March 21 – 27, 2010 | FREE
Volume 79 Number 21
www.defendernetwork.com
STATE CHAMPS! IN CELEBRATION OF BLACK PRESS WEEK
Defender calendar
INSIDE!
Senate extends unemployment See story on page 3 benefits
Yates players celebrate 2010 Class 4A state basketball championship. Bush players celebrate 2010 Class 5A state basketball championship.
Congratulations Champions
SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS
Edwards files for recount DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE
White Texas State House Rep. 146 candidate Borris Miles is declaring victory in his race against incumbent, Al E d w a r d s , Edwards has officially filed for a recount. Edwards lost the March 2 primary election by 10 votes. On Al Edwards March 15, he filed the paperwork and submitted a $4,400 deposit at the T e x a s Democratic Party headquarters in Austin. Borris Miles “A machine could have malfunctioned or miscounted,” Edwards explained. Edwards says since his push for a recount comes at the urging of peo★RECOUNT, Page 7
Are HBCUs still relevant? By ReShonda Tate Billingsley DEFENDER
By ReShonda Tate Billingsley DEFENDER
For years, they have stood as the beacon for African-American students, a home when the world turned those students away. But as more and more universities opened their doors to Black students, and the world began to reflect a more diverse culture, some have questioned the need and legitimacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Make no doubt about it, university leaders say, not only are HBCUs still needed, they’re still relevant and necessary in building the leaders of tomorrow. The Defender talked with two area presidents – Dr. George Wright from Prairie View A & M University and Dr. John Rudley from Texas Southern University
– for their take on the significance of HBCU’s in the 21st Century. Defender: Why are Historically Black Colleges and Universities crucial to our society today? Dr. John Rudley: Although the historical reasons for attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities have changed, the benefits are still very real and indeed are increasing. Today’s HBCUs are ★HBCU, Page 7
@ ★
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TSU & PVU Preidents’ Priorities Log on to defendernetwork.com.
INTERVIEW
Down with Don Cheadle By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Donald Cheadle might be the best actor around yet to win an Oscar. His only Academy Award nomination came in 2005 for his powerful performance as Paul Rusesbagina in “Hotel Rwanda.” But he’s been delivering an abundance of critically-acclaimed work both before and since in such films as “Devil in a Blue Dress,” “Boogie Nights,” “Rosewood,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Crash,” “Traffic,” “Swordfish,” “Talk to Me,” “Mission to Mars,” “Traitor,” “Rush Hour 2,” “Bulworth” and “Reign over Me.” In this spirited tete-a-tete, Don talks about his latest outing as NYPD Detective Tango Butler in “Brooklyn’s Finest,” a gritty cop saga directed by Antoine Fuqua and co-starring Wesley Snipes, Richard Gere, Ellen Barkin and Ethan Hawke.
WASHINGTON (NNPA) - The U.S. Senate has passed a $140 billion extension on unemployment benefits by a vote of 66-34. The bill, or a sister version, must still be passed by the House of Representatives before a joint version of the bill is passed by a HouseSenate conference committee. The bill would also extend cuts for college tuition, help pay for the COBRA program, which helps laid-off workers keep their health insurance, provide additional funding for Medicaid and tax breaks for high-tech research and development. Democrats called the bill crucial for improving conditions for both unemployed workers and businesses, ahead of this fall’s mid-term elections. “Extending these tax cuts and the critical safety-net programs in this bill will give businesses the tax certainty they need to move forward and families the support they need to make ends meet,” Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, told The Chicago Tribune. Not everyone is pleased about the bill. Many Republican senators think the bill may be too expensive for American taxpayers. “There’s $100 billion in the bill that’s on the Senate floor right now that’s not paid for,” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told CNN. “So whatever savings they allege will occur under their health care bill over the next
Kam Williams: Hi, Don, thanks for the time. Don Cheadle: Thank you. KW: How did you prepare for this role as an undercover detective? DC: I spent some time with several police officers who are actually doing the same type of work in Brooklyn. KW: Citing the maxim ”Great actors do not act, they show their true selves to the camera,” are there any parts of your psyche you have not yet explored on camera? DC: After making 40-something films, if there’s anything I haven’t revealed yet, it’s probably best kept under wraps. KW: Was the energy on the set of “Brooklyn’s Finest” similar to working with the large ensemble of talented actors in “Ocean’s Eleven?” DC: No, this was a very different experience. KW: Is there any truth to the rumor that you’re planning to ★CHEADLE, Page 2
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MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
Some Haitians say they feel forgotten By Guy Delva NNPA HAITI CORRESPONDENT
