Congresswoman Barbara Lee Appointed Democratic Congressional Representative to the United Nations

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today announced her appointment to serve as Congressional Representative of the United States to the Seventy-Sixth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is the fifth time Congresswoman Lee has been appointed to this position. Congresswoman Lee will continue to represent the 13th Congressional District of California while she assumes the duties of a Representative to the United Nations.

“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to represent my colleagues at the United Nations. I’d like to personally thank President Biden for this appointment and Speaker Pelosi for her support. This year’s General Assembly theme, ‘Building resilience through hope’ underscores the importance of Congress’s work with the United Nations to recover from COVID-19, promote sustainability, respond to the climate crisis, and uphold the rights of all people.

“In this role and as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, I will continue to support diplomacy, foreign assistance, and development programs and will use the UN Sustainable Development goals as a guide to address global poverty, hunger, education, gender equality, and reproductive rights. As we recover from a global pandemic that has once again shown us the painful legacy of systemic racism and discrimination, I will also focus on the specific challenges experienced by people of African descent around the globe.

“I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to engage with the United Nations as we reaffirm our commitment to peace, security, and lifting up marginalized communities.”

Breonna Taylor’s Vanity Fair Portrait Now Hangs In National Museum of African American History and Culture

Breonna Taylor‘s likeness and image have been kept alive and circulating widely on t-shirts and on murals thanks to the striking portrait by famed artist Amy Sherald.

On Friday, Taylor’s famous portrait that graced the cover of the September 2020 issue of Vanity Fair will now hang in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), which is part of the Smithsonian, in a new exhibition called “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.”

The graceful portrait, which is now co-owned by the NMAAHC in Washington, D.C. and The Speed Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, depicts Taylor in a flowing turquoise gown, beaming with statuesque beauty and an engagement ring on her finger — a nod to the married life that was to come before her life was tragically cut short.

“I am honored and proud of the work the museum has accomplished over the past five years to share African American history and culture with the world,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Taylor’s display is part of the the Black Lives Matter movement installation.

Barack Obama makes campaign ad in support of Newsom ahead of California recall

Former President Obama is appearing in a TV ad backing California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) as part of his campaign's final efforts to boost Democratic turnout in next Tuesday's recall election.

Watch that ad below:

Here it is: the ad Obama just cut for the Gavin Newsom anti-recall campaign. Focuses on covid, specifically vaccines mandates, and hits Elder for being close to Trump.

"Protect California by voting NO on the Republican Recall." pic.twitter.com/OsCc2YGIHr

— Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) September 8, 2021

Brian Benjamin Sworn In As Lieutenant Governor Of New York

Brian Benjamin was sworn in Thursday as the new lieutenant governor of New York.

Benjamin, with family at his side, promised to ensure fairness and accountability in government.

Vice President Kamala Harris makes campaign speech for Governor Newsom in recall fight

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in California on Wednesday for Governor Gavin Newsom, who is facing a recall election. "They're thinking if they can get this done in California, they can go around the country and do this," Harris said about Republicans. She also took the time to speak about against the Texas Governor, Greg abbot and the recently passed Texas abortion law. Watch her entire speech below: