Full Employment Hearing a Success: Caucus Plans Follow-Up

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People One, July/July/August,August 19751975 MEMBERS: WilliamClay, Mo Ronald Dellums. Calif Augustus Hawkins, Calif Robert N C Nix. Pa Aj f Jordan, NY B Burke Calif Cardiss Collins, HI Charles Diggs. Mich Barbara Texas Charles Rangel. I IYvonne Metcalfe, Shirley 'NY John Conyers, Mich Walter Fauntroy. DC. Ralph 111 Louis Stokes. Ohio II CBCI Chisholm. Ford, Mitchell, ForThe Harold VolumeTerm Parren NumberMd Andrew Young,Three Ga J\ Full Employment Hearing a Success: Caucus Plans Follow-Up

The May 20th Ad Hoc Hearings on "The cost of unemployment in human Bertram Gross, Hunter College; Repre- Full Employment, sponsored by the suffering and in societal breakdown is senative Augustus Hawkins (D-Calif), Congressional Black Caucus and the Joint staggeringly high. And anything those of principal sponser and author of the Equal— Center for Political Studies, brought you meeting here today can do to Opportunity and Full Employment Act together diverse interest groups, members counter this serious problem willhave my HR 50; Senator Edward Brooke; William of the press, Administration officials and full support." Lucy, Secretary /Treasurer, American Members of Congress in order to assess the impact and cost of spiraling unemployment and to examine strategies for achieving full employment. Over three- hundred invited participants attended the hearing and segments of the full day of proceedings were broadcast live by National Public Radio. Congressman Charles B. Rangel, chairman of the Caucus, noted that, "While the needs of the black community are our primary concern— blacks and other minorities have been the most injured victims of high unemployment and our weak economy— full employment is an issue that goes beyond racial considera- Depicted above at the May 20th Hearing (from left to right) are Mr. Eddie Williams, President of tions. It isan issue that affects allcitizens the Joint Center for Political Studies; Mr. Thadd Garrett, Special Assistant to the Vice President and raises fundamental questions about and former chief assistant and politicaladvisor to Rep. Shirley Chisholm; Representatives Chisholm Rangel; Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller. economic policy and national priorities." and Charles B. If current trends continue, by mid- 1976, some eight to ten millionunem- House and Senate Members, who, Federation of State, County and ployed workers will have littlereason and along withCaucus members, participated Municipal Employees; John Gunther, even less resources to participate in the as hearing panelists, observers, or sub- Executive Director of the U.S. Con- nation's Bicentennial Celebration. The mitted supportive statements and testi- ference of Mayors; Ms. Lois Parke, Spirit of '76 may be considerably mony included: Representatives Councilwoman, Newcastle County, dampened by the specter of joblessness- Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), Richard L. Delaware testifying on behalf of the reported at nearly 15 percent for black Ottinger (D-NY), Edward I. Koch National Association of Counties. and other minorities and 9.2 percent for (D-NY), Frederick Richmond (D-NY), Representatives Barbara Jordan and the nation in May, 1975. The full day of MillicentFenwick (R-NH), PhillipBurton William Clay provided summary state- hearing proceedings included opening (D-Calif), Geogre H. Mahon (D-Tex), ments on the morning session. statements by Representatives Charles B. John B. Anderson (R-Ill); Senators Vice President Nelson A. RockefellerRockefeller, Rangel and Yvonne Burke, chairman and Edward Brooke (R-Mass), Hubert in a luncheon address at the hearinghearing, vice chairperson of the Caucus; Eddie Humphrey (D-Minn), Hugh Scott (R-Pa), stated that: Williams, President of the Joint Center Harrison Williams (D-NJ), and Phillip "Ipledge myself to work with the ConCon- for Political Studies; Representatives Hart (D-Mich). gressional Black Caucus in the pursuit ofo1 Ronald V. Dellums and Louis Stokes; Dr. The morning hearing panel, co-chaired increased employment opportunities foifor Bernard Anderson, the Wharton School by Representatives John Conyers and all Americans. For the only real weapon:weapons University of Pennsylvania. Parren Mitchell, focused on The Case For that either low or moderate income Carl Albert (D-Okla.), Speaker of the Full Employment. Witnesses included families have against inflation or recessiorrecession House, in his opening statement at the Senator Hubert Humphrey, Chariman of are jobs/ hearing observed that: the Joint Economic Committee; Professor (Continued onPagePaze 8)8 ) The House of Representatives re- representation over the last ten years County (Dallas) and these were main- cently passed H.R. 6219, extending proves that this legislation works. tained through 1972. Had the Votinc and expand- Rights Act of 1965 applied Texas &&fl^^fe. The Voting Rights Act empowers the to ing the Voting the state would have to submit the tj£n9Rß^ U.S. Attorney General to send ex- had Ri hts Act of and reapportionments to 9 aminers and federal registrars into 1966 1972 ; the Attorney these wouM ¡ jurisdictions, principally in the General and - legislation is covered likely discriminatory