Atlanta Daily World Digital Edition

December 20 - 26, 2012

Volume 85 Issue 20

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Black AIDS Institute Gets New Chairman Page 8

Dancer With A Message Page 10

T.I. to Perform at Hawks Game Page 12

Atlanta Mourns Loss of

Business & Civic Leader Jesse Hill Jr.

By Dion RaBouin Daily World Digital Editor Funeral services for Jesse Hill Jr., the retired CEO of the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. and a legendary civil rights activist, will be Friday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church on Auburn Avenue at Jesse Hill Drive.

Many leaders in civil rights, business and local as well as state government had their lives impacted by the late business executive and community leader.

"Today, the City of Atlanta mourns the passing of an exemplar in business and civic leadership," said Mayor Kasim Reed in a statement. "Jesse Hill Jr. was an essential figure in bridging the divide between the business community and the African-American community in our city. His legacy lives on and his tireless passion for empowering generations of Americans continues.

"I stand as a personal beneficiary of his great work," Reed continued. "His passing is very sad for me personally and for this city. Atlanta would not be what it is today without Jesse Hill Jr.'s ex-

andy Young Presents carter Documentary

By M. alexis scott Andy Young once again inspired family, friends and community leaders at a recent screening of his latest documentary, “Carter: An Intimate Look at the 38th Presidency.”

The portrait of Carter’s presidency, and Young’s role in it, captured the significance of Jimmy Carter’s one four-year term from 1977-1980, when he was defeated for re-election by Ronald Reagan.

Young, who talked about the making of the documentary following the screening, said he’d been working on it for several years and that he was inspired to do it following the deaths of close Carter lieutenants Jody Powell and Hamilton Jordan.

“This was an amazing group of people,” Young said about the cadre of mostly Southerners who worked to get Carter elected and served in his administration. Page 3

DeKalb County School District is Put on Probation Special to the Daily World An accreditation agency has placed the DeKalb County School District on probation, citing long-term leadership issues after a six-month investigation.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools found evidence of nepotism, fiscal mismanagement and EUGENE school board members influencing WALKER which schools athletes chose to attend.

DeKalb School Board Chairman Eugene Walker said at a news conference this week that he hadn’t had time to “digest” the SACS report, but he promised school officials would work together to regain full accreditation. “We’ve not lost our accreditation, and we’re not planning on losing our accreditation,” Walker said.

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traordinary contributions. We have all of his family members in our prayers and in our hearts."

In addition to his pioneering success in business and his work with the Atlanta Life Insurance Co., Hill worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference that King helped found. Representatives from the organization remembered how integral Hill was to the group's mission.

"Mr. Jesse Hill Jr. played a vital and significant role in the Civil Rights Movement," said Dr. Bernard LaFayette, chairman of the SCLC. "Jesse Hill represented leadership from the corporate community, which gave financial support and authenticity to the movement for social change. That support gave us credibility and confidence that we could achieve our goals. ...

Jesse Hill's influence was also instrumental in helping Mrs. Coretta Scott King get the Martin Luther King Jr. Center established."

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December 20 - 26, 2012

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ADWnews NEWS HUD Reports Slight Decline In Nation’s Homelessness In 2012 Homelessness in Georgia 2012 2011 December 20 - 26, 2012

Special to the Daily World On a single night last January, 633,782 people were homeless in the United States, largely unchanged from the year before. In releasing HUD’s latest national estimate of homelessness, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan noted that even during a historic housing and economic downturn, local communities are reporting significant declines in the number of homeless veterans and those experiencing long-term chronic homelessness.

Meanwhile, local homeless housing and service providers in Georgia reported that the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people decreased by 2 percent between 2011 and 2012. Five states accounted for nearly half of the nation’s homeless population in 2012: California (20.7 percent), New York (11.0 percent), Florida (8.7 percent), Texas (5.4 percent), and Georgia (3.2 percent).

HUD’s annual “point-in-time” estimate seeks to measure the scope of homelessness over the course of

one night every January.

Total # of homeless 20,516 20,975 Based on data reported by more than 3,000 cities and counties, last January’s Chronically Homeless 3016 3879 estimate reveals a marginal decline in overall homelessness (-0.4 percent) Homeless Veterans 2297 2243 along with a 7 percent drop in homelessness among veterans and those experiencing long-term or our streets find stable housing so they can get on their chronic homelessness. path to recovery.”

Donovan said, “We continue to see a stable level HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Edward Jenof homelessness across our country at a time of great nings Jr. added, “Behind every number is a family or an stress for those at risk of losing their housing. individual living in our shelter system or even on our We must redouble our efforts to target our resources streets. While HUD and our local partners are working more effectively to help those at greatest risk. As our to reduce and eliminate homelessness, there are too nation’s economic recovery takes hold, we will make many people struggling to find an affordable home to certain that our homeless veterans and those living on call their own.”

Atlanta Mourns Loss of Business & Civic Leader Jesse Hill Jr. Page 1 Representatives from the King Center heralded Hill's involvement in the center's founding and success.

"Mr. Hill's numerous contributions to the growth and development of the King Center, as our board chairman from 1979-93 and as a volunteer, were instrumental in all that we have been able to achieve over the years," said Dexter Scott King, chairman of The King Center. "His energetic example of dedication to the legacy of my father and mother remains an inspiration to us all."

Christine King Farris, Martin Luther King's older sister, added, "I join with thousands of Atlantans in mourning the death of my dear friend, Mr. Jesse Hill Jr. It would be hard to exaggerate his remarkable contributions to Atlanta and to The King Center. He gave tirelessly of his time and talents to The King Center and to so many humanitarian causes, and his contributions have benefited countless thousands of our fellow citizens. Even in retirement, Mr. Hill continued to work closely with The King Center. His death leaves a great void in our hearts, and we send our love and support to his family."

Hill was also the creator of The Atlanta Inquirer and his passing was reported to the Atlanta Daily World by David Stokes, deputy editor of the Inquirer. Hill was 86.

“Jesse Hill has been an inspiration to me throughout my

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career,” said ADW Publisher M. Alexis Scott, now a member of the board of directors of the Atlanta Life Financial Group, which now includes Atlanta Life Insurance as one of its business units. “The Scott Family and the Hill Family have grown together with this city. He showed me how to do well and to do good.”

During Hill's presidency, the Atlanta Life Insurance Company became the largest Black-owned life insurance company in the nation. He used that post during the Civil Rights Movement and helped organize demonstrations and collected bail money for arrested protesters.

In 2008 he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

It was this confluence of civil rights stewardship and business acumen that made Hill a transformative figure in Atlanta, said Rep. John Lewis.

"During the past 50 years, very little progress has been made in Atlanta without the involvement of Jesse Hill," he said. "He was a very successful business man, and he used his position as the CEO of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company to get things done, not just to position himself, but to advance the causes of equality, social justice, and humane business practice for all of the people of the city.

"He envisioned Atlanta as a cornerstone in the South of a transformed and renewed America. And he did more than dream, but he worked to make that vision a reality."

Lewis, the civil rights icon whose visage is now painted on a building located right next to the street bearing Hill's name, said he had Hill to thank for his success in politics and so do many others.

"He is one of the major reasons that I became a Congressman in 1986," Lewis said. "Many people in this city, including Maynard Jackson, Andy Young, Jimmy Carter and me are deeply indebted to Jesse Hill. We have lost one of the strongest pillars in this city."

Hill was not a politician, but was tremendously civically involved. In addition to his historic time as the CEO of Atlanta Life Insurance Co., he was the first Black president

of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the first Black member of the Georgia Board of Regents and the first Black member of the board of directors for Rich's Department Store, now part of Macy’s.

His involvement with voting rights included chairing the All-Citizens Registration Committee, and he helped to desegregate the Atlanta Public School system. He also was one of the leading figures to desegregate the University System of Georgia.

Members of the Atlanta City Council took time out to honor and pay tribute to Hill as news of his passing spread this week.

"My heart is heavy to learn of the passing of the great Mr. Jesse Hill, Jr.," said Councilman Michael Julian Bond. "I join the rest of the nation in mourning this pioneering leader. He was one of the greatest leaders in Atlanta's history. From the era of Mayor Hartsfield to that of Mayor Reed, of the transformative leaders that made Atlanta what it is today, Jesse Hill Jr. was the greatest. We are impoverished by his loss, but our spirits are inspired by his life's example."

Hill was born in St. Louis in 1929, but made Atlanta his home in 1949 and became forever entrenched in the fabric of the city. As an actuary and then as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, he opened doors to African Americans in numerous fields.

"He will be remembered as one of Atlanta's greatest leaders," said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell. "His legacy will live on through entrepreneurs, civic and business professionals, not only here in our city, but across the nation."

His survivors include: his wife, Azira Gonzalez Hill; his children, Nancy Hill Cooke and Azira Hill Kendall; his son-in-law, Errol Kendall; his grandchildren, Charnan Jessica Cooke Scarborough, Jonathan Charles Cooke, Mark Oliver Kendall, John Robinson Kendall, Zachary Robinson Kendall, Michelle Alexandra Kendall; his great-grandchild, Rikki Joelle Scarborough; his sister, Mertice Walton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Cathy, Russell to Receive Georgia's Highest Honor

December 20 - 26, 2012 NEWS Call for Volunteers at ‘Open Hand’

Associated Press

Special to the Daily World

S. TRUETT CATHY Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy and Atlanta construction entrepreneur Herman J. Russell have been chosen to be named Georgia Trustees -- the state's highest honor that dates to its founding as a British colony.

The Georgia Historical Society announced last week that Cathy and Russell will be inducted by Gov. Nathan Deal during a Savannah gala Feb. 16.

Cathy is known for growing Chick-fil-A

HERMAN J. RUSSELL from a regional restaurant chain into a national franchise. Russell turned his Atlanta construction company, H.J. Russell and Company, into one of the nation's most successful African American-owned businesses in the 1960s and `70s.

The original Georgia Trustees were named by King George II of England to govern Georgia from 1733 until 1752. In that tradition, the Georgia Historical Society inducts two new trustees each year.

Open Hand, a non-profit organization which provides meals and support for the homebound has an increased need for delivery volunteers this holiday season.

During a time of year where giving to others is on many people’s minds, this organization needs a helping hand in providing its meal delivery service for those fighting chronic illness throughout the holidays.

The organization specifically has a need for volunteer drivers on the following priority dates: • Monday, Dec. 24 • Wednesday, Dec. 26 Those interested in getting involved should call 404-872-2707.

More information about the organization can be found at www.openhandatlanta.org.

DeKalb County School District is Put on Probation Page 1 In a scathing 20 page report, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accuses DeKalb officials of engaging in bickering while letting district finances wither. Mark Elgart, president and chief executive officer of SACS parent company AdvancED, also said the district had allowed academic achievement to slip.

The district will lose accreditation if it fails to address

the concerns in the report by Dec. 31, 2013, Elgart said.

DeKalb was already accredited “on advisement,” having been dropped a notch from full accreditation by a prior SACS visit.

Although being reprimanded by SACS means the district will keep its accreditation, a new state law gives Gov. Nathan Deal the authority to replace the school board of

districts that are placed on probation.

The Georgia Board of Education will also discuss the findings within 30 days and will meet with DeKalb district officials before forwarding a recommendation to Gov. Deal for a final decision.

With over 98,000 students enrolled, the DeKalb County School District is the third largest in Georgia.

Andy Young Presents Carter Documentary Page 1 When Carter ran for president in1976, Young was a member of Congress, representing Atlanta’s 5th District (now represented by John Lewis). Young said he was not a close friend of Carter’s at the time, but was convinced that “he was the right person for the time.”

He said he campaigned for Carter in 41 states while campaigning for fellow members of Congress. “They (other members of the Congressional Black Caucus) had one question for me about Jimmy Carter: ‘Was he for real?’,” Young said during a discussion after the screening at Georgia Public Broadcasting. “Being a member of Congress was the best place to run a national campaign.”

Once Carter won the election, among other significant measures, he asked Young to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, the position currently held by Susan Rice. Young said he initially deferred. He said he told Carter that Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas, also a constitutional lawyer, was better qualified.

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Carter said that sending a lieutenant of Martin Luther King Jr. to the United Nations would send a signal to the world that no other appointment could do, and insisted that Young was the best choice.

“During the entire three years I was ambassador,” Young said, “President Carter never told me to cool it.”

As has been well-documented, Young resigned his position following an unauthorized meeting with a Palestinian official. “Everything I did was controversial,” Young said about that era. He said it may well have cost him the opportunity to be named Secretary of State to replace Cyrus Vance, who was planning to step down due to health reasons.

Nonetheless, Young’s departure put him on the road to being elected mayor of Atlanta, and becoming a key figure in winning the 1996 Olympic Games for Atlanta.

“As soon as I left (the U.N. position), I took a trade delegation to 11 African countries,” Young said. It was

the support of the African nations that put Atlanta over the top when it was time to vote for the 1996 Olympic City.

Young also said that Jimmy Carter’s record of not dropping a bomb or killing anyone during his time as president also set the tone for Carter’s post presidency as a champion of civil and human rights around the world.

He noted that economic development and education is the key to realizing a peaceful planet. He said Carter’s signing of the Middle East Peace Accords as president still stands as a testament to the emerging democracies, however, rocky.

“All economics is global and all politics is local,” Young said. “All we want to do is help people be educated and have decent jobs and opportunity.”

This love letter to Jimmy Carter and his presidency is part of the nationally-syndicated Andrew Young Presents series of specials for television. In Atlanta, the documentaries air on WSB-TV. Airdates have not yet been set.

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BUSINESS College Park is Most Affordable Housing Market in Georgia A real estate study of markets in Georgia found that College Park topped the list as the most affordable market, where a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home costs an average of $62,080, while Dunwoody was ranked as the most expensive market, where the same-sized property costs an average of $339,835.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate recently released its 2012 Home Listing Report (HLR), which compares the average home listing price of more than 72,000 four-bedroom, twobathroom properties listed on coldwellbanker.com between January 2012 and June 2012.

Georgia ranked third as most affordable state in the U.S., with an average housing price of $169,625.