PORT-AU-PRINCE (NNPA) – Many Haitians are still in desperate straits – and some even say they feel forgotten - as they crave food, shelter and other basic needs two months after a devastating earthquake left more than 220,000 people dead in the Caribbean country that is now struggling to recover from the disaster and to rebuild. “I pray every day for someone to give me a tent. I have five children, including a seven month old. When it rains everybody gets wet,” said Joceline Magloire, 37. “This situation is unbearable. I heard that a lot of people are collecting money on behalf of Haiti. Why don’t they buy those tents and ship them to us here,” she said angrily. She called on the government and international agencies to urgently provide tents to protect them as the rainy season nears. “It is true I need food, but what we really, really need now is a tent. Is anybody really hearing our call?” she asked. Meanwhile, Haitian quake victims, including many carrying babies or nursing newborns, continue to live under makeshift tents that can help protect them from the sun but not from rains. The Haitian government and several NGOs said they have distributed several thousand tents and plastic sheets but many more are yet to be reached. Many living in those camps sometimes have to take to the streets in the middle of the night in order to secure good positions in long lines of people desperately looking for food at distribution sites. Marlene Duvernus, a 34-year-old, eight-month pregnant woman, marched at two a.m. recently among a group of about 40 people in the streets of Petion-Ville, an upscale suburb of the metropolitan area of the capital Port-au-Prince, heading toward the police academy three kilometers away, on Route Freres, seeking a food ration. “I am eight months pregnant. I have to walk a long way and am not feeling well but I have to go there to try to find something to eat,” Duvernus, whose husband died in the disaster, told NNPA as she walked her right hand holding her belly. “Otherwise, I am
going to die,” she said. Government and Aid agencies have decided to hand out food supplies only to women to avoid jostles and clashes that usually occur when food is being distributed to both men and women at the same time. But many often lack means to take the food home if given for instance a bag of rice. “I am not sure whether I’ll find food today. But if I find it, I am not sure how I’ll take it home. I hope somebody will help me,” Duvernus said as she held a coupon distributed by the Petion-Ville Mayor Claire Lydie Parent. The World Food Program says it has distributed food to nearly 500,000 people since the magnitude7.0 earthquake devastated the Haitian capital and the southern provincial areas of Jacmel, Leogane and Petit-Goave. WFP spokesman Fredrique Pierre said relief operations will continue in a more selective and targeted manner to ensure that aid beneficiaries are reaching those who need it the most. “In the first phase, we tried to distribute to as many people as we could. But now we want to use a system that helps us identify those who have already received to make sure we assist those who are really in need,” Pierre said. Pierre said the UN agency has done and is doing all it possibly can to assist the needy population but recognized that scores of quake victims are yet to be reached in what he called the biggest and most complex operation the WFP has ever conducted. The Haitian government has been complaining that it had not been in control of operations on the ground and that all the aid was going through nongovernmental agencies, which often act on their own, regardless of the Haitian government’s directives and priorities. “We are not even demanding that we handle all the money, all the assistance. Of course we would not have been able to do it alone because we don’t have the logistics ...” Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said in a recent interview. “What we say is that the government should be aware of how much money was given to who, to do ★FORGOTTEN, Page 6
Photo: Phillip V. Caruso/SMPS
Don Cheadle portrays a conflicted undercover cop in “Brooklyn’s Finest.”
Cheadle
continued from page 1 do a Miles Davis bio-pic. DC: Yep, I’m working on it now. KW: Is it true that you’ve done standup comedy? DC: Yes, but not anymore. KW: Is it true that you play the saxophone? DC: Yes, but I’m playing the trumpet now. KW: What are you listening to on your iPod? DC: Miles Davis. KW: I know who your favorite trumpeter is. How about saxophonist? DC: Coltrane. KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? DC: The same guy I see every day. KW: Do you have any regrets? DC: In life? Of course!
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? DC: Whatever my kids want to eat. KW: What are your favorite foods to eat? DC: Comfort foods… macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. KW: Who was your best friend as a child? DC: My siblings and my cousins. KW: Who is your favorite clothes designer? DC: Boss. KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps? DC: Don’t. KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for? DC: That the world would take the issue of global warming seriously. KW: Thanks again for the interview, Don, and best of luck with the film. DC: Thank you.
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MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
Photo: Ray Carrington
Yates High School Boys dominated the 4A State Championship game against Lancaster, finishing with a 92-73 victory before a sell-out crowd in Austin.
Congratulations Champions By Darrell K. Ardison DEFENDER
AUSTIN – One was a favorite and the layup by Trey Lynch with 3:59 left gave the other was a long shot. Tigers their final lead at 72-71. Houston Yates and Fort Bend Bush took Yates would go on a 19-0 run, fueled by opposite roads to the 2010 boys high school three treys from Young to put the game state basketball tournament. Yet both away. Young finished with 24 points, returned to the Bayou City as champions. including six three-pointers, as the Lions Yates Recap closed the game out with a 21-1 spurt. The operative word for the defending “All I could think of was that I wanted to state champion Yates Lions was flashback. be a state champion again,” Young said. “I It came up time after time in the post-game couldn’t let my team down and I knew they comments following a 92-73 victory over needed me. I came back in and we were able Lancaster at the Frank Erwin Center. to win the game.” Yates rode the broad shoulders of Yates head coach Greg Wise has senior guard Brandon “Snap” weathered a sea of controversy this Peters to a perfect 34-0 season season as his set scoring records when the Lions needed him most. that drew statewide and national With guard Elton Roy sidelined scrutiny and criticism. The Lions with foul troubles and sharpshooter finished the season averaging Joseph Young reeling from blows to 116.2 points per game to eclipse the head and escorted off the court the mark set by Hobbs, N.M. in the fourth quarter, the Western (114.6) during the 1969-70 season. Kentucky signee took charge in Brandon The Lions notched their 58th spectacular fashion. "Snap" consecutive victory over two seaScoring 12 points in the final Peters, sons and set a national record for stanza, Peters was named champi- Yates MVP. most consecutive 100-point games onship game Most Valuable Player with 15 that ended with a 106-76 after delivering a virtuoso performvictory over The Colony in the ance that consisted of a game-high 37 state tournament semifinals. points, a team-high 13 rebounds, two steals, Senior point guard Darius Gardner dribtwo assists, one blocked shot and a trio of bled out the final seconds as the Lions’ three-pointers. faithful among the largest crowd in state “I kept thinking about my sophomore tournament history (16,755), roared their year and how the season ended,” said approval. Peters, referring to a loss to Wheatley in the “All I could think about was losing my regional final when Yates had a seemingly best friend (Charles Phillips) to cancer last insurmountable lead with one minute to year and feeling in my heart that he was play. “I didn’t want that to happen again.” there looking down on us as we made that It didn’t. last run,” Wise said. “It was a comforting After suffering an elbow to the head and feeling. subsequently hitting his head on the floor, “With the way our kids are conditioned, Young heard the trainer say he was through we usually gain separation on an opponent for the night and attempted to strap the in the third quarter, but Lancaster came into Providence College commit into a gurney the game very well prepared. We weren’t for a trip to a local hospital. able to put them away until the final four Young stood up and immediately ran back minutes.” out onto the court. The senior guard checked Gardner, who will play at Stephen F. back into the game with four minutes, seven Austin next fall, said criticism of his coach seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and has been unfair. Yates owning a 71-70 advantage. “People that judge us without knowing us Lancaster, 35-3, led by as many as six points in the third quarter (57-51) and a ★CHAMPIONS, Page 6
Photo: Darrell Ardison
Darius Richardson (L) and Jordan Clark lead Fort Bend Bush to victory.
Photo: Darrell Ardison
Keith Kilgore (FBISD AD) left and coach Ronnie Courtney of Fort Bend Bush applaud the team effort.
Photo: Ray Carrington
Yates Coach and players participate in a press conference after the big win.
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MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
SPORTS
5
Max Edison
on Sports
Cougar Dilemma Congratulations to Coach Tom Penders and the University of Houston Men’s Basketball Team. The Coogs won four consecutive games in the Conference USA tournament in route to their first ever CUSA Tournament crown and their first trip to the NCAA tournament in an amazing 18 years. How surreal does that sound, a program with the history of the University of Houston and their last “Big Dance” appearance was 1992. Now comes the dilemma, the team posted a 19-15 record overall and a dismal 7-9 mark in conference. The team has generated about as much excitement around the city as a root canal and attendance has been horrible. The word on the street was that Penders days at Houston were numbered and that former A & M and Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie was the heir apparent. Now that the team has rolled through to the NCAA, what do you do with Penders? Penders in his sixth year, has a contract that runs through 2012 at $450k per year. The school would be liable for $500,000 (Penders’ base pay over the final two years of his contract) if it makes a change after this season. One of the primary complaints about Penders is his inability (or refusal, take your pick) to successfully recruit local talent. How do you explain not recruiting Joseph Young, an All-State performer from Yates (across the street) and son of basketball staff member and former AllAmerican, Michael? For the record Young has committed to Providence. The 13th seeded Cougars
Photos: Texas Southern Athelitics
Reason for Optimism Junior Treasure is one of the talented players returning to TSU.
Texas Southern Basketball projects bright future By Max Edison DEFENDER
O
★EDISON, Page 6
Darrell Ardison
on H.S. Sports In covering high school sports in Texas for the past 31 years, I’ve made some memorable friendships and alliances within the coaching fraternity. The 2010 boys high school state basketball tournament featured two of my coaching favorites. Greg Wise of defending Class 4A state champion Jack Yates High School and Ronnie Courtney of 5A Fort Bend Bush High School have strung together impeccable career ledgers along the way. Yet both had issues facing them that was out of their control. A 170-35 blowout of Houston Lee dealt by Yates at Butler Fieldhouse in January had drawn criticism from national and state-wide critics. Wise said his team was simply trying to improve its 32minute, full-court pressure defense in a bid to repeat as Class 4A state champions. That didn’t sit well in some quarters and Wise was portrayed as a tyrant who had no regard for sportsmanship. Courtney, who guided Willowridge to repeat championships during the 2000-2001 campaigns, was viewed as a caretaker of great talent that only had to roll a ball out on the court to win games. Each coach set sail to Austin to squash such misconceptions. Yates completed a 34-0 season by dismissing The Colony (106-76) in the tournament ★ARDISON, Page 6
Jasmin Cannon will be key in the TSU Lady Tigers’ strategy.
All conference player Travele Jones returns next season.
Texas Southern Lady Tiger #13, Gabrielle Rosiji goes high for tip off.