f South, to protect the rights of black have been found .d^^^^^B among the not until 1973 that the United rP*fl^^3Hv citizens toregister and to vote. In addi- was jBEr most signifi- Supreme once again in ¿J^ tion, covered jurisdictions must States Court cant civil submit It that at-large election to the U.S. Attorney General proposed tervened. held I L^l^^l rights inBexar and counties had a dis bills changes in voting laws for agreement. Dallas i^^^Hl enactec *' t criminatory | «¿d&Ü^^l^ra&É n If the changes effect on blacks anc are found to be dis- browns. criminatory, they are not permitted to ,Al^j»l^gJ!qPa^PPP epitomizes discrimatory take effect. The Act is strong medicine The same practices which Rep.Rep. Jordan |ack moved the congress to pass tho Voiintj the b and the recently passed struggle equality. to enact- House version Rights Act in 1965, renew it in 1970 aiu? for Prior the extends coverage to the Spanish Voting Rights consider its extension in 1975, jn ment of the Act black speaking minority people and other groups: practiced in Texas today. in the South were disfranchised strong medicine indeed, but when path the In 1965, the Congress in and their to ballot box was public officials continually trample heard of blocked by unnecessary tests, poll the stances in which citizens were denied constitutional rights of citizens, the taxes terrorism. the right to register, and right to and sheer Incredible relief must fit the transgression. the gerrymanders were devised to nullify vote once registered. Today m Texas the strength of large black populations. My first attempts to become a member duly registered citizens have been Even when, on occassion, the maze of of the Texas House of Representatives denied absentee ballots, even though voting restrictions were successfully were thwarted by the same type of their names appeared on the registra- hurdled, there was still no assurance discriminatory voting practices now tion rolls. In one particular town, the that the votes cast by blacks would be forbidden in the Voting Rights Act. In city officials refused tohonor absentee counted. 1962, when I first ran for the Texas ballot applications filed by Spanish sur- ejec- House, Harris County (Houston) was not named voters for a school board The Voting Rights Act has opened tion which occurred last April, 1975. registration for eligible blacks and has, in divided into single member districts. Ihad — provide remedy many of part, contributed to a precipitous increase to run at large against all other To a for the in the number of Black Elected candidates. Ilost then and again in 1964. above-cited discriminatory votingprac- Officials—now in excess of 3500. This In 1966 the Texas legislature was forced tices perpetrated upon black mié Mex- law has increased the possibility of free to reapportion itself. The Supreme Court ican-Americans, Iintroduced legislation and equal participation by blacks, as ruled that the 'one person-one vote' rule which would extend the Act for 10 voters, in the political process. A few of Baker v. Carr applied to state years and expand ittocover the South- electoral victories, however, should not legislative districts. The reapportionment west Mybill was incorporated into H.R. Voting Rights may mask reality: the Act created a new, single-member State 621 9 as Titles I!and 111 and would ex- overcome blatant discriminatory have Senatorial District in which Ilived. Iran tend to minorities residing in the newly practices; it has yet to overcome subtle and won. Without the Supreme Court covered jurisdictions the same special discriminatory practices. A large number ruling, to voting rights of black people in the South and North Iwould have lost again. attention their now continue to be excluded from meaningful offered blacks in the South. participation in democratic institutions. We are encouraged by the action of the The Voting Rights Act, now in the The same reapportionment which House and Senate in extending and Senate, would automatically expire in created single member districts in Har- expanding this most vital piece of civil August unless the full Congress votes to ris County created at-large districts in rights legislation. Discriminatory voting extend its life.The gains inblack political Bexar County {San Antonio) and Dallas Continued on next page 2 Voting Rights Act (Continued from Page 2) practices are a menace to every prospect Caucus Assesses 94th Congress of freedom and democracy in the United legislation States. Now that the has been ' renewed, private citizens and public I Congressional officials must redouble their efforts to The Black Caucus on housing, education reductions in military 25th, vigorous use it to protect the precious right to June after six months of spending, voting representation for the in the Congress Legisla- Columbia, vote. effort 94th on its District of gun control, tive Agenda, presented an assessment of Rhodesian Chrome and general revenue the overall performance of Congress thus sharing. The Legislative Agenda Progress far. Caucus members found the Congress Report and the Six-Month Overview of generally lacking in responsiveness to Caucus activity are available from the urgent human needs. Congressional Black Caucus office upon Caucus Aids The Caucus assessment was most