New York, N.Y.- August 2, 2005 - The National Urban League 95th anniversary conference at the Washington Convention Center was the largest gathering in Urban League history. A record 10,000 attendees gathered for the four days of plenary sessions, luncheons, workshops, empowerment zones and cultural events.

At his opening keynote address, President and CEO Marc H. Morial called for a new "Opportunity Compact" for America to increase jobs, develop stronger private sector commitment to minority businesses, enact mandatory early childhood education and proposed the creation of tax free "Individual Homeownership Development Account" to spur homeownership among working Americans.

The Greater Washington Urban League, under the leadership of President and CEO Maudine R. Cooper and Jerry A. Moore III, Chairman Board of Directors, Greater Washington Urban League, Partner, Venable LLP, served as host affiliate. Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. Executive Vice President Community Relations, Chairman, Freddie Mac Foundation was the Host Committee Chairman and Kerry Killinger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington Mutual served as Conference General Chairperson.

Conference highlights were appearances by Senator Hillary Clinton (New York), The Rev Jesse Jackson, Sr. (Rainbow/PUSH Coalition); Bruce Gordon, President, NAACP; Janet Murguia, President and CEO, National Council of LaRaza; Lt. Governor Michael Steele (Maryland); the Honorable Andy Young; Cornell West, author, Tavis Smiley, host PBS show; Dick Gregory, Author; Cathy Hughes, founder Radio One; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, AME Church, 13th Episcopal District; Regent Adelaide L. Sanford, Vice Chancellor, New York State Board of Regents; the Honorable Harold Ford, Jr., House of Representatives (D-Tennessee); Donna Brazile, Founder and Managing Director of Brazile and Associates, LLC; Kwame Jackson, Chairman, Legacy Holdings, The Apprentice' finalist; Kelvin Boston, President, Boston Media, Inc.; Alfred A. Edmond Jr., Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Black Enterprise Magazine; Etu Evans, Founder and Chief Shoemaker; Jackie Rhinehart, Vice President Marketing, Black Music Universal/Motown and Kofi Moyo, Chairman, Real Men Cook Charities and Resource Associates International among others.

The conference also featured its second annual Women of Power Luncheon which annually recognizes the contributions of black women in positions of power and influence in sports, media, law, politics and business. Honored were Marian Wright Edelman, Founder & CEO, Children's Defense Fund; Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., President & CEO Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Carol H. Williams, President, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Carol H. Williams Advertising; Ursula M. Burns, President, Business Group Operations & Senior Vice President, Xerox Corporation; the Honorable Anice Wagner, District of Columbia Circuit Court Judge; Michelle McQueen Martin, News Correspondent, ABC News; The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congressional Representative for the District of Columbia; and Briana Scurry, Olympic Gold Medalist, U.S. Women's Soccer.

More than 10,000 attendees visited empowerment zones that focused on health, education, homeownership and technology. Entertainment included performances by recording artists India.Arie, Brian McKnight, Doug E. Fresh and Washington Go-Go legend Chuck Brown.

The annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Conference Gala tribute to legends honored college presidents; The Honorable Hazel R. O'Leary, President, Fisk University; Dr. H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University and Dr. Norman E. Francis, President, Xavier University of New Orleans.

Special sessions were held on the black male, Africa, small business development, black mayors, the Supreme Court, health and diversity. Others highlights were seminars and workshops held for The Nulites (National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed) Youth Summit at Catholic University and the Influencer Summit formerly the NULYP "Training Ground.

The summit, sponsored by Citigroup and hosted by the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP), Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment (MOBE) and Urban Influence Magazine (UIM) is designed to recognize and empower leaders of the future through a mix of plenary sessions, luncheons and interactive workshops with highly sought speakers, and recognition awards.

In addition, Morial reported on the breadth and depth of the League's programs and operations through a new Urban League census, urged close review of the legal record of nominee Judge John Roberts, called for an extension of the Voter's Right Act and full voting rights for the District of Columbia.

Serving as the public policy foundation of the League's five point empowerment agenda, the "Opportunity Compact" represents four cornerstones: 1) Increase in Jobs, 2) Closing the Homeownership gap through Congressional action, 3) stronger private sector commitment to minority procurement opportunities, and 4) Mandatory Childhood Education.

"Today, we must work to make sure that every American can own his piece of the dream on the same terms as any other American. No more predatory lending practices.... We want Congress to create a new tool... an "Individual Homeownership Development Account". This will allow Americans to save money for a down payment tax free. Working class Americans deserve tax breaks too," said Morial.

Morial stated the League will take a stronger stance on advocating on Capital Hill and working with the public and private sectors to implement the "Opportunity Compact" to compliment the League's direct service program efforts. Morial states, "Here at the Urban League we celebrate, 95 years of making a difference. But, we look around this country and see the challenges we face, the injustice that still lurks on the streets of our cities, our brothers and sisters who are still starved of opportunity, we know that there is no rest for the weary. The "Opportunity Compact" renews the hope of our founding [of the National Urban League] that all people are created equal, and imbued by our creator with certain inalienable rights - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

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