Blacks in Congress Split Over Menthol Cigarettes
July 24, 2008
STEPHANIE SAUL, New York Times
- Free cigarettes are no longer handed out at Congressional Black Caucus functions. And it has been years since anyone referred to Edolphus Towns, Democrat of Brooklyn, as the “Marlboro Man” for his campaign contributions from the tobacco industry.
But the Congressional Black Caucus has not severed its financial ties to big tobacco. And that can complicate matters when the political discussion involves smoking’s impact on African-Americans.
A rift has opened in the 43-member caucus over a menthol provision in legislation that would enable the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco. To reduce smoking’s appeal to teenagers, the legislation would outlaw flavored cigarettes — except for menthol cigarettes, which are specifically exempted.
Md. Congressman Cummings Encourages FCC Chairman to Enact XM-Sirius Minority Programming Proposal
July 23, 2008
- Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), former Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, sent the following letter to Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in response to the recent proposal by FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein requiring Sirius-XM to lease 15 percent of their satellite capacity to diversity programming:
July 23, 2008
The Honorable Kevin Martin
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Martin:
This letter is to follow up on my correspondence dated May 15, 2008, regarding the proposed merger of Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., that is being considered by the Commission. I appreciate your time and consideration.
I opposed the Sirius-XM merger due to my concerns that the newly formed company would control over 25 MHz – enough to transmit over 300 channels of radio and some video into every local market in the country. This would be an unprecedented amount of spectrum in the hands of a single company – more than the entire spectrum allocated to FM and AM radio combined. However, I also recognize that—should the merger be approved—it will provide a real opportunity for minority ownership and participation in the satellite marketplace. That is why I support the conditions that Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein recently proposed to you and the other Commissioners regarding dedicating 15 percent of the spectrum to diversity programming.
While I believe the allocation of 20 percent of spectrum to diversity programming to be a stronger commitment, Commissioner Adelstein’s proposal of 15 percent is a giant step toward opening the doors of opportunity for minority-owned businesses that have historically struggled to compete in this industry. Further, I feel it is extremely important that this requirement be negotiated, ratified and approved by the Commission prior to approval of the merger. This percentage of channel capacity would clearly assure the public, and more specifically our minority population, of viable minority media ownership and diverse programming.
I commend Commissioner Adelstein for his willingness to work with you and his fellow Commissioners to bring forth a plan that is clearly in the best interest of consumers. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or my Legislative Director, Ms. Nikki Jones at 202-225-4741.
Sincerely,
Elijah E. Cummings
Member of Congress
National Urban League Congratulates the Congressional Black Caucus for Its Heroic Efforts to Expand Housing Counseling Services in the ‘American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008′
July 23, 2008
- Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, today applauded Congress, and the Congressional Black Caucus in particular, for providing resources in legislation to address the severe housing crisis that disproportionately impacts the African-American community. This landmark legislation, the “American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008,” is currently under consideration by the full House of Representatives.
“The National Urban League applauds the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, Rep. Barney Frank; the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, Rep. Maxine Waters; the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick; Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Charles Rangel; and the entire Congressional Black Caucus for their extraordinary leadership in crafting landmark legislation addressing the national housing crisis,” Morial said. “These congressional leaders have ensured that the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention of Act 2008 not only addresses the larger problems of industry giants like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but also specifically targets urban, low-income and minority communities and homeowners who have been affected by unscrupulous sub-prime and predatory loans.”
According to the National Urban League 2008 State of Black America Report, blacks hold nearly five times more installment debt than whites, and the median net worth for African Americans is $11,800, versus $118,300 for whites.
The National Urban League has been in the housing counseling business for over 40 years and currently serves over 40,000 homeowners per year. Because housing counseling plays a key role in increasing financial awareness and closing the wealth gap between minority and non-minority households, Mr. Morial has recommended an expansion of housing counseling and financial literacy services in an effort to improve the financial situation for minorities with respect to securing home ownership, maintaining good credit and attaining monetary savings.
Top House Dems to campaign for Rep. Kilpatrick
July 22, 2008
Associated Press
- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and other top congressional Democrats are coming to Michigan to campaign for Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.
The mother of embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick faces a three-way Democratic primary on Aug. 5 in her re-election effort.
Pelosi, who is from California, will visit Grosse Pointe Farms and Wyandotte July 25.
Charles Rangel of New York will appear in Detroit July 22.
James Clyburn of South Carolina will visit Detroit Aug. 3, two days before the primary.
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick first was elected in 1996. She typically has cruised to re-election, but her son’s legal troubles have complicated her bid this year. Kwame Kilpatrick has been indicted on perjury and other charges.
Tinker, Cohen invoke Obama in fight for congressional seat
July 21, 2008
Zack McMillin, Memphis Commercial Appeal
- The office building at 4230 Elvis Presley Blvd., right next to the Krispy Kreme, is the official Nikki Tinker for Congress headquarters, but a passerby might easily mistake it for a Memphis outpost of Barack Obama’s campaign for president.
Obama campaign signs are as prominent at the entrance as Tinker placards. Although her opponent in the Democratic primary for the Ninth Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen, does not feature as many prominent Obama signs at his headquarters in Midtown (near Union and McLean), the first-term congressman is not shy about invoking the Democrats’ new standard bearer.
In the July 13 debate with Tinker and state legislator Joe Towns Jr., it was Cohen, the 59-year-old, white, Jewish candidate, who won the competition for most comparisons to Obama.
“Barack Obama, A C Wharton and Steve Cohen are in the same boat, and it’s a boat that’s moving forward,” Cohen said, also invoking Shelby County’s popular African-American mayor.
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