The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) celebrated its 29th year of service December 7-11, 2005 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Members of the Washington, DC City Council, along with NBCSL’s legislative, corporate, and labor members gathered to discuss the 2005 theme, “Seeing Beyond: Investing in State Leadership: Improving Communities.”

By Deana McRae, Health Policy Associate, National Black Caucus of State Legislators

When compared to the U.S. population, African Americans and other minorities are contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at a disproportionate rate, despite the efforts of federal, state and local agencies. While African Americans represent approximately 13 percent of the nation’s population, HIV and STDs disproportionately affect them each year. This fact illustrates the ever-increasing need for education and prevention within the African American community.

By Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer, SEIU

As dozens of states begin to consider gimmicks like TABOR – the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights – it is instructive to take a careful look at the Colorado experience where the policy wreaked economic havoc for thirteen years, until voters finally put a stop to it last fall.

The National Black Caucus of State Legislators Committee on Youth held “Youth Congress on the Hill Day” on Wednesday, December 7, 2005. Area students participated in a mock legislative session with the guidance of Rep. Amber Boykins (MO), Vice Chair, NBCSL Committee on Youth, and other legislative members.

“Be Your Brother’s Keeper-- Know Your Status” By Jamela Simon, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School

Oftentimes in life we take things for granted. It is these same things that we miss the most when they are gone. This is my truth. I watched it unfold right before my eyes. From jovial, affectionate, strong, energetic, and playful to weary, unexciting, sickly, angry and most of all regretful. This was true of my cousin of twenty-two years who died on September 19, 2003 from HIV/AIDS. I watched him as his health declined, slowly and painfully watching his life pass by. There was nothing that could have been done. And he, too, knew that. “If I had only known--” “I am so sorry--” became his everyday expressions and his common way of thinking. Circumstances changed. What once appeared to him as vivid became vague, and what had been bright became dark. To him his life seemed meaningless; to me it was the exact antithesis. It is because of him and his mistakes that I learned to appreciate life. It is also because of him that today I refuse to become another statistic on an HIV/AIDS chart. Instead I’d rather bring about changes.

By Chantel Bivins, Managing Editor

In the history of NCAA IA-IAA Division college football, there have only been 19 institutions that have hired a racial or ethnic minority in the position of head coach. The November 2005 release of the Black Coaches Association Hiring Report Card revealed that the hiring gap of ethnic and racial minorities in the position of head coach is widening.

By Chantel Bivins, Managing Editor

What is a youth gang?

The terms “youth gang” and “street gang” are commonly used interchangeably, and refer to neighborhood or street-based youth groups that are substantially made up of individuals under the age of 24. Although gangs are known for being based in the inner-city, small towns and rural communities have emerging youth gang problems. According to the National Youth Gang Center’s June 2005 report “Gangs in Small Towns and Rural Counties,” between 1996 to 2001, gang-problem patterns were recorded for 1,066 agencies representing rural counties and smaller cities (populations between 2,500 and 25,000), and they found that very few agencies in these areas reported persistent, ongoing gang problems (i.e. 4 percent of the rural counties, and 10 percent of the smaller cities).

By: Charlene Vernon, Assistant to the Executive Director

I want to express my sincere gratitude for being afforded the opportunity to work for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and to assist in impacting the constituents our members serve. During our 29th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., The NBCSL Legislative, Corporate and Labor members showcased their dedication to the organization’s mission, for which they provide a voice.