Baton Rouge Weekly Press Week of 08-26-10

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THURSDAY, August 26, 2010

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Vol. 35 • No. 17

a people’s publication

Obama signs Jobs Bill as CBC Chair Calls for Specific Help for Blacks

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA Editor-in-Chief WASHINGTON (NNPA) – As the Black unemployment rate rose slightly last month, President Obama has signed the long-awaited jobs bill with hopes of turning around employment rates, which for African-Americans still nearly doubles the national average of 9.5 percent.

“The Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 will create jobs, help American companies compete, and strengthen manufacturing as a key driver of our economic recovery,” Obama said during a bill signing ceremony at the White House last week. “To make their products, manufacturers - some of whom are represented here today - often have to import certain materials from other countries and pay tariffs on those materials. This legislation will reduce or eliminate some of those tariffs, which will significantly lower costs for American companies across the manufacturing landscape -– from cars to chemicals; medical devices to sporting goods. And that will boost output, support good jobs here at home, and lower prices for

American consumers.”

Obama’s stroke of the pen will not wipe out all of the damage done during the economic crisis that started in earnest during the Bush Administration. But, there are high hopes in Black communities where the jobless rate reached back to 15.6 percent last month, up from 15.4 in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Unemployment among Black males – though dropped significantly from its high of 19 percent in March of this year - is still at 16.7 percent, nearly twice the average White rate of 8.6 and White male rate of 8.8 percent.

There is contention among some that Obama may need to take specific actions to help quell the disparate economic suffering in the Black community.

See Bill, on page 2

President Barack Obama signs a $26 billion jobs bill to protect 300,000 teachers and other nonfederal government workers from election-year layoffs, in Oval Office at White House. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Center, Inc. Celebrates 27 Years Payne Competes in 2010 AAU Jr. Olympics Lightning Strikes Gold

Left to Right: Mrs. Angela Weir, Dr. Darryl Peterson, Dr. Beverly Wade, Mr. James Hubbard, Mrs. Ruth Hubbard, Ms. Irma Plummer, Ms. Josephine Fortune, Atty. Veronica Howard, Mrs. Jayne Massenburg and Mr. Marcus Hubbard.

BATON ROUGE - A Fundraiser Reception was held in honor of the 27th Anniversary of The Center, Inc. Adult Day Health Care recently. The affair was sponsored by The Center, Inc. Board of Directors and was held at The Greater Baton Rouge Surgical Hospital in North Baton Rouge, Dr. Darryl Peterson, Orthopedic Surgeon, host. Attorney Veronica

Howard-Sizer, President of the Board of Director presided; Invocation was given by Reverend Alford Moore, Pastor, Westgate Church of Port Allen, LA; Ms. Irma Plummer representing the Office of the Mayor, The Honorable Regina Barrow, LA State representative, District See The center, on page 2

Columbus, Ohio — When parents signed their children up for the track program, many just wanted to give them something to do over the summer.

Some wanted help to provide an outlet for their child’s competitive desire for winning while others wanted to develop the natural talents they were seeing. Did they see this summer activity leading to a trip to the AAU Junior Olympics when they signed the consent forms?

Ghentry Payne, grandson of Baton Rouge Weekly Press Publisher, Ivory Payne along with the Ohio Lightning Track and Field Club (OHL), under the direction of Dwayne Logan and Lisa Glassco, is making a difference in Columbus. The only traveling track club on the north side is making a statement in the track and field world.

This year, OHL has 28 lightning bolts who qualified and competed in the 2010 AAU Jr. Olympics held in Norfolk, VA the week of July 30 through August 7, 2010. Payne qualified in three events, the long jump, the 400 yard dash and the

Ghentry Payne (L) with cousin, Michael Tabor at the qualifying meet in Springfield Ohio. Payne and Tabor are one of two sets of cousins qualifying for the 4x400 yard dash.

4x400 relay along with his cousin Michael Tabor.

The team first organized in 1999 and began competing in recreation meets under Woodward Park Recreation Center. In 2003, Dwayne took the team on a national circuit under the former team name Scioto Track Club.

At the end of the 2008 season, it was clear that the travel team would continue so Dwayne along with the newly established Board of Directors organized the Ohio Lightning Track and Field Club.

These young athletes have committed themselves to working through the season’s cool start, the rainy practices and the summer heat. Week after week, the shy and timid excelled in their given events and showed what hard work and dedication could do. All of the sweat and tears paid off. As Glassco stated “my passion for coaching is driven by the kids, I love to watch kids develop into strong competitors over the season, I always tell my kids, I don’t care what place you get, I just want you to improve your time/distance.” And that they did. They showed up at the National Qualifiers in Springfield, OH and ranked in the top four of their events to move on to the Jr. Olympics.

If you ask, what does it take to make a team of lightning bolts strike gold, the answer would be… a team of all-star coaches who are See Payne, on page 2

The Press BOX Longtime CBS News Correspondent Harold Dow Dies at 62

Longtime CBS News correspondent Harold Dow died suddenly Saturday morning, according to the network’s website. He was 62.

The five-time Emmy Award winner was best known for his work on 48 Hours, to

which he contributed since the program’s launch in January 1988. He was also a contributor to the critically acclaimed 1986 documentary, 48 Hours on Crack Street, which led to the creation of the weekly news magazine.

NATIONAL/state & Community watch

“CBS News is deeply saddened by this sudden loss,” CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus said in a statement. “The CBS News family has lost one of its oldest and most talented members, whose absence will be felt by many

Local & State News

and whose on-air presence and reporting skills touched nearly all of our broadcasts.

We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kathy and their children Joelle, Danica See Dow, on page 5 CBS News correspondent Harold Dow

Business News

Health News

Religion News

In September the historic St. Francis Catholic School will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a special Mass and Banquet gala. ..See Page 6

INDEX

Exchange Program Celebrated Southern University alum Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré (U.S. Army Retired) spoke to students in the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. Honoré, the author of two books, held a book signing after his presentation.....Page 3

Jennifer Bevill, a high school technology instructor at the LSU Laboratory School, was selected from a national pool of more than 400 educators to participate in the Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program hosted by Fulbright Japan...See Page 2

BREC Possibly in Jeopardy

Upset parents flooded the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish centers with calls wondering if some of its programs for kids were in jeopardy of shutting down...See Page 5

Earl K. Long Medical Center

The American Lung Association has named the Asthma Program of the Earl K. Long Medical Center an Asthma Center of Excellence. The EKLMC Asthma Program is the only program in the State with this designation. ...See Page 7

Local & State............................3 Business....................................5 Classified..................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7

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

THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 35 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

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Weekly Press • Thursday, August 26, 2010

Local&State University Lab School Teacher Selected for U.S., Japan Fulbright Exchange Program BATON ROUGE – Jennifer Bevill, a high school technology instructor at the LSU Laboratory School, was selected from a national pool of more than 400 educators to participate in the Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program hosted by Fulbright Japan.

Forty-eight United States educators and 48 Japanese educators were selected for this honor.

Focused on the theme of Education for Sustainable Development, or ESD, the program aims to deepen mutual under-

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standing and strengthen the relationship between Japan and the U.S. through teacher exchange, as well as to raise awareness of ESD-oriented school programs and enhance ESD-related curricula in both countries.

The program, funded by both the U.S. and Japan, consisted of a joint meeting in San Francisco and a study tour in Japan.

The joint meeting, held May 3–5, 2010, included presentations by U.S. experts in ESD, as well as workshops and panel discussions focused on ESD curriculum development. Teachers shared their ESD curricula and collaborated to strengthen school activities in four vital areas of ESD focus: food and sustainable nutrition, environment, energy and resources and international understanding, and cooperation.

From June 21-July 26, the contingent of U.S. teachers traveled for a reciprocal and fully funded two-week study tour of Japan, where they learned about Japanese culture, visited Japanese schools focused on ESD, participated in a home stay, and met again with their Japanese

“Unemployment rates for African-Americans and Latinos remain unacceptably high at 15.6 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively, and highlighting the disproportionate impact the recession has had and the need for targeted efforts to address chronic unemployment,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee (D-Calif). in a statement.

In the President’s bill-signing statement, there was no specific mention of the Black unemployment rate at the bill signing Aug. 11. However, earlier this month, Obama acknowledged to thousands at the National Urban League Convention that Black communities had already been hit substantially by the economy before he ever took office.

“The African-American unemployment rate was already much higher, the incomes and

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group’s plan is to expand the unit to include schools in other countries in the 2011-12 school year.

“I have always known that experience is the best teacher, and this teacher exchange program taught me many unexpected and wonderful things that I could learn only through spending time in Japan with their wonderful people and in their schools, immersed in their way of life,” said Bevill.

The Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for ESD is administered by Fulbright Japan, through the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission, with support in the U.S. from the Institute of International Education in Washington, D.C. The program is jointly funded by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State and the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The University Laboratory School is a department within the LSU College of Education.

For more information on the Lab School, visit www.uhigh. lsu.edu.

wealth of African-American families already lower,” he said.

“There was less of a cushion.

Many minority communities -- whether in big cities or rural towns -- had seen businesses and opportunities vanish for years, stores boarded up, young people hanging out on the street corners without prospects for the future.”

He added, “So when we came in to office, we focused not just on rescuing our economy in the short run, but rebuilding our economy for the long run -- creating an economy that lifts up all Americans.”

He also told the NUL crowd

that certain actions by his administration have been intended to at least respond to the Black unemployment rate, including “making sure civil rights and anti-discrimination laws are enforced.”

Meanwhile, the issue that was predicted to be his toughest is measuring up to its expectations, Obama said: “Now, we knew from the beginning that reversing the damage done by the worst financial crisis and the deepest recession in generations would take some time - more time than anyone would like. And we knew that it would require an ongoing effort across all fronts.”

Bill from page 1

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counterparts for two days of workshops and curricular collaborations in Tokyo.

The teachers will share what they have learned through the program and implement refined ESD curricula in their home schools.

“One of the most exciting things I am planning for the upcoming school year is a unit called the Peace Project,” said Bevill. “I am working with one other teacher from the United States and four in Japan to create a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary and internationally interactive unit that will guide students to evaluate the importance of peace and increase the understanding of cultural differences.”

After beginning work on the plan in Tokyo, the team remained in contact over the summer to work on the unit plans.

Bevill says the attack on Pearl Harbor and the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima will be used to open dialogue with the students. The teachers’ U.S. and Japanese students will communicate with one another through video exchanges, e-mails and possibly one live video conference. The

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THOUGHT FOR WELCOME THE WEEK: Get BACK TO THOSE ready; get prepared WHO TRAVELED for hurricanes. G. TO SPAIN THIS SUMRoyal MER!! Yes, students TH E H UR R I from McKinley High CANE SEASON IS and Ascension CathoMarge NOW UPON US! As lic High Schools were Lawrence we reflect on the trysurrounding area stuing time of hurricane dents who traveled to Katrina, we want to be mind- Spain. Some parents acted as ful of the basic necessities that chaperones. The students travare needed to survive during eled various locations in Spain the storm. Remember to get including: Madrid, Toledo, the flashlights and batteries, Seville, Grananda and Costa generators, lots of food that is del Sol. They also traveled not perishable, etc. to help you into North Africa to tour the and family make the duration City of Morocco. Sounds like of time, usually lasting one and a winner! a half weeks. A message to the OPEN HOUSE will be held persons who are oxygen depen- at your child’s school very soon, dent or those who have special if not already. Plan to see and needs: sign up for the Office visit with your child’s teacher of Homeland Security Special and find out what’s happening Medical Needs Registry. at the school and in your child’s WEST NILE VIRUS has classrooms. Plan your visit. made a comeback in our surFREE SMALL BUSINESS rounding area. While we are not CONSULTING is available just panicking, the fact of the matter for those of you who are conis that West Nile is not gone from templating going into business. our area. The Louisiana Depart- Persons wanting to stat or imment of Health and Hospitals prove a small business receive a has confirmed a fourth human private, two hour consultation case of this virus. Recent mos- designed to provide profesquito samples collected from sional help in areas of financsurrounding parishes tested ing, marketing, and accounting. positive. All citizens are advised This service is provided by the to take necessary measures to Louisiana Small Business Deprotect themselves from mos- velopment Center. quito bites and mosquito borne Mrs. Trina Condoll-Butler diseases. Take precautions: wants you to contact her if you * Avoid outdoor activities are a 25 year graduate of Donat dusk and at dawn. aldsonville High School. The * Eliminate water sources very first meeting of planning around homes and businesses will be August 28 at the Ascenwhich may serve as breeding sion Parish Library. All classsites for mosquitoes. mates are asked to attend. * Wear repellents with HAPPY BIRTHDAY to DEET or other approved in- Sikeyah Lavine, Deon Moore, gredients when outdoors dur- Rory Carlton, and Nathalie ing times when mosquitoes are Smith - Chambers. active.

WITH LOVE & SYMPATHE RIVER PARISH COM- THY to the family of Meredith MUNITY COLLEGE announces Nicholas, former employee of its Chancellor’s and Dean’s River West Hospital in PlaqueLists for the spring semester. mine. She departed this life in Congratulations to the follow- Laurel, Mississippi. ing students whom we know Anthony Franklin is imand all others whom we do not proving and has been more from know but made one of the lists: the Trauma Unit to a hospital Trinque Adams, Brian L. Wal- room. Good, good news! ton, Alisse Kelly, Walter Shelton, Have a super and blessed Patrick Arville, Lynn Minor, Cal- weekend. lie Rouyea and Treniece Jones.

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Payne from page 1

The Center from page 1 29 and The Honorable Patricia Haynes-Smith, LA State Representative, District 67 greeted the audience; “Thoughts from a Client, Caregiver and Community” were given by Ms. Bertha Hollins, Mrs. Donna Pearson and Mrs. Jayne Massenburg, respectively; a video Introduced an Overview of the Center and this was followed by presentations by Mrs. Angela Weir, Program Manager and Mr. Marcus Hubbard, Operations Manager. Fundraising donations were acknowledged by board members Drs. Beverly D. Wade and Darryl W. Peterson.

Additional contributions along with strong commitments and support for The Center were made. Board members Ms. Josephine Fortune and Mrs. Barbara Houston assisted in collecting and

marge's

organizing donations for the program. The program closed with remarks from Mrs. Ruth Plummer Hubbard, Executive Director of The Center, Inc. Over the past 27 years, The Center, Inc. has serviced over 4000,000 days of patient care in the Greater Baton Rouge area. The mission of The Center Inc. is to provide compassionate and competent care to elderly and disabled individuals, helping to bridge the gap between their independence and institutional care. The Center, Inc. is a member of the National and State Adult Day Services Association.

Additional tax deductible donations may be made payable to The Center, Inc. located at 2271 Mason Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70805.

dedicated to the sport and have the passion and commitment of wanting to see these kids succeed. The team is coached entirely by parents and volunteers.

The coaching staff consists of Dwayne Logan, Lisa Glassco, Eddie Williams, Chris Santiago, Earl Williams, Sabree Ali, Jonathon Thompson, Alex Holley and David McGee. Since late spring, the coaches have committed to practice three days a week to help train and develop these future Olympians. Every Saturday they are on the sidelines cheering and motivating these youngsters to sprint, jump and throw their personal best and make them proud.

