Politics. On Point.

Tracy Martin, the father of young, murder victim, Trayvon Martin testified on Capitol Hill pledging to not give up on getting justice for his son. "I think, to a man, the greatest gift from a woman is son. And to have that son taken away from you when you've molded him into becoming an upstanding citizen of this country, it's heart wrenching and something that you can never get over." Mr. Martin said his son was his hero. Mr. Martin spoke on Capitol Hill as part of a forum titled "The Status of Black Males: Ensuring Our Boys Mature Into Strong Men", created by the Congressional Black Caucus. The forum was lead by Sen. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and included Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), author and professor Micheal Eric Dyson, and former NAACP president Kwiesi Mfume. Said Ms. Norton, “ The issues are spread across the spectrum of the life of Black males in America today – clothed in stereotypes from their years as boys, as youths, and as men.  We...

With a new presidential term comes new members of Congress. Vice President Biden swore in new members of the United States Senate at the U.S. Capitol in an official ceremony earlier today. At 7:00 PM this evening, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden will attend an event with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to welcome new Hispanic Members of Congress. The Vice President will deliver remarks and ceremonially swear in the Hispanic members of the 113th Congress. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus in today's swearing in ceremony Also today, members of the Congressional Black Caucus took their oath of office during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's swearing in ceremony. Representative Marcia L. Fudge is the new Chair of the CBC. House Speaker John Boehner was also sworn in for another term where he can continue to block efforts to move the country forward .

If you were unsure why you should in this election, First Lady Michelle Obama made it plain why you should.  Speaking last evening at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's ( CBCF ) Phoenix Award Dinner, the first lady gave all in attendance some tough political thoughts to take home. Coming off a rousing speech this month at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, and making several campaign fundraising speeches in support of her husband, President Barack Obama, the first lady's speech last night was booth encouraging and inspiring, touching on several issues that included her saying that this election "is the march of our lifetime." The First Lady wearing a floor-length, off the shoulder black Micahel Kors gown with a shimmering, diamond-like sequenced belt, addressed the crowd telling them, "But today, how many of us have asked someone whether they’re going to vote, and they say, no, I’m too busy, and besides, I voted last time; or, nah,...

You've read what speaker Nancy Pelosi said about Congress holding Attorney General Eric Holder in comtempt for not releasing requested documents to the House Oversight Committee. And you've heard what House Speaker John Boehner had to say . Attorney General Eric Holder talks to reporters on the Hill. Now, read what members of heads of several Congressional caucuses have to say. Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II   - Congressional Black Caucus "This is a sad day in the history of the United States Congress. Today, we see the great lengths to which some of my colleagues will go in an attempt to discredit the Attorney General--a member of President Obama's Administration--as we near the 2012 election. For over 15 months, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice has cooperated with the Committee’s inquiry.  The Obama Administration is now rightfully asserting executive privilege over the narrow subset of documents that remain at issue--the same process...

Can There Be An  Enforced Stop Racial Profiling Act? Members of Congress have been more than focal about the Trayvon Martin murder that happened in February of this year. Last week members of Congress took to the House floor, along with Trayvon Martin's parents, to put the word out that racial profiling is still an unacceptable practice. Martin was gunned down by a renegade neighborhood watch captain as he was walking back home to his father's house, located in a predominately white, gated community.  His killer, George Zimmerman remains at large while the 18 year-old's parents and family continue to seek justice. "We are with you, Congressman Gregory Meeks said to Martin's parents.  Meek also had a message for those believing a young life like Trayvon Martin is expendable. "We are sending a message to all of America. . . you cannot discriminate and profile individuals because of his or her looks." Cases like Trayvon Martin are cropping ...

Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, continues to stay busy.  In this episode of 'Keeping of With The First Lady' we've highlighted some of the activities she's participated this week, as well as give you a peek inside her upcoming schedule. For starters, the First Lady made a cameo appearance in an edition of Extreme Makeover : Home Edition that aired last evening. Next we find her looking fabulous at this year's Congressional Black Caucus Phoenix Awards Dinner on Saturday evening.    Read below for these events, and more. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as they build a dream home for an African American woman veteran, Barbara Marshall and her family. Barbara Marshal had a 15 year career in the Navy but her service to her country didn't stop there. Marshall went on to combat homelessness among female veterans and military families in the Fayetteville ...

