Support Letter from the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.

Dr. M. L. Jemison, President
Dr. Tyrone S. Pitu, General Secretary.
Dr. Robert E. Dennis, Chairperson
Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr., Executive Director.

In Washington, D.C. to protest unfair treatment by the United States Department of Agriculture while calling on the Republican Congress to support legislation to reopen the claims of black farmers. In 1998, the Progressive National Baptist Convention passed a resolution in support of the efforts of the black farmers to obtain a settlement for past discrimination and illegal actions by the USDA. Seven years after a historic settlement by the Department of Agriculture to compensate black farmers who experienced discrimination, more than 81,000 our of 94,000 farmers still have not received a settlement.

The Progressive National Baptist Convention continues to support the National Black Farmers Association in its demands that the USDA move immediately to resolve the court-sanctioned outstanding claims. Secondly, that the USDA also reopen claims that have been rejected, provide black farmers with equal credit opportunity, provide restitution and remedy for black farmers whose land has been seized illegally and include black farmers in all subsidy programs.

As a Convention that was founded on the principles of justice and served as the home convention of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement, we urge President Bush and Congress to do justly and move this issue of the black farmer off the back burner. The systematic economic discrimination of these hard-working black farmers by their own government has no place in 21st century America. Justice delayed is justice denied. Now is the time to make justice live and fairness a reality for those who have been denied their equal chance at the American dream.

If you need additional information please contact: Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr., Executive Director, at: 601-50th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019. His telephone numbers are: 1-800 876-7622, (202) 396-0558, fax (202) 398-4998. E-mail: info@pnbc.org

601-50th Street, NE Washington, DC 20019
(202) 396-0558 1-800-876-7622 Fax (202) 398-4998 E-mail: info@pnbc.org

"BUILDING BETTER BRIDGES FOR MINISTRY"