National Black Caucus of State Legislators
28th Annual Legislative Conference
november 29 - December 4, 2004
Wyndham Philadelphia at Franklin Plaza, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
schedule of events
Daily Agenda 2
Daily Programs International Day memorial service Pfizer Humanitarian Opening Plenary Youth Congress Luncheon Prayer Breakfast Corporate Round Table Luncheon Nobel women’s breakfast Labor Round Table Luncheon Closing Plenary
OF THE
10 14 year award 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
concurrent policy committee sessions
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Biographies
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DAILY AGENDA
[Mezzanine Level]
REGISTRATION 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Mon.) 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Tues. - Thurs.)
LEGISLATOR HOSPITALITY LOUNGE
(Legislators Only)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Tues. - Thurs.)
PRESS CONFERENCE 9:00 am – 9:30 am (Tues.)
ADDITIONAL TIMES TO BE ANNOUNCED
EXHIBIT HALL SETUP 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Mon.)
HEALTH FAIR 10:00 am – 8:30 pm (Tues. - Thurs.)
CORPORATE EXHIBITS 10:00 am – 8:30 pm (Tues. - Thurs.)
CULTURAL TRADING POST 10:00 am – 8:30 pm (Tues. - Thurs.)
Featured Symposium
International day
Tuesday, November 30, 2004 Wyndham D 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
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Day 1: MONDAY, November 29 Pre-Conference Activities (Organization & Set-up)
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm Host State Chairman’s Reception
Ogantz Grille North by Northwest
Day 2: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 International Day
8:00 am – 9:00 am International Day Brunch
Wyndham D
9:00 am – 9:30 am Press Conference
Salon 5/6
9:00 am – 12:00 pm International Day Forum
Wyndham D
12:15 pm – 2:00 pm International Day Luncheon
Wyndham C Speaker: Della Reese Entertainer & Diabetes Advocate
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm NBCSI Foundation Meeting
Wyndham D
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm NOBEL Women’s Business Meeting
Salon 9
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Legislative Staff Meeting
Salon 3
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Day 2: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 International Day (continued)
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm African American Males National Council
Salon 4
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Memorial Service
Wyndham C Speaker: Reverend Danny Ray Hollins Pastor, Greater Fairview Baptist Church, Jackson, MS
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Meet and Greet Hospitality
Wyndham B
Day 3: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Conference Convenes & Youth Congress
7:00 am – 8:15 am Pfizer 2004 Humanitarian of the Year Award Breakfast
Wyndham B Recipient: William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed.D.
8:30 am – 10:00 am Opening Plenary
Wyndham D Keynote Speaker: William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed.D. Activist & Humanitarian
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Youth Congress Day
Wyndham C
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Day 3: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Conference Convenes & Youth Congress (continued)
10:15 am – 12:15 pm Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
Salon 6
Elementary & Secondary Education Health Human Service Labor Law & Justice
Salon 4 Salon 3 Salon 2 Salon 5
10:15 am – 11:15 am Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
Salon 9 Salon 7
Agriculture Business & Finance
11:15 am – 12:15 pm Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
Salon 9 Salon 7
Energy Insurance
12:15 Pm – 2:15 Pm youth congress luncheon
Wyndham AB Speaker: Keisha Knight Pulliam Entertainer
2:30 Pm – 3:30 Pm concurrent policy committee sessions
Salon 7 Salon 9
Ethics Transportation
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Day 3: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Conference Convenes & Concurrent Policy Sessions (continued) Salon 5 Post-Secondary Education
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
Salon 2 Salon 3 Salon 6 Salon 4
Housing International Affairs Youth Telecommunications
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
Salon 7 Salon 9 Salon 5
Science & Technology Environment Sports & Entertainment
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm nbcsl president’s reception
Wyndham C
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm pennsylvania host state main event
Day 4: thursday, DECEMBER 2 Prayer Breakfast & CRT Luncheon
7:30 am – 9:00 am Prayer breakfast
Wyndham ABC Speaker: Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw President, The National Baptist Convention, USA., Inc.
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Day 4: thursday, DECEMBER 2 Prayer Breakfast & CRT Luncheon (continued)
9:15 am – 12:00 Pm legislator’s business meeting and elections
Wyndham D
12:15 pm – 1:45 Pm corporate round table luncheon
Wyndham AB Speaker: Honorable Greg Mathis Judge & Civil Activist
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Corporate Round Table Meeting
Wyndham C
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Labor Round Table Meeting
Philadelphia
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Labor Round Table Reception
Wyndham Foyer
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Nation Builder Awards Ceremony
Wyndham CD
8:30 pm – 12:00 pm Pennsylvania Host State Night-Out
Day 5: friday, DECEMBER 3 Closing Plenary & David S. Holmes Awards Banquet
8:00 am – 10:00 am Nobel women’s breakfast
Wyndham D
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Day 5: friday, DECEMBER 3 Closing Plenary & David S. Holmes Awards Banquet (continued)
10:00 am – 12:15 pm Ratification of Resolutions
Wyndham C
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Labor Round Table Luncheon
Wyndham D Speaker: Henry Nicholas President, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
2:15 pm – 4:15 pm Closing Plenary
Wyndham C Speaker: Jock M. Smith Senior Partner, Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith, P.C.
