Prominent Civil Rights Leader/Friend of MLK Endorses Jim Webb

Civil Rights Leader Endorses Jim Webb

Former Chairman of the SCLC Praises Webb's Early Opposition to War in Iraq

Today, Dr. Milton Reid, a prominent Civil Rights leader in Virginia, endorsed Jim Webb for United States Senate. Dr. Reid is a retired minister and the former Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Unit of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

"Jim Webb will bring genuine leadership and a wealth of knowledge to the Senate," said Dr. Reid. "Well before this wasted war in Iraq ever started, Jim warned in writing about the terrible cost in blood and treasure that we would pay as a nation."

Dr. Reid is a longtime resident of Chesapeake, VA. In 1959, Martin Luther King appointed him to the board of directors for the Virginia Unit of the SCLC, where Dr. Reid served for 42 years.

Dr. Reid also founded the Southern Christian Leaders Action council. Its mission is to promote the message of Dr. King and the interests of African Americans.

"Dr. Reid's amazing accomplishments over the past half century have made this country a better, more tolerant place," said Webb. "I'm honored to receive his support."

Jim Webb is a decorated Marine, former Secretary of the Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense, an award-winning author and widely respected journalist.  Webb was awarded, among other decorations, the Navy Cross and Silver Star for valor as a Marine.

Since beginning his campaign for Senate in March, Webb has secured support from numerous Virginia elected officials, national elected officials, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, the Vietnamese Veterans Coalition, and high-ranking military officials.

Virginia Public Officials:
    * Former VA Congresswoman and `05 Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Leslie Byrne
    * Retired VA Congressman Owen Pickett
    * Democratic Congressional Nominee Al Weed
    * Former Democratic Whip of the Virginia House of Delegates Chap Petersen
    * Commonwealth Senator Phil Puckett
    * Commonwealth Senator Patsy Ticer
    * Commonwealth Delegate and `01 Democratic Attorney General nominee Donald McEachin
    * Commonwealth Delegate Jim Shuler
    * Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw
    * Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn
    * Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt
    * Dickenson County Commissioner of the Revenue Ronnie Robbins
    * Charlottesville Councilor-Elect Dave Norris
    * Page County Treasurer C.R. Suddith
    * Washington County Treasurer Fred Parker
    * Former Commonwealth Senator Emilie Miller
    * Former Commonwealth Senator Madison Marye
    * Former Commonwealth Delegate Joan Munford
    * Former Commonwealth Delegate David Brickley
    * Former Commonwealth Delegate Marian Van Landingham
    * Prince William County Democratic Committee Finance Chair Harry Wiggins
    * Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette
    * Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola
    * Arlington County School Board Member Ed Fendley
    * Arlington County School Board Member Mary Hynes
    * Arlington County School Board Member Libby Garvey
    * Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary
    * Arlington County Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy
    * Former Fairfax County Supervisor Rufus Phillips
    * Fairfax County School Board Member Janet Oleszek
    * Fairfax County School Board Member Catherine Belter
    * Former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Member Lilla Richards
    * Alexandria Vice Chairman of the School Board Charles Wilson

National Elected Officials:
    * Senator John Kerry, 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee
    * Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
    * Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle
    * Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin
    * Senator Christopher Dodd, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
    * Senator Debbie Stabenow, Secretary of the Democratic Senate Conference
    * Senator Ken Salazar
    * Senator Tim Johnson
    * Former Senator Max Cleland
    * Former U.S. Senator and Member of 9/11 Commission Bob Kerrey
    * Congressman John Murtha

Retired United States Military Officials:
    * Retired Army General and `04 Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark
    * Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Joseph Hoar
    * Retired USMC General and former Commander of U.S. Central Command Tony Zinni
    * Retired USMC Lt. General and former Commander of Operations, J-3 Staff
    * Gregory Newbold
    * Retired USMC Lt. General Frank Petersen, the highest-ranking African American in USMC history

Organizations:
    * Laborers' International Union
    * Sheet Metal Workers International Association
    * Vietnamese-American Veterans Coalition

Senior Members of Sen. Chuck Robb's Staff:
    * Tom Lehner - Chief of Staff (1993-2001), Sen. Robb
    * Susan Platt - Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate `94
    * Susan Albert Carr - Scheduler, Gov. Robb; Legislative Aide and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
    * Ridge Schuyler - Legislative Director, Sen. Robb
    * Peggy Wilhide - Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sen. Robb
    * Julia Sutherland - Gov. Robb Press office; Press Secretary, Robb for Senate `88; Press Secretary, Sen. Robb
    * Rhett Walker - Deputy Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate `94
    * John DiBiase - Advance Director, Robb for Senate `94
    * Bryson Monteleone - Assistant to Campaign Manager, Robb for Senate, `94
    * C.R. Suddith - Controller, Robb for Senate `88; Senate Aide, 89-90; Deputy Treasurer Robb for Senate `94
    * Louise Ware - Campaign Staff, Gov. Robb; Campaign Staff, Sen. Robb

Straw Polls:
    * Won the Fairfax County Democratic Straw Poll 58%-42%
    * Won the Prince William County Democratic Straw Poll 57%-43%
    * Won the Newport News Democratic Straw Poll 77%-23%

A very nice endorsement, just over 1 week from the primary.  This should lay to rest, once and for all, any doubts - all planted by the Miller campaign, of course - about Jim Webb's unshakeable commitment to equal rights and Affirmative Action for African Americans.

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