The OHL parents also play a role on this team. These parents watch our child(ren) sweat, complain, cry, fall, get up and

Marge

try it again. They pack up every Saturday mornings and head to the meets to cheer on and support all the lightning bolts as they compete.

Payne and the Lightning Bolts culminated their national experience by enjoying time well earned at Virginia Beach after the final Lightning Bolt competed on Saturday morning. Some team members recorded their best times and distances and was fortunate to have one team member medal in her event. Still young and growing, the Ohio Lightning Track and Field Club produced twenty eight of the nation’s best athletes and are looking to return next year in New Orleans, LA., site of the 2011 Jr. Olympics. To learn more about the track team, visit their website at www.ohiolightningtc.org.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Retired Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré to Speak at Southern University SU grad called “hero” of Katrina aftermath BATON ROUGE - Celebrated Southern University alum Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré (U.S. Army Retired) spoke to students and the public at 11:00 a.m., Aug. 23, in the SmithBrown Memorial Student Union. Honoré, the author of two books, held a book signing after his presentation.

Honoré gained national celebrity when he brought order to the chaos in New Orleans in the early days after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. He was the designated commander of Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts

Lt. Gen. Russell Honoré

for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas across the Gulf Coast.

Honoré, a 1971 Southern graduate, also has an honorary

doctorate in Public Administration from Southern. He is one of nine military generals who received their undergraduate degrees from Southern.

The Lakeland, La., native retired from the military in 2008.

He is currently a Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization, where he is working on developing questions to determine levels of preparedne ss. He is also a CNN Preparedness contributor.

Honoré’s two books are both devoted to being prepared in the event of disasters. He has authored “Survival: How Being Prepared Can Keep You and Your Family Safe,” and “How a Culture of Preparedness Can Save You and Your Family from Disasters.”

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Commentary Thursday, August 26, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

The Way I See It

Keep Louisiana Beautiful must mention is one of the speakers stated I did not realthat here in Louisiana ize that picking up a more time is spent piece of paper, a plastic here in Louisiana pickbottle, or an empty can ing up trash than time could mean so much spent for mowing the until yesterday here grass on our highways in Baton Rouge at the and byways. beautiful renovated That is a shame!

Hilton Hotel.

Again, my interWilliam It really hit me est is to make the two Jones when Mr. Jesse Deemer block area between and myself was called Scenic Highway and to the stage and was issued a Kansas City railroad tracks the certificate declaring Thursday, mecca of how I would like to August 19, 2010 Jesse Deemer see all of Scotlandville look. and William Jones Day by our This is the entrance to Southern own mayor the honorable Mel- University. Don’t worry about vin “Kip” Holden. We were picking it up even if you did not picked up by a limo and taken throw it down. As I told the downtown and received outside group at the conference, as a kid the Hilton Hotel by the sponsors coming up my parents taught of the conference and escorted us that even though you wear to our special reserved seats. Of raggedy clothes, there is no excourse lunch was served. cuse for them to be dirty. And I was amazed to learn of the for the yard - we had to keep it million of tons of litter picked spotless. Let us all pick up and up over the United States. There pitch in that will Keep Louisiana were so many stats given, it is Beautiful. too many to write down in my assigned space. One thing I That is the way I see it.

By William Jones

Children Need Emergency Help in this Deep Recession Now!

By Marian Wright Edelman NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - Children have only one childhood and it is right now. Millions of children in our nation require emergency attention in our recession ravaged economy as poverty, including extreme child poverty, hunger, and homelessness have increased, if irreparable harm is not to be inflicted on them and on our nation’s future.

The greatest threat to America’s national security comes from no enemy without but from our failure to protect, invest in, and educate all of our children who make up all of our futures. Every 11 seconds of every school day a high school student drops out of school; every 32 seconds a baby is born into poverty; every 41 seconds a child is confirmed abused or neglected; every 42 seconds a baby is born without health insurance; every minute a baby is born to a teen mother; every minute a baby is born at low birthweight; every three hours a child or teen is killed by a firearm. A majority of children in all racial and income groups cannot read or do math at grade level in 4th, 8th or 12th grade.

Over 80 percent of Black and Hispanic children cannot read or compute at grade level. These numbers are a moral travesty and an impending national disaster requiring priority attention at the highest level of decision making.

If the foundation of your house is crumbling, you don’t say you cannot afford to fix it.

Children are the foundation of America’s future. We need to invest now in their health, early childhood development, and education. Today is tomorrow.

God has blessed America with great material wealth but we have not shared it fairly with our children and our poor. Although we lead the nations of the world in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in billionaires, and in military technology, defense expenditures, and military exports, our money and our military might have not translated into moral might, adequate child safety and wellbeing, and a concept of enough for those at the top and at the bottom.

Children are the poorest age group and the younger children are, the poorer they are. We rank highest among industrialized nations in relative child poverty and in the gap between rich and poor, which is the highest ever recorded in America. In the

1960’s, when the economy was expanding, about two-thirds of the nation’s income gains went to the bottom 90 percent of U.S. households. In the first half of this decade, it was just the opposite: the wealthiest one percent reaped two-thirds of income gains. In 2007, the income share for the wealthiest 10 percent of households, 49.74 percent, was the highest ever recorded. It is obscene for anyone to advocate for continuing of the unjust Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans at a time of economic downturn and escalating child poverty and budget deficits.

Where is our anti-poverty movement at a time when one in 50 Americans, according to a New York Times front page story, has no cash income? “Almost six million Americans receiving Food Stamps report they have no income. They described themselves as unemployed and receiving no cash and no welfare, no unemployment insurance, and no pensions, child support or disability pay. About one in 50 Americans now lives in a household with a recorded income that consists of nothing but a Food Stamp card,” the New York Times’ Jason DeParle reported.

This shocking New York Times article provoked no public outcry, action or shame. It did not stop most Republican political leaders from trying to block or resist extension of unemployment insurance, investing more federal dollars in creating jobs, expanding tax credits for working families desperately trying to feed, house and clothe their children, or investing more in stimulating an economy slowly struggling to recover with 14.6 million workers still unemployed and massive state deficits which will cause more job loss. How morally obscene it is that a nation with a GDP exceeding $14 trillion cannot find the will, common sense and decency to provide a safety net to protect its over 14 million poor children—the number before the recession, which is expected to push millions more children into poverty and extreme poverty, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Brookings Institution.

This is a time when America can and must turn economic downturn into an opportunity to step forward to correct the gross imbalance of government subsidization of the wealthiest and most powerful among us and provide a safety net for all See children, on page 7

Open Letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Dear Dr. King, There will be a march this Saturday to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Actually, there will be two marches, with the leaders of each claiming to be walking in your footsteps.

The march being led by Al Sharpton is the only one with any legitimacy. Sharpton was mentored by Jesse Jackson similar to the way you mentored Jesse. Sharpton is being joined

by Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League; Benjamin Jealous, the head of the NAACP, and your oldest son, Martin Luther King III. You would be proud of all of them. You’d be especially proud because they are refusing to let Glenn Beck, an ultraconservative talk show host, hijack your memory.

