G.K. Butterfield to lead Congressional Black Caucus
G.K. Butterfield (D-North Carolina) will be the Congressional Black Caucus’ next leader. The U.S. Representative was unanimously elected on Wednesday by the 45 member group.
“I’m moved by the unwavering support the CBC has shown me throughout the years,” said Butterfield in a release. He is the caucus’s most recent Vice-Chair.
The CBC was formally initiated in 1970, a time when the struggles of black Americans were at the forefront of the national conversation. Butterfield believes that minority voters still face significant hurdles and that the caucus is just as relevant today as it was decades ago.
“Right now the disparity between black and white in this country continues to be what it was 30 years ago and that is unacceptable,” said Butterfield. “And it is our challenge as legislators to do something about it — at least to fight for a change.”
Butterfield says he will focus on the economy, and bringing African America families to a level of financial security comparable to other parts of society, education and the support of HBCUs, and the disparate rates of incarceration among young black men.
Before heading to Washington, Butterfield served as a judge for 15 years in North Carolina. Congratulations to Mr. Butterfield on his new position with the Congressional Black Caucus!
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