The Weekly Press Week of 04 10 14

BATON

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Baton Rouge Mourns Local Gospel Music Legend; Musician William Smart

William Smart

ROUGE,

LOUISIANA

Gov. Bobby Jindal Moves Away Louisiana Legislators from Common Core Standards Fighting to Close the Jindal Gap, Protect Louisiana Hospitals

Gov. Bobby Jindal has edged into the legislative debate, saying the state should develop its own education benchmarks.

By Mydra L. Kelly If you ever had the privilege of sitting in a service where William Smart was the Minister of music or musician; you were in for quite a treat and spiritual experience. William was a kind and gentle spirit, but he took his music very seriously. Any Choir member of any choir he has ever worked with will tell you this. Smart was a passionate musician and it would appear that this was because he knew the one he played and sang about in his songs. When William Smart played the piano, Hammond b3 organ or anything with keys at any location; I believe the angels joined in. He made an instrument tell a story of a sweet, sweet savior.

You felt the spirit listening to him minister music from those keys.

At any given moment, William would be playing and all of a sudden as if the spirit hit him, he simply responded. He forgot about choir, about church, about everything, but God. He might take off running or sometimes he would fall out slain in the spirit after he had sung or played himself happy; not to mention wrecked an entire church. He was an experience all by himself. Having the opportunity to sing in a choir with Mr. Smart or having him to accompany you on a solo was an awesome thing.

William Smart was one of the last of the seasoned musicians here in the city of Baton Rouge still left on the land of the living, and we are at a great loss because he and his God given talent, anointing and musical abilities will be leaving us for the grave. Smart played for many churches in the Baton Rouge and surrounding areas and helped to mold many great musicians and singers to follow.

If you were fortunate enough like myself, and so many other younger musicians and singers to have had the opportunity to have witnessed the William Smart experience; it is one that I am sure you will never forget. William See SMART, on page 2

VOL. 39 • NO. 33 • FREE

A PEOPLE’S PUBLICATION

BATON ROUGE — After months of sidestepping questions on whether Louisiana should continue its use of the Common Core standards, Gov. Bobby Jindal has edged into the legislative debate, saying the state should develop its own education benchmarks.

But people on both sides of the disagreement are wondering how hard the Republican governor will push to change Louisiana’s educational course, after previously being a supporter of the Common Core.

The issue divides Republicans across the nation and puts Jindal at odds with his hand-

picked education superintendent and members of the state education board he helped to get elected.

Jindal’s office offered the governor’s support Wednesday to two failed bills that could have allowed Louisiana to move away from Common Core and develop its own standards and standardized testing.

“We continue to support high standards and rigor in our classrooms, but with every passing day it’s becoming more and more obvious that parents have concerns with Common Core,” Jindal said in an interview Friday. “It’s a mistake to ignore parents.”

The bill by Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, would have created a 30-member commission to draw up new standards, with consultation from education experts and parents and final approval needed from lawmakers.

Jindal also backed a second bill by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, that would have prohibited Louisiana from using the standardized testing associated with Common Core.

The House Education Committee voted 12-7 against each bill, and as supporters of the measures seek to gain new See JINDAL, on page 2

Protesting the Passing of Senate Bill 55

Photo by James Terry III

Member of The Gaines and Johnson Families came to the state capitol to protest against Senate Bill 55, which changes the DWI laws. The Gaines family Lost 7 members of their family when a drunk driver hit them after leaving church.

YOUNG WILDCATS WILT UNDER PRESSURE

BATON ROUGE -- Today state Rep. Pat Smith and Speaker Pro Tempore Walt Leger joined Jan Wells, a Slidell woman who is in the “Jindal gap,” at Brent’s Pharmacy in Baton Rouge to talk about legislative efforts to let Louisiana decide to expand access to affordable health care and protect Louisiana hospitals.

“Our proposal represents compromise,” said Smith. “We should take from what other states like Arkansas have learned and use their example to create a Louisiana plan that meets the needs of the people of this state. This governor has turned this issue into a partisan issue when it doesn’t need to be. Republican governors in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania -- even Chris Christie in New Jersey -- are taking the Medicaid dollars and expanding access to health care in their states. We are ready and willing to talk with our colleagues across the aisle about how we do this. What we cannot do is continue to say no. We cannot continue to refuse billions in dollars from the federal government to expand access to health insurance and protect our hospitals.”

“It is essential that we accept billions in federal Medicaid dollars for the future of our hospitals and health care system,” said Leger.

“Since the closing of Earl K. Long, Baton Rouge General’s Mid-City Hospital has been inundated with new patients who are uninsured. If we want to protect Baton Rouge General and hospitals across the state -- hospitals in cities and rural communities alike -- we have two possible solutions. We can ask the

BUSINESS NEWS

taxpayers to pay more to fund our hospitals. Or we can accept Medicaid dollars that Louisianians have already sent to Washington and bring those dollars back to our state, to be used for the health and welfare of the people of this state.”

“My husband and I have done everything right,” said Wells, who is a graphic designer that earns too much for Medicaid and not enough for subsidies at HealthCare.gov.

“We played by the rules, worked hard and paid taxes our entire lives.

We even took in people after Hurricane Katrina. Our governor likes to talk about all of the people moving into Louisiana. Well, my husband and I are planning on moving out of Louisiana in the next few months to a state that has taken the Medicaid expansion. That’s right, I stayed after Hurricane Katrina, and now I’m leaving because of Hurricane Bobby.”

April District 5 Community Meeting Set Join Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards and Rev. Louis Jones for the first Citizens Advisory Council meeting of 2014! On Tuesday, April 22nd at 12 noon, Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards will address the questions and concerns of citizens across District 5. The meeting will take place at Hope Community United Methodist Church, where Rev. Jones is the pastor. Hope Community is located at 4260 Evangeline St. and is the home of lively community programs such as: Camp Hope, an exciting, lowcost summer camp available primarily to families living in 70805 area.

The Tutoring Ministry, an afterschool tutoring program that was featured on WBRZ for its work in the community.

70805 Fellowship, a free, twice-per month gathering of youth across the North Baton Rouge community for fun, games, and food.

District 5 Citizens Advisory Council meetings will be held quarterly in 2014 on fourth Tuesdays at 12 noon starting in the month of April. Churches across District 5 will serve as co-hosts

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/btrbb-renaissance-baton-rouge-hotel/

LOCAL & STATE NEWS

Rep. Pat Smith

HEALTH NEWS

Ronnie Edwards for the community meetings and various guests are invited to educate the public, answer questions, and address the concerns of District 5 constituents.

Residents, business-owners, and other stakeholders are invited to participate.

For more information or a meeting schedule, please contact Tyra Banks in the Office of Councilwoman Ronnie Edwards at 225-389-4831.

RELIGION

Faith is our trusting commitment to God. That doesn’t mean that we will not encounter circumstances that aim to disrupt or shake-up our faith...See Page 6

INDEX

LA ELECTION PERFORMANCE Louisiana does better job adminShabazz Napier had snipped his section of net, hugged every teammate, and then slapped dozens of fans’ hands as he walked off the court a champion. ...See Page 8

istering elections than most other states across the nation according to The Pew Charitable Trusts’ latest Election Performance Index.

See Page 3

EX-IRS OFFICIAL TO JUSTICE DEPT

The House Ways and Means Committee voted Wednesday to refer a former Internal Revenue Service official to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution in the agency’s tea party controversy. .See Page 5

FIGHTING FOR MEDICAID Along I-10 between Baton Rouge

and Port Allen, a billboard using the same colors and font as the state of Louisiana’s ‘Pick Your Passion” tourism campaign also declares, “But hope you don’t love your health. ..See Page 7

Local & State............................2 Commentary.............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7 Sports.......................................8

CLASSIFIED Buying or selling a service, looking for for a good job? Check out the classifeds .

THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 39 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

Page 2 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 10, 2014

STATE & LOCAL

Louisiana Found Its State Geography Bee Champion

BATON ROUGE, La. - In a game show-style competition, 10 Louisiana students struggled through advanced geography questions that went far beyond lists of state capitals, seeking a spot in the National Geographic Bee. Students squared off Friday in a head-to-head quiz that could have left many adults scratching their heads. Children were asked to link towns to their states, match African countries to their former colonial masters and identify border-sharing countries.

The last student standing was 14-year-old Benjamin Link, of New Orleans, who reigns as state champion after correctly identifying the origin of certain aqueducts and the location of a Basque whaling community.

His win came just in time.

It was the last year Link qualified for the bee.

Link will compete in May against students nationwide, for a chance to win $50,000.

Local Journalists Raise Money To Benefit LSU, SU Students

BATON ROUGE — The Baton Rouge Area Association of Black Journalists is hosting its second annual luncheon on April 17, to raise money for local journalism students.

Award-winning Journalist and Baton Rouge Native Isiah Carey will be the guest speaker.

Other local, pioneering journalists will be honored at the luncheon, including Yvonne Campbell, Mayor Kip Holden, Robert Rene, and Sylvia Weatherspoon.

Proceeds will help fund scholarships for Southern University and LSU students.

For more information on how you can participate or support the scholarships, visit www.brareabj. org.

READER INFORMATION How to Reach Us General Information225-775-2002 Fax . . . . . . . . . . . 225-775-4216 Email Address . . theweeklypress@yahoo.com . . . . . . thewpres@bellsouth.net The office is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and located at 1283 Rosenwald Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Correction Policy The Baton Rouge Weekly Press strives to be fair and accurate. The newspaper corrects any significant errors of fact brought to the attention of the editor. If you think an error has been made, call 225-775-2002

Common Core at the Capitol

Rep. Pat Smith

By James Terry III After long public discussion of the pros and cons of Common Core, the House Education Committee has spent the day hearing a bill to set up a commission to develop the state’s own standards and assessments.

HB 381 by Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, drew impassioned testimony from backers of the bill and defenders of Common Core. Working with the governor’s office, Geymann drew up an amendment that would maintain Common Core standards for the current school year while a new commission considers if alternative standards should be developed and how.

The amendment would give final approval of any new standards to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, leaving the Legislature with an advisory role.

House Education Chairman Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, organized the testimony to allot equal time to the authors and school superintendents who support the bill and to members of BESE and representatives of public interest groups and the

Rep. Wesley Bishop

business community who oppose it. Still to come today are parents and citizens on both sides.

During the morning question period, Rep. Rob Shadoin, R-Ruston, challenged BESE member Holly Boffy of Lafayette to explain why standards would be lowered if Common Core remained in place while the commission considers possible changes.

Boffy said the bill would represent a lack of commitment

Jindal from page 1 traction for the proposals, it’s unclear how much of a priority Jindal will make the most highprofile debate of the legislative session.

The governor didn’t throw his full weight behind the effort to pass either Geymann’s or Henry’s bill during the committee debate.

His office submitted a card indicating support during the debate. No one from his office spoke to press for passage, and Jindal was out of state during the committee discussion, discussing national health care policy and fundraising.

Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Erath, who voted against the

bills, said the governor’s office never approached her about the proposals considered by the committee. She said she’s not even clear on Jindal’s position on Common Core.

“I never saw anything that he expressed to anyone other than he had concerns. What those specific concerns were that he had, I don’t know. I never heard that,” she said.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education agreed in 2010 to phase in the Common Core standards, which have been adopted in most states as a way to compare performance.

Supporters include business

to Common Core and create uncertainty about how the new standards would compare to what is now being implemented.

Rep. Cameron Henry, RMetairie, said that the new commission would give parents the opportunity to have their questions about Common Core answered and that, ultimately, those national standards might stay in place. Boffy said the Legislature should leave the development of standards to BESE. leaders, a majority of BESE members and Superintendent of Education John White. They say the standards raise expectations for students and better prepare them for college and careers.

Barry Erwin, president of the Council For A Better Louisiana, which strongly supports keeping the Common Core standards in place, said changing course now would disrupt classrooms and could leave students in limbo for years while new standards are developed.

“Whether (Jindal’s) just dipping his toe into the discussion or not, I think one thing that is concerning is the governor’s office was supporting some bills that we in the education reform

INJURED IN A CAR WRECK?

The Weekly Press Newspaper is a published weekly in Baton Rouge and distributed every Thursday with a circulation of 7,500.

Subscription rates are $65.00 per year for Louisiana residents; $72.00 for one year for out-of-state residents; half price for six months subscription: and $1.00 per single copy.

All money orders or checks should be made payable to The Weekly Press, P.O. Box 74485, Baton Rouge, La. 70874

1283 Rosenwald Road Baton Rouge, La. 70807-41 Phone: (225) 775-2002 Fax: (225) 775-4216 E-MAIL theweeklypress@yahoo.com thewpres@bellsouth.net Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed Saturday, Sunday and all Major Holidays

See JINDAL, on page 3

ILLUSTRATION SHOWING AN ACCIDENT

If this happens to you call Attorney McManus

Call the McManus law office and get all you deserve

Charles C. McManus A T T O R N E Y

A T

L A W

8520 Scotland Ave, Suite C • Baton Rouge, La. 225-774-5771

charlesmcmanus@ mcmanuslawoffice.brcoxmail.com www.charlesmcmanus.com

marge's

Chit Chat

J U S T A THE LOUISITHOUGHT: Plan ANA (LSU) GYMyour work and work NASTICS TEAM is your plan. Burns making the alumni asTESTING is sociation and us very going on in the proud in south Louischools this week siana. Their regional and your child must rankings are above the be telling you about national average and it. It is so disheartenare about the charts.

Marge ing to see the tests and Congratulations to know that you are ill Coach D-D Breaux and Lawrence prepared to conquer the fine young ladies or pass it. Sometimes students who are so well trained. Good want teachers to be responsible luck at the national meet. Bring for their portion of learning, but home the gold!! it just does not happen that way.

EARTH DAY is coming up We must all have a part: teach- on April 27. Pleas mark your ers, students, and parents in the calendars. If ever we should child’s education. It also helps promote something, it is this when a child has a goal to accom- event. Held annually downtown plish. Some parents are helping Baton Rouge, it teaches our chiltheir children by encouraging dren how to preserve our earth. them to pursue their goals, while There are myriads of activities other parents are not sure what for children of all ages and they their children want to do or be. are relevant to our planet and This presents a challenge. Let us preservation of it. Check it out. be encouragers for students for Have You Begun Spring their goals and accomplishments. Cleaning? Well, it is more than CAMP TIME is upon us, a notion!! However, it should be too. Let us look forward to put- done just as our grandmothers ting our children in a good envi- taught us years ago. This is a ronment for the summer months, time to throw out and clean us if the grandparents are not avail- the dust and give the useable able. Follow your choice for items to the local thrift stores. the fun activities plus academics It is worth it because too much for about seven to eight weeks, accumulates. until school returns. There is so MARCH MADNESS (the much to choose from including only time we have it!!) Has come cheerleading, dancing, gymnas- and gone and no one qualified tics, creative arts, equestrian, for the billionaire’s prize. That’s performing arts, sports fitness, OK in that some of our favorite nutrition, swimming, etc. (and teams of the NCAA gave it their the list goes on) Just what is your best shot!! (Literally) (Smile) pleasure?

We celebrate that and are now AN OLD FASHIONED looking forward to the end of EASTER CELEBRATION the baseball season, along with will be held this Sunday from the spring practice of football.

1 - 4 pm at the LSU Rural Life Did you make it to LSU Museum on Essen Lane. Chil- book fair at the barn farm dren will enjoy the traditional building? Well, it’s over now Easter egg hunt and the painting but there were many good picks of the eggs. It is recommended and something for everyone. It’s for students’ ages 2 - 8, but 6 - 8 held annually - fall and spring. ages are welcome, too.

With Love and Sympathy to CALL YOUR NEIGHBOR- the Butler family of Plaquemine, HOOD LIBRARY for the Sp - Allen family and Stewart famiEGG - tabular events for this lies of Baton Rouge and Baker holiday season. At each branch respectively. Mrs. Iona Jones there are many activities for all Stewart was laid to rest earlier ages throughout this week and this week. She was a retired into next week also. Your tax dollars are at work.

See MARGE, on page 3

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu To Be SU Commencement Speaker BATON ROUGE, LA – U.S. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu will be the commencement speaker for the spring 2014 graduation ceremony set for 10:30 a.m., May 9, in the F.G. Activity Center.

Landrieu, a New Orleans native, is the first woman from Louisiana ever elected to the United States Senate.

Landrieu was Louisiana’s State Treasurer from 1988 to 1996. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 and reelected in 2002 and 2008.

Please contact Edward Pratt or Erin Fulbright with the Southern University Media Relations office at one of these numbers (225) 771-4545 or (225) 7713907 for additional information.

Smart from page 1 stood along beside the likes of the great Anthony Canty, Paul Simon, Edward Gaines and a few others gone to soon.

William Smart will be greatly missed by the church community and many others.

We here at The Baton Rouge Weekly Press both mourn and celebrate the life of the late great William Smart a great con-

tributor to Gospel Music History here in our city and beyond.

We are grateful that he passed this way, and the gospel music community is better because we had the opportunity to experience Maestro William Smart.

We loved him and may he rest in peace.

Furneral arrangment are still pending.

Thursday, April 10, 2014 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Southern University Starts new Policing Program on Campus BATON ROUGE, LA -Southern University has a police force of 24 men and women. Five of those officers now leave their police cruisers parked and use their feet to get around campus.

The new way of policing is called the ‘Walk, Talk and Respond’. One officer says by making their presence known this way, more students are willing to talk with them.

“They get to know us and they feel free to come talk to us,” Sgt. Johnson said.

The program has already lead to one arrest.

Last week a man named Drew Bey was arrested by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. He was picked up on the university’s campus. Police say Bey also went by the name “Dope Man.” According to an arrest report, when officers approached his car they smelled a strong odor. Police say they were told by students Bey was selling large amounts of marijuana on campus.

Sergeant Tim Johnson, SUPD, says walking the campus allows them to see, smell and hear - something they can’t always do in a moving patrol car.

The new program started just a few months ago. The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs says because there are more events happening on college campuses, nationally, they wanted to be proactive to crime and add another level of safety around campus.

“There is crime, everybody does not always abide by the rules. We want to make sure when that does happen, we’re positioned to respond,” said Brandon Dumas.

They hope that by making the officers more active and visible around the campus, students who hear or see anything suspicious will let them know.

“It’s helped us to be out in the public, talking to the kids. As opposed to just being there when it’s an emergency or something bad happens,” said Sgt. Johnson.

Jindal from page 2 community think would do some real harm to the reforms we have worked for,” Erwin said.

Backers of Geymann’s bill said the standards didn’t get enough public and legislative review and implementation was poorly handled. Common Core critics said using the multistate standards shifts Louisiana to a nationalized education system that removes local control.

Four years ago, Jindal signed documents of support for Common Core. On Friday, the governor said he’s concerned about a “federal overreach” in education.

He said use of the standards has moved too quickly and parents should have more time to air their worries.

Jindal said he doesn’t expect the House Education defeat of the

bills to end legislative debate on Common Core.

“We’re talking to more and more legislators, letting more and more people know our concerns,” he said.

But how far he’ll press for a change wasn’t definitive.

“This is something where we want to hear the debate and we want to let the debate happen,” Jindal said.

Geymann said he’ll be asking for Jindal’s office to push the issue with Republican lawmakers, in the hopes of gaining support for a change of course on Common Core.

“We think the administration is supporting our effort, but we are going to go back and visit them and make sure that they still support our effort,” he said.

Louisiana Outpaces Nation In Election Performance BATON ROUGE, LA— Louisiana does better job administering elections than most other states across the nation according to The Pew Charitable Trusts’ latest Election Performance Index. Between the 2008 Presidential Election and the 2012, Louisiana’s election performance improved by 6 percentage points compared to the nations’ overall improvement of just 4.4 percentage points.

“This kind of recognition is vitally important to Louisiana because it confirms what we know to be true, our state is leading the way when it comes to the integrity of our election process,” said Secretary of State Tom Schedler. “In this report, Pew specifically mentions the innovations Louisiana has fostered including our nationally recognized mobile phone app and website, GeauxVote, and the positive impacts both have made in getting information to voters on Election Day. I am very proud of our ranking and our success.”

