Hoyer Attends 26th Annual Black History Month Breakfast Featuring ABC 7 Anchor Maureen Bunyan

Hoyer Attends 26th Annual Black History Month Breakfast Featuring ABC 7 Anchor Maureen Bunyan

On Monday, February 12, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) attended the 26th Annual Black History Month Breakfast in Waldorf, MD, where he was joined by Senator Ben Cardin and Maureen Bunyan, news anchor for WJLA Channel 7, who gave the keynote address. More than 400 community leaders from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary's, Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties attended the event to pay tribute to Black History Month and to celebrate the theme, African American Women: Encountering Success Over Many Challenges. Congressman Hoyer helped start the annual breakfast when he became a member of Congress in 1981 and has attended every year since.

At the breakfast, Hoyer stated, "As we come together to commemorate Black History Month today, we should all remain aware of the fact that our nation's diversity serves as the foundation of our greatest strengths and the inspiration behind our greatest accomplishments. In sharing a morning of friendship and fellowship we touch on the importance of looking back on the country's rich Black history - which is America's history - but we also look forward with great hope for the future."

Maureen Bunyan participated in this year's breakfast as the keynote speaker at the request of Congressman Hoyer. Ms. Bunyan has been a primary anchor for the evening news at WJLA, Channel 7 since 1999. Throughout her journalistic career, she has been honored with numerous awards, both for her broadcast talent as well as her extensive record of service to the community. Ms. Bunyan is a founder and board member of both the National Association of Black Journalists and the International Women's Media Foundation, which serves women in the media in 100 countries.

"We are honored to have Maureen Bunyan join us today," stated Hoyer. "Maureen is an extraordinary journalist who has not only made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry, but has made significant contributions of service to others. As a skilled communicator and as an upstanding community leader, Maureen is someone who has not only enriched our lives but has spread hope among us through her generous spirit."

Hoyer continued, "Today, we are reminded of another great African American woman, Coretta Scott King - who provided a shining example of strength and determination in her own right. Mrs. King is quoted as having said, ‘struggle is a never-ending process and freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.' She is exactly right - from the international conflicts abroad to the struggles we experience within our own communities - it is clear that the lessons of both Mrs. King and Dr. King are as relevant today as they ever have been."

Congressman Hoyer went on to talk about the great strides African Americans have made, particularly in the U.S. Congress. Hoyer noted that African American members of Congress occupy several high-ranking House positions, including five of the twenty-one House Committee chairmanships as well as the third-highest ranking leadership position, held by House Democratic Whip Congressman James Clyburn. Hoyer stated, "African Americans are rising to greater heights today in American politics than ever before. As we celebrate Black History Month today at this special gathering, we reflect on how we have risen together as a nation and pay tribute to the hard-won triumphs of African Americans, while understanding that there is still much good work that remains undone."

The breakfast was held at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Hall with more than 400 community and civic leaders attending. Reverend Kay F. Albury-Pierce from the Brooks United Methodist Church gave the invocation, Reverend Regina Stephenson of the Reid Temple AME Church delivered the blessing of the food, and the Reverend Jamile Woods-Jones of the Cornerstone AME Church gave the benediction.

Previous guest speakers who have participated in this Black History Month celebration include Sen. Barack Obama, Vernon Jordan, Donna Brazile, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Elijah Cummings, former Rep. and NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, Rep. John Lewis, Carmen Turner and former Mayor Anthony Williams.

http://hoyer.house.gov/newsroom/index.asp?ID=855