be there. So will Dean, and so will Kucinich--among many others, *including* Obama.
http://www.rainbowpush.org/FMPro?-db=rpodata.fp5&-format=rainbowpush%2fdata%2fdetailpress.htm&-lay=main&-sortfield=date&-sortorder=descend&category=press&-recid=33062&-find=FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/24/2004 UPDATED
Contact: Jerry Thomas
773-256-2714
847-867-9627
Felicia McQuitter
Press Office
773-256-2718
fmcquitter@rainbowpush.org
2004 Annual Conference: Politics, Business, Education, Hip-Hop Take Center Stage
BILL CLINTON, JOHN KERRY, BILL COSBY, DICK GEPHARDT, HOWARD DEAN, BARACK OBAMA HIGHLIGHT ANNUAL RAINBOW/PUSH & CEF CONFERENCE
CHICAGO (June 16, 2004) – Former president and current author Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, entertainer/educator Bill Cosby, former presidential candidate and Vermont Governor Howard Dean, Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt, Chicago Stock Exchange Chairman Valerie Jarrett; Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Democratic senatorial candidate Barack Obama and Starbucks Chairman and Chief Global Strategist Howard Schultz are among the dozens of newsmakers scheduled to attend the 33rd Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund Conference, June 26 - July 1, 2004, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.
This year’s conference, 2004: A Year of Critical Choices For Inclusion and Growth, has extra significance as this presidential election year marks the 20th anniversary of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.'s historic run for the presidency of the United States. His 1984 campaign was the first serious bid by an African-American for the nation’s highest office.
In celebration of this anniversary, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition hosts a day of festivities on Saturday, June 26, known as Reunion Day. The event, which will be held at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters at 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, will bring together the many politicians, political organizers, campaign workers, ministers, educators, students, factory workers, journalists, Midwestern farmers, Appalachian coal miners and other supporters who worked on the 1984 and 1988 campaigns.
"On this day, we will reach back as far as we can go," Rev. Jackson said as he and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition officials look forward to seeing some of the old warriors, whom he describes as the "roots" of the movement. "Most of today's young politicians don't know these people. Many of them who started with us are aging and they are not here, but their children and their political offspring are active.
“One reason Jesse Jr. won his congressional seat is because his opponents did not know how deep people’s gratitude was for our work. “All of these people, and their children and even their children’s children, voted for him."
"For all of us," Rev. Jackson added, "Reunion Day is about tapping the strength of our roots, about looking deep and wide to know who we are. This event is one way of keeping our roots watered."
Many of the elected officials and people gathering for Reunion Day will remain in Chicago on Sunday, June 27, for the convention’s Leadership Summit Day. Guests scheduled to attend the summit include former presidential candidate and Vermont governor Howard Dean, Senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Florida Congresswoman Corrine Brown; Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Democratic senatorial candidate Barack Obama, and many current and former lawmakers at state and federal levels.
The presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry is scheduled to address the conference on Tuesday, June 29th, when a large delegation from the labor movement will be in attendance. "We want a town hall meeting with Kerry," Rev. Jackson said, noting that the gathering of elected officials, potential campaign workers, labor organizers, ministers and educators from throughout the nation offers an opportunity for Kerry to connect with a significant part of his base.
"These leaders have not yet met together to seriously discuss the countdown to November," Rev. Jackson said. "We know that we will focus on counting the votes. So many votes were stolen in the last election that it is imperative we keep our eyes on the prize -- and this time, the prize is every single voter, every single ballot."
He added, "You know, the White House is public housing – and we plan to remove George W. Bush from the public housing rolls in November. This leadership summit is an opportunity for those of us who are committed to that goal to come together, to share our resources and strengths, with the clear goal of reaching a better understanding of how we will go about sending George W. Bush back to Texas."
After four days of specialized meetings and events, the conference concludes on Thursday, July 1, with a stellar lineup of participants, including former President and current author Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby, Charles Ogletree and celebrity judge Greg Mathis, who will discuss critical issues in education.
