The United States Capitol Historical Society and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
present
Congress and Civil Rights: The Movement Continues

On Thursday, April 14th members and friends of the United States Capitol Historical Society and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation as well as students and teachers from Ballou High School and Stuart-Hobson Middle School gathered in the Cannon Caucus Room for the roundtable discussion, “Congress and Civil Rights: The Movement Continues.”

The panel featured Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC), former Senator Carol Moseley Braun (IL) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY) discussing civil rights legislation and how the legacy of the civil rights movement has created more rights for all Americans.  The conversation brought out the range in the panelists’ personal experiences with civil rights across generations and geographic areas of the United States.  It became clear that the movement of working towards civil rights continues in today’s Congress with a broader definition encompassing jobs, housing, healthcare, and education for all Americans.    

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Nia-Malika Henderson, national political reporter for The Washington Post, where she covers the White House and the 2012 presidential campaign.

Remarks were given by Ms. Ifeoma Ike, CBCF Fellow serving as an advisor to Congressman Donald Payne, on the future of the Civil Rights movement.  She spoke to the young people in the audience about the importance of civic engagement and about the unifying factor of humanity propelling the movement forward.

 One thing became very clear by the end of this dynamic panel event, as observed by Senator Braun, “There is a lot of work left to do.”