(Atlanta, GA) -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Coz Carson, Press Secretary
(404) 633-0927; (404) 803-7927

Monday, April 10, 2006

Today Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney welcomed the members of the newly formed 4th Congressional District Advisory Committee.

In a packed meeting at the 4th District office, concerned citizens joined together to exchange ideas on how to improve the quality of life in the 4th District.

Discussions ranged from the $15 Million in federal funding which Congresswoman McKinney was able to deliver from Washington in addition to the $22 million with local matches that the Congresswoman delivered in transportation enhancements years ago that still has not been
spent. The new money is earmarked for improvements to roads and sidewalks along Memorial Drive, Rockbridge Road, Buford Highway, and Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road. The Congresswoman also explained that she was able to obtain federal funding to extend HOV lanes along I-20
to the DeKalb-Rockdale County line and $4 million for the City of Clarkston.

A number of national and international issues were also on the minds of the committee members, including the growing debate over immigration. When asked for her take on the issue, Congresswoman McKinney said, "Brown people are not our enemies."  The Congresswoman stated that she also sent a statement to the rally which was read to the protesters today in Decatur, Georgia.  She went on to say that the
policy of the government that allows jobs to be exported abroad while at the same time refuses to  to punish the corporations that employ undocumented workers is unsustainable.

The 4th District of Georgia is the most diverse Congressional District in the southeast. The Congresswoman told the Committee that she was committed to making sure that all of the people of the District receive the quality of life that they deserve.

Congresswoman McKinney also encouraged the attendees to view the documentary "AMERICAN BLACKOUT," a critically acclaimed film highlighting persistent and systemic black voter disenfranchisement. "AMERICAN BLACKOUT" will be screened at the Atlanta Film Festival on June 10th, 2006.  It focuses on the 2000 and 2004 Presidential races where thousands of black people in Florida and Ohio respectively, were systematically disenfranchised and denied their constitutional right to vote.

Congresswoman McKinney reminded them that the next "DISTRICT DAY" will be held on April 22nd, 2006 at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street from 8am to 4pm.

Congresswoman McKinney is the only Member of Congress who holds District Days every month in order to meet one-on-one with her constituents.

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