Reverend reynolds from baltimore, maryland. Let us bow our heads in humble adoration unto the landlord. Our lord of ancient past, shelters from our storms. We are grateful as we gather together here today under the sovereignty of your grace. Your masterful handiwork has caused us to witness your splendor and magnificent glory once again. We come before you to welcome you to this place, we give you the respect and knowledge you as our creator and provider it is you who are omnipresent everywhere oh, lord. It is you who are open flip tent or powerful oh, lord. You are all knowing lord. As we begin this luncheon, we ask that you would guide our thoughts and our actions so that we may have a successful meeting. Help us to accomplish our goals and aspirations today. While we display your character, because it is you who has made us and not we ourselves, we are the sheep of your pasture. Oh, landlord, we pray that you grant us your divine wisdom as we move forward in a steadfast hope with favor and success. We pray these things in the mighty name of jesus christ our lord. Let everyone say amen. Thank you. On a visit to president lyndon b. Johnsons family ranch. Clarence mitchell wanted to visit the grave of the former president. Someone offered to drive him there, but he wanted to walk. He wanted the time to remember his old friend. We are here today because Clarence Mitchell lived the kind of life that is well worth taking the time to remember. For the last 31 years we have held this luncheon toll honor the pillars of our profession for the dedicated service. We do so again today by celebrating the life of a man who taught us to be fierce in the fight. But generous in victory. To be undown theed by our failings and to get up and fight the fight again. Clarence m. Mitchell jr. Clarence mitchell knew this to be true every morning when he went to work. The fight for the first pieces of civil rights legislation since reconstruction, were no easy undertaking. As the Naacps Washington Bureau chief, mr. Mitchell spent so much time in congress, that they called him the 101st senator. He had come a long way from boxing practice at the baltimore ymca. But the shamrock kid secured victories for the legislative bedrock on which our current civil rights stand. His wisdom made him renowned. And his determination made him exceptional but he always knew that his greatest legacy was his family. From his equally accomplished and formidable wife, who was the first black female attorney in maryland, to his sons, dr. Keefer Jackson Mitchell, who both served as advocates in their respective fields in medicine and politics. Awe we are so grateful to this remarkable family. For all that they have done for baltimore, maryland and the advancement for the rates of people of color everywhere. Today we are joined by the decendents and relatives of clarence m. Mitchell jr. And we ask for you to stand and be recognized for your presence and for your continued work to advance the cause of social equality for all. Please stand. [ applause ] we will at some point in this program be joined by our interim president derek johnson. When he comes we will have him make remarks and greetings. For right now, im going to welcome our first speaker from our congressional delegation. We always have a robust delegation brought by mr. Hillary shelton, whos the current head of the Washington Bureau of the naacp. At this time i would like to welcome our first speaker from the congressional delegation he is u. S. Representative for louisianas second Congressional District and chair of the congressional black caucus. Shown a staunch commitment to the people of louisiana. And to communities of color everywhere and has never hesitated to speak up in the face of prejudice. Please welcome the honorable cedric richmond. [ applause ] all right, you have to be flexible at the luncheon. Representing the congressional black caucus, were going to have bobby scott. Thank you bradford. Cedrics schedule got messed up, hes going to be here, but he couldnt be here at this luncheon, i want to thank you for your kind introduction. And in a situation like this, im reminded about what the great political philosopher yogi berra once said when he was given a great award. He looked at the audience and said, i want to thank everybody here who made today necessary. Clarence mitchell was the 101st senator, as has already been pointed out, and this luncheon points out the relevance of the naacp. People keep talking about the relevance, the relevance can be seen right here in this room. Thats because the lawyers in this room dont just complain, they sue people, if they dont like the laws, they change the laws, just like Clarence Mitchell and hillary slelten are doing right now. Youre talking about all of the issues being discussed in the cles. And we look forward to working with eric holder. I worked with him in the clinton administration, where he was the point person on my campaign along with many of you to free kemba smith from her draconian sentence. And because of eric holder, she was releases after six years, not the 24 years that she was given. And with the obama administration, a long way into fixing the 101 crack powder cocaine disparity, and not only helped pass the law to help fix it, we didnt completely fix it, but we made a lot of progress, but administratively applying that retroactively, so many people were getting out, not having to serve the whole 25 or 30, some of them only served 10 years or so, so they were getting out, they did that administratively, not waiting for congress to get around to doing what it should have done a long time ago. Thank you for your hard work and i want to thank the Mitchell FamilyClarence Mitchell, hillary shelton, i want to thank the lawyers here today for making this lunch necessary. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, congressman scott. Lets see if we can get this one right. Next we have in order to put on an event like this, we need generous corporate sponsors. So at this time we will hear greetings from our corporate sponsors. First from Marriott International. Id like to welcome murial perkins chavis, Vice President of workforce effectiveness and diversity. Please welcome. Thank you very much. Its a pleasure to truly be here this afternoon as the Vice PresidentWorkforce Engagement and Global Diversity for Marriott International. I am so delighted to have the opportunity for us to co sponsor this event again. You know, i think about it, and i said to myself, its 2017. And we enjoy many freedoms that those before us have fought for. But guess what . Theres still a lot more work that has to be done. While its kind of hard to believe that we continue to talk about or have dialogue about inequality, injustice and the need to recognize civil rights, the naacp clearly remains steadfast and immovable voice as we move forward fighting for the from the forefront, in terms of Generating Positive change. I presented to this group before. And i have to tell you, i am impressed in terms of the Amazing Group of people, in terms of who you are and how you have each positively shaped and influenced our world. You give us inspiration you focus on what matters now and beyond. And more importantly, youre truly working hard to champion important causes, shine a light on the issues that really need attention. And help us to truly focus on and promote the value of inclusion, we continue to need your voice and challenge and support issues that are important for africanamericans. And actually, i think everyone here should give themselves a round of applause. Ive talked in the past about the collective power to help make decisions that impact our communities. This years convention theme, steadfast and immovable says it all. It says it all because now more than ever before, we need to truly activate our resources, to continue to make a difference in our communities, in our industry s and realistically, across the globe. The work of the naacp and clarence m. Mitchell jr. Fight for civil rights, voting righs s fair and equitable education and housing has had a tremendous impact. If you think about it, for more than 100 years the naacp has been an add vow indicate for change, helping to create a better america a better world in actuali actuality. Its through the level of influence that its helped to create opportunities, equality and hope among communities, families and people of all backgrounds. Marriott has had a longstanding history of welcoming all and serving as an Inclusive Company that we stand very proud for and excel in terms of our associates. Our suppliers. And our owners and are committed to providing a world of opportunity for anybody. Regardless of who you are. We were the First Hospitality company to create an inclusion program. We have also a proven track record in terms of programs that encourage diverse suppliers, owners and franchisees to ultimately partner with our company. Weve spent over 5 billion in terms of divorce suppliers, we partnered with diverse suppliers and women, when it comes to building. Marriott brangds around the world, and marriott has plans, actually, to have over 1500 diverse owned hotels. That could be you. So we truly do encourage individuals to become suppliers as well as diverse owners. So one of the things that we have done or many of you may not know, our portfolio has really expanded over this past year. In september, Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels and added brands such as w, sheraton, aloft and saint ridges, just to name a few, globally across the world. Although we are growing, guess what, it doesnt change our belief that everyone who enters our hotels should feel the sense of belonging and that they are part of our organization, such that they are valued