New York’s Ninth District Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke on Thursday congratulated herself on her election as the first Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, saying that serving on the Congressional Black Caucus Executive Committee in the 118th Congress is more than a privilege, but an obligation she does not take lightly.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who thanked her fellow CBC members, said, “Each new Congress is an opportunity for our 60-member Caucus to advance legislation and policy to address the myriad of persistent inequalities that continue to affect Black communities across our country.”
The New York Ninth District representative urged her peers to remain vigilant if they are to overcome the new dimensions of these historic challenges that Congress continues to face. “I have no doubt that the talent and dynamic abilities of our new executive committee will lead this truly extraordinary and remarkable caucus to unprecedented heights and opportunities, both within the U.S. Congress and beyond, in the many beloved communities that are integral to strengthening and growing our nation. I have no doubt that our members will continue to build on the success of our predecessors and support and promote the causes so vital to the advancement of people of African descent,” Ms. Clarck said in a statement released to ZoomHaitiNews and Caribbean Television Network.
She noted that much has changed in the United States and in Congress “since the days of the bold actions of Shirley Chisholm and Charlie Rangel who, along with 11 of their congressional colleagues, created the Congressional Black Caucus.” “What has not changed and will endure forever is the mission of this Caucus. For decades, we have given a voice to the voiceless and a platform to the marginalized. Even though the vast majority of our members will find themselves in the minority in the next Congress, and even though we are certain to face a relentless filibuster, our mission will endure. And ultimately, if we stay the course, we will prevail,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarck, who says he firmly believes that he and his peers have only opportunities ahead of them. Those to elevate and advance policy that offers new opportunities for economic growth never before seen; to free the disenfranchised from the shackles of marginalization, disenfranchisement and a broken immigration system; to create pathways and corridors to their prosperity.
The new CBC Vice Chair, who says she is aware that “our Caucus is the conscience of Congress” has renewed her unwavering commitment to Black people and the communities from which they come. A commitment that, she says, “is rooted in the ethos established by her predecessor and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the late Shirley Chisholm. It’s a commitment that has long guided my career and my own life: to remain free from purchase and control.”
Yvette D. Clarke proud to vote Jeffries to succeed Pelosi
The representative from New York’s ninth district further expressed pride in having voted on Wednesday for fellow Democrat Hakeem Jeffries from Democratic caucus chair to House minority leader, replacing the experienced Nancy Pelosi. She is pleased to have witnessed firsthand and helped elect Jeffries, the youngest and first black lawmaker to take the leadership of a party in Congress.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarck was full of praise for the new Democratic House Minority Leader, highlighting “Hakeem Jeffries’ dedication, commitment and diligence to making progress and policies that transform lives in the communities they hold so dear.”