“Will America go Away Sorrowfully?” See First Things First Page 2
Founded January 2010
Groves Standard “A Public Trust” VOL. 3 - NO. 15
JUNE - AUGUST 2012
groves.standard@yahoo.com / billyhollywoodgroves.com
Texas Goes for the Gold: State Ranked “Number One” In Prisons By Bill “Hollywood” Groves, CEO I recently heard on the news that Texas had surpassed California in the number of people incarcerated in prisons. This recent report comes on the heels of another news report where China criticizes the USA on human rights. While China has a woefully dismal record on human rights for their citizens, communist China still felt good enough about itself to “call America out” on human rights issues. In that report, China cited America’s penchant for putting so many of its own citizens in prisons and they also mentioned the high unemployment of minorities in America. Before I go any further with this conversation, I want to say that I’m not a China or communist sympathizer or supporter whatsoever; what I am is a Freedom Fighter, a Freedom Writer and a common sense thinker who understands that locking up record numbers of Americans is not the answer. Having said that, meant that, and represented that opinion on the subject; I offer my thoughts on this sensitive issue. It was Ray Charles who had a song about “Understanding Is the Best Thing in the World”. Ray Charles explained in that song, that couples had to have an understanding with each other in order to have a good relationship. Charles knew that people had to have clear comprehension and an understanding of potential problems so that they could deal with them before they became unmanageable. In my mind, America’s judicial jurisprudence does not understand the people who are caught up in its judicial system, and obviously the people who are caught up in this system don’t understand
Inside this issue: East Texas News Editor’s View
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People and Places 3 Commentary
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Business World
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the dynamics of the “system”. When we examine the root cause of crime and why so many people are sentenced to prisons, we have to look at America’s economic situation. It seems like the worst our economy gets, the more people get involved in law breaking activities, trying to survive economically. Conventional wisdom has always shown us that, African Americans, other minorities and poor whites, have been the folks most victimized by economic inequities and shortages. Now that I have given you a picture of what is fueling the rise of people incarcerated in America’s prisons, the next question is “Why are we continuing on this path?” Well, the case can be made that American justice is behind the times and the system is doing the best it can to meet the increase in today’s crime wave. Then the case can also be made that Texas prisons and other American prisons are nothing more than elements of America’s “Prison Industrial Complex”. The Prison Industrial Complex is a term that has been used to describe America’s prison systems. That term came about because inmates in American prisons were being hired as free labor for American companies and American prison systems were making money off incarcerated people. It’s a fact American prisons are not trying to rehabilitate incarcerated people anymore. Restorative justice has been pushed aside in favor of punitive measures. The system is not effectively trying to neither educate nor prepare inmates with the skills they need to survive in the real world. If this is truly what’s happening (and many people feel this is the case) then we must get an understanding between America’s judicial system and the people incarcerated now and See Texas Goes for Gold Page 2
Gabrielle Douglas “Gabby” Becomes First Black Gymnast to Win Individual Olympic Gold Medal
Claressa Shields wins first U.S. women’s boxing gold in Olympic history.