If you thought Paul Harvey was terrible in your day, this guy is far worse. Beck is a shameless liar who refuses to back down even after being caught in a blatant lie. He will be joined by former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who in the memorable words of former NFL great Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, couldn’t spell cat if you spotted her the “c” and the “a.” They are headliners for

a separate march at apply that to Obama’s the Lincoln Memodaughter, he didn’t rial. In typical fashapply it to his wife, ion, Beck pretends Michelle. He said. “I that selecting the don’t think I’ve ever August 28 date for seen the first lady with his rally was pure her – excuse the exhappenstance. Of pression – but with her course, that’s pure breasts all smooshed George nonsense. up…”

E. Curry I am sure you When Beck was know by now that in reminded that August 2008 we elected Barack Obama, 28 is a sacred day for those the son of a Black man from interested in jobs, peace and Kenya and a White woman justice, he claimed that it was from Kansas, president of the “divine providence” that his United States. Beck accused our rally was scheduled to coinnation’s first Black president of cide with the 47th anniversary having “a deep-seated hatred of your “I Have a Dream” for White people or the White speech. He contends, “…Too culture.” Beck said that about many have gotten just lazy or an African-American who was they have purposely distorted reared by his White grandpar- Martin Luther King’s ideas of ents. In Obama’s best-selling judge a man by the content of books, he speaks fondly of his his character.” grandparents and has never exOf course, he and Rush hibited any hate, deep-seated Limbaugh, another conseror otherwise, toward Whites vative talk show host, are the or any other racial or ethnic main culprits. Beck is one of group. many conservatives who have Not content with merely tried to invoke your memory attacking President Obama, while fighting against everyBeck even attacked his wife and thing you represented. children. After Obama’s then For example, anti-affirma11-year-old daughter, Malia, tive action foe Ward Connerly, asked when the BP old spill in a Black man, professed to be the Gulf of Mexico would be acting in your spirit as he travplugged, Beck mocked her on eled around the nation trying his national radio program and to get states to ban affirmaquestioned her intelligence. tive action. When your chilHe did that just two days after dren challenged him in public, declaring a politician’s family Connerly had the gall to claim should be off limits. that he – not your offsprings – Not only did Beck not was being true to your words

and deeds.

But we know, as you reminded us, “A lie cannot live.”

At the original March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the leaders of all of the major civil rights organizations were present. Today, however, SNCC is defunct, CORE exists in name only and the infighting is so fierce in SCLC, your old organization, that although your daughter, Bernice, was elected president last October, she refuses to assume office until there is a cease fire among feuding factions.

Of the remaining major civil rights organizations, the heads of all of them will participate in the march Saturday except one – Jesse Jackson. He will be leading a march 525 miles away in Detroit to commemorate the Walk to Freedom March you led there on June 28, 1963, exactly two months before the March on Washington.

After laying claim to your legacy through hard work and even harder self-promotion, Jesse’s star has faded. Unfortunately, your former protege is still clinging to the lie that he was the last person to cradle you in your dying moments in Memphis. To the contrary, your best friend Ralph Albernathy told me in a taperecorded interview before See open letter, on page 7

Detroit - America’s Ground Zero

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - Only one in four young Black men graduates from high school in Detroit. The rest are lost and left out, swallowed by a city where urban blight, industrial desertion, and educational failure define daily life. Detroit is ground zero, exemplifying the absolute worst of urban life. It had a passionate champion in Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who recently lost her bid for reelection. But as passionate as Cheeks Kilpatrick and Senator Debbie Stabenow have been about Detroit, this is a city that won’t bounce back without revolutionary intervention.

Government has intervened for Detroit, bailing out General Motors (now Government Motors) to the tune of billions of dollars. The bailout has yet to trickle down. Instead, we have seen schools closed, hours curtailed, and a man who is more bureaucrat than educator placed in charge of that city’s educational system. Across the nation, millions of students are going back to school. What are they

going back to in citand policy makers and ies like Detroit? With raise questions about budget cuts defining the work we must do to everything that is properly focus on Afridone, are they going can American students, back to fewer hours, male and female. broke down schools, This week, Rev. and chaos? In going Jesse Jackson has taken back, are they being his team on the road to embraced or repelled the state of Michigan, Julianne by those city adminwith stops in Kalamaistrators who place a zoo, Grand Rapids, Malveaux higher priority on balFlint, Lansing and Deancing budgets than educating troit. The purpose is to lead up young people. to a Saturday march for Jobs, The Massachusetts-based Peace and Justice, 37 years after Schott Foundation has released Dr. Martin Luther King’s pivotal a report that speaks to the ways March on Washington. It is so that so many states are failing appropriate that Rev. Jackson is black male students. Michigan’s taking it to Detroit, with the help black male graduation rate, at 47 of allies in the labor movement percent, is at the US average, and and the civil rights movement. higher than the rate in Missis- Indeed, to go to ground zero resippi, North Carolina, Nevada, minds us how important Detroit Hawaii, Georgia, Alabama, Indi- has been for working class Afriana, DC, Ohio, Nebraska, Louisi- can Americans, and how many ana, South Carolina, Florida and ways those who were willing to New York. New York’s rate is work were once embraced in a an abysmal and frightening 25 manufacturing economy. Now, percent. Aaaugh. Inner cities willing workers, in the millions, in several states do extremely languish waiting for opportupoorly, like Detroit. The Schott nities, while we have exported Foundation report ought to them in our global economy. raise alarm among educators Those who are unemployed

are unable to support themselves. How many underwater mortgages are there in Detroit?

Who much abandoned housing? Which services have been curtailed because the city simply can’t afford to provide for seniors, children, library users, hungry people, all of that? The deindustrialization of Detroit has led to a colossal urban crisis, and government stimulus has simply bypassed that city. It is important and exciting to gather in Detroit on august 28, both in commemoration of Dr. King’s 1963 march, and in recognition of the fact that politics and policy are both local and global.

What would happen if the Obama administration were as kind to Detroit as it has been to automakers? What would happen if someone decided to make Detroit a “model city” and to see how government programs could not only improve lives in a city described as “ground zero” but also model work in other cities? What would happen if there were a renaissance and rebirth in Detroit, one that presaged other See zero, 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, August 26, 2010 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

business BREC Programs Possibly in Jeopardy BATON ROUGE — Upset parents flooded the Recreation and Park Commission for East Baton Rouge Parish centers with calls wondering if some of its programs for kids were in jeopardy of shutting down.

A complaint to the Department of Children and Family Services generated an investigation of the 11 facilities in question and found BREC did not have licenses to operate daycare centers.

BREC’s response was its focus is recreation, not daycare,

so it has never had and does not need a daycare license.

“BREC is about recreational programs and we put out good recreational programs,” said Kristi Williams, a BREC spokesperson. “We are not a daycare facility. This office, this state office licenses daycare facilities and we are not that.”

BREC said its centers will continue to operate as always and its lawyers will meet with DCFS attorneys next week to hopefully reach a better understanding.

Dow from page 1 and David.”

Dow covered many of the most important stories of his time, including 9/11, where he barely escaped one of the falling Twin Towers. He also covered the return of prisoners of war from Vietnam, the movement of American troops into Bosnia, the Pan Am Flight 103 disaster, and the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst, who he interviewed exclusively in 1976. He also conducted the first network TV interview with O. J. Simpson after the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

In addition to his five

Emmys, Dow was honored with a Peabody Award for his 48 Hours report on runaways and a Robert F. Kennedy Award for a report on public housing. He was also recently recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists for his report about civil rights activist Medgar Evers, which was featured in a CBS News special about the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Dow’s cause of death was not immediately released.

View original Longtime CBS News Correspondent Harold Dow Dies at 62 at TVGuide.com

Email Your News Articles to thewpres@bellsouth.net

Crack-down on Bogus “Medical Discount Plans” Peddled to Uninsured, Uninsurable, and Unemployed Consumers Operators who scammed people who did not have health insurance - the uninsured, the unemployed and the uninsurable - have been targeted by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and a federal and state coalition of law enforcement agents for fraudulently marketing “medical discount plans” as health insurance plans.

In addition to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement agencies in 23 other states have filed 50 lawsuits and regulatory actions to stop the scammers’ deceptive practices.

“The Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Section is working in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement authorities to protect unsuspecting citizens from falling victim to insurance scams. Consumers need to be aware that scams are out there and ensure that they know what they are buying . If in doubt, call the Louisiana Department of Insurance and confirm that the policy, agent, and company are legitimate,” said Commissioner Donelon.

Louisiana Department of Insurance Fraud Section Investigators served American Trade Association, its 13 companion companies and 14 personnel with cease and desist orders by certified or registered mail

on June 7, 2010, for selling unauthorized insurance in Louisiana. Fraud Section Investigators served cease and desist orders to American Trade Association, Inc. (an Indiana corporation); American Trade Association, Inc. (a Tennessee corporation); Smart Data Solutions, LLC; Real Benefits Association; Serve America Assurance, Ltd.; Beema-Pakistan Company, Ltd.; Healthcare America; Integrated Health Plan, Inc.; National Association of Business Leadership, LLC and/or Inc.; Benefit Plan Administration; Insurance Resource Group; CEO Clubs, Inc. (and CEO Club Benefits); Star Group U.K., Ltd., aka Phoenix Insurance Company; Association for Independent Managers (AIM Health Plans, Inc.); Bart S. Posey; Angie Posey; Obed W. Kirkpatrick, Sr.; Linda Kirkpatrick; Richard H. Bachman; Kristy Wright; Colin J. Youell; David L. Clark; William M. Worthy, II; Ryan Adams; Tina Bennett; James Sean; Patrick Collins and Phillip Sylverin.

All entities and individuals mentioned above were directed to cease and desist from engaging in or transacting unauthorized insurance business, soliciting, offering, issuing, mailing or delivering any Louisiana resident a plan, policy, coverage, certificate, or any other contract which purports to provide in-

surance benefits or medical discounts for health benefits.

All entities and individuals issued a cease and desist order have 30 days of receipt of the C&D to furnish the Department with a complete listing of all Louisiana residents and businesses that purchased any insurance or discount plan product from them and report to the Department all premiums received in connection therewith.

They are also ordered to notify any affected Louisiana customers of the C&D and issue an immediate refund of any monies or premiums held on behalf of the customers.

In addition to this case, the FTC filed 3 lawsuits targeting bogus medical discount scams, and Attorneys General and Insurance Commissioners have brought numerous enforcement actions to stop the scammers. They include lawsuits or regulatory actions addressing sham insurance, as well as illegal robocalls and fax blasting, and licensing violations.

Commissioner Donelon urges consumers who feel uneasy about any insurance related transaction to call the Department of Insurance Fraud Section at 225-342-4956 or 1-800259-5300. If callers do not want their names used, they can request that their involvement be kept confidential.

Nicholls State Confirms Safety of Seafood THIBODAUX — Officials with the Institute for Seafood Studies at Nicholls State University say consumers of Louisiana seafood can be confident in the findings of the safety assurances issued by government agencies.

In a Tuesday statement, Dr. Marilyn Kilgen said the results of intensive investigations have consistently shown that seafood harvested from state and federally designated open fishing areas present no public health risk from the oil spill.

Kilgen has conducted research in seafood safety at Nicholls for 30 years and served on many national and international seafood safety committees, including the National Academy of Sciences’ congressionally mandated Seafood Safety Study.

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HOUSE SALE

Antique Furniture for sale, washer/dryers, new stove, TV, etc.

Open house on July 17th Please call 225-316-6702

841 N. 22nd Street • Baton Rouge, La. 70802

Home Office and Fax: 225.358.8022 Cell: 225.324.4625 The 2011 Louisiana Housing Authority (LHA) draft PHA Annual Plan will be available for public comment from August 17, 2010 through September 30, 2010. The PHA Annual Plan includes information about how the LHA will manage its Project-Based Voucher Program through the next year. A public hearing will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the State Office Building Auditorium at 150 N. 3rd Street in Downtown Baton Rouge. The LHA will accept comments in writing during the public comment period. Additional comments may be submitted at the public hearing. Written comments should be submitted to Ms. Nicole Sweazy at the Office of Community Development – Disaster Recovery Unit via mail at P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70895 or via email at nicole.sweazy@la.gov.

Section 8 Project Based Rental Assistance As of September 7, 2010, all waiting lists for the Louisiana State Permanent Supported Housing Program will be open to applicants who meet the following preference categories:

Inappropriately Institutionalized A person who is residing in segregated setting, including but not limited to a licensed nursing home, licensed geriatric hospital, Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Residential Treatment Facility for Addictive Disorders, long-term rehabilitative facility, inclusive residential care setting, or publiclyfunded Institution for Mental Disease (IMD); who can be appropriately served in a more integrated setting; and who does not oppose being transferred to a less restrictive setting.

Permanent Supportive Housing Participant A household that has been determined eligible for PSH and resides or previously resided (within the 6 months prior to requesting this preference) in a unit in which the household received PSH supportive services through DHH, including but not limited to the Louisiana Shelter Plus Care Program, the Housing Authority of New Orleans PSH Program and other multi-family development with PSH setasides.

All units are tied to Section 8 Project Based Vouchers (PBV). In order to qualify the household must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income with a preference for families with incomes at or below 30% of AMI; a member of the household must have a severe, long-term disability; and, because of the disability, the household must be in need of supportive services in order to live independently and successfully in the community.

Reasonable accommodations will be made in completing applications.

For assistance or to obtain an application, call Angela Davis (225)2197871.

Applications and supporting documentation will be accepted via mail or fax. Waiting lists will remain open to these preference categories until further notice.

Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, August 26, 2010

Religion St. Francis Xavier Catholic School to Celebrate 90th Year Anniversary

By Mr. Henry Stewart

Josephine Jones Ordained at United Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ NEW ORLEANS, LA - Sister Josephine Jones was ordained at the 2nd District Missionary conference that was held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the United Metropolitan Spiritual Church of Christ recently.

The guest speaker of the conference was Archbishop Jackie Robert from Los Angeles, California.

Josephine Jones

The First Anniversary of the Hope Christian Center BATON ROUGE, LA - The first anniversary of The Hope Christian Center located at 5013 Windfall Court will be celebrated on September 1, 2010 at 12 noon. Reverend Henry Martin is the pastor of the church.

The guest speaker for this occasion will be Evangelist Margie Poole and the public is invited to the celebration.

For more information, please contact Reverend Henry Martin at (225) 358-8100.

Let the community know whats happing at your place of worship Email your church event or religious organization news to The Weekly Press @

thewpres@bellsouth.net

Church Directory

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

BATON ROUGE, LA - In September the historic St. Francis Catholic School will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a special Mass and Banquet gala. As the only remaining predominantly Black Catholic school in the diocese of Baton Rouge, St. Francis Xavier has a rich tradition and proud heritage of providing for the spiritual, moral, academic, social, physical and cultural welfare of the thousands of African American youth of metropolitan Baton Rouge who have ben educated at the school since it opened its doors in 1920. From that day until the present, the Sisters of the Holy Family and the priests of the Josphite Society, as well as dedicated lay men and women have maintained the school which now enrolls students

from pre-K through 8th grade.

The school, which is located on the fringes of downtown Baton Rouge, is bordered by Myrtle, Julia and South 12th Streets.

Sister Joseph Charles, who is in her fourth year as principal of the school, said “the anniversary banquet-gala will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, September 18th in the atrium of the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel located at 103 France Street on the River Front in downtown Baton Rouge, and the Mass-church service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, September 19th at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church located adjacent to the school on Myrtle Street.”

According to Sister Joseph Charles tickets for the banquet are on sale and can be purchased by contacting the St. Francis Xavier School office at 225-387-

6639. Sister Joseph Charles also indicted that the theme of the observance is “Celebrating a Legacy of Educational Excellence to God’s Children for 90th Glorious Years.”

