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The 45th Annual Congressional Black Caucus
Legislative Conference
By Paul Hubbard
The Truth Contributor
The 45 Annual Congressional Black Caucus Legislative
Conference was held in Washington DC at the Walter
Washington Convention Center from September 16-20 and had
98 workshops and activities listed and, in addition, offered
at least another 100 activities and meetings that were not
listed.
Virtually every issue and subject that is a concern to the
black community in American was addressed. Many
non-profit interest groups and for profit businesses were in
attendance.
There were national black caucuses in
attendance representing every African-American interest
from black hip-hop to black labor union members. It was
especially refreshing to see thousands of black youth and
young adults participating in the weekend on all levels.
Most workshops and activities were convened by a black
congressperson.
Congressman John Conyers from Michigan, who is the dean
of Congress after 50 years in office, convened the session
on full employment. The presentations discussed how the
Federal Reserve is one of the major factors that influence
full employment. When interest rates are low businesses will
hire more people. When interest rates are high businesses
lay off employees because they down size to cut cost.
Black unemployment, noted panelists, is always twice as high
as white unemployment. Black teen-age unemployment is six
times as high as white teen unemployment. Full employment
means people with felonies and less education can find jobs.
It also means less welfare, fewer unemployment checks, lower
crime rate and more people paying taxes so government
benefits from full employment.
The future for full employment in the United States is more
small businesses and community-based businesses that are
high-tech oriented because manufacturing jobs are being
exported to other countries paying lower wages.
We need to insist, we were told, that our elected officials
enforce Section 3 and stop allowing waivers to contractors.
Section 3 is a federal law that says if government money is
being used on a project minorities must be a part of the
labor force. Looking at our road workers on Michigan and
Ohio freeways and cities and you see very few
African-Americans participating.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly convened the Health Brain Trust.
She has a 2015 report on the “Disparities In Health Care"
just published. I recommend that you read it on line.
Smoking, poor food choices, lack of health education, lack
of preventive health measures, lack of access to medical
resources are the major reasons for health problems of the
black community.
There was a lot of discussion for the need for more
African-American employees in upper level positions
including CEO's of hospitals. Full employment leads to
better health because people can buy better food and have
money for proper medications.
The Nation Urban League's President Mark Morial convened the
discussion on mental health. Seventy-five percent of youth
in the juvenile court system have mental health issues and
at least 35 percent of adults in prison have mental health
issues. Mental illness should be viewed the same way we view
other illnesses and not be stigmatized, according to the
panelists. For more information on mental health programs
that work for youth. Adults and parents can go to the
National Urban League web site.
There were also a lot of parties and receptions during the
four-day conference. This was also a perfect opportunity for
networking in the halls of the Convention Center as well as
in the hotel lobby, bar and restaurants.
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