The Pew Election Performance Index measures election administration using indicators including data completeness, availability of voting information tools online, voter turnout, rejection of military and overseas ballots, and accuracy of voting technology. It allows for comparisons to be made among all 50 states surrounding how elections are conducted.

Overall, 40 states and the District of Columbia improved

their scores between 2008 and 2012, while 21 states, including Louisiana, saw growth at a pace greater than the national average.

Ten states saw declines in their overall performance. Overall, Louisiana ranked 18th in the nation.

“We know common-sense solutions to improve elections exist. States are pioneering innovations that make a real difference in the efficiency and accuracy of their elections operations while also saving money,” said David Becker, director of Pew’s election initiatives project. “The Election Performance Index allows policy makers to pinpoint what’s working while also identifying areas where improvement is needed.

Louisiana was commended

by Pew for several of its elections initiatives including online voter registration, which was added in 2010, as well as the state’s use of technology to aid voters. Notably, Pew recognized Louisiana’s GeauxVote website and mobile phone app as excellent examples of tools voters can

use to access registration and other election information. The state was also one of only six states to submit 100% of the data tracked in the index to the Election Assistance Commission in both presidential years.

Areas noted for improvement in Louisiana included the rate of mail ballots unreturned. However Secretary Schedler noted a discrepancy in the data that may have led to an incorrect conclusion about the state’s performance. In 2008 Louisiana’s policies mandated that multiple ballots be sent to voters requesting to vote by mail. The Elections Assistance Commission (EAC) in calculating Louisiana’s return rate counted each piece of paper. In 2012, Louisiana only sent one assembled ballot to the same voters in an effort to streamline the process and in turn, significantly impacted the data submitted to the EAC. “At the end of the day, we believe we did the right thing in Louisiana by consolidating our ballots and sending voters less

paper,” said Secretary of State Tom Schedler. “But on this survey, it seems like it may have counted against us. I agree with Pew’s assessment that there are many legitimate reasons for changes in return rates, and we have appropriately investigated this instance and come to a reasonable conclusion that our actions in fact assisted voters.”

A full copy of the Pew report on Election Performance as well as interactive tools can be found at www.pewstates.com.

Marge from page 2 educator in Ascension Parish Schools. Love to these families.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Virgie Brown Ricardo and James Lawrence.

Have a super and blessed weekend. Enjoy the weather, despite the allergies.

Love, Marge

“Team Working Success Through Through Quality Performance” “Team Working ForForSuccess Quality Performance”

“Teaming with Shreveport for progress”

“Teaming with Louisiana for progress” W.T.South Winfield, Manager 225-383-0822 Baton Rouge Civil Engineers NeededOffice 318-222-0639 Shreveport Office 1-866-324-WTAA Toll Free 1-866-324-WTAA Toll Free W.T. Winfield, Manager

WE’RE EXPANDING LOUISIANA’S SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENTS. BUT THERE’S MORE WORK TO BE DONE. The people of Baton Rouge can join the movement by supporting the local businesses that are leading the way by choosing to go smoke-free.

It makes sense, since the majority of people in Louisiana—79%—don’t smoke.

For a list of smoke-free spots near you, visit HealthierAirForAll.org.

COMMENTARY Thursday, April 10, 2014 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

2014 State of Black America Spotlights the Nation’s Great Divide - and Points to Even Greater Solutions

NEW YORK, NY - Our Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Emancipation Proclamation all speak of equality and unity as bedrock principles of American Democracy. But the truth is we have always been battling a Great Divide of race and class that has kept the American Dream out of reach for millions and that now threatens the very future of our nation. That fact is the central finding of the 38th edition of the State of Black America® One Nation Underemployed: Jobs Rebuild America. This year’s report underscores the urgency of the jobs crisis - both unemployment and underemployment - and offers ideas from the National Urban League and leading voices across the corporate, academic, political, civil rights and arts arenas about how African American and other communities of color can forge a path to economic stability and upward mobility.

Our 2014 Equality Index™, one of the most critical and respected tools for tracking racial equality in America, finds that the state of Black America stands at 71.2 percent of the state of white America in the areas of economics, social justice, civic engagement, health, and education. With an equality index of 75.8 percent, a similar divide exists between Latinos and whites, with Latinos experiencing only three-quarters of the full benefits America has to offer.

For the first time, the Equality Index also includes rankings of U.S. cities in a new metropolitan section, ranking cities from mostto-least equal via the Black-White Index (77 cities) and HispanicWhite Index (83 cities) - providing a revealing look at the local dynamics beneath the national trends.

While each state and city has its own story to tell, the consistent refrain is that there is an urgent and growing disparity between the few who are reaping the rewards of economic recovery and the majority who are still reeling from the aftershocks of the Great Recession.

This year’s report again sheds light on the racial dimensions of economic inequality in

America. Our Economics index, which compares such factors as income, poverty, employment and wealth, finds that the economic status of African Americans is only 55.5% of that of whites, meaning that Blacks are still missing almost half of the economic pie.

Hispanics are at 60.6%. The growing racial and ethnic divides in employment, homeownership and mortgage and home improvement loan denials drove losses in the economics index for both groups.

Our Economics Index also shows that unemployment inequality between Blacks and whites has widened, with the white unemployment rate dropping below 7 percent and the Black unemployment rate hovering above 13 percent for much of the past year. Further, with a Black-white income equality of only 60% and with Black households having just $6 in wealth for every $100 in wealth of white households - or a median wealth of $6,314 vs. $110,500, respectively, what we see emerging from the rubble of the Great Recession is a state of Black America in severe economic crisis.

But the 2014 State of Black America report also points to solutions. The National Urban League continues to move forward with our Jobs Rebuild America initiative - a $100 million, five-year effort bringing together resources from the federal government, business and non-profits to reduce unemployment, create jobs and expand economic opportunity in 50 communities throughout the nation.

We also continue to press Congress to pass the Urban Jobs Act, the Project Ready STEM Act, a transportation infrastructure bill and the Harkin-Miller Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for all workers with an index to inflation thereafter.

This year’s publication also includes thought-provoking, solutions-focused essays from jazz great Wynton Marsalis, Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns, author and scholar Dr. Thomas Shapiro, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, actor and philanthropist See SOLUTIONS, on page 7

Time to Fix Government

By Lee H. Hamilton In 1965, the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Wilbur Mills, brought legislation establishing Medicare and Medicaid to the floor of the U.S. House. That was my first year in Congress, and I remember vividly the moment Mills came to the Democratic caucus to explain his plans.

Many of us had been swept into office in the 1964 Democratic wave that accompanied Lyndon Johnson’s election, and we had an overwhelming majority in Congress. We could pass any bill we wanted. But Mills argued forcefully that we shouldn’t. Passing the law was one thing, he said, but what really counted was its implementation. With bipartisan support, the odds were much higher that the highly controversial measure could be rolled out effectively.

Mills was playing a very smart game. What he understood was that in the end, Americans’ lives would be affected not by what happened in Congress, but by what the federal government did with the law it was handed.

There are times these days when a story about someone in Washington caring about the government’s effectiveness feels as quaint as a tale about knights and dragons. Plenty of good, competent people serve both in Congress and within the ranks of the executive branch, but after

years of abject failure — from the response to Hurricane Katrina to the initial rollout of the Affordable Care Act to the cost overruns, delays, and mismanagement that too often characterize federal programs — it’s hard to argue that the government is filled with people who know how to make it a model of efficiency and effectiveness.

This is crucial to fix. Not only do Americans want to see better performance from their government, but also federal executives — including the President — cannot achieve their policy objectives unless those under them are competent and high performing.

We have to rethink and transform how government does its business: cut the number of political appointees, reduce layers of management, reform the civil service, and rein in outsourcing that costs the taxpayers billions more than they should be paying.

Government today is highly pressured and deals with tough, complicated problems. Unless we deal with these problems, failure is baked into the system. The American people have to demand that the President and the Congress not just enact legislation, but also implement and manage government programs effectively and efficiently.

Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

Acceptance by 8 Ivies Doesn’t Remove Race Stigma

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist You would think that news of a high school student from a family of African immigrants getting accepted into all eight Ivy League universities would be met with universal celebration. If you thought that, think again.

First the news: In the next month, Kwasi Enin must make a tough decision: Which of the eight Ivy League universities should he attend this fall?

A first-generation American from Shirley, N.Y., the 17-yearold violist and aspiring physician applied to all eight, from Brown to Yale.

The responses began rolling in over the past few months, and by late last week when he opened an e-mail from Harvard, he found he’d been accepted to every one.

School district officials provided scanned copies of acceptance letters from all eight Monday. Yale confirmed that it was holding a spot for Enin.

The feat is extremely rare, say college counselors — few students even apply to all eight, because each seeks different qualities in their freshman class.

Almost none are invited to attend them all.

The Ivy League colleges are among the nation’s most elite.

(USA Today) Comments posted on the

news website reddit leave little doubt that even with all of Enin’s accomplishments, many people will never see beyond his race.

The comments show appalling ignorance not only about race in the United States, but about the college admission process itself.

A person with the sign-in name of Hairlesswalkingchimp wrote, “I’m gonna get real with you reddit; no matter how pissed this makes you it doesn’t change the fact that he would not have had this absurd success if he was a white kid.”

A writer identifying himself as Jetusan asked, “Are you just as pissed that 30% of admissions at Harvard are legacies? How many are less qualified white people, I wonder?”

That’s a point most critics miss. Universities, including Harvard and Yale, admit a certain number of students in each class based on whether a parent attended the Ivy League institution. They call them “Legacy Admissions” and that’s how George W. Bush got admitted into Yale, following in the footsteps of his father and his father’s father. Other students are admitted because a parent made a major donation to the university.

“I am surprised that no one has mentioned that for the seven other schools he chooses not to attend, 7 students will be chosen from the schools respective wait list, and let’s be realistic, odds

are they are white.”

Overlooked in some of the posts is the fact that college admissions deans try to construct a balanced class, not robotically picking applicants based on grades and SAT scores.

“Ivy Leagues don’t want well rounded applicants, they want a well rounded class,” wrote house_music_420. “It’s much easier to get in if you do something out of the ordinary and are really good at it instead of being pretty good at many things. I’ve talked to college admissions people and they all say that they are trying to build a well rounded class.

“For example 10 people from my high school applied to Stanford and the only one who got in had a 3.5 GPA (lowest of the 10) and a 2030 SAT (lowest of the 10) and he was in my class struggling mightily.”

Comeonreally8 wrote, “I am an admissions interviewer for one of the top ivies and I see a HUGE number of minority applicants with top grades, great SATs, and great leadership in their extracurriculars and they are rejected just as often as the non-minority applicants.

So everyone saying ‘OMG IT’S ONLY BECAUSE HE’S BLACK’ calm down, being a minority is not some free pass to get into college. It is still incredibly challenging and rare to get into the top ivies. This kid sounds brilliant and I wish him

The Power of the Black Press

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

Whenever there is a steady series of public questions being raised about the “power” of Black Americans, you should always first consider the motive and purpose of the questions. Such was the case recently when Richard Prince wrote a column, which was posted on The Root, titled: “Is The Black Press Still Powerful?” Of course the answer is “Yes, the Black Press in America is still powerful.”

What was the underlying motive for this question being asked?

I wonder if Prince, a long-time employee of the Washington Post, has ever written a column titled, “Is The White Press Still Powerful?” I seriously doubt it.

There is a larger contextual reality that also needs to be considered. The truth is that during past year, there has been a consistent series of so-called “mainstream” news articles, editorials, and blogs that have questioned the relevance, power and legitimacy of Blackowned businesses and institutions.

In addition, during this same time period, the effectiveness and contemporary purpose of our traditional civil rights organizations such as the National Association

for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) have been called into question.

A few months ago the New York Times published story that questioned whether Howard University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were still relevant and worthy of continued existence.

It is not a mere coincidence that some of these news articles and blogs are being written again by supposedly “well-intentioned” African Americans. We certainly support and defend the right to freedom of the press and the right of all people to express themselves. Of course, the press has the right to be wrong. With that right, however, goes a responsibility not to distort the truth.

This is not about neither freedom of the press nor freedom of speech. This is about the issue of racism and its proclivity to define and question reality. This is about the fact that we still live in a society that continues to be undergirded by the ideology of White supremacy that presupposes the false notion of Black inferiority. And as long as that is the case, there will be a need for powerful Black institutions.

The Black Church is powerful. The Black Press is powerful. HBCUs are powerful.

The NAACP and SCLC are still needed. While we have made considerable progress in the last 50 years, we still have not overcome racism and its negative impact on Black America. And that fact is sometimes conveniently overlooked by Black journalists who work for such White-owned outlets such as the Washington Post and The Root.

For me and my codefendants in the civil rights case known worldwide as the Wilmington Ten, this is a personal matter when someone takes issue with the present-day “power” of the Black Press. In 1972, the Wilmington Ten were unjustly sentenced to a combined total of 282 years in prison in the state of North Carolina. We were falsely accused and wrongly convicted of arson and conspiracy to assault charges doing a 1971 racial riot over public school desegregation in Wilmington. A little more than a year ago, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the Black Press USA, launched an effective national campaign to get an official “Pardon of Innocence” for the Wilmington Ten. For more than 40 years,

all the success.”

Wrote retop56: “This comment section is nothing short of hilarious. Yes, schools look for diversity in admissions, but it seems like a lot of people really think he did nothing except check a box that he’s black and waltz into 8 Ivys.”

One person wrote, “There are 1000s of spots for white students to get in but when they fail to do so, they blame it on the 50 black students that they let in every year.”

A White writer, JadeChaosTheory, noted: “Just by being white we have a ton of advantages in general – minorities need the boosts where they can get it.”

He explained, “He [Enin] could graduate college with flying colors and still struggle to find a job/move up in the workplace because casual racism is a real and prevalent thing and there is an innate fear of people of color in positions of power.”

George E. Curry, former editorin-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 and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.

many in the established media in the U.S. had published articles about the alleged “guilt” of the Wilmington Ten. In fact, the New York Times published a story in the late 1970s under the headline: “The Case Against the Wilmington Ten.” By the end of 2012, however, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue agreed with the NNPA-led effort as she issued an unprecedented Pardon of Innocence to each member of the Wilmington Ten. Gov. Perdue courageously stated, “This was a case of naked racism.” We are, therefore, grateful to Gov. Perdue for her historic act and for her candor. We are also very grateful to all of the Black newspaper publishers and writers throughout the United States who continue to uphold the proud banner of the Black Press.

Let’s us never underestimate the enduring value and respect of all our Black-owned businesses and institutions. Of course, we always open to constructive criticism and recommendations concerning how to strengthen the economic status of the businesses that are vital to our forward progress. However, it would be a tragic error to assume that because we now have a Black American as See BLACK PRESS, on page 7

The views expressed in the editiorial columns are not necessarily the veiws of The Weekly Press or its staff. Address all opinions and comments to: Letters to the Editior, P.O. Box 74485 Baton Rouge, La. 70874 or E-mail them to: theweeklypress@yahoo.com

Thursday, April 10, 2014 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

BUSINESS

How Should You Pay Your Taxes?

By Christine DiGangi So you haven’t done your taxes yet — yeah, you and several million other Americans. It’s not a huge deal, but now that it’s April, let’s talk about your options for paying the bill. Of course, you’d rather not be on the paying end this year, but just in case you don’t get a refund like you’re expecting, you need to know your options for paying the IRS. If you’re among the 20% to 25% of Americans who wait to file their taxes until the two weeks before the deadline, this is for you.

1. Check or Money Order If you’re going the paperand-post route, you’ll probably send a check. Remember you have to postmark the payment by April 15, and include form 1040V, which is a payment voucher for the check or money order.

Something to keep in mind when filing the “old-fashioned” way: If you’re down to the wire and rushing to finish your taxes, be very careful that you don’t make mistakes or miss anything.

Software helps you catch errors, but if you’re writing everything out yourself, you need to doublecheck that you haven’t made mistakes.

2. Credit Card You can pay your taxes online or over the phone using a credit card, but this option comes at a price. The IRS does not directly process credit card payments, so it works with a few authorized processors to offer

this option to taxpayers. Those processor charge a fee: between 1.88% and 2.35% of what you’re paying the IRS. If you will have trouble meeting your tax obligation in full and you have a 0% financing period on your credit card, this form of payment could work best for you (as long as you pay the balance before the promotional financing expires). Otherwise, an IRS payment plan could be cheaper.

Some credit cards have good enough rewards that paying the fee is worth it — to figure out if you’ll benefit from this strategy will require a bit of math on your part.

3. Debit Card If you’re going for the convenience of plastic, you probably want to go with a debit card over a credit card. Instead of a percentage, the payment fee is a flat $2 or $3, which is a better deal than using a credit card if you owe more than about $100.

4. Direct Transfer This option is free, unless your bank tacks fees on for electronic transfers. You’ll provide your bank account number and routing number online or over the phone, and the money is withdrawn directly.

5. Payment Plan If you can’t meet your tax obligation, enter an installment agreement with the IRS. The most important thing to know here is See TAXES, on page 7

Wendy’s Customers Help Contribute To St. Jude B AT O N R O U G E — You’re generosity while dining at Wendy’s is helping to save the lives of many children.

Wendy’s franchise Diamo nd Foods presented a check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for more than $31,000.

For the past few months, Wendy’s restaurants have allowed customers to buy a frosty key chain for one dollar. Once purchase allowed customers to get a free frosty.

All the proceeds go directly to St. Jude for cancer research, and organizers say

CLASSIFIEDS

BUYING OR SELLING A SERVICE? Let Us Put Your Busines In The Streets.

Call The Weekly Press To Place Your Classified Ad Before Thousands Of Readers Each Week. Call 225.775.2002

CDL-A Owner Operators • Out & Back Plastic Dry Bulk • Home During the Week & Weekends • Above Avg Pay • Top 10% Industry • 100% FSC • Consistent Year Round Freight • Plate & Ins Program • Financial $ign On A$$i$t

Also Hiring Company Drivers • Run System Loads • Avg 65K yrly • Full Benefits • Assigned Late Model Equip • Immediate Openings

www.artransport.com

800-308-1893

it’s a win-win for everyone.

“One of Dave’s proud principles was to give back to the community that supports Wendy’s,” said Donna Green.

“Every dollar that goes to St. Jude goes directly toward research and towards the treatment of the children,” said Sharon Wood, whose daughter benefited from St. Jude.

It costs 1.9 million dollars per day to run St. Jude. Nearly 700 Louisiana children are being treated there right now.

Of course, no family ever pays for treatment while at St. Jude.

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

House Panel Refers Ex-IRS Official to Justice Dept WASHINGTON — The House Ways and Means Committee voted Wednesday to refer a former Internal Revenue Service official to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution in the agency’s tea party controversy.

Committee investigators say they have uncovered evidence that Lois Lerner may have violated the constitutional rights of conservative groups, misled investigators and risked exposing confidential taxpayer information.

Lerner, who retired last year, headed the IRS division that processes applications for tax-exempt status. The agency has acknowledged that agents improperly singled out tea party and other conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status from 2010 to 2012.

“We think there’s reason to believe that laws were broken, that constitutional rights were violated,” said committee chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich. “We have to make sure that the signal goes out that this can’t happen again.”

The Ways and Means Committee has been investigating the IRS for nearly a year, since shortly after the mishandling of tea party applications became public. Wednesday’s vote to refer the matter to the Justice Department was 23-14, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against.

Democratic leaders said the vote was a political stunt designed to fire up the Republican base in an election year. They noted that the Justice Department is already investigating whether any crimes have been committed.

“It now seems clear that Re-

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Camp , R-Mich., left, and the committee’s ranking member, Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., exchange words on Capitol hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 9, 2014, during a disagreement over procedure as the panel debates whether IRS official Lois Lerner’s refusal to testify to Congress deserves criminal prosecution. After Rep. Levin’s insistence that he, the top Democrat, be heard, Chairman Camp told Levin to “chill out.”

Levin replied that he was “very chilled out.”

publican members of the Ways and Means Committee have decided that they do not want to be left behind in the Republican campaign to declare this a scandal and keep it going until November,” said Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan, the committee’s ranking Democrat.

Lerner’s lawyer issued a statement Wednesday declaring her innocence.

