[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 136 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1896-E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION VETERANS BRAINTRUST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this year during the Congressional 
Black Caucus Foundation proceedings, I along with my colleague on the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Congressman Sanford Bishop, hosted the 
10th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Veterans Braintrust. 
For the past 10 years the Braintrust has been the premiere forum for 
discussion and policy debate between African-American veterans and 
leaders in government. It is important because so many African-
Americans have served, or have family members who served honorably in 
the U.S. military. Consequently, what happens in terms of veterans' 
well-being is significantly interrelated to the African-American 
community as a whole. Congressman Rangel, Ranking Democratic Member on 
the Committee on Ways and Means and a decorated Korean War veteran, 
established the Braintrust 10 years ago, and Congressman Bishop and I 
are proud to continue his work and legacy on behalf of African-American 
veterans. Congressman Rangel was honored during the proceedings for his 
work and legacy in this area. Overall, the proceedings were very well 
received, with a standing room only audience in attendance.
  This year's Braintrust entitled ``The Future of Veterans Education 
and Entrepreneurship,'' gave us a national forum to discuss ways to 
improve access to education and small business, two key elements 
essential for success and prosperity in our communities, particularly 
among veterans. The moderator for the Braintrust, Dr. Reginald Wilson, 
led a very distinguished panel of experts, government officials, 
military sociologist, academicians, advocates and veteran business 
owners including Dr. Joshua Angrist, Mr. Dennis Douglass, Mr. Steven 
Pappas, Dr. David Segal, Dr. Gantz, Dr. Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, Mr. 
Duane Jackson, Mr. Ralph Thomas III, Mr. Ramsey Alexander, Mr. Bruce 
Bolling, and Col. Anita McMiller, USA, Ret. These professionals were 
selected because of their everyday work with veterans issues and 
expertise in the veterans affairs and public policy arena. The 
Braintrust was designed to bring their work, insights, research 
findings, and historical background to the attention of the general 
public and leaders in government.
  During the Braintrust, Congressman Bishop reminded African Americans 
that September 18 marked yet another important day, National MIA/POW 
Recognition Day. He stated that a number of military bases are located 
within middle and southern Georgia, and that the new National POW/MIA 
Museum, dedicated this past spring within Andersonville National 
Historic Site near Americus, lies within his Congressional district. 
The MIA/POW issue is indeed an emotional one for him and veterans' 
families because for them there is never closure, just never ending 
grief and uncertainty.

[[Page E1897]]

Like many of us, Congressman Bishop said he was committed to doing 
everything possible to locate each and every American missing in action 
and to repatriate their remains.
  Our keynote speaker was Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Togo D. West, 
Jr., who eloquently addressed the Braintrust about this being an 
important opportunity to think about the issues that affect veterans in 
this country from the African-American perspective. He also said that 
the Braintrust provides an excellent forum to discuss what we all can 
bring to challenging issues affecting veterans, and because these 
issues affect veterans, they affect all of us. In addressing the ``Two 
E's: Education and Entrepreneurship,'' he asked why are fewer African 
Americans participating in Montgomery GI Bill benefits than in previous 
eras? Why was this happening after decades of African Americans 
pursuing civil rights, better housing, a higher standard of living, and 
opportunities for themselves and their children, particularly when this 
benefit is something earned through military service?
  Secretary West also stated that entrepreneurship is a key to 
unlocking opportunity for veterans to be able to participate in the 
American dream. He indicated that last year, VA addressed the question 
of minority entrepreneurship, and he said that VA leads all other 
Federal agencies, in terms of percentages, in making grants to small 
and disadvantaged business. Secretary West agreed that VA would 
undertake a new partnership with the Braintrust as a way to digest 
information and put it to use. Secretary West urged persistence and 
determination in addressing these pressing issues, saying that for like 
the ``Field of Dreams,'' if we have the determination, the resources 
will be found. Secretary West urged participants of the Braintrust to 
examine all of these issues and questions, and he expressed thanks for 
the role the Braintrust plays in this discussion.
  At the conclusion of Secretary West's speech, Mr. Wayne Smith, 
President and CEO of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation 
presented him with the first Black Revolutionary War Patriots 
Commemorative Coin, legislated by Congress to commemorate Black 
Patriotism, and the 275th anniversary of the birth of Crispus Attucks, 
the first African American killed during the American Revolution. 
Following this very moving moment, Mr. Michael Handy, Director of the 
New York City Major's Office of Veterans Affairs and Mr. Morocco 
Coleman, Assistant Director for the Office of Veterans Programs for the 
Georgia Department of Labor, presided over a special awards 
presentation to Mr. Ron Armstead, Executive Coordinator for the 
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Veterans Braintrust, and Mr. 
Anthony Hawkins, Associate Director of the Center for Minority Veterans 
at the Department of Veterans Affairs. These awards were given on 
behalf of the entire Veterans Braintrust Executive Committee in 
appreciation of their outstanding leadership, commitment, and service 
to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congressional Black 
Caucus, and other Members of Congress over the past 10 years.

