Rep. Johnson Holds Hill Briefing on H. Res. 713 – Recognizing International Decade for People of African Descent
Panelists included actor and activist Danny Glover and experts in the field of international studies on race and equality.
"It is fitting that during Black History Month, Americans continue to set aside time to venerate Africans and Afro Descendants and their contributions throughout the Diaspora and all over the world," said Rep. Johnson.
H. Res. 713 – a bill Rep. Johnson recently introduced – seeks to spotlight Afro-descendants, and expand their access to social, economic, and educational prosperity. Designating the "International Decade for People of African Descent" creates a path towards increased visibility, and encourages a productive relationship between government, non-governmental, and advocacy organizations with Africans and Afro-descendants to develop programs that promote inclusion, champion justice and equality, unravel racism, and uproot intolerance.
In addition to Danny Glover, Rep. Johnson was joined by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI); Helsinki Commission's Dr. Mischa Thompson; Executive Director and Founder of the International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights Carlos Quesada and Executive Vice President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Willie Baker.
The panel and audience – about 75 strong -- held a discussion and briefing on people of African descent for more than an hour in 2253 Rayburn HOB.
Thursday's event is the first of many other briefings and activities planned around the decennial recognizing Africans on the continent and throughout the diaspora.
Photos: High-resolution versions of photographs available upon request. Above: Rep. Johnson kicks off the event on Capitol Hill while Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) looks on. Left: Congressman Johnson welcomed actor Danny Glover as a member of the panel.
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