27th Juneteenth Observation In Houston County
2012 Houston County Miss Juneteenth Queen and Court
(L-R) Antavia Harris, Court , Paige Scott , Miss Juneteenth 2012 and Destiny Moten, 1st Runner-up. ( See Houston County Celebrates 27th Juneteenth Page 3 )
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JUNE - AUGUST 2012
Opinion / Outlook First Things First
Texas Goes for the Gold
Will America go Away Sorrowfully? By Dr. Ianthia Fisher, Managing Editor I know that a lot of you biblical scholars remember the story about the rich young man who selfrighteously inquired about his “eternal life” status with Jesus. He even went so far as to address Him as “Good Master “until Jesus reminded him that no one is good except God the Father. Then Jesus shared with him the requirements for eternal life. Specifically, that he must keep the commandments. The young man with great assurance replied that he kept the commandments even from his youth. Then he asked Jesus one more question, “What do I still lack”? Jesus then challenged him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor (for he was a very rich man) and follow Him. The scripture says “that when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions”. I know that you are probably wondering what this has to do with America. Well, I am glad you asked! As Americans, with great pride we wave our flags and banners of honor and glory, and boast of our commitment to God and country, but I‘m afraid that at the end of the day, America does not really want to hear what it lacks! Recently, I had the privilege of sharing in the 175th Celebration of the oldest county in Texas; which was an awesome experience. Many segments of the county have capitalized on the Celebration. One really special part of the yearlong celebration was the traveling Vietnam Wall Monument which was displayed in Houston County for several days. Did I already mention that this was “awesome”? Throughout three days, many exciting scheduled veteran events took place open to all veter-
ans. Of course, the event was open to the public but although the invitation was extended, was the welcome really received by “ALL”. When observing the composition of the crowds, it was apparent that many African Americans did not respond to the invitation. As I began to look around, I wondered if I was the only one that noticed the elephant in the room! Surely this glaring fact could not have gone undetected. Then it donned on me, while all Americans fought for the same “freedom”, the same freedom had not been extended to “All Americans” especially African Americans. So while we all shared in the significance of the events, we all retained different perspectives of the same events. The older World War II and other older war vets, hardly made their presence felt. As I shared with different ones, I was surprised at the pride that that they displayed related to their military experiences, yet they merely merged into the crowd with the other spectators. Then I realized that while they all fought for America’s freedom, they were not treated with the same degree of freedom as their fellow comrades. They were subjected to discrimination in their travel, eating and sleeping arrangements. They were also subjected to discrimination in their respective job assignments, and even in their very day-to-day interactions among their comrades. Commanders and officers often denied many of them welldeserved recognition for their many feats of bravery, or relegated them to secondary roles when they were the primary heroes. Wikipedia, a popular source for general information although not necessarily a primary historical source, states that despite a
William Harris and Charlie McHenry, Crockett veterans of the U.S. Navy and Army pay tribute to the traveling Veteran monument during Houston County 175 Birth Day Celebration.
high enlistment rate in the U.S. Army, African Americans were not treated equally. Racial tensions existed at parades, church services, in transportation and canteens. The races were kept separate. It wasn’t until July 26, 1948 that President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 integrating the military and mandating equality of treatment and opportunity. It also made it illegal, per military law, to make a racist remark. Unfortunately, desegregation of the military was not immediately completed, and all-black Army units persisted well into the Korean War. The last allblack unit wasn't disbanded until 1954. I began to realize why the underlying tension and uncomfortableness existed among the African American vets. See Will America Go Away… Page 6
Jacquelyn O’Neil, daughter of Bennie Ray and Betty O’Neil of Crockett share with her daughters the traveling veterans wall.
CONTINUE FROM PAGE 1 those who will be incarcerated in the future. That understanding should start with the judicial system and the powers that be in that system informing Americans about how they conduct business. The system needs to let people under their jurisdiction know the pros and cons of their system and what to expect. The people facing their authority need to know the real reasons they are going to prison and why they will be kept in prison for such a long time. I truly believe that if the American people knew what was really growing and sustaining America’s prison populations and why there seems to be no end to this madness, I believe we (Americans) would do something about it. A mindset that takes into account that there may be more humane and effective ways of dealing with our fellow citizens, especially those who can be helped and restored to productive, contributing lives, is a good place to start. Not to discount small beginnings, the small nation of Brazil, has a prison educational program which gives its inmates a reduction on their prison sentences for reading a book. The inmate in Brazil has to write an essay about each book he reads. In the process, the inmate gets an education from the book which helps him to cope with life after he leaves prison. Restorative justice can also happen when we Americans begin to see that many inmates are people whose lives need not be destroyed by prison sentences which are, in many instances, unduly lengthy and harshly disproportionate to their offenses—all because of the politics that fuel the archaic Prison Industrial Complex. The fact that China (of all nations) mentions our prison problems publicly, speaks volumes about the need to address our prison dilemma. God bless America, Africa and the rest of the world.
