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Congressional Black Caucus Decade of Achievement Prior to the turn of the Century, Black Congressional leaders were primarily elected from Southern States below the the Mason-Dixon line. These legislators were pioneers in Congress, leaving behind them a rich legacy of achievement and strong leadership. Since then, the Black membership of Congress has come from the far corners of the United States. Black Members of Congress, now as in the past, have been called upon to represent the national Black community-developing a broader constituency-as well as address the concerns of their own particular districts. As a result of their relatively small numbers in Congress, the Black Congressional Members adopted a strategy of coalition politics. Black Representatives in Congress have not hesitated to cooperate with progressive groups throughout the country and with their colleagues on Capitol Hill to achieve social and economic gains for Black Americans and the poor through legislative initiatives. However, Black Members of Congress realized the need to strengthen their own collective impact on legislation through a formal structure. The need for the creation of today's organization was apparent. The Congressional Black Caucus(CBC) adopted its purpose, "to promote the public welfare" through "developing, introducing and passing, progressive legislation, designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens." This statement, made in 1969, remains the primary goal of the Caucus. Although the development of the Caucus has been painstaking, its labor and endeavors have been successful in furthering the struggles of America's more than 25 million Black citizens. The significance of the Congressional Black Caucus crystallized in 1970. At that time, the Vietnam War diverted millions of United States dollars from domestic, social and economic programs. The War on Poverty, which began in the late 1960's had become a specter of the past. The Black Members of the House of Representatives requested a meeting with then President Richard M. Nixon to discuss the neglected concerns of Black and poor people in this country by the Administration and Congress. The President refused to meet with the Caucus, thereby indicating that the views and concerns of our nation's highest elected Black officials and their constituencies were insignificant. Incensed by President Nixon's position, the Members responded in an unprecedented move: as a unified body, the Black Members of the House walked out on the Presidents 1971 State of the Union Address before the full chamber. The Black Members then issued a "true" State of the Union message on the floor of the House. Three months later, the year old request by Caucus Members for a meeting with the Administration was scheduled. Sixty-one recommendations, which addressed the economic and social problems of this country, were submitted to the President, recommendations which also served as the foundation for the early activities of the Caucus. Numerous hearings on issues identified in the recommendations were held. In conjunction with various Black educational institutions and organizations, the Caucus sponsored conferences on business and health issues relative to Black America. In 1971, having extensively assessed the needs and concerns of America's Black citizens, the 13 Black Members of the U.S. House of Representatives formed a legislative advocate body to act as an effective catalyst for the economic, educational and social concerns of Blacks and other underrepresented Americans. The members began the task of establishing cooperative relationships with various groups and organizations with similar concerns, and strategically placed themselves on House committees to effect needed changes in domestic policies. Since 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus has undertaken a substantive list of initiatives and accomplishments. 1971 - Held hearings on "Racism in the Military." 1971 - Began publishing CBC newsletter "For the People". [[image]] [[caption]] Douglass, S. Chisholm and Spouse, W. Richardson (Schefflin) [[\caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] Washington Delegates [[\caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] R. Langford(Sommerset), Hon P. Cooper, W. Richardson [[\caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] R. Watkins, S. Lockett, M. Miller, R. Monroe(Seagrams) [[\caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] Twiddy, R. Saunders(Sommerset) [[\caption]] 252