  Other 10th anniversary awards were presented to 30 exemplary veterans 
for their national and equally important community service: Dr. Doris 
``Lucki'' Allen, Dr. Irving Allen, M.D.; Mr. Ramsey Alexander, Jr.; Mr. 
Kent Amos; Mr. Charles Ballard; Mr. Lafayette Barnes; Dr. Anne Bell, 
M.D.; Mr. Bruce Bolling; Col. Mary Boyd; Dr. Howard Brabson; Ms. Thelma 
Branch, USNA; Ms. Sheila Chamberlain; Brig. Gen. Robert Cocroft, USAR; 
Ms. Nora Dunn, RN; Mr. Calvin Gross; Mr. Roger ``Kevvy'' Harris; Mr. 
Duane Jackson; Ms. Dorothy Johnson; Mr. John Johnson; Mrs. Norma King-
Joiner; Mr. Alvin Jones; Mr. William Leftwich, III; Mr. Leonard Long; 
Dr. Shirley Marks, M.D., M.P.H.; Col. Anita McMiller, USA, Ret.; Mr. 
Michael Neely; Col. Felix ``Pete'' Peterson, Jr., USA, Ret.; Mr. Harold 
Raymond; Ms. Lizette Rhones; Mr. Michael Robbins; Lt. Col. Jordan 
Simmons, III, USA, Ret.; Mr. William Sims; Mr. Peters Spears; Mr. Ralph 
Thomas III; Mr. Charles Tompkins; Assemblyman Darryl Towns; Mr. Larry 
Williams; Mr. Carmen Wilson II; Dr. Reginald Wilson; Mr. Jacob ``J.J.'' 
Chestnut, USAF, Ret. (Posthumous); Black Patriots Foundation; Troops to 
Teachers Program, Department of Defense, Defense Activity for Non-
Traditional Education Support; and the Veterans Education Project.
  The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Veterans Braintrust 
activities closed with a tenth anniversary reception co-hosted by the 
Black Patriots Foundation, the Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse, Inc., 
the Gatehouse Group, Inc. and Amistad Associates. More than 100 
veterans, family members and friends gathered to celebrate the 
accomplishments of the past 10 years and to renew old friendships. 
Veterans will always hold a very special place in my heart and I look 
forward to working together with African American veterans 
representatives and advocates in order to present a strong national 
voice for veterans. I thank Dr. Elizabeth Allen, Mr. Arthur Barham, Mr. 
Harold ``Lightbulb'' Bryant, Mr. Ralph Cooper, Mr. Morocco Coleman, Mr. 
Michael Handy, Mr. Thomas Harris, Ms. Lane Knox, Mr. Reginald Lawrence, 
Mr. Job Mashariki, Dr. Erwin Parson, Mr. Clyde Poag, Mr. Wayne Smith, 
Ms. Arlene Williams, Ms. Joann Williams, Dr. James Woodard, Mr. Arthur 
Wright, and Mr. Thomas Wynn, Sr. for their commitment, dedication, and 
perseverance. I also want to thank the Congressional staff members Mr. 
Nick Martinelli, Ms. Brittley Wise, volunteer Mr. Ron Armstead, Rev. 
Rosita Mathews, and forum evaluators Dr. Brenda Moore, Dr. Brenda 
``BJ'' Jarmon, Dr. Lorraine Blackman, and Dr. Phillip Schervish, for 
their hard work and dedication.

                          ____________________