criti- request. cal of Congress' failure to override Presi- Full employment, tax reform and dential vetoes of key domestic legislation health care are among the top legislative Mound Bayou such as the Emergency Employment goals of the Caucus during the second Appropriations Bill and Emergency session of the 94th Congress. In addition, Housing Bill. Representative Charles B. the Caucus will be actively involved in Hospital Rangel noted that, "The emergency jobs reviewing the general revenue sharing program bill would have been a small step toward and will push for passage of a postcard full employment and provided for some comprehensive voter registration Congressional Black Caucus members 900,000 jobs. The housing bill addressed bill. played a significant role in saving —the our critical housing needs and would have The Caucus plans a continued aggres- Mound Bayou Community Hospital a provided at least 500,000 jobs. This sive legislative role in the 1976 Bicenten- major health care resource serving medi- Administration refuses to effectively nial election year. Presidential candidates cally indigent blacks in a four-county area address the problem facing 8.5 to 10 will be called upon to respond to issues of the Mississippi Delta region. In May millionjobless workers today." and legislative priorities affecting poor 1975, representatives Mound and minority citizens and the varied areas of the Shortly after the failure by the House Bayou Community Hospital requested of the Caucus Agenda. The Caucus' Fifth to override the emergency jobs bill veto, assistance in securing continued Annual Dinner Weekend (September Caucus the Black Caucus released an analysis funding support facility from the 26-27) will bring together Black and for the showing that over one-third of the Department Health, Education other organizational leaders to discuss of and Representatives voting against an override (HEW). Federal support for this many of these issues. Welfare had either high unemployment hospital would have ex- and/or On Friday, September 26th, the day black-controlled large minority and poor constituencies in pired 30, HEW had made before the Annual Dinner, the Caucus June 1975 and their districts. The Caucus will continue no commitments to continue funding for along with the Joint Center for Political such vote analyses and will explore other Studies will hold a day-long legislative another year. strategies for ensuring that Representa- hospital, by the Missis- workshop in which a plan for developing The licensed tives are aware and responsive to the sippi in 1974, a broader black national legislative agenda Health Authorities was priorities of poor and minority voters. originally founded over 30 years ago. It willbe considered. This broader agenda press conference, special staff has an admirable history of service to the At a a will refine and expand the Caucus' 100,000 or so poor black and white resi- report on the progress of the Caucus current Legislative Agenda and will Legislative dents of the Delta. Approximately 80 Agenda was released. The incorporate the input, expertise and percent of the hospital's patients and 92 report covered the range of Caucus resources of black and non-black citizens priorities including employment, percent of those served by a related full traditionally shortchanged in the voting rights, reform, care, health center have neither adequate tax health formation of national policy. personal funds nor health insurance to pay their medical bills. In the 19605, PRESS RECEPTION ON ANNUAL DINNER PLANS Mound Bayou Hospital was one of the few health facilitiesin Mississippi open to Freedom Marchers. Representatives Charles B. Rangel and Andrew Young led the Caucus effort to aid the hospital and personally intervened through a series of meetings and cor- respondence with HEW officials. In a letter to Caucus chairman Rangel, Mr. Howard Jessamy, Administrator of the hospital, thanked the Caucus stating that, "Because of your efforts, we have been able to secure a grant of $272,000 for our next grant year. Even though the amount On June 25th, a press reception, sponsored by Essence Magazine, was held to is substantially less than last year's grant announce plans for the Caucus Fifth Annual Dinner Weekend. Three-hundred invited of $734,000, and a sizeable staff reduc- guests attended. Entertainer Johnny Nash (Columbia Records) participated in the— tion is imminent, we willbe able to con- reception, performing the song "We Can See Clearly Now What Must Be Done" tinue to carry on some health services to words written especially for the Congressional Black Caucus. Pictured above, from left patients in the four-county area we to right, are Johnny Nash, Rep. Walter Fauntroy, chairman of the Fifth Annual Dinner serve." Weekend, and Rep. Barbara Jordan. 3 Minority Constituents and the Congressl