Jurlinda Gentry, a Houston County 2012 Democratic Delegate poses with Buffalo Soldiers of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum at Convention held in Houston, Texas.
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Groves Standard
JUNE - AUGUST 2012
People & Places VP of Mainland NAACP Receives “Hooks” Award
Little Mr. Juneteenth Escorts
Top L-R : Kaelon Anderson , Cristian Brice (Bottom /L-R) Tywoin Delane, St’Shawn Sandles and Cobey Corley
Sr. Juneteenth Escorts
(L-R) Reginald Lockhart II , Anthony McKnight and Castin Harbin
Houston County Celebrates 27th Juneteenth Observation Houston County celebrated its 27th Juneteenth (the declaration of freedom from slavery in Texas which was read June 19, 1865, in Galveston) through its observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. The Groves Educational Foundation in conjunction with the Juneteenth Committee hosted the Annual Celebration. This year’s theme was “The Sound of Music”. The Juneteenth Committee of Houston County highlighted this year's celebration with a Pageant Induction Ceremony, Community Parade, and Official Opening Ceremony and Festival held at the Groves Educational Center Pavilion. Mrs. Lola Reece— educator, musician, and community icon— served as the Grand Marshall for this year’s parade. Special recognition awards for community music frontrunners were handed out by the Juneteenth Parade Committee along with community citizenship recognition awards. Motivational speeches inspired the
enthusiastic crowds gathered in and around the Pavilion. Juneteenth Contestants and other community performers provided special entertainment. The remainder of the Celebration featured recreational fun and games for both youth and adults. 2012 Juneteenth Committee members included Coordinator Dr. Ianthia Fisher; Pageant Chair Margeaux Fisher; Parade Chair Z’Enitta McKnight, Support Staff Chair Linda Warfield, and Juneteenth Advisors Della Newman & Lela Wheeler.
Roosevelt Henderson of Texas City By Dr. Dotti L. Jones, Texas City, TX
Roosevelt Henderson, Vice President of the Mainland Branch of the NAACP, was honored to receive the Benjamin Lawson Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award at the 103rd NAACP convention in Houston in July. The distinguished award was presented at the labor luncheon in recognition of the contributions Henderson has made to the labor movement, the NAACP, and the Galveston County community.
Henderson, a lifetime member of the civil rights organization, has been a member the NAACP for more than 50 years and previously served as President for a total of 14 years. He was also President of the State and County Municipal Employees for 15 years. “I felt honored that my work was being recognized nationally,” said Henderson. “I know my brothers, James and Johnnie (who were also known activists), would be proud of the work I’ve continued to do in the community.” When asked what he thought about the convention this year, he commented that he had heard the inspiring words of the Attorney General, and that Vice President Biden was simply excellent. “I’m just motivated for the next year ahead.” He continued. “We’ve come a long way, but we’ve got a long way to go… especially here in Galveston County. I’d like to see more people join the NAACP, ready to work and work hard. If we don’t, we are sure to lose ground.” Mr. Henderson is also a longtime member of the Greater Barbour’s Chapel Baptist Church in Texas City, where he serves as a Trustee.
Juneteenth Sr. and Jr. Escorts at Ceremony
(Top L-R ) Achrista Price, Makalyn Dennis, Madison Faulk, , Tania Davis (Bottom /L-R)
Neosha Jones, A;Kedria Delane, Ja’Miya Houston, Da’neyshia Houston & Kiva Knox .
