Statement on the historic election of Michael Steele as RNC Chairman:

The NAACP congratulates the Republican National Committee (RNC) on the historic election of Michael Steele as its new Chairman. Mr. Steele is an experienced, principled leader and a friend of the NAACP. He has been supportive, over the years, of civil rights issues and has worked on behalf of affirmative action initiatives that support closing the gap of economic disparities that exist nationwide.

Michael S. Steele, newly elected RNC Chair

The NAACP looks forward to working with Mr. Steele and the RNC to ensure that the promise of this country is made real for all Americans.

“As we approach the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, let us hope that Steele’s election as chairman of the RNC signals the Grand Old Party is headed back to the future,” said President & CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.