Hoyer Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the twentieth anniversary of the Million Man March:

“Twenty years ago, the Million Man March raised the consciousness of our nation and made it clear that challenges affecting African Americans could not be ignored by policymakers in Washington.  At a time when many African Americans felt left behind by the prosperity and opportunity of the 1990s, the march served as a reminder that Congress has a responsibility to ensure that every American has the same chance to find a good job, live in a safe neighborhood, receive a solid education, afford quality health care, and secure a place in our middle class.  As the thousands who rallied on the National Mall this past Saturday reminded us – and as has been driven powerfully home by the tragic killings of African-American men in Ferguson, Baltimore, New York, and elsewhere – there is still much work to be done to ensure that the goals of the Million Man March are met. 

“Both before and after the Million Man March, I’ve been proud to fight for federal investment in programs that reduce poverty, support the creation of jobs that pay well, and ensure that justice is always blind.  At the same time, I will keep working with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to restore the Voting Rights Act so that millions of voices in our democracy are not silenced but can be heard as loudly and clearly as they ought to be.  As we mark this anniversary, let us remember that building a more perfect union is an ongoing project, and we must do more to make certain that every person growing up in our country, regardless of color or creed, has an equal opportunity to pursue the American Dream.”