Jr. Miss Juneteenth and Court : (Center) Jaida Lockhart Queen , (L) Javen Lockhart 1st Runner -up and Autymn Harrell- Miss Congeniality
Sr. Little Miss Contestants: (Top L-R ) Aremesia Stubblefield & Sha’Driauna Hackett (Bottom /L-R) Kevionia Jones, Katelyn Harbin, Yasmir Ware & Chelsea Strange
Jr. Miss Juneteenth 2012 Contestants Induction Ceremony (Houston County) Top L-R : Autymn Harrell, Javen Lockhart, Vanlesha Houston, Taylor Creag, & Jaida Lockhart (Bottom /L-R) A’Morn’e Sims, Antonisha Hopkins, Tanisha McCullough & Akira Bibbs
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JUNE - AUGUST 2012
Commentary MOVING FORWARD James L. McCullough, M.Ed. After many years of knocking and kicking at the opportunity doors of America Inc., they finally opened wide enough for us to peep in. Some were allowed full entry, but the masses of African Americans still are stuck in the knocking and kicking mode. In a previously published article, I offered a limited overview of some of the unintended albeit, disastrous effects on black communities brought on by integration. One in particular was the loss of black businesses in black communities and the accompanying negative effects of such. Most obvious of these effects was a downward spiral from a large degree of economic independence based on black business ownership, to one of dependency on corporate entities whose sole purpose was the extraction of as much profit as possible from our communities, leaving in their wake an abundance of criminal and other negative elements attributable to the economic void. Equally devastating in this scenario was the destruction of business, entrepreneurial and philanthropic role models for our young people who have been left with little knowledge of such because we failed to inform them of this particular area of black accomplishments. Many have developed mind-sets where the only road left open to success lies in their becoming rich and famous rappers, basketball stars or other sports stars. Many waste valuable time and energy in pursuit of such dreams which rarely evolve into reality. Very few aspire to become business giants such as John Johnson, founder of EBONY and Jet fame or, Earl Graves, founder of Black Enterprises or other business titans who are able to control their own economic destinies. Fewer aspire to become the next Barack Obama controlling the destiny of a whole nation and to a certain degree, the world. Our social institutions and we as individuals have, to a certain degree, failed to educate our children about black achievements throughout the history of the world; as a result, many remain alien to the concept of black enterprise. They remain stuck in the muck and mire of a system which at times forces them outside the margins of successful and viable lives. Becoming members of a caste system characterized by poverty, inflexibility, and dependency. Most ominous of all,
many become fodder for the criminal justice system through which we are losing a generation of young and poor black brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, what has been offered us has been given under the guise of progress which in reality has been plans for regress. In economic matters, we were lead backwards. Again, I continue to ask the same question as I have in the past, where do we go from here? It is a determination we must make and soon. We are in motion, but in what direction are we traveling? Are the doors of opportunity for our people fully opened or just cracked? These questions still loom large in my mind as of this writing. Some of us have “made it”, yet still the masses of us are being left behind. We are the ones of which writer Ralph Ellison speaks in his best seller “Invisible Man”. We are the ones trampled over and rousted about and then labeled guilty for getting in the way. Again, what has caused this quagmire and what do we do about it? How do we make improvements? Briefly, I shall attempt to answer my own question. See Moving Forward Page 5
The Honorable Dalphne Session, County Attorney delivers County Greetings at Houston County Juneteenth Celebration.
Jr. Miss Juneteenth 2011 QuaBrojana Anthony and 2012 Pageant Participant, Akira Bibbs prepare for performance at the Juneteenth opening Celebration.
