National Urban League: “Heartfelt Gratitude and Admiration” for President Biden’s Historic Term

NEW YORK  (July 21, 2024)– National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek reelection and will endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to ascend to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket:

“Joe Biden assumed the presidency during an unprecedented moment of racial reckoning and responded with a historic commitment to racial justice and equity, which included the appointment of the most diverse Cabinet in history and the selection of the first woman and first African American Vice President Kamala Harris. President Biden’s commitment and the work of the Biden-Harris Administration has resulted in meaningful policy changes for Black Americans across economic opportunity, education, health care, criminal justice, housing, the environment, and civil rights protections.

“As we noted in the progress report we issued as part of National Urban League’s 2024 State of Black America, parts of the Biden-Harris equity agenda, parts of the Biden-Harris agenda have been blocked by Congress and an ultra-conservative Supreme Court. The next President will have an obligation to pick up the torch and continue the fight.

“For the time that remains in President Biden’s term, we recommit ourselves to that equity agenda, and offer our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for a truly extraordinary and transformative career in public service.

“As we enter the next phase of the presidential campaign, the National Urban League hopes that it will proceed in a spirit of civility and national unity, remaining focused on the unfinished work of creating an equitable and inclusive society that works for all Americans.”