and respected. So whether you are an employee, whether you are a supplier, or whether you are an owner, a customer, we truly appreciate the contributions and the business that you provide to us. So please feel free to stay at our hotels at any time, and we welcome you. Thanks again for this opportunity. Thank you very much, miss perkins chav its. Next we welcome to the posed yum mr. John ridge way, corporate manager of Financial Services from toyota motors, north america. Is mr. Ridge way here . Good afternoon, i was thinking back to my college days when we didnt have cds and 8 tracks and stuff like that. Im going to give you the 45 record version of this, so we can move on to lunch. My names john ridge way, the Corporate Executive for toyota Financial Services. And i have oversight for the eastern Financial Center located in maryland. Many of our team members live right here in the charm city. Its an honor to be here today and bring greetings on behalf of the team members at toyota, and our dealers as well as our Strategic Partners across the nation. Were pleased to support the 108th Naacp National conference. You know, in walking through the exhibits today, and participating in all the different lunches, i saw so much pride in the past, and passion for bright future. Im personally proud to be here, because im a lifetime member through the encouragement of reverend deer when i was in dupage, illinois in 1992. Having said that, i went on to become a lifetime member again since moving to baltimore. Let me share something with you. It was through his encouragement that i became involved with the naacp. I havent seen her for 23 years one honor we have today is that shes at the table with us enjoying lunch. So were blessed. At toyota were more than a car company. Our focus today is mobility. Whether its to help people move across town or economic barriers. Through reliable safe affordable and efficient transportation, we can improve access to job opportunities. Last night at the chairmans reception, toyota is a team. My definition of being built for others means, we encourage our associates to give back to the community 77 of our team members have volunteered for some type of charitable contributi contribution, some type of give back to the community through mentoring, through internships through tutoring we also support nonprofit organizations like the boys and girls club of america. Girl scouts and other organizations opinion we feel its our responsibility to make lives better in the community we serve. Again last night, chairman Michael Turner said lets get fired up and ready to go. And i ask you to support that in helping the naacp being steadfast and immovable. Thank you for allowing me to be here, and i hope you enjoy the rest of the luncheon and the rest of the conference. Thank you, mr. Ridge way. Next from tmobile. Welcome to the podium marie dixon, Vice President of federal and external affairs. Please welcome miss silla dixon. Good afternoon. And good afternoon to all the dignitaries in the room. The naacp family, and good afternoon to the family of clarence m. Mitchell, jr. Im glad to be with you all in this room today. Im truly glad to be here at the 108th annual naacp conference. This is kind of special for me because my family is from baltimore, and this is the place that my mother was born and raised. This is very special for me. Im humbled to be here for this luncheon to honor the legacy of clarence m. Mitchell, jr. Especially with his family here. I am a beneficiary of the rights that the naacp family fought so hard. I can tell you my legacy, my grand parents were postal workers here, for the Baltimore City post office, and my mother was the first generation to go to college. Right now, i would like to tell you on behalf of tmobil we are proud to be a partner of the naacp and sponsor the 108th convention, with the theme steadfast and immoveable. Tmobils values are very much in alignment with the naacps as we believe that all of our employees, regardless of race, sexual preference, gender, religion, help us break down the rules of the wireless industry. We know that what makes us the most successful and Fastest GrowingWireless Company is our incredibly diverse workforce. More than 50 of our workforce is from communities of color. It means we keep up with keep coming up with innovative ideas that bush our business forward and create an environment where our 51,000 person team feels they have opportunities and are empowered. So on behalf of tmobil, we would like to say this to the naacp family, thank you for doing what youre doing and keeping up the fight. And we look forward to partnering with you in the future. Thank you. Thanks very much. At this point id like to just point out that the Clarence Mitchell jr. Memorial luncheon each year is organized by a very dedicated group of people who work with me in the Legal Department at the naacp. At the same time that were organizing the luncheon, were also organizing a continuing Legal Education program which is taking place over the past two days, and also, doing the day to day work of the naacp which does not stop because we have a convention coming up, it keeps on coming. At this time, i would like to ask all of the employees. All of the employees of the naacp, you guys are going to get your day in the sun, just hold on for a second. Those of you who the full time employees of the naacp, could you please stand up and take a bow . We actually have more than one person working in the Legal Department at the naacp. I think the rest of them must be out in the hallway, but they feel the spirit. All right. And right now, if you dont mind, if you indulge me, i would like to take another point of personal privilege. The job of general counsel of the naacp is the most rewarding job ive had in my life, but it is a challenging job. There are Conference Calls that go late into the night. There are Conference Calls that start early in the morning, am i right, mr. Turner. Theres a lot of work that goes into it, i want to acknowledge my incredible wife who is sitting here at table 12, and my daughters andy and zoe, please wave your hands around so people can see who you are. She is going to kill me for that. Okay. Now, its time for awards, so i would like to invite to the podium someone who has been at the naacp for a short number of months. That has already made an incredible impact as deputy general council. Please welcome my friend and colleague. General et leward. Thank you, brad. Today we celebrate the accomplishments of two fearless women endowed with indispensable quality qualities of grit and persistence. Who in the face of adversity, refused to concede to demands of silence. Marilyn mows by is the first recipient of the award. As the states attorney for baltimore and the lead prosecutor in the freddie gray trials, states attorney moseby emerged as the voice for the principles of justice and transparency. Amidst one of the greatest social upheavals this city has experienced. States attorney mows by has been fighting for Racial Justice since her youth, and committed her life to reconciling the great divide between her chosen profession and the community. Her Top Priorities are not only prosecuting violent offenders, shes equally committed to building the Publics Trust in Law Enforcement and running a transparent administration. Shes a woman of uncompromising ideals and strength. Its a sincere honor to present Marilyn Moseby with the naacp champions of justice award for 2017. Thank you. Congratulations. Good afternoon. Thank you deputy lord for your kind and generous words i have to thank Tessa Aston Hill for bringing this convention to our city and this conference. Thank you so much she deserves a round of applause. To god be the glory. I am truly honored to receive this award im incredibly humbled to not only be among so many highly, esteemed, gifted and steadfast warriors, but to be recognized in memory of Clarence Mitchell. A baltimore native, who like so many in this room, not only talked the talk, but led the way as a warrior of action doing the work. For the people of color in this nation. I want to say thank you to the naacp, thank you for being that steadfast immoveable force at the forefront of economic, social, political equality in this country for more than 100 years. With all the negativity and decisiveness happening in our world today, i need not remind you that every Great Movement toward progress began with warriors unafraid to challenge the status quo, never let any time, situation or circumstance define their destiny. They were unafraid to reach for the stars and change the world. As a project of one of the longest standing desegregation buss programs in the country. As a product of the historic tuskegee university, i stand here as the states attorney for baltimore, and knowing i stand on the shoulders of warriors, warriors like so journer truth. Jackson mitchell, thurgood marshall. Former attorney general eric holder. Reverend dr. Rosalind brock. I stand on the shoulders of our forever president , president barack obama. I thank each of them for passing the about a tongue in the fight for justice and equality in this country. In the past 50 years, the cast of characters may have changed turn on the news, the struggle remains, the struggle continues. Naacp, youve been at the forefront of our cause, youve been steadfast and immoveable. And we must din to do so, we have work to do, and the time to do it is now. And i will do my part to do the same. Thank you, god bless. [ applause ] the honorable aramis ayama is our other recipient of the chairmans of justice award. States attorney made history as floridas first female africanamerican prosecutor. States attorney ayala also made history as the first elected states attorney in the state of florida who refused to seek the Death Penalty in capital murder cases. States attorney ayala has faced strong opposition, yet she remained steadfast to her deeply held beliefs. She has faced a vicious backlash for speaking the radical truth that Capital Punishment does not bolster public safety. Nor is it applied equally to defendants of color. But history has shown the pursuit of social justice, some fights are worth the struggle. It is my pleasure to present states attorney ayala with the foot soldiers of the champions of justice award. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon, naacp. To whom much is given, much is required. That is the mantra i stood on since i understood i had purpose in my life. While overcoming cancer sitting in law school. I was 24 hours from death, at that point, i knew i had purpose and i was committed to that purpose. I moved on, and when i ran for state attorney, i did not run on my desire not to seek Death Penalty, i had been a prosecutor, a public defender, a professor of law, i had seen a lot and that wasnt what i stood on. What i stood on was data. What i stood on was research. What i stood on was evidence based policies upon which we can win reform. When it comes to criminal Justice Reform. The truth is the only thing that matters. Were inundated with people feeling theyre afraid of it. Feeling this isnt the way to go, i feel this way, this is how its always been. The truth is, its not working, more people die in prison before theyre executed and we have funded them living in prison until the day that they die. More people are kill ed and wee not reducing it, the states that have Death Penalty, have higher homicide rates. When i made the decision, i violated no laws, let that not be mistaken, i understand the statute, i move forward. And i used my prosecutorial position to say i would not proceed with the Death Penalty. Despite the attempted humiliation from the governor of my state, i feel no shame, i dont regret what i did, i stand because i believe in what i did, i believe it is legal, proper, and i believe the naacp is the organization who knew it from the beginning. I will not compromise what i believe is right according to the law. If you look at the truth of Death Penalty it is not working. And i will not stand behind it. I will follow the law, and if the Supreme Court makes that is contrary, i will live with that, but i did not violate any laws on the front end. Theyre going to have to fix the law if they want me to go backwards. So i want to say to the naacp [ applause ] i do want to thank you for the honor. I thank you for the work that this organization does and has always done long before i was even born. I want to thank my husband who has been the rock while i continue to do this. My familys support baby, just stand up for a second. This is and in closing, the one thing that i want to say is that i didnt come out here alone. I met marilyn a while back, and weve been able to forge a very tight relationship. And its those type of relationships and these type of organizations that will be the heart of change in this country. Thank you for the honor. [ applause ] i want to acknowledge we have many, many special guests in the room today, but i want to acknowledge a couple of them. Id like to first acknowledge congressman robin kelly. Could you please stand . [ applause ] and also i want to acknowledge my home state senator, the honorable benjamin carden. Thank you very much for joining us. I think at this point lunch is served, so were going to take a slight break and well be back to you shortly. Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, while the lunch is being served, i mentioned to you i think at the beginning of the program, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, i mentioned at the beginning of the program that our chair of our board of directors and our interim president and ceo would be joining us at some point during the program. They are here with us now. On the usual tight schedule that the chair and the president and ceo are always on. So at this point i would like to bring to the podium ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, with apologies because i did tell you we were going to be taking a break. But as i said before, you have to be flexible with the Clarence Mitchell memorial junior memorial luncheon. So i would like to bring to the stage our the chairman of our board of directors, mr. Leon w. Russell. [ applause ] good afternoon. You know, there are luncheons and then there are important lunches. This is an important luncheon. First, i want to just thank the Mitchell Family for being present. Everybody understands the connection. And im going to fix it. Its the mitchelljackson family. Lets get it right. Dont get it twisted. So much of naacp history is entwined in the Mitchell Jackson family history. We wouldnt have a youth in College Division if there wasnt a Juanita Jackson mitchell who stood up in 1939 and said, dammit, were going to do it. Didnt she . We didnt have well, we would have, but it wouldnt be as effective as it is if there werent a Clarence Mitchell to drive a Washington Bureau, to direct the legislative policy of this association. So we arin debted to the Mitchell Family. And it goes on and it goes on and it goes on and they are still engaged in Public Service here in maryland. They still move and shake this community. And i really want to thank you for the legacy that you have left here. Thank you, mitchells, jacksons, everybody. Now, im not going to take away from the introduction, whoevers doing the introduction. But im going to say some things. First, lets understand that we had in the Previous Administration an attorney general who understood that the attorney general was the chief Law Enforcement officer of this land skpr land, and had an obvious responsibility to protect the civil rights, the social rights of every person in this United States of america. And, and, and, he can stand up and prove that he had read the constitution of the United States. Now, thats important. Thats important. I want to give a plug, not because hes the grand po bar on the ground in ferguson, baltimore and in so many cities across this country when crap went down. Now hear me . Yall hear what i said . So its important that we have a chief Law Enforcement officer who understands the role and the responsibility of the office because nobody knows better than the naacp what a strong Justice Department can be about in the fight for equality and justice in this country. [ applause ] now, hes got a new mission. Hes got a new mission. His mission is to turn around the system. I note well, most of yall in the minority, so to turn around the system which allows members of the United States house of representatives to pick their constituents rather than the other way around. Thats important too. Thats his new role. Is to unravel what has been created. And im going to be perfectly honest, to a degree in naacp we were somewhat complicit in the developments that led up to so many state legislatures and the United States congress turning into a one party dominated entities. Because way back in 1982, tommy b battels, some of us looked at some Court Rulings and said there is misrepresentation of black folks in United States congress and our mission is to create as many black districts as we could. Now, some folks in drawing districts decided that that meant you had to put every black person in 13 or 14 states together in short to ensure you had a 60 plus district because some people were unsure that they had the capability of winning with anything less than 60 . And we abetted, we abetted that process. Now, what resulted was turning over state legislatures which control the redistricting process to people understood what they had to do and they called for battle who understood that they can bleach as many districts as they could, that they could dominate the political scene for years to come. Now, some folks that i used to talk to and try to explain that to never understood what that means. What it means is that for the most part the folks that you support for your legislatures and your congressional seats will be in perpetuity in the minority party. I want to be plain. I want to be clear. So i am happy that eric holder is going to take on this issue of redistricting and how we do it. And naacp, and naacp, we are going to have a strong Redistricting Program based on what we know, based on the history weve seen. And were going to make sure that we begin the process of change. Now, let me tell yall Something Else yall need to get used to, change does not come about instantaneously unless the big bubble of volcanic plasma underneath yellowstone happens to bubble up and burst. It aint going to happen overnight. But we can begin the process of changing the composition of state and local legislatures and the United States congress in 2018 if we but understand our strength and use it. So im proud to welcome eric holder to this 108th annual tradition. Im proud hes been given the responsibility for straightening out this mess. I pledge that the naacp will stand with him, stand beside him and work with him to get it done. All right now. All right. Next speaker is the former vice chair of our board of directors our new interim president and ceo, my friend and boss, derek johnson. In the middle of my cake i was told i had three minutes, so dont get up here and be long. So im going to do the best i can in the ten minutes theyve just given me to give my statements. Naacp looking forward, we must go through this transition period. The next five years will be perhaps the most important five years in this democracy we have seen in a very long time. The Midterm Election is upon us. And if you look at what happened over the last Midterm Elections, there are far too many elections decided by numbers less than infrequent africanamerican voters in districts across this country. We have to map that, which we are doing, to ensure our efforts are narrowly focused and targeted and outcome driven. And want to be incumbent upon the branches to support that part too. The census process will be the following year and realitys already started. This administrations cutting the budget. It will be a real problem in our communities with the undercut. So as naacp units we have to be presence like we were in 2010 in fayette, mississippi, where they didnt count the entire town of fayette. A 98 africanamerican town. Part three, coming out of the census with redistricting. Redistricting determined elections for the next ten years. You give me my gis system, i can determine the outcome of policymakers for ten years. Part four, the president ial election. On to the next midterm. This is a crucial time for the naacp. We cannot play the old games the old way any longer. We must leverage who we are. We are 2 ,200 units across the landscape. We exist primarily in the southern region. 