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FEDERAL JUDGE RULES HARRIS COUNTY BAIL SYSTEM UNCONSTITUTIONAL P12
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Volume 86 | Number 28
MAY 4, 2017 |FREE
NEWSTALK HISD voters to decide on Proposition 1
P2 NATIONAL MARC MORIAL unveils State of Black America report
P4 FEATURE YOLANDA ADAMS inducted into Gospel Hall of Fame
P5
Mothers
WORDS OF WISDOM H PAGE 8
TOP EVENTS
Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers, Thelma Malveaux, and TSU Capt. Mary Young at the 90th anniversary celebration for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
P16
Bill Cosby breaks his silence
Deshaun Watson heading to Texas
It’s been more than two years since the embattled, television and film legend, who was once known as “America’s Dad,” has spoken out publicly. Now, Cosby is revealing how he’s lost his sight.
In a move no one saw coming, the Texans selected the Clemson quarterback, satisfying the need – and fan’s desire for a young quarterback with the potential to elevate the team to the next level.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
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HISD Proposition 1: Recapture vs. Detachment Defender News Service
Houston voters will head to the polls on Saturday, May 6 to decide how the Houston Independent School District should pay the State of Texas. HISD has to fulfill its commitment established by the Robin Hood law passed in 1993 where property-rich districts must send money to Austin each year to be redistributed to property-poor districts in an attempt to create more equity in educational opportunities. The question is HOW will HISD pay? A vote FOR is for recapture (HISD pays the Taxes). A vote AGAINST is for detachment (designated or detached commercial properties pay the taxes). Both sides agree that whatever the outcome of the May 6 election, we lose funding and everyone suffers: students, teachers, schools, services and the district in general.
VOTE FOR
HISD will pay the State of Texas $77.5 million, a reduced amount from the original $162 million. • HISD will avoid paying more taxes than they do now. It’s cheaper than detachment considering the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reduction from $162 million to $77.5 million • We need to save the potential business tax dollars for HISD. Businesses among the $8 billion detached commercial property (Galleria, Greenway Plaza, Chase Tower, etc) will not have to pay taxes at a rate of nine percent higher to Aldine School district. • HISD will save more money in the long run with proposed detached properties remaining with the district. They are not making any more land, so we need to hold on to what we have for our children.
VOTE AGAINST
The State of Texas will “detach” $8 billion in commercial property (Galleria, Greenway Plaza, Chase Tower, etc.) from HISD tax rolls to be transferred to the Aldine School District. • We won’t send our property taxes to Austin. Let the business community have the burden of paying more taxes as the state demands more money not the taxpayers. • With the increases in taxes on the business community, hopefully they will join the fight in the legislature and the courts to change Texas educational funding. • HISD may end up paying more taxes if the lawsuit challenging the Texas Education Agency (TEA) rate reduction is upheld. Recapture is like a “pay day loan.” They want to make it appear that you will be paying less but eventually they get you on the back end.
TSU names new acting board chair The Texas Southern University Board of Regents has named Wesley G. Terrell as Acting Board Chair. Terrell,who was appointed to the Board by Gov. Greg Abbott, had been serving as Vice-Chair since former chairman Derrick Mitchell stepped down in April. Sources say the Board may wait until their normal election time in October to name a new chair. Terrell is Assistant Vice President & Senior
Legal Counsel with AT&T in the company’s Dallas headquarters. Previously, he worked as a transactional lawyer at Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP and a commercial and product liability litigator at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston. A member of the National Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, the World Affairs Council of Dallas and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Terrell is a graduate of Yale University, Columbia Law School,
University of Houston Bauer College of Business (Finance MBA) and SMU Cox School of Business Graduate Finance Certificate Program. Prior to college, he was educated in the Houston ISD public school system. Terrell is the son of an educator and is proud father of two children. His wife is a graduate of Yale and Georgetown Law School. She is an accomplished trial attorney in Dallas.
