Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
www.congressionalblackcaucus.net

(Washington, D.C.)- The Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute (CBC Institute) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will launch a two-day constituent outreach swing through Mississippi, starting in Jackson on August 9 and ending in Greenwood, August 10.

The CBC Institute, which is chaired by U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), provides political education and training to the next generation of African American leadership, and also performs critical research on political issues that affect the African American community. 

The “Bringing Congress To The People” bus tour will highlight the growing list of disparities which plague the African American community, focusing on disparities in healthcare, retirement security and affordable housing.

“These continuing and troubling disparities make it more difficult, and often make it impossible, for African Americans to reach their full potential,” noted Institute Chairman Thompson.  “The CBC Institute acknowledges the unfortunate fact that disparities between African Americans and White Americans continue to exist in 2005 in every aspect of our lives.”

The first tour stop will be at Jackson State University for a town hall meeting that will address the growing disparities that exist between African Americans and other Americans.  The second tour stop will be at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital to discuss the challenges of rural hospitals in America today.  The final stop will be in Greenwood at the LeFlore County Civic Center for a town hall meeting that will also focus on closing the disparities gap.

“The mission and objective of the CBC continues to be improving the condition of African Americans,” noted Representative Mel Watt, CBC chair. “We are pleased to work in conjunction with the CBC Institute on matters of mutual interest to the African American community.”

Additional trip details can be found below:

Schedule for Congressional Black Caucus Institute Bus Tour, Tuesday, August 9, 2005

Jackson, Mississippi

5:30 p.m.          Town hall meeting to highlight the growing list of disparities that exist between African Americans and other Americans. The town hall meeting will focus on major disparities in healthcare, retirement security and affordable housing. 

                        Jackson State University

                        JSU E-Center

                        1230 Raymond Road

                        Jackson, Mississippi

Schedule for Congressional Black Caucus Institute Bus Tour, Wednesday,  August 10, 2005

Belzoni, Mississippi

9:30 a.m.          Tour of the Humphreys County Memorial Hospital to highlight challenges of rural hospitals.

                        500 CC Road

                        Belzoni, Mississippi

Greenwood, Mississippi

5:30 p.m.          Town hall meeting to highlight the growing list of disparities that exist between African Americans and other Americans.  The town hall meeting will focus on major disparities in healthcare, retirement security and  affordable housing. 

                        LeFlore County Civic Center

                        200 Highway 7 North

                        Greenwood, Mississippi

(####)