Emmit Smith At the CBC Awards Dinner!

Former Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinal Emmitt Smith attended last evening's Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner.

Smith was also crowned the 2006 champion of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" along with dance partner Cheryl Burke. Watch Emmitt work!

The awards honored actor/humanitarian Danny Glover, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, musician/humanitarian Wyclef Jean, actress Cicely Tyson, and Georgia Representative, the Honorable Calvin Smyre .



President Obama and First Lady Michelle also made an appearance. The president, in his address, spoke highly of the work of the Congressional members.

"I look out at all of you tonight -- on members of Congress, on state and local officials, on leaders of all kinds -- and I am reminded of the extraordinary acts of public service being rendered by African Americans today. I'm reminded of the difference each of you is making at every level of government, in the quiet neighborhoods of our small towns and the bustling streets of our big cities."

Obama also spoke on the disparities of unemployment in our communities and spoke of the subtle changes his administration is making to help turn the economy around.

"We're extending and increasing unemployment insurance for 12 million Americans to help them weather this economic storm. We are making COBRA 65 percent cheaper so Americans don't lose their health care coverage if they're out there looking for work. (Applause.) We are saving the jobs of teachers and police officers that Americans rely on all across the nation. And we're putting Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, schools and waterways with the largest investment in our infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was built in the 1950s. Because of the actions we've taken so far, we have stopped the bleeding in our economy. So the next time some of these folks come up asking you what the Recovery Act has done, you tell them it has prevented us going into a much worse place. That much we know. That's been confirmed."
For the entire speech, and other events from this year's CBC-ALC, click here.

Seen at the event: Former NFLer Jim Brown, VA govenor Tim Kaine, and too many more to mention here. See photos here! (Coming soon)

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