The CBC "Message to America" is distributed nationwide to the American Urban Radio Network's (AURN) affiliate stations.

            WHO:        U.S. Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Ca.)

            WHEN:      Saturday, July 15, 2006; 12:06 p.m. EST

            WHERE:   American Urban Radio Network Affiliate Stations

Representative Millender-McDonald is expected to deliver the following remarks:

“Hello, America!  This is Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald.  I represent the 37^th Congressional District of California and I am a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus.  I am also the Ranking Member for the Committee on House Administration, which has oversight of federal elections.

“Last Thursday, the Congressional Black Caucus led the charge on passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bill, the most important civil rights statute enacted, strengthens the foundation of our democracy and protects the rights of minority citizens to participate fully at the ballot box. The bill passed the House floor by a resounding margin of 390 to 33 and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

“Just as we continue to focus on ensuring the right to vote for all U.S. citizens, we must also work to restore integrity to the federal elections process.

“I am taking this opportunity to put to rest all of the myths and insecurities about voting in America.  There are things being done in our country to rectify past voting improprieties and to restore the integrity of the ballot not only for people living here at home but also for our servicemen and women casting ballots overseas.

“Recently, the Committee on House Administration held an oversight hearing with the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).  During the hearing, we heard testimony from the commissioners at the EAC on how your federal dollars are being spent to ensure that every eligible ballot cast is counted accurately. 

“The EAC, established by the Help America Vote Act, has taken steps to alleviate voter fraud and voter intimidation that has occurred in the past two presidential elections.  The EAC has researched these issues and believe that the establishment of statewide voter registration lists will curb several voting irregularities that occurred during the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.  This requirement is designed with the dual goal of improving the accuracy of voting lists while also reducing the possibility of fraud. 

“Aside from the EAC, the U.S. Department of Justice is also stepping up efforts to prevent voter fraud and intimidation.  The Department has established the Ballot Access and Voting Integrity Initiative.   This initiative requires that all components of the Department place a high priority on the investigation and prosecution of election fraud.  It also requires prosecutors serving as district election officers in the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices to attend annual training conferences on fighting election fraud and voting rights abuses.

“There are more than 120 election fraud investigations currently pending throughout the country, all but four were opened after the initiative began.  More than 60 election fraud matters have been closed since the investigations started; 89 individuals have been charged with election fraud offenses to date, and 52 of these individuals have been convicted.