CBC Members, Debate Watch to Headline 2008 Annual Legislative Conference

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Releases Details of Extraordinary Program Conceived Around Conference Theme of "Embracing the Promise, Realizing the Vision"
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is planning what may be the largest organized gathering of people watching a presidential debate as part of the 38th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), September 24-27, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
CBCF's "Presidential Debate Watch" will enable as many as 2,000 ALC registrants to come together on Friday, September 26, to watch on large screen televisions this year's first general-election debate sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The presumptive major-party presidential nominees, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) and Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), will square off at a 90-minute debate focused on foreign policy issues at 9 p.m. (EDT) at the University of Mississippi.
Overall, more than 18,000 people focusing on issues impacting African Americans and the African diaspora attend ALC each year at the convention center. The four-day conference features dozens of policy forums, general sessions, exhibits, a job fair, book signings and networking opportunities. It ends with a star-studded awards dinner and after-dinner gala. Registrants include elected officials, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans.
Headlining ALC will once again be the 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). They will lead forums on education, health care, the environment, economic development, criminal justice, housing, transportation and international affairs throughout the conference. On Saturday, September 27, thousands of people will join the CBC and CBCF in honoring the contributions of outstanding individuals for their contributions to the community and the nation at the awards dinner. Actress Holly Robinson Peete and former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete will co-host the dinner.
Other conference highlights will include:
-- Celebration of Leadership for the Visual and Performing Arts. The CBC Spouses will honor "King of the Blues" legend B.B. King; Howard Bingham, Muhammad Ali's longtime photographer, and visual artist Betye Saar at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Wednesday, September 24. The next morning, Thursday, September 25, the CBC Spouses and CBC members will provide food, clothing and health services at a homeless shelter in Northwest Washington.
-- Annual Prayer Breakfast. The Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake - president of Wilberforce University in Ohio, a former congressman from Queens, N.Y., and pastor of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York - will deliver the sermon on September 27. The Rev. Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick Jr., senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville, Fla., will offer musical praise along with gospel singer Maurette Brown Clark.
-- National Town Hall Meeting. The session on September 25 will focus on reasons and solutions concerning the foreclosure crisis and match attendees with financial counselors.
U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown of Florida and Gregory W. Meeks of New York are the honorary co-chairs of ALC '08. They helped to choose the conference theme "Embracing the Promise, Realizing the Vision," to recognize the CBC's role in helping to lead the nation forward, even as the dreams of so many are being realized, yet still envisioning great hopes for the future.
"This year's ALC will offer a clear vision of what the icons of the civil rights movement promised - a nation full of equal opportunities for all of its citizens," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., CBCF's president and chief executive officer. "The conference will be filled with dynamic social and policy content and the Debate Watch sessions are sure to be memorable. Everyone will leave the conference better informed and motivated to make a difference back in their communities."
With its Future Focus Series, CBCF's Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) will feature members of Congress, academics, policy practitioners and experts who will cover topics of education, affordable housing, economic development and public health, on September 24.
The CBCF Emerging Leaders series is poised to offer multiple sessions connecting the nation's powerbrokers with emerging professionals to discuss strategies for personal and community development throughout the conference. On September 25, the Instant Apprentice Luncheon will give young professionals access to the nation's most powerful leaders in business, nonprofit and government. At the same time, the Newsmaker Luncheon returns for a second year to allow seasoned professionals with similar interests and backgrounds to interact in a semi-informal setting.
"The Annual Legislative Conference is a time for the community to gather from around the country, present our shared issues, brainstorm resolutions and establish an action plan for the coming year," Rep. Brown said. "We look forward to all contributions as we move forward to address the issues that disproportionately impact African Americans and other people of color."
Rep. Meeks, who is also a member of the CBCF Board of Directors said: "This year's participation from our emerging leaders has historical significance as the nation moves forward, realizing the dreams of so many, yet envisioning the visions of the future. We are seeing an exciting new energy and must harness the possibilities."
General, hotel and media registration are open. To register or to get more information about ALC '08 or the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, please visit www.cbcfinc.org or www.alc2008.org or call the ALC Hotline at (202) 263-5708. Proceeds from ALC '08 will help to raise funds for CBCF's research, scholarship, fellowship and internship programs as well as its economic development and public health initiatives.