SRS Awarded Contract to Redevelop Fort McPherson Special to the Daily World Minority-owned construction management company SRS, Inc. has been awarded a contract to redevelop six buildings into a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center at Fort McPherson in East Point, GA. SRS will be working with the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers and Department of Veterans Affairs to complete the work at the 477 acre former U.S. Army Base.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved a master redevelopment plan for Fort McPherson that calls for a 127-acre biotech research complex, a 21-acre federal Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 153 acres of green space and 1,780 new residential units.

“This VA Medical Center will consist of a mental health clinic, dental and visual clinic, primary care, women’s wellness center, dormitory for extended stay patients, homeless initiative for drug rehabilitation and job placement, and administrative offices” said Monte Edwards, SRS Executive Vice President and Partner. “We are thrilled to be able to support our heroes (military troops) with such a project. At any given time, we may have a staff of more than 150 people on site and we have engaged the local community by hiring local interns, local laborers and donating furniture to a local

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MONTE EDWARDS non-profit organization.”

SRS is a multi-million dollar company delivering program management, facilities support, construction management and disaster recovery services to the Federal Government and commercial marketplace in multiple states.

December 20 - 26, 2012

Robert Woolridge Named Marriott Resort Manager Special to the Daily World

Marriott Hotels & Resorts has named Robert Woolridge as general manager of the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, an AAA Four Diamond resort located 16 miles from downtown Atlanta on 3,200 acres of Stone Mountain Park.

Woolridge most recently served as general manager of the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway hotel, where he and his team have been recognized for outstanding work. Woolridge is the recipient of the Marriott Leadership Excellence Award for achievement in opening the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway in August 2010.

During his 25 years with

Marriott, Woolridge has held a variety of leadership positions including area general manager for the Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, Atlanta Marriott Century Center, and Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown as well as management positions with Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Philadelphia and Long Island.

Woolridge is also active in local and national community organizations, serving as the immediate past chairman of The Georgia Hospitality and Lodging Association board of directors, the American Hotel and Lodging Association board of directors, the College Park Destination Marketing Organization and the board of directors for the Center for Working Families. Woolridge is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts/Amherst.

New Website to Help States Implement Self-Employment Assistance Programs Special to the Daily World WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor recently jointly announced a new website to support state workforce and unemployment agencies in implementing or enhancing Self-Employment Assistance programs. The announcement expands on guidance issued in May, which included $35 million in funding for states to implement or expand these programs made possible through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

“Our job at the SBA is to provide access and opportunity to entrepreneurs who want to start, grow or expand their business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “For entrepreneurs who find themselves unemployed, the SEA website and toolkit will help them turn small business ownership into a reality and possibly put others back to work at the same time – a win-win scenario.”

Participation in Self-Employment Assistance programs is voluntary for eligible Unemployment Insurance recipients, and enables them to receive financial assistance equal to their Unemployment Insurance benefits while they receive important entrepreneurial training and resources to help launch their own businesses. The new website provides tools and technical assistance to states that are considering implementing or enhancing a Self-Employment Assistance program, and additional resources to help savvy en-

trepreneurs launch their businesses and create new jobs.

“Small businesses are the country’s economic engine, and programs like Self-Employment Assistance will encourage more Americans to pursue their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “This new website will expand access to Self-Employment Assistance so that those who are unemployed today can become successful business owners tomorrow.”

A key component of the new website is the SBA toolkit, which contains several free, online resources available through the SBA to support new entrepreneurs. Helping budding entrepreneurs gain access to SBA’s partners and its many resources is key to operating a successful Self-Employment Assistance program. Through the site, the SBA continues to offer free online business courses on topics such as How to Prepare a Business Plan, Franchising Basics, Government Contracting, Green Business Opportunities and more. Entrepreneurship and Business Planning, Entrepreneurial Marketing and Finding Money to Start a Business are some of the other courses available through this new website. The site also highlights successful practices from states currently operating Self-Employment Assistance programs to assist new states as they implement or enhance their programs.

The new Self-Employment Assistance website can be found at https://sea.workforce3one.org.

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EDUCATION

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December 20 - 26, 2012

Rep. Lewis Supports Higher Education for Foster Youth Special to the Daily World Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) has introduced the Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act, companion House legislation to S. 3665 introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) recently.

With only three percent of former foster youth attending college and even fewer graduating, this simple legislation will help eliminate an additional barrier facing foster care youth. The current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form includes a box which foster youth check to indicate that they were in foster care and do not have parental support. However, there is no clear way to ensure that they are informed of the existing federal resources to assist them.

“Foster children,” said Lewis, “ represent some of the most vulnerable citizens in our society or any society. For many reasons their parents cannot be there for them. And once they are placed in the foster care system, agents of the government often struggle to give them what they need and rightfully deserve.

We have an obligation as a society to do everything we can to support these children, to level the playing field when the responsibility for their development falls on our watch. This is a simple bill that makes an attempt to bridge the gap these children face and increase their chances of overcoming the challenges life has dealt them.”

The Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act is a straightforward effort to certify that foster care youth are aware of all resources available to them as

they seek higher education opportunities.

This bill will – • Require the Department of Education to inform any foster care youth of their eligibility for all federal programs that specifically support higher education for foster youth (including the Chafee Programand Education and Training Voucher funds); • Require the Department of Education to include foster youth as a category on their website to highlight the specific federal programs for which foster youth may be eligible.

Teens Called to Bring Fashion Ideas to Life Special to the Daily World The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta announces the 2013 Passion for Fashion Scholarship Competition, a competition for high school seniors to bring their fashion ideas to life for the opportunity to earn a tuition scholarship.

“Often, high school seniors know they have a special love for fashion, but they aren’t sure how to begin or where to begin pursuing their careers in such a dynamic industry,” said Courtney A. Hammonds, academic department coordinator of the Fashion Design and Fashion & Retail Management programs at The Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur.

High school seniors scheduled to graduate in 2013 are challenged to take the first step and enter the competition in the

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Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management category. Deadline for entries into the competition is midnight (PT), February 14, 2012.. For more details on how to enter, entry requirements and official rules, visit: www.AiCompetitions.com/fashion.

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December 20 - 26, 2012

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PRAISE

Religious Leaders Call for Fiscal Cliff Resolution Special to the Daily World

Members of the NAACP Religious Leaders Roundtable, who met in Atlanta last week, sent a statement to congressional leaders and President Obama calling for a resolution of the fiscal cliff crisis that ensures the common good of the country and meets the needs of the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable.

“It is time for the leaders of our nation to focus on the task at hand,” said NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock.

“Any resolution surrounding the fiscal cliff must be inclusive of all the people in this nation, assuring job stability and economic stability for all.”

The faith leaders hope that the final resolution will maintain a fair and equitable tax plan, and reject and option that would cost jobs, reduce benefits for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, or damage the nation’s safety net.

The group also opposed any extension of the Bush tax cuts for the richest two percent of Americans.

The NAACP hosted a three-day National Religious Leaders Summit in here to help move the faith community

back to its long-held leadership role in matters of social justice. The roundtable will send the letter to each of the leaders who were present at the summit and those who were not able to attend, asking them to share it with their database of constituents.

They will be encouraged to distribute these letters on their websites and in newsletters and letters to their churches and organizations.

“The faith leaders ROSLYN M. BROCK attending this summit witness the impact of America’s socio-economic problems in their places of worship and communities each day,” said the Rev. Nelson Rivers III,

vice president of stakeholder relations with the NAACP. “They have the responsibility, the resources, and the power to reach out to their colleagues and influence government in a way that supports the people of this nation.”

