CONYERS & LEWIS Lead More Than 50 Members Of Congress In Honoring 50th Anniversary Of Dr. Martin Luther King's Landmark Anti-War Sermon

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13) and Congressman John Lewis, veterans of the civil rights movement, led more than 50 Members of Congress in introducing H.Res. 246, a resolution to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the April 4, 1967 “Beyond Vietnam” sermon given by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Riverside Church in Harlem, New York. In the speech, he condemned the Vietnam War and called for a fundamental change in the way the United States conducts foreign policy abroad.  

“I consider Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be the greatest American figure of the 20^th century. When I introduced the bill to establish the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday, it was not only for his work to promote equality for African-Americans. His advocacy for diplomacy over conflict and for spending on human needs instead of weapons of war, was also one of his enduring contributions to mankind,” Rep. Conyers said.

The resolution highlights many powerful and prophetic passages from the sermon.  It quotes Dr. King’s call for a “true revolution in values,” one that “will lay hand on the world order and say of war, ‘This way of settling differences is not just.” The resolution further emphasizes Dr. King’s warning against prioritizing war spending of that for social welfare, declaring that “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” His statement rings true today, as President Trump has proposed a budget that would increase the U.S. military budget—already by far the world’s largest—by $54 billion dollars, while simultaneously proposing draconian cuts to domestic spending.  King called for transformative changes to our nation’s fabric, stating that “We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.’’ The resolution calls on the United States to pursue foreign policy that aligns with Dr. King’s vision for peace by fighting poverty and promoting understanding.

The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Karen Bass (CA-37), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), André Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Lacy Clay (MO-1), Emanuel Cleaver(MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), John Conyers Jr. (MI-13), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03), Val Demings (FL-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-02), Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), Alcee L . Hastings (FL-20), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hakeem S. Jeffries (NY-08), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Hank Johnson Jr. (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Al Lawson (FL-05), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Barbara Lee (CA-13), John Lewis (GA-05), Donald McEachin (VA-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Stacey E. Plaskett (VI), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Cedric L. Richmond (LA-02), Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), David Scott (GA-13), José E. Serrano (NY-15), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

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CONYERS STATEMENT ON GRASSLEY TREATMENT OF CBC MEMBERS TESTIFYING AT SESSIONS HEARING TODAY

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to Senator Jeff Sessions’ nomination for U.S. Attorney General. These Members are being required to testify as part of a third joint panel with non-Members of Congress and must sit through the hearing until the panel starts. After calling Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley yesterday, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr., the current longest serving Member of Congress and co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, today issued the following statement in regards to the lack of courtesy typically afforded to Members of Congress who testify at hearings:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“As the Dean of the House, former Committee Chairman and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I reject the lack of comity and respect afforded to my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues who will testify in opposition to Senator Sessions during his confirmation hearing. Booker, Lewis and Richmond are being required to testify with non-Members of Congress, and remain seated during the hearing for an indefinite period of time before offering their testimony during the last panel of the hearing. 

“In the past, both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees have had a relationship based upon mutual respect and courtesy. What is set to take place today strongly deviates from the high level of cooperation we’ve always bestowed one another as colleagues in the United States Congress. I urge Chairman Grassley to reconsider the tone he is setting from this moment forward. As very busy Members of Congress with packed schedules, I believe Senator Booker, and Representatives Lewis and Richmond should have been able to provide their testimony on a member-only panel at the start of the hearing.”

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EMMETT TILL UNSOLVED CIVIL RIGHTS CRIMES REAUTHORIZATION ACT PASSED BY CONGRESS

Washington, DC—During its final session of the 114th Congress, the Senate passed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S.2854/H.R.5067).  In the Senate, the bill was led by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).  In the House, original sponsors were Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The bill now heads to the President to be signed into law.