Sister Joseph Charles said, two of the school’s outstanding graduates will have major roles in the anniversary event: Dr. Lisa Delpit, who is a nationally recognized expert on educating Urban African American students and author of several books, including the award-winning book entitled “Other People’s Children”, will serve as the banquet speaker. Dr. Delpit received her doctorate from Harvard University and is currently a professor in the College of Education at Southern University. The other graduate who will participate in a significant capacity is the Reverend Roderick Coates, a

priest of the Josephite Society who will be the main celebrant of the anniversary Mass that will be held at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on the morning of Sunday, September 19th.

Both Delpit and Coates are native Baton Rougeans whose families have long-standing ties to the St. Francis Xavier church-school community, according to Sister Joseph Charles.

Sister Joseph Charles said a significant feature of the 90th anniversary for the school’s faculty and staff will be their special focus on upgrading technology services and equipment, enhancing curriculum materials and improving the school’s general physical plant all designed to provide a better learning environment for the students enrolled at the historic Christian school.

Story of Bible’s ‘Good Thief’ Told in New Book Every Christian has heard of the Good Thief... this is his story

It is one of the most compassionate scenes in the New Testament. In his final agony on the cross, Jesus promises paradise to Dismas, the “Good Thief.” Who was Dismas, and what events led him to Golgotha that fateful day?

In his novel, “The Good Thief,” author Barry Connolly weaves a powerful and exciting story of love, loss, revenge and redemption. Set in the tumultuous weeks leading up to Christ’s passion and crucifixion, “The Good Thief” follows the life of Dismas, a young Jewish man, whose peaceful world is suddenly and violently turned upside down.

Returning home to announce his engagement, Dismas finds the family vineyard in flames and his brother and sister dead at the hands of an arrogant Roman tribune. Dismas becomes obsessed with finding and punishing the tribune. Against the advice of his fiancée and others who love him, Dismas embarks on a dangerous

Church of the Living God Bulwark of Truth

1042 Rosenwald Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 Telephone: (225) 775-8252 Pastor Harriet Scott Every other week service Mondays & Fridays....................................................................7:30 p.m.

Saturdays..........................................................10.00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

quest that takes him from the shadowy back alleys of Jerusalem to a thieves’ lair in the remote mountains of Judea and finally to a fateful confrontation with the man he has sworn to kill.

“Traditionally, many have seen the Good Thief as simply a hardened criminal who had the grace and good fortune to be granted a last-minute pardon,” Connolly said. “I was inspired to take a different approach, to see his story as richer and more complex -- a good man confronted with overwhelming tragedy, engaged in a painful struggle between faith and love, and pride and revenge. It’s a story as relevant today as it would have been 2,000 years ago.”

“The Good Thief” by Barry Connolly, (308 pages; ISBN: 978-1-4502-3287-6) is published by iUniverse, based in BloomingSee book, on page 7

Good Shepherd Full Gospel B.C. The People’s Church 2865 Mission Drive • Baton Rouge, 70805 • Telephone (225)356-5873 Bishop H. Hayes, Pastor Hour of Power 12 Noon Each Wednesday Sunday School 8:00 AM Church Service 9:00 AM Lord’s Supper 2nd Sunday 6:00 PM Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 PM Sister/ Brotherhood 6:00 PM You Will Be Blessed Under The Anointed Man Of God

St. Mary Baptist Church “The Church that Love Built” 1252 N. Acadian Thruway East • Baton Rouge, LA. 70802 Telephone (225) 387-2926 Rev. Conway L Knighton, Pastor

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper - 1st Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Prayer Meeting - Wednesday 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Thursday 10:00 a.m.

Reverend H. Martin PRAYER SERVICE WEDNESDAY 12:00 5013 WINDFALL COURT BATON ROUGE, LA. 70812 FOR DIRECTION CALL 225-358-8100 We are seeking Prayer Warriors and Singers Remember Acts: 16,25-26

thewpres@bellsouth.net

New Birth

Full Gospel Ministries 1283 Rosenwald Road • Baton Rouge, La. 70807 Phone: (225) 775-6713 • Fax: (225) 775-4216

Ivory J. Payne, Pastor

Order Of Service

Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 A.M. Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Sunday1:00 P.M. Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 A.M. Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thursday 7:00 P.M.

“The New Life”Therefore if any man be in christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all thing are become new. —I Corinthians 5:17

Radio Broadcast 1st & 3rd Sunday WXOK at 8:00 am

NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH 5856 Greenwell Springs Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806

Telephone: (225) 926-0246 • Facsimile: (225) 927-8500 • Toll Free # 1-888-700-6174 E- Mail Address # nhbc@nhbc.brcoxmail.com Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 AM Leo D. Cyrus Lord’s SupperPastor -3rd Sundays

Sunday School - 9:30 AM

Sr., Prayer Pastor Service - Wed. @ 6:00 PM

Bible StudySchedule - Wed- @ 7:00 PM Church

Sunday Morning Worship.................................................................10:45 AM Mission Statement: New Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers Lord’ s Supper. ...............................................................................3rd Sundays who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teach the saved to reach the Sunday . .................................................................................9:30 lost andSchool minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one anotherAMthrough acts of love and living in obedience to Gods Word Prayer Service.......................................................................

Wed. @ 6:00 PM Bible Study............................................................................Wed- @ 7:00 PM

Mission Statement: New Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teach the saved to reach the lost and minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one another through acts of love and living in obedience to Gods Word

If you would like your church to be included on the Church Directory. Please Call The Baton Rouge Weekly Press for details at 225-775-2002 or, e-mail us with your billing address to thewpres@bellsouth.net

he still wants to tell him about it and bring your problems and burdens to him.

there are some things we can’t humanly do anything about.

ChildRen from page 4 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Joins the American Diabetes Association’s Movement to Stop Diabetes

ering all children. the CDF Action Council, building on the best practices in states and lessons learned about children falling through the bureaucratic cracks of Medicaid and SChiP, strongly urged Congress toVA-enact ALEXANDRIA, the All healthy Children Act, (Marketwire - Alpha Kappa S. 1564/h.r. introduced Alpha Sorority1688, (AKA) is joinby forces representative Scott ing with theBobby American (D-VA) in the house and Senator Diabetes Association to stop Bernie Sanders (i-Vt) in the Sendiabetes in the African Ameriate. the measure would provide can Community. comprehensive benefits including Theand collaboration is driven dental mental health, simpliby reality that fiedthe bureaucracy, and African a national Americans are greatly affected eligibility plan for families up to by diabetes; they are 1.8 times 300 percent of the federal poverty level.likely We thank the 62 house comore to have type 2 diasponsors their support. howbetes thanfor non-Latino whites. ever, we regret that neither a single To combat this epidemic, behouse republican nor any other ginning in the spring of 2011, Senator joined to push 10 for the AKA’s willthem designate coverage for all children. undergraduate chapters at the CDF Action Council strongly Historically Black Colleges supports long overdue health covand Universities diabe-as erage for everyonetoinlead America tes workshops and activities. soon as possible—because children Through this the cannot wait.

As initiative, SChiP comes up Sorority hopes to spread the again for reauthorization in early message how to preventof 2009, weabout hope every Member Congressand willprovide insist on tools covering diabetes to every those child and pregnant mother assist with diabetes to now abyproductive enacting and life adequately live with funding the provisions of the All this disease. In announcing healthy ChildrenAKA’s Act. newly the partnership, Specious claims that we could installed international presinot find the money—$70 billion dent Carolyncover House overAttorney five years—to all Stewart stated, “Alpha Kappa children is belied by that amount Alpha goal for is totax help spent inSorority’s eleven months cuts our community recognize the for the top one percent of richest risks of thisand disease, its months many Americans in seven complications for the iraq War.and We treatment do not have a money problem America: We options.

We willinhost forums havewill a priorities and awareness political will that heighten deficit. is time for all adults to and offeritprevention strategies protect the health of our children.

the citizens of the nation must demand that our leaders free our children from the false ideological and political tugs of war among those who put excess profits ahead of children’s lives. how well did Congress protect to help eliminate this deadly childrenthat in 2007?

