National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Mourns the Passing of Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks

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Apr 26, 2010, 12:24 ET

WASHINGTON, April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beaumont, Texas, Councilmember Audwin Samuel, president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), released the following statement mourning the recent passing of civil rights icons Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks:

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"On behalf of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) of the National League of Cities, we express our condolences for the loss of two great civil rights pioneers, Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks.

"We are saddened by their deaths, but realize the richness of the lives they lived. Both were committed to justice for all Americans and dedicated to be voices of advocacy for unheard people. The legacy of hope they leave is an inspiration for generations to come."

NBC-LEO was created in 1970 to represent the interests of African American elected officials within NLC. NBC-LEO strives to increase African American participation on NLC steering and policy committees to ensure policy and program recommendations reflect African American concerns and benefit their communities.

The National League of Cities is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

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SOURCE National League of Cities