n Cleburne Street, the basketballs are no longer being dribbled and the uniformed have been cleaned and stored, but if you’re a fan of Texas Southern basketball, you have to be greatly encouraged. In just her second season on the job, Lady Tigers head coach Yolanda WellsBroughton and Men’s head coach Tony Harvey clearly have their respective squads on the fast track to success. Both coaches inherited programs that were at rock-bottom and were in need of a total makeover. This year, Wells-Broughton’s team finished 13-18 (9-9 in conference, 5th place) and for the first time in 17 years, advanced to the semi-final round of the recently completed SWAC tournament. The Lady Tigers defeated Grambling in round one, before losing to #1 seed and eventual tourney champion Southern. Tony Harvey’s men finished the season with a mark of 17-16, which included advancing to the finals of the SWAC tournament, before losing to Arkansas Pine Bluff. Both coaches have shown the ability to recruit effectively and have shown the prerequisite tactical skills on the sidelines. From his vantage point as athletic director, Charles McClelland is pleased with the evolution of his basketball programs. “I am quite pleased with the success we have had this season,” McClelland shared. “I always thought it would be year three before we had the proper mix of talent necessary to go along with the coaches’ expectations. I am pleasantly surprised and equally proud of what we accomplished this season.” For the Lady Tigers, the season was one of triumph over adversity, something the head coach was pleased with. “I’m really proud of my team. We faced some adversity early in the season and then during the season, but we stuck together through it and continued to believe in our vision,” YWB explained. “We didn’t quite accomplish what we set out to do, but we did hit some milestones along the way.” “We swept Alabama A & M during the regular season. They, along with Southern and Prairie View have been one of the perennial powers in our conference. Getting to the semi-finals of the tournament was really big for our overall development. Our SID dug up the stats and it’s been 17 years since we had even won a game in the tournament. I think that’s progress that we can build upon.” For a program that has had nominal success throughout its history, Wells-Broughton is optimistic about the direction of her team. “I remind our girls continually that building a winning program is a process and we’ve just finished the second year of that process. I asked our team to watch the NCAA selection show on TV and see the emotion of the teams that have received bids. That should be our immediate goal, to be in that group and have those same emotions of happiness and joy.” The #1 goal of Coach Yolanda now is to hit the recruiting trail and build on this year’s success. “Because of a series of unfortunate situations we went through the home stretch of the season and the tournament with only about seven players,” YWB shared. “We’ve got what I think is a good nucleus returning. NaDosha Strickland, Sierra Highgate, Jasmine ★OPTIMISM, Page 6
SPORTS
6
Optimism
continued from page 5 Payne and Jasmin Cannon are some of the players that will be key for us again next year. We have recruited a JUCO AllAmerican in Gianne Fleming (S. Mountain, Phoenix, Az.), who is in the national tournament now trying to win a championship. The high school players we have commitments from all have playoff experience as well. I’m excited about the future of our program.” Make that ditto for Coach Harvey and the men’s program. The men finished 117 in conference play (tied for 4th) and made a run to the conference tournament finals. Harvey is pleased, yet not totally satisfied with his team’s performance. “I’m proud of my guys, I’m elated to coach them,” Harvey proclaimed. “We’re taking baby steps in terms of building a program. I came here to win this league and (ultimately) win this tournament.
Ardison
continued from page 5 semifinals and Lancaster (92-73) in the 4A state title game. While employing the same pressuredefense style that notched 58 consecutive victories over the past two seasons, the Lions overcame adversity in the title game (foul problems and a potential injury) to emerge victorious. Bush captured the 5A crown with wins over Flower Mound Marcus in overtime (45-43) and Garland Lakeview Centennial (65-58) in the championship final with two key players mired in foul trouble. Wise took his team to national tournaments in Hawaii and Alabama before the New Year’s holiday and the Lions answered every challenge presented them to bring home the hardware. Courtney guided his team to the school’s first ever district championship in perhaps the most rugged grouping of teams (District 23-5A) in the state of Texas. In two of the last three seasons, the four playoff-qualifiers from District 235A, have swept the first two rounds of the playoffs. Fort Bend Travis nearly upset topranked Bellaire in the Region III-5A semifinals to set up an all-FBISD regional final. Bush knocked off Bellaire (5553) with an uncontested layup at the buzzer. Courtney told his team early in the season that if they advanced to the regional tournament at the Campbell Center in Aldine, he would guide them to the state tournament in Austin. The Bush players, including his son Travis, made good on their promise. Courtney went one better – he guided them to a state championship. It was FBISD’s first state basketball title since Willowridge in 2001. What do the naysayers have to say now?
We’ll get there through a tireless work ethic, sheer determination and pride. We didn’t play well in the finals, but I’m proud of what we accomplished. I told our guys to savor this moment because this won’t be our last merry-go-round.” Coach Harvey believes that the SWAC tournament is simply the beginning of big things for his program. “We’re going to build this thing (program) up. It’s going to be a program that people can be proud of. I have a blueprint for what it takes for us to be successful. I’ve really worked hard on improving our facilities. Our office situation is as nice as any mid-major program in America. We put a new floor in, new goals, new rims, we’re changing the sexiness of it. We want to make it to where when kids come in they say ‘wow!’” Needless to say, a program cannot flourish without talent and Harvey is excited about that component as well. “I’ve got two returning All-Conference
players (Junior Treasure and Travele Jones), as well as the conference freshman of the year (Aaron Clayborn),” Harvey shared. “I’ve got two nice players that set out this season in Kevin Galloway, a 6’7” guard from Kentucky and Harrison Smith, a University of Texas transfer. We’re also involved with some really nice recruiting prospects and I think, based on our success and my experience we should have a great chance to land some of them.” “Now I’ve got to put my DNA on this program. I’ve got to go get the type of players that are really ready. I’m a very aggressive, hands -on guy. I need guys that don’t clam up when I’m getting all over them. Don’t get caught up in the words, because they’re just that, words. Get caught up in what we’re trying to do and where we are trying to take this program. That’s what I’m excited about.”
