Annual Legislative Conference Awards Dinner Brings Out Presidential Candidates and an Iraq War Hero for a Night of Celebration, Reflection and Inspiration

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) concluded its most successful Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) in its 33-year history with a gala Awards Dinner tonight at the new Washington Conference Center. The sold-out dinner with more than 3,000 people in attendance, including presidential candidates and Iraq war heroes, saluted groundbreaking African-American leaders. Legislators, social activists, a neurosurgeon and a media-mogul philanthropist were honored for the unique and tireless work each has done to advance the African-American community.

The awards we are bestowing tonight are more than recognition for work well done; they are symbols of deep appreciation that we hope will further encourage the recipients to continue running the race and fighting the good fight to save our people from poverty, inadequate healthcare and inferior public education,  said Congressman William J. Jefferson, Chairman of the CBCF.

This awards dinner is a celebration of battles won and a sort of pep rally to motivate us all to face the challenges ahead with confidence and determination,  added CBCF President Weldon J. Rougeau. The statuette given to each honoree tonight is in the image of the great phoenix  the bird that rose from the ashes. The people we honor embody the spirit of the phoenix, as each one has risen through adversity to achieve excellence for themselves and the African-American people. 

Joining Forces  Working Together
The awards dinner, which culminates four days of intense substantive Issue Forums and Braintrusts on public-policy issues that matter most to African Americans, exemplified the theme of the 2003 ALC: Collective Leadership: Challenging A Bold New World.

The eight people we honor tonight represent government, private enterprise and the nonprofit world,  said Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, Chairwoman of the 2003 ALC. Leveraging this collective brainpower, talent, can-do passion and commitment will give us the strength we need to develop and implement effective solutions to the critical challenges facing African Americans today. 

Founding Congressional Black Caucus Members Honorable Charles Rangel (D- N.Y.) and Honorable John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) both received the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. The other honorees and their awards are as follows: Former National Urban League President and CEO Hugh Price, the William Dawson Award; Honorable James Clyburn (D-S.C.), CBC Chair s Award; Founder and President of the Children s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman, the Annual Legislative Conference Chair s Award; Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), the Barbara Jordan Award; Benjamin Carson, M.D., Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Ralph Metcalf Award; and Founder, Chairman and CEO of Black Entertainment Television (BET) Robert Johnson, the CBCF Chair s Award.

Presidential Candidates and Patriots
Three Democratic candidates for President of the United States and two standout African-American soldiers from the Iraq war looked on as the awards were handed out tonight. Presidential candidates former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun (D-Il.), Retired Army General Wesley K. Clark and Congressman Richard Gephart (D- Mo.) stood and waved to a gracious audience. Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, the U.S. Army spokesman who conducted daily news briefings during the Iraq war, and Iraqui prisoner of war Army Specialist Shoshanna Johnson were also in attendance. A proud audience bathed them with rousing applause as they were introduced. Specialist Johnson received an extended standing ovation and a special greeting from Congresswoman Diane Watson (D-Calif.).

Award Recipients Express Gratitude

Hon. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)

I will never let you down,  pledged Honorable Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to the full ballroom as he accepted the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. Now in his 17th term in Congress, Rep. Rangel promised African Americans throughout the U.S., particularly his loyal Harlem constituency that he would continue to speak out and fight on their behalf. Adding that he stood on the shoulders of past great leaders, Rep. Rangel thanked the late Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, whom he succeeded in the House of Representatives. He also thanked his wife Alma and their two children. Rep. Rangel is a Korean War veteran who received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He is an unwavering opponent to America s war on Iraq. This week he moderated the ALC Issue Forum: The Iraq War: America Speaks Out,  which featured U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton.

Hon. John Conyers (D-Mich.)

This is really a highlight in my life,  said Congressman Conyers as he received the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. The second most senior member in the House of Representatives and the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus who has participated in all 33 Annual Legislative Conferences said, this year s conference is one of the most important we ve had.  Rep. Conyers, now in his 19th term, and the ranking Democrat on the Committee on the Judiciary, said he plans to serve at least until he becomes chairman of the Committee. Rep. Conyers expressed deep concern for the state of the nation saying, I m afraid of what is going on. The economic system appears to be getting better but unemployment is getting worse. Our people are suffering. &I want to pledge that we have not forgotten the people. Nor have we forgotten the Florida recount, the Texas redistricting and the California recall. We have a remedy for it. We are going to register way more people who are going to vote in 2004 and make sure that 2002 never happens again. 

