CPA’s Summit on the States & 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner

"A Progressive Response to the National Crisis"

On December 8-9, 2001, CPA held its fifth annual Summit on the States in Washington, DC. Despite travel anxieties in the wake of the terror attacks, more than 250 legislators and advocates attended. Once again, the Summit provided a unique forum for state leaders to learn about cutting edge legislative ideas and develop strategies for the 2002 state legislative sessions. As a result of the attacks of September 11, CPA shifted the focus of the conference to incorporate new issues of interest to state leaders. Reflecting this year’s theme – A Progressive Response to the National Crisis – the Summit included breakout sessions on civil liberties, homeland protection, unemployment insurance for the recently unemployed, and racial profiling.

The Women’s Caucus featured panelists (L to R) Shauna Shames of the White House Project, Texas Rep. Jessica Farrar, Leslie Brett of the Connecticut Commission on the Status of Women, and pollster Celinda Lake of LakeSnellPerry (not pictured), who discussed how women leaders are portrayed by the media.

Connecticut Rep. Chris Donovan takes notes as part of a brainstorming session during the "Naming The Game: How to Frame Issues for Change." The pre-Summit workshop held for Northeast advocates and legislators who had planned on attending the 2001 Northeast Forum that was cancelled due to the September 11 attacks.

Texas Sen. Rodney Ellis discusses his role in passing the James Byrd Jr. Act during the Summit workshop on hate crimes.

Advocates listen intently during the popular African-American and Latino Caucus, "United We Stand: Leading Communities of Color in a Time of Crisis." Pictured (L to R) are Joy Williams and Ludovic Blaine III of Demos, Karla Ballard of The Catalyst Project, and Channing Hawkins of People for the American Way.

Florida Institute for Economic Justice Executive Director Nelson Easterling and Connecticut Rep. Diana Urban discuss the challenges state leaders are facing in the current recession and state budget crises during the "Economic Policy in Uncertain Times" Plenary.

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CPA’s 25^th Anniversary Awards Dinner

"Reviving the Roots of Democracy"

CPA held its Annual Awards Dinner in December, in conjunction with the Summit on the States and CPA’s 25^th Anniversary celebration. This year’s honorees were former CPA President and current CPA Board Chair Ambassador Linda Tarr-Whelan, Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman, NEA President Bob Chase, Florida A&M University Student Body President Andrew Gillum, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta. The 2001 class of Flemming Fellows was also recognized at the Dinner for graduating from CPA’s values-based leadership institute.

Members of the 2001 class of Flemming Fellows are greeted onstage by Flemming alumnus Wisconsin Rep. Antonio Riley during the Awards Dinner.

Lone Star Legislators Texas Rep. Garnet Coleman, the recipient of the Arthur S. Flemming Leadership Award (L), and Award presenter Texas Rep. Pete Gallego (R).

Distinguished Service Honoree and CPA Board Chair Ambassador Linda Tarr-Whelan talks with Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree and NEA President Bob Chase during the Awards Dinner Reception.

Pictured (L to R) are SEIU 1199 member and former Florida Rep. Tony Hill, CPA CEO Tim McFeeley, Florida A&M University Student Body President and Emerging Leader Honoree Andrew Gillum, and Florida Sen. Kendrick Meek.