The leadership of the Democratic National Committee and the Congressional Black Caucus were in attendance at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner on Sept. 24 when President Obama delivered remarks, applauding the caucus for pushing legislation on the community’s behalf and challenging its members to do more.
He acknowledged that the caucus has responded to the fact that black unemployment has reached 16.7 percent and that almost 40 percent of black children live in poverty.
“With your help, we started fighting our way back from the brink,” he said, citing child tax credits, consumer protections from mortgage lenders, expanded Pell Grants and health care reform as examples.
After calling for the passage of his American Jobs Act, and criticizing Republican opponents who are determined to block him every step of the way, Obama concluded his speech: “I expect all of you to march with me and press on. Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying. We are going to press on. We’ve got work to do, CBC.”
The 28-minute speech, with its overall theme of faith and perseverance through hard times, was meant to inspire the black-tie crowd, which included all 43 caucus members.
Political leaders in attendance included Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congressional Black Caucus chair Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay and Urban League president Marc Morial.
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