52 of africanamericans live in the south. The worst policies are germinating from the south. If we do what we need to do in georgia alone, we change the tide of the political reality that we see right now. If we look at the example of what gary blessum was doing in texas with the redistricting cases and the voter id cases and you parlay that on top of what dr. Barber has been doing in North Carolina with the redistricting cases and a voter id cases, if you go north and look at what the Michigan State conference and what anthony has been doing around the same thing particularly around the subverting of democracy by taking cities as africanamerican land. These are real Current Issues that the naacp is working on. And people have the audacity to ask if were relevant because were not demonstrating in the street but were fighting in the courthouse to make sure that democracy is afforded to all of us. Its going to be really important as our legal bar really evaluate our value systems. Far too many of us are seeking to be trial lawyers for profit or Defense Attorneys to represent companies that sometimes dont represent our interests. And if we dont change the value systems of our time allocations as lawyers, we wont have enough people to keep base with the needs of our community and of our Community Needs are met and democracy is subverted that we will have fewer lawyers, well have fewer schools, public funded education, we would not be the democracy we should be. We are the naacp. 2,200 units strong in areas where we need you most. And if i ask someone here do you know where columbiana, alabama is, most people would say no, but thats the birthplace of shelby versus holder. We got to be strong in communities like that. Because its in those communities are setting the course for our future. Were either going to be in the game, strong, present and focused, or were going to be left out not only the game but were going to begin to see our communities looking like they looked in 1935. So, secretary holder, we appreciate you launching the redistricting process, we want to be included. We want to make sure were a partner because i think we can as naacp we exist where the work is going to be. And we exist in the way in which no other organization can show up. But its going to be our responsibility as naacp to reimagine who we are, to restructure how we function and focus our effort on the outcome of the next five years. Thank you very much. [ applause ] with all of that said well, first of all, thank you to mr. Russell and mr. Johnson for these inspiring remarks. So theres no confusion, naacp is a 501c3. We are nonpartisan. We dont support or oppose candidates for Political Office or political parties. All right. I think we should just keep this going because were a little bit behind on the schedule, jeanette. And continue with the program. For each of the last 15 summers, i told you guys you were going to have your day in the sun, for each of the last 15 summers the naacp has taken on a group of exceptional law students to work in the Legal Department in what is effectively a tenweek deep dive into what it is like to work in the general counsels office in this historic organization. This program would not be possible without the generous contribution of the Kellogg Company, Young Lawyers dedicated to the pursuit of equality. To introduce this years i would like to introduce to the podium senior specialist eeo employer Relations Legal and compliance for the kellaw company. Good afternoon everyone. This is my first time at the mitchell luncheon. And i am so glad to be here. And i can just feel all this energy in this room. And with all this energy in this room once we leave this convention i know i will continue to feel it as you guys go back to wherever you live and work. It is indeed my pleasure to be here and to introduce you to the class of 2017 law fellows. This was my first time also being asked to work this program. And the fellows told me at the conclusion when we met back in june they reminded me that they were not only my first class, but they will forever be my best class. So let me take you back in history just a little bit. I work at the kellaw company. It was formed by will keith kellock back in 1906. Today our ceo ron bryant chairman of the board we have 30,000 employees in 18 countries around the world. But we still live those kellogg values, our k values. And you can read about those from the letter you have clearly state what our values are. And throughout the two days that the fellows who were at the Kellogg Company, they learned about our kellogg values. Theyre just not words on a piece of paper or words on our walls. We live them every day. We live them in the communities where we live and work every day throughout the United States as well as globally where our products are served. Now, will keith kellogg, he had a vision way back in the day and he had the words and he said i will invest my money in people. And he did. He took his few coins and he invested it in the community. He invested in us employees. And rather than donate his money to his children, he started the w. K. Kellogg foundation. And that foundation today is the fourth largest foundation in the world. And im also very pleased to tell you that the current ceo of the Kellogg Foundation lejeune montgomery tavrin, a native of detroit, my hometown, also we went to the same high school, she is the current ceo. She is the first female and the first africanamerican to run the Kellogg Foundation. Now, again, i work for the Kellogg Company, but the foundation owns 21 of our company last count. So we all work for her in a matter of fact. So when the fellows came to visit us for two days, it was my privilege to put together a program for them so we can learn from them, and they can learn a little bit from us. But mostly it was the reverse. We took time to walk over to the Kellogg Foundation for lunch so they can see what the foundation is doing. And we talked about Racial Equity at that luncheon. Some of the things that dr. Lejeune is doing here locally, i mean in the United States because we give throughout the country, she is donated well, the foundation has donated 24 million in grants for organizations to work with racial healing that weve been going through. Now, we live in battle creek, both the foundation and my company. She also worked with the foundation and donate 51 million to the battle creek public schools. Personally, i find that awesome that we not only give money globally, but we take care of the communities where we live and work. And those are the values of kellogg. Now, the Kellogg Company we dont just talk about diversity, we live diversity. We have eight business employee Resource Groups within our company and they range from everything from k vets to kable to allies to the Application Center and on ward. Im proud to say im a member of each and every one of our ergs because we can learn from one another. And with our ergs what we are tasked to do, the passion we are tasked to do is not only live our values within our company, but we go into the community. We give to the community. Were a food company. Our goal is to make sure no child is left without a meal. Because if youre hungry, you cant learn and we need to feed those kids from birth up so they can go out to learn and they can grow and be like you guys, and be leaders in the world. So as you heard earlier, this is our 15th year in this relationship, and its been a beautiful relationship. And this year we have invited back the alumni naacp fellows to join us because we want to see where theyve gone so far in this journey. And i am dying to hear all their stories about what theyre doing. And im sure you are too, because these are the future leaders of our world. So i want to ask them to stand up so you can see how important this fellow program is and how its growing. So go ahead. [ applause ] they not only look good, but theyre rocking the world right now. So lets get to the class of 2017. And i want you guys to take a strong look at these individuals and remember their names because in a few short years theyll be on this podium, theyll be out there working the law or changing the law more importantly when i need an attorney and ill be poor when i retire, i hope theyll give me some pro bono action. Victor Victor Victoria batista, please rise. Shes from the university of oklahoma, college of law. [ applause ] stefi jean jacques, please rise. Brooklyn law school. Taylor lily, university of maryland. Frances king carey school of law. Isaac mcmahon, university of maine school of law. Noah patten, home