Obamas To Attend Congressional Black Caucus 2010 Legislative Conference

CBC's Future Focus Series Tackles Gulf Coast Renewal, Voting Rights, and Edcuation Policy

As the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) marks 40 years of convening the top critical thinkers, political leaders, and policy makers in America, the organization's Center for Policy Analysis and Research will dedicate its Future Focus Series to critical issues of the day during its Annual Legislative Conference from September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The President and First Lady attend 2009 CBC Annual Legislative Conference.

During this week's event First Lady Michelle Obama is expected to make remarks. Both the President and First Lady participated at during last year's annual dinner. The president received the Harold Washington award, and was also the keynote speaker at the annual gala and Phoenix Awards dinner.

This year the Caucus will again focus on a number of issues and will feature several braintrusts and forums. Among the issues the Caucus will discuss:

Hope From Ground Zero: Resilience And Renewal In the Gulf Coast: As the cleanup continues in the Gulf and its residents struggle to regain some balance in their lives, politicians, community workers and residents of New Orleans will focus on the policy changes needed to promote sustainable community and business development. Speakers will include A. Byron Encalade, President of the Louisiana Oystermen's Association; Alice Craft-Kerney, Executive Director of the Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic; Tom Darden, Executive Director of the Make It Right Foundation headed by actor Brad Pitt. 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m, September 15. Room 207A.

Beyond Blood: Bone Marrow Donation among African Americans will stress the importance of black participation in offering hope and saving lives through marrow and tissue donation. Currently only seven percent of bone marrow donors are African American. The low number of donors makes it less likely that blacks will find suitable matches in life-threatening situations. Noon - 1:30 p.m., September 15. Room 207B.

Lasting Advantage: Why Reading by the Third Grade Matters will underscore the impact of early proficient reading on a child's ability to learn and succeed over time. 4:30- 6:00 p.m., September 15. Room 207B.

Avoice Voting Rights Student Workshop will look at the history of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and feature activities for students from the Voting Rights Lesson Unit available through the Avoice Virtual Library's "For Educators" section, at the website www.avoiceonline.org.9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., September 15. Capitol Visitors Center.

Door to the Future: Transforming Public Education for African-American Youth will include research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation that will highlight strategies needed to bolster academic performance among middle- and high-school students, as well as prepare them for higher education, the workplace and beyond. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., September 16. Room 145B.

For complete schedule and list of events visit www.cbcfinc.org .

In wake of the Zika virus, travel, spring break still O.K.

Representatives from the CDC and the NIH were on hand at the White House during Monday's press briefing to update the public and address concerns over the Zika virus that has caused some babies to be born with deformities. Dr. Anne Schuchat from the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health told reporters that a vaccine is in the making. The pair also said they are particulary concerned about women who are pregnant, or plan to get pregnant, who have either traveled to or plan to travel to areas of South America and the Carribean known to have the Zika virus. Despite those bold statements, the doctors said there is no wide-spread concern and that Americans should continue to travel, including during upcoming college spring breaks -- when college students travel to warmer climate destinations to escape winter weather. "Travel to Zika-affected areas is very common among Americans, and we don’t think that needs to stop...

ACA Health Care Operator Fired For Doing Her Job?

More woes for the Obama administration's roll out of HealthCare.gov . During the president's weekly address he urged Americans to call a toll-free number to get help enrolling in a health care plan as the website continues to be 'improved'. Said the president, "But even as we improve the website, remember that the website isn’t the only way to apply for coverage under these new plans. We’ve updated HealthCare.gov to offer more information about enrolling over the phone, by mail, or in person with a specially-trained navigator who can help answer your questions. Just call 1-800-318-2596 or visit LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov . No sooner than the president gives out the 800 number for Americans to speak to one of the 'specially-trained navigators', one of them gets fired, perhaps loosing her own healthcare benefits. Her malfeasance? Talking to talk show host Sean Hannity. Hannity called the 800 number with his...

Saying goodbye to Mrs. Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama.

The woman who made her mark as grandma-in-chief when President Barack Obama was elected 44th president of the United States, passed Friday. The woman who was considered the backbone of the Obama household will be remembered as a family-oriented, kind person, who remained poised as she assumed the responsibility of helping raise her two beautiful granddaughters in an environment, and in a world, far from what she ever imagined. Mrs. Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, waves to reporters during Easter egg hunt at the White House. (photo CD Brown) I recall seeing her that day in March during Women's History Month at the Smithsonian when her daughter's Inaugural gown, like all the other first lady inaugural gowns, was being cemented in Smithsonian history . She was smiling as she walked alone prompting me to ask, "is there no security, no secret service, for the first grandmother?" ADVERTISEMENT CMB BUSINESS SOLUTIONS I am also reminded of the time w...

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