Congressional BlackCaucus Foundation Chairman' s Message 'The On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), itis my sincere pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all who have gathered in the nation's capital for the 23rd Annual Legislative Weekend. Iam confident that this years intensive program willprovide a tremendous opportunity to explore the most pressing issues of our time in a collegial and productive environment. As the Congressional Black Caucus isin the position to have an unprecedented impact on policy development at the national level, the CBCF is uniquely poised to meet the challenges presented by its ambitious mission. Founded in 1976, the mission of the CBCF ismulti-fold: (1) To increase the participation and elevate the influence of Black Americans in public policy development at the local, state and federal levels; (2) To ensure the formulation of effective public policies that are responsive to the compelling needs and critical concerns of the African American community; and (3) To empower African Americans currently serving critical legislative and policy development roles, and groom the next generation of Black policy makers for the purpose of insuring a better future for all Americans. The Foundations timeless mission is achieved through the delivery of a comprehensive array of educational, research, scholarship and leadership development programs. Through these important initiatives, the Foundation strives to empower Black America and contribute to the realization of social and economic parity. Inrecent months, we have taken a number of important steps to expand the impact of the Foundation in the policy development arena. As part of a long-term effort to expand awareness of the issues confronting Black America, the Foundation recently hosted a Regional Conference in Southern California. The CBCF sponsored forums which provided an opportu- nityfor meaningful interaction between members of the Congressional Black Caucus and res- idents of a dynamic and diverse community. The tremendous support provided by members of the Caucus, private industry and the African American community made the event an impressive success. It is our intention to build on this success inplanning future conferences in other regions of the country. Another important growth area for the Foundation is that of policy research. With the launch of an exciting new research program, the Foundation isin position to conduct research initiatives on policy concerns impacting the Black community, as well as catalog and dissemi- nate the outcomes of research projects conducted by national and regional institutions. The Foundation is committed to becoming a national resource for research on policy development and vital issues impacting the well-being of x4irican Americans. As we move forward with an admittedly ambitious work program, we continue to rely on your generous support and enthusiastic participation in a growing number of initiatives undertaken by the CBCF. We look forward to working inpartnership with you in the months and years ahead in pursuit of the Foundation's enormous mission. <^£?£rtsThe Honorable Alan Wheat Table of Contents Generations: Celebrating Legacy Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. the Board of Directors of African American Leadership Honorable Alan Wheat Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chairman Chairman's Message Dr.Kamona H, Kdelin Honorable Alan Wheat 1ice Chairman Mr. I.ula Adams Annual Legislative Weekend Honorary Chairman's Message 1 /reasurer Honorable Harold E. Ford Mrs. Barbara J. Skinner Secretary Annual Award Recipients 5 Mr.MehinßlaeUell "Generations" 9 Dr. \\ illiamBurke Honorable % illiainQaj An African American Cultural Museum Honorable Barbara-Hose Collins Mr.OiieldDukes Mr. r.lliottS. Hall 23rd Annual Legislative Weekend 12 Dr. \ndrea Green Jefferson Sponsors and Underwriters M.s.Ingrid Saunders Jones Mr.Bertram Lee Mr. Koberl M.MeGlotlen Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Background 14 Honorable Carrie Meek Honorable Carol Moselevßraun Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 15 Mr. Überl LNellnm Honorable Donald Payne Educational Programs Mr.Corbet) Price Honorable Charles Range! Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 18 Mr.Ben Baffin Mr.\\a\inan F. Smith, 111 Board of Directors Honorable 1,ouis Stokes Honorable Edolphns Towns Annual Legislative Weekend Exhibitors 29 Mis. (iwen Towns Ex-Officio Congressional Black Caucus History 32 Honorable Kweisi Mfume Congressional Black Caucus Chairman's Message 33 Honorable Harold I, lord Honorary Chairman. 