Wesley G. Terrell
localbriefs ON THE SATURDAY, MAY 6 BALLOT, the Harris County Clerk’s office will conduct elections for eight political subdivisions serving over 900,000 registered voters. Fifty-four additional political entities in Harris County will conduct elections on the same day. In one of those elections, a Black man is running for mayor in Pearland. Quentin Wiltz has served as director for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and chair for the Pearland Parks and Beautification Board. He currently serves as board president of the Brazoria County Alliance for Children. He is running against current
mayor Tom Reid and political newcomer Jimi Amos…….THE TEXAS SENATE PASSED THE PENSION BILL. Senate Bill 2190, the Houston Pension Solution, passed with a 25-5 vote. The plan now must receive the approval of the full House and the signature of the governor to become law. The pension solution will reduce the city’s $8.2 billion unfunded liability through future benefit reductions. Under the plan, which utilizes a more realistic 7 percent rate of return on investments, the city will be required to meet its annual contribution until the unfunded liability is fully paid off
in 30 years. ……..REPUBLICAN U.S. SEN. JOHN CORNYN will serve as Texas Southern University’s Spring 2017 keynote commencement speaker, where 1,145 students will walk across the stage on May 13. The announcement was made during a TSU Board of Regents meeting. Students took to social media to voice their concerns about their school’s choice. Students have said now was not the time for TSU to get “politically involved” but instead should focus on “advancing the university.” They’re asking for a scholar, community leader or some other inspirational person to speak instead.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
national State of Black America:
‘Protect our progress’
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Defender News Services
he National Urban League released the 2017 State of Black America: “Protect Our Progress.” NUL President and CEO Marc H. Morial said the report comes at a time when “so much economic and social progress stands at so much dire risk.” As a remedy, he presented the Main Street Marshall Plan: From Poverty to Prosperity, a sweeping proposal for economic and social revitalization of America’s cities and struggling neighborhoods. The centerpiece of State of Black America, the Equality Index, measures the economic and social status of African-Americans relative National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said economic and social progress is under imminent threat. to white America, with 100 percent representing full equality. • The Justice Department reversed course This year’s index, 72.3 percent, on fighting a Texas voter I.D. case that a federal is only slightly higher than last year’s, but Mocourt determined was passed with deliberate rial pointed out that the nation as a whole has racial discriminatory intent. experienced significant gains, particularly in • Congress has voted to gut the accountemployment and health. ability regulations protecting poor children, The report includes detailed analysis and minorities, English-language learners and commentary from contributors such as U.S. Sen. students with disabilities, paving the way for Cory Booker, Black Lives Matter co-founder an anti-public school agenda that would funnel Opal Tometi, and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott, Karen public education funds into private, for-profit Bass, Cedric Richmond and Terri Sewell. institutions “Over the last eight years, the economy • The Trump administration twice has added 15 million new jobs and the unemployenacted – and federal courts twice have struck ment rate fell dramatically,” Morial said. “High down – religiously discriminatory executive school graduation rates rose and more than 16 orders barring immigrants and refugees from million more Americans who were now unMuslim-majority countries, exacerbating a cliinsured now have health care coverage. The mate of hostility and a spate of hate crimes and uninsured rate for African Americans was cut harassment throughout the country in half.” The NUL’s Main Street Marshall Plan calls Morial also cited the Department of Justice’s for a national investment of $4 trillion over the aggressive enforcement of voting rights, despite next 10 years – $2 trillion for physical infrathe 2013 gutting of the preclearance requirement structure such as roads, bridges and buildings of the Voting Rights Act, and its use of consent and $2 trillion for human development, such as decrees to address racial discrimination, profileducation, job training and health insurance. ing and excessive use of force in a minority of Central to the plan is a comprehensive police departments. infrastructure initiative, with inner cities being “A little more than three months since Presithe major beneficiary. dent Obama has left office, much of the economOther report highlights include universal ic and social progress we saw under his watch is pre-k education, a $15 minimum wage with under imminent threat,” Morial said. increases indexed to inflation, reforms to finanOf particular concern, he said: cial and educational institutions and programs, • New Attorney General Jeff Sessions has criminal justice and police reform and expanordered a review of all law enforcement consent sion and protection of voting rights. decrees, a move that threatens to undermine The report is available free of charge at positive policing reforms in some of the nation’s www.StateOfBlackAmerica.org most troubled police departments.
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U.S.briefs HBCU BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY IS UNDER FIRE after announcing that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will deliver the commencement address. DeVos’ confirmation as secretary came with controversy. The vote divided the U.S. Senate in a 50-50 split and required Vice President Mike Pence to cast the tie-breaking vote. Since she was officially confirmed, DeVos has been met with protests during her national tour visiting schools. The school issued a statement saying, “Over the last three decades, DeVos has devoted her career in support of the opportunity for a quality educational experience for students.”…….. THE CONTROVERSIAL SHERIFF OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WIS, may be in line for a post in Homeland Security. Sheriff David Clarke is reportedly being considered for the position of assistant secretary at DHS’ Office of Partnership and Engagement. The position would not require Senate confirmation and would involve coordination and outreach to state, local, and tribal officials. Clarke is an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump. He has recently come under fire for the death of Terrill Thomas, who died of dehydration in a Milwaukee County Jail cell after the guards turned off his water. He has also come under fire for a trip to Russia that he made in 2015 where he reportedly met with Dmitry Rogozin, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s deputies….. MICHELLE OBAMA’S SIGNATURE GIRLS’ INITIATIVE is no more after the Trump administration announced it was discontinuing the “Let Girls Learn” program, which Michelle and President Barack Obama started in 2015 to facilitate educational opportunities for adolescent girls in developing countries. “Let Girls Learn” provided a platform to showcase the Peace Corps’ strength in community development, shining a light on the work of volunteers all over the world. The administration is also ending the former first lady’s healthy eating initiative for children.
VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 28 MAY 4, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby
Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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Adams to be inducted in Gospel Music Hall of Fame Defender News Services
Award-winning singer Yolanda Adams is a Gospel Music Hall of Fame 2017 inductee. The ceremony will take place on May 9 in Nashville at Lipscomb University Allen Arena. Adams, a Houston native, still wows audiences around the world ever since her 1988 debut album, “Just as I Am.” She is renowned for pioneering modern gospel infused with soul and jazz, which has led to numerous awards, including the first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Music. Throughout her career, she has earned Yolanda Adams additional accolades, including four Grammy Awards and multiple Stellar and NAACP Image Awards. In addition to being a gospel superstar, she’s a radio personality and host of “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” which airs weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on the Amazing 102.5FM. The Gospel Music Association, which created the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, has previously recognized Adams for her outstanding achievements in the Christian music industry through its Dove Awards.
Ensemble offers summer program Defender News Services
The Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main St., will host two Young Performers Program (YPP) summer sessions. The first session is June 5- July 1 and the second session is July 5-July 29. “We are proud of the opportunity to cultivate the minds of youth through the arts,” said Eileen J. Morris, artistic director for the Ensemble and program co-founder. “While we are excited to have so many celebrity alumni, we have an even greater list of alumni excelling in other professions such as doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs.” YPP is a training program for youth ages 6 to 17 who desire to explore their creative and artistic talents. Classes are held in theater, dance, music, and technical theater with a culminating performance. Since its inception the program has extended to include week-long sessions for winter break and spring break. The sessions are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the option to enroll in an expanded day of workshops. This summer, tap dance classes are added and taught by dancer Alde Lewis. Parents may register their children now for single or multiple sessions. Visit www.EnsembleHouston.com/programs/ypp.html.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
entertainment
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Bill Cosby finally breaks his silence
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NNPA News Service
ill Cosby is blind. It has been more than two years since the embattled, television and film legend, who was once known as “America’s Dad,” has spoken out publicly. During a recent interview with the NNPA Newswire, Cosby revealed that he lost his sight. Waking one morning about two years ago, he nervously called out to Camille, his wife. “I can’t see,” he said. Doctors later confirmed the worst: that there was nothing that could be done to repair his vision. “When he would perform, we’d draw a wide straight yellow line from backstage to the chair on the stage and he’d rehearse the walk, hours before the show,” said Andrew Wyatt of the Purpose PR firm, a public relations agency in Birmingham, Ala. Wyatt has worked with Cosby for years. Cosby has shunned most media inquiries, since allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced in late 2014; some of those accusations dated back almost 50 years. In 2015, Cosby was charged with three counts of felony aggravated assault in a case involving Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee. Earlier this year, CNN reported that Cosby’s, “criminal sexual assault trial will stay in Montgomery County Court in Pennsylvania, but the jurors will come from another Pennsylvania county.” In February, a federal judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against Cosby by accuser Katherine McKee. Another defamation case against him, filed by six accusers, is still pending in Massachusetts.
