National Urban League Applauds President Obama Focus on Jobs and Education As the Keys to Economic Growth

Civil Rights Group Praises Inclusion of Key Provisions of it 8 Point Plan

 
Washington, DC (February 13, 2013) -- National Urban League (www.nul.org) President and CEO Marc H. Morial today issued the following response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.
 
On the president’s plan for job creation and economic growth:
 
“We applaud President Obama for making clear his focus on job creation and preparing our youth for success in college, work and life as the keys to economic prosperity for our communities and country.   We echo his call for swift passage of the American Jobs Act, which we believe will level the playing field for many Americans who have yet to benefit from the economic recovery.   
 
“We also are encouraged that he continues to champion many of the policy recommendations contained in our 8 Point Plan:  Educate, Employ, Empower including:
 

• Fair and equitable school funding for all
• Robust early childhood education for each child
• Strengthen high schools
• Robust STEM focused curriculum and programs
• New job training models coupled with job placement

 
On the creation of a Presidential Bi-Partisan Commission on Voting:
 
“In light of the unprecedented voter suppression campaign we saw in the last election, and recent attempts to stack the electoral deck in certain states, we are encouraged by the formation of a bi-partisan Presidential Commission to explore voting activity in the U.S. ,” Morial said.   “As the last election proved, there are still those whose strategy for victory includes robbing millions of citizens of their fundamental right to vote.    The creation of this bi-partisan Commission demonstrates the president’s commitment to protecting the most fundamental right we have in this country--the right to vote.”
 
On the president’s call for a vote on gun reform provisions:
 
“As those in attendance at the president’s address show, gun violence can strike any of us at any time.   Congress has a duty to act now on commonsense reforms,”  Morial said.  “We stand fully behind the president’s call for a vote on commonsense gun reform including universal background checks, a ban on military style assault weapons and ammunition.
 
“The Urban League continues to support solutions that create safer communities that include safe after-school places for children, improved mental health services and treatment, and programs that teach conflict resolution—in lieu of armed guards in schools.”




Contact:  Pamela Springs
               (202) 629-5757