23rd Annual Legislative 11 eehend Honorable Kweisi Mfume Quentin H.Lawson Congressional Black Caucus Members 35 Executive Director Congressional Black Caucus Committee Chairmen 75 Congressional Black Caucus Spouses 82 Staff and Annual Legislative Weekend Credits 89 23rd Annual Legislative Weekend HonoraryChairman 's Message "The Jiarolh fort* As we convene for the 23rd Annual Legislative Weekend (ALW) sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). we come together to celebrate a proud histo- ryof dedicated leadership and exciting future fullof promise. The theme for this year's - - event "Generations: Celebrating the Legacy of African American Leadership" was chosen to reflect the generations of our community now represented in the membership of the Congressional Black Caucus. Today, the Caucus membership stands at a record of 39 mem- bers. Inaddition, an African American woman has joined the ranks of the U.S. Senate. The new members of the Caucus represent the best and brightest of a new generation of visionary leaders, and together" with their veteran counterparts are truly reflective of our increasingly diverse and complex society. Your representatives in the House and Senate bring diversity in age, experience, and interests to national policy development. The unprecedented number of African Americans serving in the United States Congress holds great promise for our community. We are inposition to have a greater impact on public policy and make certain that policy development at the national and local levels isin tune with the needs of the Black community. As a leadership body, we are poised to insure that the compelling voice of Black America isheard throughout the halls ofCongress, the corri- dors of the Executive Branch, and the chambers of the Judiciary. The tremendous opportunities resulting from our success in the elections of last November are accompanied by critical challenges which include the imperative to build an impenetrable coalition positioned at the forefront of our progressive policy development, as well as the continuing need to insure that our increasingly diverse constituencies are well served in Washington. We stand ready to welcome the participation and attendance of more than 20.000 African Americans from hundreds of communities throughout the nation during this 23rd Annual Legislative Weekend. More than 50 workshops, issue forums and braintrusts willbe conducted during the Weekend, exploring an impressive range of social, economic and politi- cal issues facing our nation. The Weekend willprovide an unprecedented opportunity for per- sonal growth and fruitfuldiscussion around challenges which resolution willrequire collabo- ration. On behalf of the Caucus members. Foundation staff and hundreds of volunteers dedi- cated to making the program a success, welcome! /{*+£&-«r*£*^ The Honorable Harold E. Ford 1 Congressional Caucus foundation RecipientsAwardAnnual Each year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations Annual Legislative Weekend culminates with an Awards Dinner in honor of individuals who have made significant contributions to Black America and the world in the fields of legislation, political leadership, community service, and humanitarian achievement. The CBCF expands its roster of celebrated award recipients by adding six distinguished Americans whose lives define greatness. MR.DICK GREGORY REVEREND LEON SULLIVAN Entertainer, Author, Activist Founder and Chairman Opportunities Industrialization The George Collins Award for Centers Of America community service is presented to an individual who has exemplified The Harold Washington Award is the dedication and work style of the presented to an individual who like late Congressman George W.Collins. Harold Washington, has demonstrat- ed excellence in coalition building. DR. BENJAMIN CHAVIS MR. ARTHUR ASHE Executive Director (Posthumously) NAACP Tennis Champion, Author, Humanitarian The William L.Dawson Award is presented to an individual who has The George Thomas "Mickey" made significant research, organiza- Leland Humanitarian Award is tional, and leadership contributions presented to an individual for his or in the development of legislation her exceptional work in the struggle that addresses the needs of minorities for human rights and social justice. in the United States. HON. MAXINEWATERS HON. WILLIAML. CLAY Member of Congress Member of Congress California, 35th District Missouri, Ist District The Adam Clayton Powell Award The CBCF Chairman's Award is is presented to an individual inthe presented to an individual whose political arena who has contributed work and accomplishments stand as substantially to Black political a role model for the African awareness and empowerment. American Community, this nation, and the African Diaspora. 5 "Generations" AmericanAfricanCulturalAnMuseum History comes alive as the coalition building that helped tographic reproductions of African Washington Convention