Washington, DC – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has announced that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) and Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-7) will serve as co-chairs of its 35th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). Set for September 21-24, 2005 in Washington, DC, the theme of this year’s conference is Unity…Power…Progress.

“We are so pleased to have Rep. Jackson Lee and Rep. Davis working with us this year,” said Dr. Don Tharpe, CBCF’s President and CEO. “Together we can make the conference an outstanding success.”

Congresswoman Jackson Lee mirrored Dr. Tharpe’s expressed vision. “It’s a privilege to be named Co-Chair of this year’s conference. I look forward to working with my colleague, Rep. Davis and CBCF as we plan an exceptionally memorable event.”

Congressman Davis provided a similar reaction. "Being co-chair of this year's ALC has provided me the opportunity to work more closely with Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee and the Foundation to plan what is destined to be the best and most far-reaching conference in the history of Caucus activity."

Over 20,000 people gather for the four-day conference, which presents more than 70 panel discussions on relevant issues important to African Americans and other communities of color. The ALC will also include a town hall meeting, a prayer breakfast, an awards dinner, an array of networking events, and an exhibit hall offering free health screenings, a job fair, vendors, book signings, and entertainment. This year’s conference will feature such high-profile individuals as Senator Hilary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama, Dr. Charles Ogletree, Kanye West, Les Brown, Donna Brazile, Dr. Ben Carson, Harry Belafonte and numerous others.

To enhance excitement surrounding this year’s event, CBCF has also named Oscar-winning actor, Jamie Foxx as its ALC Ambassador. Foxx will serve as the national spokesperson for the event and will appear in taped public service announcements and special interviews. “Bringing on such a major talent as Jamie Foxx as part of our effort is truly an added bonus and will help us reach our goal of taking our conference to new heights,” explained Tharpe. “We look forward to a long friendship with Jamie.”

Foxx expressed equal delight in partnering with CBCF. “I am incredibly pleased to preside as the first official Ambassador of ALC. When I participated last year at the “Ray” preview screening, I was so overwhelmed by the unity and positive vibe that I felt it a privilege to participate in a big way this year and want to encourage everybody to get to know CBCF and get involved in the profound work they’re doing.”

The ALC raises millions for CBCF’s scholarship, fellowship, and internship programs as well as its home-buying, African globalism and public health initiatives. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit educational and research institution established in 1976 to promote collaboration among community and business leaders and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African-American community and African Diaspora. For registration and more information about ALC log on to www.2005ALC.com or call 202-263-2800

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