Champions
Richardson led all scorers. The senior tallied 19 points as Bush advanced to continued from page 3 the title game with a 45-43 victory over are making a bad name for them- Flower Mound Marcus in the tournaselves,” he said. “We go out and play ment semifinals. Richardson would save his best for hard for 32 minutes. We’re not trying to last. embarrass anybody.” Bush Recap Bush, 35-4, scored the first seven points of the fourth Fort Bend Bush found itself quarter and never trailed again locked into a low-scoring to seize the first team state title defensive battle against in the eight-year history of the Garland Lakeview Centennial school. Richardson had seven and trailing 42-36 going into of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter of the Class the fourth quarter to secure the 5A state title game. Darius game’s Most Valuable Player To make matters worse, Richardson trophy. Bush forward Jordan Clark and Clark had 20 points and 11 center Cameron Ridley were plagued by foul problems and forced to rebounds. “I knew that I had to step up while we sit down during key stretches of the secwere missing some key players and I ond half. Head coach Ronnie Courtney, who told the rest of the guys that they had to guided Willowridge to back-to-back step up and play like starters,” said state championships in 2000-2001, told Richardson, who had seven rebounds his team at halftime that if they believed while playing all 32 minutes. “We believed in our coach and he in what they were praying for, they just believed in us,” Richardson said. might get rewarded. For the second time in the state tour- “That’s why we were able to get the job nament, Broncos’ guard Darius done.”
Edison
MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
Forgotten
continued from page 2 what and where, so that we may be able to check what is really going on on the ground,” he stated. Haitian President Rene Preval also says the government is doing all it can, but he indicated that the government does not have the means to respond as it should and that it is working closely with the international community as the country
tries to recover and rebuild. Dozens of representatives of the government, professional groups and other civil society organizations have been very busy working on a reconstruction plan that will be discussed during a donor conference in New York on March 31. Experts say Haiti will need billions of dollars to rebuild, but Haitian authorities hesitate to talk about specific figures as they continue to evaluate the situation.
CLASSIFIED HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 ‘ • Project 10-03-11 Food Services – Snack & Ice Cream Vending Services– with a deadline of 10 A.M. April 7, 2010. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2NE32 at the above stated address on March 24, 2010 at 10 A.M. 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. Scwyana Smith
COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL NOTICE FOR
Renovation Work at Durkee, Osborne and Scarborough Elementary Schools Houston Independent School District (HISD) The Houston Independent School District will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for work on Durkee, Osborne and Scarborough Elementary Schools. The work includes abatement, roof and window replacement, wheelchair lifts, elevator additions, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, hardware, code compliance, intercom replacement, and general renovation work. Proposals are due no later than12:00 noon on April 20, 2010 at the Board Services Offices, 4400 West 18th Street,Office of Board Services,Level 1 South,Houston,Texas 77092. Durkee Elementary School is located at 7301 Nordling, Houston, Texas. Osborne Elementary School is located at 800 Ringold, Houston, Texas. Scarborough Elementary School is located at 3021 Little York, Houston,Texas The Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP), which includes plans and specifications, will be available beginning Monday, March 22, 2010, and may be obtained from A&E (Greenway Plaza), 4235 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77027/www.aecomplex.com/. 713-621-0022 upon refundable deposit of $100.00 for each set of plans and specifications.Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Any questions regarding bid documents are to be addressed to Jenna Ford and Jeanette DiCorcia, v. 713-622-1444, Fax 713-968-9333. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process will be utilized as authorized in Senate Bill 669, Section 44.039 of the Texas Education Code. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process enables HISD to select contractors on the basis of price and qualifications/methodology. Price proposals will be opened and the amounts read aloud at 2:00 PM on the due date. Following opening of proposals, HISD will conduct its evaluation and scoring of contractor proposals in relation to the selection criteria published in the RFCSP. HISD will select the Proposal that offers the best value to HISD based on the published selection criteria and on the ranking evaluation. M/WBE Forms, schedules and statements, as required by Section AB of the RFCSP and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance, will be received at 2:00 PM,Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at the Board Services Office, 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Level 1 South, Houston, Texas 77092. PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT M/WBE FORMS, PROPERLY COMPLETED, MAY BE CONSIDERED NOT RESPONSIVE. A pre-proposal conference will be held on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 9:00 AM at Osborne Elementary Middle School, 800 Ringold, Houston, Texas 77088 with a walk-thru of that school immediately after. A walk-thru of Scarborough Elementary School shall be on Tuesday,April 13, at 4:00 PM and at Durkee Elementary on Wednesday, April 14, at 4:00 PM. Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the Reed Construction Data Electronic Plan Room and the following Houston locations:
continued from page 5 take on #4 seeded Maryland (23-8) Friday at 7 pm. Has Penders saved his job? Only time will tell. All-SWAC Honors The ballots are in and the votes have been counted; All-Conference honors for Men and Women’s basketball have been decided and both Prairie View and Texas Southern have their fair share of representation. Starting with the ladies: Prairie View’s Sr. guard Candice Thomas was named to the first team, while Jr. guard Dominique Smith was a recipient of second team honors. Texas Southern’s Sr. forward Trikeyia East made the second team as TSU’s lone representative. On the Men’s side P.V.’s Sr. Darnell Hugee was named first team AllConference and the league’s Defensive Player of the year. Panther Sr. guard Christopher Jones was named to the third team. Texas Southern Sr. guard Deandre Hall was named to the second team, while Jr.’s Junior Treasure (guard) and forward Travele Jones were named to the second team. Tiger freshman forward Aaron Clayborn was named Freshman of the Year.
A. O. Phillips & Associates, 4615 S.W. Freeway, Suite 510, (713) 621-8532 Reed Construction Data Engineering Plan Room Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, (713) 843-3700 McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Plan Room, 10106 Hempstead Rd., Ste.110, (713) 316 9411 Associated Builders & Contractors, 3910 Kirby, #131, (713) 523-6222 Alliance of Minority Contractors of Houston, 1616 West 22nd Street (713) 802-4145 Revive Houston Plan Room, Roland W. Smith Bldg., Rm. 122, 5555 Community College Dr, Houston 77013, (281) 704-9269 Hispanic Contractor’s Association, 7 Parker Road (713) 699-2732
COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL NOTICE FOR
James De Anda Elementary School Houston Independent School District (HISD) Turner Construction Company, (Turner) as Construction Manager-at-Risk for HISD, in accordance with Texas Education Code Section 44.038, will receive bids or proposals from subcontractors for the construction of James De Anda Elementary School. The work includes construction of a new 2story school and site work. Bids or proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the offices of Turner Construction Company, 4263 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX, 77092, phone (713) 840-8441, attention Todd Granato or Juan Romero. The plans and specifications will be available beginning Monday, March 22, 2010, and may be obtained from A&E,The Graphics Complex, 713-579-1234 or www.aecomplex.com, upon refundable deposit of $250.00 for each set of printed plans and specifications. Documents in pdf format are also available from A&E on disk for a deposit of $50.00. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Requests for access to on-line documents and any questions regarding documents are to be addressed to Turner, phone (713) 840-8441, and fax (713) 840-8365, attention Todd Granato or Juan Romero. M/WBE documents as described below will be received until 4:00 p.m. on the due date. There will be no public opening of bids or proposals. All bids or proposals shall be available after award of contract or the 7th day after final selection of bids or proposals, whichever is later. After receipt of bids or proposals, Turner will conduct its evaluation of the subcontractor bids or proposals in relation to the project requirements and will select the bid(s) or proposal(s) that offers the best value to HISD. Turner Construction Company, is committed to meeting the M/WBE goals set for this project. M/WBE forms, schedules and statements, as required by the package documents, shall accompany each bid or proposal that is submitted. BIDS OR PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION AND IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED MAY BE CONSIDERED NONRESPONSIVE. A pre-bid/proposal conference will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2010, at The Palm Center (Training Room No. 1), 5330 Griggs Road, Houston,TX 77021. Drawings and Specifications may be reviewed at: Turner Construction Company,4263 Dacoma Street,Houston,TX,77092,(713) 840-8441 and the following Houston locations: A.O. Phillips & Associates, 4615 Freeway, suite 510, (713) 621-8532 Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street, (713) 843-3700 McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Plan Room, 10106 Hempstead Rd., Ste.110, (713) 316 9411 Associated Builders & Contractors, 3910 Kirby, #131, (713) 523-6222 Alliance of Minority Contractors of Houston, 1616 West 22nd Street (713) 802-4145 Revive Houston Plan Room, Roland W. Smith Bldg., Rm. 122, 5555 Community College Dr, Houston 77013, (281) 704-9269 Hispanic Contractor’s Association, 7 Parker Road (713) 699-2732
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Construction Manager-at-Risk Services For Selected Construction Projects for the 2007 Facilities Capital Program The Houston Independent School District (HISD) will accept proposals for Construction Manager-at-Risk services for work on several construction projects for the 2007 Facilities Capital Program pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Education Code Section 44.038. A onestep selection process will be used. The list of projects and locations are in the RFP information. Proposers may submit a proposal for one or more projects. Services include cost estimating, value engineering, scheduling, constructability reviews during design and construction documents phases, and construction management for the proposal, construction, and warranty phases of the project as a Construction Manager-at-Risk. Proposals are due no later than 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Level 1, Houston, Texas 77092.
VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 21 MARCH 21 – 27, 2010
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Art Director Cale Carter
Editor Von Jiles
Columnist Yvette Chargois
Associate Editor ReShonda Billingsley
Webmaster Corneleon Block
Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker
The Houston Defender Newspaper published by The Houston Defender Inc. Company (713) 663-6996. The Defender audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscriptions, send $60.00 — 1 year, to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All materials covered by 2009 copyright... (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
The Request for Proposal (RFP) information and required electronic forms may be obtained beginning Wednesday, March 24, 2010, by contacting Matt Rey, A&E The Graphics Complex, 4235 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77027, telephone (713) 621-0022, or by email to vault@aecomlex.com. All information will be available electronically. Proposals will be opened and the names of the proposers, fees, and prices will be read aloud at 2:00 p.m. on the due date. Following opening of proposals, HISD will conduct its evaluation and scoring of proposals in relation to the selection criteria published in the RFP. HISD will select the proposal that offers the best value to HISD per project based on the published selection criteria and on the ranking evaluation. M/WBE forms, schedules and statements, as required by the RFP and in accordance with the District’s policy, will be received at 12:00 noon on the due date at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Level 1, Houston, Texas 77092. The Houston Independent School District reserves the right to waive any formalities and to reject any or all proposals. A pre-proposal conference will be held on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in conference room 1E01 at the HISD Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W 18th Street, Houston, Texas 77027.
