Senator Obama, You're Invited

January 10, 2008

Senator Barack Obama
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 29510

Dear Senator Obama:

Activists who are concerned about the cause of the African American farmer in America are deeply appreciative of your efforts in passing the amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill that will serve to reopen the Pigford Consent Decree. If the numbers are accurate, approximately 70,000 Black farmers were omitted from the possibility of receiving some measure of reparations. It is possible that the number will be perhaps even higher. We remain hopeful that the amendment will stay in the bill soon to come out of committee

We are also concerned about the title wave of land loss among Black farmers since 1920. While small farmers are losing their land to larger farming entities, Blacks are losing their land at a much higher rate.

Given these important matters, we encourage you to accept the invitation that has been offered to you by Gary Grant, President, Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, to speak at the 10th National Black Land Loss Summit in Whitakers and Tillery, North Carolina, February 15-17, 2008.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,


Waymon R. Hinson, Ph.D., Kimberly Cherry, B.A.,
Rebecca Culver, B.S., Michelle Finley, B.A., Sarah Hugman, B.A.,
Heather MacLeod, B.A., Scott McBryde, B.A.