive Director

Ayofemi Kirby, Communications Director

Safiya Jafari Simmons, Communications Director (successor to Ayofemi Kirby)

Hassan Christian, Policy Director

Latrice Powell, Operations and Member Services Director

Kwame Canty, Member Services and Programming Director (successor to Latrice Powell)

Charlyn Stanberry, Professional Staff

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