Rainbow/PUSH Coalition holds 33rd annual conference in Chicago

Clinton also cited voting irregularities in the 2000 presidential election in Florida where Bush won. He said the Supreme Court's ruling that declared Bush the winner in Florida was "one of the five worst decisions in American history."

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry also addressed the PUSH conference. "We can't rest until all Americas, Black and White, rich and poor, people of all colors and all back-grounds, truly have the opportunity they need to make the American dream real."

Shoshana Johnson, the nation's first Black female POW and former Iraqi captive, urged people to register to vote in the November 2 election. "All I ask for my country is to register and vote. How can we show another country how to be a democratic society if we sit back in this democratic society and don't vote?"

During the conference, Rev. Jackson blasted several companies for unfair business practices and not being more inclusive of all minorities. He cited Wal-Mart's record of low wages and not giving quality benefits to employees. "Wal-Mart pays its employees little and offers health care plans that few can afford.... It now faces a massive class-action suit for discrimination against women."

Jackson also criticized John Deere, one of the world's oldest and largest manufacturing corporations for not having any Black-owned franchises.

"They may have some diversity in their employees, but no inclusion in their ownership/franchise base," Jackson said. "We do not have an equitable, fair share. And we must redefine this relationship."

Conference participants also challenged the top 100 NASCAR sponsors to be more inclusive to minorities. "NASCAR is about more than racing," Jackson said. "We have interest from drivers, mechanics, engineers, marketing and public is a whole range of NASCAR activities needing the input of our community. We have the talent to contribute in the racing industry, exactly as we have in baseball, football, basketball, tennis, golf and other sports."

But Rev. Jackson applauded Starbucks Coffee's "commitment to social responsibility" and honored the company founder and chairman, Howard Schultz, for his outstanding leadership.

"Starbucks was among the first companies to provide health care benefits and stock options to even part-time employees," Jackson said. "It not only publishes a Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report, it also has an outside auditor verify the figures." Jackson noted "when Schultz founded his company, he said he wanted to create jobs 'that my father would have wanted.' ... And he built a global company that is a good citizen everywhere." A key highlight was the annual Business Luncheon which honored Valerie Jarrett, chair of the Chicago Stock Exchange and David Drummond, vice president corporate development and general counsel of Google and other distinguished business leaders.

Other conference highlights included the Rainbow/PUSH's 1,000 Churches Connected program designed to teach Black churchgoers about finances--how to get out of debt, how to invest in the stock market and also address major health concerns including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and AIDS and the importance of proper nutrition.