| About Honoree Maxine Waters |
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Congresswoman Maxine Waters Congresswoman Waters is considered by many to be one of the most powerful women in American politics today. Throughout her 29 years of public service, she has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color and the poor. Congresswoman Waters has been an advocate for international peace, justice, and human rights, as an early leader in the movement to end Apartheid and establish democracy in South Africa, having confronted the nation to interpret the hopelessness and despair in cities across America following the Los Angeles civil unrest in 1992, and now leading congressional efforts to cancel the debts that poor countries in Africa and Latin America owe to wealthy institutions like the World Bank and free poor countries from the burden of international debts. As she currently gathers support in Congress for ending the war and toward a just foreign policy, she has also been at the forefront on issues such as poverty, economic development, environmental justice and other issues of concern to people of color, women, children, and poor people. Rep. Waters has a broad cross-section of support from diverse communities across the nation. We honor Congresswoman Waters for her invaluable role in combining grassroots organizing with strong legislative and public policy work and visibility in the Democratic Party, The Out of Iraq Caucus: Congresswoman Waters is the founding member and Chair of the ‘Out of Iraq’ Congressional Caucus, created in June 2005 to unite members of the House in favor of returning American troops from Iraq. When announcing its formation, she said: "The Out of Iraq Congressional Working Group is a newly formed effort whose sole purpose is to be the main agitators in the movement to bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our efforts will include the coordination of activities and legislation designed to achieve our goal of returning our troops home. Through floor statements, press conferences, TV and radio appearances and other actions, we will provide leadership for the American Public who has been waiting too long for our collective voices against the war." Waters promised that the caucus would do the following towards this aim: * Provide support to other members of Congress and caucuses who wish to leave Iraq. * Provide support to citizens and organized national groups who wish to leave Iraq. * Organize workshops and seminars for the purpose of encouraging an exit from Iraq. * Travel across the country to explain the rationale for their position. * Be available to meet with the families of service members who have been killed or injured in Iraq. |
