Norton Announces Black Men and Boys Congressional Caucus

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) today announced the creation and first official member meeting of the Black Men and Boys Congressional Caucus. Norton established her own D.C. Commission on Black Men and Boys in 2001, which interested other members of Congress with similar interests and concerns. The purpose of the Congressional Caucus is to educate members and their staff on issues and problems that disproportionately affect Black men and boys and to support ideas and community initiatives that improve their quality of life. Norton hopes that the caucus will serve as a vehicle for exposing and getting active on the most persistent and controversial issues that African American men and youth face, from employment training and HIV/AIDS to criminal justice and family breakdown.

"Our D.C. Commission was only one of many ideas about ways to improve conditions for Black men and boys from members who attended," said Norton. "I am hoping for a hearing here on the Hill to germinate further ideas for getting something concrete done as well as a national summit later in the year. The places to plant seeds, however, are local communities, as we did in the District."

Norton will co-chair the caucus with Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).

Published: March 19, 2013