What? The Prez Actually Showed Up?

July 20, 2006 - (Washington, D.C.)

After shunning several invitations by the NAACP (five, to be exact) to attend past NAACP Conventions, U.S. President, George Bush finally accepted an invitation.

What took him so long? Why this year? Those questions remain to be answered. Many speculate that our President may be looking for voter support from the African American community.

Interesting.

In the wake of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, the Iraqi War, children really getting left behind, and increased disparities between African Americans and European Americans in education, jobs, and health care, does he really think he can win votes?

President Bush thinks so. As he addressed the crowd at the D.C. Convention Center on the last and final day of the week long convention, he urged that he plans to "work with the NAACP to achieve a common goal."

President Bush stressed that more funding for education is needed; and that he is in favor of charter schools. The President mentioned that there has been a 30% increase in funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and also an increase in Pell Grant funding.

He addressed the need for more programs and funding to assist African Americans in becoming homeowners.

Despite all of the promises and pledges, what really stood out in the minds of many African Americans was the renewing of the Voting Rights Act. Many attendees wore yellow signs that read "Save the VRA".

The Voting Rights Act, under law, prohibits federal, state and local government from voter discrimination based on race, color or language in voter registration and voting.

President Bush vowed to renew the Voting Rights Act, without amendment. The VRA was passed by a unanimous vote of 98 to 0 (see updated info).

Reaction to the President's speech, from both young and old was mixed, but the general consensus was the same - will he make good on the proposed plans and action items outlined in his speech?

That remains to be seen.

The week long convention ended with a fabulous gala and awards dinner which honored Dr. Benjamin Carson with the organization's most coveted award, the Spingarn Medal, for his excellence in the field of neurosurgery.

The evening's entertainment was given by the popular R&B group, The O'Jays.