As the brand new chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Caribbean American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke swore in members of the Black legislative physique within the 119th Congress on Friday, Jan. 3.
“I’m immensely honored to turn into the tenth girl to function chair of the Congressional Black Caucus throughout its largest-ever class within the 119th Congress,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean ninth Congressional District in Brooklyn, instructed Caribbean Life instantly after the swearing-in ceremony.
“Because the successor of numerous extraordinary Black girls from Brooklyn, together with my mom, Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, and my predecessor in Congress, Shirley Chisholm, I can’t assist however mirror with pleasure and humility on the work of all these unbelievable people whose efforts paved the trail to right now,” added Clarke, who mom was the primary Caribbean-born girl to be ever elected to New York Metropolis Council.
The late Chisholm, the daughter of Jamaican and Guyanese immigrants, was the primary girl to hunt the Democratic Occasion’s nomination for President of america.
“This historic Caucus is really a manifestation of our ancestors’ energy, braveness, tenacity, and perseverance,” stated the youthful Clarke. “As a result of they have been, we’re. As a result of they prevailed, so should we.
“As our nation readies for no matter challenges the years forward could convey, I’m grateful for the chance to guide the Congressional Black Caucus via this pivotal second in its lengthy historical past, grateful for the assist of my colleagues and chair-emeritus Steven Horsford, and grateful to the ancestors for the energy and resilience of all our individuals. I am so very pleased with the motion my CBC,” added Clarke, who succeeded Horsford, a Nevada U.S. Rep., whose mom is a Trinidadian immigrant.
Clarke, who was elected to guide CBC in early December through the member elections for the CBC Govt Committee for the 119th Congress, stated she was gratified by the actions her colleagues have taken “to this point to guard the communities closest to our hearts and advance an agenda that places their futures on the forefront.
“I am sure that, collectively, we are going to guarantee this Caucus’ legacy as Black Individuals’ most outstanding, most succesful, strongest political instrument will persist and that we are going to make our forebears proud,” she stated. “Now, let’s get to work!”
The CBC stated it begins the 119th Congress with 62 members – the biggest membership within the caucus’ historical past.
“I wish to thank my friends for electing me to function chair,” stated Clarke, who beforehand served as first vice chair through the 118th Congress. “In my capability as chair, I’ll be sure that our caucus’ targets are completed by specializing in voting rights, schooling, felony justice reform, girls’s rights, healthcare fairness, and financial equality.
“We should be attentive in finishing our objective of addressing and enacting coverage to uplift our neighborhood and preserve our guarantees,” added Clarke, a senior member of the Home of Representatives Committee on Power and Commerce and the Home Committee on Homeland Safety.
Since its formation in 1971, Clarke stated the CBC has “consistently pursued its mission of supporting and imposing legal guidelines that shield and enrich the Black neighborhood.
“The CBC may have a file 62 members in each america Senate and america Home of Representatives through the 119th Congress. And for the primary time in historical past, two Black girls will serve collectively within the Senate—elevating our place in Congress to fight blatant racism and insurance policies deliberately overlooking extra various and minority communities—proving our variety is our energy, and our unity is our energy,” Clarke stated.
“In our pursuit to push laws and funding — searching for bipartisanship in problem areas that will profit African Individuals — we should turn into extra aggressive in our try and assist Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as Minority Chief of the Home,” she added. “We should stand behind his imaginative and prescient and belief his management to barter the most effective outcomes for our communities.
“Make no mistake, on this unstable political panorama, the CBC should stand because the resistance to the extremist ideologies of Challenge 2025, because the consciousness of Congress to advocate and advance the Black Diaspora,” continued Clarke, stating that the authors of Challenge 2025, the Republicans Conservative’s agenda, “will write America’s story for the subsequent 4 years, and we should be ready to make use of each legislative and communicative instrument to oppose their agenda.”
She stated she is “dedicated to working with my colleagues to name out this extremist agenda and struggle like hell for a pathway ahead.”
Horsford, who represents Nevada’s 4th Congressional District, congratulated the members of the 119th Congress’s Govt Committee.
“Fifty-three years after our caucus’ founding, our work to enhance the lives and circumstances of Black individuals in America is extra essential than ever earlier than,” he stated. “It has been the distinction of a lifetime to function chair of the Congressional Black Caucus throughout such a pivotal time in our nation. Collectively, we’ve faithfully served because the conscience of our Congress, centering problems with justice and fairness for all Individuals.
“I stay deeply honored to function a member of the Home of Representatives and particularly a member of this storied caucus,” he added. “As we glance towards the longer term, our caucus will enter the 119th Congress with the biggest membership in our historical past — a file 62 members within the Home and Senate.
“To guide this historic membership might be a colleague and buddy of immense capabilities and the proper chief to tackle the challenges that can confront the American individuals within the years to come back,” Horsford continued. “I couldn’t be prouder to cross the baton to the gentlelady from New York, Consultant Yvette Clarke.”
He stated Clarke would stick with it the CBC’s legacy “and guarantee we push again towards the erosion of our basic rights and construct a future the place everybody can thrive and obtain their full potential.”
Different members elected to the CBC Govt Committee Management for the 119th Congress comprise Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr.; Rep. Lucy McBath; Rep. Marilyn Strickland; and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove.
Carter, who will function first vice chair, represents Louisiana’s 2nd district and presently serves on the Home Homeland Safety Committee, the place he’s the Rating Member of the Emergency Administration and Expertise Subcommittee. Rep. Carter additionally serves on the Home Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
McBath, who will function second vice chair, represents Georgia’s seventh district and presently serves on the Home Judiciary Committee and the Home Committee on Training and the Workforce.
Strickland, who will function secretary, represents Washington’s tenth district and presently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Home Committee on Armed Companies.
Kamlager-Dove, who will function Whip, represents California’s thirty seventh district and presently serves on the Home Committee on Overseas Affairs and Home Committee on Pure Assets.
