Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to Address Energy Crisis and Other Major Policy Concerns at 36th Annual Legislative Conference

Senator Barack Obama, Senator John Kerry, Kweisi Mfume, T.D. Jakes, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Reverend Al Sharpton, Dick Gregory, Danny Glover, Grant Hill, Blair Underwood, Sheryl Lee Ralph among notable participants.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 31, 2006 -- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will present a national Town Hall Meeting on the state of the U.S. energy crisis at its 36th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The ALC will be held September 6-9, 2006, at the Washington Convention Center. The National Town Hall Meeting, Confronting Crises: Achieving Energy Independence, is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2006, at 9:30 a.m.

The town hall discussion will focus on current energy challenges and opportunities confronting America. Panelists will discuss challenges facing American families and communities with regard to home heating needs, gasoline prices, and alternative energy strategies that must be implemented to reach the goal of energy independence. Attendees will also hear about the great environmental and entrepreneurial opportunities our energy transition will create for Americans.

Energy costs are out of control. We need to explore existing options and alternative energy sources. We must generate strategies that make buying gas, heating and cooling homes, and meeting other basic energy needs affordable for America’s families.

“The conference theme, ‘Changing Course, Confronting Crises, Continuing the Legacy,’ highlights the need to take new approaches in solving problems,” said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Co-Chair for the ALC. “Energy costs are out of control. We need to explore existing options and alternative energy sources. We must generate strategies that make buying gas, heating and cooling homes, and meeting other basic energy needs affordable for America’s families.”

Rep. Barbara Lee expressed equal concern. “Americans want to know how we can break our addiction to oil. They’re tired of paying over three dollars a gallon for a tank of gas and they’re tired of empty rhetoric. Americans want real solutions.”

Panelists include former Secretary of Energy, Governor Bill Richardson; former Secretary of Energy and President of Fisk University, Hazel O’Leary; President of the Apollo Alliance and Chair of the National Wildlife Federation, Jerome Ringo; Former Congressman Joe Kennedy; and representatives from Blacks in Energy. News personality Ed Gordon will moderate.

“It’s going to be an exciting conference. The Co-Chairs have meticulously shaped substantive content for the ALC, and I think conference participants will be pleased with the results,” said Rep. Kendrick B. Meek, CBCF Chair. More than 20,000 people will gather for ALC around the theme, “Changing Course, Confronting Crises, Continuing the Legacy.”

Additional conference highlights include a Welcome Ceremony on Wednesday, September 6, 2006, with keynote Reverend Al Sharpton. Over 50 Issue Forums and Braintrusts will offer timely topics such as protecting pensions and health care benefits, the War in Iraq, and voting rights. Some of this year’s participants include Senator Barack Obama, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Danny Glover, Iyanla Vanzant, Dick Gregory, Grant Hill, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Blair Underwood, Myrlie Evers Williams, Isaiah Washington and Kweisi Mfume.

The CBCF also plans to acknowledge the historic legacy of the Congressional Black Caucus with the unveiling of AVOICE, a unique, one-of-a-kind online repository for rare political documents, historic speeches, and photographs. The site will feature rarely and never-before-seen private letters and documents from CBC members like Shirley Chisholm and Adam Clayton Powell.

The ALC raises funds for CBCF’s scholarship, fellowship, and internship programs as well as its economic development and public health initiatives. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit educational and research institution established in 1976 to promote collaboration among community and business leaders and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African-American community and African Diaspora. For registration and more information about the ALC, log on to www.alc2006.org or call 202-263-2800.

Press Inquiries:
Rep. Barbara Lee’s Office      
Nathan Britton, 202.225.2661

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Patty Rice, 202.263.2829

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Priscilla Clarke, 202-723-2200

Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick’s Office
Tracy Walker, 313.965.9004

Schedule Highlights

September 6-9, 2006
36th Annual Legislative Conference
Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, September 6, 2006

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Registration/Ticketing / Press Check-In

10:30 AM-11:15AM
ALC Opening Press Conference and AVOICE Virtual Library Launch - Rep. Mel Watt (CBC Chairman); Rep. Kendrick Meek (CBCF Chairman); ALC Co-Chairs, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (Michigan -13th District) and Rep. Barbara Lee (California - 9th District); Dr. Elsie Scott (CBCF Interim President); Members of Congress; District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams; Kevin B. Rollins (President & CEO of Dell); Dr. H. Patrick Swygert (President,Howard University); Dr. William Powers, Jr. (President, University of Texas at Austin)

11:00 - 12:30 PM
CPAR Future Focus Series

1:30 - 3:00 PM
CPAR Future Focus Series

3:30 - 5:30 PM
CPAR Future Focus Series

6:00 - 7:30 PM
Welcome Ceremony with Rev. Al Sharpton

7:30 PM-10:00PM
CBC Spouses Celebration of Leadership & Salute to Unsung Heroes*                                                                 The National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Honoring Grant Hill (NBA Great, Art Industry Advocate, Philanthropist), Elizabeth Catlett (renowned Artist) and Simmie Know (Portraitist)

9:00 - 11:00 PM
Exhibitors Activity (invitation only)

Thursday, September 7, 2006

7:00 AM -9:30AM
CBC Spouses Community Breakfast
Location: So Others Might Eat
                 71 O Street, NW
                 Washington, DC

7:00 - 8:00 AM
Registration/Ticketing

9:30 - 11:45 AM
National Town Hall Meeting

Confronting Crises: Achieving Energy Independence,” a National Town Hall Meeting, moderated by Ed Gordon. Confirmed panelists include former Secretary of Energy, Governor Bill Richardson; Hazel O’Leary, former Secretary of Energy and President of Fisk University; former Congressman Joe Kennedy, Chairman and President of Citizens Energy Corporation; Jerome Ringo, President of the Apollo Alliance and Chair of the Board of the National Wildlife Federation; and representatives from Blacks in Energy.

12:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Grand Opening - Job Fair, Authors Pavilion, Book & CD Signings, Live Performances, Cooking Demonstrations, Free Health Screenings, Vendors, Silent Auction, Car Raffle, Celebrities Appearances, etc...

12:30 - 6:00 PM

1:30 - 2:30PM
Issue Forums/Emerging Leaders Series/Spouses Forum

CBC Spouses Essay Contest & Issue Forum
Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC

7:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Closes

7:00 PM
Jazz Forum & Concert

8:00 PM
CBC Chair’s Reception (Congressman Mel Watt)

9:00 - 1:00 PM
The Black Party* with Lyfe Jennings and Doug E. Fresh (Location: H20)

Friday, September 8, 2006

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Homeownership Breakfast (invitation only) with Kwame Kilpatrick (Mayor of Detroit, MI.)

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Registration/Ticketing

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Issue Forums & Braintrusts

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Showcase

5:00 - 7:00 PM
CBCF Chair’s Reception (Congressman Kendrick Meek)

8:00 PM
CBC Spouses Fashion Show***CANCELLED***

Saturday, September 9, 2006

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration/Ticketing

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Prayer Breakfast* with Vashi McKenzie, Tramaine Hawkins & Blair Underwood

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Showcase

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Issue Forums/Emerging Leaders Series

5:30 PM
VIP Reception (invitation only)

7:00 PM - 10:00 pm
Annual Awards Dinner* hosted by Sheryl Lee Ralph & Isaiah Washington

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