Not well enough: disease shortens lives and 276 Members of Congress impacts the quality of lifehad of good CDF Action Council Conmany African Americans of gressional all ages.” Scorecard scores of 80 percent or higher, and 198 of those AKA and the American had stellar scores of 100 percent.

Diabetes Association But 231 members scored 60share percent common priorities andfrom interor lower—a failing grade our ests in reaching school days. African Americans, students and of other key Whether Members Congress constituents with important are liberal, conservative or moderate; Democrat, republican or awareness messaging relatindependent, children need all of ing to diabetes, including risk them to vote, lobby, speak for and factors, prevention strategies, protect them.

Adults to listen warning signs, andneed managecarefully to what candidates say ment of the disease. Both they will do for children and famiorganizations have unique lies and, once they are in office, competencies to address these we need to hold them accountable. issues and your believe that of there Please thank Members Conwill bewith a greater gress scoresopportunity of 80 percentto or promote goals above andmutual let those withthrough scores of multiple communications 60 percent or below know you are channels. is dissatisfiedThis with collaboration their performance.

And pleasesignificant, convey that same mesespecially because sage to each presidential candidate.

African-American women are must demand that leaders atWe a greater risk for theour number commit to children of as adiabetes: condition one complication of our vote. heart disease.

“By getting this powMarian Wright Edelman is Presierful group of women to Fund join dent of the Children’s Defense us in our movement to Stop and its Action Council whose Leave Diabetes, we havemission the potenNo Child Behind® is to tial to change many lives Start, and ensure every child a Healthy communities,” said Earnestine a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Walker, of CommuStart andDirector a Moral Start in life and successful passage adulthood nity Outreach at thetoAmerican with the help of caring families Diabetes Association. and communities.

Z

Children from page 4 S

children from from growing yStem pagehunger, 4 homelessness and stress. Now is the time to correct the laissezcally federal pointed policies out that changes faire that enwhichthe occur human being is abled fewintoa run roughshod redirected to pull from of themany core over the life savings of his own humanity to reaffirm hard working Americans and self worth he will wreck the and livespurpose. and dreams of then by nature acquire the will to millions of children. do for himself and others.

The Children’s Defense Space is not available cover Fund’s new report ThetoState of concerns ofChildren so many2010 people America’s describes the status of children in a range of areas—what has improved, worsened or stagnated; the continuing racial and income disparities faced by children of color who will make up a majority of our workforce which must support our increasingly aging population by 2025; and the higher costs of child poverty and neglect and the savings from preventive investment. I hope the facts in the report will wake us up and provoke us to speak out and stand up and demand our leaders act now to alleviate today the massive child suffering around the nation. The catastrophic BP oil spill’s assault on our environment is an urgent national emergency. But so is the catastrophic impact of this recession and the chronic plight and suffering of millions of children left adrift in a sea of poverty, hunger and homelessness, and political neglect. If we could bail out bankers to steady the economy, we can bail out babies who without our help will see their hopes and dreams for a better life wiped out. It should be a no brainer.

• having high cholesterol increases the risk for stroke and may increase the risk for Alzheimer’s.

Thursday, August 26, 2010 • The Weekly Manage Your RisksPress • Page 7

HEALTH

we forget o’reilly’s less-thanAl Sharpton, Marc Morial, Ben informed comments regarding a Jealous and Martin III will be dinner he shared last year with resisting Glenn Beck’s latest efSharpton at Sylvia’s in harlem? fort to appropriate your good o’reilly expressed surprise over name.

In doing so, they be how similarSylvia’s was will to other keeping theindream alive. restaurants New York restau-

rants.

Georgewasn’t E. Curry, ‘’there oneformer personed-in itor-in-chief of Emerge magazine Sylvia’s who was screaming, and the NNPA Newsiced Service, ‘M-Fer, i want more tea,’’’ isheasaid. keynote speaker, moderator,As and coach. Post’s He can be themedia Washington robreached through hison Web site, inson sadly observed MSNBC www.georgecurry.com Yougocan in February, ‘’All you can by also follow him at www.twitter. is his words and his actions. And com/currygeorge. he keeps saying these things that sound pretty darn racist to me.’’ has talk radio learned anything from imus’ decline and fall? of course not, because it didn’t take imus too terribly longcan to get into success.

If Detroit risea new gig. up out of its ashes, increasing our nation’s media outlets graduation rates, entrepreneurshould not provide a platformdefor ial engagement, industrial racialhostility andsocial hatefulservice speech velopment, and now or in the What kind efficiency, sofuture. can every otherof messageare we sending to our chilchallenged American city. dren, our nation and our world? inDr. suchJulianne an historic election year, Malveaux is we cannotofstand aside and allow President Bennett College for individuals to use the airwaves Women in Greensboro, North as an outlet Carolina. for insensitive and misguidedcommentary. if you hear something that offends you, speak up.

Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy concerned with the conditions Start, a Head Start, a Fair atStart, Jetson. it is happening there. a Safe Start and a Moral What dolife know is successful that most of Starti in and these youthto can be changed,with from passage adulthood contrition prepatory school the help in ofacaring families for Angola to rehabilitation for and communities.

For more ainformation positive life that may lead to go to www.chil-a life of meritorious glory. That is drensdefense.org. the Way I See It!

• Watch the numbers. remember that desirable blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmhg. Keep your body weight in the recommended range and make sure that the total cholesterol is less than 200mg/dL. • healthy lifestyle choices include staying mentally and physically active, staying socially involved, reducing your intake of fat and cholesterol and not smoking.

Visit www.alz.org/heartbrain or call the American Stroke Association, a division of the American heart Association, at (888) 478-7653 or the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 272-3900 and you’llClinic receive a broEKLMC Asthma has had chure with heart and2,686 brain health 990 patients attend appointinformation a free Education pedometer, ments. Itsand Asthma while supplies Group Class last. has educated 436 patients.

The ongoing collaborative efforts of Dr. Assercq and Ms. Capello for nearly a decade have resulted in improved communication with patients and able in english andto Spanish by callincreased access the clinic and ing the ADA at 1-800-DiABeteS to medication.

This has led to (1-800-342-2383) online at to www. a profound costorsavings the diabetes.org/alert. hospital in terms of ER visits, as though the Alert is a one-day well as marked improvement in call to action, awareness about patient perceived quality oftype life.

2The diabetes importantprogram anytime ofhas the EKLisAsthma year, free Diabetesprogram risk tests are beenso a “winning” since available online and by callingtaken ADA its earliest years, having all year long. the annual LSU Health Care EfA free Diabetes risk test isfor availfectiveness (HCE) award the able year long disease to determine the risk bestallAsthma managefor developing type 2 diabetes. ment program every year since 2002. In 2008, it also won the LSU HCE TRRAQSSS award which recognizes an outstanding program in the LSU Health Care Services Division (HCSD) and is based on the program’s performance, quality and significant contributions to HCSD healthcare.

Earl K. Long Medical Center Asthma Program Named Center of Excellence by the American Lung Association ternal Medicine staff and resi- Emergency Room visits. dents onshows evidence-based has an excelResearch a link betweentreatheart and brain“Our health,program which means impaired ment of the patient withtoasthma. lentfunction. record of patients receiving heart function could lead impaired brain Board-certified in Family Prac- controller and rescue medicines tice, Dr. Jule Assercq, EKLMC and of achieving low asthma diChief of Family Practice, initiated agnoses rates in the emergency the Clinical Asthma Program in room,” said Dr. Assercq.

2001 and has led it since. She Unlike many programs, also educates all practitioners in the EKLMC program provides Family Practice on best practices medicines for the indigent at low ness of diabetes, physical activity canofhelp in asthma care. particularly when increased cost due to the generosity the it is leftWith undiagnosed andeducators untreated. delay or prevent the onset of type 2 two asthma pharmaceutical industry. the day is held on the fourth tuesday and a prescribing practitioner, the diabetes.

ALA criteria call for writof every March. the primary risk factors EKLMC program surpasses most tenAmong procedures for asthma educaon that day, are encourdiabetes are being overprograms.

Thepeople practitioner can for tiontype and2management, measured aged to take Diabetes risk test, weight, sedentary, over theand age reof evaluate thethe patient for medicinal outcomes of the program either with and pencilprescribe or online. 45 and having family history of needs andpaper immediately sources for theacommunity.

“We the riskincreasing test requiresthe users to answer diabetes.

Americans, Latinos, them, likelihood educateAfrican our internal medicine seventhe simple questions Americans, Asians Pacific that patient will fillabout and age, use Native and emergency room and residents weight, lifestyle and family history-islanders are at an increased risk, as the prescriptions, which are well so that they will implement good all potential risk for diabetes. womenpractices who have babies weighing established tofactors prevent asthma are asthma as physicians People scoring 10 points or more are more thancommunities,” 9 pounds at birth. attacks. in their said Dr. at a highAnother risk for type 2 diabetes and the Diabetes risk test is availunique aspect Assercq. arethe encouraged to is talkthat withpatients a health of program Resources include the availcare professional. receive Ms. Capello’s phone ability of EKLMC to the insured An estimated 54 or million Ameri- and uninsured and educational number for health prescription cans have pre-diabetes. those with efforts, such as participation by needs, eliminating unnecessary pre-diabetes have blood glucose lev- Dr. Assercq in local health fairs, els higher than normal but not high lectures to community groups, enough to be diagnosed with type media opportunities, and advo2 diabetes. cacy for tobacco control. early intervention via lifestyle Since its inception, the changes such as weight loss and

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alk L Retter adio from Otpen frompage page4 4 all funny or remotely approprihe died that Jesse was lying ate about the use of a lynching and dared him to make that reference about Michelle obama,’’ claim in his presence. Even he said. ‘’it’s - i’m speechless.’’ so, As most Blacks were willing President Bush pointed out tosooverlook eloquentlyJesse’s during obvious the Black foibles.

But that, had history Month event,too, the noose its limits.

For most Africanrepresents ‘’more than a tool of Americans, straw was murder but athe toollast of intimidation’’ hearing Jesse of say during the to generations African-Ameripresidential campaign thatsome he cans. Nooses not only robbed wanted to dismember certain of their lives but many of their delicate peace ofbody mind.parts of Barack Obama. ‘’As a civil society, we must So whilethat Jesse is in displays Detroit understand noose commentating a march two and lynching jokes are deeply months after it’sare anniversary, offensive. they wrong. And they have no place in America today,’’ he said. ero pagenor 4 ingraham Neitherfrom o’reilly has been reprimanded by their respective employers even though urban renewals? the Fox News personality offer Once upon a time,did urban a half-hearted apology. renewal meant black folk reAt least ingraham didn’t drop moval.

Now, the revival of cities the necessarily l-word but her suggestion that will improve African Sharpton, economic a former presidential American fortunes. candidate andJesse respected member When Rev. Jackson andof the African-American thousands of others community march in and beyond, a petty thief reeks Detroit theyisspotlight one of of race-baiting andfailures. negativeThe steour nation’s urban reotypingmust of African-Americans spotlight be followed by a and black men particular. focused effort tointurn this failure But it’s hardly the first time either has ventured into questionable and offensive territory. how can

cardiovascular risk, they may also strengthen their cognitive health.

“What’s good for your heart is good for your brain,” says Jennifer Manly, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association spokesperson. “every healthy heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of your blood to your brain to carry on the daily processes of thinking, problem solving and remembering.”

“By the year 2030, the number of African Americans age 65 or older is expected to more than double to 6.9 million,” said emil Matarese, M.D., American heart Association spokesperson. “Although Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. So it is important that African Americans take steps now to decrease their risk of heart disease, BATON ROUGE – The which research has shown could American Lung Association also decrease the risk of cognitive (ALA) has named the Asthma decline.”

Program of the Earl K. Long Medical Center (EKLMC) in Baton Rouge , La. , an Asthma Center of Excellence. The EKLMC Asthma Program is the only program in the entire State of Louisiana with this designation.

(NAPSi)-here’s alert The programanhas metworth rigpayingALA attention to: According to orous criteria including the American Diabetes Association having asthma educators with (ADA), learning yourthe riskNational for type 2 certification from diabetes could save your life.

Asthma Educator Certification Diabetes a serious diseaseProthat Board.

The is EKLMC Asthma strikeshas nearly million children gram two21such educators: and adults in the U.S. it is AE-C, named Kerri Capello, RRT, RPFT, the “silent killer” because one-third who is a Registered Respiratory of those withand the disease--more Therapist a Registeredthan Pul-6 million--do not know they have it. monary Function Technologist, For many,Hoover, diagnosis may and Robin who is acome Reseven to 10 years after the onset of spiratory Therapist. type 2 Board-certified diabetes. early diagnosis is in both Incriticaland for successful treatment and ternal Pulmonary Medicine, can Kevin delay or prevent some Chief of the Dr. Reed, EKLMC complications such as heart diseases, Medical Officer, educates all Inblindness, kidney disease, stroke and amputation. that’s one reason the ADA holds the American Diabetes Alert® Day, a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the serious-

Charles Vincent of The provided by the staff of LSU Earl Mwalimu Institute and the K. Long Medical Center, represenBaker Branch Library, 3501 tatives from the American Cancer Groom Road, will co-sponsor a Society, CASA, the Baton Rouge health-care screening and aware- Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation Landprogram Line (225) ness for356-0703 the public on and other health organizations.

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Page 8 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, August 26, 2010

Making This Right Beaches Claims Cleanup

Economic Investment Environmental Restoration Health and Safety Wildlife

I was born in New Orleans. My family still lives here. We have to restore the Gulf communities for the shrimpers, fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners who live and work here.

- Iris Cross, BP Community Outreach

No oil has flowed into the Gulf for weeks. But we know this is just the beginning of our work. BP has taken full responsibility for the cleanup in the Gulf and that includes keeping you informed.

Restoring Gulf Communities We can’t undo this tragedy. But we can help people get back on their feet. We have been working with impacted communities since day one.

Partnering with local governments and community organizations, my job is to listen to people’s needs and frustrations and find ways to help. We have 19 community centers and teams in four states, listening and helping.

Restoring The Economy BP is here in Gulf communities with shrimpers, fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners, helping to make them whole.

More than 120,000 claim payments totaling over $375 million have already gone to people affected by the spill. We have committed a $20 billion independent fund to pay all legitimate claims, including lost incomes until people impacted can go back to work. And none of this will be paid by taxpayers.

BP has also given grants of $87 million to the states to help tourism recover and bring people back to the Gulf beaches.

Restoring The Environment We’re going to keep looking for oil and cleaning it up if we find it. Teams will remain in place for as long as it takes to restore the Gulf Coast.

And we’ve dedicated $500 million to work with local and national scientific experts on the impact of the spill and to restore environmental damage.

Thousands of BP employees have their roots in the Gulf. We support over 10,000 jobs in the region and people here are our neighbors. We know we haven’t always been perfect, but we will be here until the oil is gone and the people and businesses are back to normal.

We will do everything we can to make this right.

For general information visit: bp.com For help or information: (866) 448-5816 restorethegulf.gov Facebook: BP America Twitter: @BP_America YouTube: BP For claims information visit: bp.com/claims louisianagulfresponse.com

beyond petroleum

© 2010 BP, E&P

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