Pelosi Statement on Appointment of Cornell Williams Brooks as President and CEO of the NAACP

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the selection of Cornell Williams Brooks to be President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), America's oldest and largest civil rights organization:

"For over a century, the NAACP has led the way in the great work of civil rights in America, breaking down barriers and achieving historic victories in the fight to make real the promise of equality for all. In selecting Cornell Williams Brooks to be President and CEO, the NAACP has chosen a steadfast champion who will build on that legacy of progress and bring fresh determination to the civil rights challenges of the 21st century.

"A graduate of Head Start, Boston University School of Theology and Yale Law School, Brooks possesses tenacity born of personal experience. He matches a relentless commitment to the importance of education and opportunity with superb legal ability and experience, and he has proven himself a formidable leader in the ongoing fight against discrimination and disenfranchisement. Brooks will bring renewed energy and vision to the NAACP's enduring efforts to protect voting rights, end the epidemic of incarceration, improve the lives of our minority communities, and ensure that all Americans have access to the American Dream.

"As Brooks takes the reins from Interim President and CEO Lorraine Miller -- a courageous and accomplished trailblazer in her own right -- we know we can continue to expect excellence and leadership from the NAACP on the critical issues of our time. Together, we will work to honor the achievement of the civil rights titans who have come before us, and continue the fight to reduce poverty, strengthen voting rights, and achieve a fairer and more just America for everyone."

Source