BACKGROUND

Before the passage of major civil rights legislation in the 1960s, hundreds of racially suspicious crimes were committed in this country, and few attempts to prosecute them were ever pursued.  Tuskegee Institute once kept a record of verified lynchings in the United States from 1877 to 1950.  The institute documented that nearly 4000 mainly unprosecuted civil rights crimes occurred during that period.  Many American families continue to pass down stories of loss and disappearance even today without knowing the truth about what actually happened to their loved ones. 

PRIMARY GOALS OF THE BILL

The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act represents a critical opportunity to right these wrongs committed, primarily against African Americans, but also against people of diverse backgrounds.  In some cases, individuals still remain who were witnesses to these crimes or who can help provide evidence regarding these incidents.  This bill reauthorizes and updates the original legislation that was signed into law in 2008.  It seeks to respond to the concerns of victims' family members and strengthen collaboration between the Justice Department, the FBI, State and local law enforcement, and advocates to pursue these cold cases.  There is a collective goal to seek the truth about this long-standing tragedies and hold the perpetrators and orchestrators of these atrocities accountable.   This reauthorization also seeks to respond to the concerns of advocates regarding the implementation of the original legislation. 

BI-PARTISAN and BI-CAMERAL STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

"As we work to address current questions about racial violence and civil rights, we should be mindful of our history and why so many in the African-American community raise the issue of whether black lives matter.  Passage of the original Emmett Till Act represented a commitment to resolving the unanswered questions from one of the darkest periods in modern American history.  This bipartisan reauthorization represents further investment in our history and will allow the Department of Justice to resolve remaining issues."  Rep. John Conyers, Jr.  - MI

"When this bill was signed into law, family members, academics, historians, lawyers, advocates began working to develop a full accounting for these long-standing, gross human and civil rights atrocities.  The reauthorization passed by Congress is a response to their appeals to make the law a better tool in their quest for justice. We also worked across the aisle and across the Dome to develop a bill that fulfills our promise to remain committed to the pursuit of truth on behalf of victims and their families.  I am very pleased that Congress has passed this legislation and I look forward to the signature of President Barack Obama."  Rep. John Lewis - GA

“I am pleased that this bill is now finally heading to the President’s desk. Investigators can now work to discover the truth and to seek justice under our legal system for the families of these victims. Every American is worthy of the protection of our laws. I want to thank the Till family, Alvin Sykes, Congressman John Lewis, and all of the civil rights activists who helped make this law a reality. Today’s victory is theirs.”  Sen. Richard Burr - NC

 “Too many families suffer from the unsolved murders of their loved ones during the civil rights era without receiving justice.  The way to best serve these families is to provide our Federal government with the tools it needs to investigate these unsolved crimes, and to hopefully, bring some sense of closure for these families.  I thank Congressman Lewis for his tireless work on behalf of the families of these victims of unsolved murders from the civil rights era and I am proud to stand with him on this effort.”   Sen. Patrick Leahy - VT

“This legislation brings justice and closure to the families and communities affected by the heinous acts of violence and hatred that are a stain on our nation’s history. The bill will help us continue the critical work of better investigating and solving these crimes, no matter how long ago they occurred, and I’m thrilled we’ve finally been able to carry it across the finish line.” Sen. Claire McCaskill - MO

“The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act sets out to investigate racially-motivated murders. Sadly, there is still more work to be done and it’s important that we reauthorize this bill so that the FBI and DOJ can continue investigating unsolved crimes.”    Sen. Roy Blunt - MO

“As an original cosponsor of the Emmett Till Reauthorization Act, I’m pleased to see my colleagues came together and supported this important bill. This bipartisan legislation will provide for a sustained, well-coordinated effort to investigate and prosecute unsolved civil rights-era crimes. There are hundreds of cold cases from the civil rights era that have never been solved and it is my hope that we are able to bring justice to the victims’ families.”  Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner - WI

MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION

·         This bill requires the Department of Justice and FBI to consult with civil rights organizations, universities, and other entities that have also been gathering evidence in these cold cases;

·         Provides clearer direction and improved coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement and the activists, advocates, and academics working on these issues;

·         Strengthens the Department of Justice’s reporting requirements;

·         Expands the time span of cases to be considered by ten years, to include all cases that occurred not later than December 31, 1979;

·         Eliminates the sunset provision in the original bill;

·         Encourages the Department of Justice to review specific closed cases that warrant further investigation;

·         Maintains the previous investigation structure and funding levels; and

·         Clarifies the law’s intent.