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Annual David S. Holmes Awards Banquet
Wyndham ABC
10:00 pm – 11:30 pm 2005 Host State Kick-Off
Horizons
Day 6: saturday, DECEMBER 4 Post-Conference Activities
9:30 am – 11:00 am Executive Committee Meeting
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WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Daily Programs
INTERNATIONAL DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE NBCSL/PFIZER 2004 HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD BREAKFAST OPENING PLENARY YOUTH CONGRESS LUNCHEON PRAYER BREAKFAST CORPORATE ROUND TABLE LUNCHEON NOBEL WOMEN’S BREAKFAST LABOR ROUND TABLE LUNCHEON CLOSING PLENARY 10 14 16 18 20 22
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National Black Caucus of State Legislators
International Day
Tuesday, November 29, 2004 Wyndham D Wyndham Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania INTERNATIONAL DAY BRUNCH 8:00am-9:00am INTERNATIONAL DAY FORUM 9:00am-12:00pm INVOCATION Reverend Dr. Steven Avinger (PA) Greater St. Matthews Baptist Church WELCOME Representative LeAnna Washington (PA) Chair, International Affairs Committee INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKERS Bill Guyton President, World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)
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SPEAKER His Excellency Ambassador Dauda Diabate Cote D’Ivoire TOPIC: Cocoa: An Economic Engine For Rural Development In West Africa
SPEAKER Sonii David Knowledge Dissemination Specialist, Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) TOPIC: STCP Farmer Field Schools
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SPEAKER Jeffrey L. Gray Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OIC International) TOPIC: OIC International Community Development Programs In West Africa
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SPEAKER Vicki Walker Program Officer, Vocational Education Programs Winrock International TOPIC: Winrock Vocational Education Initiative In Cote D’Ivoire
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PANEL DISCUSSION Sustainable Cocoa Panel Discussion with WCF Members MODERATOR Holly Wise USAID/GDA TOPIC: Public-Private Sector Partnerships that Make a Difference CLOSING REMARKS Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL
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FORUM SPONSOR
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National Black Caucus of State Legislators
International Day
Tuesday November 29, 2004 Wyndham C Wyndham Hotel, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia INTERNATIONAL DAY LUNCHEON 12:15pm - 2:00pm INVOCATION Bishop Benjamin F. Peterson, Jr. (PA) Bibleway Apostolic Church WELCOME Representative LeAnna Washington (PA) Chair, NBCSL International Affairs Committee Representative James L. Thomas (AL) NBCSL, President Emeritus GREETINGS Charles G. Williams Director, State Government Affairs-MI & OH GlaxoSmithKline Terri Lee Senior Director of Government Affairs Merck and Company INTRODUCTION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKER Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER Della Reese Entertainer and Diabetes Advocate
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PRESENTATION AND REMARKS Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Vice President, NBCSL REMARKS Calvin Johnson, M.D. Secretary, PA Department of Health CLOSING REMARKS Senator Vincent Hughes (PA) Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) BENEDICTION Delegate Emmett Burns Jr. (MD) Vice Chair, NBCSL International Affairs Committee
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Della Reese
Entertainer & Diabetes Advocate Della Reese began singing in church in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan when she was six years old. Her unique ability quickly attracted the attention of gospel great Mahalia Jackson, who hired Della as a back-up singer. This early introduction to the world of gospel entertainment set the stage for Della’s own music legacy that has now spanned five decades and includes multiple Grammy Award nominations. Highlights include the formation of her own female gospel group, “The Meditation Singers,” in 1949 and her nine-year run as the first gospel music performer on the Las Vegas strip. continued on page 72
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LUNCHEON SPONSORS
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Memorial Service
Tuesday, november 30, 2004
5:30pm – 7:00pm Wyndham D presiding Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA) Chaplain, NBCSL Welcome Prayer Representative Louise W. Bishop (PA) Representative James L. Thomas (AL) President Emeritus The White Sisters Pennsylvania Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Reverend Danny Ray Hollins Pastor, Greater Fairview Baptist Church Jackson, Mississippi The White Sisters
Musical Selection
Introduction of Speaker
Speaker
Musical Selection
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Prayer of Dedication and Commitment Closing Selection Benediction Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Vice President, NBCSL The White Sisters Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA)
IN MEMORY OF Representative Charles I. Hudson (LA) Representative Joseph Lowery (TX) Representative Al O. Plant (DE) Former Representative Lou Nell Sutton (TX) Senator Decatur W. Trotter (MD)
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Reverend Danny Ray Hollis
Pastor, Greater Fairview Baptist Church Jackson, Mississippi
A visionary, innovative, courageous and energetic Man of God, Brother Danny Ray Hollins was called to serve as Pastor of Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church on September 22, 1984. Saved by God’s amazing grace, and anointed with the Holy Ghost, Bro. Hollins strives to: continually evangelize the lost by keeping with the mandate of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20; create an atmosphere that is exemplary of Christian love; and equally as important, provide ministries that address the needs of the entire family. A graduate of East Flora High School, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State University (a certified teacher with the State Department of Education), further study from Liberty University toward a Master’s Degree in Religion and has completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling at Jackson State University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Urban Affairs. Brother Hollins proclaims his most precious possession to be: A great Savior (Jesus Christ), who gave him his beautiful wife, Jackie; a great wife who gave him two darling daughters, Danielle and Ashley, who give him much joy and inspiration. Currently he is the Pastor of Greater Fairview Baptist Church in Jackson, MS, where he has served for the past three years, and where the Lord is doing great works. He is a member of Mt. Center Missionary Baptist Church of Flora, MS; Moderator of the Hope Spring District Association and Treasurer with the General Missionary Baptist State Convention. Reverend Hollins loves God and gives him all the glory for his many blessings!
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2004 NBCSL/Pfizer Humanitarian Of The Year Award Breakfast
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
7:15am – 8:15am Wyndham B presiding Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL
-music-
Invocation
Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA) Chaplain, NBCSL
-breakfast Served-
Music Host State Remarks
Marietta Simpson Representative LeAnna Washington (PA) Chair, NBCSL International Affairs Committee Karen Boykin-Towns Director of Public Affairs, State Corporate Affairs, Pfizer, Inc. Melissa Bishop Murphy Assistant Director of Government Relations, Pfizer, Inc. Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Vice President, NBCSL
Welcome
Statement of Purpose
Introduction of Dais
BESTOWING OF 2004 HUMANITARIAN AWARD Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Award Acceptance Closing Remarks Benediction William H. Cosby, Ph. D. Entertainer & Humanitarian Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA)
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Opening Plenary
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
8:30am – 10:00am Wyndham D Call to Order Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Posting of Colors Opening Remarks Invocation Roll Call of States National Black Anthem Greetings Daughters of Isis Pyramid Court #17 Auxiliary A.E.A.O.N.M.S. P.H.A. Senator Anthony Williams (PA) Reverend James Hall Triumph Baptist Church Senator Kay Patterson (SC) Secretary, NBCSL Marietta Simpson Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Vice President, NBCSL Representative Lousie W. Bishop (PA) Delegate John A. Hurson (MD) President, NCSL Honorable John Street (PA) Mayor of Philadelphia Introduction of Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker Closing Remarks Retrieving of Colors Invocation Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed.D. Entertainer & Humanitarian Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Daughters of Isis Pyramid Court #17 Auxiliary A.E.A.O.N.M.S. P.H.A. Reverend James Hall
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William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed.D.