The letter was signed by the following members of the NAACP Religious Leaders Roundtable: Rabbi David Saperstein, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rev. Patricia Maples, president, National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Bishop Dennis Proctor, president of the Bishop’s Council, AME Zion Church; Dr. Stephen Thurston, president, National Baptist Convention of America Inc.; Dr. Carroll Baltimore, president, Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc.; Elder Bernard C. Yates, president, Primitive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; James Salley, board of directors, Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR); Dr. Charles Mock, executive secretary, Home Mission Board, National Baptist Convention USA Inc.

Atlanta-native John Oscar Boone Sr., Correctional System Pioneer has Died Special to the Daily World He was the first African American appointed to head a major state prison system in the United States. He was credited for transforming the Massachusetts Prison System by pushing feverishly to ensure humane conditions for inmates and the availability of rehabilitation programs to keep the incarcerated of all races out of the system once

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they were released back into society.

John Oscar Boone Sr., a pioneer in the American Correctional System and the brother of the late civil rights pioneer Joseph E. Boone, died late Friday, Dec. 14, in Atlanta surrounded by family and friends. He was 93.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Boone joined the United States Army Air Forces of World War II. After the war, he returned to Atlanta and earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in 1951 and later earned a master's degree in social work from Atlanta University.

During his early career, he served as superintendent for the Lorton Federal Corrections Complex, community relations officer of Corrections for Massachusetts, and chief of the Classification and Parole Division for the U.S. Federal Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. Boone was instrumental in the implementation of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1965 and represented the United States in Vietnam as a member of the International Prison Evaluation Team.

In the 1970s he was appointed the state of Massachusetts’ commissioner of corrections, during which helped craft

national legislation aimed at providing resources for reform (LEAA), implemented a number of successful reforms, including work release programs for inmates. His leadership and guidance brought forth many innovative and progressive programs that are still in use today.

“He was not only an inspiration to his immediate family but also to all of his extended family, including his nieces and nephews,” said niece Andrea Boone, commissioner of Constituent Services for Office of the Mayor for the City of Atlanta. Andrea Boone is the daughter of Alethea and the late Rev. Joseph E. Boone, who passed away in July 2006. Atlanta’s Simpson Road now bears his name in his honor.

“Uncle John and my father made sure the next generation knew of the importance of public service and fighting for the humane treatment of the least of these in society.”

Devoted to educating others about the prison systems of this nation, Boone also served as director for Crime and Corrections Research at the Southern Regional Council and served on the faculty of Atlanta University, Boston University, Clark University, and Northeastern University.

John O. Boone Sr. is survived by his devoted wife, Alvia Alexander Boone; five children; 16 grandchildren; his sister, Lois Montgomery (Otis); his sister-in-law, Alethea W. Boone; and his brother-in-law, Cowan Brooks.

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HEALTH

December 20 - 26, 2012

Dr. Neil Lowe Elected Chairman of Black AIDS Institute Board Special to the Daily World The board of directors of the Black AIDS Institute has elected new officers to take on the challenges and opportunities in 2013 and lead the organization in a new strategic direction while continuing to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities.

The new board chair is Neil Lowe, Ph.D. Lowe is a partner at NoLimits, a boutique business intelligence and data analytics firm focused on new revenue identification and organizational transformation. He has served on the Institute's board for six years, most recently as first vice chair.

Other officers include First Vice Chair Grazell R. Howard, president of King & Kairos in Charlotte, N.C.; Second Vice Chair Rev. Edwin C. Sanders II, senior servant at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church in Nashville, Tennessee; Treasurer Rep. Laura Hall, member of the Alabama House of Representatives; and Secretary Jesse Milan Jr., J.D., vice president and director of Community Health Systems at the Altarum Institute in Washington, D.C. Rounding out the executive committee are members-at-large Angela Bronner-Helm, principal at The Helm Media Inc. in New York City; and Chris Cathcart, president and founder of OneDiaspora Group in Los Angeles.

The officers have the task and responsibility of leading the institute in a new direction. This approach includes five strategic objectives: fully implement the Affordable Care Act; support people living with HIV to come out of the closet; increase demand for treatment; integrate

biomedical and behavioral interventions; and promote organizational retooling for an evolving response to the AIDS epidemic in a post healthcare reform world and one where biomedical interventions will play an ever increasing role in ending the AIDS epidemic.

"The Black AIDS Institute is extremely fortunate to have Dr. Lowe as our leader. He follows a tradition of strong leadership including Jesse Milan (chair emeritus), and our recent chair, A. Cornelius Baker," said Phill

Wilson, president and CEO of the institute. "We are at a deciding moment in the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic in Black America. Dr. Lowe brings an extensive business background, deep relationships with the LGBT community, and strong associations in the Caribbean.

He is the right leader at the right time."

Lowe will assume the position from A. Cornelius Baker, policy advisor for the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition and Technical Advisor of Global Health, Population, and Nutrition for FHI 360 Center on AIDS and Community Health. Baker will remain on the board, focusing his energy on advocacy, leadership, and fundraising.

"I think that we're in very difficult financial times for our country so the big challenge is making sure we continue to advocate and provide leadership and raise money for the institute through all of our networks," Baker said.

As chair, Lowe will help guide the institute in its new direction by introducing a new level of board governance and strengthening development efforts to assure that the organization is sufficiently resourced.

"For me, it's an honor to be able to serve the institute and the community in a way that I feel so passionate about. I've served on the board for six years, so for me this is an opportunity to work even closer with our president and CEO, Phill Wilson, and to help guide the organization in the next evolution of the great work that we have done and continue to do," said Lowe.

Flu Vaccine Available at Fulton County Health Centers Special to the Daily World Flu season is here. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), now is the time to get protected.

The agency says for the first time in almost a decade, flu season is ramping up early.

Fulton County Health Services encourages all residents to protect themselves and their families by getting vaccinated. Vaccines are available at six health centers from 8:00am – 4:00pm through the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness.

Residents can get the flu vaccine or the nasal mist (age 2 to 49 years) for $25.

Visa and Master Card (credit and debit), Medicaid, Cigna, United Health care and cash are accepted forms of payment.

“This year’s vaccine provides protection against the seasonal flu,” says Patrice A. Harris, MD, Director of Fulton Health Services. “We strongly advocate the flu shot for all residents, especially those who fall into the priority high-risk category.”

The high-risk groups include: • Children ages 6 months and older • Adults ages 50 and older • Persons over 6 months old with certain chronic medical conditions

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Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities • Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care • Caregivers, including daycare workers and household contacts of children under age 5 • Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season Vaccination sites and telephone numbers are: • Adamsville Regional Health Center – 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., SW, Atlanta, 404-613-4215 • College Park Regional Health Center -1920 John E. Wesley Ave., College Park, 404-765-4155 • Lakewood Health Center - 1853 Jonesboro Rd., SE, Atlanta, 404-624-0626 • Neighborhood Union Health Center - 186 Sunset Ave., Atlanta, 404-612-4665 • Center for Health and Rehabilitation – 265 Boulevard., NE, Atlanta, 404-612-5835 • North Fulton Regional Health Center – 3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta, 404-332-1834

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December 20 - 26, 2012

How to Care For and Decorate Your Christmas Tree Special to the Daily World Pike Nurseries experts have a few tips to select the perfect Christmas tree and keep it fresh and festive throughout the season: • Look for a healthy green color. Run your hand along the branch of a tree to check for needles that hold fast and are flexible – not stiff and brittle.

