The Congressional Black Caucus is an organization representing African American members of the Congress of the United States. Its chair in the 109th Congress is Representative Mel Watt of North Carolina. African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or black Americans, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Sub-Saharan and West Africa. ... Seal of the Congress. ... The 109th United States Congress meets from January 4, 2005, to January 1, 2007. ... Rep. ... State nickname: Tar Heel State Other U.S. States Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Governor Michael Easley (D) Official languages English Area 139,509 km² (28th)  - Land 126,256 km²  - Water 13,227 km² (9. ...

History

The Caucus was founded in January 1969, by a group of black members of the House of Representatives, including Shirley Chisholm of New York, Louis Stokes of Ohio and William L. Clay of Missouri. Blacks had begun to enter the House in increasing numbers during the 1960s, and the formation of the Caucus reflected their need for a formal organization. Originally called a "Democratic Select Committee," it was named the Congressional Black Caucus in February 1971 on the motion of Charles B. Rangel of New York. 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... Seal of the House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Congress of the United States, the other being the Senate. ... Shirley Chisholm in 1972 Shirley Anita St. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Louis Stokes (born February 23, 1925) is a Democratic politician from Ohio. ... State nickname: The Buckeye State Other U.S. States Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Governor Bob Taft (R) Official languages None Area 116,096 km² (34th)  - Land 106,154 km²  - Water 10,044 km² (8. ... William Lacy Bill Clay, Sr. ... Missouri, named after the Missouri Siouan Indian tribe meaning canoe, is a Midwestern state in the United States with Jefferson City as its capital. ... 1971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... Charles Bernard Rangel Charles Bernard Rangel (born June 11, 1930) is an American politician. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ...

Aims and Criticism

The Caucus describes its goals as "positively influencing the course of events pertinent to African-Americans and others of similar experience and situation," and "achieving greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services."

"The Congressional Black Caucus is one of the world's most esteemed bodies, with a history of positive activism unparalleled in our nation's history. Whether the issue is popular or unpopular, simple or complex, the CBC has fought for thirty years to protect the fundamentals of democracy. Its impact is recognized throughout the world. The Congressional Black Caucus is probably the closest group of legislators on the Hill. We work together almost incessantly, we are friends and, more importantly, a family of freedom fighters. Our diversity makes us stronger, and the expertise of all of our members has helped us be effective beyond our numbers."

Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas

However, the Caucus does face opposition. Some see the existance of the Caucus as counter-productive, and some even see the body as racist, although this view is considered extreme by most [1]. Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts made national headlines when he refused to join the Caucus for this reason. Rep. ... Prior to 1821, Texas was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain. ... Oklahoma is a South Central state of the United States (with strong Southern, Western, and Midwestern influences) and its U.S. postal abbreviation is OK; others abbreviate the states name Okla. ... Julius Caesar Watts, Jr. ...

"...they said that I had sold out and Uncle Tom. And I said well, they deserve to have that view. But I have my thoughts. And I think they're race-hustling poverty pimps."

J.C. Watts, Jr. speaking on Hannity and Colmes about his refusal to join the Caucus.

Julius Caesar Watts, Jr. ... Categories: Television stubs ...

Membership

The Caucus is officially non-partisan, but in practice it has been almost exclusively composed of Democrats, and tends to function as a lobbying group with the wider Congressional Democratic Party. Only three black Republicans have been elected to Congress since the Caucus was founded: Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts and Representatives Gary Franks of Connecticut and J.C. Watts, Jr. of Oklahoma, who refused to join. The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... The Republican Party, often called the GOP (for Grand Old Party, although one early citation described it as the Gallant Old Party) [1], is one of the two major political parties in the United States. ... Edward William Brooke III (born October 26, 1919) is an American politician and was the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate when he was elected as a Republican from Massachusetts in 1966, defeating his Democratic opponent, Endicott Peabody 58%-42%. Born in... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th)  - Land 20,317 km²  - Water 7,043 km² (25. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th)  - Land 12,559 km²  - Water 1,809 km² (12. ... Julius Caesar Watts, Jr. ... Oklahoma is a South Central state of the United States (with strong Southern, Western, and Midwestern influences) and its U.S. postal abbreviation is OK; others abbreviate the states name Okla. ...

The Caucus has grown steadily as more African American members have been elected. In 1969 the Caucus had nine members. In 2003 it had 38 members, including two who are non-voting members of the House, representing the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, Illinois Senator Barack Obama is the only African-American member of the U.S. Senate. 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday For other uses, see Number 1969. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is a U.S. Senator from Illinois. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ...