Activist & Humanitarian
Bill Cosby is, by any standards, one of the most influential stars in America today. Through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people's lives. He gives the twist of the ridiculous to everyday faults, foibles and successes and makes them a recognizable slice of life. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence and in doing so, he touches our hearts. Because of this, his appeal is not restricted to any specific group. His qualities have endeared him to people from all walks of life. It is the fusion of these qualities that has resulted in television's biggest and most influential hit of the modern era, The Cosby Show. Week after week the show garnered number one rankings and critical acclaim. Exercising his deep concern with continuing to project positive images of African Americans, Cosby, together with partners, also produced A Different World and Here and Now, and he later starred in the hit comedy series Cosby. Throughout the years that Bill Cosby has worked in the entertainment industry, he has accumulated a litany of awards from different genres that only confirms the vast talent and accomplishments of this man and his craft. Cosby has earned five Grammy Awards for his comedy albums, three Emmy Awards for his co-starring and racial barrier breaking role in I Spy, and has shattered publishing records with his books Fatherhood, Time Flies and Love & Marriage. His lifelong contributions to American culture were recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1998 and with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2002. Today, Cosby has touched the hearts of a new generation of young children with his Fatherhood and Little Bill animated series. Cosby’s newest book I Am What I Ate… and I’m frightened!!! was released in October of this year, and Bill, with his wife Camille have also produced the live action/animated feature film, Fat Albert, expected to be released this month. continued on page 73
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Youth CongressLuncheon
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
12:15pm – 2:15pm Wyndham A&B Presiding Representative Lanett Stanley-Turner (GA) Chair, NBCSL Committee on Youth Music Invocation West Philadelphia High School Chorus Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA) Chaplain, NBCSL Assistant Pastor Community Baptist Church Representative Rosita Youngblood (PA) Coca-Cola Corporation McDonald’s Corporation Representative Barbara Ballard (KS) Senator Shirley Kitchen (PA) Representative Lanett Stanley-Turner (GA) Keisha Knight Pulliam Entertainer
-Lunch Served-
Welcome Remarks Youth Scholarship Introduction of Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker
Introduction of Speaker Speaker
Senator Nathaniel Exum (MD) Vice Chair, NBCSL Committee on Youth Giles Attiopote Youth Advocate, American Diabetes Association Representative Frank L. Oliver (PA) Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA)
Closing Remarks Benediction
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Keisha Knight Pulliam
Entertainer
Life has just begun for Keshia Knight Pulliam who is a 24-year-old beautiful, inspirational college educated leading lady. Having a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in film has only increased her profound knowledge base that begun with life experience. In her role as Rudy, the youngest Huxtable on NBC’s award winning comedy series “The Cosby Show”, Keshia Knight Pulliam uses talents she has been developing since the tender age of nine months old. She has stolen the hearts of all Americans and continues to flourish. For her work on the show, Keshia received a 1986 Emmy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress (the youngest ever to be nominated) and has been awarded several NAACP Image Awards for Best Performance by a Youth Actor. She received The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Young Television Performer and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award for Favorite Television Actress. Since “The Cosby Show”, Keshia has proven that she has the beauty, brains, and fearlessness to continue her work in the entertainment business. As the winner of NBC’s the “Weakest Link” and “Fear Factor” she has proven to the world that there is much more to this youngest “Cosby Show” Alum than a bright smile. Now as Keshia forges ahead with her career she is not only acting but also writing and putting together projects of her own. Currently, she is in the process of writing an autobiography and will be seen on the big screen next year in “Motive” an independent film. Keshia was born April 9, 1979 in Newark, New Jersey. Presently Ms. Knight Pulliam resides in Atlanta, Georgia. This young talented actress has the desire, determination and motivation to transcend her past accomplishments and focus on new challenges that lie ahead.
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Prayer Breakfast
thursday, December 2, 2004
7:30am – 9:00am Wyndham ABC Presiding Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Invocation Family/Home Prayer Reverend Harvey H.B. Sparkman III Mt. Pisgah AME Church Reverend William C. Green Phillips Temple Christian Methodist Church
City/State/National Prayer Bishop Ernest C. Morris President, Philadelphia Black Clergy Mt. Airy Church of God In Christ Youth Prayer Music Pastor Jean Beaufils Haitian Tabernacle Church Scott White Family Singers
-breakfast Served-
The Occasion Introduction of Speaker Music Keynote Speaker
Representative Lois DeBerry (TN) President Emeritus, NBCSL Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Scott White Family Singers Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw President, National Baptist Convention, USA., Inc Nate Miles Manager of Government Relations Eli Lilly and Company Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (PA) Chaplain, NBCSL Assistant Pastor Community Baptist Church
Remarks
Closing Remarks Benediction
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Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw
President, The National Baptist Church, USA., Inc.
William J. Shaw was born in Marshall, Texas, the youngest of six children. At a young age, he dedicated his life to serving God. He was baptized at age seven and preached his trial sermon by age eleven. Growing in faith, he served as supply pastor to his home church at the age of fifteen and was ordained as Pastor of the Oak Hill Baptist Church in Harrison County, Texas at seventeen. Dr. Shaw has maintained a love of learning throughout his life. He was valedictorian of his high school class at sixteen. He then attended Bishop College graduating Summa cum laude at age nineteen with a major in Philosophy and Religion and a minor in World History. Dr. Shaw received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree (now known as the Master of Divinity) from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 1957. He earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York in 1975 with an emphasis on Biblical Interpretation from the Black Perspective. A Doctor of Human Letters was conferred upon him in 2000 from Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina. Dr. Shaw has served as Pastor of the White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia since 1956. He considers his work as Pastor his highest calling. He has led White Rock through a period of strong growth with the establishment of several outreach ministries, including a science and math after school program, and a substance abuse ministry. In addition to his work as Pastor of the White Rock Baptist Church, Dr. Shaw is a recognized leader in Pennsylvania and across the nation. He serves as Chairman of the Trustee Board for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and is a member ex officio on the Board of Penn Medicine. He has also chaired the hospital’s Human Resources Subcommittee and served on its Long-Range Planning Committee. His other civic affiliations include a seat on the continued on page 73
SPONSOR
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Corporate Round Table Luncheon
thursday, December 2, 2004
12:15pm – 1:45pm Wyndham A&B Presiding Calvin E. Booker, Sr. Chairman, NBCSL Corporate Round Table Vice President, Public Affairs Southern Group Waste Management Invocation Welcome Reverend Anthony Floyd (PA) Philadelphia Council of Clergy Representative LeAnna Washington (PA) Chair, NBCSL International Affairs Committee John Singleton Director of Communications RJ Reynolds Lisa Crutchfield Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs PECO Energy Company Representative Harold James (PA) Vice Chair of Region II, NBCSL Terri Lee Senior Director of Government Affairs Merck & Company
-Musical Selection-
Greetings
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker Special Presentation
Karen Boykin-Towns Director of Public Affairs Pfizer, Inc. Honorable Greg Mathis Judge and Civil Activist Larry Lucas Vice Chair, NBCSL Corporate Round Table Vice President, Association Relation PhRMA
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-lunch served-
Introductions CRT Executive Branch CRT Group/Member Award Presentation
Calvin E. Booker, Sr.
