PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION
Volume 121 No. 36
APRIL 13, 2013 - APRIL 19, 2013
Blacks May Suffer in Immigration Reform By Zenitha Prince Special to the AFRO
Black immigrants and
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Black immigrants are among the potential losers if the U.S. system of familybased visas is changed.
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others stand to lose if the United States’ system of family-based visas is changed, according to immigration reform and faith-based activists. As the nation eagerly awaits legislative language on comprehensive immigration reform, which could be released any time now, early indications suggest possible reductions in visas available to foreign-born family members of U.S. citizens. Some in the faith community are bristling to take on that fight. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on March 31, Gang of Eight member Sen. Lindsay Graham, (R-S.C.), said a key goal of the legislation would be to “turn our chain migration family-based immigration system into a meritbased, [economic-based] immigration system with a family component.” But religious and other pro-reform groups say the alleged proposal, which could seek to reduce or eliminate family-based visas available to the siblings and to the married adult children of U.S. citizens, would break up families and destabilize networks that support the success of new immigrants. “To depend on immigrants for some of the hardest work in this country and then to deny them the opportunity to be reunited with their families is nothing less than a sin,” said Bishop Minerva Carcaño, resident bishop of the United Methodist Church, Los Angeles Conference, during an April 3 media call with reporters, which was hosted by Continued on A5
Cherry Blossoms Arrive Late, But Right on Time
Governor Signs Prince George’s Schools Bill By Teria Rogers AFRO Staff Writer
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on April 9 signed a bill that dramatically enhances Prince George’s County Rushern L. Baker’s powers over the county’s troubled school system. The Academic Revitalization and Management Effectiveness Act bill which changes the process for selecting public school leadership in Prince George’s County. The bill, submitted by Baker, was debated by the Senate and House members and overwhelming approved by both Continued on A3 Quineshia Moore, 22, holds her baby in front of a cherry tree at the Tidal Basin. By Zachary Lester AFRO Staff Writer The cherry blossoms have peaked! After weeks of watchful anticipation, blossom lovers from near and far are heading in droves to the National Mall and Tidal Basin to witness the spectacle of the blossoms, the Washington area’s favorite springtime ritual. “I really look forward to this every year,” said Carol Johnson, the spokeswoman for the National Park Service National Mall. “Take advantage of the opportunity and see them while you can, because they aren’t around very long.” More than 1 million locals and tourists trek to the region each year to view the blossoms. Johnson’s favorite spot is the Martin Luther King Memorial. The blooming of the cherry blossoms, called sakura in Japanese, is celebrated each year with the Cherry Blossom
Gov. O’Malley, Legislature Close 2013 Session with Progressive Victories By CNS STAFF Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS - If Gov.
Martin O’Malley really does have his sights set on a presidential nomination, the 2013 legislative
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Legislation from the 2013 session includes medical marijuana laws, wind power subsidies, gun control laws and gas taxes among others.
session could go a long way toward solidifying his liberal qualifications for a Democratic primary electorate. The list of legislation from the 2013 session reads like a progressive’s wish list: pass some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, repeal the death penalty, legalize medical marijuana, increase taxes on gasoline and subsidize offshore wind power. Much to the chagrin of conservative lawmakers, O’Malley and the Democratcontrolled legislature accomplishedWikimedia all of these Commons initiatives. “The governor and the liberal left have hijacked the state of Maryland,” said Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Upper Shore). Continued on A4
Festival, whose centerpiece is the Cherry Blossom Parade, scheduled for April 13. The cherry trees were first presented to America by the Japanese government in 1910 to commemorate the growing friendship between the two countries. When those trees died, the Japanese gifted more cherry trees in 1912, Johnson said. Additional trees were given to the United States in 1965 and again in 1999. Cherry trees have a profound place in Japanese history. In the early 700s, the Japanese custom of hanami, the practice of picnicking under blossoming cherry trees, started. In Japanese art and architecture, cherry blossoms often represent clouds, due to their resemblance to clouds when blooming en masse. The gradual blooming, dazzling beauty and fast death of the blossoms represents mortality and they have become very symbolic in all aspects of Japanese culture, including film, television and literature and even manga (comic books) and anime (cartoons). Cherry blossoms were also used as a patriotic symbol during World War II, sometimes even in propaganda. Cherry trees have been donated to several other countries by the Japanese, including Australia, Canada File photo and Germany. It is illegal to pick the blossoms. Johnson said touching the trees may damage the bark and make the trees susceptible to disease. The Cherry Blossom Festival ends April 14.
Black Generals, Rich in Legacy, Make History By Frank J. Phillips Special to the AFRO
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Gen. Lloyd Austin
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Two African-American generals made history this year by simultaneously taking charge of major regional commands. President Barack Obama nominated Generals Lloyd Austin and Vincent Brooks to head U.S. Central Command and U.S. Army Pacific, respectively. Each powerful command position allows the generals to oversee operations in either the Middle East or Asia. Brooks will earn his fourth star upon assuming command, while Austin is already a four-star general. Although the nominations highlight a first for African Continued on A4