While the beleaguered superstar declined to address any of his legal cases, his youngest daughter, Evin felt compelled to speak out. In a statement, which can be read in its entirety on BlackPressUSA.com, Evin, 40, questioned the veracity of the allegations against her father. “The harsh and hurtful accusations…that supposedly happened 40 or 50 years ago, before I was born, in another lifetime, and that have been carelessly repeated as truth without allowing my dad to defend himself and without requiring proof, has punished not just my dad, but every one of us,” Evin said. Perhaps the closest Cosby came to addressing his ongoing legal battles during the interview was when he opined about the true history of America. “The history about African-Americans is a history of the United States; but the true histories, not the propaganda that is standard in our nation’s history books,” Cosby said. “The great writer, James Baldwin, said, ‘If you lie about me, then you lie about yourself.’ The revolution is in the home. There is something about someone saying, ‘I didn’t know that,’ that could cause a change in that person’s thinking.” Few have achieved the legendary status enjoyed by Cosby. His career has spanned more than six decades and includes best-
selling comedy albums and books, gold and platinum records and five Grammy Awards. With his role in “I-Spy” in the 1960s, Cosby became the first African-American co-star in a dramatic series, breaking TV’s color barrier and winning three Emmy Awards. After starring opposite Sidney Poitier in the 1970s trilogy, “Uptown Saturday Night,” “Let’s Do It Again,” and “A Piece of the Action,” Cosby soared even higher in the 1980s when he singlehandedly revived the family sitcom and, some argue, saved NBC with “The Cosby Show.” “Darn right,” he said, when asked if he missed performing. “I miss it all and I hope that day will come. I have some routines and storytelling that I am working on. “I think about walking out on stage somewhere in the United States of America and sitting down in a chair and giving the performance that will be the beginning of the next chapter of my career,” he said. Legendary comedian Bill Cosby, who is facing criminal sexual assault charges in Montgomery County, Pa., will turn 80 in July.
what’sup Following the success of “The New Edition Story,” BET Networks is bringing new biopics to the network, including “The Bobby Brown Story” and “The Death Row Chronicles” for their 2017-18 programming slate. “The Bobby Brown Story” will explore not only the story of BOBBY BROWN’s career but also his personal life, with sex, drugs, and music all converging for a dramatic biopic. “The Death Row Chronicles” will focus on the rise of Death Row Records, the company behind SNOOP DOGG, 2PAC, and DR. DRE, delving into not only its successes but its controversial and bloody record. The program
will be both a murder mystery and a drama, and the network hopes it will give viewers a lot to look forward to……..GABBY DOUGLAS now has a Barbie of her likeness. The doll is part of Barbie’s “Shero” line, which features other accomplished women like director AVA DuVERNAY, actress EMMY ROSSUM and ballerina MISTY COPELAND. Now, fans can buy Douglas’ new “Shero” doll in stores nationwide…… Millions of PRINCE fans, who awaited the release of new music on the anniversary of the legend’s death, will finally be able to hear the songs during a now-developing reality show. The
reality show will feature members of Prince’s family and will focus on how their lives have changed since he died. The family is reportedly embroiled in a legal battle with Deliverance EP to keep the music dormant until they can debut it on the show. No release date for the show has been set…….TAMAR BRAXTON is making news with her new single, “My Man,” a homage to her mother, who divorced Braxton’s father after he had an affair with another woman – a friend of the family. The singer and reality star debuted the song for her mother on their reality show, “Braxton Family Values.”
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
Mothers
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By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender
hough many of us carry our mother’s wisdom with us daily, there’s no better time than Mother’s Day – May 14 – to reflect on some of the best advice they’ve given us over our lifetime. Whether it’s advice on relationships or religion, lessons from our mothers remain with us forever and keep guiding us. Often, we end up passing those lessons on to our own children. Here, daughters and sons share advices and quotes from their mothers.
on in your house stays in your house. Pooky, grandma, momma, and Susiemae don’t need to know what’s going on between you and your mate (unless he is beating you’re a--, then you tell).” - Gwendolyn Cannon Jenkins
“Always be a person of your word. Look every person dead in the eyes and always tell the truth. Never leave home without clean underwear on.” - Tonia Shorten-Calhoun
“Don’t be afraid to meet new people. Most of the time, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. Also, leave things better than you found or borrowed them. Treat people better than you want to be treated. The majority will treat you the same. Work hard, and do your best. God does not expect any more than that.” - Kathy Davis Schroeder
“Never buy cheap shoes or cheap meat. Cheap shoes will cause your countenance and attitude to be bad and you have to cook the taste out of cheap meat to be able to chew it.” - Pam Gaskin “Always keeps $20 in cash somewhere in your car just in case.” - Terri Crawford “Don’t be afraid to live. And, never let anyone make you angry enough to hate them because if you hate them you become them.” - Eddgra Fallin “You are not an orphan, do not suffer in silent.” - Sophie Sealy “God is not going to hold you responsible for how people treat you, but He’s going to hold you responsible for how you treat people.” - Ruby Larry “Your success in life is based on two factors: (1) Decisions and (2) Consequences.” - Patsy Crowder-Latin “Make choices that not only you can live with but future generations. Your decisions don’t only affect you. Be wise.” - Mel Bates “Don’t trust a woman who has a bad relationship with her father.” - Eddy Matchette “Don’t tell your business to everyone. What goes
“Love many, trust a few, learn to paddle your own canoe…basically develop the skills to take care of yourself…and liars never win.” - Storm Bone
“Never co-sign for anyone. Their credit is messed up for a reason.” - Kim O’Bryant
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“I tell my kids to always assume you are being recorded even if you don’t see the camera.” - Katrina Burton “In the corporate environment, she would tell me to dress for the position I want not the one I got. Be ready even if you don’t get to go.” - Ychlindria Yvette Martin-Wyckoff “When I left for college my mother got down on her knees and asked me to join her and she said, ‘Lord you gave him to me and once again, I am giving him back to you.’ I learned to love adore and trust God at a young age, and I’m 36 and He has never forsaken me. She gave me Jesus and taught me about him!” - Randall Gray “Mind your own business, live a long time. Translation: Most people get into trouble when they are involving themselves in matters that don’t concern them. Everything is not as it appears.” - Sharmagne Taylor “My mother told me to uphold my principles because I am the fruit that represents the tree that produced me. She also said keep my eyes and ears open but keep my mouth and legs closed. The most important things I was taught was if Jesus ain’t welcome you should not be there!!!” - Adayah Grace Israel
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“If momma not happy nobody happy. Always take one hour a day to make yourself happy and don’t ever feel bad about it.” - Sylvia Hubba
“My grandmother would say make sure you make your bed neatly (figuratively) because if you leave it messy, you’re the one that has to lay in it.”
