Senator Kennedy Meets With African American Ministers

KENNEDY AND COLLEAGUES HOLD DIALOGUE WITH LEADING AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTERS DISCUSS EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY IN THE GULF COAST, VOTING RIGHTS AND THE SUPREME COURT



Washington, DC -- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy met with leading African American ministers in the Capitol to discuss the most challenging issues facing our country. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressmen James Clyburn, Mel Watt and Elijah Cummings also took part in the meeting that was part of an on-going dialogue about how we will build a stronger America. The session chaired by Senator Kennedy focused on a shared commitment to rebuild the Gulf Coast in a way that opens the doors of opportunity and democracy to all Americans. As messengers in many of the communities most affected by Hurricane Katrina and a re-structured Supreme Court, African American clergy will play a pivotal role in shaping the legislative agenda of Congress and will drive the policies and decisions that mean the most to so many Americans.

As the communities rebuild and hope is restored, we must ensure that the Gulf Coast is a place where democracy, equality, and opportunity is experienced by all,” Senator Kennedy said. On Friday he visited the Gulf Coast and shared with the group his proposal for a Gulf Coast Redevelopment Authority to focus our full energies on the challenge of rebuilding the Gulf and ensuring new and continued economic prosperity for all that live there. He and his wife Vicki have spent time with the 150 evacuees at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts and today he impressed upon his colleagues the need to provide mental health services for all victims of Katrina.

Kennedy also discussed his efforts with Senator Arlen Specter and Congressmen John Lewis and Mel Watt to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and shared his concerns over Judge Roberts’ history of opposing parts of that Act the last time it was reauthorized. He heard from leaders around the table about the increasing perception that the court system does not treat all Americans equally and the fears that a new Supreme Court would roll –back the progress made on civil rights.

After the Selma-Montgomery March in 1965, many of us in the Senate and House worked together to pass the Voting Rights Act, to guarantee that racism and its bitter legacy would never again bar polling places to any citizen. The failure to guarantee voting rights for all Americans has long been a national scandal, and it was finally cured in this long overdue Act,” Senator Kennedy said. “The Court is a defender of our rights and liberties. We need to continue to break down the barriers to opportunity not only because it’s fair, but because we need the skills of everyone for our economic success and national security.”