Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Honors Its Pioneers by James Wright

March 9, 2015

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Honors Its Pioneers
By James Wright 
cbc pioneers

Congresswomen Donna M. Chrietensen, Congressman Robert C. Scott and Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee. (Seated)A. Shuanise Washington- President and CEO, CBCF, Congressman G. K. Butterfield, Jim Colon VP of Toyota African-American Business Strategy, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Congressman Chaka Fattah.

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - On Feb. 24, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held its Sixth Annual A Voice Heritage Celebration at The Hamilton Hotel in downtown Washington.  Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) were honored for their long service in Congress. Toyota was the recipient of the Distinguished Corporation Award.

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said that she was happy to attend the event. “I came here to help honor two of my colleagues,” Johnson said. “These men were among the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus and I have solicited and followed the advice of both. They are my mentors.”

The CBC was founded in 1971 and Conyers and Rangel are the founders currently serving in Congress. Both men have chaired the CBC. Conyers and Rangel are the longest-serving lawmakers of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Conyers began serving in the House in 1965 and played a key role in the drafting and passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Over the years, Conyers has passed legislation that designated the third Monday in January as the holiday in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that forced companies to divest in apartheid South Africa, and has repeatedly sponsored a bill to provide reparations for African Americans.

Conyers was chairman of committees on government operations and the judiciary. In January, he became the first Black representative to have the longest-serving tenure in the House and is ceremoniously recognized as the “dean of the House.”

Conyers, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award, said he is passionate about fighting for the rights of the people. “Serving in Congress is something that I love,” he said. “I have seen so many people in my political career come and go like Martin Luther King Jr.; Rosa Parks, who worked for me; Nelson Mandela who emerged from 27 years of prison to be stronger than before; Harry Belafonte who helped finance the civil rights movement; and Steve Wonder who provided music for the movement. I am still committed to the eternal quest for jobs, justice and peace.”

Rangel, who received the Distinguished Pioneer Award, began his congressional career in 1971, has served as chairman of the CBC, and became the first Black to chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), the chairman of the CBCF, called Rangel a “legislator’s legislator” at the event.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Conyers and Rangel “elder statesmen,” noting that “they are not that elder but they are statesmen.”

Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, made brief remarks. Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) were among the lawmakers attending the event.

Former CBC members Steven Horsford, Dr. Donna Christian- Christensen, and Federal Housing Administrator Mel Watt also were in the audience.