boy, baltimore, university of baltimore, school of law. And shana smoet, Southern IllinoisUniversity School of law. These young people are well, i guess in the legal field you would say theyre rising third years, but what im going to tell you is the sun is rising on them. The horizon is there. They will be rocking the world. And they are my first class. And im going to hold them in years to come to be my best class. Thank you. [ applause ] okay. Moving right along. Well, first of all, let me just echo ms. Gilliams remarks. The fellows weve had over the last few years that ive been here have been outstanding. The Kellogg Company has been outstanding. These folks are just an integral part of our work over the summer, and, you know, i cant imagine life without them. All right. I want to acknowledge some soof the folks on the podium on the stage. Some of you are wondering who are these folks on the end. You know who a. G. Holder is. You know who overseer reynolds is now. I want to introduce mr. James g. Virginia who is a member of the Legal Committee of the naacp board of directors. [ applause ] i want to acknowledge michael curry, a member of the National Board of directors of the naacp and member of the Legal Committee, former president of the Boston Branch of the naacp. And next to michael, mr. Gary bledsoe, president of the texas state conference of the naacp and vice chair of the Legal Committee of the board of directors. Okay. One thing i learned very quickly in joining the naacp is that the naacp is the units. The units are the life blood of the naacp. The units are on the ground. The units do the work. The units know whats going on. And the function in the National Office from my perspective is to support the units in doing their work. And so at this luncheon every year we honor our units with the Juanita Jackson mitchell award. And here to present the mitchell awards, Juanita Jackson mitchell awards for 2017 once again is jeanette lou ard. Thank you, brad. The North Carolina state conference is our first recipient of the Juanita Jackson mitchell award. This award is named after fierce advocate and attorney mrs. Juanita Jackson Mitchell who in her lifetime fearlessly took on systemic injustice. Indeed she was an integral part of the fight to desegregate schools, restaurants and public facilities. We award this accolade to state conferences for exemplary Legal Redress Committee activities. This year we honor the North Carolina state conference and the texas state conference. As it relates to the North Carolina state conference, as the lead plaintiffs in the Voting Rights case striking down racial discriminatory voter id laws in North Carolina, the North Carolina state conference defended the franchise for thousands and reminded lawmakers that they cannot take away our rights without facing a persistent and righteous opposition. For this reason i am indeed honored to present the Juanita Jackson mitchell award to the North Carolina state conference. Accepting this award on behalf of the North Carolina state conference is reverend dr. William barber. [ applause ] let me first of all on behalf let me thank god, the lord of justice, let me thank the legacy of Clarence Mitchell, let me thank the North Carolina state conference of branches, let me thank our lawyers, lead lawyers attorney joyner standing here with me. Amen. Al mcshirley, whos trying to get in. His daughter and lead attorney. The plaintiffs, im not sure who else is here, but i know ms. Mary pear, a lead plaintiff in our case, ms. Rose eating, theres ms. Per perry. Let me thank former u. S. Attorney general eric holder, and with our case attorney gupta whos also here, we fought racial redistricting for six years, North Carolina plan made it through the Justice Department review because they did not take any black legislators. They actually added two. But what they did is stack, packed and bleached it so much that we no longer had influence in over 30 or 40 districts. We fought the worst and i want to just make a correction. It wasnt photo id, it was the worst Voter Suppression case after shelby. It was the worst voter id that rolled back sameday registration, early voting and a host of other things. 48 minutes after the governor signed that bill the North Carolina naacp versus mccrory was filed. We fought for three years. Lastly [ applause ] some, and listen to me all of the branches that out there so we dont give up, some told us not to fight. Some told us just to let it go. And start getting photo id, and they were not white. Many black people told us just dont fight. You cant win. They told us wasnt anything we could do, redistricting would be what it was, we just had to let it go. But we knew the constitution, the 14th amendment voting under the law, 15th amendment on Voting Rights, but we also knew a scripture that says in isaiah 10, woe unto those who legislate evil and rob the poor of their rights and make women and children their prey. And so after six years of fighting, after for one case three years after another after 1,200 people going to jail so we had a movement in the streets while our lawyers fought in the court in 2 16 we won both cases with unanimous decisions from the fifth Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court. And the cases were so clear about intentional racism that even the Roberts Court even Clarence Thomas had to say we were right. Im telling you, when you fight, god will make a way. Id rather fight and lose than not fight at all. God bless you. [ applause ] the texas state conference is our second recipient of the Juanita Jackson mitchell award. Taking on another set of voter id laws, the texan state conference successfully argued that the racially discriminatory intent that there was racially discriminatory intent which was behind the enactment of the voter id laws. After Shelby County versus holder, it was difficult to see a clear path to protecting Voting Rights for people of color across the country. But where others saw despair, the texas state conference saw opportunity. Accepting the award on behalf of the texas state conference is Robert Dodson. [ applause ] we welcome to the podium mr. Gary bledsoe. I didnt believe i would be deserted by my colleagues there but let me mention who they were. Our legal redress chair Robert Dodson who has been with us through all this litigation, our cochair jesse gains and our second Vice President and National Board member aubrey hooper, all very crucial in the victories that we won. Let me first say how honored we are to be part of this activity. And let me take a step back and just mention Clarence Mitchell for a second. Back a couple years ago there were movies being written about what had occurred with the passage of the Voting Rights act and things of that nature. It appeared to me and to dr. Barber that Clarence Mitchell wasnt appropriately included in those things. And so he and i got together and we coauthored a piece that was published by the National NewspaperPublishing Association where we tried to detail the significance of Clarence Mitchell in terms of what he did for the passage of the Voting Rights act. And Lyndon Banes Johnson said there was no who did more, not that he did more than anyone else, but no one who did more to obtain the passage of that law than Clarence Mitchell. And its really been a shame that thats not been recorded and portrayed the way that it should. Now, were very pleased that we at North Carolina state conference is not a bigger fan of dr. Barber than me and those of us in texas because we know the great work that they do. But i want to say thank you so much to our state conference because i think what it means is when you have a state conference, its a team effort. It takes funds to be raised to help fuel the litigation. It takes being able to identify your personnel, the people take the witness stand and say the things that need to be said to provide the record that the courts need to make a decision in your favor. It takes individuals it takes people being able to show up at court to let the judges know that youre interested. It takes volunteer lawyers to be able to come and help work on briefs. So we had all that within the texas state conference. Im so proud of that conference and the things that it has done to really try to make a difference in texas, that we continue to fight what is a very difficult fight and a very difficult venue. Now also i want to say that were so glad there are many fantastic groups out there that do Voting Rights law. And so we not only have our great nucleus of southern lawyers but we were able to reach out to groups for coalition for justice, the brennan center, Lawyers Committee for civil rights under the law come and work with us. A joint effort. One of the most significant pieces of evidence that we had in our redistricting case, one that we just finished trying and in the 2011 and 14 cases we tried was a good old report from Washington Bureau, because what we were able to show the court was the kinds of things that our community lost out on. And the hostility that people who were sitting and representing people from our community had towards the issues that impacted our community. And so it could make it real to the court to understand that we have laws relating to civil rights that these congresspersons are voting against. We have laws relating to immigration that these congresspersons are voting against. That truly makes a difference. So its a joint effort. Were just so proud to be here and i want to say thank you to the National Staff because theyve been able to identify a great awardees. And the recipients weve seen today have been tremendous. I want to applaud you for thinking out of the box and being able to be there for us. Because, you know, if they dont authorize