WASHINGTON�In addition to politic fights dictated by the Republican-dominated House and year 2000 elections, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is looking at issues and trying to lay a foundation Black for voters in the new century, but feelings about that agenda aren�t always the same.

"The CBC�s agenda is tied to the elections," said David Bositis, Sr., of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "The CBC is very interested in and will push for Black turnout. They will highlight everything about the Republicans that will ensure a high voter turnout."

Before the elections some other issues need to be discussed. "Environmental racism," putting toxic waste sites and other health hazards near Black communities, is an issue many believe is important.

How far they will get on this issue is questionable. "Congress won�t do anything this year on environmental justice. Further there isn�t a consensus among Black political leaders about what to do. This is not an issue with universal opinion," said Mr. Bositis.

But the fact that the CBC is even addressing it is a move in the right direction. "It is a progressive step for the CBC to expand their canopy of issues to include environmental justice and homeownership which affects the quality of life," said Nation of Islam Minister Benjamin Muhammad, national director of the Million Family March set for October 16, 2000. "For the CBC to take this leadership role is an indication of their growing political strength and consciousness in regard to issues affecting our people," he said.

"The Black Caucus is pushing for homeownership and we should be doing everything we can to help people buy a home," said Marcia J. Griffin, president of Home Free-USA. "Over 55 percent of Blacks who apply for a mortgage are denied. We don�t have the right information and steps taken to insure this process."

The CBC is also looking at studies that show Blacks lagging behind when it comes to access to computers and the Internet.

"The need to close this gap is also seen in terms of educational technology and economics, which the CBC will also be addressing. The economy is creating greater demand for high technology jobs that too many companies are filling with labor imported from overseas rather than with better-educated American residents," said Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of Great City Schools.

"Study after study demonstrates that schools serving inner city and very rural areas, those serving poor and limited English proficient students and those educating disproportionately large numbers of minority students have fewer resources with which to close the technology gaps than schools in wealthier areas, where higher family income and average per pupil spending make up the differences," he added.

"The issue we�re most concerned with in the Pan African and Nationalist community is reparations," said Dr. Conrad Worrill of the National Black United Front. "The House bill that Rep. John Conyers put forth for the study of reparations unfortunately has not been priority of the CBC. We find this disappointing. The group has not fought collectively to push this bill. Some members have supported it but not the collective group," he said.

Ray Winbush, director of the Fisk University Race Relations Institute, feels mandatory sentencing is an issue. "The CBC helped pass legislation that�s hurt Black folks in their efforts to get tough on crime. We have to be tough on crime but not severely punish our youth. They should revisit mandatory sentencing legislation and its impact on our youth," he said.

The billion-dollar prison industry also incarcerates Blacks at an alarming rate of 45 percent even though Blacks only represent 11 percent of the overall population. "This is indeed a big, big issue," said Rep. Eva Clayton (D-N.C.). "It is a growth industry that is happening because so many who are going to prison in larger proportions are African Americans and the growth industry is related to African Americans.

"As leaders, we have to address the crime issue as a social issue, recognize that there is no fairness in the justice system in its relationships towards Blacks and then fight the injustices when they occur. And, while we all agree that there should be a growth industry for stronger schools, better health care and advanced opportunities, many states are investing more in prison industry growth than human development growth," said Rep. Clayton.

But year 2000 politics is probably the hottest topic when talk turns to the CBC agenda.

Bishop Imagene Stewart, of the African American Republican Council, says its time the CBC looked beyond the Democratic Party for progress.

"The major issue as African Americans that we should be looking at is starting a Third Force. President Clinton has turned the Democratic Party into the old Republican Party. We need a Third Force. We need a bargaining chip," she said.

Phile Chionesu, co-organizer of the Million Women March, said, "I�m not one to be to inclined to the political process as it currently exists. If there is going to be some definite types of reform, which I do not see, then perhaps it may be beneficial to Black folks," she said.

"But what I really see that should occur is there needs to be a party that basically deals with the real needs and the real reality of what is pertinent to Black folks. So what we are talking about is what one may term a third party. We need to focus on the things that we, as Black people, have in common in forging the agenda of this party, like quality of life issues."