Cosby, who holds a doctorate in education, recently has drawn media attention for his comments criticizing those who value consumerism over education, and encouraging parents and students to take responsibility for their education. Seen as overly harsh by some, Cosby’s remarks in fact reflect widespread sentiment in the African-American community, Rev. Jackson said.
"Our people agree with Bill," Rev. Jackson said. "Bill took it to another level. His point was to lift up and not tear down. We’re planning a session during the conference that will be addressing why poor people can’t have poor habits. Poor people must have rich habits to get out of poverty."
Throughout the conference, a pledge drive will ask parents in attendance to sign a seven-point pledge whose promises include taking the child to school, meeting with teachers to assess the child’s progress, and coming to school to pick up the child's report card.
Parents’ awareness of these issues and the importance of attendance are crucial to improving truancy and graduation rates at Chicago Public Schools, Rev. Jackson said. Currently the system fails to collect more than $130 million annually in funds that are available when daily attendance rates are better, he explained.
"If we become the owner of parent power, we can turn these schools around," Rev. Jackson said. "It's like putting the lights back on."
Other highlights during the conference:
Saturday, June 26
Reunion Day
Warriors of the Movement return to Dr. King’s Workshop at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition’s headquarters, where Rev. Jackson talks about the past and the future.
Hip Hop workshops
Spoken Word Slam, Graffiti Art and Break Dancing competition and demonstration.
Sunday, June 27
Focus: Leadership Summit
African Diaspora Forum (2:30 PM to 4:00 PM) "Reconnecting, Collaborating, Empowerment, and the Way Forward." Black leaders from Africa, South America, Europe and North America will be participating.
Concert and Awards Ceremony featuring Cook, Dixon & Young (formerly known as Three Mo’ Tenors) at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr.: 7:00 p.m.– 10:00 p.m. The organization honors Barack Obama and black generals in the military.
Monday, June 28
Focus: The Church and the Marketplace
Sessions on finance, health, issues in the religious community and related topics will be held throughout the day. Rev. Major Jemison, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, gives the keynote address. Rev. Stephen J. Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of America, presides. 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Women's Luncheon
with keynote speech by Rev. Jackson: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Gospel Explosion and Awards Concert featuring Darius Brooks, Vicky Winans, Darryl Cooley and the Rainbow/PUSH Mass Choir: 7:00 p.m.- 10:p.m.
Tuesday, June 29
Focus: Labor and Sports
Sessions on organized labor issues, labor aspects of athletics and sports, and related topics will be held throughout the day; see daily schedules for specific events and participants.
International Labor Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; speakers include Senator John Kerry and John Wilhelm, president of H.E.R.E.
"The Wal-Mart Factor: Dumbing Down the American Economy": 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Congressman Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.) will open this session.
Sports Luncheon – Motor Sports and the NCAA – George Payne, vice president of marketing for NASCAR, is the keynote speaker. 12 noon – 2 p.m.
Jobless Recovery Forum 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 30
Focus: Business
Sessions on franchising, venture capital funding, other business opportunities, and related topics will be held throughout the day. Howard Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of Starbucks, is the keynote speaker.
Access to Capital Luncheon – 12 noon -2 p.m. Valerie Jarrett, chairman of the Chicago Stock Exchange, James Bell, executive vice president and CFO of Boeing, and Attorney Martin King, chairman of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Board, are some of the speakers.
Town Hall Meeting: To Be Counted – In this session, participants debate the People Meters versus the Diary System when counting people for the Television Arbitron Ratings.
Thursday, July 1
Focus: Education Sessions on issues in education for educators, parents and youth will be held throughout the day; see daily schedules for specific events and participants.
Education Breakfast and Town Hall Meeting on Parenting led by Bill Cosby, D.Ed., Judge Greg Mathis, Harvard Law School professor Charles Ogletree, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Hip-Hop and youth panels throughout the conference
Oratorical competition, DJ demonstrations and competitions, voter registration drive and workshops such as The Criminalization of the Hip Hop Generation, The Political Maturation of the Hip Hop Generation, Inspirational Hip Hop and The Business of Hip Hop.
For the complete conference schedule and press credentials, contact the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition’s media office at 773-256-2714 or 773-256-2718.
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