Paul Ryan, Mr. Speaker Shared Values and Shared Goals
For Immediate Release:
Contact: CJ Jordan
Washington, DC -There is often a narrative that Republicans have little to no concern for the Black Community. What is true is that there exist a communication problem in articulating and presenting ideas to the black community. I am a Black woman and many would wonder why I would pen an open letter of support for Congressman Paul Ryan, in consideration as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Black community has a lot in common with the Republican Party, centered on our “Shared Values and Shared Goals”.
Paul RyanI have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Mr. Ryan and his staff since 2012. Throughout our association Mr. Ryan impressed me as an intellectual initially working, as an intern and research fellow for Members of Congress. Mr. Ryan was tasked with developing policy initiatives for those representatives who had an interest in increaseing their understanding and focus on urban centers with high concentrations of minority populations: African Americans and Hispanics specifically. His overall dedication and commitment to understand the needs and desires of those members of these urban minority group populations was unmatched. :
As a team leader for the Dole/Kemp presidential ticket, I witnessed first hand the compassion and knowledge that Mr. Kemp had for urban centers. Mr. Jack Kemp believed that poor urban Americans should not be ware housed in concrete jungles. He understood, the idea of being born into poverty did not have to be your life choice. Public housing was to be considered a stepping-stone to the pursuit of the American dream. Mr. Kemp believed that Americans could graduate out of public housing into starter homes, where children could have better educational choice options and opportunities. It was these ideas that Kemp and William Bennett, took to Empower America, ideas that were the bedrock of Paul Ryan’s political development, the brand of Urban Economics. At Empower America, Paul Ryan researched and wrote policy papers on educational choice, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
Additionally Paul has his personal story of losing his father to addiction, at a young age and being raised by a single parent. Data shows 72% of African American children are raised in single parent households. It is this personal lose that guides his close-knit family. Ryan understands the needs of a single parent seeking out mentors for a son while clearly reflecting on the importance of realizing there is no true replacement for a father and son relationship.
As Speaker Mr. Ryan brings, his in-depth knowledge of Tax policy, how a burdensome tax code can slow upward mobility, diminish dreams, trap people into generational poverty and stifle Black owned business.
As Ryan takes the Speakers gavel, he will have a leadership team, of Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader, Cathy McMorris Roger, Conference Chair, etc., where a team that encompasses a foundation for inclusiveness and diversity of thought as it relates to legislative proposals.
McCarthy and McMorris instilled in their staffs, a commitment for inclusion and diversity of thought. The committee of 40 has established creditability in the black community. A team, which reflected: Job creators, and members of key black organizations that give back to the community. Once identified, The Committee of 40, advisory board members met with the Majority Leader in February and engaged in a dialogue about the concerns of the black community. On July 8th a bipartisan group of over 55 Black CEO’s shared with Republican Leaders, our concerns about job creation, HBCU’s, Underfunded Union Pensions, Pell grants for ex-offenders, School Choice, Urban Development and Taxes.
Business leaders: such as Bill Pickard, Laverne Jones Gore, John Williams, Stephen Hightower, Michael Baylis, John Henry, Sr., Robert L. Wright, Crystal El, Gerald Boyd, Sr., John Barnett, Antwayne Ford, Bishop Charles Connor, Pearl Burris Floyd, Kyle Myers, Kevin McDaniel, Antwaan Randle El, Dr. Christine Brooks, Bishop David Hall, Sr., just to name a few with demonstrated leadership within the Black community, who voiced interests and a willingness to work with republican policy makers on matters of concern and importance to Urban Centers.
As a body The Committee of 40 enthusiastically endorses Congressman Paul Ryan for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. It is our belief that Mr. Paul Ryan and his leadership team will bring forth a strategic and comprehensive approach to policy that will be shaped by diversity of thought and inclusiveness. The Black community should have pride in knowing that The Committee of 40 is reflective of a group of black job creators leading the way and preparing policy recommendations on concerns for the Urban Centers of this great nation.
CJ Jordan, is a GOP Strategist and Co Founder of The Committee of 40