Baton Rouge Weekly Press Week of Dec 01, 2011 by Derek Payne

baton

THURSDAY, december 1, 2011

rouge,

louisiana

Vol. 36 • No. 28

a people’s publication

SU Routed In Classic, Fall To Tigers 36-12

Murder Reduction Initiative Part of SOS NOLA: Saving Our Sons Campaign

Southern WR Lee Doss lunges past to Grambling State defenders for a 13-yard TD reception in Saturday’s 36-12 loss in the 38th State Farm Bayou Classic. Doss finished with a game high 5 catches for 56 yards and one TD. Photo by April Buffington

By Marlon J. Reed Special to SU Sports Information NEW ORLEANS, LA – With a chance to force a four-way tie atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division and squash their arch-rivals bid at a berth in next month’s SWAC Championship Game, Southern squandered five Grambling turnovers in a 36-12 Tiger rout in the 38th State Farm Bayou Classic.

Jindal Holds Meetings on Education Policy

BATON ROUGE - Gov. Bobby Jindal said he is describing three goals as he meets with lawmakers, education leaders and others about his education agenda for the next year. Jindal said Monday he wants an excellent teacher in every classroom, more choices for students in failing schools and more flexibility for spending in school districts. The governor hasn’t yet unveiled any detailed policies he will push with lawmakers in the 2012 legislative session. He’s been meeting with lawmakers and others interested in education policy in small groups to discuss possible legislation. He added he plans to meet with education union leaders, business groups, teachers and others in continued talks over the coming weeks, leading into the March session.

Saturday’s lost was the Jaguars worst margin of defeat in the game’s 38-year history. The Jaguars (4-7, 4-5) complete a frustrating 2011 campaign, while the Tigers (7-4, 6-3) march into the Dec. 10SWAC Championship Game against Alabama A&M at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. “They won the battle between the trenches,” said Jaguars second-year head coach Stump Mitchell. “Their defensive line took it to our offensive

line and their receivers made plays on the ball.” “We got the turnovers we needed but we couldn’t capitalize or move the ball well enough to produce a better outcome.” The Tigers overcame four fumbles and an interception led by a 14-point, 3rd quarter outburst fueled by the passing combination of D.J. Williams and Mario Louis. Williams, son of Grambling head coach Doug Williams, found Louis on TD

passing strikes of 34 and 12. Utilizing an aggressive pass rush, Grambling’s defensive front limited the Jaguars to one of the lowest rushing totals in school history, -31 yards. Grambling runningback Dawrence Roberts’ 195 rushing yards was more than the Jaguars total yardage of 174, but it was the passing connection of Williams and Louis that kept SU from threatening an upset. See classic, on page 2

ExxonMobil Employees Donate Turkeys to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank

Baton Rouge, LA -- ExxonMobil Baton Rouge partnered with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to donate turkeys to food pantries within North

La. Guardsmen Return Home In Time For Holi-

Baton Rouge for the holidays. Allen Chapel, Mount Pilgrim Church and Baker Presbyterian Church, located in neighborhoods with ExxonMobil fa-

local & state news

cilities, received the donated turkeys and provide them to clients in need. Turkeys are an See food bank, on page 3

Business NEWS

Landrieu urged participants to sign up as mentors in a citywide initiative that will target African-American youths who are at risk. In 80 percent of the murders, Landrieu said, the victim and perpetrator knew each other, and the victims were mostly unemployed African-American males with previous criminal records.

NEW ORLEANS - Yesterday Mayor Landrieu, City officials, and criminal justice partners launched the Mayor’s Strategic Command to Reduce Murders and Task Force One, a new murder reduction initiative as part of the SOS NOLA: Saving Our Sons Campaign. “We are laser-focused on reducing murder in New Orleans. This city-wide effort will marshal resources to target areas that need it the most and where we have the most murders occurring,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “The Strategic Command to Reduce Murders will provide a datadriven, multi-disciplinary, public health-informed approach to murder reduction that prevents and reduces crime in our city.” Building on the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission, a model that has prompted significant reforms and helped dramatically reduce the city of Milwaukee’s homicide rate since its inception in 2005, the Strategic Command to Reduce Murders will convene murder reviews, support implementation and evaluation of recommendations that come from the reviews, maintain a comprehensive database of murders, nonfatal shootings, and near-fatal domestic violence incidents, and provide technical assistance and capacity-building services to criminal justice and community service professionals. “The Milwaukee Ho-

Health news

micide Review Commission is a proven, replicable model that has the potential to save lives in New Orleans,” said Criminal Justice Commissioner James Carter. “I look forward to getting to work with all of our partners on the toughest issue our City faces.” The Strategic Command to Reduce Murders will be comprised of several teams: Executive Action Team to Reduce Murders: Key staff from the Landrieu Administration, local and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies will meet monthly to present new information, monitor and report on the progress of already implemented steps. Initial Action Team to Reduce Murders: Immediately after a murder occurs, law enforcement representatives will begin to investigate the case and track down those responsible, as well as connect family members who are coping with the aftermath of a violent death to services. Criminal Justice Action Team to Reduce Murders: Law enforcement agency representatives knowledgeable on crime data, policies and programs will focus on open and closed murder cases that took place in the prior month to share data, identify patterns and make recommendations to partner agencies that aid in day to day and long-term work. See sons, on page 2

religion

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding, reads Proverbs 4:7...See Page 6

INDEX

Minority Blood Donors Needed Approximately 120 Louisiana National Guard Soldiers from the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion returned home from a 365-day deployment to family, friends and fellow Guardsmen at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, Nov. 23. ...See Page 2

Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus is continuing its series of blood drives to recruit more minority blood donors to benefit Baton Rouge residents in need of blood. ...See Page 3

IRS holiday Helpful Hints

Any discussion on charitable giving during the holidays has to start with a warning. Watch out for scams! Scam artist are active year round trying to steal your money or your identity or both...See Page 5

Baton Rouge World Aids Day

The Baton Rouge organization HIV/ AIDS Alliance for Region Two, Inc. (HAART) will recognize World AIDS Day by holding a press conference at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, at BREC’s Baton Rouge Gallery in City Park. ..See Page 7

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

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THEWEEKLYPRESS.COM Celebrating 36 Years Of Service To The Baton Rouge Community 225.775.2002

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Weekly Press • Thursday, December 1, 2011

Local&State

La. Guardsmen Return Home In Time For Holidays

counter-insurgency operations. “Louisiana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are the true credit for our Guard’s ability to respond to the needs of our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Glenn Cur-

tis, adjutant general of the LANG. “The Soldiers of the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion performed superbly. Their high level of training and professionalism allowed them to accomplish every mission assigned. The 415th previously deployed as a battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the tactical human intelligence mission. Human intelligence teams supported units across the Iraq theater of operations with distinction and earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation. “It is always tough, but the goodbyes weren’t as painful this time,” said Staff Sgt. Heather Daunis, wife of returning Guardsman Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Daunis, speaking about previous deployments for both members of their dual-military family. “I am very excited for our two-year-old son; he knows his daddy is coming home, and he is thrilled!” The 415th has participated in many emergency operations/ recovery operations for the state of Louisiana, including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike and provided support to Task Force Gator and the NOPD. Many members of the 415th participated in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response effort. “Their hard work and dedication has proven time and again to be a critical element of our national defense,” said Curtis. Following the deployment ceremony in Baton Rouge last December, the 415th MI BN conducted mobilization training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and Camp Bullis in San Antonio, Texas, before deploying overseas. Please visit http://geauxguard.com/ for the latest Louisiana National Guard releases, photos and videos.

that will share critical tactical information across organizations to better identify and aggressively target, arrest and prosecute violent offenders. Task Force One will meet monthly and upon the special request of the Mayor, and appropriate information from this group will flow to the Strategic Command Executive Team. Both of these initiatives will initially focus on the three police districts with the most immediate murder problems: Fifth District (Bywater, Upper 9th Ward, Lower 9th Ward), Sixth District (Irish Channel, Garden District, Central City), and Seventh District (New Orleans East). The Strategic Command to Reduce Murders was developed and will be implemented in collaboration with the Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2)

initiative, a customized pilot program created by the Obama Administration to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities. New Orleans is one of just six cities chosen for the pilot program this year, which provides the City with interagency coordination and expertise from the federal government. To facilitate establishment of the Strategic Command to Reduce Murders, training for City and law enforcement personnel on the details of the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission was funded by a U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant. The Innovation Delivery Team, funded by Bloomberg, will also support implementation of the Strategic Command to Reduce Murders and Task Force One.

By Staff Sgt. Denis B. Ricou Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office

BATON ROUGE, LA – Approximately 120 Louisiana National Guard Soldiers from the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion returned home from a 365-day deployment to family, friends and fellow Guardsmen at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, Nov. 23. “This is a great day for these Soldiers, their families, and our state,” said Governor Bobby Jindal, who greeted the Soldiers as they stepped off the bus. “For one year, these brave men and women served our country with honor and distinction in Afghanistan. Many mothers and fathers have been away from their families for a long time – and it’s a great day for their families who will get to enjoy Thanksgiving with their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Soldiers who won’t be home for the holidays, and I look forward to the day when we welcome them home

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CARVILLE, La. – Louisiana National Guardsman Sgt. Michael Swilley, of the 415th Military Intelligence, embraces his wife, Lisa, after returning home from a 365-day deployment at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., Nov. 23, 2011. The battalion was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to conduct counterintelligence operations throughout Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office/Released)

to Louisiana.” Headquartered in Carville, the 415th was deployed to conduct analysis and counterintelligence operations throughout Afghanistan that were essential to

Sons

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Community Service Action Team to Reduce Murders: Non-profit community organizations, social service agencies, and faith-based leaders who work on crime and violence prevention will identify issues with service delivery or capacity, identify gaps in existing resources, and make recommendations to improve community-based prevention efforts. Re-Entry Workforce Action Team to Reduce Murders: Business community members will help identify economic and financial challenges and opportunities for residents, particularly ex-offenders. To complement the Strategic Command to Reduce Murders, Task Force One will be comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies

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THOUGHT FOR teens) came together THE WEEK: With to form an advisory each adoption of a group in order to child comes a natuaddress community ral extension of love. and national issues. Avegno Would you believe BREC is getting many attended the set and is ready to event and want to welcome Carolyn form a monthly adMcKnight Bray as the visory group. Good Marge new head of the East for Ascension, and Lawrence Baton Rouge’s park any community!! system. Ms. Bray is HOW WONcoming from the Dallas park DERFUL to read the many system and conveyed her pas- community servants who are sion for parks. She is wished sponsoring activities for the all the best. children during this holiday CONGRATULATIONS to season! One of particular inthe parents of the fine young terest to the little folks was middle school students at Sher- the after Thanksgiving party wood. The students are being sponsored by the Essence Larecognized for their outstand- dies who gave gifts and a free ing achievement on the iLEAP field trip. Tests. Were it not for parents If you want to help your who strive so diligently with fellow Americans locally and and for their children passing otherwise during this year these test would not be possible. (which has been brutal in many Thanks, parents. ways and to many families), THE BAYOU CLASSIC consider the following during 2011 is over, but it’s time to this season: regroup. While many are * Help a needy family meet talking about the plays of the their mortgage game, can we suggest a surge * Feed hungry children of player confidence? Why not * Act now to stop a new get a motivational speaker for wave of HIV/AIDS the players before the season * Help wounded veterans begins because there seems to who are returning home be a great need for it. Players * Help reforest lands, can know all the requirements which have been destroyed but have no positive belief that by fire they can achieve the goal. Try * Contribute to the Chrisit, for Southernites and other tian Appalachian Project for alumni do not want to lose. flood communities Ms. Antoinette Bules wants * Help a family with their to thank each one of you who electric bill contributed to the Torres family * Contribute to Joplin, who suffered a house fire. Do- Missouri schools, which were nations came from everywhere, destroyed during tornado seaaccording to Antoinette, in the son form of pants, shoes, clothes, * Target violence by speakkitchen appliances, etc. You ing up to children every chance are special because you care for you can the poor. * Adopt a local orphanS I G M A A L U M N A E age CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA HAPPY BIRTHDAY to THETA is sponsoring a senior James Evans III, Shakira Evans, citizen luncheon on next Sat- Wanda Poole, Victoria Brown urday. Members of this chap- Hooper, Eric Addison and the ter would like you to attend. Hooper Twins Contact one of them today if With Love and Sympathy you would like to attend and to the Belony family of Lake ride to the Life Development Charles. Center with the soror. Have a super weekend and SOMETHING WONDER- enjoy this good weather. FUL HAPPENED AT THE LILove, BRARY! A group of teens (yes, Marge

Classic

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Trailing 10-0, the Jaguars showed signs of life by answering following another Grambling miscue, this time on a muffed punt, setting up 1st and 10 at the GSU 28. Three plays later, J. P. Douglas found Lee Doss streaking across the field for a 13-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 10-6 with 7:52 left in the first half. Manuel Canto had his extra point blocked and GSU would go take the 10-6 lead into halftime. The Tigers would strike first in the second half when Williams found Louis for a 34-yard TD with11:20 left in the third. The Jaguars would respond when SU quarterback

Dray Joseph, filling in for Douglas who suffered a mild concussion attempting a tackle after tossing an interception, hit Michael Berry for a 5-yard touchdown pass cutting the Tiger. The two-point conversion failed and the Tigers were never threatened for the remainder of the contest. Jamie Payton -- whom received the Jaguars’ most valuable player honors for the game - led the Jaguars defensive effort with a game high 15 tackles. “My teammates deserved my all today,” Payton humbly stated. “It’s a great honor but I’d much rather have gotten the win today.”

Thursday, December 1, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 3

Pre-Christmas Ball Sponsored by the Scotlandville Hornets Alumni Association BAKER, LA – The Scotlandville Hornets Alumni Association sponsors their annual Pre-Christmas Ball at the Baker Municipal Building located at 3325 Groom Road from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., on December 9, 2011.

The DJ for this event will be AB Welch. And this is a BYOB affair. Semi-formal dress code and tickets are on sale. For more information, please contact Lottie Sanford at (225) 774-8512.

Minority Blood Donors Needed for Remington College 3 Lives Blood Drive Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus blood drive set for December 8 BATON ROUGE, LA – Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus is continuing its series of blood drives to recruit more minority blood donors to benefit Baton Rouge residents in need of blood. The next blood drive is set for Thursday, December 8 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The drive will be held on campus. Remington College has partnered with America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) for a series of blood drives on all its campuses. The effort is called 3 Lives - because three lives may be saved for every one-pint of blood donated. Remington College recently received ABC’s National Partner of the Year Award for helping to raise awareness of the need for blood donors. Facts about sickle cell disease • Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the U.S. • The best blood match for a sickle cell patient will likely

Food Bank

come from a donor of the same ethnic background. • Sickle cell disease is not just a disease affecting African Americans; people of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Indian heritage are also affected. • Approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease; many of them will require frequent blood transfusions. • Sickle cell disease is treatable and advances are allowing patients today to live into their 40’s and 50’s While the focus is on recruiting minority donors, everyone is encouraged to attend the drive and donate blood. All the blood collected will be used to help people in the Baton Rouge area. The need for blood donors is typically very high during the holiday season. Remington College-Baton Rouge Campus is located at 10551 Coursey Blvd. in Baton Rouge. For more information, call 1-800-448-6405 or visit www.3Lives.com.

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annual tradition at ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Complex. ExxonMobil management expresses its appreciation to employees at Thanksgiving by providing a gift coupon to redeem for a turkey. This year, several employees decided to donate their turkeys to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, an effort coordinated by ExxonMobil’s Black Employee Success Team (BEST). This initiative helped the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank continue to receive muchneeded donations, especially during the holiday season. In addition to being the largest contributor to Capital Area United Way agencies like the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, ExxonMobil is investing in Food Bank programs within the North Baton Rouge and Baker areas in order to further assist its nearest neighbors. While the turkey donation is an employee - initiated effort, ExxonMobil has

committed to supporting the Food Bank’s BackPack program and Adopt A Senior program at targeted sites identified as areas of need. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that provides food to more than 120 charitable agencies operating food pantries, group homes, shelters, meal sites and special agencies. Operating primarily on donations, the Food Bank serves 11 parishes (Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. Tangipahoa is served through a satellite distribution agency). For more information, please contact Kenissa McKay the PR/Special Events Coordinator at ExxonMobil at kenissa@brfoodbank.org, Office at (225) 359-9940, ext. 220, and by Fax at (225) 355-1445.

SU System Picks Up Eight Nominations For HBCU Award

The Southern University System has nominations in eight categories for the 2012 HBCU Awards sponsored by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy. The center recently announced the finalists in 27 categories for the second installment of the national award ceremony recognizing Historically Black College and University achievement. The HBCU Awards ceremony, crowning winners in the fields of leadership, arts, athletics, research, and community engagement, will be held April 20, 2012 on the campus of Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. According to the release announcing the nominees, the HBCU Awards is the first and only event to recognize the influence and impact of HBCUs on American culture. “We were lucky to have such widespread support and participation for our inaugural awards in March of this year,” said Jarrett L. Carter Sr., founder and executive director of the Center. “Schools took this year’s nomination process very seriously, and combining that with the feedback we received on our last effort, we’re proud to show off a slate of nominees and a ceremony that will represent the best

Holiday Angels Patrons will learn how to make beautiful African angels for the holiday season on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Scotlandville Branch Library, 7373 Scenic Highway. Come and create your very own special angel. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (225) 354-7550.

Scrapbook Your Special Occasion Scrapbook participants will finalize this series at the Eden Park Branch Library, 5131 Greenwell Springs Road, with a completed project ready to be presented as a Christmas gift or book of memories to be cherished for years to come. Participants will also create a Christmas card using scrapbook techniques, on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. The cards will be sent to our troops. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (225) 231-3240.

To all customers ALL CHRISTMAS GREETING ads need to be in the Office by December 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. All information for make-up ads must be e-mailed to www.theweeklypress@yahoo.com. Call The Weekly Press at (225) 7752002 for your advertising needs.

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of HBCU culture.” The Southern University System submitted nominees for awards in nine categories. SU System nominations announced yesterday are: Stephen McGuire, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Physics, College of Sciences Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Male Faculty Member of the Year Karen Crosby, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Female Faculty Member of the Year Marching Band “Human Jukebox” Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Best Band School of Nursing Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Best Nursing Program Mr. Dennis S. Brown President, Southern University Alumni Federation Male Alumnus of the Year School of Social Work Southern University – New Orleans Best Social Work Program Southern University Law Center HBCU of the Year Ja’el Gordon President, Association for Women Students Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge Female Student of the Year “Our nominations in these categories, is especially great, considering the highcaliber of the other nominees,” said Evola Bates, SU System Chief of Staff. “We are very proud of our nominees for their dedication

and commitment to Southern University. Getting this kind of recognition is very nice. This is another successful benchmark for us in our commitment to delivering quality education and service” said Bates. Jarrett said a three-month nomination process received more than 1,300 entries submitted by administrators, students, alumni, faculty and supporters of HBCUs throughout the country. A panel of HBCU chancellors and presidents names finalists and winners. Winners of the increased pool of award categories will be announced on the evening of the ceremony. SU System President Ronald Mason said, “We congratulate our HBCU Award nominees. Their dedication, accomplishments, and leadership represent us well as we aim to revitalize the SU System as model system of higher learning for the state and the nation.” The full list of nominees is available at www.hbcuaward. net. Based in Baltimore, MD, the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Incorporated seeks to promote the mission, culture and development of America’s historically black colleges and universities through new media exposure, training and education. The HBCU Awards are the Center’s primary fundraising initiative, and proceeds raised by the awards are tax deductible contributions made to support the Center’s mission objectives, and student scholarship funding for HBCU students in and around the awards’ host city. Please contact Katara Williams at 225-205-0606 for more information.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Announces Partnership with Louisiana State Police to Crack Down On Fraud BATON ROUGE - Today, Office of Community Development - Disaster Recovery Unit Executive Director Pat Forbes announced that the Hazard Mitigation Grant program is adding an extra safeguard for homeowners by partnering with Louisiana State Police to crack down on fraud among elevation contractors. Forbes announced the addition of the new strike-force team following the suspension of seven contractors for committing potential violations in the program. The fraud strike-force team will work with Louisiana State Police’s insurance fraud division and will be responsible for completing undercover operations to catch fraudulent acts in the Hazard Mitigation program. Forbes said, “We’re putting contractors on notice. We have already taken aggressive steps to root out bad actors but we’re not taking anything for granted. We are going to make sure that every single contractor in this program - big or small - is acting in the best interest of homeowners. If a contractor attempts to commit fraud, we will find them and make sure they are removed from the program and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The Disaster Recovery Unit within the Office of Community Development is dedicated to helping Louisiana’s citizens recover from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. See grant, on page 7

BREC’S WINTER HOLIDAY CAMP Date: December 21-January 5 Where: Church Street Park 3210 Church Street Fee: $86 Ages: 6-12 Sign up today for BREC’s Holiday Camp. Campers participate in holiday themed activities during the Winter school break. For more information, contact Church Street Park at 225-654-9861 or visit brec.org.

Commentary Thursday, December 1, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 4

The Way I See It

Governor Jindal : New Education Procedures

be saved and spent on books and equipments I see our governor for the schools. Also, I Jindal has set his goals am not clear on what for improving our eduare the criteria’s that cational system in Louiwill be used to detersiana. His 2012 Educamine what a qualified tional agenda includes teacher should receive the following items to rewards for their perimprove the quality of formance. The end schools: product on how well William 1. Improve teacher a student progress in Jones quality school from one point 2. More school to another point is the choices best way of determining a teach3. Giving local educators er’s salary, in my book. more flexibility in how dollars The honorable Alario, State are spent. Senator has been a lawmaker I like the ideal of giving since 1972 and he states that he local school boards the authority have supported every measure to use money and all other means to improve schools in Louisideemed necessary in order to im- ana. Most of these measures prove education in our state. As I have proven to be fruitless. In have stated before, I did not think my book, I believe Alario knows that it was in the best interest to what avenues the state of Louisihave the State take over failing ana should be taken concerning schools. Another concern for me education. is local school board spending Whatever needs to be done, money on member traveling to doing it is what we need to do. Educational Conventions. I personally think that money should That is the way I see it. By William Jones

U.S. Navy Names New Ship in Honor of Voting Rights Activist Medgar Evers By Derek Turner In an honor bestowed on only a handful of individuals, the United States Navy selected NAACP civil and voting rights icon Medgar Evers as the namesake of their newest ship. Christened in San Diego, California on November 12 by his widow Myrlie Evers-Williams, the USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13) will serve as a supply ship for the Navy starting in the first quarter of 2012. “I am just so honored for Medgar and all of the other people who gave their lives in the civil rights movement, particularly those in Mississippi. In my humble estimation, very few of them have received rightful acknowledgment of their contributions,” remarked Evers-Williams. “He was a man who did believe in this country, and he believed in his people. He wanted things to be just and fair, and he was willing to work for that.” Medgar Wiley Evers, an Army veteran, was born and

raised in Mississippi, where, after completing his military service in 1946, he returned to earn his degree from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University). After graduation, Evers began working on behalf of the NAACP in the fight to end segregation. In 1954, Evers became the first NAACP state field secretary in Mississippi. As field secretary, Evers organized boycotts and demonstrations to bring attention to the pervasive discrimination and urge an end to racial injustice. He also led the investigation into the murder of Emmitt Till, who, at the age of 14, was killed for talking to a white woman. Evers may be best remembered for his fight to secure voting rights for all Americans. He helped lead the charge for voting rights in Mississippi, organizing voter registration efforts across the state. See ship, on page 7

An Effective Game Plan for Kenya By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist We have been shouting about the new opportunities for African American entrepreneurs in Kenya. The time has come for us to put together an effective model that will ensure success in this up and coming nation and also be used as a model for the rest of the African Diaspora. My office has been pleading with the officials of Kenya to identify and secure some success stories so that are members who have expressed sincere interest will know that this is just more than “show”. Thus, last week became an analytical test for us. We were once again off to beautiful Kenya and must return with concrete plans for implementation. Our first move turned out to be a winner. We had decided to spend every penny of the trip with principles of the African Diaspora. Therefore, we chose Ethiopian Airways as our mode of travel. It was brilliant. We flew directly from Washington Dulles Airport to the capital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From there we would connect to Mombasa, Kenya where our meetings would be held. The price was quite reasonable as there isn’t a bad seat on their Boeing wide body 777’s and their video consoles are high tech. Their economy class is no less than economy plus with the US and European airlines. The planes are spotless, cuisine abundant and excellent and that

is just the beginning. Ethiopian Airlines has the most beautiful airline attendants in the world. These sisters move with a swagger of run way models replete with genuine smiles and the prettiest faces known to mankind. It was just breath taking. On our way back as we waited for our connection in Addis Ababa, the crew of 12 Nubian sisters accompanied by three attractive male pilots entered the gate area. Every brother in the place was in awe. Suddenly, one of the smiling sisters exhorted, “Hello fellas! We are here and will see you on the plane.” We highly recommend Ethiopian Airlines whenever and wherever possible. The ribbons and bows were on the front and back travel. Now to the programs that were discussed and agreed to. The NBCC will create a holding company. Within that holding company our members who desire to do business in Kenya will create subsidiaries of their core specialties and register them as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s). This will cut the risk from their mainstay US interests. Then they will get listed on the newly formed Kenyan SME stock exchange. Kenyan professionals will be encouraged to buy shares in these ventures. As these businesses grow with contracts they will train and develop protégé’s that will change the paradigm for the nation. Once successful, we See kenya, on page 7

Blacks Lose Clout in Southern Statehouses By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Although more AfricanAmericans live in the South than any other region, Blacks elected to state legislative bodies there have become virtually powerless as those bodies have shifted from Democratic to Republican control. That’s the conclusion reached in a Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies research brief titled, “Resegregation in Southern Politics?” by David A. Bositis. “Following the election of President Barack Obama, many political observers – especially conservative ones – suggested that the United States is now a post-racial society,” Bositis wrote in the introduction. “Three years later, in the region of the country where most African Americans live, the South, there is strong statistical evidence that politics is resegregating, with African Americans once again excluded from power and representation. Black voters and elected officials have less influence now than at any time since the civil rights era.” Prior to the 1994 elections, 99.5 percent of southern Black state legislators served in the majority party. Following the 2011 elections, that percentage has been dramatically reduced to 4.8 percent. Most Black state

legislators serving outside the South continue to be in the majority. “In fact, more than 10 times as many black legislators outside the South serve in the majority compared to their southern counterparts, 162 versus 15, or 54.4 percent versus 4.8 percent,” the Joint Center report found. “All Republican state legislative caucuses are predominantly white, while an increasing number of southern Democratic state legislative caucuses are majority black.” Conservative Whites, now firmly in control of state governing bodies, are exercising their political power. “And since conservative whites control all the power in the region, they are enacting legislation both neglectful of the needs of African Americans and other communities of color (in health, in education, in criminal justice policy) as well as outright hostile to them, as in the assault on voting rights through photo identification laws and other measures,” the report states. The erosion of Black political clout in state legislatures mirrors the decline in Democratic power throughout the South, a shift that began with the 1994 GOP landslide and became almost complete in the last election. From the Post-Reconstruc-

tion Era following the Civil War to the 1990s, Republicans controlled only one state legislative body –Tennessee – in the South. During that period, Democrats were so anti-Black that they were known as Dixiecrats. “When southern Democrats in the Old South first engaged in diluting black votes (i.e., splitting them among multiple districts), their aim was to diminish black influence,” the report explained. “However, as southern whites began voting more Republican, the Democrats found themselves having to rely on black votes to remain in office, and growing numbers of them accepted the goals of the civil rights movement and became ‘national’ Democrats. Accordingly, the purpose of black vote dilution evolved from thwarting black political aspirations to protecting white Democrats and Democratic majorities.” Georgia Democratic State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, an AfricanAmerican who has been in office for more than three decades, told the Associated Press: “The perception across the state is the Democratic Party is the party of Black folk. When you have a racially polarized body politic, race becomes a major factor.” That lesson was not lost on the GOP. “Republicans actually encouraged the creation of black districts because they believed

the bleaching process that occurred in districts surrounding black majority districts would open up opportunities for them,” the report stated. “They supported black districts not to increase black influence but to win legislative majorities for themselves.” And that strategy paid dividends for Republicans. In 1994, they gained majorities in the Florida state senate and in the lower house in both North and South Carolina; Democrats regained control of the North Carolina House in 1996 as the GOP won control of the Florida House, giving them control of both state bodies. In 1999, Republicans gained control of the Virginia legislature and between 2000 and 2002 won control of the state legislatures in South Carolina and Texas. The Georgia senate switched from Democratic to Republican control in 2002, followed by the House two years later. Tennessee’s state senate went Republican for the first time in 2004. The net result of the party switches was that Black Democrats, who exerted influence when Democrats controlled the state houses, have been politically neutered. Of the 318 state legislators in the South, only three are ReSee statehouses, on page 5

2012: Demand for Excellence in Education Empowerment By Benjamin Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist The best quality education is one of the most important issues that will determine ones future life, prosperity and destiny. But for Black American parents and students, this is the single most important issue that will affect not only our overall quality of life, but also will determine how we will achieve to the fullest extent actual freedom, justice, equality and empowerment. Excellence in education should not be just a matter for national political debate and dialogue; it should be the cause for urgent grassroots social action, protest and demand. As we prepare to fully enter into the 2012 national political arena with the coming primary elections, in particular in states where there are determinative percentages of Black American voters, we all must work hard to make sure that the interests of our children, families and communities do not get triaged or sidestepped. The truth is we are not making enough noise and clamor about what is happening to the majority of Black youth in the public schools systems across

America. Why are 45 million Black Americans so silent about the failures of the primary and secondary school systems when it comes to the education of our children? The high school dropout rate for Black students continues to be double that of White students. This statistic has become so common that in many school districts it no longer serves as the subject or predicate for policy change at the school board level. Yet we know well the direct correlation between low academic achievement and persistent high school dropouts as well as the direct correlation between disproportionate high unemployment and incarceration. Income inequality is directly related to educational inequality! Poverty persists disproportionately in the Black American community because of the absence of economic empowerment that would be fulfilled if we would educate ourselves more fervently and urgently with excellence in every subject matter and discipline of study. The future is in our own hands to the extent to which we demand and achieve the best education in the world without apology or excuse.

A recent statistical study completed by Stanford University’s Sean Reardon established that income inequality also predetermines how well a student will do in school. In other words, students from “rich” families potentially do better in school than students from “poor” and working class families. For the first time the study revealed “The achievement gap between children from high and low income families is far higher that the achievement gap between black and white students.” According to the Stanford report, the reasons why the income achievement gap has grown include the following: “The income gap between the richest and poorest families has grown over the past 40 years; High income families invest more time and resources into promoting their children’s ‘cognitive development’ than lower income families; High income families increasingly have greater socioeconomic and social resources that may benefit their children; Income inequality has led to more residential segregation by income level rather than race, which in turns means that high income children have ac-

cess to higher quality schools and other resources.” But it should not be shocking that the academic achievement gaps are determine both by race and economic class status. The question is what can we do about these systemic inequalities? This is why I have joined the ranks of the Black Alliance of Educational Options (BAEO). The mission of BAEO is to increase access to high-quality educational options for Black children by actively supporting parental choices policies and programs that empower lowincome and working-class Black families. At a meeting hosted by Representative Laura Hall this month in Huntsville, Alabama, a well-attended town hall gathering was focused on getting an effective charter school bill before the Alabama State Legislature in 2012. Kenneth Campbell, President of BAEO, stated, “We really feel like it’s important that organizations take information to the people, so that people can understand it and get their arms around it and determine how they want to proceed.” There is a growing grassroots moveSee education, 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, December 1, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 5

IRS Helpful Hints for Hassle-Free Holiday Charitable Giving NEW ORLEANS, LA — Any discussion on charitable giving during the holidays has to start with a warning. Watch out for scams! Scam artist are active year round trying to steal your money or your identity or both. Don’t let them take advantage of your good intentions. Research unfamiliar organizations with the IRS (see the tip below), check with the Better Business Bureau and the state attorney general’s office. Now here are some reminders on tax law provisions that individuals and businesses should keep in mind when making contributions to a charity. * Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to your credit card before the end of 2011 counts for 2011. This is true even if the credit card bill isn’t paid until 2012. Also, checks count for 2011 as long as they are mailed in 2011 and clear, shortly thereafter. * Check that the organization is qualified. Only donations to qualified organizations are tax-deductible. IRS Publication 78, available online and at many public libraries, lists most organizations that are qualified to receive deductible contributions. The searchable online version can be found at www. IRS.gov. In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even if they are not listed in Publication 78. * For individuals, you must be able to who itemize your deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A can claim deduc-

Statehouses

tions for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available if you choose the standard deduction, including anyone who files a short form (Form 1040A or 1040EZ). You will have a tax savings only if the total itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, etc.) are more than the standard deduction. * For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get a receipt from the charity, if possible. The receipt should include the name of the charity, date of the contribution, and a reasonably detailed description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes this information. Also include the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation and the method used to determine that value. Additional rules apply for a contribution of $250 or more. * If the amount of a taxpayer’s deduction for all noncash contributions is over $500, a properly completed Form 8283 must be submitted with the tax return. For additional information on charitable giving, visit IRS.gov and also, see Publication 526, Charitable Contributions or check out our Charitable Contributions video on the IRS YouTube Channel. Please contact Dee Harris Stepter the Media Relations for LA and MS 504-558-3081 or by e-mail at www.twitter.com/ DeeHS_IRS.

business

AARP Foundation: New Poverty Numbers Shine a Light on Struggling Older Americans WASHINGTON - AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins released a statement following today’s announcement of poverty statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau. Using new measures that more accurately represent real world conditions, the Census now estimates more than 49 million Americans live in poverty, including more than six million seniors 65-plus. Jenkins’ statement follows: “These new numbers only reinforce what AARP and AARP Foundation hear from real people every day: older Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Whether they are trying to put healthy food on their table, pay their latest pharmacy bill or maintain a safe home, the struggling economy is holding them back. “To make matters worse, Washington is out of touch with its constituents. As seniors choose between food and medicine, some lawmakers are threatening lifeline programs that provide a boost to those in poverty or a safety net to those grasping at the middle class. With nearly 16 percent of seniors already living in poverty, our country cannot afford to slide further backward.” AARP Foundation is working to ensure that low-income Americans 50-plus can regain a foothold and meet their basic needs. Through AARP’s Drive to End Hunger initiative, the Foundation has donated more

than 3.7 million meals to local hunger relief organizations. Other Foundation programs help older Americans find and train for new jobs, access public benefits and complete their educations. More information is available at www. aarpfoundation.org. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. The

Foundation is dedicated to serving vulnerable people 50+ by creating solutions that help them secure the essentials and achieve their best life. AARP Foundation focuses on: hunger, housing, income and isolation as our key mission areas. The Foundation envisions: ‘a country free of poverty where no

older person feels vulnerable.’ Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP. For more information about AARP Foundation, please log on to www. aarpfoundation.org. Please contact Jordan McNerney at 202-434-2560 for more information.

from page 4

publicans. And those three represent majority White districts. With many Republican policies viewed as anti-Black, it is unlikely that Blacks will switch to the GOP in significant numbers. The best – and perhaps the only – hope for statewide change in the south is changing demographics. The Joint Center report observed, “Looking at the 2010 Census figures for a few key states shows the significance of the changes taking place. Texas is now a majority-minority state, and between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population there increased by 42 percent and the African American population by 24 percent. Florida’s Hispanic population increased by 57 percent, and its African American population by 28 percent. Georgia’s small Hispanic population almost doubled, but more important, its large African American population increased by about 26 percent.” Clearly, any resurgence of

Black political clout in the South will depend on the effectiveness of Black-Latino coalitions. Without those coalitions, Black lawmakers may as well begin whistling Dixie. George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www. georgecurry.com You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/ currygeorge.

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Page 6 • The

Weekly Press • Thursday, December 1, 2011

Religion Private Time with God Makes Way for Fun as a Family By Donald Lee and Bre Eaton Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding, reads Proverbs 4:7. First spending private prayer time in the presence of God gives a married person the wisdom and understanding that are needed to have effective fellowship with his (or her) spouse. That “alone time” spent with God positions those in mar-

riages to be open to thoughts divinely placed in their minds by the Lord on how to best relate to their spouses and how to truly enjoy every moment spent with one another. In essence, they learn from God how to have fun in their marriage. “One of the biggest things many couples fail to do in their marriage is to have personal fellowship first with Christ on a daily basis,” says Bre Eaton, an intercessor and associate pastor in Houston. “In other words,

it’s difficult for couples to have a healthy relationship with each other if they don’t first have one with the Lord.” That one-on-one connection with the Lord by way of His Holy Spirit empowers the husband and wife to love and sacrifice for one another. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, Galatians 5:22-24 says. To crucify the flesh is to

yield to the Spirit of the Lord, that inward witness in your heart, when He tells you that it is better to apologize for the part that you play in a misunderstanding rather than try to make your spouse see things your way. When your lust, or strong craving, tries to dictate to you that you should raise your voice to win an argument, the Spirit within you reminds you that you can restore peace in moments of tension through meekness. Couples who are tuned in to the voice of God, and who are doers of the Word that they hear, engage in fun activities with

one another, such as going to the movies, working out at the gym together, and taking vacations to places that excite them both. If they have children, they engage in activities that include them, such as horseback riding, skating, going to sports events, having movie night at home --- all kinds of fun. “Married to Commitment,” written for married couples and singles, can be ordered online at www. xulonpress.com or by calling Xulon Press at toll-free (866) 909-2665. The ISBN number is 978-1-61215-779-5. Also, watch the video trailer of “Mar-

ried to Commitment” on www.youtube.com. Donald Lee can be reached at pastordonjlee@yahoo.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @ donaldj_lee. Bre Eaton’s at kingdomprayers4am@yahoo.com. Lee also is founder-pastor of Kingdom Living Christian Center in Dallas. His messages can be heard live via teleconference at 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays by calling toll-free (760) 466-8123 (conference code: 279498#). To send a financial “seed” to support Lee’s outreach ministry, your donations may be sent to: Kingdom Living Christian Center, P.O. Box 211186, Dallas, TX 75211.

After Thanksgiving Feasting Comes The Loafing By Rev. James L. Snyder Twenty-four hours ago, I was seated with my family and friends around the Thanksgiving table. Now, I am seated in my chair and cannot move. I won’t say I ate too much yesterday. I did, I just won’t say it.   Why is it on Thanksgiving we give ourselves permission to gorge ourselves to the point of semi-consciousness? The difference between consciousness and semi-consciousness is that with semi-consciousness you feel like you have been run over by a semi-truck.   Of course, a great thing about Thanksgiving is the fabulous dinner spread, surrounded by family and friends. It is truly a time to give thanks to God for the manifold blessings he has showered on us throughout the year. Although there have been a few drought times during the past year, God’s showers of blessing always came at the

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right time.   Thanksgiving Day is for the diet-challenged person. Nothing is more challenging to me than my diet. And of this in particular I am most grateful for Thanksgiving. It is the one day of the year I can toss caution to the wind (which is the only exercise I get on Thanksgiving) and forget my diet carefully supervised by the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.   It is not that I take advantage of the situation … okay, so I do take advantage of the situation. However, that is the glorious aspect of holidays like Thanksgiving. The person, me in particular, can get away with things that the rest of the year would be impossible. And I’m not just thinking of that second piece of pumpkin pie.   The second great thing about Thanksgiving is the day after. The business community refers to this day as Black Friday. They mean, of course, it is a day

when they turn their ledger from red to black.   Whoever invented the shopping frenzy associated with the day after Thanksgiving should be congratulated and offered the Nobel Peace Prize? Black Friday in our home is when my wife and our daughters leave the house early in the morning to spend the entire day shopping and I get the opportunity to black out for the entire day. If I may say so, it is a glorious day of loafing.   The feast like we usually have on Thanksgiving Day requires at least one full day of concentrating and allowing the meal to digest, no matter how long it takes. The older I get the longer it takes my digestive system to complete its work. My philosophy is, don’t rush the process.   I’m all for cooperation. I believe this world would get along much better if everybody would just cooperate. I set the example by cooperating with my digestive

system for the entire day.   I have found the best way to assist my digestive system is to spend the day loafing. And I have managed to bring loafing to a finely developed art. It has taken years for me to get to this point of expertise. Throughout the years, I have developed the finesse associated with total loafing that should be recorded somewhere.   My expertise in this area is most remarkable for the simple fact that I only get to practice this one-day out of the year. I can assure you that one-day is intensely devoted to the strenuous activity of loafing.   If you promise not to let this get back to you know who, I do get in an odd day every now and again to practice for this day. Nobody can reach the pinnacle of success I have on this matter without some kind of practice throughout the year. I am comSee loafing, on page 7

Grant

from page 3

As the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central point for hurricane recovery, the OCD-DRU manages the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history, working

Kenya

from page 4

will take the model to Botswana and then to other nations who are eager to participate and have similar stock exchanges. Now, what are the types of projects? We will focus on the Indian Ocean Coastline of Kenya. There are seven counties in this region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from Lamu to Mombasa. It is a hidden treasure waiting to be developed. Imagine the Atlantic coastline of Florida under-developed. This is it! In Mombasa, population just under one million people, the officials want us to build and operate three major office complexes accompanied by three multi-story parking facilities (like in Washington, DC). Also, they want a full service waste management system to serve the city. The airport is in need of a five star hotel. In Kalifi County, they have a college with plans to expand it into a major university. They want us to do all of the expansion (dorms, classrooms, laboratories, streets, medical school, etc. While doing this, they want to emulate Tuskegee Institute (Booker T. Washington) via interning their construction management, engineering, agri-business and students of other curriculums in the process. In fact, they want a sister relationship with a US HBCU. They want this relationship to be a

Ship

closely with local, state and federal partners to ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before.

formal, written agreement with the NBCC. We are ready! There are plans for several dams in the area and significant irrigation systems for farming, energy and potable water. Precious minerals have already been identified and will be mined. Also, they want us to develop a fishery industry. This blessed area is abundant in ocean fishing but they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t begun to harvest and process the natural resources. Fishing trollers, cold storage and processing facilities need to be built and managed. This is just the beginning. If we do this right, it will be a model to emulate worldwide. The Prime Minister was most convincing when he spoke to us. They are depending on us and we are so honored. This is the opportunity we have been looking for - an alternative to the cut and grind of US government low bid contracting and a few scraps from major corporations. A nation of forty million people resolved to a new constitution, transparency and an obligation to its future. They ask us to step up and we will. God is great! Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of CommerceÂŽ. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc. org.

from page 4

After returning from an NAACP meeting on June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was assassinated outside his home by a member of the White Citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council. Just two months before his murder, Evers anticipated that his work for civil rights would bring about his demise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I expect to be shot anytime I step out of my carâ&#x20AC;Ś if I die, it will be in a good cause.â&#x20AC;? Evers murder served as one of the catalysts for President John F. Kennedy to request that Congress create a national civil rights bill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a truly special occasion,â&#x20AC;? said NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medgar Evers has been an inspiration to so many in the civil rights community and across the country. This honor by our Navy is befitting of his legacy.â&#x20AC;?

Education

from page 4

ment in Alabama for parental choice and the option for public charter schools to promote a better alternative for excellence in the education of Black children in Alabama. I was also just in Selma, Alabama with State Senator Hank Sanders and Attorney Rose Sanders for a similar BAEO town hall meeting. In Richmond, Virginia I witnessed with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools a growing statewide interest among local Black clergy and parents around the issues of parental choice. I was really impressed with the leadership of State Senator Louise Lucas to improve the performance of the public schools in Virginia. From Mississippi to Kentucky to Virginia, New Jersey, Missouri, and New York as well as in Alabama and other states, there is a growing national movement of Black parents and advocates for school reform. We salute the involvement and leadership of some the outstanding performing artists and young emerging leaders in the African American community who have taken a public stand on the crucial education issue. Especially we note the renowned leadership of John Legend. He is a mem-

Loafing

â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was committed to his fellow human beings and the dream of making America a nation for all its citizens,â&#x20AC;? said Navy Secretary and former Governor Ray Mabus during the dedication event. USNS Medgar Evers is the 13th ship of the Lewis and Clark (T-AKE) Class of dry cargo ships General Dynamics NASSCO is building for the U.S. Navy. NASSCO began constructing USNS Medgar Evers in April 2010. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each ship in the T-AKE Class is named for a noted pioneer in our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history,â&#x20AC;? said Fred Harris, president of NASSCO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Evers was Army veteran of World War II and an important civil rights pioneer. The NASSCO team is proud to add Medgar Eversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; name to this distinguished list.â&#x20AC;?

ber of the Board of Directors of Stand for Children Leadership Center and the Education Equality Project, two groups that work on education reform. Legend uses his artist genius in music, word and video to encourage students to finish high school and to do well in schools that have proven to be successful in innovation and reform. Legend emphasized, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Half of my fellow students dropped out before graduation, I was one of the lucky ones -- I finished high school and went on to college â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś.. With a different situation different teachers, maybe I wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been one of those 53 percent of young black men who do not graduate from high school. One of the 53 percent doing the low wage jobs, unemployment and prison.â&#x20AC;? The movement is growing. Join us. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make a difference for all our children. Excellence in education is the best key for future progress and empowerment. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is Senior Advisor for the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) and President of Education Online Services Corporation and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).

rican Americans take steps now to decrease their risk of heart disease, which research has shown could Research shows a link between heart and brain heal also decreaseThursday, the risk ofDecember cognitive 1, 2011 The Weekly Page 7 brain functio heartâ&#x20AC;˘function couldPress lead toâ&#x20AC;˘ impaired decline.â&#x20AC;?

Could You Be At Risk? Health (NAPSi)-hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an alert worth paying attention to: According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), learning your risk for type 2 diabetes could save your life. Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. it is named the â&#x20AC;&#x153;silent killerâ&#x20AC;? because one-third important initiatives, of those withresearch the disease--more than 6 limited teaching duties and serve million--do not know they have it. as aFor consultant to administration many, diagnosis may come and sevenstaff. to 10 years after the onset of leadership made the type â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2 diabetes. early diagnosis is Mary Bird Perkins-LSU medicritical for successful treatment and cal a shining canphysics delay orprogram prevent some of the example of asuch successful publiccomplications as heart diseases, private It stroke brought blindness,partnership. kidney disease, and together a powerful combination amputation. of resources that has made a real thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one reason the ADA holds difference in the way cancer is the American Diabetes AlertÂŽ Day, ultimately treated, all benefiting a one-day wake-up to inform the the patient,â&#x20AC;? saidcall Todd Stevens, American public about the seriouspresident and CEO, Mary Bird

ness of diabetes, particularly when it is left undiagnosed and untreated. the day is held on the fourth tuesday of every March. on that day, people are encouraged to take the Diabetes risk test, either with paper and pencil or online. the risk test requires users to answer seven simple questions about age, derson at Houston. weight, Cancer lifestyleCenter and family history-Newhauser hasfactors published more all potential risk for diabetes. than 80 peer-reviewed journal People scoring 10 points or more are articles, leads federal research at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and grants, and mentors students are encouraged to talk with a health and post-doctoral fellows. He care professional. also in leadership roles Anserves estimated 54 million Ameriof thehave American Association of cans pre-diabetes. those with Physicists in Medicine and the pre-diabetes have blood glucose levAmerican Nuclear els higher than normalSociety. but not high â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Newhauserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstandenough to be diagnosed with type ing research and scholarly cre2 diabetes. dentials make him an excellent early to intervention choice continue via andlifestyle build changes such as weight loss and upon Dr. Hogstromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy,â&#x20AC;?

LSU Medical Physics Partnership Under New Leadership Wayne Newhauser heads program following Hogstrom retirement

Baton Rouge Organizations to Recognize World Aids Day 2011

Perkins Cancer Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On be- said Kevin Carman, dean, LSU half of our Board of Directors, and College of Science. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am excited many others in the community, that Wayne is taking the helm, we are grateful for his tremen- and I am confident that the future dous contributions to advance of our outstanding joint program the fight against cancer through in medical physics with Mary research and education. And, we Bird is in excellent hands.â&#x20AC;? are delighted that Dr. Wayne Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Newhauser has now joined us. Center is a regional cancer care Under and exper- organization that has been fightLand his Lineleadership, (225) 356-0703 tise, the program will certainly ing cancer for more than 40 years. Cell Phone (225) 235-6955 continue to flourish.â&#x20AC;? With five centers in Baton Rouge, GSRASAC E-mail: Goodshepherdbapt@bellsouth. Newhauser has assumed Covington, Hammond, Houma Mon-Thurs 8amtitles. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8 pm and Gonzales, its service area allnet ofHours: Hogstromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former A board certified and licensed encompasses 18 parishes across medical physicist, southeast Good Newhauser Shepherd Substance AbuseLouisiana. Center Through a earned degrees in nuclear engiseries of innovative Intensive Outpatient / Inpatient Therapypartnerships, neering and medical physics from Anger Mary Management Bird Perkins Cancer Center For Drugs, Alcohol, the University of Wisconsin. He is succeeding in its mission â&#x20AC;&#x153;to worked at the German andLAC lessen 2873 Mission DriveNationalRev.improve Donaldsurvivorship Britton, MA, Standards Laboratory, the Har- the burden of cancer through exBaton Rouge, LA 70805 Director compassionate vard Medical School and Mas-Clinical pert treatment, (225) 315-0740 Bishop Harris Hayes, Overseer sachusetts General Hospital, and care, early detection, research The University of Texas MD An- and education.â&#x20AC;?

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(D-VA) in the house and Senator gressional Scorecard scores of 80 Bernie Sanders (i-Vt) in the Sen- percent or higher, and 198 of those ate. the measure would provide had stellar scores of 100 percent. comprehensive benefits including But 231 members scored 60 percent dental and mental health, simpli- or lowerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a failing grade from our fied bureaucracy, and a national school days. eligibility plan for families up to Whether Members of Congress 300 percent of the federal poverty are liberal, conservative or modlevel. We thank the 62 house co- erate; Democrat, republican or sponsors for their support. how- independent, children need all of ever, we regret that neither a single them to vote, lobby, speak for and house republican nor any other protect them. Adults need to listen Senator joined them to push for carefully to what candidates say coverage for all children. they will do for children and famithe CDF Action Council strongly lies and, once they are in office, supports long overdue health cov- we need to hold them accountable. erage for everyone in America as Please thank your Members of Consoon as possibleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;because children gress with scores of 80 percent or cannot wait. As SChiP comes up above and let those with scores of again for reauthorization in early 60 percent or below know you are 2009, we hope every Member of dissatisfied with their performance. BATON ROUGE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kenneth cal team and facilities, treatment Congress will insist on longtime covering And pleaseand convey that same mesR. Hogstrom, Ph.D., planning dosimetry laboratoevery child and pregnant mother sage to each presidential candidate. leader of the medical physics ries, and commitment to patients now by enacting and adequately must as demand our leaders partnership between LSU and We as well LSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sthat expertise in imfunding the provisions of the All commit to children a condition Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, aging and medicalasphysics within healthy Children Act. playing a ofLSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our vote. recently retired after Department of Physics & Specious claims that we could pivotal role in its development Astronomy. This combination of not find the moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;$70 billionis resources Marian Wright Edelman is Presiand expansion. The program improves patient care, over five 29 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to all dent of the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Defense one of only graduatecover programs provides a rich arena forFund mediis belied by that amount and Action Council whose Leave inchildren the United States accredited calits research and provides much spent eleven months tax cuts No Childmanpower BehindÂŽ mission is to by thein Commission onfor Accreditaneeded in this highlyfor the top one percent of Educarichest ensure every child a Healthy Start, tion of Medical Physics specialized field for Louisiana Americans andInc., in seven months aand Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe tion Programs or CAMPEP. the nation. for the Newhauser, iraq War. WePh.D., do notone haveof Start and a Moral in life and Wayne â&#x20AC;&#x153;The joint Start LSU-Mary Bird a money problem America:physWe successful passageand to adulthood the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadinginmedical Perkins medical health physhave a priorities and political will with the help started of caring families ics scholars in proton therapy ics program only 12 years deficit. ithas is time all adults to physics, beenforappointed as and ago.communities. It has quickly become one of Hogstromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s successor. brings the foremost programs of its kind protect the health of ourHe children. a strong history of leadership in in the nation. Students graduatthe field and experience at both ing from the program have gone adio School from page the alk Harvard Medical and 4 on to positions in hospitals and The University of Texas MD An- clinics in Louisiana and other derson Cancer Centerappropriat Hous- we states, and Ph.D. all funny or remotely forgetresidencies, oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;reillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less-thanton, where he helped to develop programs. Much of that rapid ate about the use of a lynching informed comments regarding a and implement protonobama,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; therapy dinner growth been Ken reference about Michelle he has shared lastdue year to with systems. Hogstromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership, and we he said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m speechless.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sharpton at Sylviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in harlem? A retirement reception expect the program to continue As President Bush pointed out oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;reilly expressed surprise over co-hosted by the LSU Department growing stronger with Wayne so eloquently during the Black how similarSylviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was to other of Physics & Astronomy and Newhauser now here with us,â&#x20AC;? history Month event, the noose restaurants in New York restauMary Bird Perkins Cancer Cen- said Michael Cherry, chair of the represents â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;more tool of rants. ter was held at thethan LSUa Faculty LSU Department of Physics & murder but a tool of intimidationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one person in Club to honor Hogstrom, who Astronomy. to generations of African-AmeriSylviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whohiswas screaming, was recognized for seven dediDuring tenure, Hogstrom cans. Nooses only robbed some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;M-Fer, i want iced tea,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; cated years ofnot teaching, research, held the titlesmore of professor and of theirand lives but many with of their said. LSU Medical Physics service leadership the he director, peaceMary of mind. As the Washington Postâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s robjoint Bird Perkins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LSU and Health Physics Program; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;As a in civil society,Physics, we musta inson sadly observed on MSNBC program Medical Dr. Charles M. Smith Chair of understand that noose displays February, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;All you canand go by public-private partnership that he inMedical Physics, LSU; chief and lynching jokes are deeply is his words and his actions. And was instrumental in growing. of physics, Mary Bird Perkins. offensive. they aremedical wrong.physAnd he keeps sayingappointed these thingsprofesthat The academic He is being they have no place in America pretty darn racistand to me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ics program is an applied physics sound sor emeritus at LSU has actoday,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said. the LSU College cepted has talka radio learned anything program within three-year, part-time Neither oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;reilly nor ingraham imusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;atdecline of of Science. The partnership lever- from position Maryand Birdfall? Perkins has been reprimanded by their re- course because it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t takeon ages Mary Bird Perkinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cliniwherenot, he will continue work spective employers even though imus too terribly long to get a the Fox News personality did offer new gig. a half-hearted apology. our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media outlets At least ingraham didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drop should not provide a platform for the l-word but her suggestion that racialhostility and hateful speech Sharpton, a former presidential now or in the future. What kind of candidate and respected member of messageare we sending to our chilthe African-American community dren, our nation and our world? and beyond, is a petty thief reeks in such an historic election year, of race-baiting and negative ste- we cannot stand aside and allow reotyping of African-Americans individuals to use the airwaves and black men in particular. as an outlet for insensitive and But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardly the first time ei- misguidedcommentary. if you be available at the its inception on De- hear ther Since has ventured into questionable somethingfor thatviewing offends you, gallery from 8 to 11:00 am. The cember 1, 1988, World AIDS and offensive territory. how can speak up. Day has become one of the most winning poster will be the ofrecognized health days across ficial HAART Prevention Poster the globe. World AIDS Day is for 2012. from1st page 4 year An inter-faith prayer heldyStem on December each and is seen as an opportunity service will take place on the terrace of with the gallery following for people worldwide to unite concerned cally pointed out that changes the conditions in the fight against HIV, show the Press Conference. Sponsored which occur in a human being is at Jetson. it is happening there. their support for people living by the Louisiana Conference of redirected to pull from the core What i do know is that most of with HIV and to commemorate The United Methodist Church, of hiswho own have humanity reaffirm youth can be changed, fromfor the service is an opportunity those died.toThe inter- these self worth and purpose. he will contrition in a prepatory school national theme for World AIDS all denominations to represent then 2011 by nature acquire the will to for Angola rehabilitation for to their faithtoand join in unity Day is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting to Zeroâ&#x20AC;?. do forThe himself and others. a positive life that may lead to Baton Rouge organi- commemorate the memorya of Space is not available to cover of meritorious glory. Thathope is those passed and to bring zation HIV/AIDS Alliance for life concerns ofInc. so (HAART) many people It! with HIV. to Way thoseI See living Region Two, will the Timothy Young, Executive recognize World AIDS Day by holding a press conference at Director of HAART will make 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Decem- a brief presentation citing staber 1, at BRECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baton Rouge tistics which show the Baton Gallery in City Park. As part of Rouge region ranks second in the press conference, HAART the country for people living will display entries from our 1st with AIDS. In addition, Young will discuss information for Annual Poster Contest. To recognize World AIDS HIV/AIDS in our community Day, HAART, in collaboration and funding concerns. For further information with two graphic design classes from Baton Rouge Community about HAARTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World AIDS College, gave students the op- Day events, please contact Lori portunity to design a preven- Lauve at (225) 927- 1269 x111 or tion and awareness poster for via email at llauve@haartinc. our agency. The posters will org.

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Weekly Press • Thursday, December 1, 2011

SPORTS

Last Week’s Scores November 26 Grambling State 36, Southern 12

THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF THE SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE The Southwestern Athletic Conference, Inc. (the “SWAC”, the “Conference”) is organized exclusively for the purpose of encouraging, promoting, advancing, and conducting intercollegiate sports activities and other recreational and not-for-profit activities among the members of the Conference. Its purposes are: 1. To uphold the principles of institutional control of, and responsibility for all collegiate sports conducted by the members of this organization in conformity with the Constitution and Bylaws hereof; 2. To stimulate and improve intercollegiate athletic sports; 3. To comply with satisfactory standards of scholarship and amateur standing and good sportsmanship; 4. To preserve and maintain the collegiate athletic records of the members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and make them available upon request; 5. To cooperate with other amateur athletic organizations in the promotion and conduct of intercollegiate athletic contests; 6. To maintain fiscal management; and 7. To legislate through Bylaws or Resolutions on subjects of general concern to the membership. The members of the conference are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. To this end, the conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that governs intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Alabama State Finishes Season 8-3 with 30-21 win Over Tuskegee in Turkey Day Classic MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Tim Clark rushed for a career high 143 yards and one touchdown in leading Alabama State to a 30-21 victory over Tuskegee in the 88th Turkey Day Classic. Leading 23-21 late in the fourth quarter, Clark’s 39-yard run into Tuskegee territory set up his game-clinching one-yard scoring run with 1:20 remaining. “I played to the best of my ability, for the coaches, for the team and the rest of the seniors,” said Clark, who also scored on a 17-yard scoring pass to earn Offensive MVP honors. “It’s our Super Bowl. It’s huge. We wanted to go out strong and finish.” Alabama State (8-3) led 23-7 at halftime, and withstood a late rally by the Golden Tigers. Tuskegee (4-6) scored second-half touchdowns on an Adam Lucus 31-yard interception return and DeMario Pippen 11-yard touchdown run to cut its deficit to two points. “I’m proud of our guys today,” head coach Reggie Barlow said of his Hornets won the Turkey Day Classic for the first time since 2008. “We have nine se-

ASU’s head coach Reggie Barlow is showered after the 88th annual Turkeyday Classic football game between Alabama State University and Tuskegee Univeristy, November 24, 2011. Alabama State University won the game 30-21.

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niors that have been here with us and they fought hard. We wanted to win it for them and it’s a big win for us.” On a day in which Alabama State honored its 1991 SWAC and HBCU National Championship team, Alabama State came out swinging in the first quarter. ASU gets Turkey Day Classic Trophy 2011.jpgView full sizeASU’s president President William H. Harris celebrates a victory with the Hornets following the 88th annual Turkeyday Classic football game between Alabama State University and Tuskegee Univeristy, November 24, 2011. Alabama State University won the game 30-21.(David Campbell/ASU) The Hornets got off to their best start of the season, scoring a season-high 17 first quarter points. A Bobby Wenzig 29-yard field goal ended a 14-play, 82yard drive that gave the Hornets a 3-0 lead with 7:47 to play in the opening quarter. WR Nick Andrews’ nineyard touchdown catch on the next drive was the 200th reception of his career and gave the Hornets a 10-0 lead. FS Kejuan Riley’s ninth interception of the season set up Alabama State’s third score of the opening period, a one-yard touchdown run by Greg Jenkins to give the Hornets a 17-0 lead. Riley added seven tackles and was named Defensive MVP. After a two-yard touchdown run by Pippen got Tuskegee on the board in the second quarter, Alabama State extended its lead. Devin Dominguez, filling in for Jenkins who suffered a hand injury and did not return, threw a 17-yard scoring pass to Clark to give the Hornets a 23-7 lead they would take to halftime.

Alabama State Dedicates Markham Football Complex

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The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Peoples Health Choices Plus (HMO-POS) is available to residents of Ascension, E. Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and W. Baton Rouge Parishes. Peoples Health offers Medicare plans in 6 additional parishes in southeast Louisiana. Individuals must have both Part A and Part B to enroll. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. A sales person will be present with information and applications at benefits meetings. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-888-515-1746 (TTY: 711) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no obligation to join. Peoples Health is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. H1961_H2EPA6_CMSApproved11272011

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The new Alabama State University football complex has housed the Hornets’ football coaching staff since the end of the summer and the last bit of construction has been completed with the addition of the weight room. However, the most important aspect of completing the building was done today as the complex will now be officially known as the Houston Markham, Jr. Football Complex. Markham, along with several family members, former players and former members of the coaching staff were on hand today to witness the dedication. Markham coached the Hornets from 1987-1997 and led the Hornets to a 68-39-5 record during his 11 years at the helm of the program. His 68 wins are the most wins by any coach in the history of ASU football. “I wouldn’t be around here if it weren’t for great players, great coaches and a great administration,” Markham said. “I am proud to succeed to some degree with what we had. We adopted the motto we were going to worry about what we have and not worry about what we did not have.” Among the former players that spoke at the dedication was former ASU and NFL star Eddie Robinson, who was a member of the 1991 SWAC and Black College National Championship Team. “There are so many stories you can tell about coach,” Robinson said. He was a comedian, he was a coach, he was a dad to a lot of guys and he was a psychologist. He really did make me better than I dreamed I could be and that was not just on the football field, but just in life as a public speaker and broadcaster. Coach Markham would take me and have me speak at elementary schools and I didn’t really know why he was making me do it but it all paid off. I think he saw something in each one of us that we didn’t see in ourselves and made us better than we ever believed we could be.”