Diversity in the halls of Congress.The Congressional Yellow Book lists more than 100 congressional caucuses. Some are concerned with modes of travel; others, women's issues; and still others, the fight against drug abuse. Not one has a better record supporting ATLA ATLA Association of Trial Lawyers of America ATLA American Theological Library Association ATLA American Trial Lawyers Association ATLA Air Transport Licensing Authority (Hong Kong) ATLA Avatar: The Last Airbender interests than the Congressional Black Caucus Congressional Black Caucus, organization of African-American members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Founded in 1970, it addresses legislative concerns of African Americans and other minority citizens, such as employment, welfare reform, minority business (CBC (1) (Cell Broadcast Center) See cell broadcast. (2) (Cipher Block Chaining) In cryptography, a mode of operation that combines the ciphertext of one block with the plaintext of the next block. ) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of 21 Democratic Members of the United States Congress of Hispanic descent. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States and Puerto Rico. (CHC CHC Chicago Cubs CHC Community Health Center CHC Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) CHC Congressional Hispanic Caucus CHC Community Health Council (UK National Health Service) )--both address issues related to this month's TRIAL theme. During the current, 107th Congress, both the CBC and CHC have voted 100 percent in support of ATLA's positions on legislation that affects members and their clients, including the Patients' Bill of Rights, tort "reform" amendments in the aviation security bill, and a measure that would federalize all class actions. The caucuses have similar records in other Congresses. No group of lawmakers better understands the mission of the plaintiff bar--to seek justice for all--than the minority members of Congress. These members recognize what is at stake when civil justice comes under attack in Congress. Established 31 years ago, the CBC concerns itself with such issues as race discrimination in drug and death penalty cases and racial disparities in mandatory sentencing guidelines for juvenile criminals. The group has 43 members. The CHC, founded more than 25 years ago, has 18 members. It looks after Hispanics' interests in health insurance, nursing homes, retirement and disability benefits, child labor laws Federal and state legislation that protects children by restricting the type and hours of work they perform. The specific purpose of child labor laws is to safeguard children against harm generally associated with child labor, such as exposure to hazardous, unsanitary, or , immigration policies, and racial profiling. The diverse constituencies these members of Congress represent, and the experience they bring to Capitol Hill, benefit ATLA and minorities as a whole. Kristin Loiacono is associate director for media outreach and coalition development in ATLA's Media Relations Department. |
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