On the morning of February 12, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Senator Ben Cardin and ABC-7 News anchor Maureen Bunyan addressed a distinguished crowd eagerly assembled for the Maryland 5th District’s Black History Month Celebration.  Rows of tables stretched wall to wall at the Waldorf Jaycees’ Hall.  Over four hundred local leaders from Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties chatted amongst themselves during breakfast, while live instrumental music played in the background.

Congressman Hoyer introduced Ms. Bunyan with glowing remarks.  He took a moment to express his thoughts on the issue of immigration facing the nation and our area.  Hoyer informed the crowd that Bunyan’s father had immigrated to the United States and was an excellent example of how important immigrants are to our county.  The congressman then stated his intention of working to find a way to help the roughly eleven million illegal aliens in this country fully enjoy the opportunities available to all American citizens.  He reasoned that since illegal immigrants contribute to the national and local economies through their labor and taxes, a way should be made to legalize their presence in the U.S. 

Maureen Bunyan echoed Congressman Hoyer’s belief that we should share the opportunities of this country with others and added that those who’ve taken the risk to immigrate deserve those opportunities for the courage it took to come here.  She passionately reminded the assembly that we as a nation have promised to welcome all those who want to be Americans. 

Although Bunyan refrains from voting (as a journalist) she pleaded with her listeners to exercise their right to vote and to encourage others to vote also.  Bunyan asked the assembly to remember that people died to give both African-Americans and women the opportunity to vote.

 
 

The Charles County commissioners were among those in attendance.  Dr. Edith Patterson (vice-president of the Charles County commissioners’ board) served as a member of the event’s planning committee. 

Congressman Hoyer’s office told the Bay Net that he helped start this annual breakfast when he became a member of Congress in 1981. Hoyer has attended every year since then to honor “the critical role African Americans have played in the founding and development of our country and to share in fellowship and friendship with community leaders in recognition of Black History Month”.


The Bay Net Photos by Anna Dailey

Anna Dailey is the Bay Net’s associate editor covering Charles County.  To contact her about this article or other