FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Ronald G. Waters D-Delaware/Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/waters

PLBC meets the AACCCP for 'A Candlelight Affair'

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware, chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, joined other members of the PLBC on a panel Tuesday night to field questions about legislation, programs and outreach from members of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania and community at large.

The event was touted as an opportunity for chamber members to meet elected officials and begin forging partnerships between the two entities.

“Tonight we had an opportunity to engage some of the brightest and most influential members of the African American community here in Central Pennsylvania,” Waters said. “We hope to prove in the coming months that promises to support small businesses in our communities is not just rhetoric and meeting face-to-face with the folks who run them was the perfect place to start,” he added.

The panel opened themselves up to a variety of issues, as attendees touched on an array of topics, from voter ID to education. There were questions asked pertaining to health care, the economy and job creation; but, in perhaps what can be categorized amongst the most pertinent issues discussed, chamber members were able to ask questions about the PLBC, its role in the legislature, and how the caucus could be of service to businesses.

“It is clear from the interest in tonight’s meeting that the PLBC and the AACCCP have very similar objectives—we want to encourage education in the black community and set up programs to help promote positive attitudes towards the learning process,” Waters said.

“We also want to inspire other members of the black community to dream big, put their ideas into action and to pursue small business ownership.”

In addition to Waters, the PLBC panel was made up of Reps. Vanessa Brown, PLBC vice chairwoman; Tony Payton Jr.; Thaddeus Kirkland; and Jake Wheatley.

As they closed, the PLBC panel urged attendees to utilize the caucus as a community resource.

“We are here to serve,” Waters said.