• Make a fresh cut along the bottom of the trunk.

Prior to loading, Pike Nurseries does this for you for FREE to guarantee that the tree will absorb more water.

• Use a tree stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Keep a watchful eye and never let the water level drop below the bottom of the trunk, or the tree will not be able to absorb water.

• Keep away from direct heat sources to prevent

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drying and fire hazards. Practice safety around holiday favorites such as candles, fireplaces, wood stoves or heating vents.

Add depth to your tree. Go heavy on Christmas lights and zig-zag them from front to back as you work through each layer of branches. Another trick is to stagger ornaments at different depths on the branches.

Choose a festive color pallet. For a professionallooking tree, use a color pallet that includes two or three colors, and play with different shades of those colors.

Fill in holes and bare spots. Play with sprigs of berries or silk flowers for added texture and color to create a fuller-looking tree.

Seven Tips for Giving Pets as Gifts Special to the Daily World 1) First, go over a child's wish list together to see if they will appreciate and care for a new pet. Ask the child how he or she would care for the pet if someone granted his or her wish.

Make sure to remind them that pets need to be fed, taken care of and they can often make extra messes. Of course, a child is likely to promise to do everything involving the pet, so it's important to remember that the younger the child is, the more the responsibility will fall on the parents.

2) Take the child to an adoption event or animal shelter to confirm what breed or type of pet he or she wants. Some gentle steering will be able to sway him or her to the best option for the family.

3) Thoroughly research the animal's care, maintenance, grooming and training requirements. Prepare a list of staples the pet will need and put them on a wish list. Be sure to include a cage, food, leash, shampoo, treats, toys and accessories so there aren't any surprises by the barrage of additional expenses. Then, add on health and cleaning items to cope with the accidents that are part of every new pet's first days at home.

4) Once you've decided to add a new pet to the family, identify a good veterinarian in the local community. Determine whether a license or community permit is needed, set a vaccination schedule and take care of any necessary paperwork.

5) If adding a puppy to the family, be sure to check out local dog training classes and/or free workshops in the neighborhood. This will help make certain the family puppy is set up for success. Stores like Petco, for example, offer Dog

Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption Event Atlanta Animals Alive will host the first annual Home for the Holidays Super Pet Adoption on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the North Atlanta Trade Center, located at 1700 Jeurgens Court in Norcross. The free event will feature over 200 adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from local rescue groups and shelters and promises to be Atlanta's largest pet adoption opportunity of the holiday season.

To see a detailed schedule of events, or inquire about volunteering or participating, visit www.atlantaanimalsalive.org or email info@atlantaanimalsalive.org.

Training Classes, as well as free seminars to help raise a well-behaved companion.

6) Then it's time to get the house ready for the new family member. Try to prepare as much as possible prior to bringing the new pet home. Amphibians, reptiles or fish need aquariums, filters, heaters, plants and other accessories - many of these need time to settle before they will sustain a new pet. A new bird or rodent will require a cage, bedding or cage liner, dishes and toys. A larger animal, such as a puppy or kitten, will also

need a bed and a carrier or crate. Petco provides free care sheets, which list the recommended supplies for each animal, in addition to important information and care requirements.

7) When it's time for the big unveil, it can be enticing to tie a red bow around a new puppy's neck or the hamster's cage and leave them amid the other packages. However, this guarantees stressing out the newest family member before he or she is even discovered by the family. It's better to wrap the cage and accessories with a photo of the animal for presentation on the actual holiday, which also helps to prevent a new pet from being mistakenly identified as a toy.

Staying Safe this Holiday Season Special to the Daily World The holiday season is the time of year when most people are thinking about shopping for gifts, office parties, and spending time with family and friends. Sadly, this is also the time when home fires peak. State Farm spokesman Justin Tomczak said that “approximately one-third of home fires and home fire deaths occur during December, January and February.”

State Farm reminds consumers that the potential for a home fire is highest during the winter months. A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive found that nearly 50 percent of Americans age 23 and over increased their chances of a home fire because of decorating for the holidays: • 34 percent connect multiple extension cords together • 16 percent put up holiday lights without inspecting them for frayed cords • 9 percent let their tree dry out after it is decorated in

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the home 9 percent have lit a fire without an annual chimney inspection • 5 percent have left a burning candle unattended

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To help keep your family and loved ones safer during the holiday and winter season, learn how to avoid these dangers: 1. Cooking Calamities: While November is the top month for grease and cooking-related fires, December is a close second. Unattended cooking remains one of the top causes of home fires.

2. Space heaters: Home heating equipment is second to cooking fires for causing home structure fires. More than half of home heating fires occur during December, January and February. Avoid setting up a space heater too close to curtains,

furniture, or holiday decorations. Remember to keep at least three feet of clear space around it and set it up on the floor unless it is designed for other use.

3. Children Playing with Fire: The number of fires and deaths caused by children playing with fire goes up significantly during the holidays. Never leave children unsupervised with ignition materials such as matches or lighters.

4. Caution with Candles: Christmas Day is the peak day of the year for candle fires. Make sure candles are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down.

Never leave the house with candles burning.

5. Counterfeit Electronics: Christmas lights are the perfect product for counterfeiting – high volume and low manufacturing cost. Look for CSA or UL certification marks that indicate the product was tested and met the product safety standards.

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December 20 - 26, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT Thornton Dial Exhibition 'Flight,' 'Django is at the High Museum Unchained' Among NAACP Image Nominees Associated Press

The most extensive exhibition ever mounted of Thornton Dial's paintings and sculptures will be on view at the High Museum of Art through March 3, 2013.

Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial will highlight Dial's significant contribution to the field of American art and show how his work speaks to the most pressing issues of our time, including the Iraq War, 9/11 and social issues, such as racism and homelessness.

The exhibition will present 59 of Dial's large-scale paintings, drawings and

found-object sculptures spanning 20 years of his artistic career.

Thornton Dial's work draws inspiration from the rich, expressive traditions of the Black South. With no formal art education, Dial developed a truly distinctive and original style.

Influenced by African-American yard shows, he incorporates salvaged objects—from plastic grave flowers and children's toys to carpet scraps and animal skeletons—to create highly charged assemblages that tackle a wide range of social and political subjects.

Dancer With a Message Dancical Productions Inc., home of Total Dance Company, has announced their annual Kwanzaa Celebration presenting DWAM – Dancer With A Message – Ajile’s T.V. Pilot featuring Fusion – From Africa To Hip Hop. The celebration and performance will take place Saturday, Dec. 29 at the Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 at 8 p.m. with a pre-show and Kwanzaa Ceremony beginning at 7:15 p.m.

All proceeds benefit the organization’s non-profit status to help benefit Total Dance’s educational initiatives, including college preparation and scholarships. For more information, call 404-752-0980, or email Dancical_prod@att.net. Their website is www.dancicalproductions.com. For ticket information, go to www. fusion-africatohiphop.eventbrte.com.

