The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

June 3-5 Delta Initiative in Washington, DC with Congress, Presidential Candidates

Posted on March 11, 2008 at 09:26 AM

The annual Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus Initiative in Washington, DC is set for June 3-5, 2008. We will have Members of Congress, representatives from the Presidential candidates to state what they would do to promote the Delta’s economic development if elected, as well as grassroots leaders from all eight Delta states. Please RSVP if you can take part this year–registration and group hotel information are included below in this message.

We already have speaking commitments from Congressman Marion Berry and Congressman Mike Ross, and in recent years Sen. Thad Cochran (MS), Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS), Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO), Rep. Rodney Alexander (LA), Rep. Charles Melancon (LA), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Rep. Artur Davis (AL), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR), Sen. Mark Pryor (AR), Rep. John Tanner (TN), Rep. Jerry Costello (IL), have participated and we will invite them this year.

The opening session begins on Tuesday evening, June 3, at about 5:15 to 8 p.m. at the House of Representatives Room B-338 Rayburn Building. The next day, Wednesday, June 4, we will go from 8:30 a.m. to about 3:p.m. at the Senate office building (room to be designated). The remainder of that afternoon we encourage people to set up appointments with their Congressional offices to talk about your recommendations for promoting economic development in the Delta. The final session is Thursday morning, June 5 at national USDA headquarters, 8:30 to noon.

Among the key issues will be support for the New Markets Tax Credit, Empowerment Zones, Renewal Communities and other efforts to spur investment in low-income areas, completion of I-69 Corridor and connectors and other improvements to the region’s transportation system, expansion of alternative energy, support for the Delta Regional Authority budget, along with such “big picture” issues as improved health care, housing and education and other economic development initiatives.

If you need assistance with your airfare, the travel agent for this year’s Delta initiative in Washington is Becky Hawkins of Travel Consultants International in Blytheville, Arkansas. You can reach her at (870) 762-2800 or becky@travelconsultantsintl.com. Becky Hawkins is an excellent travel agent and has done a great job for many years.

We will have representatives from the remaining Presidential campaigns speak about what they plan to do for the Delta if they are elevated to the White House, and we will probably know who both parties’ nominees are by early June. This will be a nonpartisan forum to press them to pay more attention to Delta regional issues and we will not endorse any candidate.

REGISTRATION: The registration fee is $85. To register, just make out the $85 check to “Delta Grassroots Caucus,” with a note “For DC 2008,” and mail to:

Delta Grassroots Caucus

(Attention: Lee Powell)

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, MD 20601

GROUP HOTEL: The group hotel is the Radisson at Reagan National Airport. To get the reduced group rate of $209 a night for the nights of June 3 and June 4, call the Radisson at (703) 920-8600 and say you are with the Delta Caucus.

Please RSVP so that we can know who will be attending. Thanks very much. Lee Powell, MDGC (202) 360-6347