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“To see people like John Conyers become head of the Judiciary Committee, and to see Charlie Rangel of New York, who was there in the beginning (of the CBC) reach this pivotal moment as head of Ways and Means, was special,” Campbell told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “It’s not just historical, but it also takes our empowerment to another level. Now the real work begins.”

In addition to Rangel and Conyers’ appointments, CBC members Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will head the Homeland Security Committee and Juanita Millender-McDonald of California will head the House Committee on Administration. Also, Rep. James Clyborn of South Carolina will have the third highest rank in the House serving as majority whip. Also several CBC members are expected to pick up key sub-committee appointments.

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While Democrats and black party members have a strong base of power as the session begins, some observers caution that obstacles are still ahead.

Political analyst Ron Walters said while CBC members are in the best positions they have had in the House, there still is reason for caution.

“Under normal circumstances, we could say they are in good position to get things done,” Walters told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “But there is a Republican president who will be standing ready with a veto pen. Also, there are more Blue Dog conservative Democrats than there are CBC members.”

There are 44 Blue Dog Democrats, the conservative right wing members of the Democrat Party who sometimes vote with Republicans.

“They will always have the worry of someone not voting with you,” Walters said. He said the committee chairmanship nomination of CBC member Rep. Alcee Hastings was rejected because "moderates didn’t favor that appointment.”

Nancy Pelosi, the first woman elected Speaker of the House, applauded Rangel, Conyers and other CBC members in her remarks at the group's ceremony, which was moderated by Michael Eric Dyson.

"I see the pride in the eyes of Charlie Rangel and John Conyers, who were there at the start," Pelosi told the Congressional Black Caucus. "And now we will call them, 'Mr. Chairman.'"

Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick of Detroit, who will lead the CBC in the 110th session, said CBC members will work to advance the Democratic Party agenda, which includes many of the concerns of urban and rural blacks.

“In the first 100 hours, we’re going to address the high cost of prescription drugs for our seniors. “We’re going to work to make higher education more affordable,” Kilpatrick told BlackAmericaWeb.com, in an interview prior to Thursday’s ceremonies.

“We’re going to take back America, for America and America’s children," Kilpatrick said.

Democrats and CBC members are positioned at the table to direct both America’s domestic and international agendas, Kilpatrick said. “We want to end the War in Iraq as quickly as possible in a successful way,“ she said, adding that America must get beyond the point where it does not talk to its enemies. “If you have enemies, it’s time to talk,“ she said.

A CBS poll in 2005 showed that 81 percent of blacks oppose President Bush’s decision to go to Iraq, compared with 51 percent of whites.

“More than $400 billion has been spent on the Iraq war," Kilpatrick said. "You want to tell me we couldn’t use that money here at home?"

The Democrats’ agenda for the upcoming session will be a test for 2008, according to Walters.

“The Democrats in next two years want to key up popular issues they can run on in 2008 and win back the White House,” Walters said. “If that happens, then they will get a chance to do much of what they have talked about.”

Kilpatrick says that while members may have some differences on issues, they are on the same page on the major initiatives.

“We have different players, but we’re all one family,” she said. “We had a big win this fall. But the real win will come in 2008.”