Four to Receive Prestigious Awards Recognizing Contributions to America The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) announced that President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner Saturday, September 24. The dinner concludes the Foundation's 41st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). President Obama is scheduled to address more than 3,000 expected attendees at the evening's event. Four distinguished individuals will receive the prestigious Phoenix Awards, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson ; U.S. Representative and civil rights activist John Lewis ; athlete and humanitarian George Edward Forman, Sr ; and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery . President Obama was the recipient of the Phoenix Award in 2008, which recognizes individuals for their efforts and accomplishments that have made significant contributions to society, and symbolizes the immortality of the human spirit and an eternal desire to rea...

Or Is It? When Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central, showed up on Capitol Hill this week to attend a session on illegal farm workers hosted by the United Farm Workers, he drew the largest crowd seen at a hearing, at least by Congress member John Conyers.  Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert Conyers, in his "I run Congress" persona complimented Colbert on his celebrity appeal to bring people out to participate in politics, saying he couldn't remember when a hearing drew such a crowd, but respectfully asked the comedian with the sudden political conscience to leave the room after for offbeat comments that included him saying, "I don't want my tomatoes picked by a Mexican.  I want them picked by an American." Colbert's comments also included him saying, "America's farms are presently far too dependent on immigrant labor to pick our fruits and vegetables then sliced by a Guatemalan and served by a Venezuelan in a spa where a Chilean g...

In his second address (in as many years) President Obama gave remarks at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner where he did talked about what some say he rarely speaks on, or addresses at all - race. The president, did to some degree, attempt to speak about race, especially in these tough economic times that has seen the African American community hit hardest. On the current economic recession, calling it (again) "the worse since the Great Depression", Obama said, "It’s hit Americans of all races and all regions and all walks of life.  But as has been true often in our history, as has been true in other recessions, this one came down with a particular vengeance on the African American community." President Obama gives remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc.’s Phoenix Awards Dinner. Photos/CD Brown. Unemployment within the African American community is do...

Congressional members convene at today's Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting. Photo/CD Brown  Mark your calendars to attend this year's Congressional Black Caucus events at the Washington Convention Center. This year's theme Vision, Journey, Mission will address many topics concerning Americans including jobs and education (especially for youth), and economic advancement.  In today's Town Hall meeting titled 'Educating Our Way To Prosperity' members on the panel that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Representative Dianne Watson (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and author of The Other Wes Moore talked about educating youth for green jobs, and to think entrepreneurial instead working for someone else. "We must develop entrepreneurial opportunities", said Fattah. "In many cultures it's a common discussion to educate youth to think about starting a business." Congressman Elijah Cummings who sits on the Joint Economic ...

Investments in Application Systems to Improve Access to Nutrition Assistance Program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $5 million in grants for eight State agencies to simplify Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility systems and improve access to program benefits for America's low-income households. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps ensure that people have access to healthy and nutritious food by providing low-income households with electronic benefits they can use to purchase food at authorized grocery stores. "Collaborative partnerships are critical to combating food insecurity and hunger in our communities," said Vilsack. "These grants will help reach our goal of increasing program access and participation among America's most vulnerable citizens and to deliver healthy and nutritious food assistance to those in need." USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) continues...

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...

Members Of Congress Take To The Hill With NBFA For Resolution This week on the Hill members of Congress joined John Boyd , President of the National Black Farmers Association  to address the continuing saga of Black farmers who have been denied credit, funds, and their dignity by the United States Department of Agriculture . Congressman Bobby Scott (along with Congressman Danny Davis ) helped the organization introduce a bill that was passed into law in May of 2008 that would have allowed some 80,000 African American farmers have their cases heard based on its merit.   Since then, President Obama put into his budget $1.15b to compensate the farmers.  An agreement was entered into with African American farmers, the USDA , and the Department of Justice for Congress to make those funds available by March 31, 2010. Congressman Bobby Scott w. BFA's John Boyd. Photo: CD Brown "We're days away from the deadline, and the Obama administration (wh...

The president met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the economy, job creation and the need to pass health care reform.  During the meeting with the CBC, congress woman Barbara Lee remarked on the impact of the economy in economically distressed communities and the need for additional assistance in these areas, Members presented their concerns and solutions for broadening the impact of the recovery effort. The office of the Press Secretary is reporting that the participants agreed on what can be done to impact unemployment immediately, and in the long term, including summer youth employment, job training tied to apprenticeships, a review of Recovery Act contracting to ensure access to these opportunities is fair and equitable, and an appreciation for the jobs that can be generated through weatherization programs, and the passage of health care reform." Earlier this month, the Reverend Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley, both with national platforms that ...