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MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
HBCU
Recount
home to some of the nation’s most diverse student and faculty populations and are leading the way in recruitment, retention and graduation of African American as well as Latino students. HBCUs have historically had some of the most diverse faculty in the nation, and staff and administrators reflect that same commitment to diversity, preparing our students for the real world of diverse populations not just in the U.S. but also globally. This diversity also benefits students when they are The old Prairie View A&M buildings on campus served their purpose and the univerready to graduate. Businesses as well as sity continues to produce great leaders. graduate and professional schools seeking to diversify look to HBCUs first. Particularly Defender: It appears that many HBCUs are support for our students. Lack of sufficient telling are the testimonies from individuals becoming more diverse. Do you think that’s a funds is the single greatest reason for students who have matriculated at an HBCU and a good thing and is that trend reflected at your not completing their degrees in a timely manpredominantly white institution (receiving a university? ner. They take fewer classes, or drop out a bachelor’s degree from one and an advanced Rudley: A wide group of students, particusemester, or are forced to stop altogether degree from the other). They testify to the fact larly first generation undergraduates, benefit because they lack the funds to attend college that recruitment and pre-recruitment opportufrom the hands-on, supportive education with full time. HBCU alumni must step up to the nities are more abundant for HBCU students small classes and faculty interaction that is the plate, get involved and begin to support their than for African American students matricumark of HBCUs. Texas Southern University alma maters as alumni do at other private and lating elsewhere. While the 105 HBCUs repwill never lose our unique position in serving public universities. And community and busiresent just three percent of the nation’s institu- the African-American community, but stuness leaders need to partner with our universitions of higher learning, they graduate nearly dents from every ethnic background can bene- ties and programs to help our students one-quarter of African Americans who earn fit from the unique programs and support sys- through internship and mentorship programs, undergraduate degrees and have a huge tems inherent at Texas Southern and other funding for programs and scholarships, and impact on those graduating with advanced HBCUs. Even more importantly, our African- involvement in developing stronger academic degrees. Over half of all African- American American students benefit from attending and research programs professionals are graduates of HBCUs. More school with a more diverse student body as Wright: So often, the general public has not than 50 percent of the nation’s Africanthey prepare to go out into a very diverse and been as knowledgeable of HBCUs as they are American public school teachers and 70 perglobal working environment. of other institutions. I think if the public cent of African-American dentists earned Wright: Today, even though all universities, would take the time to look at the websites, or degrees at HBCUs. Nearly 30 percent of all public, private, religious and so on, are open come out to some of the programs at campusAfrican-American pharmacists in the country to African Americans, a large percentage of es, they’ll see that there’s a wide range of culreceived their degree from a single HBCU— all the Blacks who finish college are gradutural activities, athletic activities, and recreTexas Southern University. ates of HBCUs. Even though there are only a ational activities. I think if the public was Dr. George Wright: In the historical sense, little over 110 historically Black colleges in more knowledgeable of all that we do, it when you consider that for much of the time this country - which means they’re a small could make a huge difference. And just like period since slavery, much of the time period percentage of all the colleges in this universithe public will often go out of its way to let that these schools were created, HBCUs were ty - they still graduate a significant number or legislators and elected officials know about the sole option for African Americans who higher proportion of the Blacks receiving other institutions, the same is true for HBCUs wanted an education. So consequently, it’s degrees. Not to mention that in their various as well. The public can also help by sending from these institutions that all of the Black programs, their doors are open to Mexican their children and other students to these professionals, the Black lawyers, the Black Americans, to Whites, to everybody. So conschools. There are over 4000 universities in doctors, and so forth came. But you also didsequently, the access that these institutions this country, meaning there’s not just one unin’t realize that you would then lead through provide to everyone is an important aspect of versity that everyone should attend. But it the teachers and schools all over the country, what these institutions are all about. does mean, surely, there’s one university out that the young people were trained by people Defender: How can the general public supthere for you. Students should be encouraged who were originally graduates of an HBCU port HBCUs? to investigate and look into whether the institution. So, from a historical sense they Rudley: The most significant help the genHBCU is the right college experience for you. were important. eral public can provide HBCUs is scholarship
ple in the community who had asked him to pursue a review of the voting. “In a highly contested race with the vote separated by only 10 votes, I strongly feel that it’s important that we take all necessary steps to ensure that no errors have been made. The request for a recount is not aimed at any particular individual or entities, simply to assure my constituents, as they have requested, that the count was fair and accurate as much as possible. Therefore I am seeking a recount of the voting results. I urge the Texas Democratic Party to approve the recount petition,” Edwards said. Election Day results showed Miles unseating Edwards by 11 votes. After an early-voting ballot board canvassed provisional and mail ballots, 39 votes were added to the total in the House District 146 race, and Edwards closed the gap by one vote. The tally stands at 5,050 for Miles and 5,040 for Edwards. Edwards is a minister and real estate broker who first was elected to the House of Representatives in 1978. Miles, a former police officer who owns an insurance business, unseated Edwards in 2006, but Edwards won the seat back in a 2008 rematch. Miles welcomes the recount, saying he supports the democratic process. “Had I lost by 10 votes I would be exhausting all my options as well,” Miles said. A recount can be requested if the difference between the winner and second-highest vote-getter is less than 10 percent of the votes the winning candidate received or if the total number of votes received by every candidate amounts to less than 1,000.