“This is just another attempt

by Republicans to vilify Ms. Lerner

for political gain,” said the lawyer, William W. Taylor III. “Ms. Lerner has done nothing wrong. She did not violate any law or regulation.

She did not ?mislead Congress. She did not interfere with the rights of any organization to a tax exemption. ?Those are the facts.”

Levin said Camp could have simply transmitted the information to the appropriate authorities at the Justice Department, without making it public.

Tax Tips For Small Business Owners

(NAPSI)—Small businesses play a big role in the U.S. economy.

That’s the word from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which reports that the U.S. is home to over 28 million small businesses.

A growing number of small business owners are preparing their own business’ taxes. It makes sense given they know their business better than anyone else and because of the affordable tax products avail-

CLASSIFIEDS

able online and as downloadable software.

What’s your business type?

When choosing an online or downloadable tax solution, remember to select the product appropriate for your business type: • Partnerships and multi-member LLCs must file tax Form 1065.

• S corporations file Form 1120S.

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

• C corporations need to file Form 1120.

• Self-employed, sole proprietors and single-member LLCs need to file Form 1040 and Schedule C. Also, keep in mind that you can generally use online products risk-free because payment isn’t usually required until you file.

Remember to compare brands and

CLASSIFIEDS

“ALL STRINGS ATTACHED MUSIC COMPANY”

Tax-savings tips • If you use your home for your business, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs and depreciation.

Corporations and partnerships See TAX TIPS, on page 7

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

CAR FOR SALE

HELP WANTED DRIVERS

HELP WANTED DRIVERS

Drivers: Chemical & LP Regional/OTR Out & Back Openings!

Great Pay, Bonuses & Benefits incl. 100% PAID Health Ins! CDL-A, 1yr OTR T/T Exp., TWIC & X End. Req. MARTIN TRANSPORT: 1-225-355-1342

Lead Software Developer/IT Director (Multiple Openings)

VISIT US ONLINE @ www.theweeklypress.com

features carefully, since a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better product.

2011 Black Ford Edge One Owner 70k extended Warranty100,000 miles 225-278-7773 $14,995.00

located at 921 N. Lobdell Suite- CR-1 (Upstairs) Offering affordable lessons in: Bass Guitar, Guitar, Drums, Vocals, and Song Writing Offering weekend clinics and workshops on a variety of topics Skilled Professional Instructors, Musicians, and Writers Customized classes available upon request Need a Music Director, Musician, Band, Vocalist or Lyricist?Let us provided the perfect one for you For more information and to schedule you lessons today!Call (225) 384-8917 or (917) 968-1845

Lead Software Developer/IT Director (Multiple openings): Needed for ticketing solutions company. Will develop web and windows solutions; develop services solutions using WCF, ASP, and MVC; maintain existing systems; make technical presentations to diverse external audiences; manage IT department (four persons); make decisions on IT policy and direction; manage IT projects; attend Board meetings. Reqs: MS, Computer Science; alternatively, BS Computer Science plus 5 years progressive experience in IT. Must possess in depth knowledge of: SVN, Bamboo, VB6, Crystal Reports, HTML/CSS, Agile Methodologies, .NET, C#, WIN Forms, ASP.NET, IIS, T-SQL, SQL Server, BDD/TDD, LINQ, SOLID Principals, Patterns and Practices, NUnit, Resharper, ASP MVC, WCF, WPF, and NSIS Install Script. Job location: Baton Rouge, LA. Employer: Enta USA, LLC. Mail resume to George Newton IV, Enta USA, LLC, 7707 Waco Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806; refer to job #13123.

“Look, the potential violation of constitutional rights occurred in secret, inside the bowels of the IRS,” Camp said. “I think it’s important that the public has an understanding of what went on, and I think if I sent a secret letter to the Department of Justice, I think that would be doing a disservice to the Americans whose constitutional rights are on the line.”

Lerner first publicly disclosed the issue at a lawyers’ conference in May 2013. At the time, she apologized on behalf of the IRS. Soon afterward, President Barack Obama forced the acting IRS commissioner to resign, and much of the agency’s top leadership has been replaced.

Lerner has emerged as a central figure in investigations by congressional committees. The House Oversight Committee has scheduled a vote for Thursday on whether to hold Lerner in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions at two congressional hearings.

At both hearings, Lerner invoked her constitutional right against self-incrimination. House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said Lerner had effectively waived her Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions by providing an opening statement at a hearing last year.

Taylor and Democrats on the oversight committee disagree.

Lerner is an attorney who joined the IRS in 2001. She retired last fall, ending a 34-year career in federal government, which included work at the Justice Department and the Federal Election Commission.

HOUSE FOR SALE 3BR 1BA located at 2711 Badley Street near Harding Blvd. $55,900 call Oscar at 225-588-6924 or call 356-9304.

Recently remodel home.

Drivers: Averitt Express is hiring Dedicated CDL-A Drivers. Benefits & Weekly Hometime. 855-430-8869 Apply online: AverittCareers.com Equal Opportunity Employer-Females, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply HELP WANTED WORK FOR the best as a warehouse operative! Full/Part time positions available. Work with special needs population. No experience required. Training provided. . Legal background is helpful. Interested candidate should contact clarkesteven1@ aol.com.

HELP WANTED DRIVERS

REACH THOUSANDS OF READERS EACH WEEK WITH JUST ONE PHONE CALL! 225.775.2002

Drivers: Looking for Company Regional Drivers in your Area!! $500 Sign on Bonus, $950 per week guarantee for first six weeks. Avg. Run: 400-600miles. Requirements: 18 months Tractor Trailer experience.

CDL-A with Tanker and Hazmat. Highway Transport Offers: Paid Orientation, Excellent Benefits, TWIC Assistance Available. Safety Focused Quality Driven, “Our CSA rating reflects our commitment” EOE/M/F/V/D Apply Online Now! www.drive4hyttchemical.com. Call 800-800-5856 #3 Highway Transport Chemical HELP WANTED SPANISH TEACHER High School Spanish Teacher - Will teach Spanish to grades 9-12; create an innovative & inspiring classroom environment, prepare lesson plans, integrate technology & other advanced pedagogical techniques into instruction, & carry out other admin duties as assigned.

M.S. Spanish, Education, or other field involving the communication of ideas; LA certification in Spanish; native or near native fluency in Spanish; background in integrating technology into foreign language instruction. Job is in Baton Rouge, LA. Send resume & credentials to: Dr. Albert Camburn, Louisiana State University, University Laboratory School, 45 Dalrymple, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. LSU System is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer.

Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 10, 2014

RELIGION

O Ye of Little Faith

THE CHURCH LADY REPORT Hey babies! I am just delighted and excited to talk to you all today. My sweet hearts when I tell you that waking up every day is a blessing and a gift from God; you had better hear me what I am telling you. People are leaving out of this place like planes take off from up there at Ryan airport; hour-byhour and day-by-day. Did ya’ll know that William Smart passed way? Lord ham mercy; that was a playing sanging somebody! Chile I remember one Lord’s Supper years ago I was in a service and that boy played his self so happy that one minute he was pecking those keys and plunk! The next thing I knew he had fallen back off of that organ stool like somebody had knocked him out cold. Hee, hee…I didn’t know what had happened. All I know is that he must have been caught by an angel because as hard as he hit that floor he should have went through it, but he got right back up and praised God some more! Chile that’s when we use to have church! Ouuuwee, honey I tell you the truth, I don’t know what in the world is going to happen. Now a day we have all these young’uns as musicians; all they want to do is rap and dance that hip hop or whatever you call it and don’t get me wrong; all that is good in its place, but babies there ain’t nothing like a good ole hymn being played out from a good Hammond b3 or having the ivory keys of an old church piano tickled.

Babies back in the day choirs would be singing and the piano would be playing and there were no foot pedals except for shoes patting on the floorboards of hard wood and was that not a sound of glory and victory! Remember how

By Camille Dunbar

LOUISIANA EAST JURISDICTION ONE Office of the Jurisdictional Secretary

April 9, 2014 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” yes, say the spirit, that may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”

Scottie Robinson used to play?

Chile If the devil thought about coming in he changed his mind at the sound of the war cries of the saints of God! We had some power and we were breaking chains long before Tasha ever started singing break every chain. I love me some Tasha Cobbs though. But babies; did you all see Tasha on that celebration of Gospel? Now I advocate the big girls, but I want to make sure that you wear big with pride. Babies when you are a big girl you just can’t put on anything. Ut uh…Besides when you enter the sanctuary you want the focus to be more on the master then on your top or bottom. Tasha has won a Grammy so now she needs a stylist.

Where are the old ladies in the church? The Bible says the old women should teach the young, but half of them can’t tell the young’uns anything because they walk around with all of their on tail hanging out. Ya’ll better stop it! Just stop it. Why, I remember when I was a girl they would check you at the door babies. Those old

Dear Saints of God, It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Bishop James Earl Gordon. He will be sorely missed, but we find comfort in knowing that earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. The services for Bishop Gordon will be as follows: THE LOCAL AND JURISDICTIONAL HOMEGOING CELEBRATION Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 7pm (Viewing from 5pm-7pm) Saintsville (Louisiana East Jurisdiction One Headquarters) 8930 Plank Road – Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70811 THE NATIONAL HOMEGOING CELEBRATION Thursday, April, 17, 2014 at 11am (viewing from 9am-11am) Saintsville (Louisiana East Jurisdiction One Headquarters) 8930 Plank Road – Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70811 Services are entrusted to: Richardson Funeral Home of Jefferson Inc. 11112 Jefferson Hwy. River Ridge, Louisiana 70123 Telephone: 504-469-2243 It is requested that all Superintendents, Pastors & Elders are to wear your (Class B) Vestments. All adjutants Brothers are to wear your (Class A) Vestments. Missionaries are to wear your Black Habits on Wednesday night and please wear your white Habits on Thursday during the Homegoing Services.

