Houston Defender: January 29, 2015

BUSINESS

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS CAN HELP FINANCIALLY P9 defendernetwork.com

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Volume 84 | Number 8 JANUARY 29, 2015 |FREE

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OPINION REP. BORRIS MILES wants civilian review board

P8 SPORTS ERNIE BANKS remembered as baseball great

P10 HS ZONE JASMINE BUTLER shows versatility on court

P11 TOP EVENTS

Anthony Anderson hosts

IMAGE AWARDS H PAGE 5

Chief McClelland hosts meeting

Joyful Drake and Lance Gross participate in UNCF tour

P12

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland is reaching out to community members with an upcoming town hall meeting at Texas Southern University and everyone is invited. Discover what’s on the agenda. See how HPD will interact with residents.

Summit looks at education

Children at Risk held its annual summit on key issues impacting Texas youth and one of the topics was education. Hear what participants had to say about engaging and motivating minority students. Read about schools finding innovative ways to educate kids.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015

newstalk

Chief Charles A. McClelland Jr.

Police Chief McClelland hosts town hall meeting Houston Police Chief Charles A. McClelland Jr. will host an HPD town hall meeting on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Granville M. Sawyer Auditorium on the Texas Southern University Campus.

He is inviting Houstonians to meet with him and top HPD commanders.

“It is clear that a solid community partnership is the most effective way of securing our communities, making them safer for all of us,” he said.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Shoot, Don’t Shoot” simulator as well as view displays of the HPD helicopter and the SWAT tactical vehicle.

McClelland and his commanders will take questions one-on-one and in group settings to find out what issues are of most

importance to residents. Everyone is encouraged to attend and to voice concerns and ask questions.

Following McClelland’s address and a question-and-answer period, residents will be able to break into smaller groups to meet with HPD patrol captains who oversee their neighborhoods. Members of various HPD divisions, including Internal Affairs, Homicide and Juvenile, will also be present.

Free parking will be provided on the TSU campus, as will accommodations for hearing-impaired citizens.

The event will also be live-streamed on the HPD YouTube channel at www.youtube. com/houstonpolicedept and live-blogged at www.hpdtownhallmeeting.blogspot.com For more information visit www.houstonpolice.org or call 713-308-3200.

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Bank robbers sought

Do you know these men?

Crime Stoppers of Houston is offering up to a $5,000 reward in the case of three armed men who robbed the Amegy bank located at 800 Town and Country Blvd. The FBI released photos of two of the men.

At approximately 11:17 a.m. on Jan. 24, the men entered the bank carrying dark colored semi-automatic handguns. One of the robbers held customers and employees at gunpoint, while the other jumped the counter and grabbed the cash. No one was physically hurt.

The two armed robbers were picked up by a third man driving a 2007 -2010 gun metal gray Chevrolet Impala. The Impala had black rim tires, limo tint on its side and rear windows, and paper covering the license plate.

The first armed robber is described as a Black male wearing a red mask with eye and mouth openings. He wore a dark zip-up polo hoodie and black pants during the robbery.

The second robber is described as a Black male about 6-feet tall with an athletic thin build and a white mask covering the lower half of his face. The white mask appeared to be a cut up white tee-shirt.

He wore a dark zip-up polo hoodie, black pants, sneakers with white soles and carried a red canvass shopping bag with white writing.

If you have information about the case call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or the Houston office of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

localbriefs HISD’S BOND PROGRAM is experiencing challenges from spiking construction costs. Board trustees received a detailed look at the impact of escalating costs at a workshop that also considered possible strategies to address potential budget gaps.

Since 2012, when Houston voters approved the district’s $1.89 billion bond program to renovate or replace 40 schools, the district has seen an unprecedented jump in building costs. Much of that spike is attributed to the oil and building boom. The growth in the energy sector brought an influx of commercial construction projects to the area, along with a huge demand for workers and materials. The board gave the district the green light

to consider other strategies, including waiting to bid a project or re-bidding portions of a project to try to get a better price……..TEXANS SEEKING UNEMPLOYMENT benefits are being warned by the Texas Workforce Commission to be aware of third-party vendors offering assistance. Texans have reported receiving emails soliciting personal information from a third-party vendor that is not affiliated with TWC called the Unemployment Advisory Department, with an email address support@us-benefits.org. Online third-party UI benefits resource centers that charge a fee for providing advice and job services typically request personal identifiers and credit card information

that could be used for identity theft. For more information contact TWC at 800-939-6631……...

THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION is promoting awareness of heart disease with various events during the month of February. Walgreens, a national sponsor of the AHA, will offer free blood pressure checks at all pharmacies. In addition, customers will have an opportunity to make a donation to AHA when they check out. National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 6 and Go Red Sunday is Feb. 8, during which the AHA encourages faithbased organizations to celebrate heart month. For information call 713-610-5000 or visit www.heart. org/houston.

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JANUARY 29 | 2015 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs PREDATORY LENDERS continue to target poor, Black and Latino communities, siphoning off $103 billion in fees and interest every year according to a report

by United for a Fair Economy. Mike Leyba, co-author of the report, said that systemic economic exclusion continues to plague the banking sector, leaving 93 million Americans unbanked. “The unbanked are people that do not have any type of consumer checking account, and are outside the entire banking system,” the report said. More than 20 percent of Black households were unbanked in 2013, compared to 3.6 percent of white households……...SOME LEADERS of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination are preaching that integrated churches can be a key driver of racial justice in society. Rev. Russell Moore, who leads the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is one of several white leaders calling for multiethnic congregations in the wake of the unrest in Ferguson, Mo. and New York City. “In the church, a black Christian and a white Christian are brothers and sisters,” Moore said……..THE CHILDREN of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took a step toward resolving issues that have divided them in recent years. The Estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Inc. dismissed a lawsuit it filed in 2013 against the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Dexter Scott King is president and CEO of the estate and Martin Luther King III is board chair. Rev. Bernice King, their sister, is CEO of the King Center. The estate said in its suit that it had granted the King Center a license to use King’s name, likeness and image and to publicly exhibit his writings and spoken words. But an audit revealed that artifacts were being held in unsafe and unsecure conditions and that the terms of the licensing agreement had been violated.

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 7 JANUARY 29, 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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Mayors unveil community policing recommendations Under the leadership of U.S. Conference of Mayors President and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the nation’s mayors recently released their recommendations on improving community policing, following a four-month review of policies and best practices nationwide.

The recommendations were unveiled by Gary, Ind. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who chairs the USCM Working Group of Mayors and Police Chiefs, during the conference’s 83rd Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The working group was formed following the tragedy in Ferguson, Mo., and an October meeting in Little Rock, Ark., where more than 100 mayors and police chiefs met to discuss different communitypolicing strategies, lessons to be learned from events in Ferguson and ways to build trust between law enforcement and city officials.

The mayors’ recommendations focused on six areas: Building police-community trust, improving police department practices, assuring timely and accurate communications, conducting independent investigations (to increase public confidence), addressing racial and economic disparities and providing national leadership.

The recommendations are included in a report titled “Strengthening Police-Community Relations in America’s Cities.”

In the area of building trust, the report stated that community policing is a philosophy, not just a program, and said:

• Police officers need to interact on a daily basis with the community to develop credibility and establish an ongoing dialogue with residents, including those with who they may disagree, to help keep incidents from becoming crises.

• Community policing must be much more than one officer forming a relationship; it involves making inroads in the most challenged communities.

• Officers should treat all people with dignity and respect. Given the history of tension, police should be particularly sensitive to minority communities.

• Police should engage in problem-solving partnerships with the community and work to establish trusting relationships that can be the foundation for working together in times of crisis.

“Mayors stand at the crossroads of their communities,” Johnson said. “We are the leaders best positioned to bridge the gaps in trust and understanding our residents, all of whom want what is best for our cities.”

Justice Dept. unlikely to charge Officer Wilson

By AFRO Staff

The U.S. Department of Justice will not file civil rights charges against former Ferguson, Mo., Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown, the New York Times reported.

The Justice Department declined comment on the report. However, the publication cited officials who said prosecutors are preparing a memo recommending that no charges be filed against Wilson, after an FBI investigation found no evidence supporting such charges.

The outcome mirrors that of a parallel but independent probe by Missouri state law enforcement,

which resulted in a St. Louis grand jury declining to file charges against Wilson last November.

The development could signal an end to the highly explosive case that spawned protests and a national debate around the use of excessive force by police against African-Americans.

Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for Brown’s family, said they are awaiting official word from the Justice Department before they make any comments.

While the Justice Department’s civil rights probe into Wilson’s actions may be completed, the federal agency is still pursuing a broader civil rights investigation into the Ferguson Police Department’s alleged patterns of discrimination against the city’s majority Black population.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015 defendernetwork.com

‘Selma’ composer Moran returns to Houston Acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran – a native Houstonian – returns home for two appearances. Moran, the artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center, scored the music for the film “Selma.”

Moran will join visual artist Robert Pruitt for a discussion on “The Rauschenberg Project: Holed Up,” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Menil Foyer, 1533 Sul Ross. The multimedia performance is inspired

by Texas-born artist Robert Rauschenberg and his work in the Menil Collection, along with Moran’s response to his native city.

The project is part of the Jason Moran Homecoming Residency that integrates the creative process with community and educational initiatives in Houston. Commissioned by Da Camera, the work is the centerpiece of Homecoming, presented in partnership with the University of Houston’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. The Jason Moran event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, a concert featuring the world premiere of the Rauschenberg Project will be held at 8 p.m. at the Wortham Theater Center.

Moran and his trio the Bandwagon will be joined by special guests Horace Grigsby and Marvin Sewell. For ticket information call 713-524-5050 or visit dacamera.com.

Moran, who lives in New York City, attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and later enrolled in the Manhattan School of Music. As his career took off he eventually signed with the Blue Note Record label. He has performed with numerous artists, including Cassandra Wilson and Wayne Shorter.

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JANUARY 29 | 2015 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Stars come out for NAACP Image Awards Some of the biggest names in show business can be seen at the 46th NAACP Image Awards, which will be broadcast live on TV One on Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m.

Anthony Anderson, star of ABC’s “Black-ish,” will return for the second time as host. He is also nominated for an Image Award as Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.

“It is an honor and privilege to be asked back to host the NAACP Image Awards – the nominees this year are stellar and a testament to the talented individuals in our community,” Anderson said.

“As a nine-time Image Award nominee I could not be more proud, and I look forward to holding the record for most nominations without a win!”

In addition to the awards presented for TV, movies, music and literature, Attorney General Eric Holder will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award and Spike Lee will be presented the NAACP President’s Award.

The movie “Selma” received numerous nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (David Oyelowo) and Outstanding Director (Ava DuVernay).

“Selma” co-stars Oprah Winfrey and Carmen Ejogo are nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress, and André Holland, Common and Wendell Pierce are nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Viola Davis received three nominations – Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (“The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby”), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (“Get on Up”) and Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (“How to Get Away With Murder”).

Pharrell Williams also received three nominations – one for Outstanding Male Artist and two for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration.

Other stars receiving multiple nominations include Winfrey, Octavia Spencer, John Legend, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Steve Harvey, Chris Rock and Alicia Keys.

Anthony Anderson

The movie “Selm a” received mult Image Awards iple nominations.

Viola Davis

what’sup “Selma” star DAVID OYELOWO and director AVA DUVERNAY are teaming up to develop a film about love and murder during Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and damaged other Gulf Coast areas in 2005. The project will mark the third collaboration for Oyelowo and DuVernay, who worked together in “Middle of Nowhere,” a drama released in 2012……..ALICIA KEYS’ husband SWIZZ BEATZ surprised her with a birthday bash. The theme was the 1990 film “House Party,” and four of its cast members entertained guests by recreating their dance moves from the film – TISHA CAMPBELL-MARTIN, A.J. JOHNSON, and

KID-N-PLAY duo CHRISTOPHER “KID” REID and CHRISTOPHER “PLAY” MARTIN. Other guests included CARMELO and LaLa ANTHONY, GAYLE KING and BUSTA RHYMES. Keys, 34, gave birth to her second son, Genesis, a month ago……..The new reality series starring DAVID & TAMELA MANN airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on BET. “It’s a Mann’s World” takes a peek into the lives of the Manns, who have been married for 26 years.

They co-starred on TYLER PERRY’S sitcom “Meet the Browns,” which aired 2009-2012……..SAMUEL L. JACKSON co-stars in “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” which hits theaters on Feb. 13. Jackson

portrays an evil genius in the film, which is based on a comic book series. Jackson, 63, has made more than 100 movies since debuting in “Jungle Fever” in 1991.

His movies have made more than $7.4 billion, making him the highest grossing actor of all time……..

Performers PAULA ABDUL and JASON DERULO will join the judges’ table on “So You Think You Can Dance,” which returns this summer on Fox. The show will hold auditions in Dallas on Feb. 14.

Derulo began his career writing songs for such artists as SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS and LIL WAYNE. He has sold more than 30 million singles, including “Wiggle” and “Talk Dirty.”

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015

cente

OPTIMIZING EDUCATION

FOR HOUSTON KIDS

By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender

T

he local advocacy group Children at Risk believes that education is the pathway for children to pull themselves out of poverty and into the American middle class.

The importance of education was stressed at the organization’s recent annual Children’s Summit, where community leaders came together to discuss the status of Texas kids.

Children at Risk also released the 13th edition of its report “Growing Up in Houston: Assessing the Quality of Life of Our Children.”

Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, said there is work to be done.

“We are not giving all of our Larry Payne and Byron Sanders participate in Children at Risk summit. children the tools to be successful,” Sanborn said. “You can point to some things that look better than they did tional system.

10 years ago but overall that outlook is still not good.”

Sanders urged community members to make During a summit session on education, Byron a difference in children’s lives and said mentors are Sanders, board member of the North Texas Regional needed.

Chapter of Children at Risk, noted what steps must be “We need the community present,” he said. “We taken. need to give our kids purpose. With purpose comes “We have to do something different,” Sandhope and with hope comes perseverance.” ers said. “We have to make sure that we are creating The Children at Risk report cited schools that culturally aware ways to engage and motivate our stand out. One is Small Steps Nurturing Center, a nonminority students and help them succeed.” profit childcare and preschool center located in North Larry Payne, president at Educational Excellence Houston that services low-income children for free.

Resource Group, said children need to know that adults It uses the Social Emotional Tools (SET) for Life care. learning program that improves self-esteem, encour“I think Black children need to have the underages constructive expression of emotions and teaches standing, as we all do as children, of what does it mean age-appropriate decision-making. to have and receive unconditional love,” Payne said.

The report also cited A+ Unlimited Potential “As soon as you start engaging with a child, the child Middle School as another innovative learning program. knows if you really care or not.”

It is a mobile school that travels around the Museum Sanborn said community involvement, parental District and offers individualized learning plans and engagement and sufficient funding for education are extended school days. needed to make a difference in young lives, and added “Change happens from the bottom up,” Payne that early childhood education is essential. said. “We have to start with our own community and He encouraged concerned citizens to lobby ourselves. We can’t wait for other people to save our elected officials for legislation that benefits the educachildren.”

s e r u g i F & Facts

divariety of in a s se u rt o p 16 re . Here isk’s 2014-20 r local youth fo fe li f Children at R o ty li ua asures the q cators to me s: live in the finding hildren who c ’s ty n are some of u o C is nt. tage of Harr at 26.7 perce h • The percen ig h in a m .4 percent tinues to re dren and 34 il h c k c poverty con la B f arris County 3.8 percent o poverty in H • Currently, 3 in g in v li re e and hildren a ared to whit p m co h of Hispanic c ig h ly roportionate which is disp urrently n. udents are c st l o o Asian childre h sc h dents t of HISD hig nic HISD stu a p is H f o t • 31.4 percen n perce ring their ve and 32.2 regnancy du p t n e v sexually acti re p ny method to did not use a sented in ncounter. tly overrepre n e st si last sexual e n co ges pulations are rican youth a e m -A n a ic • Minority po fr m. A pulation justice syste l juvenile po ta to e the juvenile th f o t tion. nt 19 percen ferral popula re 10-17 represe e il n e v ju nt of the but 43 perce

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Community resources Here is a sample listing of entities that focus on education.

Breakthrough Houston www.breakthroughhouston.org

Houston A+ Challenge www.houstonaplus.org

Children’s Learning Institute www.childrenslearninginstitute.org

Project GRAD www.projectgradhouston.org

Collaborative for Children www.collabforchildren.org College Forward www.collegeforward.org

Small Steps Nurturing Center www.ssnc.org Texas Association for the Education of Young Children www.texasaeyc.org

Communities in Schools www.cishouston.org

Dept. of Education seeks reform NNPA News Service

About Childre n at Risk

Founded in 1989, Childre n at Risk is a and advocac non-partisan y organizatio research n dedicated causes of po to addressin or public po g the root licies affectin The organiza g children. tion works o n a broad ra issues, includ nge of childre ing educatio n, juvenile ju n’s physical hea stice, menta lth and pare l h n e ting. alth, Through its Pu as the only ce blic Policy & Law Center established nter of its kin in 2006 d in Texas, C policy and le hildren at Ris gal expertise k a uses s a better futu a tool to driv re for childre e change an n d create .

Through its Growing Up in Houston p zation measu ublication, th res Texas’ pro e organigress in mak Children at R ing children isk also relea a priority. se s the state of annual schoo Texas. The ra l ra n k in g s n a kings serve a cross educators an s a guide for d communit parents, y members o local schools n the perform . ance of For informati on visit www .childrenatris k.org.

he Houston area for over 80 years

John King Jr., a highly-respected educator from New York City, says that teachers saved his life and in his new post as the deputy secretary at the Department of Education, he wants all children to have the support in school that he had growing up.

In his new role, King will manage the agency’s major initiatives that include working to revise President George W. Bush’s 2002 “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) law.

King noted that, by some measures, student achievement has improved since NCLB updated the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), originally signed into law in 1965.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, high school graduation rates for Black students (measured as the average freshman graduation rates) increased from 59 percent in 2006 to 68 percent in 2012, compared to white students who saw their graduation rates rise from 80 percent to 85 percent over the same time period.

King said ESEA is really a civil rights law that was intended to ensure equity for all students across the country and there is still a lot of work to do.

“One of the problems with the NCLB law is that it focused just on absolute performance,” said King. “What we’ve tried to do at the department with the ‘waiver process’ is to focus on growth.”

Through the waiver process, the Obama administration freed more than 30 states and Washington, D.C. from NCLB’s stringent testing requirements, which often faced sharp criticism from educators and

John King Jr.

school administrators.

NCLB affects every public school in the United States. Its goal is to level the playing field for students who are disadvantaged, and holds schools accountable for how kids learn and achieve by annual testing and academic progress. It penalizes schools that do not show improvement.

Some critics argue that it is a “onesize-fits-all” approach to education that overemphasizes testing and doesn’t provide enough money to schools to achieve success.

King said educational opportunity is the key.

“We have no future as a country if we don’t ensure that African-American students get a high quality education, that Latino students get a high quality education, that our English language learners get a high quality education,” he said.

“Our future depends on ensuring that every student has the full range of opportunities.”

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015

defendernetwork.com

opinion Civilian review board can

alleviate tension

O

By STATE REP. BORRIS L. MILES

ver the last year in this country, we experienced several incidents of young, unarmed Black men being gunned down by police officers who took oaths to protect and serve all citizens. It saddens my heart and boggles my mind that the use of deadly force has become a regular occurrence.

I am saddened not only because I am a Black man but because I have the distinct perspective of also having served in law enforcement.

Police officers are ordinary people who regularly do extraordinary things usually at a great personal expense to their own lives and liberty. But with that being said and with as much respect as I have for police, far too often it seems that rogue officers with no respect for the lives of our young Black men have recently taken center stage.

Fatal police shootings are regrettably not new to our nation or our great state of Texas.

In January 2014, Officer Juventino Castro shot and killed a young, unarmed Black male, Jordan Baker. Yet, Officer Castro was recently cleared by a grand jury of any wrongdoing for Baker’s death.

The fact that none of these officers were ever forced to stand trial in a court of law is problematic. The people and communities affected by these tragic shooting deaths were routinely denied an opportunity for a full investigation before an open courtroom.

Instead, grand jurors halted the process by choosing not to charge the police officers.

Concerns about racial bias exist because these police shootings resulted in the deaths of several young people of color without

any real or perceived consequences. With what feels to be a wave of highly publicized, racially charged, and fatal police shootings, tension exists between police and civilians.

People exhibit a wide range of reactions such as frustration and anger when no indictments are issued for those officers responsible for shooting deaths. But I want Texans to know that all lives matter. There can be no open season!

As a man of color, as a father of a young son, as a former law enforcement officer, and as an elected official, I have mixed emotions about such disturbing deaths. Yet, I know that I will do my very best to prevent such tragic occurrences from reaching epidemic proportions.

I have filed House Bill 261 that will establish a Municipal Civilian Complaint Review Board, if passed. I first filed legislation for a civilian review board back in 2011.

I identified the need for its creation after the Chad Holley incident where Holley, a 15 year-old black burglary suspect, was severely beaten by several Houston Police Department officers during his arrest.

This proposed five-person civilian board would have the power to investigate, review and decided on certain allegations of police officer misconduct. No one is above the law, including law enforcement officers.

House Bill 261 is a link in a chain of bills that I will be pushing to address the tension between the police and citizens. Without any intervention, this wave of officer-involved shootings where the police are cleared behind closed doors will likely spiral out of control.

So, I have been and remain committed to my duty to preserve, protect and defend all Texans from all injustices. The opportunity is now to get this right, and I will keep the faith and keep the fight!

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JANUARY 29 | 2015 | DEFENDER

business

9

Take financial precautions: Questions to ask or a trust to guide the distribution of your money and property after you die.

Am I keeping the right financial records?

When it comes to paper versions of records like old bank statements, credit card bills and receipts, consider keeping only those you may need to protect yourself in the event of, say, a tax audit or a dispute with a mer-

chant or manufacturer.

Documents you don’t need can be discarded, but shred or otherwise securely destroy records that contain personal information. It’s also good to keep a list of your financial accounts and personal documents in one secure place, so that a loved one responsible for your affairs could easily find it.

For additional guidance visit www.fdic.gov.

classified phones to regularly download and install any “patches” (system updates) the manufacturers produce to address security weaknesses. For unlocking your computer and mobile devices and for logging into websites and apps, create “strong” IDs and passwords with combinations of upperand lower-case letters, numbers and symbols that are hard to guess, and then change the passwords regularly.

“Try not to use the same password at more than one site,” said Michael Benardo, manager

of the FDIC’s Financial Crimes Section. “And if you feel a need to keep a written list of passwords, which is not recommended, try instead to use word and number combinations that vary slightly between sites, which may be easier for you to remember.”

Am I taking precautions with my personal information when I go to social networking sites? Scammers try to collect even minor details about an individual, such as a pet’s name or a high school mascot, B:4.79” in hopes that they can use this information to

LEGAL NOTICE Game #

reset the passwords on a bank or investment account and commit fraud.

Social media sites are places where criminals can often find this information.

Do I have the necessary legal documents if I become disabled or when I die? These may include a “power of attorney” permitting someone else to handle transactions and make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. And if you haven’t already done so, consider consulting with an attorney about creating or updating a will and/

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting qualifications for the following:

Management Agent Services for four (4) HUD Section 811 projects Specifications may be secured from MHMRA of Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074 and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, February 02, 2015. Qualifications must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Room 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 Monday, February 23, 2015 by 10:00 a.m., in a sealed envelope. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Joycie Adeyemi, Buyer II / Sharon Brauner, Buyer III, via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to joycie.adeyemi@mhmraharris.org cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all proposals it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18 th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 

Project 14-10-19 – Mailing and Letterpress Services – with a deadline of 9 AM 2/11/2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2W26 at the above stated address on 1/28/2015 at 9:30AM.

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Project 14-12-06 – Pest Control Services – with a deadline of 2 p.m. February 9, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C18 at the above stated address on January 28, 2015 at 2 p.m.

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Project 15-01-04 – Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – with a deadline of 2 p.m. February 9, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C18 at the above stated address on January 28, 2015 at 9 a.m.

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Project 15-01-05 – Dairy Products – with a deadline of 2 p.m.

February 9, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C18 at the above stated address on January 28, 2015 at 11 a.m.

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Project 15-01-08 – Bakery Products Bread (Nutrition Services) – with a deadline of 2 P.M. February, 9 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2C04 at the above stated address on January 28, 2015 at 2:00 P.M.

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon: Official Close End of Game Validations Date

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4/1/15

9/28/15

1639

5X The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.52

$1

4/1/15

9/28/15

1618

Triple Dynamite - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.28

$2

4/1/15

9/28/15

1640

10X The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.15

$2

4/1/15

9/28/15

1647

Lucky 13 - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.13

$2

4/1/15

9/28/15

1635

Loteria™ - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.98

$3

4/1/15

9/28/15

1559

All or Nothing™ - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.21

$5

4/1/15

9/28/15

1604

10X Super Fast Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.25

$5

4/1/15

9/28/15

1623

Solid Gold - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.24

$5

4/1/15

9/28/15

1636

Texas Dream Home - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.77

$5

4/1/15

9/28/15

1536

10X Mega Money - Overall Odds are 1 in 2.88

$10

4/1/15

9/28/15

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education. © 2015 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

B:3.25”

Anytime is a good time to reflect on how well you are managing your finances and to consider whether you would benefit from some changes. When it comes to taking certain precautions, how prepared you? Here’s a checklist of questions that can help you better evaluate and meet your goals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Am I adequately insured? Having enough life, health, disability, property and other insurance is essential to protect your finances from a sudden shock. Learn more at www.insureuonline. org, a website from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. You may find savings on your existing policies by getting updated quotes from your current insurer and comparing them to quotes from at least two other companies.

Am I prepared in case of a fire, flood or other emergency? In addition to having your most important possessions insured, ask yourself how your most important documents would be saved from ruin. For more information, including how to assemble a preparedness kit if you had only a few moments to evacuate your home, read tips from FEMA at www. ready.gov.

Is the personal information on my computer or smartphone properly protected? Use and automatically update anti-virus software and a firewall to secure your computer. Arrange for your computer or

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSurplus.com.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015

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The late Ernie Banks was a star for the Chicago Cubs from 1953-1971 and the team’s first Black player.

Baseball’s Ernie Banks dead at 83

O

By MAX EDISON Defender

“Ernie was a very special guy,” Jones recalled.

“He had an infectious smile. I remember meeting him for the first time in the mid-1950s. I was playing with the White Sox. He was already an All-Star, but he was so congenial to me, warm and friendly.

“Many times star ballplayers can be full of themselves or standoffish, but not Ernie. He took

ne of the legends of Major League Baseball, Ernie Banks, died Jan. 23 White Sox play was just a few blocks from where in Chicago after suffering a heart I grew up on the city’s South Side, so naturally attack. He was 83. most Black folks were White Sox fans.

Known throughout the world as “We looked at the Cubs the way Black people “Mr. Cub,” Banks was a two-time MVP and Hall look at the Republican Party. Ernie Banks becomof Famer who played his entire 19-year career as ing a Cub changed that to some extent. He bemember of the Chicago Cubs. Banks, a shortstop came a big inspiration to and first baseman, was Black Chicagoans young known not only for his and old. Brothers started prowess on the baseto attend Cub games. ball diamond but for I remember my dad a demeanor that was organizing bus trips for always cheerful young guys to go crossand kind. town to Wrigley Field to A native of Dallas, see the Cubs play, just Banks began his career because of Ernie Banks. in the Negro Leagues “The other thing with the Kansas City that was endearing to us Monarchs. He began about Ernie was that he his Major League lived in the ‘hood, on career with the Cubs the South Side,” Montin 1953, six years after gomery continued. “Of Jackie Robinson broke course he lived in a betthe color line. He was ter neighborhood, Lake a 14-time All-Star who Meadows, but he never hit 512 home runs, yet moved. People loved and amazingly he never respected him for that.” played in a post-seaMontgomery said son game. The Cubs Banks was active in the finished below .500 community. “He sponin all but six of his 19 sored Little League seasons. teams as far back as the Banks was named ‘50s. He was a big inspito the MLB All-Cenration to us. He would tury team in 1999. His always say ‘If I can do No. 14 was the first it, ya’ll can do it’ and we President Obama presented Banks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. number retired by the believed him.”

Cubs. In 2008 a statute time with me, like he had known me for years and Montgomery added that the love affair Banks of Banks was unveiled outside of Wrigley Field. we had just met. I wish every kid could have met had with the city of Chicago extended across He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom him. He was an amazing guy.” racial lines.

Award in 2013.

KCOH sports personality James “Mr. Base“Everybody in Chicago loved Ernie Banks; As great as Banks was as a player, he was ball” Montgomery, a Chicago native, also recalled there was no disparity, Black or white,” Montuniversally known as an even better person. the legacy of Mr. Cub. gomery said. “If you were to rank the most beKnown for his unbridled passion for the game, he “He meant a lot to me growing up in Chiloved sports figure in Chicago history and have liked to say, “It’s a great day for a ballgame, let’s cago,” Montgomery said. “You first have to Chicagoans do the voting, Ernie would be No. 1, play two”. understand the dynamics of Chicago. We have far above other stars, including Michael Jordan.

Former MLB player, coach and scout Deacon two Major League teams, the Cubs in the NL and He was the city’s icon, loved and respected Jones has fond memories of Banks. the White Sox in the AL. The stadium where the by all.”

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JANUARY 29 | 2015 DEFENDER

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h.s.zone

sportsbriefs Watt shines in Pro Bowl

Versatility is

Butler’s trademark

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

P

earland High School senior forward Jasmine Butler loves to watch a good movie.

By missing 10 teammates, including four starters, from a squad that advanced to the regional tournament last year, Butler may have thought she was cast to play the role of the “Lone Ranger” in her grand finale for the Lady Oilers.

“If I wasn’t playing my best in a game last season, there were four seniors that could take up the slack,” Butler said. “My mindset coming into this season was that if I didn’t play well, we’d struggle. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case.”

In a 43-27 victory over Pasadena Dobie recently, Butler overcame a sluggish start and foul problems in the second half to post 17 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots in a key District 22-6A road contest.

“We played the same way against Dobie in both games,” said Pearland head coach Donna Vacek.

“We weren’t running our offense, we struggled with our execution and we lacked a killer instinct. We played in spurts but it wasn’t one of our better games.”

The Dobie win left the Lady Oilers tied with Dawson for second place with six games “We’re in a position that we don’t need help from anybody else,” Vacek said. “We need to win all of our home games and get some big wins on the road.

“Coming into the season with so many new faces we knew that team chemistry was going to be a seasonlong process,”

11

Vacek said. “We knew that Jasmine would have to produce in a lot of different areas and Nikki [Valencia] would have to run the point.

“Jasmine is an all-around player. She can drive, shoot from the outside, rebound and play point guard if we need it,” Vacek said. “She’s the most versatile player that we have. She was a little off with her shot tonight, but each game she’s being keyed on and double- and triple-teamed.”

Vacek says Butler expected a lot of attention coming off her junior year.

“There were more than 80 Division I schools looking at her last year,” Vacek said. “Every practice we’d have some coaches up in the stands watching her.”

After committing to the University of Tulsa, for Butler, a similar spotlight has transitioned into games from opposing defenses.

“We knew that Jasmine was going to command a lot of attention going into the season and we’ve worked on things to try and free her up,” Vacek said.

“Emer [Nichols] has come around and started doing some scoring on the inside. She’s got four other players out there responsible for helping her out.

“She knows her role and takes it well,” Vacek said. “She gets frustrated sometimes if she doesn’t get her double-doubles.

She’s the real deal and one of the main reasons we are where we are right now.”

Butler said she wants the team to have the right mindset closing out the regular season and looking forward to the playoffs.

“We have to go in to each game thinking that this is going to be a challenge no matter who we’re playing,” she said. “We can’t afford to slack up and give other teams confidence.”

When you watch J.J. Watt play week in and week out, you’re really not surprised at how good he is. So it came as no surprise that after a few days of fun and sun with the best players in the NFL, Watt dominated the Pro Bowl. He intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and still found the energy to dance for the crowd during commercial breaks.

“I just tried to enjoy it,” Watt said. “That’s what the Pro Bowl is all about, giving the fans a good show. Everybody worked so hard to get here, you want to enjoy yourself and play some good ball.” He was also voted the game’s Defensive MVP.

Gordon in trouble again It appears that Houston native and Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon is in trouble again. Reliable sources indicate that Gordon has failed yet another drug test and could be subject to a one-year NFL ban. The latest failed test is believed to be alcohol-related. He was scheduled to be suspended for the entire 2014 season due to failed tests, but a new drug testing and punishment policy commuted that penalty to 10 games. “Clearly we are very disappointed to hear the latest report regarding Josh,” the Browns said in a written statement. “At this point, due to the confidential nature of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, we have not been made aware by the league of a failed test.”

Eisenhower Eagles soar From the outset it looked like the Eisenhower Eagles boys’ varsity basketball team was headed for a season to forget. There were only three returning players and a new head coach who wasn’t even from this area.

In a showdown of District 18-6A unbeatens recently, Aldine Nimitz faced Eisenhower at the Campbell Center and held a 10-point lead at halftime. Eisenhower trimmed its deficit in half during the third quarter but trailed by eight points with six minutes left in the game. A three-pointer by Ronald Price gave Eisenhower the lead for good at 54-52. Another Price three-pointer gave the Eagles a 57-53 advantage with one minute to go. Eisenhower took over sole possession of first place in District 18-6A with a 63-57 victory to improve to 14-7 on the season and 5-0 in league play. Joe Neal led the Eagles with 27 points. Kendrick Williams scored 14 points and Trevor Thibodeaux added 10.

Nimitz fell to 8-12 and 4-1. “This game was a character builder for us,” said Eisenhower first-year head coach James Johnson. “These kids are tough and they are winners.”

Hoops races heating up Wheatley defeated Worthing by three points (60-57) in District 22-4A boys action.

South Houston held off Pasadena Memorial (50-47) in District 22-6A. Wheatley is one of three schools with 3-3 district marks trying to advance to the postseason behind front-running Sterling. South Houston improved to 6-4 in district play and is trying to hold off Dobie and Pearland for the third playoff spot behind Manvel and Dawson.

Jasmine Butler

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 29 | 2015

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

UNCF EMPOWER ME TOUR……..The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) community-based programs and projects. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Empower Me Tour presented by Wells Fargo traveled to Houston on the campus of the Top Teens of America. The honorees who were recognized included Frederick Texas Southern University. Celebrating its seventh year, the tour prepares youth for all Lemond Jr., Andre Matthews, Dr. Arthur Petterway, Stacey Porter, DeAndre aspects of colleges by holding town hall meetings where interested students can ask Sam, Michelle Verdun, Mickey Washington and Vince Young. TLOD President questions and gain insight as well as interact and engage with college recruiters and Shawanda Warner and Chairperson Pamela Johnson helped make the night a success, learn about other post-high school educational opportunities. Television stars Lance along with Dana Jordan and appearances by Jean & The T-Mike Steppers, Maria Gross and Joyful Drake appeared on a panel along with 1st Starling and Wash Allen. Congrats!........100 BLACK MEN CASINO Lt. Kanika Childers, TSU Student Government Association 100 Black Men Metropolitan Houston Chapter Defender TOP EVENTS COUTURE……..The President Terrance Bolton and moderator Dr. Kimberly Brown. hosted a Casino Couture charity event at the Advantage BMW More photos on defendernetwork.com Those in attendance included TSU President Dr. John Rudley, show floor.

The fun-filled event gave guests the opportunity to enjoy See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Khambrel Marshall, Wells Fargo Vice President of Rewards and cocktails, gamble, dance and mingle. The chic event honored the 2014 with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Development Julie Fitzpatrick, Juana Collins, Kyle Walcott, membership class of the 100, which included Aaron Pugh, Calvin Capt. Phillip Tate, John Stewart, Valeisha Butterfield Jones and a host of students Slay, Christopher Santee, Craig Lacy, Damieon Crook, Eric Miller, Fred Taylor, and family members……..TOP LADIES GALA……..The Top Ladies of Distinction Guy Holman, Juan Wyms, Kevin Murray, Marcus Griffin, Mike Sehzue, Norman (TLOD), Humble Intercontinental Chapter, held their 28th annual scholarship fundraiser Nelson, Sterling Carter, William Mouton and Wilvin Carter. Guests showing their honoring community leaders at their Boots and Bling Western Gala. The organization’s support included Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of youth and adults through national and Councilmember Jerry Davis, J-Mac and Shari Bihms.

Joyful Drake and Lance Gross

Kevin and Julie Fitzpatrick

Honorees Vince Young, Dr. Arthur Petterway, Michelle Verdun, Mickey Washington, Frederick Lemond Jr.

President Reco Castro

Terrance Bolton and Juana Collins

Mildred Washington, Lisa Washington, Pamela Johnson

Shari Bihms, Congressman Al Green

Shawanda Warner, Rosalyn Boyd, Macie Miller

Dr. Kenneth Curl, Yolanda Prince, Darell Prince

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