Blacks and other minorities have been historicallyunder- 4. Ifyou know ofamendments which you support or op- represented in this nation's political system. Every major pose, mention them directly. Often, the most important step toward politicalequity by these citizens has been the vote on a piece of legislation is on an amendment that result of legal action, mass protests and courage inthe face would significantly add to or detract from its impact on of violence. However, translating the hard-won ballot into final passage. However, it is often difficult to know in ad- positive national policies that reflect the concerns of poor vance what amendments willbe introduced. and minority constituents requires a continued vigilance 5. Solicit some response from the Congressperson or and activism. his/her position on the issue or legislation in question. In- The Congressional Black Caucus believes that minority quire about whether you can count on his/her support of constituents must aggressively make fulluse of political your position. structures. Far too few citizens— particularly the poor, 6. Recruit the active support of other groups and in- I blacks and other minorities— convey to their Senators and dividuals whose positions are similar to yours. If each per- I Representatives their views on important issues before the son who is concerned about an issue gets five or ten Congress. Letters, telegrams and personal calls are key in- ¡ friends to write at the same time, or gets organizations to struments for persuading a Member of Congress to adopt | endorse a position, the Representative is likelyto be more positions advocated by constituents in his or her district. | responsive. Of course, many factors influence a Member's final ! 7. Finally, be direct, persuasive and courteous. Threats vote—interest group positions and a Member's own politi- are frequently self-defeating. Say what you know to be cal convictions rank high among these. Members, however, true. know that they must listen to the voters, even during a Letters and telegrams should be addressed as follows: non-election year. Voters are becoming more alert in To Representatives: To Senators: monitoring the voting records of their elected officials. There are a number of general rules to follow in com- The Honorable The Honorable____ municating with Representatives and Senators: U.S. House of Representa- tives U.S. Senate 1. When writing about legislation, refer to the accurate Washington D.C. 20515 Washington DC. 20510 title and number of the bill. If you do not have this information, refer to the specific issue involved. Dear Representative Dear Senator 2. Explain why you are personally advocating a particular position on the billor issue. Be brief, but persuasive. Let the Information on legislation in Congress can be obtained Member know you have sound reasons for your opinion. If from newspapers, radio and T.V., from newsletters of various you belong to an organization which has taken a position or public interest organizations (e.g., National Urban League, I action on the issue, refer to that. NAACP, Joint Center for Political Studies, League of Women I 3. Mention local facts or conditions which the billmight Voters, Common Cause), and For The People. Start your com I help. For example, if it is an education bill, mention munication early, when a bill has just been introduced and something briefly about the status of schools in your when committees and subcommittees are holding hearings. neighborhood. Tell the Member why the bill willhelp or hurt Also present views just before a bill reaches the House or the people he or she represents. Senate floor for vote. Taxation Demands Representation RECORD 120 HOUSE/SENATE CO-SPONSORS SUPPORT H.J. RES. 280

"Taxation demands representation" citizens of the District the right toelect to proclaim an end to the tyranny of is the rallying cry of Representative a Mayor and City Council for the first taxation without representation. But for Walter E. Fauntroy's (D-D.C) drive to time in 104 years. Representative nearly 200 years of our nation's history, obtain passage of a Constitutional Fauntroy has now turned his attention there has been a crack inthe Liberty Bell, amendment granting the District of to winning for himself an imperfection that seriously mars our and the District proclamations democracy. Through Columbia full voting representation in of Columbia full voting rights of on the that crack have fallen quarters the and present, House three of a House Senate. At Mr. and Senate Floor. million American pay nearly Fauntroy, Delegate House, who a as a to the The drive began in earnest on May 6, billiondollars in Federal taxes each year, only in can vote committee. 1975, when Fauntroy and six powerful but who, unlike all other taxpayers in our House and Senate allies, including country, have no vote in the United Elected to the Congress in 1971, as Senators Kennedy and Brooke held a States Congress. Thus, 200 years after the the first non-voting Delegate news conference. founding of our Republic, the citizens of District's the District of years, Columbia still endure a in one-hundred Congressman Speaking conference, condition democracy Fauntroy immediately at the news as obnoxious to in orchestrated a Fauntroy issued this call for action: "We 1976 as it was in 1776." local and national movement to win have gathered here today to launch a Fauntroy has observed that "As the "home rule" for citizens of the Nation's drive in this Bicentennial Congress to District's Non-Voting Delegate in the Capital. Last year, the 93rd Congress mend the crack in the Liberty Bell. The Congress, irepresent more people than enacted a Home Rule Bill granting the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia was molded (Continued on Page 8) 4 House amendments to the Labor-HEW sentatives Burke and Hawkins led the Appropriations billthat provide increased push for increased funding of the Com- support for Community Services munity Services Administration. They Administration (formerly OEO) pro- actively solicited the support of diverse grams. These amendments provided some groups within the Congress, sucri as the $75.7 million above the level of support Congressional Rural Caucus, progressive set in the House Appropriations Com- Republicans and others. Lobbying efforts mittee bill. A portion of the additional were assisted by community action pro- funds, $35 million, are earmarked for gram directors and participants. Several fiscal year 1976 community action pro- thousand community action agency grams and would maintain the fiscal year supporters came to Washington, D.C. on 1975 funding levels for local initiative June 24th to urge adequate funding of programs at $330 million. their programs. The remaining $40.7 million in in- The entire appropriation for Labor- creased funds willsupport such programs HEW programs (including funds for as senior citizen opportunities and independent agencies in education, health services, research and demonstration, and labor) may be vetoed by the Presi- On June 25, Representatives Yvonne community nutrition and community dent. The bill was passed by a wide Burke (D-Calif) and Augustus F. Hawkins economic development. With the support margin vote of 368 to 39; however, a veto (D-CaIif)successfully pressed through the of the other Caucus members, Repre- overrride vote would likely be close. Conyers Sees Gun Control as First Priority in Reducing Black-on-Black Homicides Representative John Conyers, chairman of the House evidence that possession of handguns deters crime. Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime feels that stricter FBI records indicate that armed private citizens were suc- Federal handgun laws are required to halt the spiraling rate cessful in warding off attack or break-ins in less than 2 per of homicides committed by blacks against other blacks. cent of reported cases. The probability is much higher that the victim willbe wounded or killed by his assailant by reaching Conyers noted that, "According to the FBIUniform Crime for his gun. Reports, the largest number of handgun homicide victims and assailants fall into the 15-30 age bracket, and a dis- proportionate number on both sides are Black. Studies con- ducted by criminal justice experts in every city the Sub- committee has visited bear this out. For example, the profile for attacker and victim in homicides committed in Detroit during the past 3 years is nearly identical; inmost cases, both were Black males between the ages of 19 and 30, poorly educated; under- or unemployed; under the influence of alcohol or drugs; at least acquainted, and involved in an altercation over money, sex, liquor or in- trafamily problems at the time of the incident" "The incidence of handgun use in these cases leads any reasonable student of the problem to onlyone conclusion/ Conyers continued. In 1973, the FBI recorded 17,123 "Nineteen days of hearings, involving more than 140 murders; of those, 54 per cent were committed with witnesses inall parts of the country have ledme to believe handguns, and, of those, 62 per cent occurred within the that the 94th Congress has an affirmative duty to put an family or between acquaintances. The figures fluctuate end to our domestic arms race," the Crime Subcommittee slightly according to locality but, in every case we have Chairman concluded. "More than 2.5 million handguns will studied, between 60-76 per cent of all homicides take find their way into private hands this year, and the tragedy place under identical circumstances. The numbers make they willbe responsible for will be intolerable. Our record questionable, the contention of opponents of stricter clearly supports the need for immediate Federal legislation handgun regulation that premeditated or crime-related which would prohibit the importation and domestic assem- murders are the principal problem. bly and manufacture of cheap handguns and handgun The fact is that, society-wide, access to an easily-ob- parts, drastically reduce the number of Federally-licensed tainable handgun, usually purchased out of fear of armed firearms dealers, make itmore difficult to acquire such a attack, is the critical factor in the majority of homicides. license, and provide for more efficient record-keeping and Obviously, in the Black community— where crime and the enforcement mechanisms. fear of itis more prevalent— the problem is exacerbated. Such action would only close loopholes inexisting law, and Increasing crime and the failure oflaw enforcement tend to would only partially turn off the taps as far as new production legitimize such fears, Conyers said, but acquisition of and distribution are concerned. Gun Control is a key item on handguns is no practical alternative. "Besides the fact that the Caucus Legislative Agenda. Representatives Ronald most handguns used in casual homicides were originally Dellums, Ralph Metcalfe, Walter Fauntroy and Robert N.C. purchased for self-defense," he said, "there is absolutely no Nix have also introduced bills on firearms control.

