“The burden of proof is on him and his administration.” In 1971 shortly after the Congressional Black Caucus officially formed as a group, they demanded to meet with President Richard Nixon. Nixon would not meet with them. The 13 members then boycotted the State of the Union. After that, Nixon agreed to meet with them and the group presented 60 policy recommendations to him. They also gave him a deadline. Since then, the CBC has met with every President at least once and the annual White House meeting has become something of a mandatory tradition for each President. In a media age that doesn’t refer back to history these videos are quite interesting. Unsurprisingly, unemployment was a key issue 40 years ago just as it is today.
Former CBC Chair and Michigan Rep. Charles Diggs (1922-1998) is see on the video below. Former Maryland Rep. Parren Mitchell (1922-2007) is seen at top left commenting on the Nixon meeting. Howard K. Smith (1914-2002) is the ABC anchor.