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CONYERS, LEWIS & SENSENBRENNER Applaud House Passage of Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2854/ H.R. 5067, the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act. The Till bill's primary purpose is to provide federal resources to local jurisdictions in the resolution of civil rights era cold cases.  This reauthorization represents a recommitment to the original goals of the bill as well as the strengthening and clarification of the law, as called for by interested civil rights groups and families. 

The lead House sponsors of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act released the following statements after House passage of the legislation:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“We must never forget our nation’s dark past and should be mindful of our history and why so many in the African-American community raise the issue of whether black lives matter.  Many civil rights era crimes were barely noted or investigated, and I believe the perpetrators of those crimes should be brought to justice, even 50 years later. We passed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act in 2007 to help bring these cases to light and seek justice for victims and their families. The Till Reauthorization Act will further empower the Department of Justice and cold case advocates to share information and review the status and closure of cases through 1980.  I applaud House passage of this legislation and urge my Senate colleagues to quickly pass the legislation, so that it can be signed into law.”  ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR - Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)

“When this bill was signed into law, family members, academics, historians, lawyers, advocates began working to develop a full accounting for these long-standing, gross human and civil rights atrocities.  The reauthorization that the House passed this evening is a response to their appeals to make the law a better tool in their quest for justice. We took the time to research and study what happened after the original bill was signed into law.  We listened to and were guided by the advocates, by law professors, by families, and by the press.  We worked across the aisle and across the Dome to develop a bill that fulfills our promise to never give up on this effort – to never abandon the pursuit of truth.  I am very pleased by House passage tonight and look forward to passage in the Senate and the signature of President Barack Obama.” ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR - Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)

“As an original cosponsor of the Emmett Till Reauthorization Act, I’m pleased to see my colleagues came together and supported this important bill. This bipartisan legislation will provide for a sustained, well-coordinated effort to investigate and prosecute unsolved civil rights-era crimes. There are hundreds of cold cases from the civil rights era that have never been solved, and it is my hope that we are able to bring justice to the victims’ families.”  ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR -  Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI)

Senate action on the amended bill is anticipated before the end of the 114th Congress, and sponsors are hoping it will be signed into law in 2016. 

• This bill requires the Department of Justice and FBI to consult with civil rights organizations, universities, and other entities that have also been gathering evidence in these cold cases;  
• Provides clearer direction and improved coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement and the activists, advocates, and academics working on these issues;  
• Strengthens the Department of Justice’s reporting requirements;
• Expands the time span of cases to be considered by ten years, to include all cases that occurred not later than December 31, 1979;
• Encourages the Department of Justice to review specific closed cases that warrant further investigation; 
• Maintains the previous investigation structure and funding levels; and
• Clarifies the law’s intent.

Conyers' floor statement video can be watched here.

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CONYERS Leads Effort for Diversity In Federal Reserve Bank Leadership

Washington, DC - Reps.  John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee;  John Lewis (D-GA), a senior member of the House Ways & Means Committee; David Scott (D-GA), a senior member of the Financial Services Committee; and Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member on the Financial Services Committee, urged the Federal Reserve to conduct an inclusive, transparent search for the next President of the Reserve Bank of Atlanta, one that engages candidates from many diverse backgrounds.