litigation, were not there. So it really takes a team effort, but they know what to authorize and whatnot to authorize. Again, thank you all very much and were proud to be part of the naacp which is still the greatest Civil Rights Organization in the history of this land. Thank you. [ applause ] so there is one more award before our honorary guest speaker. Each year the naacp Legal Department honors attorneys who have gone above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of the association and civil rights agenda. This year we honor wilmer hail for tireless work and countless hours spent assisting the naacp and pursuit of a legal system that serve all. Their commitment to safeguard fairness and equivocal justice for people of color is inspiring and worth celebrating. Example of how a firm founded on the principles of equity and social justice could make a direct and positive impact on our world. It is an honor to present the firm with the naacp foot soldiers in the sands award for 2017. Accepting this award on behalf of wilmer hail is i apologize. Good afternoon. Ill be brief. The main event is ahead of us. When i think about the naacp, i think about a question. The question i think about is who will stand for justice and equality, who will speak for justice and equality when doing so is not easy . For more than 100 years the naacp has answered that question. Its answered it with not only the great leaders weve heard about and tribute to Clarence Mitchell and his service on behalf of all of us, but its done so also with people whose names we may not know or remember. And so i am taken back to the year before the naacp was born. There was a gentleman born in forest county, mississippi. His name was vernon damar, vernon damar would go onto head the hattiesburg branch of the naacp at a time there was a Voting Rights act. He was a storekeeper which meant he had something at a time when so many of us didnt have something. And so he used his privilege, he used his voice, he used his membership to try and register other mississippians, but he paid a price for his bravery. The klan came to vernon damars house, they burnt a cross on his lawn, he told his family to run out the back door while he grabbed his gun to return fire. His family escaped and lived, but mr. Dammer was very badly burned and he died from his injuries. If you go to mississippi and look at his grave, in stone enscribed are the words he said shortly before he died in the hospital, if you dont vote, you dont count. And so as i think about the naacp and accept this award on behalf of wilmer hale, im here to tell you that when brad berry and the naacp called on wilmer hale and asks the question who will stand with us when we need to fight for justice, for all those people known and unknown, i want brad to know the answer will be wilmer hale. Thank you very much. [ applause ] thank you very much. Tort. Introducing our keynote speaker is National Board member michael curry. Please welcome michael. [ applause ] having good men and women in positions of power and authority, that who are willing to fight for whats right, thats a rare thing, thats a powerful thing. Its something that shapes our future in ways we dont even understand. These were the words of president barack obama in february 2015 when he spoke at the portrait unveiling ceremony for todays keynote speaker, the honorable eric h. Holder jr. , the 82nd attorney general of the United States of america. The event marked holders anticipated departure from the department of justice after more than six years of service as chief Law Enforcement officer and chief lawyer for the United States government. He holds many distinctions during his time as our attorney general. But for the Many Americans who are the descendants of slaves and freedom fighters, and revolutionaries for justice and equality who dared to dream of a better america where we might see ourselves represented in the highest offices of this land, we take great pride and a bit of personal privilege in recognizing and celebrating his distinction as the first africanamerican to hold this position. Yes. [ applause ] and like so many in this room understand and appreciate, you sometimes just dont know how much you miss somebody until theyre gone. Mr. Holder, on behalf of the members of the nations oldest and largest Civil Rights Organization, im here to tell you, we miss you. We miss seeing you visit the families yes. We miss seeing you visit the families of those who lost loved ones to Police Violence despite the tremendous criticism. We miss having an attorney general that knows the vestiges of racism in Todays Society as we attempt to address mass incarceration, education inequality and criminal Justice Reform. We miss your compassion. We miss seeing you defend and utilize the protections of the Voting Rights act. Fight against discriminatory policies and practices and prosecute perpetrators of hate. We miss your work and your efforts to reform our Justice System and the absolute coolness that you and our 44th president displayed in some very difficult times. [ applause ] despite our living in a time of alternative facts and socalled fake news, we have to take comfort in knowing that it often takes time for the truth to catch up to history. And im absolutely confident that the record will one day show that this attorney general left an indelible mark on american democracy and moved the needle significantly on many of the issues we care about. While some may note his background and his career, i think its important that we take just a minute, an opportunity to reflect on the attorney general holders legacy. Eric holder jr. Was born in bronx, new york, with parents in roots in barbados. His father eric holder sr. Was born in st. Joseph and his brother parents immigrant from barbados. If youve visited the barbados like i have, then you know they take great pride in his career and accomplishment. On your next visit stop by the eric holder jr. Municipal complex. He grew up in east elmhurst, queens, at age 10 selected to participate in a program for intellectually gifted students. He graduated from high school in manhattan and attended Columbia University where he earned a degree in american history. And would later go onto receive his law degree from columbia law school. He worked summers for the Naacp Legal Defense Fund and the United States attorney. After graduating from columbia law school, holder joined the u. S. Justice departments new Public Integrity section where he worked from 1976 to 1988. In 1988, Ronald Reagan appointed holder to serve as a judge of the superior court of the district of columbia. He would later step down from the bench to accept an appointment as United States attorney for the district of columbia under president bill clinton. He was the first black american u. S. Attorney in that office. He was a u. S. Attorney until his elevation to Deputy Attorney general in 1997. In the wake he was a vocal proponent of new hate crime laws in the United States. He would also go onto serve as acting attorney general under president george w. Bush. Mr. Holder also has an outstanding career as a private practice in private practice where he served as an attorney at covington and burling working on many critical legal matters that would prepare him for the next step in his career. And late 2007 holder joined thensenator barack obama president ial campaign as senior Legal Advisor and served on obamas Vice President ial selection committee. On december 1, 2008, thenpresident elect obama announced that holder would be his nominee for attorney general of the United States. He was formally nominated, overwhelmingly approved by majority of Senate Judiciary committee and confirmed by the senate in february of 2009. While in the role of attorney general, he was a staunch defender of the Voting Rights act of 1965. Holders department of justice was critical of new voter id laws, redistricting plans and challenged efforts to spres the right to vote, it was during his tenure that the doj sued Shelby County, alabama, for a violation of section 5 of the Voting Rights act and filed suit against discriminatory arizona immigration laws. He had the largest mafia takedown in u. S. History and delivered hundreds of terrorism convictions as well as a record of convictions for hate crimes and human trafficking. He championed criminal Justice Reform and put the Necessary Force back into the Civil Rights Division. He made the decision to stop defending the defense of marriage act in court and to embrace marriage equality. By the time he resigned, attorney general holder and his Justice Department had adjusted the moral and legal compass of this nation. After leaving the doj, attorney general holder rejoined covington and burling. Most importantly he is sharon malones husband and father of three children. Interestingly enough sharons sister was Vivian Malone jones who was one of the first two africanamerican students to enroll in the university of alabama in 1963 and would go onto become the first africanamerican graduate in 1965. Im going to ask you to please stand to your feet and as prosecutor mosby said, to welcome our warrior, eric holder. [ cheers and applause ] thank you. [ applause ] thank you. Well, good afternoon. I want to thank you for that very kind introduction. That was a lot of research that went into that. You can come up with the where my parents came from and grandparents came from in barbados, thats good. Thats real good. Its an honor for me to speak to an organization that we need now, i think, more than ever. And i would like to make a point and privilege somebodys name mentioned before, we need to understand who she is, juanita gupta, who was the head of our Civil Rights Division when i was there. [ applause ] shes now the head of the leadership conference. She has been a warrior. She was a person i relied on chiefly when i was attorney general. And shes a person who continues to lead in the civil rights arena. So its always good to see you. Today i would like to discuss with you both a debt that i think we all owe and an issue that threatens the integrity of this great nation and puts in peril the future welfare of our country. Now, 50 years after the passage of perhaps the most significant civil rights legislation in our nations history, thats the Voting Rights act of 1965, the most basic of american rights, the right to vote, is under siege. As president johnson said when he signed the Voting Rights act, and i quote here, the right to vote is the basic right without which all others are meaningless. At a time when we should be expanding opportunities to cast a ballot, theres a movement in america that attempts to make it more difficult to suppress the vote. Aided and abetted by a wrongly decided, factually inaccurate and disconnected Supreme Court decision too many in this country are trying to make it too hard to make it too difficult for the people. Theyre fellow citizens, to exercise their right to be heard at the ballot box. Now, let me start with the basic statement i think upon which we can all agree, every person attempting to vote should have to show that he or she is who they claim that this has always been the case and in the past our fellow citizens were allowed to identify themselves in varied and credible ways. There has always been a requirement to identify yourself b before casting a ballot. Recently some states have become unfairly restrictive. Its only been in the very recent past and in certain states with certain legislatures and certain governors that this more restrictive prescribed approach has been mandated. The question is why. Well, the usual justification is to ensure the integrity of the electoral system by preventing voter fraud. Given the nature of the fraud to be eliminated the new restrictions must be designed to prevent inperson false identification voting. Though there is no statistical proof that this is an issue about which the nation should be concerned, its said so often, almost robotically that some people have unthinkably begun to believe the issue is real. With claims of ill use a terms used by our president with claims of rigged elections based on fraud, again, without any proof save the bluster of the thencandidate, this mistaken belief in voter fraud becomes almost hardwired. With undoubtedly false claims that three to five Million People voted illegally in the last president ial election a predicate has been laid to further suppress voter efforts. Statistics have shown inperson voter fraud is usually rare. To truly impact an election would probably require substantial numbers of people, somehow holding themselves out as voters that they are not, which would almost increase exponentially the exposure of the scheme. No such widespread schemes have ever been detected. Now, do you actually think that three Million People could have voted illegally and that this would have gone undetected . The Brennen Center has stated i quote here it is more likely that an individual be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls. One expert found 31 cases out of more than 1 million ballots cast in the United States from 2000 to 2014. So people of good faith, people grounded in the facts, not alternate facts which need to be called what they are, lies, really have to [ applause ] people of good faith really have to ask, you know, where is the problem. People tied to real facts have to conclude that there simply isnt a consequential one and that the restrictive voting laws enacted to combat a next to nonexistent problem with their serious and negative collateral impacts are not needed. Instead of ensuring the integrity of the voting process, they actually do the opposite. By keeping certain groups of people away from the polls. To employ the language of our president , this is how elections are officially rigged, by the State Governments controlled by his party. And the creation of this new federal commission on Election Integrity by this administration is just another frightening attempt to suppress the votes of certain americans. Make no mistake, this commission, led by a factchallenged zealot, will come up with bogus reasons why further restrictions should be placed on the right to vote. The over 40 states that have refused to turn over data to the commission are right in that determination. This commission is up to no good. If there is no factbased voter impersonation problem, what then could be the basis for the photoidentification push. Sadly, the Republican Party has decided to lash itself to shortterm political expediency and put itself on the wrong side of history. History will be harsh in its assessment of these efforts. Lets look at some facts. In 2007, an article that appeared in the Houston Chronicle quoted the political director of the texas Republican Party. He said, among republicans, it is an article of religious faith that voter fraud is causing us to lose elections. He doesnt agree with that, but he does believe that requiring photo i. D. S caused enough of a dropoff in legitimate democratic voting to add 3 to the republican vote. In pennsylvania, in the president ial election in 2012, the republican state House Majority leader listed a few partisan issues that would help mitt romney in the state. After listing guns and abortion he said, and i quote, voter i. D. Which will allow governor romney to win the state of pennsylvania, done. Unquote. A federal court in washington, d. C. , throwing out a texas voter identification law stated it would impose, and i quote, strict, unforgiving burdens on the poor. Unquote. Remember, under that texas law, a State University i. D. Was found not to be adequate proof but a stateissued concealed weapons permit was. In wisconsin, in 2015, a chief of staff to a leading republican state senator resigned after attending a party caucus in which he said some legislators were giddy over the effect of state voter i. D. Laws on minorities and college students. Finally, last year an appellate federal court in california stated based on discovered official State Government emails that republican lawmakers had targeted in their new voter laws, and i quote again, africanamericans with almost surgical precision. Unquote. Let me be frank. Voter fraud did not become an issue in North Carolina, as in other places, until people of color started to cast ballots in record numbers and become an item of greater urgency with the candidat candidacy and the presidency of barack obama. Saddled with the governing philosophy at odds with the governing nations some republicans decided that, if you cant beat them, change the rules. Make it more difficult for those individuals less likely to support republican candidates to vote. This is done with the knowledge that, by simply depressing the vote of certain groups, not even winning the majority of the votes of these groups, that elections can be affected. A 2014 study by the j. O. Found that more restrict i voter i. D. Laws decrease the votes of young people, minorities and the poor in kansas and tennessee in 2012. A recent study conducted at the university of california san diego after controlling for a variety of factors concluded the new laws disproportionately affected democratic voters. It found that democratic turnout dropped by almost 7 when strict photo i. D. Laws were in place. Latino turnout decreased by 10 and there was a decrease in the participation gap between whites and people of color. If one were to try to find, vote for fraud or a rigged election, that in fact is where it is. The nations attentions and laws should not be focused on phantom illegal voter. The Census Bureau reported that in the 2008 president ial election, of the 75 million adult citizens who did not vote, 60 million were not registered and therefore not eligible to cast a ballot. Now, thats one of the places where we should focus our efforts. In a speech i gave way back in 2011 at the lbj library, i called for the automatic registration of all eligible citizens. Now, the languaogic of the argui think is still sound. The ability to vote is a right, it is not a privilege. Under our Current System [ applause ] under our Current System many voters must follow needlessly complex and cumbersome rules. Before and after each election station officials have to manually look at new applications leaving the system riddled with errors and too often creating chaos at the polls. The pew center says that one in eight Voter Registrations in the United States is invalid or significantly inaccurate. This is not as a result of people trying to game the system. Its an indication that the system itself is inadequate, that the system is at fault. Modern Technology Provides a pretty straightforward fix for these problems if we have the political will to bring our election systems into the 21st century. Governments can and should automatically registers citizens to vote by compiling from existing databases a list of all eligible residents in each jurisdiction. Several states have taken steps in that direction. Florida, implemented an automatic registration procedure at its dmv about a year ago and has already seen a nearly fourfold increase in registrants. California, vermont, West Virginia have passed similar laws and other states are leaning in that direction. Its estimated that, if implemented at dmvs and other key agencies the needed reforms could add 50 million eligible voters to the rolls. Save money and increase accuracy in the records necessary to the system. Certain states making even registration more difficult