``Flight,'' ``Django Unchained,'' ``Beasts of the Southern Wild,'' ``Red Tails'' and ``Tyler Perry's Good Deeds'' are up for the outstanding motion picture trophy at the NAACP Image Awards.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced the nominations recently for the awards that honor diversity in the arts. The 44th annual ceremony is scheduled to air Feb. 1 on NBC. Other nominees included outstanding actor in a motion picture contenders Denzel Washington for ``Flight,'' Jamie Foxx for ``Django Unchained,'' Morgan Freeman for ``The Magic of Belle Isle,'' Suraj Sharma for ``Life of Pi'' and Tyler Perry for ``Alex Cross.''

The outstanding actress nominees are Emayatzy Corinealdi for ``Middle of Nowhere,'' Halle Berry for ``Cloud Atlas,'' Loretta Devine for ``In the Hive,'' Quvenzhane Wallis for ``Beasts of the Southern Wild'' and Viola Davis for ``Won't Back Down.''

In the outstanding supporting actor category, David Oyelowo was nominated for ``Middle of Nowhere,'' Don Cheadle for ``Flight,'' Dwight Henry for ``Beasts of the Southern Wild,'' Lenny Kravitz for ``The Hunger Games'' and Samuel L. Jackson for ``Django Unchained.''

The nominees for outstanding supporting actress are Amandla Stenberg for ``The Hunger Games,'' Gloria Reuben for ``Lincoln,'' Kerry Washington for ``Django Unchained,'' Phylicia Rashad for ``Tyler Perry's Good Deads'' and Taraji P. Henson for ``Think Like a Man.'' On the television side, ``Glee,'' ``Modern Family,'' ``The Game,'' ``The Mindy Project'' and ``The Soul Man'' were

nominated for outstanding comedy series, while ``Boardwalk Empire,'' ``Grey's Anatomy,'' ``Scandal,'' ``Treme'' and ``True Blood'' nabbed dramatic series nomiDENZEL nations.

WASHINGTON Outstanding comedy series actor nominees are Cheadle for ``House of Lies,'' Anthony Anderson for ``Guys With Kids,'' Damon Wayons Jr. for ``Happy Endings,'' Donald Faison for JAMIE FOXX ``The Exes'' and Hosea Chanchez for ``The Game.''

Outstanding comedy series actress nominees are Amber Riley for ``Glee,'' Cassi Davis for ``Tyler Perry's House of Payne,'' Kellita Smith for ``The First Family,'' Tatyana Ali for ``Love That Girl'' and Wendy Raquel Robinson for ``The Game.''

Nominations for outstanding actor in a drama series went to Dule Hill for ``Psych,'' Hill Harper for ``CSI: NY,'' LL Cool J for ``NCIS: Los Angeles,'' Michael Clarke Duncan for ``The Finder'' and Wendell Pierce for ``Treme.'' Chandra Wilson of ``Grey's Anatomy,'' Kerry Washington of ``Scandal,'' Khandi Alexander of ``Treme,'' Regina King of ``Southland'' and Sandra Oh of ``Grey's Anatomy'' were nominated for outstanding drama series actress.

Morehouse Welcomes AKAs

Members of the Pi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and their Emerging Young Leaders were guests at Morehouse College during the 86th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert. The Pi Alpha Omega Chapter partners with Breakthrough Atlanta to mentor and positively impact the lives of girls in grades six through eight through the national initiative.

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December 20 - 26, 2012

ENTERTAINMENT

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Eight Tips for Surviving Holiday Travel with Your Kids Special to the Daily World If you’ve ever traveled with kids (especially over the holidays), you know it’s an adventure. More accurately, it’s a slapstick, Murphy’s-Law, Griswold-family type of adventure. There are poorly timed poops. Lost pacifiers. Traffic jams and road construction. A beyond-awkward screening at airport security as you’re pulled into a secondary area and patted down while you try to comfort a screaming baby.

And the list goes on. There are as many potential travel mishaps as there are families with kids. But take a deep breath: According to Princess Ivana Pignatelli Aragona Cortes, holiday travel doesn’t have to be complicated.

“The better organized you are, the easier it gets,” says Ivana, who is a featured blogger at Modern Mom, founder of Princess Ivana—The Modern Princess, and coauthor of the upcoming book A Simple Guide to Pregnancy & Baby’s First Year.

Whether you are traveling near or far, these eight survival tips will help make your family trip the wonderful adventure it should be.

Plan ahead. And plan some more. In other words, make a list and check it twice. Write down everything you’ll need while you’re away from home, and do so as far in advance as possible Travel light(ish). Ivana advises packing everything you can a day or two before your departure, perhaps while the kids are asleep so that you can focus. And if you’re checking most of your bags, don’t forget a carry-on

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with extra outfits for the kids and maybe even an extra shirt for you in case of spills or spit-up!

Organize your Mary Poppins purse. All moms have mastered the art of traveling with a seemingly bottomless bag. First, find a bag with plenty of separate pockets and compartments so that you’ll be able to store documents, snacks, baby gear, handiwipes, etc. Make sure the things you’ll need most often and/or quickly (such as pacifiers, bottles, and snacks) are most easily accessible. Pack a carry-on ziplock bag with medications kids might need, such as infant fever reducer, throat soothers, and gas and allergy relief.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

It always takes longer to get out of the house than you think it will. Traffic jams tend to pop up at the most inconvenient times. Airport lines can be mind-numbingly long. And you never know when a tantrum or dirty diaper will erupt.

Fill their bellies. Make sure you have plenty of snacks (e.g., infant formula and finger foods) for your little ones to enjoy for the duration of your travel. If you’re flying, have a baby bottle ready for take-off and landing. Swallowing will help your baby’s ears adjust to pressure changes. For older children, a low-sugar lollipop works great.

Make time fly with entertainment. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, chances are you’ll have a lot of downtime to fill. Buy a new toy for the trip,

and bring books, an iPad, pacifiers, a pony—whatever it takes to keep your children from reaching octave levels that break the sound barrier.

Map out your road trip. Just because you may be traveling America’s roads in the trusty family vehicle, that doesn’t mean you should neglect planning. Many of the same rules apply: Be sure to have plenty of snacks and toys on hand to keep your children occupied, and make sure you can get to them easily. Also, consider a DVD player and headphones to keep parent sanity intact (and to cut down on the “Are we there yet?”s).

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SPORTS December 20 - 26, 2012 Big Brothers & Sisters of Atlanta Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas Celebrates at New Home ADWnews

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) recently hosted a holiday celebration at their new home, located at 1382 Peachtree Street. Pictured here with organization head Janice McKenzie-Crayton is Atlanta Falcons defensive end Lawrence Sidbury, who has chosen Big Brothers Big Sisters as the non-profit organization he will represent as a spokesperson in the upcoming year. For information on how to make a contribution to BBBSMA, visit www.bbbsatl.org or call 404-601-7000.

T.I. to Perform at Halftime of Hawks Game vs. Bulls Special to the Daily World On Dec. 22 when the Atlanta Hawks take on the Chicago Bulls at Philips Arena, Atlanta native and Grammy Award-winning artist T.I. will share his musical talents with audience members during a special halftime performance. His performance comes just days after the release of his 8th album, "Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head."

