| 2007 Asset Building Task Force Members |
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Representative Barbara Ballard, KS has served in the Kansas legislature for nearly thirteen years. As a veteran educator and legislator, Representative Ballard has reformed workers compensation, reduced the motor vehicle tax, increased funding for public schools, and approved tax cuts for Kansans. Representative Ballard serves as the Minority Chairperson in the House. She is the Associate Director for Civic Programming and Public Outreach for the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. |
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Senator Katie Dorsett, NC represents North Carolina’s twenty-eighth Senate district. Prior to winning her
Senate seat in 1992, she was the first African-American woman to be elected to the Greensboro City Council and was later appointed by Governor Jim Hunt as the Secretary of the Department of Administration—making her the first African-American woman to hold a NC cabinet post. A retired educator, Senator Dorsett is currently serving her third term in the State Senate. |
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Representative Wayne Ford, IA was elected in 1996 to the House of Representatives—making him the tenth African American elected to the state legislature — and where he now stands as the longest-serving African American in the States history. He serves on the Education Committee and was recently named chair of the new Minority Affairs Committee. Rep. Ford has dedicated his life to helping others achieve and reach economic success despite the odds. He is the founder of Urban Dreams, a United Way Agency and is cofounder of the Black-Brown Presidential Forum. Rep. Ford is recognized for his work in assisting underserved communities in Dan Rather’s best selling book “The American Dream.” |
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Senator Peter Groff, CO serves as President Pro Tempore of the Colorado State Senate. During his
legislative career he has passed landmark legislations and chaired hearings on the disparities in criminal
justice. His committee assignments include Appropriations, Local Government, Agriculture, Natural
Resources & Energy, Legal Services, State, Veterans & Military Affairs. Colorado was one of the first states
to consider IDA legislation and recently passed legislation mandating financial literacy education in the
schools. |
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Senator Vincent Hughes, PA is the former chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. He was
elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at the age of 30 and has been serving in the Senate
since 1994. Senator Hughes serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare
Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Education and Policy committees. |
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Senator Verna Jones, MD began her legislative career in the House from 1999-2003. In 2003, she was
elected to the Senate where she now serves on several key committees including the Budget and Taxation
Committee, the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families. In addition to her committee assignments,
Rep. Jones is an active member of the Maryland Black Caucus and NBCSL. In addition, Senator Jones,
serves as Vice Chair for the NCSL economic development, trade & cultural affairs committee. |
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Representative Douglas McCrory, CT was elected to office in 2004. He serves on the
Appropriations Committee. Representative McCrory stands committed to strengthening
neighborhoods through education, development and civic engagement. He is the co-founder of the
Benjamin E. Mays Institute. A former basketball star at the University of Harford, he continues to
be a role model and mentor in the community. |
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Senator Gerald Neal, KY has served in the Kentucky Senate for over 17 years and represents the 33rd
Senate District of Louisville. He serves as a powerful member on the Appropriations and Revenue and the
Judiciary and Education Committees. Senator Neal is a founding member of NBCSI where he currently
serves as Vice Chair. Senator Neal’s leadership and vision has been instrumental in the development of
education and economic policies. Senator Neal is a practicing attorney with Gerald A. Neal & Associates. |
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Representative Eric Pettigrew, WA was elected to the Washington House of Representatives in 2002. He
has received awards in community and public service and is actively involved in community activities. Rep.
Pettigrew currently serves as Vice Chair of the Juvenile Justice and Family Law Committee and is an active
member of the Children and Family Services, Trade and Economic Development committees.
Representative Pettigrew’s brings a wealth of knowledge and commitment to the Asset Building Task Force. |
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Representative Arthur L. Turner, IL has been serving the needs of the constituents of Illinois in the House
of Representatives since 1981. His leadership and tenure have been instrumental in the House where he
serves as Deputy Majority Leader. In addition to the numerous awards and recognition, Rep. Turner is fondly
known as the “Father of the Affordable Housing Trust Funds Laws.” Representative Turner has focused his
leadership efforts on providing economic success to all Illinoisans. Rep. Turner is a member of the Board of
Directors of NBCSI where he serves as Treasurer. |
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Representative Juanita Head Walton, MO was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2000.
Rep. Walton has received many awards throughout her career for her leadership and commitment to
improving the quality of life for her constituents. Rep. Walton currently serves on the Joint Committee on Outof-
School Programs, Joint Committee on Legislative Research, Education, Budget, Tourism and Cultural
Affairs. In addition to her legislative duties, Rep. Walton serves on several boards and currently serves as
President Elect of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. |
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Senator Dianne Wilkerson, MA was the first African American woman elected to the Massachusetts State
Senate. Elected in 1992, the Senator has sponsored numerous bills to protect low-income and underrepresented
communities. Now serving in her sixth term, Senator Wilkerson remains the lone African
American in the Massachusetts Senate where she continues to champion policies to improve the lives of
people underserved by the government. Senator Wilkerson was a 2006 recipient of the NBCSI Pillars of
Excellence Award. |
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Senator Jackie Winters, OR was elected in 1998 to the Oregon House of Representatives and served two
terms. In 2002 Rep. Winters was elected to the Oregon Senate where she immediately began to take on
leadership roles. Currently she holds the position as the Deputy Minority Republican Leader which places her
in a position to develop the Legislative Agenda for the Senate Republican Caucus. |
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Representative Karen Yarbrough, IL was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2001. Since
2001, she has worked continuously to understand the issues facing legislators as well as constituents. Yarbrough has succeeded in forging effective working relationships with other lawmakers in order to pass legislations that improve the quality of life in the her District and in Illinois. Most recently, Representative Yarbrough was successful in passing legislation requiring financial literacy education be established as part of the public school curriculum. |
