WASHINGTON, June 4 JointCenter-Obama
WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Ralph B. Everett, President and CEO, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies:
As the Democratic primary season comes to a close, this is an historic moment in our nation's history and the journey of African Americans to the highest reaches of political and civic leadership. One hundred and forty years after ratification of the 14th Amendment gave citizenship rights to former slaves, an African American now stands before us as the presumptive nominee of a major political party. The United States Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, has earned the support of tens of millions of his fellow citizens. This support transcends any barriers posed by race, class, ethnicity, religion, creed or gender.
African Americans have long held that the dream of equality and justice could best be realized by working within our country's established political system. The burden of making headway has fallen on many, and progress has been measured year by year, as increasing numbers of black leaders have moved into ever higher elected positions of power. We honor them for their efforts and sacrifices, and for their pioneering efforts in furthering political and civic participation by all.
Senator Obama's historic achievement begins a new page and represents the dawning of a new era in our nation's march toward a more perfect union. We celebrate and honor not only what he has done, but what Americans of all races have done - and that is to affirm our shared and abiding faith in the dream of equality for all people.
The Joint Center is one of the nation's premier research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color.
SOURCE Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
