Voting Rights Town Hall at Prairie View A&M University

Austin, Texas - On Monday, February 23, 2004, Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) will join Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), State Representative Garnet Coleman, Hip-hop icon Q-Tip, Jehmu Greene, President of Rock the Vote and others at a town hall meeting at Prairie View A&M University. More than 500 students are expected to join them to discuss the importance of student civic participation and the challenges facing minority student voting.

The Prairie View voting rights controversy is a dramatic example of a national problem -- the inability of student voters to fully exercise their voting rights in local elections. The recent voter registration controversy in Waller County has demonstrated the need to inform Prairie View students of their voting rights and the need to register to vote. Other issues to be discussed at the town hall include important public policy issues such as jobs, health care, and civil rights.

Who:       Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-TX)

                U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD),
                Congressional Black Caucus Chairman

                Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX),
                Congressional Black Caucus 1st Vice Chair

                Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-TX),
                Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chairman

                Jehmu Greene,
                President of Rock the Vote/Rap the Vote

                Q-Tip,
                Hip-hop artist/Rap the Vote spokesman and activist

When:    Monday, February 23, 2004; 6:00 P.M. CST

Where:   Prairie View A&M University
                L.W. Minor Street
                Memorial Student Center
                Prairie View, TX

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