Congresswoman Waters Hails Leadership, Voice, Impact of Congressional Black Caucus on 40th Anniversary of Founding

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who chaired the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) from 1997-1999, issued the following statement today on the occasion of the CBC's 40th anniversary:

"Today we honor the 13 Members of Congress who came together 40 years ago and launched the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Some, like Reps. Conyers and Rangel, are still admirably serving their constituents. Others, like Ron Dellums, Louis Stokes, Walter Fauntroy, and Bill Clay, Sr., continue their work and their advocacy in other fields. And some, like the legendary Shirley Chisholm and Augustus Hawkins, my predecessor, went home long ago.

"The founders of the CBC had the knowledge and the fortitude to understand the problems facing our community, recognize their own strength, and come together to create an indomitable  force for awareness, for betterment, and for change.

"When I organized the Black Members of the Financial Services Committee in 2009 to stand in solidarity and ensure that the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act looked out for our community and other communities devastated by the financial crisis, I was inspired in part by the original 13.

"True to its creed, the CBC has remained the ‘Conscience of the Congress' ever since. If there are unjust wars happening; if there are people wrongly losing their homes and their jobs; if there is crushing poverty keeping people from realizing their full potential; and if there is discrimination, injustice, or ignorance happening anywhere, the CBC is there to shine a light, identify the problem, hold people accountable, and offer solutions for a better day for our people and for all people who have found that the halls of power are often naturally, or willfully, deaf to their concerns.

"Especially during these difficult times for our nation, as we public policymakers pursue remedies be believe to be in the best interests of all Americans, I am buoyed by the CBC's legacy of advocacy; its current leadership in the Congress, spearheaded by Chairman Cleaver; and its future that will undoubtedly bring more leaders of color to Washington to be agents of social change as the never-ending work of perfecting our union goes on."

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