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Page 8 The Skanner July 12, 2017 News By Lauren Victoria Burke (NNPA Newswire Contributor) C ongressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) rejected an off er from the White House to meet with all 49 members of the cau- cus, citing steps that the Trump Administration has taken, “that will affi r- matively hurt Black com- munities.” In a letter addressed to President Trump, Rich- mond wrote that, “Your Administration has yet to provide a response to the policies we present- ed. Additionally, your Administration has not followed through on a pledge you made to us to facilitate meetings with relevant Cabinet offi - cials.” The letter also noted that roughly 60 percent of the proposed cuts in Trump’s budget plan will slash programs that serve the most vulnera- ble Americans. Pell Grants “For example, you propose a $4 billion cut to Pell Grants that help low-income college stu- dents pay their tuition,” the letter said. “You also proposed the complete elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LI- HEAP), which helps se- niors and other helpless populations heat their homes in the winter and cool them in the sum- mer.” Drug Wars The letter continued: “[Attorney General Jeff Sessions] issued guid- ance to federal prose- cutors to accelerate the failed war on drugs that will continue to wreck the Black community and exacerbate our na- tion’s shameful scourge of mass incarceration. Attorney General Ses- sions has also explicitly stated his unwillingness to utilize consent de- crees to protect the civil rights of Americans and has called for an agen- cy-wide review of these agreements. These short- sighted decisions repre- sent willful ignorance by relying on ideology instead of data and com- passion.” Historically Black Col- leges and Universities The letter also said that “ OFFICIAL PHOTO Thanks, But No Thanks: CBC Rejects Second Meeting with Trump CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) wrote that President Trump has taken steps that hurt the Black community. caucus, some CBC mem- bers are divided on the next move. In the letter, Richmond suggested that Trump reach out Given the lack of response to any of the many concerns we have raised with you and your Administration, we de- cline your invitation for all 49 members of the Congres- sional Black Caucus to meet with you some Historically Black Colleges and Universi- ties (HBCUs) have lost funding through TRIO programs under Educa- tion Secretary Betsy De- vos’ leadership. Although, Richmond speaks for the entire to individual CBC mem- bers. Some CBC mem- bers would like a small- er group to meet with Trump. Others, such as Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) told the NNPA Newswire that “it’s up to the indi- vidual member” when asked about the invite. Rep. Al Lawson (D-Fla.), who is a freshman mem- ber to the United States Congress, but a veteran lawmaker from Florida, spoke with NNPA News- wire in June and said that he wants to meet with Trump. “I talked to Omarosa [Manigault] about the opportunity to meet with [President Trump] and talk about some issues that are very important to me in Florida,” said Lawson. “I think it’s im- portant to meet. I might not agree with his issues and his politics but we’re here to work. This is someone who is going to be here for the next three and a half years. You have to work with him.” The fi rst meeting between members of the CBC and Presi- A career you can be proud of. dent Trump took place on March 22. At that time, seven members of the CBC met with the presi- dent and Vice President Mike Pence. The meet- ing included: Rep. Rich- mond along with Reps. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), An- thony Brown (D-Ma) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.). A substantive meeting between the president and the entire CBC would be a long shot. “Given the lack of re- sponse to any of the many concerns we have raised with you and your Ad- ministration, we decline your invitation for all 49 Book cont’d from pg 7 still eludes the majority of Blacks in the coun- try. Meanwhile, plenty of TV pundits point to Obama as proof that the U.S. has arrived at a post-racial reality where skin color is ir- relevant. However, since mil- lions of Blacks continue to suff er from a host of woes associated with the inner city, they re- main in critical need of political leadership. That is the contention of Gil Robertson, au- thor of “Book of Black Heroes: Political Lead- ers Past and Present.” His timely tome is composed of biogra- phies of about four doz- en African American icons who have served in the political arena over the past century and a half. The enlight- ening opus’ aim is not only to educate but to inspire the next gener- ation of selfl ess torch- bearers. Many of the luminar- members of the Congres- sional Black Caucus to meet with you,” wrote Richmond. “The CBC, and the millions of people we represent, have a lot to lose under your Admin- istration. I fail to see how a social gathering would benefi t the policies we advocate for.” Lauren Victoria Burke is a speaker, writer and political analyst. She ap- pears on “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin every Monday. Lauren is also a frequent contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com. Con- nect with Lauren by email at LBurke007@gmail. com and on Twitter at @ LVBurke. ies profi led are house- hold names, such as President Obama, Rep- resentatives John Lew- is and Maxine Waters, and Senator Cory Book- er. Others members of Congress are rising stars in their respective parties, ranging from Democrats Kamala Har- ris and Keith Ellison to Republicans Tim Scott and Mia Love. Along the way, we learn that Ellison con- verted from Catholi- cism to Islam while in college and that Harris is of Jamaican and East Indian extraction. Some of the most fascinating entries are about lit- tle-known leaders from the Reconstruction Era, like Pinckney Pinch- back who served as Governor of Louisiana for 15 days, and Hiram Revels who was elected to represent Mississip- pi in the U.S. Senate in 1870. Overall, a priceless primer on the intrepid, political pioneers who have spearheaded the African American fi ght for equality. 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