[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E175-E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS 
 FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED & THE 1976 CLASS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK 
                                 CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 12, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 40th 
Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated 
(CBCF) and the 1976 Class of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). 
Established in 1976, this non-profit, non-partisan education and 
research institution was founded by Nira Hardon Long, Albert L. Nellum 
and Congresswoman Yvonne B. Burke (CA). The CBCF's commitment to 
advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing 
policy, and educating the public has not wavered and will remain 
steadfast for many years to come.
  One of the CBCF's innovative initiatives is its virtual library 
project called `Avoice.' Avoice: African American Voices in Congress 
launched in 2006 and has received over 27 million hits to date. Through 
this virtual portal people from around the world log onto the Avoice 
website to find out about the legislative work done by African American 
members of Congress.
  The CBCF and the CBC have collaborated for many years on policy 
issues that would uplift the African American community in the United 
States including major laws like the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act and legislation that created the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. 
Even before the CBCF or CBC were created, African American members of 
Congress, black civil rights leaders, and others have been on the 
forefront advocating for criminal justice reform, environmental 
justice, voting rights protection, and economic empowerment for African 
Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, when CBCF was founded in 1976, there were 17 members of 
the Congressional Black Caucus Congress who stood together to empower 
America's neglected citizens and to address their legislative concerns.
  These members are--former Representatives Yvonne B. Burke (CA), 
Shirley A. Chisholm (NY), William Clay, Sr. (MO), Cardiss W. Collins 
(IL), Charles C. Diggs, Jr. (MI), Ron Dellums (CA), Harold Ford, Sr. 
(TN), Augustus F. Hawkins (CA), Barbara C. Jordan (TX), Ralph H. 
Metcalfe (IL), Parren J. Mitchell (MD), Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. (PA), 
Louis Stokes

[[Page E176]]

(OH), Andrew Young (GA), and our two distinguished members still 
serving this institution--Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI) and 
Charles B. Rangel (NY).
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 40th 
Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the 1976 
Class of the Congressional Black Caucus and recognizing their 
tremendous contributions to our nation.

                          ____________________