Rev. Jesse Jackson hosts 34th annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition conference in Chicago

With "A More Perfect Union: Building on the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon B. Johnson" as its theme, the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund held its 34th annual conference in Chicago and reaffirmed its mission to protect, defend and gain civil rights in all aspects of American life.

PUSH Founder and President the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson told conventioneers at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers: "As we look to the renewal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, protecting the fragile rights we hold dear, we acknowledge the courageous leadership of two men (King and Johnson) who led this nation to that landmark legislation as part of a grand vision of a better America--one that would truly be the land of opportunity for all."

He added, "As we approach the 40th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the 1965 Voting Rights Act--we embrace the coalition of Black and White, Latino, Asian and Native Americans who believe in anti-discrimination clauses for voting in the U.S. Constitution."

Jackson noted, "The Constitution affords all citizens life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Such values must not be limited to paper, but extend to public policy. Americans of all stripes pursue the constitutional rights to earn a living wage, to organize their labor, to have equal and high-quality public education; to have universal access to health care; to have unfettered access to capital, industry and technology; to have a government which protects the needy, rather than providing for the greedy."

Jackson announced that Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition will hold a march and rally in Atlanta for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act by President Johnson.

Panels and workshops during the conference explored voting rights, labor organization in a hostile climate, access for all to quality health care and education and fair business opportunities for people of color.

Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One/TV One, received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and delivered the keynote address at the Women's Luncheon.

Former U.S. Senator John Edwards was the keynote speaker for the Protecting Workers' Rights Breakfast, in which he challenged labor unions to encourage Congress to implement better health care initiatives, protect their pensions and to continue their fight for better wages.

On Business Day, Carlos de Icaza, Mexico's Ambassador to the U.S., joined Rev. Jackson in announcing a U.S./Mexico Trade Mission that seeks to match minority businesses with potential business partners in Mexico.

On Education Day, PUSH Excel awarded more than $350,000 in college scholarships to 130 students from across the nation. Rev. Jackson said Rainbow/PUSH and Citizenship Education Fund would work closely with the scholarship winners and their parents to help the students overcome the challenges of going away to college. "I saw these kids walk across the stage, and I saw those parents, and that made my heart rejoice," said Jackson. "But this is only the beginning. We want our kids to get Rainbow/PUSH chapters on the campuses. They can get a lot of information by being involved."

--Photos by Beverly Swanagan RPC/CEF