Clinton Honors Abolitionist Sojourner Truth

Senator Clinton, who is aggressively courting black voters for her presidential bid, held a ceremony in Washington yesterday to honor Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist who was born into slavery.

The event, which was attended by several high-profile black leaders and members of Congress, centered on legislation sponsored by Mrs. Clinton and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat of Texas, that will put a bust of Truth in the Capitol building. President Bush signed the bill in December.

The event came a day after it was publicly disclosed that Mrs. Clinton's campaign hired the consulting firm of a key black leader in South Carolina, state Senator Darrell Jackson, for $10,000 a month.

The arrangement, which was first reported on by the political newsletter the Hotline, was disclosed after Mr. Jackson, an influential political figure, endorsed the former first lady. Mr. Jackson and the Clinton campaign have both publicly denied any quid pro quo.

Mr. Jackson's endorsement highlights how competitive the rush for black voters' support is going to be, even with Senator Obama — who is attempting to become the first black president — in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Sojourner Truth legislation is just one cause Mrs. Clinton has taken on that overtly appeals to the black community.

Earlier this week, she announced a resolution to mark the 98th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

That resolution listed 27 cosponsors but did not include Mr. Obama, who is Mrs. Clinton's top challenger for the nomination. Mrs. Clinton's office said all of her colleagues were invited to sign on.