Ben Ruffin CRT Membership Award Calvin E. Booker, Sr. Chairman, NBCSL Corporate Round Table Ben Ruffin Past Chairman, NBCSL Corporate Round Table President/CEO, The Ruffin Group Stan Straughter Assistant to the President, Opportunities Industrialization Centers International Spencer Hathaway Second Vice Chair, NBCSL Corporate Round Table President, Hathaway and Associates Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Calvin E. Booker, Sr. Reverend James Allen Vine Memorial Baptist Church
Presentation
Closing Remarks
Benediction
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Honorable Greg Mathis
Judge & Civil Activist
Judge Greg Mathis was elected to Michigan’s 36th District Court in 1995. His election became a national success story and a symbol of hope for urban youth who are struggling to overcome the modern day pressures and hardships of poverty, drugs and violence. continued on page 74
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N OBE Women’s L Breakfast
friday, December 3, 2004
8:30am – 10:00am Wyndham D Presiding Honorable Diana E. Bajoie (LA) National President NOBEL/Women Welcome Greetings Honorable Diana E. Bajoie (LA) Honorable Lois DeBerry (TN) National Vice President NOBEL/Women Ms. Terri J. Lee Director, Government Affairs Merck & Company, Incorporated Ms. Suzanne Smith Advocacy Consultant The American Heart & Stroke Association Mr. Ivan Lanier Advocacy Director Government Relations American Diabetes Association Honorable Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Invocation Honorable Sharon Weston-Broome (LA) Speaker Pro Tempore
BREAKFAST SERVED
2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS 2005 Conference - Wyndham Hotel New Orleans, LA June 23, 2005 - June 26, 2005
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DISCUSSION AFRICAN AMERICAN ISSUES ADDRESSED THROUGH RECENT LEGISLATION Model Legislation Senator Diana E. Bajoie (LA) 1. Women's Health Commission 2. Morbid Obesity 3. Louisiana Diabetes Initiative Council Senator Gloria Lawlah (MD) 1. State Council on Cancer Control Cervical Cancer Committee Executive Director's Report Honorable Gloria Travis Tanner (CO) National Executive Director of NOBEL/Women Honorable Diana E. Bajoie (LA) Honorable Claire Clarke (NH) National Parliamentarian
SPECIAL THANKS NOBEL/Women extends our heartfelt appreciation to Merck and Company, Incorporated, and their Representative, Ms. Terri J. Lee, The American Heart and Stroke Association and The American Diabetes Association, for their continued support of NOBEL/Women. NOBEL/WOMEN
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLACK ELECTED LEGISLATIVE/WOMEN
Closing Remarks Benediction
National Headquarters — P.O. Box 7217, Denver, Colorado 80207
OFFICE (303) 355-7288 • FAX (303) 333-1798 • E-MAIL GTT773@AOL.COM
Honorable Diana E. Bajoie (LA) National President Honorable Kathryn Bowers (TN) National 2nd Vice-President Honorable Triette Reeves (MI) National Correspondence Secretary Honorable Gloria Lawlah (MD) National Treasurer Honorable Gwen Moore (CA) National Historian Honorable Gwen Moore (CA) (Ret.) National Regional Coordinator Honorable Margaret Carter (OR) Region Three Honorable Catherine Barrett (OH) Region Five Honorable Lois DeBerry (TN) National Vice-President Honorable Amber Boykins (MO) National Secretary Honorable Polly Williams (WI) National Financial Secretary Honorable Claire D. Clarke (NH) National Parliamentarian Honorable Diane Watson (CA) National President Emeritus Honorable Laura Hall (AL) Region One Honorable Shirley Kitchen (PA) Region Two Honorable Barbara Ballard (KS) Region Four Honorable Gloria Travis Tanner (CO) (Ret.) National Executive Director
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Labor Round Table Luncheon
friday, December 3, 2004
12:30pm – 2:00pm Wyndham D Presiding Hasan Solomon Legislative Representative International Association of Machinist Invocation Dais Introductions Reverend Robert Paul Pastor, Piney Grove Baptist Church Royetta Sanford Vice Chair, NBCSL Labor Round Table Director, Human Services Department, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Willie L. Baker, Jr. Chair, NBCSL Labor Round Table International Vice President, United Food and Commercial Workers
-entertainment-
Occasion
President’s Remarks Greetings
Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL William M. George President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Patrick Eiding President, Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO
Keynote Speaker
Henry Nicholas President, National Union Hospital Health Care Employees
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Labor Round Table Award Presentations Foster Stringer Secretary, Labor Round Table Director, Human Rights Department, American Federation of Teachers Rep. Bettye Davis, Anchorage, AK Rep. Vincent Hughes, Philadelphia, PA Rep. Charles D. Jones, Monroe, LA Closing Remarks Willie L. Baker, Jr. Chair, NBCSL Labor Round Table
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Henry Nicholas
President, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Henry Nicholas was born in Fayette, Mississippi, in 1936. He served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Mechanic, and graduated from Robert Louis Stevenson High School in New York City, and from the New York Institute of Criminology. He also attended Brooklyn Polytechnic University. In 1957, Nicholas was hired as a Health Care Worker at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, and in 1959, he led the campaign to organize his co-workers into what was then Local 1199 of the Drug and Hospital Employees Union. That year Nicholas also played a key role in the big 1199 strike which eventually led to union contracts for thousands of New York City hospital employees. From 1959 to 1961, Nicholas was active as a volunteer, rank and file organizer for Local 1199, and in 1961 he was hired as a full-time organizer by the Local. In 1964, he was named Director of Organization for New York and in 1969, when the union set up the 1199 National Organizing Committee, Nicholas was named it's Assistant Director. In that role Nicholas led hospital worker organizing campaigns in Pittsburgh, Ohio and Detroit, and also led the 113-day hospital strike in Charleston, South Carolina, which drew national attention as a major landmark in the struggle for continued on page 75
SPONSOR
labor round table
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d a i ly p r o g r a m s
Closing Plenary
friday, December 3, 2004
2:15pm – 4:15pm Wyndham C Call to Order Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS) President, NBCSL Invocation Senator Kay Patterson (SC) Secretary, NBCSL Representative Ronald Waters (PA) Representative Calvin Smyre (GA) Vice President, NBCSL Attorney Jock M. Smith Senior Partner Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith, P.C. Representative Dwight Evans (PA) Representative Mary H. Coleman (MS)
Greetings Introduction of Keynote Speaker Keynote Speaker
Remarks Closing Remarks/ Benediction
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National Black Caucus of State Legislators
D a i ly p r o g r a m s
s p e a k e r
Jock M. Smith
Senior Partner, Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith, P.C.