5 Rep. Parren Mitchell, commenting U.S. business, has entered into a $47 on the impact of Congress' failure to million contract to import 2Y2 million override the President's vetoes noted tons of coal from South Africa. that, "The American people have grown sick and tired of elected representatives who serve their interests ina Rep. Ralph Metcalfe has introduced sick and tired manner. The need for a resolution which calls for officialU.S. jobs and housing is undeniable in this endorsement of the recent Declaration period of economic crisis and public of the Organization of African Unity on Repub- dispair. Yet in recent weeks the Presi- establishing majority rule inthe dent has vetoed two major legislative lic of South Africa and inRhodesia. The support of packages, The Emergency Employment Celebration and a tour of other African resolution also calls for U.S. Appropriations Bill and the Emergency countries. The Caucus has initiated a United Nations sanctions against Housing Bill, designed to address series of follow-up meetings on the visits Rhodesia and support of U.N. Security urgent human needs. The actions of to Liberia and Senegal withState Depart- Council Resolution 366 which man- the President and his supporters in ment officials. A more definitive report dates the independence ofNamibia. "It Congress are indicative of the insen- on the visits and follow-up willbe made is imperative that we reappraise the sitivity of a ruling elite. Public frustra- available upon request. present U.S. policytowards the volatile tion has reached an all time high. The issues of freedom and equality in southern Africa, a policy often Administration and this Congress will Rep. Diggs, Jr., too Charles C. in his by hypocricy and insensitivity be held accountable." continuing concern about U.S. corpo- marked Americans ingeneral, and we in the rate investments in South Africa, joined. ... Congress, in particular, cannot afford Rep. Charles Rangel, commenting on eighteen colleagues in infor- the House to ignore aspirations of entire the involvement of Caucus members in a warding an open letter to IBM on its the an study Liberia, continent— a continent whose political recent mission to noted selling, leasing and servicing of com- that "The Mission (June 28th to July and economic importance to America puters 2nd) was sponsored by the Phelps-Stokes to South Africa. The letter grows daily/ said Metcalfe. Fund and enabled Caucus members to stated in part, "We, the undersigned Congress, meet with government and educational Members of are deeply con- On May 30, Rep. Metcalfe requested leaders throughout Liberia. It is part of cerned about the role of the Interna- Chairmen of Judiciary (IBM) the both House the Caucus' ongoing efforts to strengthen tional Business Machines inhelp- Committee and the House Ways and ties between African nations and black ing to maintain and, indeed, perfect,; Means Committee to investigate the Americans, to push for more knowledge- South Africa's repressive system of reported use of revenue sharing funds able, supportive U.S. policies toward apartheid. We are aware of the recent Africa." for intelligence activities by police shareholders' resolution, co-filed by a1 departments. A General Accounting The delegation to Liberia included number of church organizations hold- Representatives Ralph Metcalfe, Office report requested by Metcalfe William ing 54,000 of stock, ' Clay and Rangel. Ms. Barbara Williams, over shares IBM revealed that between $500,000 and requests selling,' Executive Director of the Caucus, her; which that IBMcease * $800,000 in federal funds has been Administrative Assistant Ms. Beryl- leasing or servicing computers and* spent by the Chicago Police Depart- Bridges and Mr. George Dalley, Admin- computer parts to the South African ment Intelligence Division istrative Assistant to Congressman Rangel Government ... we would like to ex-" (1972-1974) in its surveillance of also took part in the mission. Mr. press our support of this resolution ...* thousands of Chicago-area residents. Franklin Williams, President of of the For the White minority South Africani Phelps-Stokes Fund and former Ambas- regime, which represents less than 20) sador to Ghana, accompanied the delega- population, " percent of the total to con- Rep. Ronald V. Dellums has re- tion. majority not easy task, On July 2nd, the delegation departed trol the is an but cently the Ac- with assistance introduced Bureaucratic Monrovia, Liberia for Dakar, Senegal and the of computers the countability Act of 1975, which pro- apartheid system has been maintained a series of informal meetings with state . poses concrete steps to strengthen and even expanded .."Rep. Diggs has5 dignitaries and U.S. officials in that . responsible and reliable government country. Senegal, they joined Repre- also issued a public statement in sup- In through amendments to the Adminis- sentatives Charles C. Diggs and Cardiss port of a stockholder resolution seek- trative Procedures Act. The bill would Collins, who had just returned from the ing a in the policy of " change the insure that citizens receive accurate in- June 25th Mozambique Independence Southern Company— Company, a3 the formation on their rights and on the procedures of the bureaucracy. "Gov- ernment lawlessness, the widespread bureaucratic practice of distorting, ig- noring, and subverting the congressional mandates contained in legisla- i tionr is the greatest threat to meaningful self-government. Istrongly feel the basic cause of this is the lack of mechanisms which would allow citizens some means of protection against officials in their day-to-day contact with the bureaucracy," said . Dellums.

