The Foundation is a national non-profit dedicated to strengthening relations between ethnic communities. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face dialogue between ethnic communities is the most effective path towards the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

 

 

 

 


Ethnic Members of Congress Receive Awards on Capitol Hill;
Reflects Growing Ethnic Demographics in Congress

On Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at a reception on Capitol Hill, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding honored five members of Congress representing the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Conference, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Jewish Congressional Delegation. The awards are given to members of Congress who have shown their commitment to building relationships among ethnic members of Congress and their respective communities.

The Foundation chose five worthy recipients for this year's racial harmony awards:
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, Congresswoman Hilda Solis and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. In addition, David Goldenberg, the Chief of Staff in the office of Congressman Alcee Hastings, was honored with the "Brenda Pillars Congressional Staff Award."

The event was co-hosted by Representatives Keith Ellison, Mike Honda, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jerrold Nadler, Grace Napolitano and Charles Rangel. The Asian American Justice Center, NAACP, National Council of La Raza and World Jewish Congress were co-sponsors.

According to Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, "This ceremony celebrates the continued growth of ethnic representation in the United States Congress as we honor these distinguished Americans in their service to this country." The Foundation recognizes the shift in ethnic demographics that has profoundly altered the face of Congress over the past 20 years. In 1987, the total number of ethnic members in the 100th Congress was 72. Today, in 2008 the total number of ethnic members in the 110th Congress is 124 (see Statistics below).


Congressional Ethnic Statistical Data 1987 and 2008

100th Congress - 1987

  House Senate Total
African American 23 0 23
Asian Pacific 0 0 0
Hispanic 14 0 14
Jewish 28 7 35
      72 - Total

110th Congress - 2008

  House Senate Total
African American 41 1 42
Asian Pacific 7 2 9
Hispanic 29 2 31
Jewish 29 13 42
      124 - Total


 

    

 

 

Copyright © 2007 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp.
We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is
the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

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