are shameful. In North Carolina, a procedure that automatically registered all High School Students within one year of their right to cast their first vote was done away with. Everyone who voted for that change has to be asked, why would you make it more difficult for High School Students to register to participate in the electoral process . Were you willing trying to prevent vote fraud from occurring . We must also address the fact that, though one in nine americans moves every year, their Voter Registration does not move with them. Many voters dont realize this until after theyve missed the deadline for registering which can cafall a month before electn day. Officials need to establish a program of permanent, portable registration. Until that happens, we should implement failsafe procedures to correct outdated voter rolls and omissions by allowing every voter to cast a regular, nonprovisional ballot on election day. Several states have already taken this step, and its been shown to increase turnout by at least three to five percentage points. These modernization efforts will not only improve the integrity of our elections, they would also save precious taxpayer dollars. Despite these benefits there will always be those who say that easing registration hurdles and election day processes will only lead to voter fraud. Let me be clear. Voter fraud, to the extent that it actually exists, is not acceptable and should not be tolerated. As i learned early in my career as a prosecutor in the Justice Departments Public Integrity section where i actually investigated and prosecuted real voting fraud cases, making Voter Registration and voting easier will simply not by themselves make our elections more susceptible to fraud. Indeed, those on all sides of this socalled debate have essentially acknowledged that inperson voting fraud is incredibly uncommon. We have to be honest about this. We must recognize that our ability to ensure the strength and the integrity of our election systems and to advance the reforms necessary to achieve this depends on whether the American People are informed, engaged, and willing to demand factbased contentions and Commonsense Solutions and regulations that make voting more accessible. Politicians may not readily and willingly alter the gerrymandered systems under which they were elected even though 80 of republicans oppose the Citizens United decisions and twothirds of voters support strengthening the Voting Rights act. Speak out. Dont be afraid. Dont worry about being the subject of a tweet. [ laughter ] [ applause ] raise awareness about what is at stake. Call on the Political Party most responsible to resist the temptation to suppress certain votes in the hope of attaining electoral success. Instead, work to achieve this success by appealing to more voters. What do they fear . The very people who they plame th clim they want to represent . Urge policymakers and inform them in ways which encourage not limit participation. Insist they make it easier to register and easier to vote and ask them why is voting tied primarily to a single tuesday in november . Work yeah. [ applause ] we need to work to expand voting days and hours so that many of our fellow citizens need not choose between casting a ballot and keeping their jobs. Increase, and not decrease, as was done in arizona recently, the number of polling places where our fellow citizens can truly participate in our democracy. Insist that the redistricting done after the 2020 census is done in a fair, democracy supporting way. Remember, the ability of the federal government to monitor electionday complaints has been as a result of that disastrous Supreme Court decision in Shelby County. I say dangerously. Its been dangerously reduced. Today we cannot and must not take the right to vote for granted. Nor can we shirk the sacred responsibility that falls upon our shoulders. We owe a debt. We owe a debt to those who sacrificed so much to ensure that all americans would have access to the ballot. In all of our actions, we must honor that sacrifice. Throughout his presidency, lyndon johnson, who made the promise of the 65 Voting Rights act real, frequently pointed out that, i quote, america was the first nation in the history of the world to be founded with a purpose to right wrong and to do justice. Unquote. Over the last two centuries the fulfillment of this promise has taken many forms. Acts of protest, compassion. Declarations of war, peace and a range of efforts to make certain that as another great president said, government of, by and for the people shall not perish from the earth. Today there are competing visions about how our government should move forward. Thats what the democratic process is all about. Creating space for thoughtful debate, creating opportunities for citizens to voice their opinions and ultimately letting the people chart their own course. Our nation has worked and even fought to help people around the world establish such a process. Here at home honoring our democracy demands that we remove any and all barriers to voting. A goal that all american citizens of all political backgrounds must share. Despite so many decades of struggle, sacrifice and achievement we must remain vigilant in safeguarding our most basic and important right. Too many recent actions are shameful. And they have the potential to reverse the progress that defines us and has made this nation exceptional as well as an example for all the world. Let me be very clear here. That which has been and is being attempted in this country is simply unacceptable and its unamerican. We must be true to the arc of americas history compelling us to be more inclusive with regard to the franchise. We must not forget the purpose that more than two centuries ago inspired our nations founding and guides us forward. This is a nation born of revolution and dedicated to the right of the people to choose their government. Let us act. With optimism and without delay. Let us rise to the challenges and overcome the divisions and the fallacies of our time. Let us signal to the world today that, in america, the pursuit of a more Perfect Union lives on. Now, generations before us did not fail in that quest. Never forget, those three civil rights workers in mississippi gave their lives because they were trying to help people get their right to vote. Now, in light of that kind of sacrifice, we must not fail in our time. Now is not the time to retreat in the face of a partisan assault on the most basic of american rights. Retreat in the face of injustice is not what the naacp does. The battle to protect the Voting Rights of all americans is a defining one. This is not only a legal issue. It is also a moral imperative. If we are to be the nation we claim to be, we must challenge in every way possible those who would undermine our democracy and who have lost faith with the covenant between government and the people. The right to vote is not only the cornerstone of our system of government, it is the lifeblood of our democracy. Now, i am confident that with a focused and informed citizenry and with leaders like those in this room today this struggle for right this is a struggle for right, the struggle for right will be won. If we are to remain true to those who sacrificed and who died to secure the right to vote, we must not fail. Like generations before us, it is time once again. It is our time to insist that our nation lives up to its founding precepts. As always, the fight will not be easy. It will be long. There will be setbacks. But if we are to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, we must use our best efforts to ensure that this most essential of american rights, the right to vote, is protected for this and protected for future generations. Thank you very much. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, i see some heading for the exits, but i think youll want to hang around for whats next. We decided both chambers of congress are in session today. The Senate Returns to consider the nomination of david bern hart to be a deputy interior secretary. The confirmation vote takes place at 5 30 p. M. Eastern. And sometime this week, possibly tomorrow, senators could hold a procedural vote related to the Republican Health care plan. Watch the senate live on cspan 2. The house returns to consider several bills including one that would authorize classified funding for u. S. Intelligence programs and activities. Lawmakers also consider several bills related to Veterans Issues and education. Follow the house live on cspan. Also this afternoon, remarks from President Trump as he speaks at the 2017 boy scouts of America National jamboree. Its being held this year in West Virginia. See the president s comments live at 6 15 p. M. Eastern here on cspan 3. And on wednesday, Justice Department officials testify at a Senate JudiciaryCommittee Hearing on Foreign Agent registration requirements. Live coverage begins at 10 00 a. M. Eastern here an cspan 3. You can also watch online csp cspan. Org or listen on the cspan radio app. Tonight, on the communicators, the cofounder of aol, steve case, on his book the third wave and why he thinks we are at the beginning of a third wave of Internet Development and why he is looking outside of Silicon Valley for the newest digital developments. Now were starting to see the third wave kind of pick up steam. Thats really the internet, integrated in a more seamless and pervasive. Sometimes invisible ways throughout our lives and the process changing things like health care, education, transportation. Energy, food. Pretty important aspects of our lives. Pretty good sectors of the economy. The reason i wrote the book is because i think it will require a different mindset and a different playbook whether you are an