Hotel Accommodation: The Hilton Garden Hotel, 3330 Harding Blvd. 225-357-6177 (Ask for COGIC Bereavement Blocked Rooms) For more information: Contact Missionary Betty Addison-Deamer, Secretary. 225-573-7188

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body; what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat and the body more than raiment?—Matthew 6:25 Faith is our trusting commitment to God. That doesn’t mean that we will not encounter circumstances that aim to disrupt or shake-up our faith. Among these disruptions or shake-ups are disquieting thoughts. Thoughts causing anxiety, uneasiness, and/or disturbance hinder and distract our joy in God. When we care about the things of the world, these tormenting thoughts can break our sleep and cause us not to enjoy ourselves, our friends, and so forth; a stumbling block.

For me, I am finding it difficult to go through silently. Let me clarify this: I may have to temporarily go through silently without talking to or giving details of my challenge(s) to friends, family, and fellow believers, but that doesn’t mean that I am alone. I have… you always have God to talk to.

Honestly, even though I know God is there with me, it’s not always easy. Sometimes I feel like a ping pong ball. However, you may feel differently and that’s okay. When I read Matthew 6:25-34, I felt as if I was hit with a ton of bricks. Why? Because I was worried about these very things. Wow! It’s amazing

See CHURCH LADY, on page 7

CHURCH DIRECTORY

See FAITH, on page 7

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25 Let the community know whats happing at your place of worship. Email your church event or religious organization news to The Weekly Press @ theweeklypress@yahoo.com or call 225-775-2002

Email your church event or religious organization news to The Weekly Press @ thewpress@yahoo.com or call 225-775-2002

Pastor Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Florida, Jr. Co-Pastor Rose J. Florida

VISION CHRISTIAN CENTER, INTERNATIONAL 1047 Rosenwald Road Baton Rouge, LA 70807 Telephone: (225) 774-8125 • E-Mail - visionchristianc@bellsouth.net Sunday Worship.........................................................................10:00 a.m.

Holy Communion2nd Sunday.................................................... 10:00 a.m.

Intercessory Prayer Wednesday................................................. 6:00 p.m.

Mid-Week ServiceWednesday.................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Divine Light Church of Evangelist

JOSEPHINE JONES

ON EVERY SATURDAY AT 2:30PM.

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH

ALL ARE WELCOMED. No Dress Code-Come as you areCasual Wear

5856 Greenwell Springs Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 Telephone: (225) 926-0246 • Facsimille: (225) 925-8022 Toll Free: 888-700-6174 Websites: www.newhopebr.com

Come enjoy the Sweet atmosphere of love with us. Please bring you children for the children are the future to tomorrow’s World. You will experience blessings of Healing, Deliverance, Freedom of Bandages, and so much more of what the Lord has for you, your family and your love ones!!!

Direction to Hope Christian Center is located at 5013 Windfalls Coutts If you are coming from Airline Highway north or south come to Hank Drive. Once on Hank Drive go through two (2) STOP SIGNS and to you left will be 5013 Windfalls Court to your immediate left Hope Christian Center is located at 5013 Windfalls Courts, Baton Rouge 70812 For more information, please contact either of these numbers (225) 355-8194 or 225-673-1633.

Rev. Leo Cyrus Sr., Pastor Order Of Services Sunday Worship...................................................... 11:00 A.M. Holy Communion.................................. 3rd Sunday 6:00 P.M. Sunday School..........................................................9:00 A.M. Bible Study................................................Thrusday 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, April 10, 2014 • The Weekly Press • Page 7

Church Lady from page 6 deaconesses would start pulling and pinning until they felt it was suitable and all you did was stand your butt still until they finished.

Then they would say, “Now baby you look so pretty” and they would send you on your way.

I want to tell all of my people to invest in full-length mirror okay babies. Check yourself out before you go out in the public, and If you don’t have anyone around to help you ask Holy Spirit to show you what to keep on and what to take off.

Now ya’ll know not to get me started because you know I have run-ons of the mouth; hee, hee. Well enough of that; the celebration of Gospel sure was real good. Boy that Charlie Wilson sang and shouted all over the stage. He knows who brought him out of the dark. He was doing himself a Patti LaBelle up there. I love Uncle Charlie because babies I was a Gap band

fan! Ah, why ya’ll always trying to act like I was the only one that ever listened to secular music, and let’s keep it real; if it has a good message and good music I’ll listen today at an appropriate time. Just keeping it real, just keeping real. Pray for me, but don’t forget to include yourself while you asking him to bless me.

Ya’ll always try to make me go there. Hm, hmm.hmn. If ya’ll just send me some church news I wouldn’t have time to be talking about all of this other stuff. All right babies it’s all-good. Look, go and check out God’s not dead and bring an unsaved friend. I went with my atheist friend. That was a good movie. Moses was good too, but you better not have anything else to do when to go to see it because it was almost three hours long.

Alright ya’ll be good and be blessed I’ll see you in church.

Bye bye.

Faith from page 6 how God’s Word will make you ponder about the things you are very concerned about, yet you didn’t realize just how worried or concerned you were, or chose to ignore it before. I am guilty of robbing my sleep to pay my cares.

Psalm 127:2 says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” I am…we are His beloved. Truly, we must come to a point where we know without a shadow of doubt that our future (yours and mines) is in God’s hands; a point of rest. We must cast our cares

upon Him for He cares for us.

Continue to meditate on His Word and hide it in your heart. This is our ammunition when the enemy attempts to slither his way into our thoughts. You….Me….We have the power to cast down thoughts and imaginations that defy our faith in God. Bring into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ. Today, whatever challenges you face, fight back with the Word of God. Use your measure of faith.

Keep on Pressing…..Keep on Praying…..Keep on Praising.

Tax Tips from page 5 can deduct actual expenses for nonpersonal uses of your personal vehicle, as well as reimbursements to employees for business use of their personal vehicles. You can also deduct vehicle depreciation and loan interest.

• You should be able to substantiate any expenses you claim on your tax return. So whenever buying new equipment, technology, software or even furniture for your business, save those receipts and keep detailed records that include purchase price and date placed into service.

The Section 179 deduction limit for new and used assets purchased in 2013 is $500,000.

However, your business must be profitable in order to receive this benefit on your tax year 2013 return. In 2014, the dollar limit drops to $25,000 unless Congress extends this tax break.

Bonus depreciation of 50 percent of the cost of new items expires at the end of 2013. Depreciation can be claimed whether or not your business is profitable.

• Company donations of money, supplies and property are deductible expenses. So are bonuses and associated payroll taxes awarded to your employees,

partners and officers. If you own an S corporation, keep a close eye on officer compensation to ensure that you meet IRS requirements and thus avoid penalties.

• If you take a class or seminar or attend a convention that helps you maintain or improve skills required for your business, you can generally deduct the costs.

Year-round opportunities Remember, if you are a small business owner, your business has year-round tax savings opportunities. Doing your own taxes can help you be better informed about deductible expenses, and how moving revenue and expenses forward or back may change your taxes.

Said TaxACT spokesperson Jessi Dolmage, “Answer simple questions about business income and expenses and the program will do the rest.

It’ll complete your tax forms and cover every deduction and credit to maximize your bottom line.”

Visit www.irs.gov for more business tax tips and www.taxact.com to learn about TaxACT Small Business solutions.

Taxes from page 5 you MUST pay, otherwise you will be fined by the IRS, and you could even end up with a very damaging tax lien on your credit report. Be proactive about any tax issues you encounter to avoid unnecessary damage to

your finances or your credit. If you already have a tax lien on your credit history, you can see the impact it’s having on your credit by checking two of your scores for free on Credit.com.

Solutions from page 4 on Poverty, the 2014 edition of the State of Black America calls us to take immediate steps to address the income and wealth divides that threaten our nation’s economic recovery and our ability to compete in the global marketplace. We must act now. As America was reminded during another great crisis, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Black Press from page 4 president of the United States, there is no longer a need to sustain the very institutions, organizations and businesses that have contributed so much to our progress.

I thank God for the powerful Black Press in America.

We all should be more supportive of the Black Press, Black Church, HBCUs, and our ongoing struggle for freedom, justice

and equality not only for Black Americans, but also for all people across the nation and world.

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is president of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and can be reached for lectures and for other consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/ drbfc

healt Fighting for Medicaid Expansion in Louisiana

apart. You must continue to hold therefore, humble yourselves on to your faith and stay before under the mighty hands of God, the Lord. But, it may be that the that he may exalt you in due time, time has come when you may “casting all your cares upon him, need to take some quality time for he cares for you,”(1st Peter Along I-10 Baton for yourself and between spend some of 5:6-7).

Rouge andwith PortGod. Allen, a billboard that time After you finished having your using colorsbefore and font Getthe on same your knees Godas tantrum. You may have a stopped the of Louisiana’s Your up nose and swollen eyes and andstate tell him of how you‘Pick are feel(NAPSM)-A survey commissioned Passion” campaign also mucus running down your lip ing inside.tourism And maybe the words by two leading health organizations declares, “But hope you don’t love wont come out exactly as you and dried tears on your face, but found that although two out of three your Piyush deny- you’ll feel better after emptying wishhealth. but you can Jindal’s have a good African Americans (61 percent) exing Medicaid to 242,000 weeping, wailing crying people.” falling, yourself of those things which pressed concern about developing Louisiana’s Lt. Gov. Jay out tantrum and give all those had been heavy on your heart. heart disease and two out of five (40 Dardenne andhim. the state sued the problems to Sometimes we go for weeks percent) expressed concern about billboard’s creator, left-leaning While you are praying, you or months trying to take matters developing Alzheimer’s, only about might forget some of the things into our hands and try to solve our advocacy group MoveOn.org, for one in 20 are aware that heart health that vexed you but God knows copyright infringement.

“We have own problems. We are not super is linked to brain health. what you are going through. he humans; we can’t handle everyinvested millions of dollars in identhe Alzheimer’s Association is can read the pain, which flows thing alone.

We need God’s help. tifying the ‘Louisiana: Pick Your joining forces with the American through brand your tears. even Passion’ with all thatthough is good We have to let go of those situheart Association to educate African he knows what’s troubling about Louisiana,” Dardenneyou, said ations and let God handle them.

