CBC role as 'Conscience of the Congress' vs. victim as "Previous Condition of Servitude"

By U. S. Rep. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-Mich.), Repring ~ NNPA Special Commentary

The pages of history should record the first year of the 110th Session of Congress as a period when the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) solidified its role as the 'Conscience of the Congress'.

As legislators and appropriators, Members of the CBC left their fingerprints on meaningful pieces of legislation
designed to build stronger and healthier families. During the first half of this Congress, the CBC has been successful in influencing the passage, content, and language of the following measures, aimed at strengthening America's families in several critical areas:

Minimum Wage Increase: For the first time in 10 years, the federal minimum wage has been raised. Nearly 13 million hard-working Americans will benefit from the new law, which increases the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the next two years. All CBC Members supported this legislation, which is a good first step toward growing the economy and providing prosperity for all of America's families.

Stem Cell Research: African Americans are disproportionately affected by sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and Multiple Sclerosis. With increased funding for testing and research, these diseases and countless others can be prevented and/or treated in their earliest stages.

College Cost Reduction Act: This legislation-the single largest investment in college financial aid since the GI Bill-helps make higher education more affordable for millions of students and families. This bill increases the Pell Grant by at least $500 over the next five years and cuts interest rates on need-based college loans in half.
It provides tuition assistance for excellent undergraduate students who agree to teach in public schools and makes a landmark investment of $500 million in minority serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions, over five years.

Gulf Coast Relief: Two years following the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, millions of Gulf Coast residents remain displaced and detached from federal assistance. In an effort to expedite the repair and rebuilding of homes and affordable rental housing, the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act will invest $1.2 billion in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act: This bill, supported by 100 percent of our membership, represents a sizeable victory for America's families. It enhances the Food Stamp Program and improves access to programs for 1890 land-grant institutions and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This bill also includes language to address outstanding claims from African-American farmers through Pigford v. Veneman.

The Children's Health Insurance and Medicare Protection (CHAMP) Act: Children and seniors deserve the best health care our country has to offer. All CBC Members voted in support of this bill, which reauthorizes health insurance for 11 million children, significantly expanding access to health care for racial and ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged children. Moreover, the bill reduces health care co-payments for senior citizens and enriches coverage for End Stage Renal Disease.

Throughout this final year of my chairmanship, the CBC will continue to foster our theme of 'Change Course, Confront Crises, and Continue the Legacy.'

I invite you to visit our new interactive website at http://www.thecongressionalblackcaucus.com to participate in our blog discussions and track the CBC's Commitment to America. Let us work together to unleash our collective power and use it to change the course of our country, confront the crises facing America's families, and continue the legacy of leadership passed on to us by our ancestors. The Congressional Black Caucus is Honoring Our Commitment to America's Families.

Rep. Kilpatrick is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus