[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 121 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE'S 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 14, 2023

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
recognize the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice 
(NABCJ) on their 50th Anniversary.
  The mission of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice 
is to act upon the needs, concerns, and contributions of African 
Americans and other people of color as they relate to the 
administration of equal justice. This milestone of NABCJ advancing 
justice for 50 years signifies decades of positive change and a 
commitment to criminal justice as a fundamental aspect of our 
democracy.
  At the heart of NABCJ is its dedicated members, who consist of 
criminal justice professionals including those in law enforcement, 
corrections, courts, social services', academia as well as religious 
and community leaders. They work diligently to research relevant 
legislation and focus attention on improving law enforcement and our 
criminal justice system through evidence-based policies. Their strong 
commitment to respect the dignity of all humans contributes to the 
NABCJ's rich history of excellence and integrity.
  The 400 Years African American History Commission, created by 
Congress in 2017, has been heavily engaged with NABCJ through 11 
student chapters of the organization at Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities. Additionally, the National Alliance of Faith and Justice, 
first formed as a committee of the NABCJ, was founded and has 
successfully grown over the last 20 years. The establishment of these 
relationships have helped pave the way for African Americans and other 
people of color to receive equal justice under the law.
  The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice has a long 
history of promoting evidence-based strategies that more effectively 
address crime and keeping America's communities safe. I was grateful 
for NABCJ's support of my Youth Prison Reduction through Mentoring, 
Intervention, Support and Education (Youth PROMISE) Act, which I first 
introduced in 2007 to help communities develop and implement evidence-
based strategies to reduce youth violence and delinquency. Provisions 
of the Youth PROMISE Act were ultimately enacted in the Juvenile 
Justice Reform Act of 2018, and it would not have been possible without 
the work and support of organizations like NABCJ.
  Mr. Speaker, NABCJ embodies what it means to fight for ``liberty and 
justice for all.'' It is my pleasure to congratulate the National 
Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice on the many hard-fought 
battles won since its inception 50 years ago and wish the organization 
many more years of success.

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