Americans that by managing their he still wants to tell him about there are some things we can’t in a statement. “No group should cardiovascular risk, they may also it allowed and bringtoyour problems and be use the brand for its humanly do anything about. strengthen their cognitive health. burdens to him.especially if it is own purposes, “What’s good for your heart is for partisan political posturing.” good for your brain,” says Jennifer The healthcare fight is on in Manly, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s AssociaLouisiana, one of around twotion spokesperson. “every healthy dozen states still limiting citizens’ heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of hildRen page 4Afusage of Presidentfrom Obama’s your blood to your brain to carry on fordable Care Act. Louisiana’s Billboard is along I-10 near the Lobdell exit. the daily processes of thinking, probGovernor Jindal famously refused the citizens of the nation must ering all children. lem solving and remembering.” $16the billion for Medicaid CDF Action Council,expanbuild- demand that our leaders free our “Byway the year 2030, the number of statement to be parody protected and expand Medicaid. same Jindal’s administration sion. a recent pro-ACA state- children ing onInthe best practices in states from the false ideological African Americans 65 or older is by the First Amendment. The bill“The ACA will generate hun- draws down federalage matching funds and lessons about children political tugs of dollars war among expected to more than double to 6.9 board is one of nine such statement, Marylearned Land­rieu went to bat and dreds of millions in state for transportation, road construcfalling through the bureaucratic whofunds put excess profits million,” said emil M.D., ments by MoveOn.org in states for Medi­ caid expansion, saying it those general alone,” saidahead Nevers, tion, education andMatarese, other governcracks of Medicaid and SChiP, children’s American heart Association spokes- that have rejected Medicaid exwill provide much needed health- ofwho projectslives. it would also create a ment needs. strongly Congress to enact how well15,000 did Congress protect person.

“Although Alzheimer’s is pansion. “The campaign looks difcare to theurged hundreds of thousands projected jobs in Louisiana Nevers says that local hosthe All healthy Children Act, children in 2007?

Not well enough: not part of normalJefferson’s aging, age istwo the ferent in every state,” says Nick of Louisiana residents who, “earn by 2016. pitals (including S. 1564/h.r.

1688,forintroduced of Congress had at public greatesthospitals, risk factorcurrently for Alzheimer’s too much to qualify traditional 276 Members Nevers says he is looking locked Berning, communications direcby representative Bobby Actionwas Council Condisease.

So it is important that Af- tor for MoveOn.org, who says the Medicaid, but not enough to Scott afford good how CDF Medicaid implemented in a stalemate over who will lease (D-VA) in the house and Senator gressional Scorecard scores of 80 rican Americans take steps now to group is not affiliated with Nevcoverage in the new marketplaces.” in Arkansas, where the infusion of those properties in the future) must Bernie Sanders in the Sen- percent or higher, and 198 of those decrease their risk of heart disease, Either way,(i-Vt) Louisiana taxpayfederal dollars was used to pay the surely be considering options to ers despite fighting for the same ate.money the measure stellar scores of 100 percent. whichoff research has from shownprivate could cause. “We influence what legislaers’ goes towould fund provide the pro- had premiums for private insurance for stave pressure Research shows a link between heart and brain heal comprehensive benefits including But 231 members scored 60 percent also decrease the risk of cognitive gram in the other 25 states that have those who fell between zero and insurers to contain costs, and to tors are hearing,” says Berning. heart function could lead to impaired brain functio dental and health, simpli- or lower—a failing grade from our decline.” accepted it.mental “Louisiana is sending 130 percent of the federal poverty fall in line with the ACA’s many “MoveOn does public advocacy fied bureaucracy, and a national school days. dollars to DC to take care of other guidelines. “The other models I’m new changes. “I would think any and grassroots advertising to help eligibility plan for families up to Whether Members of Congress cities’ populations,” says Senator looking at are the ones in Pennsyl- hospital would have to consider build support for [bills such as SB 300 percent of the federal poverty are liberal, conservative or modBen Nevers (D-Bogalusa). “I think vania and Michigan,” Nevers said. what’s going to happen over the 96]. We help let people like Senalevel. We thank the 62 house co- erate; Democrat, republican or that’s terrible.

Those dollarshowcould independent, “I’ve lookedchildren at those plans, and sponsors for their support. need all ofthe next 10 years with funding,” says tor Nevers know that this issue is be sent us neither to takeacare thingtothat’s is that SB 96 Nevers. “The reductions to many something constituents want them ever, weback regrettothat singleof them vote, different lobby, speak for and our ownrepublican people.” nor any other protect allowsthem. hospital[s] submit a plan of our huge hospitals are going to to address.” house Adultsto need to listen Because Louisiana is often (NAPSi)-here’s an if alert of diabetes, particularly when increased p that’s tailor made for Louisiana.” take will be a huge hit we worth don’t ness Last week the U.S. District Senator joined them to push for carefully to what candidates say paying attention to: According to Court it is leftheld undiagnosed untreated. ranked nearfor theallbottom in American they will This Nevers’ time expand Medicaid.” a hearingand to decide on delay or pr coverage children. doisfornot children andfirst famithe American Diabetes Association the day is held on the fourth tuesday diabetes. states as far as health is concerned, trying to win a vote on Medicaid However, Nevers’ first ata preliminary injunction.

“Both Lt. the CDF Action Council strongly lies and, once they are in office, (ADA),failed. learningNow, your risk type of every March. and his team was Among many folks seem to disagree with we expansion issue the citizens tempt his for new SB2 Gov. Dardenne supports long overdue health covneed to hold themfor accountable. diabetes could saveby your life. on and that made day, people are encourJindal, andeveryone Sen. Nevers has introof Louisiana.

June 2013, dur- 96 will be heard the Health there the state’s case,” for type 2 erage for in America as Please thank yourIn Members of Cona serious disease that says aged Berning. to take the“And Diabetes test, weight, sed duced new pieces ofchildren legisla- gress ing awith debate onofHouse Bill or 532, andDiabetes WelfareisCommittee on April our risk attorneys soon asthree possible—because scores 80 percent strikes nearlyhe21says, million children were eitherthere with paper and pencil or online. tion aimed at As expanding Medicaid Democrats

by Nevers proposed 23 because, “Louisiana and made our case.

The 45 and hav cannot wait.

SChiP comes up above and letled those with scores of and adults in the U.S. it iskind named the risk test requires users inagain Louisiana – the most important for reauthorization in early 60 or belowamendment know you arethat should a percent constitutional determine what of court will hopefully maketoaanswer ruling diabetes. Af the “silent killer” because one-third sometime seven simple questions about age, being 96, which demandsofa dissatisfied 2009, SB we hope every Member withlet their performance. would have voters decide if plan is implemented in Louisiana.” early next week.

We Native Ame of those with the disease--more than 6 weight, lifestyle and family history-constitutional amendment to let And Congress will insist on covering please convey that same mesLouisiana would allow hospitals As for MoveOn’s I-10 bill- think we have a very strong case islanders a million--do knowconsiders they have it. all potential risk factors for diabetes. are women the voters whether Loui- sage every childdecide and pregnant mother to each presidential to draw down federalcandidate. funds in the board, the not group its and are optimistic.”

For many, diagnosis may come People scoring 10 points or more are more than now by enacting adequately siana will accept and federal money We must demand that our leaders seven to 10 years after the onset of at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and the Dia funding the provisions of the All commit to children as a condition type 2 diabetes. early diagnosis is are encouraged to talk with a health healthy Children Act. of our vote. critical for successful treatment and care professional.

Specious claims that we could can delay or prevent some of the An estimated 54 million Amerinot find the money—$70 billion Marian Wright Edelman is Presicomplications such as heart diseases, cans have pre-diabetes. those with over five years—to cover all dent of the Children’s Defense Fund blindness, kidney disease, stroke and pre-diabetes have blood glucose levchildren is belied by that amount and its Action Council whose Leave amputation. els higher than normal but not high spent in eleven months for tax cuts No Child Behind® mission is to WASHINGTON, DC / that’s one reason the ADA holds enough to be diagnosed with type for the top one percent of richest ensure every child a Healthy Start, PRNewswire-USNewswire/ the American Diabetes Alert® Day, 2 diabetes.

Americans and in seven months-- a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Today, partners a one-day wake-up call to inform the early intervention via lifestyle for the federal iraq War. We do launched not have Start and a Moral Start in life and an updated Action Plan for the American public about the seriouschanges such as weight loss and a money problem in America: We successful passage to adulthood Prevention, Careand and Treatment have a priorities political will with the help of caring families of ViralitHepatitis deficit. is time for(2014-2016), all adults to and communities.

No building upon theofnation’s first protect the health our children. comprehensive cross-agency acIf you tion plan to combat viral hepatitis. scree alk adio from page 4 The three-year renewal scree of the Action Plan builds upon the substantial progress accomall funny or remotely appropri- we forget o’reilly’s less-thanPresen plished since agencies informed comments regarding a ate about the 2011 use ofby a lynching of Our Land Line (225) 356-0703 and offices from acrossobama,’’ the De- dinner he shared last year with reference about Michelle made Cell Phone (225) 235-6955 partment of Health and Human Sharpton at Sylvia’s in harlem? he said. ‘’it’s - i’m speechless.’’

GSRASAC Services, as well as with our As President Bush pointed out o’reilly expressed surprise over E-mail: Goodshepherdbapt@bellsouth. partners at the Departments so eloquently during the Black how similarSylvia’s was to other net Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am – 8 pm of Justice, Housing history Month event,and the Urban noose restaurants in New York restauBreast represents ‘’more a toolAfof rants.

Development, andthan Veterans Good Shepherd Substance Abuse Center Tuesday murder a tool of intimidation’’ ‘’there wasn’t one person in fairs, tobut prevent new infections Intensive Outpatient / Inpatient Therapy 10am – to generations of African-Ameriand improve the diagnosis, care Sylvia’s who was screaming, For Drugs, Alcohol, Anger Management cans.

Nooses not only robbed some ‘M-Fer, i want more iced tea,’’’ and treatment of individuals liv- tis (2014-2016) visit www.aids. Updates LSUHSC & Human Services of their but many of their said. ing with lives chronic hepatitis C in he 1401 N. Follow HHS SecretaryRev. Donald News Britton, DivisionMA, at 202-205gov/hepatitis.

2873 Mission Drive LAC peace of mind.

As the Washington Post’s robthe United States.