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

In a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and Thomas Fanning, Chairman of the Atlanta Fed, the Members emphasized the need for Federal Reserve policymakers to account for our nation’s grave racial disparities in terms of unemployment, wages, and income in the development of monetary policy, especially since the economic downturn severely damaged the already tenuous financial security of traditionally underserved communities.  In the sixth Federal Reserve district, where the new president will serve, unemployment and poverty rates for African-Americans, for example, are about double those for white Americans.

Presidents of the 11 other reserve banks have all worked for major financial firms or at the Federal Reserve before their appointments.  The Members urged the Fed to consider a wider range of backgrounds, including academia, labor, and non-profit institutions, to capture the perspectives of all Americans as they develop economic policy.  Since the appointment of Andrew Brimmer to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors by Lyndon Johnson, there have been only a few minority governors, and no African-American or Latino bank presidents have ever been appointed.  Currently there is one Asian bank president, Neel Kashkari, who heads the Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

A report by the Center for Popular Democracy in February 2016 showed that the overwhelming majority of Reserve Bank directors and presidents are white, and there has never been an African-American or Latino Federal Reserve Bank president in the Fed’s history.  In May, 127 Members of Congress, led by Congressman John Conyers, Jr., signed a letter urging for more diversity and a greater focus on high employment in minority communities at the Fed. 

“Selecting the first African-American or Latino Regional Bank president would be a historic milestone for the Federal Reserve, and I greatly appreciate Chair Yellen’s focus on increasing diversity.  But given the Fed’s long history of prioritizing low inflation over job creation, the candidate also should be truly committed to full employment and possess deep knowledge of labor market disparities that too often leave workers, especially workers of color, behind,” said Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Congressional Full Employment Caucus.

“With this search, the Federal Reserve has a unique opportunity to restore confidence in our financial system by including the perspectives and experiences of a wider range of Americans,” Rep. John Lewis said.  “Metro Atlanta was hit hard by the Great Recession, and many people in the South are still mired in poverty due to that downturn.  In light of recent crises, the Federal Reserve should look far and wide to find the best person for this important job, not only within its own network.  The Fed has a responsibility to ensure that the financial needs of the most vulnerable are considered within the policymaking process.”                                      

“The Federal Reserve has an opportunity to do something very significant with the recent retirement announcement of the current President of the Atlanta Federal Bank,” said Rep. David Scott.  “We’ve never had an African American Regional Fed president.  I’m asking the Federal Reserve to take this opportunity to make history.  We have many exceptionally qualified African Americans who can do this.”

In September, Atlanta Federal Reserve President Dennis Lockhart announced his retirement, effective in February 2017.  To find a new president, the Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta will identify and consider candidates, who then must be interviewed and approved by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.  The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks and covers Georgia, Florida, Alabama, eastern Tennessee, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.

Congressman Conyers launched the 32-member Congressional Full Employment Caucus in February 2014. Full employment is defined as the lowest possible unemployment rate that the economy can reach. Congressman Conyers has introduced several pieces of legislation to further that goal:  H.R. 1000, the Humphrey-Hawkins 21st Century Full Employment and Training Act of 2015, which would tax Wall Street speculation to guarantee a job or training to every American who wants to work; H.R. 3531, The Full Employment Federal Reserve Act, which instructs the Federal Reserve bank to target a four percent national unemployment rate – the rate reached in the late 1990s; and H.R.3674, The Labor Statistics Improvement Act, which would create a commission to ensure that unemployment statistics accurately reflect the reality on the ground for job seekers. The Congressional Full Employment Caucus serves as a platform and working group for Members of Congress who are dedicated to identifying solutions and advocating for legislative action to reduce unemployment. 

Congressional Letter to Federal Reserve About Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Presidential Search by Beverly Tran on Scribd

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Focus: HOPE honors civil rights icons, names new CEO

Focus: HOPE celebrated two longtime congressmen and civil rights champions Friday as the Detroit-based nonprofit announced its new leader.

The civil rights and job training  organization recognized Democratic U.S. Reps. John Conyers of Detroit and John Lewis of Georgia during its third annual Heroes for HOPE Awards Program.