Jock M. Smith is a senior partner in the national law firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith, P.C. For twenty-six years he has focused his practice in the areas of automobile negligence, products liability, fraud, nursing home abuse and general plaintiffs’ tort liability claims. Jock has obtained record verdicts and settlements for injury victims. He is a member of the Alabama, Tennessee, Washington D.C. and New York Bars. On August 18, 2000, he obtained a verdict of eighty million dollars ($80,000.000.00) for a lady whose house was destroyed by termites after she was defrauded by the company. Jock has obtained many other multi-million verdicts in civil cases. Recently, Jock participated as plaintiff’s counsel in the landmark $700 million dollar environmental settlement against Monsanto, Inc for residents of Anniston, Alabama. Jock has enjoyed a storied legal career, serving as President of the Alabama Lawyers Association as well as the Macon County Bar Association. Jock also has served as a municipal judge in the State of Alabama as well as an administrative law judge for the Alabama Department of Environment Management. Jock not only serves on the Executive Committee of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association but also serves as a Trial Trustee, the first African American to do so. Jock has also established himself as one of the most sought after speakers at legal seminars. Jock earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School after completing his undergraduate course work at Tuskegee University. New South Books recently published Jock’s autobiography entitled, “Climbing Jacob’s Ladder, A Trial Lawyer’s Journey in Behalf of the Least of These”. Jock also has appeared on numerous National Television Programs including the “700 Club,” “The Ed Gordon Show,” “The Tavis Smiley Show,” and “Praise the Lord,” which is broadcast on the Trinity Broadcast Network. Jock has received numerous awards among which include an Honorary Doctor of Divinity continued on page 77
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N OT E S
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Concurrent Policy Committee Sessions
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
&
SECONDARY
34 36 38 40
HEALTH
HUMAN SERVICE
LABOR
LAW
&
JUSTICE
42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
AGRICULTURE
BUSINESS
&
FINANCE
ENERGY
INSURANCE
ETHICS
TRANSPORTATION POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
HOUSING
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
YOUTH
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SCIENCE
&
TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT
SPORTS
&
ENTERTAINMENT
Concurrent policy committee sessions
Elementary & Secondary Education
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 12:15pm Salon 6
Presiding
Senator C.J. Prentiss (OH), Chair TOPIC “Closing the Gaps and Improving the No Child Left Behind Act” JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education committee compares the educational policies and programs of the different states that affect the access to quality education for African American children. Its policy formulation focuses primarily on equity in the distribution of resources allocated to education. Both a communications and a legislative approach, the Closing the Gaps campaign unites the efforts of The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) in bringing quality public education to under-resourced schools. Education is the foundation of every right that comes with being American: the right to self-determination, to participate in this democracy, to economic security and opportunity for the future. The education of children—all children—is too important to our future as a nation and a participant in the global economy to leave to rhetoric, or silver bullets, or to deal with another day. There is a dangerous achievement gap between wealthy white, suburban public schools and their urban, black, under-funded counterparts— a gap that threatens to undermine the future of the nation. The campaign contains consensus policy recommendations, profiles of target states, and strategies to make sure that the need for quality public education not only resonates with leadership and ordinary Americans, but inspires them as well.
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
PANELISTS Legislation on Closing Achievement Gap: Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY) Legislation on Increased Funding for Schools: Representative Monique Davis (IL) Legislation on Early Childhood Education: Representative Greg Porter (IN) Legislation on Cultural Competency: Representative Sheryl Williams-Stapleton (NM)
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Abeo Anderson
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Health
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 12:15pm Salon 4
Presiding
Senator Roscoe Dixon (TN), Chair Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam (MD), Vice Chair TOPIC The Status of Health Care in America and Its Impact on African Americans JURISDICTION This committee addresses issues pertaining to health care, health education, research, health employment, and the promotion of good health care policy with a view toward specific indications for the African American community. SPEAKERS Rachel Klein Medicaid in the States Families USA Yolanda Burke-Clarke Status of Medicare Prescription Drug Program Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Larry Lucas “Challenges in the Re-Importation of Prescription Drugs” Vice President, Association Relations PhRMA Bernie Horn Re-Importation of Prescription Drugs Center for Policy Alternatives Dr. Barbara Nabrit-Stephens Impacting Health Disparities Through Medicaid V.P. for Medical Management Keystone Mercy Health Plan NBCSL POLICY STAFF Atiba Madyun
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Human Service
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 12:15pm Salon 3
Presiding
Senator Gwen Moore (WI), Chair Representative George Flaggs (MS), Vice Chair TOPIC NBCSL-AARP Working Group on Kinship Caregivers
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Human Services focuses attention on aging services, child welfare and family services, child care, foster case, adoption services, child abuse and neglect, family violence, child support enforcement, homelessness, emergency assistance and nutritional assistance programs. PANELISTS Vivian Drayton, MSW Executive Director Supportive Child/Adult Network Clare Hushbeck, Ph.D. AARP Senior Legislative Representative, State Affairs Larry White AARP Senior Legislative Representative, Federal Affairs Nina Williams-Mbengue Senior Policy Specialist Children and Families Program National Conference of State Legislatures
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Faye Anderson
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Labor
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 12:15pm Salon 2
Presiding
Senator Tony Hill (FL), Chair Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague (GA), Vice Chair TOPIC Outsourcing Labor
JURISDICTION This committee reviews and addresses labor and management issues and practices. (Examples: labor/management relations, affirmative action, minimum wage and standards, right to work, pay equity, employment security, family leave and child care. SPEAKERS Ed Hales Ford Motor Company United Auto Workers The Arbitration Process in Outsourcing Michael Kerr Information Technology Association of America Outsourcing Labor Don Rice Communication Workers of America Establishing a Position on the Outsourcing of Labor
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Atiba Madyun
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Law & Justice
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 12:15pm Salon 5
Presiding
Senator Charles Jones (LA), Chair Representative Arthenia Joyner (FL), Vice Chair TOPIC “Disenfranchisement and Imprisonment: The Roadblocks to Justice”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Law and Justice addresses issues related to affirmative action, criminal justice policy, the federal role in criminal justice, state and federal initiatives affecting a comprehensive, concerted, and serious effort to eradicate illegal drug trafficking, crime victims assistance programs, voter registration, and Voting Rights Act enforcement. This committee also monitors judicial and U.S. Attorney appointments and Public Defender programs. It also studies the disparate treatment of African-Americans in convictions and sentencing (including the death penalty) and formulates policy to effect remediation. PANELISTS Mandatory Minimums and Injustices in the U.S. Court System: Angelyn Frazer, Organizing Director Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) Privatization of Prison System: Michael A. Blain, Director of Public Policy Drug Policy Alliance Re-entry of Ex-Prisoners: Nkechi Taifa, Senior Policy Analyst, Open Society Institute
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Concurrent policy committee sessions Redistricting & Voting Rights: Janai Nelson, Director of Political Participation, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Affirmative Action and Gender Discrimination in the Workplace: Lisalynn Jacobs, Vice-President for Government Relations, Legal Momentum The Civil Rights Movement and the Struggle for Racial Equality: Joe Leonard, Executive Director, Black Leadership Forum
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Abeo Anderson
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Agriculture
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 11:15am Salon 9
Presiding
Representative Thomas Jackson (AL), Chair Representative Reecy Dickson (MS), Vice Chair TOPIC Black Farmers: The Fight for Justice Continues
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Agriculture addresses the plight of black farmers who have been discriminated against; develops policies to protect African American landholdings and land acquisition; and promotes 1890 (historically black) land grant universities and the economic empowerment of rural communities. PANELISTS John Boyd President National Black Farmers Association Thomas Burrell President Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association Arianne Callender General Counsel Environmental Working Group
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Faye Anderson
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Business & Finance
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
10:15am – 11:15am Salon 7
Presiding
Representative Edwin Murray (LA), Chair Senator Jackie Winters (OR), Vice Chair TOPICS “Investment Tax Credit”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Business & Finance reviews and addresses all matters pertaining to the regulation of corporations and financial institutions. It also examines other banking and finance policies and practices which directly relate to the financial stability of and economic development within the African-American community. PANELISTS Maurice Foxworth President/CEO Innovations Works Michael Johnson Principal Advantage Capital Representative Cedric Richmond (LA) Attorney/State Representative District 101
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Chantel Bivins
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Energy
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
11:15am – 12:15pm Salon 9
Presiding
Senator Bettye Davis (AK), Chair Representative Joe Deshotel (TX), Vice Chair TOPICS Reviewing DOE Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Partnership Programs
JURISDICTION It takes into account issues relating to de-regulation of this industry, such as infrastructure access, taxation, rate-setting, etc. It devises policy and programs to promote the understanding and participation of the African American community in the Energy Industry. This committee also has jurisdiction over all issues relating to the research, exploration, development, production, utilization and regulation of our national alternative energy resources and renewables. SPEAKER James M. Ferguson Acting Director U.S. Department of Energy Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Rodney Charley
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Insurance
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
11:15am – 12:15pm Salon 7
Presiding
Representative Helen Giddings (TX), Chair Representative Wayne Ford (IA), Chair TOPICS Workers Compensation
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Insurance reviews addresses all matters pertaining to insurance matters - developing policies that promote consumer protection and insure the safety and solvency of insurers. PANELISTS Darrell L. DeMoss General Counsel MedRISK Inc. Kathy Mudder ACE INA Rob McGarrah National Coordinator for Workers Compensation AFL-CIO
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Chantel Bivins
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Ethics
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 3:30pm Salon 7
Presiding
Senator Thelma Harper (TN), Chair Representative Arthur Morrell (LA), Vice Chair TOPIC “Continued/Systematic Harrassment of Black Elected Officials”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Ethics is responsible for keeping members informed of changes in federal ethics laws. It also monitors the current state of laws, including how these laws interact with state campaign disclosure and ethic laws. PANELISTS Mr. George Derek Musgrove Professor Dept. of History and Ph.D. Candidate for May 2005 Mr. Jeffrey Johnson Director Department of Community Relations, Mayors Office Attorney Sharif T. Street Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP Representative John Rogers (AL) Alabama General Assembly Representative Harold James Pennsylvania General Assembly (PA)
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Chantel Bivins
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Transportation
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 3:30pm Salon 9
Presiding
Representative Steve Jones (AR), Chair Representative Amber Boykins (MO), Vice Chair TOPIC Reviewing Proposed Federal Transportation Legislation
JURISDICTION This committee has jurisdiction over issues related to the movement of people and goods across the nation, i.e., transportation utilized in air, water and surface transportation with regard to the state-federal partnership; federal-aid to highway and mass transit programs; and, in general, state authority to regulate the transportation industry. PANELISTS Representative Ted Harhai (PA) Pennsylvania General Assembly Rick Tempchin Edison Electric Institute Jackie Gillan Vice President, Advocates for Highway Safety
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Rodney Charley
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National Black Caucus of State Legislators
Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Post -Secondary Education
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 3:30pm Salon 5
Presiding
Representative Barbara Boyd (AL), Chair Representative Michael Debose (OH), Vice Chair TOPIC “Equal Opportunity for Success: Affirmative Action and Academic Support Services for Tomorrow’s Minority Leaders”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Post-Secondary Education addresses issues, such as admission-retention, financial aid, academic and athletic scholarship opportunities, affecting the success of the African-American students in the pursuit of higher education and excellence. It also reviews and develops policy concerning the recruitment and retention of African-American professors on the tenure track at state and federally funded institutions. The committee also assists in maintaining the financial health and viability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). PANELISTS Affirmative Action and Diversity in Education: Professor Mark Killenbeck Wylie H. Davis Distinguished Professor of Law University of Arkansas Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid: Ms. Cristie Dawson, Director, Federal Relations, Association of American State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Abeo Anderson
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National Black Caucus of State Legislators
Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Housing
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 2
Presiding
Representative Larry Womble (NC), Chair Representative Leah Landrum-Taylor (AZ), Vice Chair TOPIC “Homeownership Education and Revitalizing Abandoned Neighborhoods”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Housing develops policies regarding the nation's housing problem. It also examines state and federal policies and regulations to encourage initiatives that address problems related to homeownership and low-income housing. Homeownership is central to achieving the “American Dream” of economic freedom and prosperity. The lack of access to affordable housing options debilitates African Americans economically, politically and socially, and causes disproportionate rates of homelessness, displacement and predatory lending among blacks. NBCSL members develop policies and programs that preserve affordable housing options, promote access to mortgage loans on fair terms, and protect home equity. PANELISTS Home Equity Wealth and Education on Benefits of Homeownership: Sean Pounds, Branch Coordinator and Senior Mortgage Counselor,Assured Lending Corporation Challenges to Financing Mortgage Loans: Paulette Carter, Assistant Vice President and Manager of Community Lending Activity, Citizens Bank Closing the Homeownership Gap: Mr. Virgil Griffin, Manager of Government Relations, Freddie Mac