Members of the Caucus during the 109th Congress

(All current Caucus members are Democrats.) The 109th United States Congress meets from January 4, 2005, to January 1, 2007. ...

• Sanford Bishop of Georgia
• Corrine Brown of Florida
• Julia Carson of Indiana
• Donna Christian-Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands
• William Lacy Clay, Jr. of Missouri
• Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri
• Jim Clyburn of South Carolina
• John Conyers, Jr. of Michigan
• Elijah Cummings of Maryland
• Artur Davis of Alabama
• Danny K. Davis of Illinois
• Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania
• Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee
• Al Green of Texas
• Alcee Hastings of Florida
• Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. of Illinois
• Bill Jefferson of Louisiana
• Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas
• Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio
• Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan
• Barbara Lee of California
• Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas
• John Lewis of Georgia
• Cynthia McKinney of Georgia
• Kendrick Meek of Florida
• Gregory Meeks of New York
• Juanita Millender-McDonald of California
• Gwen Moore of Wisconsin
• Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia
• Senator Barack Obama of Illinois
• Major Owens of New York
• Donald Payne of New Jersey
• Charles B. Rangel of New York
• Bobby Rush of Illinois
• Bobby Scott of Virginia
• David Scott of Georgia
• Bennie Thompson of Mississippi
• Edolphus Towns of New York
• Maxine Waters of California
• Diane Watson of California
• Mel Watt of North Carolina
• Albert Wynn of Maryland

Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr. ... Corrine Brown Corrine Brown (born November 11, 1946), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 3rd District of Florida. ... State nickname: Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush (R) Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ... Julia May Carson Julia May Carson (born July 8, 1938 as Julia May Porter), is an American politician. ... State nickname: The Hoosier State Other U.S. States Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Governor Mitch Daniels (R) Official languages English Area 94,321 km² (38th)  - Land 92,897 km²  - Water 1,424 km² (1. ... Donna Marie Christian-Christensen, also known as Donna Christian-Green (born September 19, 1945), is the non-voting Delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to the United States House of Representatives. ... William Lacy Clay, Jr. ... Missouri, named after the Missouri Siouan Indian tribe meaning canoe, is a Midwestern state in the United States with Jefferson City as its capital. ... The Reverend Emanuel Cleaver, II (born October 26, 1944) is a United Methodist pastor and American Democratic politician from the state of Missouri. ... Missouri, named after the Missouri Siouan Indian tribe meaning canoe, is a Midwestern state in the United States with Jefferson City as its capital. ... James Enos Jim Clyburn (born July 21, 1940) is an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 6th District of South Carolina. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Other U.S. States Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford (R) Official languages English Area 82,965 km² (40th)  - Land 78,051 km²  - Water 4,915 km² (6%) Population (2000)  - Population {{{2000Pop}}} (26th)  - Density 51. ... John Conyers John Conyers, Jr. ... State nickname: Wolverine State or Great Lakes State Other U.S. States Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) Official languages English Area 250,941 km² (11th)  - Land 147,255 km²  - Water 103,687 km² (41. ... Elijah Eugene Cummings (born January 18, 1951) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Maryland. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admission... Artur Davis Artur Davis (born October 9, 1967), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 7th District of Alabama (map). ... State nickname: Camellia State, The Heart of Dixie¹, Yellowhammer State Other U.S. States Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Governor Bob Riley (R) Official languages English Area 84,360 mi²/135,765 km² (30th)  - Land 81,664 mi²/131,426 km²  - Water 2,696 mi²/4,338 km² (3. ... Danny K. Davis (born September 6, 1941), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 7th District of Illinois. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... Chaka Fattah (born November 21, 1956) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1994. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd)  - Land 116,074 km²  - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... Congressman Harold Ford Jr. ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Governor Phil Bredesen (D) Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ... Al Green (birth name - Alexander N. Green, born September 1, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is the U.S. Representative from the Ninth Congressional District in Texas (map). ... Prior to 1821, Texas was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain. ... Alcee Hastings Alcee Lamar Hastings (born September 5, 1936), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 23rd District of Florida (map). ... State nickname: Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush (R) Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ... Jesse Jackson, Jr. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... William Jennings Jefferson (born March 14, American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the 2nd District of Louisiana. ... State nickname: Pelican State Other U.S. States Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) Official languages None; English and French de facto Area 134,382 km² (31st)  - Land 112,927 km²  - Water 21,455 km² (16%) Population (2000)  - Population 4,468,976 (22nd)  - Density 39. ... Rep. ... Prior to 1821, Texas was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain. ... Stephanie Tubbs Jones (born September 10, 1949) is a Democratic politician from Ohio. ... State nickname: The Buckeye State Other U.S. States Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Governor Bob Taft (R) Official languages None Area 116,096 km² (34th)  - Land 106,154 km²  - Water 10,044 km² (8. ... Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick (born June 25, 1945) American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 13th District of Michigan (map), comprised of most of Detroit and a few of its suburbs. ... State nickname: Wolverine State or Great Lakes State Other U.S. States Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) Official languages English Area 250,941 km² (11th)  - Land 147,255 km²  - Water 103,687 km² (41. ... Barbara Lee Barbara Lee (born July 16, 1946), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing the 9th District of California (map). ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Sheila Jackson Lee Sheila Jackson Lee (born January 12, 1950 in Queens, New York), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995. ... Prior to 1821, Texas was part of the Spanish colony of New Spain. ... John Lewis John Robert Lewis (born February 21, 1940) is an American politician and was an important leader in the American Civil Rights Movement as president of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). ... Cynthia McKinney Cynthia Ann McKinney (born March 17, 1955 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia from 1993 until 2003 and again in another term which began in 2005, representing the states 4th Congressional district (map). ... Kendrick Meek seen on NBC television during the elections of November 2, 2004 Kendrick Brett Meek (born September 6, 1966), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 17th District of Florida. ... State nickname: Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush (R) Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ... Gregory W. Meeks Gregory Weldon Meeks (born September 25, 1953), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing the Sixth Congressional District of New York. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Juanita Millender-McDonald Juanita Millender-McDonald (born September 7, 1938), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1996, representing the 37th District of California (map), which includes most of South Central Los Angeles and the city of Long Beach, California. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Gwendolynne Sophia Moore (born April 18, 1951) a Democrat from Wisconsin, is a Congresswoman representing Wisconsins 4th Congressional district (map). ... State nickname: Badger State State motto: Forward Other U.S. States Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Governor Jim Doyle (D) Official languages None Area 169,790 km² (23rd)  - Land 140,787 km²  - Water 28,006 km² (17%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,453,896 (18th)  - Density 38. ... Eleanor Holmes Norton U.S. Delegate for the District of Columbia Eleanor Holmes Norton (born June 13, 1937) is the non-voting Delegate from the District of Columbia to the United States House of Representatives. ... ... Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is a U.S. Senator from Illinois. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... Major Owens Major Robert Odell Owens (born June 28, 1936) is a New York politician, currently representing the states 11th Congressional district (map),in the U.S. House. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Donald Milford Payne (b. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (D)Acting Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th)  - Land 19,231 km²  - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... Charles Bernard Rangel Charles Bernard Rangel (born June 11, 1930) is an American politician. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Bobby Rush is also the name of a blues musician. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) Official languages American English (as oppossed to Englands English) Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... Robert C. Scott Robert Cortez Scott (b. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... David Scott (born June 27, 1946), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 13th District of Georgia. ... Rep. ... State nickname: Magnolia State Other U.S. States Capital Jackson Largest city Jackson Governor Haley Barbour (R) Official languages English Area 125,546 km² (32nd)  - Land 121,606 km²  - Water 3,940 km² (3%) Population (2000)  - Population 2,697,243 (31st)  - Density 23. ... Edolphus Ed Towns (born July 21, 1934) is an American politician and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 10th District of New York. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Maxine Waters Maxine Waters (born August 15, 1938), United States politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the 35th District of California (map). ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Diane Edith Watson (born November 12, 1933), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 33rd District of California (map). ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd)  - Land 404,298 km²  - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Rep. ... State nickname: Tar Heel State Other U.S. States Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Governor Michael Easley (D) Official languages English Area 139,509 km² (28th)  - Land 126,256 km²  - Water 13,227 km² (9. ... Albert Wynn Albert Russell Wynn (born September 10, 1951) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives representing the 4th district of the State of Maryland (map) since 1992. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admission...

See also

• African Americans in the United States Congress

Joseph Rainey, first black member of the US House of Representatives Since 1870 there have been 106 African American members of the United States Congress. ...

External link

• Congressional Black Caucus webite