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Music Scene Masters Buddha Ali Shaw Internet Show Sizzles Chip Francis of Louisiana gave me the latest information on the internet television show that he and Buddha Ali Shaw (founder of the Crockett Rap Group Mad Kat) are involved with. The television show is 24 TV.com on the internet and you already know that if Buddha and Chip Francis are on board, it’s a huge success! Spivey Promotes Gigantic Gospel Concert 2012 Huntsville businessman/ gospel promoter J. Spivey will be hosting another great gospel concert. J. Spivey Productions presents, “Gigantic Gospel Concert 2012”, September 8, 2012 at the Kingdom Builders Center at 6011 West Orem Drive in Houston, Texas. Lee Williams and the Spiritual Q C’s; the Canton Spirituals; The Joy Boyz; Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites; The Bolton Brothers; Evelyn Turrentine-Agee; Jewel and Converted; Tim Rogers and the Fellas; Darrell McFadden and the Disciples; Lisa Knowles and the Brown Signers; Spencer Taylor and the Highway QC’s; and George Dean and the Gospel Four are scheduled to perform. For more information, call J. Spivey Productions at 877.291.1981; Ticket web.com at 866.467.7621; Skipper Lee and Son’s Eternal Rest Funeral Home at 713.644.1166; Bishop Fred Jones at 979.557.6731; and Kingdom Builders Center at
713.723.8187. Lady Beatrice and Angelic Voices and Disciples of Christ are also scheduled to perform at the 2012 Concert. For reserved seating, you can call 877.291.1918 and for vendor booth space call 936.662.0284. Kudos and High Fives High Fives go out to D.J. Warfield, Stanley “Raunchy” Stewart, Anthony Green “D.J. A. Green” and Kush Beats, LeAnthony Lounge, Confetti DaRealaSouja, Stephon “Snag” Harris, George “GBD” Davis, The Groves Educational Foundations Musical tribute, The Crockett Civic Center and Piney Woods Musical tour, Mike “D.J. Heavy Love” Jones, D.J. Wizz Sr., Niece Bolton and Billionaire Records. Kudos once again go out to the Johnson Brothers of Huntsville and Crockett who continue to bring live rap concerts and entertainment to Huntsville, Crockett and East Texas. The Johnson Brothers are Brandon “Boo”, Wayne “Bev the Barber” and Untwaun Johnson.
2012 Juneteenth Parade Grand Marshal Lola Reece and Community Icon Rev. Harry Fred Scott lift their voices in song.
300 E. Bell Street Crockett, Texas
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Will America Go Away... Maybe they not only remembered the horrors of their respective wars, but also the racism that encompassed it. Lately, we’ve all been allowed a glimpse into the realities of military life (including racism) through numerous movies including Red Tail, the story of African American Air men from Tuskegee. For too long we’ve assumed that the military experience was one big happy “American” military family reunion. This continues to be proven false— sadly, the elephant was definitely in the room. I was even caught by surprise during the U.S. Calvary performance when asked if Black people were part of the Calvary. Needless to say, this question was prompted by a lack of African Americans Calvary members at the recent 1st Calvary Division demonstration at the Veteran tribute. Shamefully, I couldn’t remember if the Calvary was established before or after the Civil War. I knew that there were Buffalo Soldiers, but couldn’t recall if they were created as an extension of the U.S. Calvary or were a branch of the Calvary at all, but a brief historical review revealed that the "Buffalo Soldiers" were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army and were originally members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, which was formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The nickname Buffalo Soldiers was given to the "Negro Cavalry" by the Native American tribes they fought and eventually became synonymous with all of the African-American regiments formed in 1866. African American allowed in the U.S. Calvary although they were segregated until the mandated integration in 1948 but completed in 1954. Although attempts were made to make this 175 Celebration a “true” integrated countywide celebration, somehow it fell short and the presence of the Elephant (racism) in the room was apparent. It dawned on me that the celebration of even “Good Ole” Houston County cannot truly take place without an acknowledgement of the historical impact of slavery, segregation, and pure racism in the development of the oldest county in Texas. Imbedded in the celebration of Houston County, which was established in 1837, should have been the landmark signing of the Emancipation Proclamation (1865) which abolished slavery in Texas. While these concerns were addressed in the context of the Houston County’s Celebration, its roots are deeply seated in the very fiber of our beloved America. Unless America repents of the injustice that it has marred its darker brothers (African Americans) it will only be able to go away “sorrowfully lacking”. Be blessed my fellow Americans!