Mr. Hugh B. Price

Atty. Hugh Price, former President and CEO of the National Urban League, received the William Dawson Award. The award is named after the late Congressman William Dawson of Illinois who served in the House of Representatives for 27 years and in 1947 became the first African American to chair a major committee, the Committee on Expenditures in Executive Departments. I am thrilled to carry the mantle of Congressman Dawson,  said Price. Thank you for bestowing such respect and recognition on me tonight. 

Hon. James Clyburn (D-S.C.)

I don t know if I deserve this honor, but I do know this, I will work every day of my future trying to earn it,  said Congressman James Clyburn (D-S.C.) as he received the CBC Chair s Award. CBC Chair Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) described Rep. Clyburn as a gentleman who is like a father to him, a friend and mentor who is keeping the torch for freedom brightly burning.

Marian Wright Edelman

Children s Defense Fund Founder and President Marian Wright Edelman received the Annual Legislative Conference Chair s Award from Rep. Millender-McDonald. She took the opportunity to entreat the audience to action.

We must all work together to make sure that every child is educated, has proper healthcare and is lifted from poverty,  Wright Edelman urged. We must ask God to use us to save our children; to stand up to people who would hurt them.

Dr. King s not going to come back! We re it! We ve got to do the work! Wright Edelman continued. We may not all be eloquent orators like Dr. King, but we can all care, serve and vote. We must say I can care, I can serve, and I can vote. I can stand with others and build a movement for our children . 

Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.)

The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.) received the Barbara Jordan Award named after her dear friend the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas. This is a golden moment for me,  Rep. Johnson, a registered nurse, said signifying the magnitude of the honor. A golden moment is what nurse s feel when they are able to give comfort to someone who is about to die. 

Benjamin Carson, M.D.

If you don t try, you definitely won t succeed,  said Dr. Benjamin Carson as he accepted the Ralph Metcalfe Award. He continued, Young people are the most important thing to me. We cannot afford to throw any of them away. &We ve got to teach young people there is nothing wrong with having values and principles.  Dr. Carson is a Professor of Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Oncology and Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The award he received is named in honor of former CBC Member and Olympic Gold Medalist Rep. Ralph Metcalfe (D-Il.).

Robert L. Johnson

BET Founder, Chairman and CEO Robert Johnson accepted the CBCF Chair s Award and immediately challenged the audience to contribute to the Foundation s $37-million Landmark! Capital Campaign. Johnson, Capital Campaign Chair, proposed that the CBCF set up an Internet system for receiving and tracking contributions to the fund. The Landmark! Capital Campaign will be used to enhance existing education, economic development and public health programs; launch future initiatives including African globalization, public policy research, issue forums and regional meetings; and establish a $10-million endowment.

Breaking Records and Reaching Higher
The awards ceremony was emceed by actors Tim and Daphne Reid. Entertainment was provided by recording artists Angie Stone and Freddie Jackson. The 2003 ALC broke records for attendance and financial contributions. More than 30,000 people from across the nation and around the world attended the four-day conference, contributing more than $____ million to the local D.C. economy and helping the CBCF to raise close to $ _________ for the perpetuation of important research, education and economic-development programs.

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The Annual Legislative Conference is the premier fund-raising event for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF), which supports the creation and administration of innovative programs addressing issues critical to the well-being and advancement of African Americans and the African Diaspora. CBCF, which is located in Washington, D.C., was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and educational institute. The CBCF educates future leaders and promotes collaboration among community and business leaders and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African-American community. Learn more about the work of Learn more about the work of CBCF by visiting the official Web site at www.cbcfinc.org.

 

The CBCF serves as a nonpartisan, policy-oriented catalyst to educate future leaders and promote collaboration among community and business leaders, minority-focused organizational leaders, and organized labor to effect positive and substantive change in the African American community.