Baton R Kathleen Sebelius on Twitter 0143, media@hhs.gov or at

For more information on Baton Rouge, LA 70805 Clinical Director ‘’As a civil society, sadly observed on MSNBC Between 3.5 andwe 5.3must mil- inson @Sebelius www.hhs.gov/news for additional viral hepatitis, see http://www.

(225) 315-0740 Bishop Harris Hayes, Overseer understand that are noose displays February, ‘’All you can go by lion Americans living with incdc.gov/hepatitis.

U.S. Department of Health information. and lynching jokes areand deeply and his actions. And chronic viral hepatitis, most is his words Follow conversation Breast offensive. are wrong. keeps sayingthe these things that on of them dothey not know that And they he socialpretty mediadarn using #ViralHepAcFriday, M they have no place in America sound racist to me.’’ are infected. Viral hepatitis is tion.

10am – today,’’ he said. has talk radio learned anything the leading cause of liver can Likedecline HHS on Facebook, Neither o’reilly nor ingraham from imus’ and fall? of Leo S. B cer and the most common reason follow HHS on Twitter @HHShas been reprimanded by their re- course not, because it didn’t take Center for liver transplantation in the gov, and sign up for HHS Email spective employers even though imus too terribly long to get a 950 E. W United States. In addition, it is a the Fox News personality did offer new gig.

Baton R leading infectious cause of death a half-hearted apology. our nation’s media outlets in the U.S., claiming the lives of At least ingraham didn’t drop should not provide a platform for 12,000–18,000 Americans the l-word but her suggestion each that racialhostility and hateful speech Breast year.

Sharpton, a former presidential now or in the future. What kind of Tuesday In recent yearsmember we have Indications For Treatment: candidate and respected of messageare we sending to our chil5pm – 7 made significant progress in ad- dren, our nation and our world? the African-American community • Low Back Pain Woman dressing these With and beyond, is challenges. a petty thief reeks in such an historic election year, • Pinched Nerves 9050 Ai the new advances hepatitis of race-baiting andin negative ste-C we cannot stand aside and allow • Pain in Legs Baton R treatment, more widespread availreotyping of African-Americans individuals to use the airwaves • Numbness ability of safe effective vac- as an outlet for insensitive and and black menand in particular. cines andtime B, and • Burning Sensation Butfor it’shepatitis hardly theAfirst ei- misguidedcommentary. if you more opportunities testing for hear something that offends you, ther has ventured intofor questionable • Muscle Spasms hepatitis C under the Affordable and offensive territory. how can speak up.

• Nervousness Care Act, we have arrived at a • Arthritis Pains critical moment. By harnessing • Scoliosis Dr Paul Matthews these and other developments, yStem from page 4 • Sleepiness we have the potential to reduce • Disc Syndrome the toll of viral hepatitis in the callyand pointed that changes concerned with the conditions U.S. save out many lives. which occur intoa the human being is at Jetson. it is happening there.

Thanks outstanding office hours: 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 noon redirected to pull from the core commitment of our public and What i do know is that most of 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday of his own humanity to reaffirm these youth can be changed, from private partners, we are closer self ever worthtoand purpose. he will contrition in a prepatory school than realizing the potential L 6233 harry Drive, Suite C • Baton rouge, Louisiana 70806 then nature acquire the will to for Angola to rehabilitation for of thisbyplan. do for himself and others. a positive life that may lead to a To access the full Action Space notPrevention, available to cover Plan for isthe Care life of meritorious glory. That is concerns of so many people the Way I See It! and Treatment of Viral Hepati-

What’s Good For Your Heart Is G

C

Could You Be At Risk?

Updated Action Plan to Combat Viral Hepatitis

B

Fre

t

Visit Us Online @ www.theweeklypress.com

R

WooDDALe

EMAIL YOUR NEWS ARTICLES TO

S

thewpres@bellsouth.net

Hill Harper and many others.

The Metropolitan Index section also features commentaries from the mayors of four of the featured cities - Baltimore, Denver, Jacksonville, and Memphis - focused on scalable initiatives they are implementing to drive job creation and help narrow the divide between the haves and have-nots.

Half a century after President Johnson declared the War

tantRum from page 6

HEALTH

ChiroPrACtiC CLiNiC Health Care For The Entire Family

(225) 201-0210

Page 8 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, April 10, 2014

SPORTS

UConn Vets Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright Deliver; Young Wildcats Wilt Under Pressure

MY ENERGY is devoted to making a

DIFFERENCE,

one child at a time.

ENERGY DEVOTED TO

Danielle leads the Women’s Interest Network that inspires girls to pursue

Shabazz Napier holds the championship trophy after defeating Kentucky.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Shabazz Napier had snipped his section of net, hugged every teammate, and then slapped dozens of fans’ hands as he walked off the court a champion.

On the long walk to the locker room in massive AT&T Stadium after the 60-54 defeat of Kentucky, a teammate threw an arm over the Connecticut guard’s shoulder and together they woofed into a TV camera for a while. Then another teammate ran up and yelled, “Hey ‘Bazz, we just won the whole thing, that’s all!”

But the final 20 yards to the locker room turned into a surprising solo sojourn for the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. For the only time all night, he was briefly alone with his thoughts.

Napier tugged at the tape on his right wrist and said aloud, but to no one in particular, “Bittersweet moment, man. I’m a senior. Can’t believe this is my last game.”

This was the senior moment that capped the so-called Year of the Freshman in college basketball.

It was a triumph of veteran guards – Napier and endlessly crafty junior Ryan Boatright – over a transient NBA team on training wheels that finally played young Monday night (especially at the foul line). It was little over big. It was quickness over bulk. It was a championship return on a multi-year investment.

It was a guard’s night in what is still a guard’s game – Napier and Boatright combining for 36 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals. They made 13 of 22 field goals and all six free throws (part of a 10-for-10 UConn performance at the line). They dropped some backcourt science on the freshman twin tandem of Andrew and Aaron Harrison (15 points on 6-of16 shooting, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals, seven turnovers, no big shots made). They made the big plays early to stake UConn to a lead it never relinquished, and made them late when the lead was in jeopardy.

And it ended with Boatright sweetly holding his mother’s hand on the court, both of them two months removed from a wrenching family tragedy. And it ended with Napier crying in his mother’s arms, bits of red confetti stuck to his neck. The best backcourt in America will split up now, but the diminutive alpha males of this Big Dance wrote a memorable final chapter together.

Napier won’t wear the UConn uniform again, but it’ll hang in the rafters of Gampel Pavilion soon enough. At a school that has won four of the last 16 national titles, Shabazz Napier is the only Husky to be a key part of two of them – as a sidekick to the dominant Kemba Walker in 2011, and as the leading man in 2014.

“He done took it twice, freshman and senior year,” his mom, Carmen Velasquez, had exulted earlier, before wrapping her arms around her sobbing son and rubbing his back.

The bookend titles did not come without some heartache and angst in between. Napier’s

sophomore year had been a stressfilled immersion in frustration, as he failed at being Kemba 2.0. When the season ended with a roundof-64 loss to Iowa State, Napier was punching lockers and people doubted he had the makeup of a leader. Then UConn was banned from the NCAA tournament his junior year for a low Academic Progress Rate score, an embarrassment for the school and a bitter pill for the players who had to watch March Madness on TV. “This is what happens when you ban us,” Napier had said on national TV after the game, hinting at the grudge UConn kept from its year on the outside.

Asked about it later, he said, “We hungry. … I just wanted to grab everybody’s attention and introduce the Hungry Huskies, because it’s been two years. It’s quite funny because I was laying down [earlier Monday] and I was thinking of something to say, because I knew we were going to win.”

Fact is, Napier knew UConn was going to win this thing in January – or so he told his teammates.

After a home loss to Louisville – one of three losses to the Cardinals, including a 33-pointer in March – he declared the Huskies would be national champions.

“Everybody pick your head up,” Napier said he told his teammates at the time. “At the end of the day, we’re going to be the team that’s going to be holding up that trophy. I promise you that.”

Promise kept.

As “One Shining Moment” played on the giant video screen above him, Boatright watched with his arms folded across his chest.

Near the end of the annual ode to March Madness, the screen showed the title game’s end – Boatright sinking to one knee on the court as the streamers came down from the ceiling.

As he knelt, the kid from Aurora, Ill., raised his right index finger to the sky. It was a gesture to Arin Williams, a cousin he loved like a brother.

“I was just saying thank you to him,” Boatright said. “He would probably be the first person behind my mom I would hug.”

In January, Williams was shot in the back of the head in an Aurora restaurant. Two brothers have been charged with first-degree murder in a crime police say was drugrelated.

Williams and Boatright grew up together and saw each other almost daily. He returned home from Storrs for the funeral to help his family through the tragedy.

“I’m the oldest and I’m the man of the house,” said Boatright.

“I had to be there for them.”

His mother, Tanesha, said Ryan had a difficult time going back to school after the funeral.

“It was the hardest thing he had to go through,” she said.

Earlier Monday, Boatright tweeted a picture of himself, Williams and a deceased uncle. He told his mother, “He’s not here, mommy, but he’s with me. We’re going to pull down this champion-

EDUCATION

careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Since 80 percent of new ship for him.”

With that, Tanesha excused herself to cry on a friend’s shoulder.

Boatright had been brilliant Monday night, his quickness and cunning leaving Kentucky flatfooted and confounded. He made five of six field goals, rising artistically in the air like a figurine atop a trophy. The shortest player on the court grabbed four rebounds, had three assists and three steals.

Most impressively, he gutted out the last nine minutes after rolling an ankle. In obvious pain, he ignored it to finish the game.

jobs in this century will require strong math and science skills, this outreach helps our girls dream big and reach higher standards. ExxonMobil employees like Danielle spend more than 40,000 hours a year volunteering in local classrooms. ENERGY LIVES HERE.

Energy Lives In Baton Rouge exxonmobilbr.com

URGENT CARE CLINIC

OPEN 24 HOURS | 7 DAYS A WEEK

The right care, at the right time.

Get convenient walk-in care for symptoms like: • Fever

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Minor cuts

• Sore throats, coughs and colds

• Sprains, possible broken bones or simple fractures Located at the North Clinic 5439 Airline Hwy Walk-ins Welcome

• Stitches and more

LSU Patient Help Line:

1-877-578-8255 www.LSUHealthBR.com