Backbone Campaign

Rep. John Conyers Presented Backbone Award For Bold Leadership
By Bill Moyer

04/04/2006

Six grassroots citizen groups unite in an expression of gratitude.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) is lauded by Tim Carpenter, Director of Progressive Democrats of America, as "the heart and soul of the Democratic Party." Rep. Conyers has been a consistent thorn in the side of the Bush administration. Utilizing his senior position on the House Judiciary Committee, he has published two landmark investigations on both election irregularities (What Went Wrong In Ohio) and potentially impeachable offenses related to the Iraq war (The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution, and Cover-ups in the Iraq War).

As exemplified by most Democratic Senators' refusal thus far to support Feingold's resolution for censure, most politicians on Capitol Hill seem allergic to forcefully calling on the Bush Administration for disclosure and accountability. John Conyers has not shied away from confrontation. He has effectively united with grassroots forces to address a crisis of confidence both in our elections and regarding the threat of unbridled, unaccountable executive power.

Six grassroots organizations--the Backbone Campaign, Democrats.com, AfterDowningStreet.org, Progressive Democrats of America, HipHopCaucus.org, and Cities for Progress--united to express their gratitude to Congressman John Conyers in an informal presentation in his Washington, D.C. office. Bill Moyer, Director of the Backbone Campaign, made the presentation on their behalf.

Below is the text of Moyer's presentation:

"At the Backbone Campaign, we like to emphasize that it is the people who lead, and the leaders who follow, but Congressman Conyers, your career forces us to acknowledge one of the few exceptions to that rule.
"We could easily justify this award by listing your years of commitment to civil rights, to economic justice, to exposing racism and the lingering shameful reverberations of slavery. We could easily justify this award with your consistent and persistent advocacy for a health care system worthy of a nation, as wealthy as our own. We could surely find many long-past accomplishments to justify presenting you this award, but that is unnecessary.
"Though you have served longer than all but one of your colleagues, your stride, pace, and passion are unequaled by any of those younger than yourself. Your activities in the last 18 months are enough to inspire awe. In that time you have spearheaded efforts to expose the truth and force accountability in GannonGate, The Plame Outing, The Downing Street minutes, NSA spying, and more.
"Your leadership was pivotal in the investigation of election irregularities in Ohio. You have led the fight to bring accountability to an Administration that claims to be above the law. Your bills HR 635, 636, and 637 for investigation and censure represent the exact kind of leadership we think will rejuvenate and energize the Americans who feel let down by those members of both parties who have allowed the Bush administration to violate laws, treaties, and the trust of Americans.
"Sir, we know you love Jazz, but you most definitely ROCK!
"Congressman Conyers, YOU ARE OUR CHAMPION, and therefore on behalf of Backbone Campaign, Progressive Democrats of America, Democrats.com, AfterDowningStreet.org, HipHopCaucus.org, and Cities for Progress, it is my honor and great privilege to present to you this Backbone Award."

Past recipients of the Backbone Award include: Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Gov. Howard Dean, Rep. Cynthia McKinney, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., and Rep. Lynn Woolsey.

"Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is proud to join with the Backbone Campaign in honoring Rep. Conyers, who is the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. Congressmen Conyers has been at the forefront of Congress for the last 40 years leading the struggle for peace and justice," stated PDA Director Tim Carpenter.