6 VOTING RIGHTS-The House on June with higher funding levels was vetoed by VOTING REPRESENTATION FOR THE 4, passed by a vote of 341-70, H.R. 6219 the President last year. The Senate has DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-Hearings Voting Rights passed to extend the Act of 1965 legislation similar to H.R. 4925. have begun fefore the Civil and Constitu- expand July 25, for an additional ten years and to On the President vetoed the tional Rights Subcommittee of the House it to cover many Spanish-speaking and health bill, a veto which Congress Judiciary Committee on a billintroduced other minorities. The Caucus legislative overrode. by Congressman Walter Fauntroy support network was activated on this bill (D-D.C.) which would give the District of and many citizens and organizations UPCOMING ACTIONS: Columbia two Senators and two across the country wrote to their Repre- Representatives— all with full voting sentatives and Senators supporting the status. Voting Rights Act. The Senate, on July EMPLOYMENT-The House and Senate 24, passed H.R. 6219 extending the Act passed, but the President vetoed, the EDUCATION-Both the Higher for 7 years rather than 10 and the House Emergency Employment Appropriations Education Billand the Vocational Educa- years. provided has agreed to 7 bill which would have about tion Bill are in the hearing stage. The 900,000 public service, public works jobs. Higher Education bill is before the Post- ENERGY-The House, on June 19, Immediately following the veto and secondary Education Subcommittee and passed H.R. 6860, the Energy Conserva- failure to override, Congress passed and the Vocational Education bill is before tion and Conversion Act. The bill pro- the President signed the summer jobs bill the Elementary, Secondary and vides for limitation of oil imports and providing 840,000 jobs by local govern- Vocational Education Subcommittee- penalties for automobiles with high fuel ments this summer. The program willbe subcommittees of the House Education consumption. The Energy Conservation administered by the U.S. Department of and Labor Committee. and OilPolicy Act (H.R. 7014), presently Labor and jobs willbe available through before the House, would stabilize local and state manpower agencies. The MARTIN LUTHER KING BIRTHDAY domestic crude oil prices. This would jobs issue remains a key area for congres- BlLL—Hearings will be held shortly on stabilize domestic crude oil prices. This sional action. The Hawkins-Humphrey legislation which would designate the would counter the President's proposal to Equal Opportunities and Full Employ- birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as decontrol oil prices— a move that, ment Act (H.R. 50, S. 50), discussed in a national holiday. Hearings will be according to estimates by the Joint earlier issues of For The People, requires before the Census and Population Sub- Economic Committee, would result inan broad constituent support. Your views on committee of the House Post Office and additional 760,000 unemployed and price this legislation should be conveyed to Civil Service Committee. Representative increases of 5.4 percent. Representatives and Senators. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Robert N.C. The subcommittee on Manpower, Nix (D-Pa.) have each for EMERGENCY HOUSING ACT-H.R. Compensation and Health and Safety of introduced bills this purpose. 4485, a bill which would provide deferral the House Education and Labor Com- of mortgage payments from economically mittee is holding hearings on extention of strapped families, as well as authorizing Title VI of the Comprehensive Employ- GENERAL REVENUE SHARING- three new subsidy programs for middle- ment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA). Oversight hearings continue before income homebuyers was passed by Title VI provided an additional 100,000 various congressional committees on Congress and vetoed by the President on public service jobs last year. general revenue sharing. These precede June 24. After the House failed to over- legislative hearings scheduled this Fall. ride the veto, a compromise bill (H.R. TAX REFORM-The House Ways and Most recently, the Joint Economic Com- 5398) was passed by the House and Means Committee has begun hearings on mittee heard testimony from private Senate and it was signed July 2nd by the major tax reform legislation. The Con- citizens and public officials on general President. It provides for loans up to gressional Black Caucus willfocus on the revenue sharing. The House Government $250 per month for jobless homeowners impact of 'tax expenditures', loopholes Operations Committee Intergovernmental unable to meet mortgage payments and and waivers and tax write-offs that, in Relations Subcommittee is holding over- would insure lenders against losses ifthey fact, constitute a form of government sight hearings on general revenue sharing do not foreclose on overdue mortgages. It subsidy. Persons knowledgeable in this during July. The Administration has also contains $10 billion for mortgage field are encouraged to contact the introduced its bill (H.R. 8244) to extend interest rate subsidies, as well as exten- Caucus office and the Ways and Means the present program, with some minor sion of the Section 315 urban rehabilita- Committee. Full House action will changes, for an additional 5 3/4 years. tionloans program. probably take place in October or November. The Caucus Legislative FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS-A bill (S. 792) HEALTH—The House, on June 5, passed Agenda called for reforms such as the to provide part-time work within government H.R. 4925, the Health Revenue Sharing enactment of an