Politics. On Point.

Akin to filibustering, House Democrats today staged a sit-in on the House floor in an effort to get Congress to act on gun violence legislation.  The sit-in, initiated by Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), includes 40 other democratic representatives who have taken to Twitter with the hashtag # NoBillNoBreak . When asked for order on the floor, Rep. John Larsen (D-CT) bounded the House lectern saying, "We will NOT come to order. We want a vote." Democrats, acting in response to this month's Orlando nightclub massacre , demanded that Congress, at the very least, discuss measures to enact commonsense gun legislation, to include background checks.  Congress, as it has been reported, favors gun lobbyists and the NRA. Republicans shut down C-SPAN cameras covering the event, leaving Democrats to take matters into their own hands, in an unprecedented move, by  Periscoping  and live-tweeting the event. Rep. John Larsen on the house floor today.  h/t: Heral...

Civil rights activist Julian Bond died Saturday in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Reports indicate that Bond died from vascular disease. Julian Bond.   Getty photo. Bond was Chairman Emeritus of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).    “From his days as a young activist to his years as both an elder statesman and NAACP Chairman Emeritus, Julian Bond inspired a generation of civil rights leaders", wrote  current NAACP chairman  Roslyn M. Brock  in a statement Sunday.  “From my days as a youth board member of the NAACP to my present tenure as NAACP Chairman, like so many of my generation and before, I am yet inspired by the depth and breadth of Chairman Emeritus Bond’s exemplary service: activist, writer, historian, professor, public intellectual, public servant and an unrelentingly eloquent voice for the voiceless. The grateful citizen heirs of the civil and human rights legacy of Julian Bond can neither be co...

Hopeful About the Future, Determined to Act to Strengthen Democracy Rep. John Lewis , House and Senate speakers Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner , joining at the U.S. Capitol building, put politics aside on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. [ Video here ]. Fifty years ago civil rights leaders and advocates marched on Washington in an event that lead to the passage of civil rights legislation that ended Jim Crow and began the modern era of civil rights. Also attending, and speaking at the occasion, was Sen. Harry Reid who recounting his experience on the day said,  "These proud people would no longer stand silent while a nation that promised liberty and justice for all denied true freedom to so many." "When I look back on the March on Washington I see it as one of this nation's finest hours.  They [activists] pushed, pulled and some even died to see a more fair and just society, said Rep. Lewis....

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...

We missed this event, but was given a very noteworthy account of the evening by White House press pooler, Sophia Nelson.   Sophia writes: Vice President Biden [talked] about the importance of black history month as he reflected on everything from his recent meeting with young pre-teen African American football players at Ft. Campbell (who are the offspring of deployed Afghanistan and Iraq military warriors), to his becoming an attorney in 1968 just after the death of Dr. King (and the subsequent riots), and finally to his train ride with President-elect Barack H. Obama in January 2009 as the newly elected Vice President-elect to the nation's first ever black President. In prepared remarks that lasted approximately 8 minutes Vice President Biden stayed mostly clear of the politics of the day, except for noting at the outset that many of his friends in the Congressional Black Caucus could not attend because they were preparing for votes on the Continuing Resolution to...

Recipients Include A Congressman and Former U.S. President Fifteen iconic Americans received the prestigious Medal of Freedom award today from President Barack Obama in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.  President Obama holds a Medal of Freedom award.  One of 15 awarded in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.  Photo/CD Brown. Among those awarded:  The Boston Celtics' NBA great Bill Russell; Stan Musial, baseball legend and Hall of Fame first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals; Congressman John Lewis , American hero and giant of the Civil Rights Movement; Warren Buffett, investor, industrialist, and philanthropist; Dr. Maya Angelou , author, poet, educator, producer, actress, filmmaker, and civil rights activist; cellist Yo-Yo Ma , Dr. Tom Little (Posthumous); Gerda Weismann Klein , Jewish Holocaust survivor;  artist Jasper Johns ; John H. Adams co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council;   Chancellor ...

George Herbert Walker Bush is one of fifteen award recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Bush was the 41st President of the United States. Prior to that, he was Vice President in the Reagan Administration, Director of Central Intelligence, Chief of the U.S. Liaison’s Office to the People’s Republic of China, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and a Member of the House of Representatives from the 7th District of Texas. He served in the Navy during World War II. President Bush and President Clinton worked together to encourage aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Other named recipients include Boston Celtics' Bill Russell , Congressman ...