Groves Standard
JUNE - AUGUST 2012
Business World Mount Pleasant C.M.E. Church Commemorates 127 Years
Mount Pleasant C.M.E. Church, Fodice, Texas Established in 1885.
Mount Pleasant C.M.E. Church of the Fodice Community, in Pennington, Texas, recently celebrated its Church’s Anniversary and Homecoming at the Pennington Community Center. The theme for the occasion was Let Us Preserve our Rich History by Keeping all our Forefathers’ Dreams Alive. The annual event is being kept alive by the sheer dedication of a few faithful family and community members. Long term
chairperson, Sis. Clemonce David was assisted in this year’s endeavors by Sis. Ester Walker. An inspirational sermon was delivered by Minister, Dr. Ianthia Fisher. The subject of her message was “Return”. She reminded them that God has not brought them this far to abandon hope for the next generation. Heartfelt remarks, expressions and testimonials were made by family and friends. Sis. Clemonce David reminded everyone to remember their roots because “they made us the people that we are”. Sis. Ester Walker’s encouraging words reminded everyone that the reunion preparation did not have to be perfect in order to be successful. “Keeping the reunion alive is the most important thing”, she said.
Mt. Pleasant CME Historical Marker
Donations are being accepted to assist with the restoration of the home church. Mt. Pleasant CME was founded in 1885. It served as both a place of worship and education (school) until about 1900. Mt. Pleasant CME “ congregation continues a proud heritage of worship.”
. . . When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 (KJV) Sis. Clemonce David , Reunion Chair
Ester Walker Reunion Assistant Chair
Houston County Democratic Party prepares for State and National Election.
Dr. Ianthia Fisher, delegate, Bill Holcomb Houston County Democratic Chairman and James Gentry, National delegate.
VOTE DONNA GORDON KASPAR FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY
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JUNE - AUGUST 2012
Sports
Wings Youth Track Club New Members By Billy “Hollywood” Groves, CEO Kudos go out to Huntsville High and Prairie View A&M graduate Shannon brown and wife Yolanda Brown, also a P.V. graduate. The Browns are the proud parents of two athletically gifted daughters, Maya and McKinley Brown. Maya is twelve and McKinley is eight. They are members of the renowned Wings Youth Track Club of Willowridge. The Browns live in Pearland, a suburb of Houston. Shannon Brown, the father, is an engineer and the son of the late LaVern Marshall-Brown of Crockett, also a Prairie View graduate. Shannon told me that NFL star Donald Driver of the Minnesota Vikings was a member of the Wings youth Track Club when he was younger. Maya competes in the 100 meters and the 400 meters as a sprinter and McKinley competes in the shot put. McKinley won her local division in the Shot Put competition and has been invited to the 2012 AAU junior Olympic Games in August. Maya and McKinley come from great sports roots. Their grandfather Charles “Charley” Brown of Huntsville, a former TDCJ spokesman was
Barbershop basketball team WINNERS of the “Jumpers for Jesus” Tournament held in Crockett. Brandon “Boo” Johnson, Joseph “BoBo” Hall, Dre Murray and other members of the Championship Dead End Barbershop team.
MOVING FORWARD... Maya and McKinley Brown a great athlete from Miami, Florida who played high school football with College All American Quarterback George Mira and at PV. A&M university. Their cousin is NFL Hall of Fame defensive back Ken Houston. Their great Uncle Freddy Marshal of Crockett was one of the first African American athletes to receive a scholarship to play basketball at a Texas White College (Ranger Junior College) in the early 1960’s. Shannon and his brothers Keith and Labon Brown were standout football players for Huntsville High. The Browns attend Silver Lake Church in Pearland, where Reginald DeVaughn is the pastor.
Jaydon Williams, son of Crystal Fisher Williams gets to experience the feel of sitting behind the wheel of a “real” race car at a recent car display in Crockett, TX.
Union Prairie Missionary Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas Homecomer Veatta Davis Jenkins smiles for the camera.
