For Immediate Release

	April 13, 2004 NBA PRESIDENT CLYDE BAILEY AND CONGRESSMAN ELIJAH CUMMINGS ADDRESS BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS President Bailey was invited to extend greetings to delegates attending the 36th Annual Conference of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), April 8, 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Speaking during the Public Policy- Legislative Institute, President Bailey focused his remarks on potential NBA/NABSW partnership opportunities consistent with the conference theme “Building African-Centered Partnerships For An Effective Social Work Agenda.” Bailey told the breakfast audience of about 150 delegates that “there is a real need to address the chronic societal crisis of drug abuse and its disproportionate impact on the African American community.” Noting that NABSW President Judith Jackson would be signing-on to a new Coalition of African American Professional organizations formed to explore alternative drug policies, Bailey emphasized that “….adverse consequences of failed drug policies result in the devastation of our families and diminished aspirations of children who are fortunate enough to survive the devastation.” President Bailey's remarks are available by clicking here. (PDF) The National Bar Association, founded in 1925, is the nation's oldest and largest association of attorneys of color, representing a professional network of over 20,000 lawyers, judges, educators and law students.