40th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and 45th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 40th anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated, CBCF. It is fitting that during the month we celebrate Black history, we commemorate the decades of service CBCF has rendered to the Nation by advancing policy issues that impact the global Black community.

Black History Month is an ideal time to reflect on the ways the law has shaped the African-American experience. Our Nation has come a long way since the time when schools were segregated by law. No longer does the law bar African Americans from the voting booth. Today we have African-American Members of Congress who help craft the law; Yet the important work of civil rights remains unfinished.

Since 1976, CBCF has been a critical partner with Congress in the fight for equal rights. As a nonpartisan nonprofit institute dedicated to eliminating racial disparities, CBCF has served as an inspiration to not just African Americans, but to people across the globe. However, its legacy and impact have been far from symbolic.

From helping to make the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Federal holiday, to rebuilding communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina, to working on major legislation like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, to building a virtual library project to shed a spotlight on the work of Black-elected officials, CBCF has stood alongside African-American elected leaders on some of the most critical policy issues of our time.

As we move in 2016, the work of CBCF is more important than ever. Today people of color face disparities in the areas of criminal justice reform, voting rights, and economic development both at home and abroad. Its founders--Nira Hardon Long, Albert Nellum, and Congresswoman Yvonne Burke--envisioned CBCF as an important contributor in the quest for racial equality.

The need remains. The vision lives on. And we have more work to do. I am confident CBCF will continue to serve our country admirably and protect African Americans vigorously. I salute CBCF for their service and celebrate their 40th anniversary.

This year also marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Black Caucus, CBC. I express my appreciation to the 13 founding members of the CBC in 1971 and the 17 members of the CBC class of 1976 for paving the way for African-American Members of Congress, like me, to follow in their footsteps. Their dedication to ensuring America fulfills the promise of equal justice for all serves as a constant inspiration. I stand on the shoulders of giants in CBC, and I salute their sacrifice.

(At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the Record.)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source