Pictured – Dr. Allen Martin, PARL Director (center) along with group, including Pastors, Conference Directors, office staff and members from NEC.

Recently, a group of 50 persons from the Northeastern Conference visited Washington D.C. The trip was organized by the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Department to expose the members to our country’s history and to give them the opportunity to participate in current activities that impact their lives.

Among the memorable interactions on this trip was the Congressional Black Caucus Convention. The annual Congressional Black Caucus exists for the purpose to strengthen our elected officials in Congress to make needed changes in the United States of America. Since the establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been committed to using the full Constitutional power statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and others marginalized communities in the United States could achieve the American Dream.

For the past 50 years, the Caucus has been successful and has grown in its development and capacity. The following objectives are its laudable aims and plans:

· Reforming the criminal justice system and eliminating barriers to reentry.

· Combatting voter suppression.

· Increasing access to world-class education from pre-k through post-secondary level.

· Creating opportunities for quality, affordable health care and eliminating racial health disparities.

· Encouraging engagement with 21st century technologies.

· Strengthening protections for workers and expanding access to full, fairly compensated employment.

· Expanding access to capital, contracts, and counseling for minority-owned businesses.

· Promoting U.S. foreign policy initiatives in Africa and other countries that are consistent with the fundamental        right of human dignity.

There were thousands of people in attendance at the event. We also spent time touring several sites including the US Capital. Thanks to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries office, we were given special care. This was a first for many who were on our trip. Our group learned a lot about our nation’s history as we also visited the famous African American museum. We ended our trip by making a brief stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial.

We look forward to more trips in the future and are grateful for the financial support our churches provided which made it possible.

-Contributed by Dr. Allen Martin, PARL Director NEC

Photo – Lorraine Archie