T.I. will be giving away free digital downloads of the full album to the first 7,000 fans to arrive at the game.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets to the Dec. 22 game vs. the Bulls at 7 p.m. are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.hawks.com/tickets.

Falcons Salute High School Football Winners Special to the Daily World The Falcons, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and Levy Restaurants, along with Russell Athletic recently hosted the fifth annual Salute to High School Football Reception for GHSA-affiliated head football coaches.

The reception, held in the Owners Club of the Georgia Dome, provided an opportunity for coaches to mingle and offered opportunities to win several prizes.

With President & CEO Rich McKay in attendance, Head Coach Mike Smith presented the 2012 Classification Coach of the Year Awards, the 2012 Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award in between the first and second GHSA High School State Championship games.

The winners included: • Class 1A – Jon Lindsey – Irwin County High School • Class 2A – Lee Shaw – Rabun County High School • Class 3A – Tim McFarlin – Blessed Trinity Catholic High School • Class 4A – DeTimothy Floyd – Jonesboro

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High School Class 5A – Tommy Parks – Harris County High School • Class 6A- Al Hughes- Lovejoy High School • Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year Award – Tsali Bentley – Union County High School • Lifetime Achievement Award – Ray Lamb – Commerce High School The Warrick Dunn Captain in the Community of the Year Award recognized an outstanding varsity high school football student-athlete in the state of Georgia that demonstrated strong leadership skills both on and off the field. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the coach who has significantly impacted high school football in the state of Georgia.

During the spring of 2013, Smith and his Falcons staff will host a special football clinic for high school coaches at the club’s state-of-the-art training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. •

Releases Book Special to the Daily World U.S. gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas believes that her own success is directly proportional to the immense support of her family, friends, and faith in God. This theme is at the heart of her debut memoir, Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith, which is in bookstores nationwide through the Zondervan division of HarperCollins.

The 16-year-old, who captivated the country at the 2012 London Olympics as she flew high as the All-Around Gold Medal winner, tells her story of faith, perseverance, and determination, demonstrating you can reach your dreams if you let yourself soar.

"Even before I competed in the Olympics, I always wanted to write a book," says Douglas. "Of course, there'll be a lot of stories about gymnastics, but the book will also be about how much my family and I have overcome during our journey. It hasn't been easy. I want people to read my story and say, 'If Gabby can do it, I can do it, too. Anything is possible.'"

Grace, Gold & Glory, written in collaboration with Michelle Burford, contains a full-color poster and photo inserts, and provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Olympic fan favorite. In her memoir, Douglas reveals how her modest upbringing rooted in family and faith has shaped her into the young woman and role model she is today.

The youngest of four siblings, Douglas shares poignant, often humorous stories from her childhood as she talks candidly about the obstacles faced along her road toward the world gymnastics stage. Grace, Gold & Glory offers a firsthand look into the intense training and sacrifice required of this elite athlete and uncovers personal truths for Douglas, such as the bullying and racism she endured as an African-American gymnast, her heartache, isolation, and homesickness, as well as multiple injuries – all of which led Douglas to consider leaving gymnastics forever only seven months before the London Olympics. Douglas also opens up for the first time about her father's role in her life.

Her memoir serves as an intricate roadmap from birth to Douglas' historical journey to London and the numerous prayers, meditations, and Bible verses that helped her stay strong along the way. The autobiography also reveals some of Douglas' favorite moments post-Olympics, including the many celebrities she's met and a guest role on her all-time favorite TV series.

"With strong faith in God and some serious determination, every dream is possible," says Douglas.

"I hope this book inspires others to go for their biggest dreams."

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BY GEORGE E. CURRY

One Week, Two Sides of Obama

Over the span of one week, two different sides of President Obama emerged in different yet unforgettable terms. This first was political, involving Susan Rice’s decision to withdraw her name as a candidate for Secretary of State. The second was deeply personal in the wake of mass murders in a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

In a column explaining her decision to withdraw her name, Rice said: “ …As it became clear that my potential nomination would spark an enduring partisan battle, I concluded that it would be wrong to allow this debate to continue distracting from urgent national priorities — creating jobs, growing our economy, addressing our deficit, reforming our immigration system and protecting our national security.”

That was the public perception: A loyal U.N. Ambassador declining to fight for a promotion so that an embattled president could avoid a showdown with Republican hypocrites in the Senate.

Just as Rice withdrew her name to give Obama a way out, I believe that if the president had insisted, Rice would have kept her name in the ring and ultimately would have been confirmed by the Senate to succeed Hillary Clinton as the next Secretary of State. But evidently Obama would rather switch than fight, to paraphrase an old cigarette commercial.

According to The Washington Post, “When asked if Obama had tried to dissuade her, [Rice] said that he ‘understood that this was the right decision, and that I made it for the right reasons.’”

When Obama first defended Rice, we all thought he had finally discovered some political backbone. He said at a news conference, “If Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham and others want to go after somebody they should go after me. For them to go after the U.N. ambassador who had nothing to do with Benghazi…to besmirch her reputation is outrageous.”

Game on. Or so we thought.

Had Obama chosen to fight, it would have set the tone for his second term. Instead, he retreated behind the comfort and safety of Susan Rice’s loyalty rather than standing up to conservative bullies.

This is not the first case of political timidity by Democrats. Republicans nominate – and fight for – extreme ideologues to serve on the Supreme Court. Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and John Roberts are but three examples. But weak-kneed Democrats are afraid to fight for liberal justices and instead settle for centrist nominees who will be “accepted” by Republicans. The end result is a more conservative Supreme Court because Republicans nominate far-right conservatives and Democrats don’t have the guts to offer a liberal counter-balance. This was true of both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

While President Obama refused to fight for a Susan Rice nomination to be Secretary of State, he demonstrated in Newtown, Conn., that he is at his best when serving as Comforter-in-Chief to a bereaved nation.

“I can only hope it helps for you to know that you’re not alone in your grief; that our world too has been torn apart; that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you, we’ve pulled our children tight,” President Obama said. “And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide; whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it.”

George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge.

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December 20 - 26, 2012

CHILDWATCH

BY MARIAN WRIGHT-EDELMAN

Dear God! When Will It Stop?

The horrendous news from Newtown, Conn., has pierced our hearts. A darkly-clad man in his 20s armed with two semi-automatic handguns, entered the Sandy Hook Elementary School and made a school for kindergartners through fourth graders the scene of the worst mass shooting in a public school in American history. Twenty children were shot and killed. Six adults were shot and killed. We don’t yet know how many were wounded. We do know dozens of parents are experiencing the worst nightmare any parent could imagine. We do know more than 500 young children in the school are traumatized.

Once again we are faced with unspeakable horror from gun violence and once again we are reminded that there is no safe harbor for our children. How young do the victims have to be and how many children need to die before we stop the proliferation of guns in our nation and the killing of innocents? The most recent statistics reveal 2,694 children and teens were killed by gunfire in 2010 – 1,773 of them were victims of homicide and 67 of these were elementary school-age children.

If those children and teens were still alive, they would fill 108 classrooms of 25 each.

