doubt. it has disproportionately affected communities of color. we need not hopefully continue to remind ourselves that the current recession and what we are affecting as a reminder that disparities exist in this nation today. . now is an opportunity to make the public policy change that addresses the disparity. public policy is where the difference is made. politics and getting elected for its own sake means nothing. it s empty. it s hollow. unless when people are seated they have the will and the conviction. and when people are seated, we who vote have the energy and the drive and pay attention to give support, to lend our voice, to weigh in. one thing that is interesting about the congress of the united states, some people who look at the congress of the united states look at the african-american community and believe that the only people who represent african-americans in the congress of the united states are members of the congressional black caucus. and lo and beho
three branches of american government. we and tonight with an inside view of the capitol. later tonight, a look at ways to encourage americans to vote in the presidential election. . mr. speaker, we meet today at a location actually selected. is a magnificent old building. . the dome is the world s most recognized symbol in american democracy. what is unique about the capital is that it continues to tell the story. here is a place that you can come and have the battle of words and ideas. i am in thrall by the senate chamber. if the walls could speak. as you look at the statuary s, it is the history of this nation. we saw the capital as a place of hope. the irony is that it was slave labor that built this temple. > standing at the eastern ede of the national mall, the u.s. capital has been home to the american congress and say 200. since 1800. 1,770 feet long and almost 300 feet high, it has grown over the centuries as the country has grown. it is here where