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WORDS OF WISDOM
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WHAT MOMS WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Those who plan to buy mom a gift on her specia l day will often go to gre make sure she feels lov at lengths to ed. According to a recen t sur ve y by coupon website gia MeNot, an estimated 70 nt, Retailpercent of shoppers plan to buy a Mother’s Day gif spending an average of t this year, $58. Finding the ideal gift, ho wever, isn’t always a wa lk in the park. Nearly 1 hard to find mom the pe in 5 say it’s rfect gift, but it turns ou t mo m knows exactly what she Here are five things she wants. wants this year.
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Flowers – Coming in as the most popular gift request, flowers are once again number one on he r list. Nearly half (48 percent) of moms say they favor flo wers as their top gift choice.
3 Mother’s Day Contest Winners Thanks to all who entered! Receiving the most votes were: 1. First place - Domari & Kaniah Dickinson 2. Second place - Shar-day and Tammie Lang Campbell 3. Third place Rosa & Rolanda Rush *Sponsored by Macy’s
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Dining out – Treating mom to a special dinner isn’t as cliché as you may think. Of those surveyed, 43 percent are ho ping that they’ll be taken ou t to a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant. But you don’t have to shell out too much cas h to have dinner with mom.
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Gift card – When you kn ow her favorite store but aren’t sur e what her exact style is, a gift card can do the trick. In fact, 41 percent of moms say a gift card is a great Mother’s Da y gift. In lieu of a physical gift to give her , letting her choose what she wants is a nice, thoughtful gesture.
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- Aicesha Monteiro “A reputation is easy to get and hard to get rid of. Keep yours good.” - Tarnisha Hartsfield “No one can love you if you don’t love you!” - Kee White
the Houston area for over 85 years
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Jewelry – Despite popular belief, only nearly 3 in 10 (28 percent) moms would love to receive jewelry, spa rkly or otherwise. If you don’t want to spend too much, Skirboll suggests making som ething yourself.
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Beauty – Just over 1 in 4 (27 percent) moms say beauty products or services are sure to make her day tha t much more special. And there are plenty of ways to get creative in this category.
“Everything good to you ain’t good for you!” - Kimberly Maura Gamble “When I was about to be married, my mom told me two things: (1) Make sure you love your husband because you won’t always love him. (2) Pick your battles when it comes to a disagreement.” - Phontonia Belin Walter
“Everybody has a story. It is not what they call you but is what you answer to. A dog has never barked at a parked car. Keep moving in your own life.” - Constance Hicks “Stay on your knees and on your toes.”
- Vernell Jessie
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
Texans urged
to stop elderly neglect May is Elder Abuse Prevention Month in Texas, and it’s the perfect time to check on older friends and neighbors. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is urging people who may have an elderly neighbor who can no longer keep up their home, isn’t taking care of his or herself, or needs medical care, to step up to the plate. You may be the only person who knows or cares. “Abuse may get the headlines, but one of the most common situations we encounter is self-neglect,” said Kez Wold, DFPS associate commissioner for Adult Protective Services (APS). “Sometimes when people become ill or depressed, they quit trying or simply can’t care for themselves without some help. That’s when someone needs to make a call to the Texas Abuse Hotline.” State law requires anyone who suspects adult abuse, neglect or financial exploitation to report it to the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or online at TxAbuseHotline.org. Callers can remain anonymous. Last year, APS investigated the status of 83,534 people who were living at home and found that 51,608 of them suffered one or more forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation. There are 3.3 million Texas residents who are 65 or older and more than 1.7 million with a disability.
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Holder rips Republicans on voting practices Defender News Service
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said it’s “shameful” that Republicans are seeking to implement photo ID laws and other measures that make it more difficult to vote. Holder, who is leading a national redistricting reform effort, accused Republicans of trying to suppress potential voters who are less likely to support them. “Some Republicans have declared, ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, change the rules.’ Make it more difficult for those least likely to support Republican candidates to vote,” he said during a speech at the National Action Network’s recent annual Eric Holder served as attorney general under former President Obama. convention. “This is done with the knowledge young and African-American voters. that by simply depressing the votes of certain “If one were to try to find vote fraud or a rigged groups, not even winning the majority vote of these election system, that is exactly where it is,” he said. groups, elections can in fact be effective. The atThe comments come after Arkansas’ governor tempts in certain states to make even registration signed a voter ID bill last month. Iowa’s governor more difficult are shameful.” is considering a similar measure, and New HampHolder cited a 2014 study by the Government shire is also contemplating legislation to toughen its Accountability Office showing that voter ID laws proof of residency requirements. There are laws in in Kansas and Tennessee reduced turnout among
34 states requiring voters to produce identification when they vote. Holder addressed President Donald Trump’s unsupported claim that millions voted illegally in the 2016 election, saying the president was fueling the perception that elections lacked integrity. “And with recent claims by Mr. Trump of ‘rigged elections’ based on fraud ― again, without any proof, save the bluster of the candidate ― this mistaken belief in voter fraud becomes almost hard-wired,” he said. Holder acknowledged the U.S. voting system is far from perfect. He pointed to a 2012 Pew report ― the same one cited by Trump to justify his claim of widespread voter fraud ― noting that 1 in every 8 voter registrations in the country is outdated. He called for more states to adopt automatic voter registration, so voters are automatically registered to vote whenever they have any meaningful interaction with the DMV. Holder, who has rejoined a Washington, D.C. law firm, served as attorney general from 2009 to 2015 and was the first African-American to hold the office.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
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Defender graduation photo contest underway For parents, this is the time of year many have been waiting on – graduation. Whether your child is graduating from preschool, middle school, high school or college, chances are you’re super proud of their accomplishment. Now, we want to celebrate with you. “One of the most special things for me was watching my sons graduate,” said Defender Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles. “It’s an experience a parent will never forget. What better opportunity to share that joy than with a photo contest.” As part of the Defender’s contest, we’re looking for proud graduates ready to show the world their accomplishment. It’s easy to enter. Simply snap a pic of your graduate and log on to www.defendernetwork.com to upload your photo from now until June 4 at 6 p.m. Then, you’ll tell folks to vote for your graduate from
retail, has joined us as the sponsor. It was wonderful working with them on our Mother’s Day contest and having them on board as we honor graduates is awesome,” Messiah Jiles said.
classifieds The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting responses to a Request for Proposal for the following services:
PRE-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH SERVICES
Sunday, June 4 through Sunday, June 18 at 6 p.m. The photo with the most votes wins $500, compliments of the DefenderNetwork and Macy’s. “We are excited that Macy’s, a national leader in
Harris County bail system unconstitutional Defender News Services
A federal judge has declared that the cash bail system used in Harris County is unconstitutional because it’s fundamentally unfair to the poor. Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has ordered the county to stop keeping people who have been arrested on misdemeanor charges in jail because they cannot pay bail. The 193-page ruling is part of a civil rights lawsuit against the county in a case that began when a woman was arrested on a charge of driving without a license and spent more than two days in jail because she could not post $2,500 in bail. In all, three people sued the county while they were in jail for minor misdemeanors, claiming they were held because they were too poor to come up with bail money. With this ruling, the District Attorney’s Office estimates thousands of people will be released sooner than under the previous rules, and hundreds will no longer have to sit in jail waiting
Judge Lee H. Rosenthal
for their trial. Rosenthal ordered the county to begin releasing indigent inmates on May 15 while they await trial on misdemeanor offenses. Rosenthal concluded the county’s bail policy violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the Constitution. “Liberty is precious to Americans and any deprivation must be scrutinized,” the order states, citing a comment from Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht. The judge also granted “class-action” status to the case, meaning that her findings will apply to all misdemeanor defendants taken into custody. “Harris County’s policy is to detain indigent misdemeanor defendants before trial, violating
equal protection rights against wealth-based discrimination and violating due process protections against pretrial detention,” the judge wrote, citing statistics showing that 40 percent of people arrested on misdemeanor charges in the county had been detained until their cases were resolved. The order is not final, though; it is a temporary measure as the larger case works its way through the courts. Rosenthal’s order came after eight days of witness testimony and the presentation of volumes of evidence — 300 written exhibits, and 2,300 video recordings of hearings in which bail was set. “I think it represents a real change in our legal system,” said Alec Karakatsanis, the executive director of Civil Rights Corps, a legal nonprofit based in Washington, which brought the case along with another nonprofit, the Texas Fair Defense Project, as well as the private law firm Susman Godfrey. Karakatsanis described the ruling as a “comprehensive and robust condemnation of
the existing money bail system” that would reverberate beyond Texas.