Since 1979 when gun death data were first collected by age, a shocking 119,079 children and teens have been killed by gun violence. That is more child and youth deaths in America than American battle deaths in World War I (53,402) or in Vietnam (47,434) or in the Korean War (33,739) or in the Iraq War (3,517). Where is our anti-war movement to protect children from pervasive gun violence here at home?

This slaughter of innocents happens because we protect guns, before children and other human beings. Our hearts and prayers go out to the parents and teachers and children and the entire Newtown community that has been ripped apart by each bullet shot this morning. We know from past school shootings and the relentless killing of children every day that Newtown families and the community will never be the same. The Newtown families who lost children today will never be the same. The families of the teachers who were killed will never be the same. Every child at the Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning will never be the same.

Each of us must do more to stop this intolerable and wanton epidemic of gun violence and demand that our political leaders do more. We can’t just talk about it after every mass shooting and then do nothing until the next mass shooting when we profess shock and talk about it again. The latest terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School is no fluke. It is a result of the senseless, immoral neglect of all of us as a nation to protect children instead of guns and to speak out against the pervasive culture of violence and proliferation of guns in our nation. It is up to us to stop these preventable tragedies.

We have so much work to do to build safe communities for our children and need leaders at all levels of government who will stand up against the NRA and for every child’s right to live and learn free of gun violence. But that will not happen until mothers and grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and neighbors and faith leaders and everybody who believes that children have a right to grow up safely stand up together and make a mighty ruckus as long as necessary to break the gun lobby’s veto on common sense gun policy.

Our laws and not the NRA must control who can obtain firearms.

Why in the world do we regulate teddy bears and toy guns and not real guns that have snuffed out tens of thousands of child lives? Why are leaders capitulating to the powerful gun lobby over the rights of children and all people to life and safety?

I hope these shocking Connecticut child sacrifices in this holy season will force enough of us at last to stand up, speak out, and organize with urgency and persistence until the president, members of Congress, governors and state legislators put child safety ahead of political expediency. And we must aspire and act together to become the world leader in protecting children against gun violence rather than leading the world in child victims of guns. Every child’s life is sacred, and it is long past time that we protect all our children.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.

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BY A. BARRY RAND

BY M. ALEXIS SCOTT

December 20 - 26, 2012

Increase Medicare’s Eligibility Age and African Americans Lose “For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” – H.L. Mencken Wrong. The proposal to raise Medicare’s eligibility age from 65 to 67 in 2014 is wrong. Who stands to gain by this approach? Not the government. Not current and future seniors. And most definitely not older African Americans and other older minorities – these groups stand to lose the most.

Raising the Medicare eligibility age would actually cost much more than it would save, in dollars and in quality of life. A Kaiser Family Foundation study found the proposal would save the federal government $5.7 billion in 2014, but at the same time impose $11.4 billion more in spending on individuals, employers and state governments.

Our goal must be to strengthen Medicare, not weaken it. Reducing costs for Medicare and the health care system overall are critical to making the most effective use of our resources and decreasing the economic burden to consumers, providers, insurers, the government – anyone with skin in this game. And really, it’s not a game. Raising the Medicare eligibility age doesn’t move us forward; it takes us back and weakens one of the most successful fail-safes ever created in the U.S. More than 50 million older Americans and individuals with disabilities rely on Medicare for their health security. But if implemented, raising the eligibility age to 67 would immediately restrict access to care – seven million 65 and 66 year olds would lose eligibility.

These would-be beneficiaries would be thrust into the higher premium world of the private insurance market, a market most would be ill-equipped to afford. Already, the majority of people 65+ live on annual fixed incomes in the range of $20,000. That amount is lower for women and even lower for minority women. According to Kaiser, about two-thirds of the 65 and 66 year olds who get private insurance would pay an average of $2,200 more each year. How much more will we ask seniors to stretch their fixed incomes?

Raising the eligibility age also means the healthiest of the Medicare cohort would be taken out of the equation, leaving older, less healthy and more costly beneficiaries in place, which would ultimately lead to higher premiums for those remaining in Medicare.

But what makes it worse for African Americans? First, the longevity factor. A key reason proponents support raising the eligibility age is increased life expectancy in the U.S. But African Americans haven’t experienced as dramatic an increase as other populations. Especially not AfricanAmerican men – average life expectancy is 70 years compared to 76 years for non-Hispanic Whites.

Raising the eligibility age would amount to a major benefit cut for African Americans, who’d potentially have fewer years to collect benefits and therefore, lower lifetime benefits.

Additionally, older African Americans are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions, pass up care if it’s financially out of reach, and have less access to employer-sponsored health insurance compared to non-Hispanic Whites.

Multiple factors play into these challenges, including African Americans’ disproportionate representation in lower-wage jobs without benefits, difficulty paying for private insurance with lower-wage incomes, and higher unemployment during harsh economic times. Raising Medicare’s eligibility age introduces a cruel new reality into the lives of these seniors – and indeed all seniors.

Unquestionably, raising Medicare’s eligibility age would sentence seniors to increased hardship; even destitution for those at greatest risk. This option is certainly not compassionate or caring.

Looking for a quick fix to help reduce the national deficit and avoid the fiscal cliff by raising Medicare’s eligibility age is far from a win-win solution. Actually, it’s a no-win solution. In fact, it’s just wrong. We can do better. We have to do better. The American people are counting on it.

ADWnews Founded August 5, 1928; Became Daily, March 12, 1932 W.A. Scott, II, Founder/Publisher, August 5, 1928 To February 7, 1934 C.A. Scott, Publisher February 7, 1934 to July 26, 1997 M. Alexis Scott, Publisher July 26, 1997 to Present

Let’s Count Our Blessings at Christmas Time As we prepare to celebrate another Christmas holiday with family and friends, we are reminded to count our blessings in spite of the many challenges that we face, personally and as a community.

I had an opportunity to walk and talk with Andy Young this week as we toured the models for the new National Center for Civil and Human Rights that is scheduled to open in 2014.

He told me about one of his recent sermons taken from one of Paul’s letters to the early church. He called it the “bad toenail” sermon. Young said that everything can be okay or even good, but if you have a bad toenail, that’s what gets all your attention.

I was telling him that I loved his newest documentary on the Jimmy Carter presidency, because it felt like such a love letter.

He told me that was his intent. “I like to focus on the positive,” Young said. “Me, too,” I replied.

So, that’s my Christmas wish for everyone. Let’s focus on the good. There’s enough bad stuff going on in the world that we have to report and know about. But, I like to keep the focus of the ADW on the positive and uplifting things that are going on in our community.

As we come to the end of the year, feeling the sorrow from the shooting of little children in Newtown, Conn., let’s feel inspired by the heroes and sheroes from that horrific attack. And let’s be determined to do what we can to make things better.

Let’s do more to regulate guns. Let’s provide more help for people suffering from mental illness. Let’s work together regardless of political affiliation.

It almost feels like we are about to experience change we can believe in. I think President Barack Obama’s re-election is finally setting in, and we are getting our faith back to believe that yes, we can make a difference. We can make better public policy that helps more people and saves more lives.

Especially at this time of year, we have another opportunity to be reminded that we have a true role model to follow on how to lead a good life. We celebrate the birth of the son of God, who came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it. Hallelujah!

M. Alexis Scott is publisher of the Atlanta Daily World.

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