MEET THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS OFFICERS

Meet the officers and members of the Black Caucus of the 111th United States Congress.

The 111th Congress - Washington politics has never been more exciting. Meet the lawmakers leading the Congressional Black Caucus.

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The 111th Congress - Washington politics has never been more exciting. Meet the lawmakers leading the Congressional Black Caucus.

On the Hill - Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and 21 other lawmakers introduced a bill late last week that would prevent funding to increase the amount of troops in Afghanistan (H.R. 3699). This legislation follows a request by Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal for as many as 40,000 additional troops to boost U.S. engagement in the nation.

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The New Chair - <b>Barbara Lee (D-Ca.) </b><bR>An early and vocal opponent of the War in Iraq, Rep. Barbara Lee is praised widely for being the only member in both houses of Congress to vote against military force after the Sept. 11 attacks. Although Lee is a champion of progressive politics she is also a very practical politician who has worked closely with Republicans on issues like HIV, poverty and the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

The First Vice Chair - &lt;b&gt;Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.)&lt;/b&gt; &lt;br&gt; Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver is a United Methodist Pastor and former City Councilman from Kansas City, Mo. He was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton who, during the campaign said, he’d be shocked if Obama isn't the next President, but made it clear he still supported Hillary until she suspended her bid.

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The First Vice Chair - <b>Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.)</b> <br> Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver is a United Methodist Pastor and former City Councilman from Kansas City, Mo. He was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton who, during the campaign said, he’d be shocked if Obama isn't the next President, but made it clear he still supported Hillary until she suspended her bid.

The Second Vice Chair - &lt;b&gt;Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)&lt;/b&gt; &lt;br&gt; A doctor, former health commissioner and television journalist, Christensen has served the house as a non-voting delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands for almost 12 years. A proponent for voting rights and an equal tax burden for The Virgin Islands, Christensen was also a Superdelegate in the 2008 elections.

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The Second Vice Chair - <b>Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)</b> <br> A doctor, former health commissioner and television journalist, Christensen has served the house as a non-voting delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands for almost 12 years. A proponent for voting rights and an equal tax burden for The Virgin Islands, Christensen was also a Superdelegate in the 2008 elections.

The Secretary - &lt;b&gt;G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)&lt;/b&gt; &lt;br&gt;Having won both of his last two terms with a sweeping majority of the popular vote, Butterfield knows what the voters in North Carolina want. An early John Edwards supporter, the Congressman, who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, got behind Obama during the general election and will work hard to make sure that Democrats communicate well with one another in passing good, solid legislation.

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The Secretary - <b>G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)</b> <br>Having won both of his last two terms with a sweeping majority of the popular vote, Butterfield knows what the voters in North Carolina want. An early John Edwards supporter, the Congressman, who serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, got behind Obama during the general election and will work hard to make sure that Democrats communicate well with one another in passing good, solid legislation.

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Whip - &lt;b&gt;Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) &lt;/b&gt;&lt;bR&gt;One of the youngest members of Congress, Yvette Clarke represents Brooklyn to the fullest. Focusing on issues surrounding the housing market, she is also a member of the Education and Labor and Homeland Security subcommittees. She has pushed hard for legislation helping the homeless and the elderly.

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Whip - <b>Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) </b><bR>One of the youngest members of Congress, Yvette Clarke represents Brooklyn to the fullest. Focusing on issues surrounding the housing market, she is also a member of the Education and Labor and Homeland Security subcommittees. She has pushed hard for legislation helping the homeless and the elderly.

The Outgoing Chair - &lt;b&gt;Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;bR&gt;The outgoing chair, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, is a 12-year congressional veteran who represents Detroit far better than her son, former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, ever did. Having been endorsed by everyone from Planned Parenthood to the National Education Association, she currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

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The Outgoing Chair - <b>Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.)</b><bR>The outgoing chair, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, is a 12-year congressional veteran who represents Detroit far better than her son, former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, ever did. Having been endorsed by everyone from Planned Parenthood to the National Education Association, she currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee.