Houston Defender: June 21, 2012

NATIONAL

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PRESIDENT OBAMA feedback on immigration

P6 ENTERTAINMENT OPINION

DANIELLE COLDING competes on reality TV

P5 OPINION RODNEY KING keep justice in sight

P11 CHAG’S PLACE

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Gerald Womack at ribbon-cutting

P16

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 81 | Number 34 WEEK OF JUNE 21, 2012 | FREE

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Healthcare for the underserved Elvin Franklin discusses the Hospital District H Page 8

Chad Holley prompts questions As a 15-year-old burglary suspect, Chad Holley garnered national attention when a surveillance camera captured his brutal beating at the hands of Houston police officers.

Holley, now 18, is making headlines again and the question is, what’s next for him? And what’s next for three former HPD officers?

H Page

3

Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com

NATIONAL

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS ELECT FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT P4

Supreme Court hearing case

When the most conservative Supreme Court in the past four decades convenes this fall, it will hear a case of particular interest to minorities and the state of Texas. Some legal observers wonder why the high court is even reviewing the case. Others are concerned about the outcome and damage that could be done.

H Page 11

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Book TALK

In The Healing of Love and Laughter by Rickey Teems II, comedian Isaac Golden learns the bright lights of Hollywood may shine, but in the shadows drugs, wild women, and the fast life are waiting to take their toll on his soul. When his faith and obligations are challenged beyond his control, Isaac realizes that overnight success can be tomorrow’s biggest failure. At www.defendernetwork.com.

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newstalk

What’s next

3

for Chad Holley?

A

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

s a result of Chad Holley’s recent arrest for new burglary charges, the 18-year-old is out on bond awaiting a July 18 court appearance.

What is not certain is whether Holley’s latest run-in with the law will affect the upcoming trials of the three remaining former HPD officers charged with the March 2010 brutal beating of Holley, who was an unarmed 15-year-old burglary suspect. The videotaped beating sparked outrage beyond Houston.

Most recently, sheriff’s deputies arrested Holley and three other Black men after a report of a burglary in a northwest Harris County neighborhood. Holley posted $10,000 bail and walked out of the county jail accompanied by activist Quanell X, who later attributed Holley’s behavior to the fact that he refused to take prescribed medication.

Holley’s representative in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the four HPD officers seen beating him, former Houston City Attorney Benjamin Hall III, issued

a statement about Holley’s arrest and the officers’ upcoming trials.

“The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees protection against excessive force used by police officers. To the extent the officers used excessive force against Chad, they have violated the U.S. Constitution,” Hall said.

“We remain laser-focused on proving that the United States Constitution was violated by these officers.

Chad’s recent conduct and arrest will not detract from any wrongdoing and unconstitutional conduct perpetrated by the officers two years ago. All crimes need to be addressed in a court of law.”

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland also said Holley’s recent arrest has no connection to the beating Holley endured by HPD officers or their trials. However, not everyone is keeping Holley’s recent actions separate from the case against the officers.

Dick DeGuerin, the lawyer for recently acquitted former officer Andrew Blomberg, is calling for the district attorney to dismiss the other cases against Drew Ryser, Philip Bryan and Raad Hassan. They are charged with official oppression, a misdemeanor.

DeGuerin had harsh words for Holley. “He’s a thief

Chad Holley

Continued On Page 7

Caucus members label retreat a success

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

State Rep. Ron Reynolds

A success – that is what participants are calling the recent Texas Legislative Black Caucus Retreat in Galveston. State Rep. Sylvester Turner, TLBC chairman, coordinated the gathering to allow members to reconnect and game-plan for a successful legislative session that is only six months away.

“The majority of the time at the retreat was spent on higher education, minority contracting, the social condition of the African-American community, rebuilding efforts at UTMB in Galveston, planning for the 2013 African American Legislative Summit in February 2013, and the African American Memorial Monument,” said Turner.

Fifteen of the TLBC’s 19 members attended the retreat.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds said one of the issues retreat participants focused on was “advocating for minority and specifically BlackContinued On Page 7

localbriefs EMANCIPATION PARK is getting a major facelift. Mayor Annise Parker announced on Juneteenth a $33.6 million renovation of the Third Ward park. Plans call for a new gymnasium, basketball court, playground, baseball field and other improvements. Houston Endowment, the Kinder Foundation and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department have collectively donated $5 million to the park capital campaign. It will be added to $2 million in funding from the City of Houston and the projected $19 million from OST/Almeda Corridors Tax Increment Redevelopment Zone.

Additional fundraising will be required to reach

the total goal……..A NEW COMMUNITY PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP has been formed.

Local ministers, community leaders and public. Among those joining group chairman Bishop James Dixon were Rev. Bill Lawson, Rev. Manson Johnson, Rev. James Nash, Rev. Robert Jefferson, HPD Chief Charles McClelland and Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia........RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION CAREERS can obtain on-thespot-admission decisions and waived application fees during the University of Houston-Clear Lake School of Education’s Showcase on Thursday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at

2700 Bay Area Blvd. The event will include workshops, opportunities to meet with faculty members and classroom visits. The department offers course work and field experiences toward more than 65 different degree or certification programs. For more information call 281212-1668 or 281-283-3600.……...FREE TUTORING is still available for 12th grade students who did not pass one or two of the TAKS tests. Houston Can Academy North is offering tutoring through July 6 at its campus located at 3401 Hardy Street. Complimentary meals will be provided. Call 866-835-5437 or visit www.texanscan.org/operationsuccess.asp.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012

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national

U.S.briefs

Analysis

Rodney King symbolized

police brutality

By GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA Columnist

R

odney King would be the first to tell you that he was no Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. His lifelong bout with alcohol and drugs – battles that he always seemed to lose – and frequent run-ins with police did not qualify him for icon status.

Yet, that’s what he achieved in 1991 at the age of 27 because of one video clip. It was graphic footage filmed by a bystander showing at least four Los Angeles policemen savagely kicking and beating King with police batons, landing at least 50 Los Angeles’ Rodney King was found dead in his swimming pool on June 17. Autopsy results are blows as the unarmed King was sprawled on the ground or pending. In 1991 (above left), King showed his injuries inflicted by police. struggling to stand up. the repeated assault on the helpless what many did not want to believe In the video, the officers were King. existed – police officers, hiding seen teeing off on King as though More than any other event, behind a badge and a gun, brutalizthey were holding baseball bats or the brutal beating of Rodney ing citizens who pose no immediate golf clubs. Several other officers King, an unemployed constructhreat to them or the public. stood around, doing nothing to halt tion worker, forced America to see King was found dead the mornContinued On Page 6

Southern Baptists elect first Black president Defender News Services

Pastor Fred Luter Jr. of New Orleans was elected the first African-American president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the organization’s annual meeting in Luter’s hometown.

The 167-year-old Nashville-based organization is comprised of 16 million members who belong to more than 45,000 churches in the United States. It is the largest Protestant denomination in the Pastor Fred Luter Jr. country.

New Orleans. Under his leadership, Luter is the senior pastor of the church grew from 65 members Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in in 1986 to 7,000 in 2005, until the

church was extensively damaged

by Hurricane Katrina.

At one time, Luter held worship services in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Houston to minister to his displaced members. Franklin Avenue was eventually rebuilt and now has more than 5,000 members.

In 2011, Luter became the first African American elected as first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

His election as president comes at a time when Baptist membership is down and the organization is trying to expand beyond its traditional white Southern base.

MORE THAN 50,000 CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATES and community members recently marched in silent solidarity in New York City to bring attention to racial profiling and to protest the city’s stop-and-frisk policing practice. The march was organized by the NAACP, 1199SEIU and the National Action Network (NAN). “Stop-and-frisk policing violates our civil rights as citizens, humiliates our personhood, violates racial profiling laws, and violates our constitutional right to probable cause,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, president of NAN. “Therefore it is illegal, immoral, and must be ended. You cannot mend bias. You must end bias.” According to the NAACP, police officers stopped nearly 700,000 people last year, 87 percent of them Black or Latino.

Of those stopped, nearly 90 percent were innocent……..A STATUE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS will adorn the interior of the U.S. Capitol Building after a Senate panel approved a bill allowing it to be built. Douglass (1818-1895) was an escaped slave who became a distinguished orator, writer, abolitionist and newspaper publisher……..100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA is taking a leadership role in educating and mentoring Black men about prostate cancer. It is also asking Black men to ignore new recommendations from the U.S. Preventative Task Force, an independent group of national medical experts. “The 100 Black Men of America is deeply disappointed that the USPSTF failed to amend its draft recommendation on prostate cancer,” said Albert E. Dotson Jr., 100 Black Men chairman. “The final recommendation, issued in May 2012, did not reflect the benefits of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test in the detection of prostate cancer for men at highest risk.” The USPSTF believes that PSA-based screening conveys small or non-existent reductions in prostate cancer mortality. Dotson, however, said his organization supports PSA testing because Black men get the disease “earlier, get it more often, suffer graver symptoms and die more frequently from prostate cancer than their white counterparts.”

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER 34 WEEK OF JUNE 21, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

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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WEEK OF June 21 | 2012 | DEFENDER

entertainment

5

Danielle Colding Interior designer contestant on reality TV

T

By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

hirty-six- year-old Danielle Colding is an interior designer with her own residential and commercial design firm in New York City. A former professional modern dancer, she also has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Stanford University as well as an associate’s degree in interior design from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise.

As a self-described problem-solver, Danielle uses her open, friendly and quirky personality to connect with her clients. She characterizes her design style as global chic, classic modern and edited traditional.

Here, she talks about participating as a contestant on the new season of “Design Star,” which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on HGTV (House & Garden Network).

KW: What interested you in appearing on “Design Star?”

DC: My friends convinced me to go, thinking I’d have a good chance. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t so sure. I went to the open call just to see what happened, and it just snowballed from there. The next step became the next step and I found myself on the show.

KW: How has the competition surprised you?

DC: The competition surprised me in that it was truly a supportive environment. I was skeptical about doing a completion show because I’m not into that kind of drama. But this experience was the opposite. Sure we had our moments but for the most part I made friends for life and we supported each other every step of the way. We felt like we were experiencing something very special together.

KW: Do you ever want your anonymity back?

DC: That’s something I still wrestle with. I have just started being recognized on the streets of New York, and it’s a trip. So far, though, it’s been a lot of fun.

KW: You studied anthropology at Stanford. So, why did you become a professional dancer after graduating?

DC: I started dancing at the age of six. So, it was something that was always there on the side. My mother pushed

me to go an academic route but was cool about me studying something that I loved without the pressure of doing something that would land me a career. Cultural anthropology and my minor in African and African-American studies were simply areas of study I was drawn to. Throughout college, I danced with a choreographer that I really loved and respected and who started a company using several dancers from Stanford. I would spend weekends in San Francisco and Oakland, rehearsing and performing. When I graduated he had a spot for me in his company, so I went for it. It was a dream come true and an incredible creative experience.

KW: How did you go from dancing to interior decorating?

DC: I needed some other way to make a living and my passion for dance wasn’t carrying me through. So, I literally went on a trip with a friend and reflected on all the things I was naturally good at and all the things that I would love to get up in the morning to do…. And interior design came from that. It is truly my passion, and I am lucky to have been on a path where I’ve been able to do what I love.

KW: What would you say characterizes your designing style?

DC: I do not have one design style. I like so much of so many different styles that I hate to claim one. My design is very intuitive and client-driven, but also there’s an eclectic approach. I like homes to feel like they reflect the people who inhabit them… that every item fits and could tell a story. That being said, I value a certain level of elegance and sophistication in all the spaces I design.

KW: What the biggest lesson you’ve learned on ‘Design Star?’

DC: The biggest lesson I learned was to trust my gut.

What’sup ARSENIO HALL will return to late-night TV after a 19year hiatus. His syndicated talk show is being developed with CBS Television Distribution, and will air beginning in September 2013. “In the end I’m a comic, and nothing fits the talk-show mode like a stand-up comic,” Hall said. He recently gained TV exposure as the winner of “Celebrity Apprentice.” His previous talk show ran from 1989 to 1994……..BOBBY BROWN said “I do” to his longtime significant other and manager, Alicia Etheridge.

They were married in Hawaii, and were surrounded by family and friends. Their three-year-old son, Cassius, attended, as did three of Brown’s grown children. His

most well-known child, BOBBI KRISTINA, didn’t make the wedding. She was spotted in New York shopping with her boyfriend and filming the new reality show, “The Houston Family Chronicles,” which stars members of WHITNEY HOUSTON’S family……..MIKE TYSON is headed to Broadway. The former heavyweight champ is teaming up with SPIKE LEE to bring his one-man show, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” to the Longacre Theatre from July 31 to Aug. 5. The show, a raw confessional on Tyson’s life, made its debut in April at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “I’m very vulnerable and I’m just telling you who I am and where I’m from and

how this happened,” Tyson said. Tyson and Lee are both Brooklyn natives…….. CHRIS BROWN and DRAKE aren’t saying much about the brawl they were involved in at a SoHo nightclub, but another alleged victim has come forth. The woman told TMZ she suffered a spinal injury at the club and has hired a lawyer. One of Brown’s bodyguards was hospitalized with a massive cut to his head sustained during the incident and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker suffered a scratched retina. The club has been shut down indefinitely by New York police for code violations. Police have not made any arrests over the incident but are reviewing security tapes.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Blacks respond to Obama’s immigration policy

A

Defender News Services

frican-American supporters of President Barack Obama responded favorably to his recent announcement that his administration would stop deporting young illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children if they meet certain requirements.

Under the policy, people younger than 30 who came to America before the age of 16, pose no criminal or security threat, were successful students or served in the military can receive a two-year deferral from deportation.

Obama stressed that the policy is not amnesty or immunity.

“This is not a path to citizenship,” he said. “It’s not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people.”

NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous commended Obama’s action.

“President Obama is taking an affirmative step toward addressing our nation’s immigration concerns while protecting our supply of intellectual capital,” said Jealous. “This decision ensures that America retains a future generation of well-educated workers and thinkers who can offer diverse perspectives on the challenges of the twenty-first century.”

Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, agreed.

President Barack Obama

“Instead of punishing young people for actions taken on their behalf and beyond their control, this announcement would provide a fair process by which they could gain legal status,” Jackson Lee said.

“This announcement will enable the U.S. to retain some of its best and brightest young people. These individuals are no less worthy of pursuing the American Dream than you or I, yet their futures are being circumscribed by our current immigration laws. This is a move in the right direction.”

Houston State Rep. Garnet Coleman called the announcement “great news for the nation and Texas.”

“This long overdue measure is a compassionate and common sense step forward in fixing our broken immigration system,” Coleman said. “These are our neighbors, friends, and our children’s classmates who are here through no fault of their own but are being punished anyway for choices they had no control over…”

Members of the Black conservative group Project 21, however, disagreed with Obama’s policy, and said it poses a threat to unemployed Americans seeking jobs.

“How is it possible that the Obama Administration can see fit to essentially grant immunity and create access to jobs for illegal aliens between the ages of 16 and 30 when unemployment among legal citizens of the same age is sky-high?” asked Project 21 spokesman Kevin Martin.

“As a Black man living in Washington, D.C., this new policy makes no sense to me when I look around and see so many young people who are legal, want to work and yet remain jobless.”

Rodney King... Continued from page 4 ing of June 17 at the bottom of his swimming pool at his home in Rialto, Calif. No foul play was suspected.

His entry into the national spotlight has its roots in an incident that took place in 1989. King robbed a grocery store in Monterey Park, Calif. He took $200 and was sentenced to two years in prison.

On the night of March 2, 1991, following hours of drinking with friends, King was spotted speeding in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. When cops tried to pull him over, he tried to elude them by driving even faster, up to 100 miles per hour, fearing that he would go back to jail for violating his parole.

After a high-speed chase joined by other officers, King was cornered and ordered out of his vehicle. The two passengers accompanying him, Bryant Allen and Freddie Helms, immediately complied with the order to exit the car and lie face down on the ground.

King delayed his exit and when he emerged, he acted strangely, waving at police helicopters that had been part of the chase and giggling uncontrollably.

Sgt. Stacey Koon, the supervising officer, fired a Taser into King’s back, causing him to drop to his knees. Officer Laurence Powell hit King in the head, knocking him to ground, and continued striking King.

Other officers moved in as well, pummeling King with

their night sticks.

After being struck 56 times and kicked a halfdozen times, King was handcuffed and dragged to the side of the road on his stomach to await the arrival of an ambulance. King later reported that he had suffered 11 skull fractures, permanent brain damage, kidney damage and broken bones and teeth.

Four of the officers – Koon, Powell. Timothy Wind and Theodore Briseno – were charged with excessive use of force. The trial was switched from Los Angeles to Simi Valley, a largely white community in Ventura County. On April 29, 1992, a jury that contained no African Americans acquitted three of the officers and was unable to reach a verdict on a fourth.

Los Angeles exploded upon hearing the verdict.

At the end of six days of unrest, there were 53 deaths, 2,383 injuries and property damage was nearly $1 billion.

In an effort to end the violence, Rodney King appeared in public to utter his now famous, “Can we all get along?”

After the Los Angeles prosecutor failed to win a conviction against the four officers, the federal government obtained indictments charging the officers with violating the civil rights of King. Koon and Stacey

were found guilty and sentenced to 32 months in prison; Wind and Briseno were acquitted. The city of Los Angeles settled a civil suit brought by Rodney King for $3.8 million.

Later, it became clear that the Rodney King beating was not an aberration: • Feb. 4, 1999 – Amadou Diallo was killed by New York City police officers who claimed they thought he was reaching for a gun. Four officers were indicted for second-degree murder, but were acquitted.

• Sept. 2, 2005 – Following Hurricane Katrina, Henry Glover was shot to death while near a strip mall shopping for baby clothing. Two cops were sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for shooting Glover, tossing his body into a car and setting it on fire.

• Nov. 26, 2006 –Three unarmed Black men, including Sean Bell, were shot a total of 50 times by New York police officers. Bell, who had been celebrating at his bachelor’s party, died in the hail of bullets. Three officers charged with manslaughter were acquitted.

• Jan. 1, 2009 – Oscar Grant was shot in the back by Officer Johannes Mehserle while on the ground at a train station in Oakland, Calif. The officer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, but served only 11 months in prison.

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What’s next...

Continued from page 3

and a burglar and these police officers were protecting you and me from people like him,” he said.

Hall’s statement, however, counters Deguerin’s position.

“If Chad is found to have violated the law, he will be required to face legal justice for his conduct,” Hall said. “His recent conduct does not justify the unconstitutional and excessive force perpetrated by the officers against him over two years ago.

“We will neither accept nor will we make up any excuses to justify Chad’s wrongful conduct, nor the wrongful conduct of the HPD officers. All must pay at the bar of justice.”

Many Houstonians have expressed disappointment with Holley for his recent actions, including Quanell X. “This young man does not understand the magnitude of the sacrifices that people made to help him,” said Quanell. “I am angry as hell because we put our freedom on the line, we put our life on the line, we put our resources on the line.

People have dug into their pockets to help this man.

I am so angry I could take off my own damn belt and spank his ass.”

However, beyond the disappointment he feels, Quanell pledged to get Holley the help he needs, including the medications he said Holley refused to take over the last few months.

According to Quanell and Holley’s mother, Joyce, Holley is prescribed three psychotropic medications, including the anti-depressant Mirtazapine. According to Holley’s mother, his refusal to take them has resulted in Holley acting like a totally different person.

Quanell said the Holley family has a history of mental health issues. He said he didn’t know the details about Holley’s medical issues previously, but refuses to give up on him.

“Now that we do know these things we want to help do more because God is not finished with Chad Holley yet, and we’re not going to throw this young man in the garbage pail,” he said.

7

Caucus... Continued from page 3 owned businesses in Texas so that they have a level playing field to compete for state contracts under the HUB program.”

Reynolds added that during the 83rd Legislative session, constituents can expect to see initiatives aimed at improving the criminal justice system, and adding more funding to public schools and colleges that were significantly cut during the 82nd legislative session.

Turner said during the retreat, “members

were able to set the priorities that the Institute for Policy Research and Urban Analysis at UT Austin will pursue on behalf of the AfricanAmerican community.

“Also, the Caucus, after meeting with Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, is now unified to fight against upcoming harmful cuts and actions proposed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,” Turner said.

“Further, the Caucus was able to engage in vital planning for the African American Memorial Monument to be placed on the Capitol grounds.

“Last but not least, the Caucus began planning for what will be a spectacular 2013 African American Legislative Summit from February 24-26 (in Austin), which will be themed ‘From Texas to Africa & Back,’ ” Turner said.

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Project Title

12CI0162_062112_Ethnic Ad

Type of Piece

June, 21 2012 Ethnic Ad

8

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

coverp

Healthcare

for the underserved

Elvin Franklin discusses the Hospital District

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

F

to a pay-for-profit program. It takes away the funding for the uninsured when we do that. It’s always going to be an ongoing struggle as far as the funding aspect. We just have to learn how to use every dollar we have wisely. We have to continue to write grants. We have to get money from philanthropists.

We started a foundation in 1992 to go out and get funding through 501c3 to help fund some things the hospital district wouldn’t be responsible for otherwise. It’s a struggle to raise money because we don’t know how to share. Most people feel like ‘I worked to get what I have and everybody else can, too.’ But it just doesn’t work that way in the system.

There are some people that are not going to be able to afford the services.

Defender: Who qualifies for services within the Harris County Hospital District?

Franklin: The uninsured and the underinsured. The

or thousands of Houston-area minorities, the Harris County Hospital District is their only source for health care.

African Americans and Hispanics combined comprise more than 80 percent of HCHD patients, and their numbers are growing.

HCHD is a fully-integrated healthcare system that cares for all county residents. The system includes 17 community health centers, seven school-based clinics, a dental and dialysis center, mobile health units, a rehabilitation and specialty hospital and two full-service hospitals; Ben Taub General Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital.

With a community that includes more than 1.2 million uninsured or underinsured residents, HCHD continues to serve one of America’s fastest growing urban areas, making their challenges greater than ever.

Tackling those challenges is a dedicated staff and Board of Managers, nine members appointed by Harris County Commissioners’ Court.

Appointed to HCHD board: July 1986 Board members are responsible for the overall Offices held: Former chair, Board of Managers; current treagovernance and management of the system surer, HCHD Foundation Board The Defender went one-on-one with Harris Education: Mississippi State University, Grambling State County Hospital District board member Elvin University Franklin. A retired insurance executive, FrankOrganizations: Northeast YMCA board of directors lin has served on the board nearly 26 years. He Awards & Honors: • Northeast YMCA “Elvin Franklin talked about the challenges facing HCHD and Community Award” presented how they’re fighting for the uninsured and underannually in his honor insured.

• “David Allen Award,” highest Defender: What is the biggest challenge service award presented by the facing the Harris County Hospital District and YMCA of Greater Houston how are you addressing it?

• Texas House of Represen Franklin: One of the biggest challenges tatives resolution for personal is making sure we have proper funding for the achievements and community underinsured. It’s always a struggle to make sure involvement we have the appropriate funds. Right now, we • “Elvin Franklin Jr. have a waiver that was approved for Medicaid Day” proclaimed by only. We’re working to set up a platform now to Harris County Comtry and bring more funds into the county. I ask missioners Court, that those who have used the services continue to Sept. 6, 2006 try and use the services.

• Grambling Alumni Most of the time when individuals qualify Hall of Fame for a different insurance plan, they end up going

About Elvin Franklin

Franklin sits at the table of the Harris County Hospital District Board of Manag Lawrence Finder and Dr. Atul Varadhachary, and David S. Lopez, president and Harris County Hospital District

Harris County Hospital District is not a charity program; that’s what most people misunderstand. It’s pay according to your ability to pay. You could have some paying zero percent or some paying 75 percent. Our mission is to improve our community’s health by delivering high-quality healthcare to Harris County residents. While medical care is not free at our facilities, there is financial assistance for those who qualify.

Based on your household income, you may qualify for partial financial assistance on a sliding scale.

All HCHD patients are asked to make a minimum payment at the time of their hospital or clinic visit, except for pediatric and prenatal care visits. Service fees do not apply to patients in the Healthcare for the Homeless Program or other insurance plans. Insurance plan co-pays will be collected according to plan requirements.

Defender: Why are so many families falling into the underinsured category?

Franklin: For a family of five, with the husband and

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

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page

HCHD Quick Facts Elvin Franklin is joined by other members of the Harris County Hospital District Board of Managers, including (from left) E. Dale Wortham and Lawrence Finder.

wife not making a lot, it’s very difficult to get a low deductible and a high deductible is just like not having insurance. You might have a $1,000 deductible for one family. So being underinsured means gers. Joining him are (from left) members that the insurance plan d CEO, HCHD. Photos by John F. Martinez, that they have may not cover everything that they need, or only a percentage of it. When their deductible exceeds what they can afford to pay, most institutions will not accept them unless they go through an accounting hospital, where we have to accept individuals in the emergency room.

Defender: There are a lot of complaints about the wait times in HCHD facilities. What are you doing to address these issues and how do you assure patients that your system maintains a high quality of care?

Franklin: Coming into the Harris County system, there is a waiting time and we want them to be patient and understand we try to get to everybody but they have to understand sometimes you have to wait. You’re not going to be seen in 40 minutes. We’re working on that, trying to get the system down. But everyone needs to know there is a difference in the in county system and the for-profit hospital.

We have three hospitals: Lyndon B. Johnson, which is a level-three trauma center; Ben Taub, which is the number

e Houston area for over 80 years

one trauma center in the county, and the Quentin Mease rehab center. [There are] 17 health centers in all, which includes Thomas Street Health Center, the HIV/AIDS clinic, a very large homeless program, and a dental center that most folks are not aware of. We have a variety of things we do for our customers, including programs on wellness.

We try to provide the best of care for any of our customers that come through the system. Every procedure that is done on that individual, someone is paid to provide that service through the funds we have been able to put together.

Patients are going to get the best of care. Most of the doctors in the for-profit hospitals have been trained right there in the HCHD. We also want to encourage people to seek treatment beforehand. Most that come to county hospitals like Ben Taub and LBJ could be treated in our clinic. If they would go there it would be a lot cheaper for them and the system themselves. But when you have an emergency, the first thing you think about is the emergency facility.

Defender: Should people be concerned about the state of HCHD, even if they don’t utilize the services?

Franklin: At the end of the day, we all pay. Whether we want to or not, it ends up costing us. Fifty percent of the money that funds the Harris County Hospital District comes from taxes. The thing I wish we could get everyone to understand, if we can get individuals to come in early, come to our clinics, that way if they should come to our ER, we don’t have to do all the prescreening and tests because all the information is there. What happens when individuals have to pay copay is they don’t have it and are turned away and they end up in our ER, and that costs more money.

Hospital admissions – 36,686 Babies delivered – 7,662 Emergency visits – 178,403 Outpatient clinic visits – 1,012,995 Total Revenue: $1.023 billion Charity Care: $1.11 billion Patients Self-Pay – 60.3% Medicaid and CHIP – 24.2% Medicare – 7.7% Other funding – 6.0% Commercial insurance – 1.8% Demographics Hispanic – 57.1% African American – 26.5% Caucasian – 9.4% Asian – 4.5% Other – 2.4% American Indian – 0.1%

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

rom 1982 to 2012, Kirbyjon Hines Caldwell has grown Windsor Village United Methodist Church from 25 members to over 17,000. Today, Windsor is the largest United Methodist Church in the world.

The fruits of Pastor Caldwell’s labor have produced the Imani School, the Power Center, Corinthian Pointe, Corinthian Pointe Commercial Park (Walgreens’s, CVS and McDonald’s), Corinthian Village Independent Living Center, and the KBC Family Life Center.

The Defender and the Houston area community thank you Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell for your vision and leadership that has benefited our city and demonstrated the collective power of the Black Church in action. Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell.....

Congratulations on 30 years of Service, Job Well Done!

defendernetwork.com

WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | DEFENDER

opinion

11

Too much silence around affirmative action

T

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist

rowly, at 9 -7. With two reversals, one would have thought that the lawyers at Wiley Rein would have given up.

But with a conservative, race-hostile Supreme Court, these folks were able to convince the court to review this case.

Understand that this isn’t a case the Supremes had to take. They could have taken a pass and decided to let the lower courts speak. But they didn’t, leaving one to think that there is an agenda to dismantle affirmative action.

While many organizations on both sides of the table have filed amicus or friend of the court briefs, I am concerned that the Fisher case is generating much less public-

he most conservative Supreme Court in the past four decades is poised to overturn the already limited affirmative action provisions in the next term, which begins in October, unless good sense visits one or two of them and they vote in favor of student body diversity.

Since Bush-appointed justices John Robert and Samuel Alito have joined the court, the court has voiced hostility to government uses of race.

The case, Fisher v. University of Texas, was brought by Abigail Noel Fisher, a white woman student who did not qualify for the Texas Top Ten Percent plan, which automatically admits the top 10 percent of every high school class in Texas to the University of Texas.

Despite this, Fisher contends that she was denied Fourteen Amendment protection and was discriminated against because of her race.

Her reasoning? Though more than 80 percent of UT students are admitted under the Top Ten Percent Plan, others are admitted based on talent, leadership qualities and family circumstances as well as race. This seems to meet the Grutter v.

Bollinger standard that race may be one, but not the only, factor in determining college admissions.

However, Abigail Fisher is one of a long line Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com of mediocre white students who might or might ity than either the University of Michigan cases or 35-year not have been admitted to UT, regardless of race. The old Bakke decision. student, who seems unable to accept her own academic One might argue that things have changed so signifishortcoming, is blaming the fact that she didn’t get into cantly that communities of color do not find affirmative acUT on African-American students, instead of blaming it on tion necessary, or that we are so used to being attacked that herself. we will not fight back. But the data make it clear that there Fisher was hardly disadvantaged by the fact that she are still major gaps in college completion between African didn’t get into UT. She was scheduled to graduate from Americans, Latinos and whites.

Louisiana State University this year. Lower courts have While 29 percent of the U.S. population older than 25 found in favor of the University of Texas, though the Fifth has a college degree, the number for African Americans is Circuit decision not to review the case was decided nar14 percent. It is 8 percent for Latinos.

Policymakers are remarkably short sighted when it comes to affirmative action. By 2040, our nation will be majority minority, and our nation’s economic survival will depend on this population being well-educated and able to provide the services our nation will need. We need more Black and Brown physicians, nurses, computer programmers, professors, and so many others. We won’t have them unless we educate them.

Let’s face it; the average age of white Americans is 42, while the average age of Latinos is 25. African Americans fall somewhere in between, around 31 years of age. As whites age, who will replace them in the labor market?

If we don’t educate the diverse population, we may see everything from the reading of medical tests, to the programming of our computers done abroad.

Our method of delivery educational services has not improved in 40 years. We have not taken demographic differences into account when we look at education. Some say we should base college admissions solely on merit, but when has that ever happened? We give preference in admissions to legacy students, those whose parents attended the same college. We admit athletes simply because they can play sports.

With women representing more than 55 percent of our nation’s undergraduates, I’ve actually attended meetings about affirmative action for men (and that probably means white men since the number of African-American men attending college has declined).

The Fisher case makes no sense, but silence around it makes no sense either. Last time there was an attack on affirmative action, lots of Fortune 500 companies, colleges, civil rights organizations, and even the United States Army weighed in.

Amicus briefs must be submitted to the Supreme Court by August 6 in order to be considered. Time is running out and too many are fiddling while affirmative action is being dismantled.

Rodney King | Chad Holley Don’t lose sight of justice Word of the arrest of Chad Holley sent ripples through the community as people expressed disappointment and dismay at how this young man messed up and got arrested for burglary again at a time when the legal battle for justice was pending.

Then as the week came to a close, reports of Rodney King’s death were announced. For those who lived during the time when Los Angeles police were videotaped beating King, we fastforwarded to the images of Holley being stomped

and kicked by Houston police.

These two cases were unique in that the incident was captured on video when thousands of other cases across the country never saw the light of day.

The scenes were so similar though 20 years apart. Young King and Holley were similar – fighting their own demons of poverty, drugs and the attraction of the criminal element. But no matter the challenges of life confronting both of these

men, it is clear the rights of a human being were violated.

King’s memorable statement, “Can’t we all get along…” is a work in progress. We should not lose sight that this behavior – police brutality – is unacceptable and justice must prevail despite the personal demons of those suffering the injustice.

As the trials of the remaining HPD officers approach, don’t get confused and lose sight of justice.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

12

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

LegaL notice

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Economic and Property Damages Settlement Providing Money to Individuals and Businesses If you have economic loss or property damage because of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, you could get money from a class action settlement with BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company (“BP”). Go to DeepwaterHorizonSettlements.com for more information, including information on how to file a claim.

Who is included in the economic & ProPerty damages settlement?

The Economic and Property Damages (“E&PD”) Settlement Class includes people, businesses, and other entities in the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, and certain counties in Texas and Florida, that were harmed by the oil spill.

The website DeepwaterHorizonSettlements.com has detailed descriptions and maps to help you determine whether a geographic location may be included in the E&PD Settlement. Additionally, you can call 1-866-992-6174 or e-mail questions@ DeepwaterHorizonEconomicSettlement.com to find out if a geographic location is included.

What does the economic & ProPerty damages settlement Provide?

The E&PD Settlement makes payments for the following types of claims: (1) Seafood Compensation, (2) Economic Damage, (3) Loss of Subsistence, (4) Vessel Physical Damage, (5) Vessels of Opportunity Charter Payment, (6) Coastal Real Property Damage, (7) Wetlands Real Property Damage, and (8) Real Property Sales Damage. There is no limit on the total dollar amount of the E&PD Settlement; all qualified claims will be paid.

hoW to get Benefits from the economic & ProPerty damages settlement You need to submit a Claim Form to request a payment.

You can get a copy of the various Claim Forms by visiting the website or by calling 1-866-992-6174.

Claims can be submitted online or by mail. If you have

questions about how to file your claim, you should call the toll-free number for assistance.

The deadline to submit most E&PD claims will be April 22, 2014 or six months after the E&PD Settlement becomes effective (that is, after the Court grants “final approval” and any appeals are resolved), whichever is later. There will be an earlier deadline to submit E&PD Seafood Compensation claims. The earlier deadline to submit Seafood Compensation claims will be 30 days after final approval of the Settlement by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (regardless of appeals). Actual claim filing deadlines will be posted on the website as they become available. Valid claims will be paid as they are approved, beginning shortly after the Court-Supervised Settlement Program commences. It is highly recommended that E&PD Settlement Class Members complete and submit their claim forms promptly. Please read the Medical Benefits Settlement notice because you may also be eligible for benefits from that settlement.

your other oPtions If you do not want to be legally bound by the E&PD Settlement, you must Opt Out or exclude yourself by October 1, 2012 or you won’t be able to sue BP over certain economic and property damage claims. If you stay in the E&PD Settlement, you may object to it by August 31, 2012. The Detailed Notice explains how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing on November 8, 2012 to consider whether to approve the E&PD Settlement. You or your own lawyer may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own cost. The Court will also consider Class Counsel fees, costs, and expenses including an interim payment of $75 million and additional awards equal to 6% of class claims and benefits paid. Class Counsel fees, costs and expenses under the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement and the Medical Benefits Settlement Agreement jointly cannot exceed $600 million. Class members’ payments will not be reduced if the Court approves the payment of Class Counsel fees, costs, and expenses because BP will separately pay these attorney fees, costs, and expenses.

DeepwaterHorizonSettlements.com



1-866-992-6174

defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 | DEFENDER113

LegaL notice

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Medical Benefits Settlement Providing Benefits to Clean-Up Workers and Certain Gulf Coast Residents If you have a medical claim related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, you could get benefits from a class action settlement with BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company (“BP”). Go to DeepwaterHorizonSettlements.com for more information, including information on how to file a claim.

Who

included in the medical Benefits settlement? is

The Medical Class includes (1) clean-up workers and (2) certain people who resided in specific geographic areas in coastal and wetlands areas along the Gulf Coast during specific periods in 2010. The website DeepwaterHorizonSettlements. com has detailed descriptions and maps to help you determine whether a geographic location may be included in one of these zones. Additionally, you can call 1-866-992-6174 or e-mail info@DeepwaterHorizonMedicalSettlement.com to find out if a geographic location is included.

What

medical Benefits settlement Provide? does the

The benefits of the Medical Benefits Settlement include: (1) payments to qualifying people for certain acute (short-term) and chronic (ongoing) medical conditions occurring after exposure to oil or chemical dispersants; (2) provision of periodic medical examinations to qualifying people; and (3) creation of a Gulf Region Health Outreach Program, consisting of projects to strengthen the healthcare system. Benefits (1) and (2) will be provided only after the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. hoW to get Benefits from the medical Benefits settlement

You need to submit a Claim Form to request benefits. You can get a copy of the Claim Form by visiting the website or by calling 1-866-9926174. Claims can be submitted by mail. If you

have questions about how to file your claim, you should call the toll-free number for assistance.

The deadline for filing a Claim Form is one year after the Medical Benefits Settlement becomes effective (that is, after the Court grants “final approval” and any appeals are resolved). The exact date of the claim filing deadline will be posted on the website. It is highly recommended that Medical Class Members complete and submit their claim forms promptly. Please read the Economic and Property Damages Settlement notice because you may also be eligible for a payment from that settlement. your other oPtions

If you do not want to be legally bound by the Medical Benefits Settlement, you must Opt Out or exclude yourself by October 1, 2012 or you won’t be able to sue BP over certain medical claims.

If you stay in the Medical Benefits Settlement, you may object to it by August 31, 2012. The Detailed Notice explains how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing on November 8, 2012 to consider whether to approve the Medical Benefits Settlement. You or your own lawyer may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own cost. Class Counsel will ask the Court to consider an award of fees, costs, and expenses of 6% of the value of the benefits actually provided under the Medical Benefits Settlement Agreement.

Class Counsel fees, costs, and expenses under the Medical Benefits Settlement Agreement and the Economic and Property Damages Settlement Agreement jointly cannot exceed $600 million. Class members’ payments will not be reduced if the Court approves the payment of Class Counsel fees, costs, and expenses because BP will separately pay these attorney fees, costs, and expenses.

DeepwaterHorizonSettlements.com



1-866-992-6174

14

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012

sports

Women’s Arena

defendernetwork.com

Members of the Lady Oilers practice.

Football League debuts

A

By MAX EDISON Defender

re you ready for some football – some women’s arena football? Well Houston- area businessman Ivan Tompkins is banking that you are. He is the owner of the new Women’s Arena Football League as well as the general manager of the Houston franchise, the Lady Oilers.

The league is set to begin in earnest during the spring of 2013, and will consist of women playing indoor football with arena style rules. They will play with eight persons per side, clad in custom volleyball style tights with shoulder pads, jerseys and helmets. The play will be Coach Dwayne Ware instructs the team. full contact, and since it’s arena football – with a 50-yard indoor field – expect the action to be fast-paced. past few months.

Tompkins has aggressive plans for a 24-team league play“Our coaches have a wealth of arena football experience ing in two conferences. To give fans an idea of what they can and have shown to be very patient in getting the ladies up to expect, the WAFL will play a series of six exhibition games, the speed on the nuisances of the game of football. I think fans will first featuring the Lady Oilers, Saturday, July 21, at the George be pleasantly surprised with the product they see when they R Brown Convention Center. come out on July 21st.”

So the question on everybody’s mind is why are women For any prospective sports league to be successful there playing arena football? Tompkins is pleased to explain. needs to be a relationship with television and the WAFL has “Football is an extremely popular sport,” Tompkins said. garnered some attention.

“Women watch football with their husbands, boyfriends, co“There is a television distribution agreement in place,” workers, etcetera. Many of the women that love the game are Tomkins said. “The agreement will allow our product to be former athletes in other sports – track, gymnastics, basketball, shopped to the television networks. There has been a tremensoftball, MMA [mixed martial arts], you name it. dous amount of interest both domestically and internationally, to “Many of these ‘girl-next-door’ types still have competinot only show the games, but to develop a reality show featurtive fires that still burn and since they enjoy watching the game, ing our players.” given the opportunity, they’d like to take a crack at playing.”

The Lady Oilers are being prepared for battle by head “We think that the WAFL will be a form of sports entercoach Dwayne Ware. A former University of Michigan and tainment that will be very exciting, affordable, family fun,” men’s Arena football standout, Ware is excited about the task of Tomkins continued. “We’ve got some really athletic young developing the Lady Oiler personnel from scratch. ladies who have been working extremely hard practicing for the “We’ve got some very athletic ladies that are competing

for a spot on the Lady Oilers,” Ware said. “You can expect to see a lot of athleticism when you watch our players.

Fans will be surprised when they see how well they run, throw, catch and of course hit. Since ladies don’t grow up playing the game, we’ve had to adapt how we teach the game. You can’t talk terminology to the women. The best way to teach this type of game is visualization and repetition of football drills.

“We don’t give them a lot of terminology. Let them do the drills and explain to them the importance of the drills later. Too much information can overwhelm them.

I’m pleased to say have really responded well and you’ll be able to see it on the field,” Ware said.

Ware thinks the combination of athletic women playing the Arena-style game is a recipe for outstanding family entertainment.

“The key to Arena football is that it is a very fast-paced, fan-friendly event,” Ware explained. “The fans can actually interface with the players while they’re playing. You are right on top of the action. Fans actually feel like they’re a part of the game.”

Linebacker Jennifer Scott (5-feet-7, 135 pounds) is a perfect example of the type of athlete that has responded to the WAFL challenge. She put a promising career as a boxer and MMA fighter on hold to try her hand at football and so far she’s pleased with her progress.

“A guy friend of mine dared me to try out for the team when we saw the WAFL flyer,” Scott explained. “I’m a big football fan, but of course I’ve never played before. I think I’m a really good athlete, but it’s been a real learning experience.

I’m used to being trained from my boxing background, so the physical fitness aspect and coaching doesn’t bother me.

“I’m very aggressive and I like to hit people so of course I’m on defense,” Scott said. “There are a lot of similarities between the techniques we use in MMA and techniques we use to play defense. I’m really having a good time with it.”

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012 DEFENDER

defendernetwork.com

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Youth compete in

track & field meets

H

Defender News Services

undreds of area youngsters ages six to 14 are competing for fun and glory in the 12th annual Hershey’s Track & Field Games.

During the recent state qualifier, young athletes competed in such events as the standing broad jump, softball throw, 4 x 100-meter relay, 50-meter dash, and the 200, 400, 800 and 1600-meter run.

First, second and third-place winners in the nine-to-14 age range will have the chance to advance to the state finals in Round Rock on June 23.

Special field events will be conducted for kids in the six-to-eight age group.

The citywide recreational championship is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at HISD’s Barnett Sports Complex, 6800 Fairway.

The national Hershey games comprise the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America, with hundreds of thousands of children competing every year. Track and field meets are held across the country by participating organizations on the local and state level.

“For the past 12 years Houston’s children have benefited from the generosity of the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation,” said Joe Turner, director of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department.

“Their support has given young athletes the opportunity to compete and have fun with their friends while they develop exercise habits that will benefit their health and wellness for their entire lives.”

Competitors can vie for an all-expense paid trip to Hershey, Pa., for the North American Final on August 4. They also have a chance to compete for the Needham S. Cheely Jr. Scholarship Awards, which recognize two 14-year-old participants at the North American Final Meet who demonstrate leadership, character, sportsmanship and athletic performance.

The winners are awarded a $2,000 scholarship upon starting their freshman year of college.

The Hershey’s program was created in 1975 by Dr. Donald Cohen, who also founded the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Cohen proposed a program which would introduce kids to physical fitness through basic track and field events such as running, jumping and throwing.

More than 400,000 U.S. youngsters participated in the program last year.

The Hershey Company provides national funding for the track and field games. The company is the largest producer of chocolate in North America.

15

PV’s Woodard named All-American Prairie View A&M University sophomore Preston Woodard has recently been named a Second Team All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The triple jumper from Sweeny, Tx. Woodard recently participated in the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships recently and finished ninth in the triple jump as he advanced to the finals in that event. He had a history-making campaign accomplishing the rare feat of qualifying for the NCAA Nationals in both the indoor and outdoor championships. Woodard also became the first Prairie View A & M men’s track athlete to earn a national berth since 2009 and the first jumper since Ron Nelson’s sixth-place appearance in the high jump in 2000.

TSU cross country acknowledged

Two winners wear medals earned at the Hershey’s Track & Field games. Photos courtesy Houston Parks & Recreation Department

Kids sprint toward the finish line during the state qualifier.

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Requests for Qualification for the following service:

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Services, 1st floor, located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website http://www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, June 25, 2012. Qualification documentation must be submitted to the Purchasing Department by 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 in a sealed envelope marked "REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012” “ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: nina.cook@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.

In many instances a notification from the NCAA is something a university athletic department dreads.

At Texas Southern the department is all smiles after a recent bit of NCAA news. The TSU men’s cross country team was one of six SWAC teams recognized recently with an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Award.

The list consists of the nation’s top APR teams in each of the NCAA’s sponsored sports. To make this year’s list, an individual team had to finish in the top 10 percent of all schools in that sport in APR score for the 2010-11 season. The Academic Progress Rate, sometimes known as the Academic Performance Rating, is a term-by-term measure of eligibility and retention for Division I studentathletes that was developed as an early indicator of eventual graduation rates. It is a composite team measurement based upon how individual team members perform academically. This is great news for the TSU athletic department that has had issues with APR ratings in other sports. The football team was recently handed sanctions that included elimination of spring practice and the spring game and post-season bans because of numbers that were slightly lower than the NCAA guidelines.

Is Venus returning to Olympics?

With three gold medals already in her trophy case, Venus Williams has obtained the ranking she needs to possibly win a fourth. Williams is now ranked 47th in the WTA standings and that qualifies her and her sister Serena, who is ranked fifth. The top 56 ranked players are automatically accepted. “The Olympics is just the ultimate in sports,” Venus said recently. “I grew up watching those documentaries. My dad had us watch those.

It was his dream for us to play there. Once I got a taste of it, it was just amazing. Every time I leave the Olympics, I go through withdrawals. It’s the pinnacle of sports. I love it there. ”Venus has seen her ranking drop while she has been recuperating from an autoimmune disease. She has made the Olympics her No. 1 comeback goal this year.

She recently played in some clay court events that have allowed her to raise her ranking. Venus won singles gold in 2000 and doubles gold with Serena in 2000 and 2008.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

16

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JUNE 21 | 2012

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For Event Coverage...visit

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chag’splace

Michael Wilson, Rachael Wilson, Roshelle Taylor and Rosenthal Taylor

Fred Turner and Pastor Suzette Caldwell

Roy and Shirley Malonson with HUD Exec. Dir. Dr. Edward Pringle

Eleanor Peyton, Dr. Edward Pringle and Mary Frances Byrd

Honorees Cary Yates, Retired Major General John H. Bailey II and Arthur L. Pace

Councilmember Don Smith and Keynote Speaker Charlie Ward

Michele Housley, Renee’ Williams and Michael, Melyssa and Sandy Housley

State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Gerald Womack

Scholarship recipients Ashlee Sherman and Stephen Singleton

mental illness who are able to live independently DATE WITH MY DAD………Windsor Village and lead productive lives in a safe, decent, sanitary United Methodist Church Kingdom Alliance Men’s and affordable housing unit. MHMRA of Harris Ministry celebrated Father’s Day by inviting County partnered with Acres Homes Garden, Inc., a young ladies of all ages to enjoy a special evening nonprofit agency, to develop this apartment housing of fellowship, dinner and dancing with their dad community with funding provided or special father figure in their by the U.S. Department of Housing life. Almost 500 attended the Join Yvette Chargois and Urban Development and event and included Fred Turner Events of the Week the Federal Home Loan Bank and his daughter, Pastor Suzette More photos on defendernetwork.com of Dallas. Attendees included Caldwell, Michael and Rachael See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Wilson, Rosenthal and Roshelle with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

Taylor, Adrian and Monica Lee, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Dr. Steven Schnee, Dr. Edward McCoy, Michael Housley and his Pringle, Gerald Womack, David Benson, Shirley daughters Michele, Melyssa and Sandy Housley and Roy Malonson, Wanda La Blanc, Olivia and Renee’ Williams, Joe Jackson and Deshawn Shirley, Eleanor Peyton, Mary Frances Byrd and Colbert, and Steve Kimbrough and Janae Brooks, Alexandria Foote. God bless!........JUNETEENTH to name a few. An enjoyable evening!.....ACRES CELEBRATION……Leaders in Missouri City HOME COMMUNITY......An open house and were honored for their community service at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Acres Homes Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation Garden Apartments was recently held. This 155th Annual Awards Gala. The honorees included unit apartment property was built for people with a

Cary P. Yates, senior vice president at Wells Fargo, Professor Arthur Pace and Major General (ret.)

John H Bailey II. This year’s keynote address was delivered by Heisman Trophy winner and former NBA basketball star Charlie Ward. Other program participants included mistress of ceremony Doris Childress, Sonya Brown-Marshall, 2011 scholarship awardees Ashlee Sherman and Stephen Singleton, and Nyah and Miah Scott, who sang the Negro National Anthem. Spotted at the event were Congressman Al Green, Mayor Allen Owens, Clarence Holliday, Richard Torres, Viola Solomon, Shaun and Percy Coard, Constable Ruben and Sharon Davis, Commissioner Grady and Fheryl Prestage, State Rep. Ron and Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Michael Carter, Kenya Edwards and Willie Mae and Kevin Loder. We salute Councilmember Don Smith, founder and board chairman and his committee for an outstanding evening. Continued success to you also!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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