CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HONORARY CO-CHAIRS FOR ALC 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2009

CONTACT:
Muriel Cooper
202-263-2829
mcooper@cbcfinc.org

Priscilla Clarke
202-723-2200
pclarkepr@aol.com

CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HONORARY CO-CHAIRS FOR ALC 2009

Reps. Fattah and Clarke Poised to Support Theme of Reinvest...Rebuild...Renew

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - 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.