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10 years is going to be gone as soon as this bill passes.” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) agreed with McConnell, telling the Chicago Tribune, “Congress can’t keep coming up with grand ideas like this $100 billion jobs bill, [and] pretending it can add to our alarming debt without hurting the economy.” Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said the bill would give businesses “the tax certainty they need to move forward and families the support they need to make ends meet.”
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ART LOVERS……The Houston Museum of African American Culture held their Spring Sonata Luncheon in their new home located in the Museum District at 4807 Caroline Street. It is steadily establishing itself, like the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Contemporary Arts Museum, and the Menil Collection, as a place that attracts national talent and initiates thought-provoking discussions about people, places and time. This museum is the talk of the town because of the dynamic duos, Melanie Lawson, Chairman of HMAAC Board of Directors and CEO, John Guess, Jr. along with an outstanding board and a host of art lovers and friends. During the luncheon, Pulitzer Prize poet laureate Rita Dove read to the audience of over 150 guests, including Karen Manning and Malcolm Sykes who served as Luncheon Chairs, Drucie Chase and her family, Tony, John and Saundria, Vern Swisher, Audrey and Rev. William Lawson, John Guess, III and his family, Carolyn, John IV and Carol, Jennifer and Willie Miles, Matt Probus, Annette Bracey, Elena Stone Huckaby, Mariam Coleman, Cary Yates, Bryce Kennard and Karen Wells. We salute HMAAC!.......DEBUTANTES FOR CHRIST …….Verna Caddie, motivational speaker, community volunteer, beauty advisor, author and founder of Casting Your Cares, Inc. has a compelling passion to help economically disadvantaged and underprivileged girls residing in the Houston area. One of the programs, Divine Creations, was refined to teach etiquette, personal development, self esteem and self confidence to young ladies at a very delicate time in their lives. After attending various workshops, 10 young ladies were presented to society at their 4th Annual Debutante Cotillion Ball held at The Greenspoint Club and the theme chosen was, “Debutantes for Christ.” This unique group teaches them to learn to love themselves and others and gives them the tools necessary to achieve productive futures. Another unique thing about the organization is that all of the gowns worn by the ladies are donated. The 2010 Debutantes are Anneleshia Hasker, Dyamond Neal, Keyonna Neal, Keichara Fleeks, Keiarrah Fleeks, Brandi Carrier, Heaven Edmondson, Kelsey Garrison Kaitlin Harrison and Meagan Green. Mrs. Black Texas USA, Aisha Deslandes and her husband Cedric, guest speaker Elder Monica Brown, Rona Williams and Evangelist Betty Ashford all took part in sharing this special occasion. The best to all of you!...............THE HOUSTON COLON CANCER CHALLENGE…….Hope Through Grace, Inc. founded by Dr. Grace Butler, a colon cancer survivor, envisions a society in which the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer are diminished and ultimately eradicated. Hope Through Grace, Inc. is a non-profit organization that helps fund CRC screenings for low-income, uninsured and underinsured people in the Houston Metroplex area. March is Colorectal Cancer Month and what better way to celebrate than with a walk in the park to stop colon cancer. Over 300 folks participated in the 5th Annual Walk-A Thon that took place in Tom Bass Park and all colon cancer survivors were honored during the walk and in the closing ceremony. Walkers included Dr. Margo Hilliard, Dr. Everett Sandles, Dr. Victor Simms, Dr. John Stroehiein, Dr. Olethia Chisolm, Dr. Raju, Marilyn Revis, Aretha Johnson, Margarine Williams, Barbara Hoover, Ida Hobdy, Susan Rush, Dana Parish, Lucy McGlothlin, Althea Washington, Dr. Louis Williams, Almether Johnson, Charles Johnson and Elijah Jenkins. Keep up this good work!......... Have a great week and remember to watch CROSSROADS on Channel 13 Sunday morning with Melanie Lawson for your event covered by Ms. Chag. Also check out our website at defendernetwork.com to view the “Event of the Week.”…..From Chag’s Place to your place, Ciao Darling!
MARCH 21 – 27, 2010 | DEFENDER
Drucie Chase, John Guess Jr. and Melanie Lawson
John, Carolyn and John L. Guess III
Melanie Lawson, Karen Manning and Malcolm Sykes
Carol Guess and Bryce Kennard
Jennifer and Willie Miles
Elder Monica Brown and Verna Caddie
Poet Laureate Rita Dove
Emily Hill, Solkeh Ngangbet and Cynthia Jones
The Chase Family, John, Saundria, Tony and Drucie Chase
Cedric Deslandes and Mrs. Black Texas USA, Aisha Deslandes
Heaven Edmonson, Kaitlin Harrison, Megan Green, Anneleskia Hasker and Kelsey Garrison
Keiarrah Fleeks, Keichara Fleeks, Keyonna Neal, Deyamond Neal and Brandi Carrier
Drs. Margo Hilliard, Everett Sandles, Victor Simms, John Stroehlein, Grace Butler, Olethia Chisolm and Raju
Ida Hobdy and Dr. Grace Butler
Marilyn Revis, Aretha Johnson, Margarine Williams and Barbara Hoover