Billy “Cowboy” Wyatt shows his “ride em hard” bull riding skills doing one of his many bull riding escapades ! It’s almost that time again in Houston County: Labor Day “Myrtis Dightman” Rodeo Time. Hope to see you there!
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 First, we were an agricultural nation. Then we transitioned to an industrialized one. From there we morphed into a high tech economy. Manufacturing has been out-sourced overseas to cheap labor markets so here we are stuck in an economy which is hi-tech in nature. Jobs requiring high levels of technical knowledge and skills, place workers in America in competition with foreign workers, many of them possessing an abundance of technical knowledge. As a people, we are losing ground with the rise of each morning sun. Most of us were educated for a world which is evaporating before our very eyes. This bleeds somewhat into what the father of black history, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, would label the mis-education of the Negro. We obtained a certain degree of education as a people, but will it allow us to successfully compete in a world where many factors associated with it, reached states of antiquity long years ago? All this may appear pessimistic, but a spirit of hope still remains. Hundreds of years on these shores have proven that, in spite of the odds often arrayed against us, and no matter the obstacles placed in our paths, we have found the will and a way to survive for still we are a proud, industrious and resilient people as documented by the history of our people and the world. Finally, the key to our future survival as a people lies in the degree, quality, and quantity of our education. If we just continue the struggle and make the necessary course corrections, we will overcome!
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JUNE - AUGUST 2012
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Hollywood’s News The Supreme Court Has Spoken! Obamacare Rules! broke a four-to-four tie among the other Supreme Court Judges and made it five-to-four, in favor of the President’s Affordable Care Act. Judge Roberts understood that he was doing what was best for America despite the “heat” he knew he was going to get from the GOP leader and followers. I think in this “New America” it is going to take people like Judge Roberts, reaching out to other people regardless of their differences ,to make our country a better place for all Americans. I often hear opponents of the President’s Health Care Reform— dubbed “Obamacare” by Republicans --complain about American doctors being disgruntled with the President’s Affordable Health Care Plan. Some medical doctors are supposed to be so enraged at the passage of this health bill that they are quitting the medical profession or refusing to treat
By Bill “Hollywood” Groves, CEO The recent Supreme Court decision which made President Obama’s Health Care Reform the law of the land, spoke volumes to where we are as a nation. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts showed great courage, patriotism and wisdom in his decision to rule in favor of President Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act. What would it look like to the rest of the world for America, by far the richest nation on the planet, to continue to have millions of its citizens without affordable health insurance? Chief Justice John Roberts may have been seen by some as a turncoat to the Republican Party because he was appointed to the Supreme Court bench by a Republican president. Roberts didn’t let partisan feelings of politics, race, class, gender, or special interest of any kind factor into his decision. Justice Roberts’ vote
patients who get financial help from the government. Well, my answer is “fine”! Let those doctors leave the profession, because we have the ability in this nation to produce new doctors just as we are able to produce new teachers and any other professionals this Country may need. Chief Justice Roberts made a decision based on the future of America grounded in reality and common sense. The opponents of Affordable Care, in my opinion, seem to have an obstructionist view of America. They want to go back to the past at the expense of Americans who are building toward the future. At the end of the day, all Americans must understand that “we” (the people) can have different political parties, and we don’t have to see things eye-to-eye on every issue, but when there are things that we can come together on--things that benefit the poorest and the less fortunate people in our great nation— then I think we should unite as one nation behind that cause. I don’t think God would have a problem with us working together. God Bless America, Africa and the Rest of the World.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
Substantial rehabilitation of 70 units plus a completely new club house. A total of 31 buildings to be rehabilitated, plus a new club house. The dwellings are currently occupied so work will be phased. This project includes work from the following trades (but is not limited to): Concrete foundation Concrete sidewalks Masonry Framing Roofing
HVAC Electrical Plumbing Termite Treatment
Finish carpentry Insulation Drywall Painting
Landscaping Parking lot stripping Ceramic Tile installation Vinyl flooring installation
Access to the building plans: • We have complete sets of building plans available for review in the Pine Ridge Manor leasing office. • We have plans available for review in our office in Port Arthur. Interested parties can call for directions. • We can also email the plans as a pdf file to anyone interested in having their own set of plans printed. $2,000,000 general aggragate insurance is required by each subcon-tractor in order to work on this project. General Project Contractor :
Contacts:
Icon Builders
Cisco Abshire, Vice Pres. of Project Management Email: cisco.abshire@iconbuilders.net
P.O Box 1363 Nederland, TX 77627
Rev. Fred Foster, Pastor of Shilo MBC and Mother–In Law, Sis. Dominique, wife of the Late Rev. S.R. Dominique and former Pastor of Union Prairie MBC are all smiles at 2012 Homecoming Service .