“Congressman Conyers has been at the forefront of social equality, economic empowerment and peace since before first being elected in 1964,” said WDIV’s Jason Colthorp, the master of ceremonies, noting Conyers’ “involvement in positively channeling Detroiters’ anger following the 1967 riots” and his more than 50 years in Congress.

Lewis, considered one of the top leaders of the 1960s civil rights movement, acknowledged Conyers, who is the dean of the House and longest-serving member of Congress.

“I am pleased to be honored with my friend and brother John Conyers,” Lewis told a crowd of more than 500 supporters of the nonprofit in Cobo Center’s Grand River Ballroom.

“I salute each and every one of you for supporting Focus: HOPE,” he said. “You bring hope and inspiration to hundreds of thousands of individuals.”

Later at the event, the nonprofit announced that Jason D. Lee, longtime executive director of the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, will take over the reins as CEO effective Aug 8. Lee will succeed William Jones Jr., who announced his retirement earlier this year.

“The work of Focus: HOPE is as relevant today as it was when the organization was founded in 1968,” Lee said in a statement. “Focus: HOPE is a model for the nation; I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this Michigan asset that is making an impact in the lives of this great community.”

Focus: HOPE’s board of directors selected Lee after a nationwide search that resulted in 200 applications. He led the Detroit  engineering group for 12 years and previously held engineering positions for Ford Motor Co.’s powertrain and product development division.

Focus: HOPE “looks forward with anticipation of the renewed focus and energy that Jason Lee will bring,” nonprofit board chair Glenda Price said in a statement. “We look toward a positive future of working with him to achieve our goal of eliminating poverty, racism and injustice.”

“We know how critical of a hire this is, and we were seeking someone with a diverse background in community organization, education and executive nonprofit experience,” added Focus: HOPE board member Elliot Forsyth. “Jason has strong ties in each of these areas and has played a role in providing local residents with impactful personal and career opportunities.”

Others honored were The Ford Foundation and its president, Darren Walker, and Bob Rossiter, former CEO of Lear Corp. Featured speakers included Detroit federal Judge Gerald Rosen and Price.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2016/06/10/focus-hope-names-new-leader/85727562/

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John Conyers in Selma for the 50th Celebration of Voting Rights

It was an honor to march in Selma last weekend with over 100 lawmakers, President Obama, and hundreds more in commemoration of Bloody Sunday - a tragic event in our nation's history that took place 50 years ago and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Led by my dear friend, Dr. Martin Luther King, and my distinguished colleague, Rep. John Lewis, the 1965 march was a critical turning point in the quest to secure voting rights for African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.

Voting is the very cornerstone of what defines our great Democracy. Today, I remain committed to protecting the right to vote for all Americans, as I have always been. ‪#‎Selma50‬ ‪#‎VotingRights‬ 

John Conyers at Brown Chapel in Selma

John Conyers remembering Rosa Parks

John Conyers and Congressional Members in Selma

John Conyers and Representatives in Selma

John Lewis and John Conyers in Selma

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Reps. Conyers, Lewis balk at Obama's position on Iran

Two long-serving Democrats are objecting to President Obama's position on Iran, claiming military action should be taken off the table.


Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and John Lewis (D-Ga.) told The Hill Thursday that they have concerns with the administration's refusal to rule out military action against Iran.


Obama on Thursday strongly criticized Iran after news broke of an alleged plot to assassinate a Saudi ambassador on U.S. soil.

Lewis said, "We've got enough wars," stressing the need for diplomacy.


Conyers said, "I want military options off the table."


Asked about sanctions against Iran, Conyers said he is concerned sanctions "might hurt the people (of Iran), not the government."


Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's (R-Fla.) Iran sanctions bill has picked up 21 co-sponsors this week. The measure now has a total of 318 backers, and is scheduled to be marked up later this month.

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