[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10261]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE 38TH ANNUAL BDPA TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to 
recognize and congratulate the National Black Data Processing 
Associates (BDPA) on its 38th Annual Technology Conference in Atlanta, 
Georgia.
  BDPA was founded in May 1975 by Earl Pace and the late David Wimberly 
out of concern that minorities were not adequately represented in the 
IT field. Today, BDPA is comprised of over 2,000 African American IT 
professionals and has over 40 active chapters nationwide, making it the 
oldest and largest organization for African American professionals in 
the information technology field. Since its founding over 40 years ago, 
BDPA has remained committed to its mission of advancing diverse talent 
`from the classroom to the boardroom.'
  Each year, BDPA trains over 800 high school students across the 
nation in computer programming and web development. The organization 
has trained more students to write code than any other non-profit in 
the country since 1986.
  The theme for the 2016 BDPA Technology Conference--``BDPA Connect''--
is especially fitting, as the conference is a time for professionals, 
employers, vendors, and all attendees alike to connect with one another 
in over 50 sessions on digital thought leadership preparedness for 
diverse students and professionals from across the country.
  In addition to the innovative contributions provided by this 
organization, I am proud that BDPA continues to fulfill its mission to 
promote inclusion and diversity at all levels within the field by 
providing career growth opportunities for its members.
  Last year, BDPA partnered with the Congressional Black Caucus to 
adopt an African American inclusion plan that outlines specific, 
measurable steps that the organization will take to increase the 
recruitment and retention of African Americans in the IT industry. BDPA 
fully understands that diversity spurs innovation. Infusing diversity 
and inclusion into various layers of the field will best reflect the 
communities it serves.
  The steps taken by BDPA to promote and boost the contributions of 
African American professionals are earnest and effective. I applaud 
BDPA's decades-long commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in 
the information technology field.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
National Black Data Processing Associates for its outstanding 
achievements and on the occasion of its 38th Annual Technology 
Conference.

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