JUNE - AUGUST 2012
East Texas SHOUT OUTS ! President Barrack Obama, Dr. Ruth Watson, Harry Jackson, Confetti, Willie Carter, JaGared Davis, Groves Educational Foundation, Joe Paul Richardson, Rev. and Sis. Troy Purvis, Chris Akbari, Dr. Dotti Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Houston, Dr. Ianthia Fisher, James (Palestine) Smith, Ester Walker, Gerald Barkley, Daphne Session, Walter and Maxine Session, Cartier Martin, Rev. and Sis. Hosea Dolphus, Sis. Bernice Harris, ETMC, the McKnight Family, the Dead End Barber Shop, Phat Pat Terry, Dre Bacon, J.T. Govers III, Victoria Essien, Dr. Helen King, Leslie “Pretty Les” Denman, the Denman Family, Slim Thug, J Dawg, Youngest in Charge, George King, Dr. Brenda Atchison, Rev. Delvin Atchison, Rev. Harry Fred Scott, Pat Perry, Slim Martin, Rev. Jerome Simpson, Tre Sherman, Anjuwan “A.D.” Smith, Jameshia Edwards, The Robbins Family, The Reagans Family, Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Jones, The Tillis Family, the Chatman Family, Sis. Robbie Porter, Chief Jimmy Fisher, Chester Houston, Dr. Lynn Ellison, Bishop Eunice Groves, the Shepherd Family, the Grapland Sandies, The Kennard Tigers, Lovelady Lions, Crockett Bulldogs, The Latexo Tigers, the Late Smith Gardner, Sis. Earlie Groves, Barbara Wooten, Jim Ervin, the Late Calvin Overstreet, Broderick David, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Daivd, Alustriee “Dimples” Mrshall, Adrian Peterson, Eric Holder, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, The Late Treyvon Martin, The Bolton Family, the Crockett Public Library, Mayor George Pierson, Mike Harrell, R.B. “Jackey” Jones, Mary Martin, Floyd and Lois Ball, and Mr. and Mrs. Norman White.
David Sellers : Project Manager email: david.sellers@iconbuilders.net Office: (409) 722-2643 Fax: (409) 724-7951
NOTE: For local information on jobs with Icon Builders, LLC on MLK Blvd. In Crockett. Contact Mrs. Williams, on site at Prince Hall Apartment s, Crockett Texas.
Groves Standard Newspaper
Billy “Hollywood” Groves
Union Prairie Homecomers Crockett native Venola Kitchen and others stated that this was a great opportunity to celebrate family and friends in unity.
Depend on us… To provide quality medical care close to home.
Dr. Helen King . . . . . . . . Dr. Ruth Watson . . . . . . Dr. Ianthia Fisher . . . . . . Victoria Essien, M Ed.. . . Dr. Brenda Atchison. . . . Minister Earlie Groves. . . Rev. Oscar Henderson . .
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Terry Cutler, Administrator ● Crockett , TX For a physician referral or more information on the programs available through ETMC Crockett, call the ETMC HealthFirst line at 1-800-648-8141 or Visit on the web at www.etmc.org.
East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System