Washington, D.C. — Congressman G. K. Butterfield will hold a legislative issue forum this week on fighting poverty as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 36th Annual Legislative Conference.
“I represent one of the nation’s poorest regions, but Eastern North Carolina isn’t unique in its poverty or suffering,” Butterfield said. “People are poor, getting poorer and largely being ignored by the federal government all across the country. Elected leaders have a moral obligation to fight for the millions of Americans who are overlooked and suffering each and every day.”
The forum will be held Friday, Sept. 8 from 9 to 10:50 a.m. at the Washington Convention Center, Suite 209A, 801 Mount Vernon Place N.W., Washington, D.C.
Participants in the public event include former Congresswoman Eva Clayton, Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Inc. Vice President Stanley Straughter, North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development President Andrea Harris, North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center Workforce Development Committee Chair Rev. Andy Anderson, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill professor Anita Brown Graham and U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency’s Office of Business Development National Director Anita Wells.
The panel discussion will focus on combating rural poverty, the roles that partnerships can and do play in combating poverty and current legislative initiatives aimed at ending the cycle of poverty.
The session is part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 36th annual Legislative Conference (ALC). The ALC provides the platform for the 43 black Members of Congress to share the progress of their work and also allows for the exchange of ideas on policy issues.
“The unforgivable reality is that Americans than ever find themselves in need of food, shelter, clothing and health care,” Butterfield said. “We must find more opportunities for cooperation and partnership if we are going to help people who are struggling.”
Questions about the session should be directed to Saul Hernandez in Butterfield’s office at (202) 225-3101.