| House Democratic Whip Touts Diversity
Saturday, February 3, 2007
By Ann Sanner - Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The diversity of House Democrats led to the development and passage of an ambitious six-bill agenda in the first 100 hours of the new Congress, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Saturday.
"The first 100 hours began a new direction for America under new leadership in Congress, leadership that reflects the diverse vision, experience and values of the American people," Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, said in his party's weekly radio address.
Clyburn outlined the measures House members approved in their first 100 hours, which included raising the federal minimum wage, lowering interest rates on some student loans and expanding stem cell research.
"The Democratic caucus values the exchange of different ideas," Clyburn said. "It was the diverse ideas and perspectives of our caucus that came together to develop our successful First 100 Hours agenda."
In the coming weeks, Democrats will tackle issues such as the Iraq war, global warming and balancing the budget, Clyburn said.
Clyburn, the second black lawmaker in history to reach as high as a party whip, also reflected on Black History Month.
"During the month of February, we celebrate the vast contributions of African-Americans to our country. It is part of our honoring the diversity that makes us who and what we are as a nation," he said.
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