MOVING FORWARD

It has been a busy and successful week for the NCDP Labor Caucus. I have spent the last month in long sessions with the Democratic Party Resolutions Subcommittee on Labor & Economics, writing, refining, and approving resolutions that were presented yesterday to the entire committee for approval to move on to the Platform Committee.

I wrote a Resolution on Continuing COVID AID and BLOCKING LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT. I also wrote a RESOLUTION ON RUNAWAY INEQUALITY and the need to ESTABLISH A PUBLIC BANK IN NC that is patterned after one on North Dakota.

I am very honored to be working on issues that directly affect working and poor families in NC. I have to send out thanks to subcommittee chairman Bob Hyman for the great leadership of the Labor & Economics Subcommittee.

Yesterday, I attended the Resolutions Committee where all the subcommittee work was brought before the entire Resolutions Committee for consideration and approval of each resolution. On a resolution about slavery and racism, I noted to the entire committee that it appeared to have been written before the flap about Critical Race Theory hit the news and stressed that it needed to be addressed. This ended in an hour-long discussion and debate to amend the previous resolution to address the issue of Critical Race Theory.

My hat is off to Matt Hughes, 3rd Vice-Chair of the NCDP Party and Chair of the Resolution & Platform Committee. His leadership and calm demeanor kept the committee focused and moving forward while debating highly volatile issues.

I still have to write a RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE PROACT that will be submitted by me from the floor at the NCDP State Executive meeting on 7 August 2021.

After attending the Resolution Committee Meeting, Annette and I proceeded to the 1898 Memorial Park where we helped to set up logistics for a Rally and Vigil on the anniversary and passing of John Lewis. I was one of the invited speakers and spoke on the need to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act which is part of HR-1, the FOR THE PEOPLE ACT. I have to thank my dear wife Annette for staying up late on Friday evening to make signs for the event. I also provided the sound reinforcement system. The event was well attended in spite of a rock concert that was going on nearby.

Again, I am happy and honored to be working for the advancement of working and poor families of NC.