effective minimum tax, the federal has been approved by the Senate and House sub- Act, which extends five major health restructuring of capital gains provisions, committees. Hearings before the Man- services programs as block grants through elimination of tax-loss farming provisions power and CivilService subcommittee of fiscal year 1977. The programs include that benefit agribusiness, and elimination the Post Office and Civil Service Com- health services formula grants to the of tax incentives for foreign investments. mittee on this and similar bills, including states, family planning programs, com- Earlier this year, the Congress eliminated one introduced by Representative munity mental health centers for medi- most of the oil depletion allowance Yvonne Burke (H.R. 3924), are expected cally underserved areas. A similar bill through the Tax Reduction Act. in July. 7 Voting Representation (Continued from Page 4) any single Member of the House of Representatives, and indeed, more people than are represented by twenty Senators. The vehicle that Delegate Fauntroy plans to use to "mend the crack in the Liberty Bell" is House Joint Resolution 280, (HJ. Res. 280), a billhe introduced after rounding up some 120 co-sponsors in both the House Senate and from Congressman Walter Fauntroy is joined by (left to right) and Congressman Gil Gude (R-Md.) f Senators I both the Republican and Democratic Edward Brooke (R-Mass.), Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). Birch Bayh (O-lnd.) and Congressman Don I sides of the aisle. Edwards (D-Calif.) in announcing drive to obtain fullvoting rights for the District. I The resolution simply calls for an to Constitution that amendment the ship, including its first Black Member, Fauntroy noted. would permit the of Columbia to District Representative Andrew Young. "The Further inquiries 280 Senators as many Repre- on HJ. Res. elect two and impetus of a measure actually passed by may be directed Representative sentatives as it would be entitled if it to the House willprovide momentum in the" Fauntroy, 326 Cannon House Office were a state. Senate that we never had before Bldg., Washington, Delegate Fauntroy recently sent letters D.C. 20515. to more than 800 Black elected officials around the country urging them to contact their Representative concerning HJ. Res. 280. This marks the third time that Delegate Fauntroy has introduced legislation seeking a vote on the House Floor. The Rules Committee, which has blocked the legislation in the past, has new leader-

Ralph Metcalfe summarized the after- Organizations and individuals interested Full Employment noon proceedings. in assisting the Caucus' fullemployment Continued from front page The Ad Hoc Hearing provided the effort should direct all inquiries and major stimulus for the Caucus' announce- supportive materials to Jobs for AH, Vice President Rockefeller was intro- ment of a nationwide campaign to gather Congressional Black Caucus, 306 House duced by Caucus member Representative support for passage of full employment Annex, Washington, D.C. 20515. Details Shirley Chisholm (D-NY). The Caucus legislation by the 94th Congress. on this effort will be reported in forth- took note of the Vice President's pledge Speaking for the Caucus, Representative coming issues of For The People. of a continuing open line of communica- Augustus Hawkins noted that: Excerpts of statements submitted by employment tion with his office on full The caucus will be approaching broad various witnesses are available upon in Legislative request. and other issues the Caucus sectors of the population to solicit their Agenda. Plans to follow-up on commit- input development hearing in further of full ments of support by various employment legislation." participants are underway. The afternoon hearing panel, chaired The Equal Opportunity and Full CAUCUS REPRINTS by Representative Yvonne Burke and Employment (HR. Act 50), a top priority Available reprints of Caucus releases Walter Fauntroy, examined the Social in the Caucus Legislative Agenda, has include: Costs of Unemployment and witnesses some 108 co-sponsors and is viewed as a • included: Patrick Murphy, President of major legislative initiative to eliminate The Congressional Black Caucus: A Six the Police Foundation; Renault substandard wages, poverty and jobless- • Month Overview. Robinson, Executive Director of Caucus Assesses 94th Congress: First ness. The Caucus' support for full em- • Session. Chicago's Afro-American Patrolman's ployment campaign currently includes • Caucus Position on Full Employment. League; Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, New Caucus Members Committee and Sub- three major components: • committe Assignments. York Human Rights Commissioner; Analysis of Emergency Employment Clarence Mitchell, Director of the 1. A national public information • Appropriations Bill Veto Override Vote. • Caucus Position on Vietnamese Refugees. NAACP, Washington Bureau; Dr. James and public education effort. • Caucus Legislative Agenda. P. Comer, Associate Professor Yale Uni- 2. An in-depth review and assess- • For the People, Vol. I,Number 1, 2. 3. Center; positions Excerpts of Witness Statements, Full versity and Child Study Ms. ment of the of members of Employment Ad Hoc Hearing. Carole Foreman, Executive Director, Congress on the passage of full employ- Consumer Federation of America; John ment legislation. Forward requests for reprints to Congres- Hampton, Executive Director, National 3. A concerted effort to initiate sional Black Caucus, 306 House Annex Tenants Organization, Representative Senate hearings on full employment. Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515.