WASHINGTON, D.C. – CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield released the following statement recognizing this year’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipients, which include CBC founding member Shirley Chisholm.
“The Congressional Black Caucus is proud to recognize this year’s Presidential Medal of Freedom Award recipients. This distinguished group of American citizens have each made significant contributions here at home and abroad through their promotion of peace and cultural excellence in their public and private endeavors.
“This year, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is our Nation’s highest civilian honor, will be presented posthumously to one of the founding Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative Shirley Chisholm.
“Representative Chisholm made history in 1968 by becoming the first African American woman elected to Congress where she served seven terms in the House of Representatives. She was the first major-party African American female candidate to make a bid for the U.S. presidency when she ran for the Democratic nomination in 1972. She was known as a champion of minority education, employment opportunities, and was the driving force behind SNAP and WIC. Her service in Congress on behalf of the constituents of New York’s 12th Congressional District and her leadership within the CBC made an indelible and lasting impact on our 46 current Members.
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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.
