North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek today announced the appointment of 22 Democratic leaders to serve on the Party's Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Committee.

The committee will develop a plan for determining the process for selecting delegates and alternates to the August 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. The plan will detail procedures involving delegate candidate recruitment and delegate selection as well as a timeline for the delegate selection process.

The plan must be submitted to the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee by May 1, 2007 after a 30-day comment period.

"I'm excited to announce this committee," Chairman Meek said. "They will lay the groundwork for North Carolina delegates to go to Denver and participate in history by nominating the next President of the United States."

Kevin Smith, the Party's Minority Affairs Chair, will chair the committee.

The Committee Members:

NCDP Minority Affairs Chair Kevin Smith of Laurinburg, Chair

6th Congressional District Chair Wayne Abraham of Greensboro

13th Congressional District Chair Thomas Coley of Greensboro

DNC Committeewoman Dr. Jeanette Council Fayetteville

Rev. Robert Davis of Lumberton

College Democrats President Laura DeCastro of Charlotte

Democratic Women President Barbara Faison of Clinton

11th Congressional District Chair Luke Hyde of Bryson City

Matty Lazo-Chadderton of Cary

Stanly County Chair June Mabry of Albemarle

Scotland County Chair Frances McDuffie of Laurinburg

Young Democrats President Tony McEwen of Mooresville

Barbara McKoy of Lillington

Senior Democrats President Reva McNair of Fayetteville

Hayes McNeill of Winston-Salem

NCDP First Vice Chair Dannie Montgomery of Lilesville

DNC Committeewoman Muriel Offerman of Cary

Ian Palmquist of Raleigh

10th Congressional District Chair Judy Gilbert of Lincolnton

Brunswick County Chair Vernon Ward of Shallotte

SE Council At-Large Member Kennis Wilkins of Williamston

7th Congressional District Chair Melvin Williams of Beulaville

The committee will begin its work immediately.