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Concurrent policy committee sessions Inner-city Revitalization of Abandoned property, Reclaiming Assets: Alan Mallach, Research Director, National Housing Institute
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Abeo Anderson
Notes
2004 NBCSL conference
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
International Affairs
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 3
Presiding
Representative LeAnna Washington (PA), Chair Delegate Emmett Burns, Jr. (MD), Vice Chair TOPIC “Doing Business Abroad to Save Lives”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on International Affairs considers state policies which encourage foreign investment, such as trade agreements, and export-import promotion. This committee serves to promote the participation of AfricanAmericans in the global economy and broaden their foreign policy perspective by addressing such issues as international substance abuse and drug trafficking, human rights, economic development, health and environment, and peace and democracy. This committee will also seek to develop and strengthen relationships with nations and peoples of color in Africa and the African diaspora in the Americas by focusing on the exchange of educational, cultural, material business and financial resources. PANELISTS Agro-business and Hunger Relief in Africa: Mr. Alonzo Dority, Senior Associate, Africa Global African-American Business Development in Cuba: Mr. John Kavulich II, President, US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council Pharmaceutical Companies and Combating HIV/AIDS: Jenny Osorio, Associate Director for Policy, Global AIDS Program, National Center for HIV, STD & TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
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Concurrent policy committee sessions Preparing African American Students for International Business: Dr. Radhamés Mejía Vice Rector, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Abeo Anderson
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Youth
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 6
Presiding
Representative Lanett Stanley-Turner (GA), Chair Senator Nathaniel Exum (MD), Vice Chair Topic “Obesity in Youth”
Jurisdiction This committee focuses on the development of policies and programs that address issues affecting the well-being and future of African American youth. It also directs attention to the mentoring and development of black youth in general. PANELISTS Ruth Anderson Principal Tanner G. Duckrey School Giles Attipote Youth Advocate American Diabetes Association Morgan Downey Executive Director American Obesity Association Nicholas Steller, MD Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Chantel Bivins
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Telecommunications
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
2:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 4
Presiding
Representative Tyrone Ellis (MS), Chair Representative Barbara Sykes (OH), Vice Chair TOPIC Ensuring Access to Emerging Communication Technologies in African American and Underserved Communities
JURISDICTION This committee assesses the impact of the rules regulating the tele-communications industry on African American access. It takes into account issues relating to the regulation of these industries, such as infrastructure access, taxation, rate-setting, etc. It devises policy and programs to promote the understanding and participation of the African American community in the telecommunications industry. SPEAKERS & PANELISTS F. J. Pollack, President/CEO TracFONE Wireless Inc. Larry Irving, Co-Chair Internet Innovation Alliance Matt Stone, Consultant Wireless Philadelphia B. Keith Fulton, Vice President, VERIZON Strategic Alliance Group Marianne Becton, Director, VERIZON Communications Policy and Strategic Alliances Rick Tempchin, Edison Electric Institute Coralette Hannon, AARP NBCSL POLICY STAFF Rodney Charley
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
2004 NBCSL conference
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Science & Technology
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
3:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 7
Presiding
Senator John Horhn (MS), Chair Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY), Vice Chair TOPIC Technology and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Science and Technology develops policies to: promote access to technology in the nation’s elementary and secondary schools; integration of technology in K-12 curricula, and increase representation of African Americans in engineering and other technical professions; assesses the impact of science and technology on the development of untapped economic markets, social services, education opportunity and civic participation of African Americans nationwide. PANELISTS Vicky Beasley Deputy Field Director People for the American Way Foundation Kevin Chung Founder and CEO AVANTE International Technology Frederick L. Voigt Executive Director The Committee of Seventy
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Faye Anderson
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Environment
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
3:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 9
Presiding
Representative Bob Holmes (GA), Chair Representative Margaret Rose Henry (DE), Vice Chair TOPIC Ensuring Environmental Justice and Reducing Risk for African American Communities
JURISDICTION This committee advances efforts to educate NBCSL members; to develop environmentally conscious and responsible public policy in its effort to inspire industry and government responsibility in protecting the environment. It advises NBCSL members on matters of environmental policy and seeks to impact state, local and federal environmental policy, legislation and laws. PANELISTS Quentin Pair Trial Attorney and Environmental Justice Coordinator U.S. Department of Justice Sue Briggum Director of Environmental Affairs Waste Management, Inc. Edward R. Yawn Director, Governmental Affairs Edison Electric Institute
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Rodney Charley
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Sports & Entertainment
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
3:30pm – 4:30pm Salon 5
Presiding
Representative Reginald Beamon (CT), Chair Senator Ada L. Smith (NY), Vice Chair TOPIC “The Impact of Hip Hop on Our Children, Our Culture and Our Convictions”
JURISDICTION The NBCSL Committee on Sports & Entertainment reviews and addresses all sports and entertainment matters pertaining to the issues and opportunities that impact minorities. It also examines other sports and entertainment policies and practices that directly impact the African-American community. PANELISTS Will Mega Director Hip-Hop Agenda Hayewood Workman President/Director Bay PRO-AM
NBCSL POLICY STAFF Chantel Bivins
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Concurrent policy committee sessions
Notes
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Speaker Biographies
international day
continued from page 13
Della Reese
Entertainer & Diabetes Advocate Della is perhaps best known for her work on the CBS network hit “Touched By An Angel,” for which she has received an Emmy Award nomination as well as five consecutive National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Drama Series. In addition to her acting and singing achievements, Della is an ordained minister with an active congregation in Los Angeles, California, where she works to inspire young people to pursue their dreams. Several years ago, Della Reese was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At first, Della was upset and concerned about her future. After working with her healthcare team, she has learned to be stronger than diabetes by eating right, staying active and taking medication every day. She is now publicly revealing her personal story with type 2 diabetes with the hope of educating and motivating others with the disease to talk to their doctor. As part of the campaign, people interested in learning more about type 2 diabetes can receive a one-of-a-kind copy of Take Della’s Challenge: Be Stronger Than Diabetes, a booklet filled with quick tips and true-life advice on managing type 2 diabetes as well as Della’s favorite diabetes-friendly recipes. People will also receive a free motivational music CD to encourage a more active lifestyle featuring one of Della Reese’s songs. The free booklet and CD can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-866-INFO-DIABETES or by visiting www.delladiabetes.com.
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Bi o g r a p h i e s
Opening Plenary
continued from page 19
William H. Cosby, Jr., Ed.D.
Activist & Humanitarian As busy as Cosby continues to be with his many ventures, he has been a crusader throughout his career for a better world and for better understanding between people. As philanthropists, Bill and Camille Cosby, have made substantial gifts in support of education (most notably to predominantly African American colleges) and to various social service and civil rights organizations. Bill and Camille Cosby have raised four daughters (Erika, Erinn, Ensa and Evin) and one son (Ennis Cosby). The family resides in the New England area.
prayer breakfast
continued from page 23
Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw
President, The National Baptist Church, USA., Inc. Valley, Inc., and membership in the Philadelphia Rotary; Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellows in Black Church Studies; Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, and the Airport Advisory Board. As President of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, Inc., Dr. Shaw implemented a centralized accounting and budgeting system that increased financial accountability and moved the organization from deficits to surplus balances in each year of his presidency. As Executive Director of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, he moved that community organization from a deficit to a surplus. Dr. Shaw has also served as President of The Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, The Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia, and Union Theological
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Bi o g r a p h i e s
prayer breakfast
continued from page 73
Reverend Dr. William J. Shaw
President, The National Baptist Church, USA., Inc. Seminary National Alumni Association. From 1981 through 1994, Dr. Shaw served as Director of the Ministers’ Division of the National Congress of Christian Education. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including most recently, the Unitas Award, given by the Alumni Association of the Union Theological Seminary and the T. B. Maston Foundation Christian Ethics Award from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. On September 9, 1999, Dr. Shaw was elected the sixteenth President of The National Baptist Convention, USA., Inc. Dr. Shaw is married to Camellia L. Shaw. They are the parents of one son—Timothy and the grandparents of two granddaughters—Lillian and Brittany.
corporate round table luncheon
continued from page 25
Honorable Greg Mathis
Judge & Civil Activist A former street youth and high school dropout, Mathis’ lawlessness brought him before a judge who cared, a judge who ordered the teenage dropout to get a G.E.D. or face jail time. He obtained his G.E.D. as ordered by the judge and went on to become a committed civil rights activist, public servant and the youngest elected judge in the state of Michigan. Currently, he is the star of Warner Brothers’ “Judge Mathis.” Judge Mathis’ civil rights and public service career began at Eastern Michigan University where he led the “Free South Africa” and voter registration campaigns on campus. In 1983, after graduating from college, he joined the staff of Detroit City Councilman Clyde Cleveland and continued his civil rights activities as an activist with Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Operation P.U.S.H. In 1986 through 1993 he worked for legendary Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young as Manager of Detroit Neighborhood City Halls.
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Judge Mathis is committed to helping troubled youth in and out of the courtroom. In 1986, Mathis and his wife cofounded Young Adults Asserting Themselves (Y.A.A.T.), a non-profit youth agency that serves thousands of young people. The foundation counsels youth from the ages of 17-25 about career and job opportunities, provides job training and offers school and job placement services. The foundation has also opened four pre-schools in Detroit. In his various fundraising efforts, Mathis has raised and/or donated over $2 million for a variety of civil rights, political, church and youth causes. Judge Mathis has been featured in many local and national newspapers and television interviews including Ebony, Jet, Upscale and People Magazine and the television affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, BET and CNN. He has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” the “Today” morning show and “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.” He has received more than 100 awards and has been honored by numerous Governors, Mayors, City Councils and State Legislatures. His inspirational story of a young man who rose from delinquent to Detroit District Court Judge is chronicled in his autobiography, “Inner City Miracle.” Mathis is Chairman of the Rainbow/PUSH-Excel Board, a lifetime member of the NAACP and is a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (S.C.L.C.). He is married and the father of four.
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Henry Nicholas
President, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Black civil rights. Also active in that campaign were civil rights leaders Ralph David Abernathy of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Andrew Young, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during the Carter Administration and former Mayor of Atlanta. In 1973, the success of the national hospital organizing drive led to the creation of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, and Nicholas was elected as its first SecretaryTreasurer.
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Henry Nicholas
President, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Nicholas arrived in Philadelphia to organize hospital workers and within two years had won contracts for over 5000 employees of the city's major health care institutions. He was also a major force in the struggle to enact Act 195, the Pennsylvania Public Employee Relations Act, which for the first time, gave the right to union representation to Pennsylvania hospital workers. By April of 1974, the success of the Philadelphia organizing drive was such that District 1199C, the Philadelphia local of the National Union, was officially chartered with Nicholas as it's President. The District's jurisdiction extends throughout the Philadelphia metropolitan area and to five counties in Southern New Jersey. Under Nicholas' leadership the Philadelphia local has continued to grow yearly, and District 1199C now represents more than 15,000 hospital and health care employees in 110 health care institutions in the Delaware Valley area. The growth of the Philadelphia local has also provided the financial resources for the creation of a nationally-recognized training and upgrading program for health care employees; and the District 1199C Legal Services Plan, which provided free legal services for the Union's Philadelphia members. In 1981, Nicholas was unanimously elected as the second National President of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, succeeding Leon J. Davis, the Union's founder and president for fifty years. With his election, Nicholas became head of the largest AFL-CIO Union in the country with a Black President. Under his leadership, the National Hospital Union amassed the best organizing record of any other Union in the entire AFL-CIO. The National Union's Executive Board, elected with Nicholas, also was the most representative national leadership of any American labor union, including representative national leadership of any American labor union, including blacks, women and Hispanics in top leadership positions. Under Nicholas' leadership, the National Union grew from an eastcoast union to extend it's membership to 21 states from coast-to-coast, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
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Bi o g r a p h i e s
Over the years, Nicholas emerged as a national spokesman in the struggle for preserving quality patient care, opposing economic cutbacks in health care and insensitive health care reimbursement policies and programs. He has been featured in numerous national publications and broadcasts on these issues, including the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Cable News Network, Business Week, Black Enterprise, the National Catholic Reporter, In These Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and countless other newspapers, magazines, radio and TV programs. In addition to his activism in the labor movement, Nicholas is also widely regarded as one of the most influential black political leaders in the state of Pennsylvania. He is widely credited with being instrumental in the election of W. Wilson Goode as mayor of Philadelphia in 1983, and was also active in the campaigns of Harold Washington in Chicago and Thomas Bradley, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of California that same year. He has served on numerous governmental commissions and bodies by appointment of elected officials, including the Governor's Commission on Health Care Cost Containment, the Governor's Task Force on Taxation and the Pennsylvania Statewide Health Coordinating Council. He is the recipient of many awards and citations from national and local organizations. He has also been cited by numerous churches, social organizations, political organizations and labor groups. Henry Nicholas lives in North Philadelphia and has four children.
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Jock M. Smith
Senior Partner, Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith P.C. Degree by the Pentecostal Bible College, Tuskegee, Alabama; The Man of the Year Award by the YMCA Youth Leadership Program; The Key to the City of New Orleans in 1997; Resolution by the Alabama State Senate, Alabama Legislature, for Outstanding Professional Accomplishment, December, 1997; award presented by the Alabama Trial
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Jock M. Smith
Senior Partner, Law Firm of Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith P.C. Lawyers Association for tireless dedication and unwavering commitment, December, 1997; award from the World Conference of Mayors, Inc. for Professional Achievement, December, 1997; Certificate of Achievement by the Tuskegee National Alumni Association Executive Board, August, 1998; inducted into the Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum for consistently demonstrating exceptional skill, experience and excellence in advocacy by achieving trial verdicts, awards, or settlements consistently in the amount of One Million Dollars. Jock has also been a featured speaker across the nation at key events including feature speaker on “Kids’ Day” at Super Bowl Thirty-One in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jock is dedicated to helping people who have been injured to obtain justice and fair compensation.
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