Sign the Petition
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamasenateseat/index.htm
l
We cannot afford to give up any ground!
Gov. Blagojevich will soon make his choice on who will replace President Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. This is one of the most important decisions to Illinois voters and to African-Americans across the country. Currently there are NO Blacks serving in the U.S. Senate. Please sign this online petition and share it with your friends.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamasenateseat/index.htm
l
The Coalition for Political Empowerment
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamasenateseat/index.htm
l
CONGRESSMAN BOBBY RUSH, COALITION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN LEADERS TO TURN UP THE HEAT ON GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH
Coalition announced massive state-wide petition drive regarding President-Elect Obama's vacant senate seat
CHICAGO - On Tuesday, December 2, 2008 U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush convened a diverse coalition of African-American opinion leaders to announce a massive statewide petition drive to have an African-American appointed to fill President-Elect Barack Obama's open U.S. Senate seat.
Rush, who is not interested in the office, said this signature gathering campaign will further galvanize momentum to have Governor Rod R. Blagojevich appoint another African-American to continue Obama's unfinished term. The group, calling themselves the Coalition of Political Empowerment, is comprised of community, civic and business leaders, prominent clergy and youth organizers. The governor is expected to announce the president-elect's replacement before the new year and a number of African-American personalities have expressed interest.
"This is a critical decision of the utmost importance within the African-American community," Rush said, "and though it may be cold outside, we are going to turn up the heat under the governor to ensure the continuity of leadership continues."
Those present at the press conference included:
• Cook County Board President Todd Stroger
• Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler
• State Rep. Mary Flowers
• State Rep. Marlow Colvin
• City Council Woman LaTasha Thomas
• City Council Woman Pat Dowell
• Englewood Political Task Force
• Rev. Walter Turner, president of the Illinois Faith-Based Association
• Rev. Ira Acree, president of the LEADERS Network
• Darryl Smith, president of hte Englewood Political Taskforce
• Pat Hill, president of the African-American Patrolman's League
Congressman Bobby L. Rush released the following statement Dec. 2, 2008
"We are at a critical juncture in U.S. political history. Illinois is the state that gave the nation its first African-American president and it is the only state in the union to ever produce two African Americans to
the U.S. Senate. Black voters from Chicago to Cairo were instrumental in helping America move forward
as a nation toward progress and inclusion, and it is the Black vote that secured the election of our
Democratic Governor in 2003.
"With the resignation of President-Elect Obama, we now have no African-American in the United States
Senate and we believe it will be a national disgrace to not have this seat filled by one of the many capable
African-American Illinois politicians. I am not interested in the position--I am comfortable in continuing to
serve the people of the 1st Congressional District and serving as a pastor in the Englewood community.
However, as a ranking member from the Illinois congressional delegation, I feel it is my responsibility to
address the issue at hand and ensure the grassroots have an opportunity to lend their voices to the
process.
"Therefore we stand here today as the Coalition for Black Political Empowerment to send strong message
to the chief executive of this state that he must appoint a qualified African-American to fill the remaining
two years of President-Elect Obama's term. There are a number of qualified candidates who have already
been vetted in this process and we are here today to reinforce the message that the African-American
community will not be short-changed. We intend to put the pressure on.
"We are no longer comfortable in Cannan. The Black electorate is smarter than it was yesterday and we
are stronger today than we were yesterday. We are determined to have our voices heard and they will be
heard before the governor makes his decision. Though there may be ice and snow on the ground, we are
standing here united in spirit and in focus to turn up the heat on Governor Blagojevich as he deliberates
on who he will pick to replace President-Elect Barack Obama in the United States Senate.
"Therefore we are announcing a statewide petition drive. The goal of our petition drive is to allow the
citizens of Illinois to participate in this selection process, in general, but for African-American citizens,
specifically, to have a voice in this historic decision. The petitions are already on the streets. They are
being circulated through churches, street and community-based organizations, small businesses, barber
shops, beauty shops and on street corners. We plan to deliver these signatures to the Governor ' s Office
before the Christmas holiday.
"Thank you."
EDITOR'S NOTE: The petition language reads as follows:
Whereas, since 1787, the only African Americans to serve in the United States Senate have been Hiram Revels, Blanche K. Bruce, Edward W. Brooke, Carol Moseley Braun and Barack Obama; and
Whereas, the citizens of the State of Illinois in their wisdom have the distinction of electing the last two African-Americans to serve in the U.S. Senate; and
Whereas, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, millions of Americans across this country made history by electing Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America; and
Whereas, today out of ninety-nine senators, and with the resignation of Pres-Elect Obama NO African Americans now serve; therefore
We, the undersigned residents of the State of Illinois, being at least 18 years of age, strongly urge the Governor of Illinois to choose an African-American to fill the vacancy in the United States Senate seat created by the resignation of President-Elect Barack Obama.
Sign the Petition, it's important
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamasenateseat/index.htm
l
(This profile is managed by supporters of Congressman Bobby L. Rush, chairman of an Energy and Commerce subcommittee, but will often feature info and updates coming directly from him.)
From
Black Panther to
Black Politician to
Black Preacher