Scope: The HARRIS CENTER for MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD expects to enter into a relationship with a Vendor qualified to provide Pre-Employment Health Services. Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER’S, Purchasing Department, located at 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7304 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER’s website www.mhmraharris.org or the Electronic State Business Dailey Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Thursday, May 11, 2017. A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2017 @ 11:00 a.m., 9401 Southwest Freeway. The deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Thursday, May 25, 2017. Responses to the Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department by 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 in a sealed envelope marked "REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017, “PRE-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this request for proposal should be addressed in writing attn: Marguarette Washington, Senior Buyer via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E -mail questions to attn. marguarette.washington@theharriscenter.org cc sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org. The HARRIS CENTER reserves the rights to reject any and/or all responses to the Request for Proposal deemed to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and are not obligated to accept all responses to the Request for Proposal.
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Annual survey lists Houstonians’ concerns Defender News Services
The majority of area residents don’t just feel okay about living in Houston – they would choose to stay in the Bayou City even if given a choice to move, according to the 2017 Kinder Houston Area Survey. The 36th annual survey also revealed that traffic continues to be the dominant concern, people are less worried about crime and are increasingly supportive of immigration and gay rights. Rice University Sociology Professor Stephen Klineberg, founding director of Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, conducted the survey. Results include: Life in the area – Traffic continues to be the biggest problem facing people in the Houston area, according to 24 percent of this year’s survey respondents. Another 16 percent mentioned the economy and 15 percent crime. Despite these concerns, more than two-thirds of all area residents in 2017 said they would stay in the Houston metro area even if they could choose to move away. Crime – The proportion of area residents who cited crime as the biggest problem in Houston has decreased steadily since the 1990s; crime was mentioned by fewer respondents this year – 15 percent – than at
any other time since 2003. Sixty-nine percent of the survey participants “strongly agreed” with the statement, “If I needed assistance from the police, I would feel comfortable calling them for help”; another 18 percent “slightly agreed.” Eighty-one percent of U.S.-born Anglos strongly agreed with this statement, as did almost three-fourths (72 percent) of Hispanic immigrants. In sharp contrast, less than half (49 percent) of U.S.-born African-Americans strongly agreed that they would feel comfortable calling the police if they
needed assistance; more than onefourth (26 percent) disagreed. “As of early 2017, it is clear that African-American relations with the local police are by far the most problematic,” Klineberg said. Jobs & education – Nearly twothirds – 64 percent – of this year’s survey participants (it was 62 percent in 2016) said job opportunities in the Houston area were “excellent” or “good.” Hispanics and African-Americans are consistently more likely than Anglos to affirm the importance of postsecondary credentials. Fifty-eight percent of Hispanics and 54 percent of African-Americans in 2017, compared with 48 percent of Anglos, thought that education beyond high school is needed to be successful. Residential segregation – Seventy-nine percent of the Anglo respondents said they would be “very likely” to move into a desirable neighborhood if it was 30 percent African-American and 70 percent Anglo, but that figure drops to less than half (48 percent) when the proportion of African-American families reaches 60 percent. For more information on the survey visit http:// kinder.rice.edu/.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
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sports
Texans draft a winner in QB Deshaun Watson
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By MAX EDISON Defender
lassify this under the heading, never saw it coming: Texan GM Rick Smith orchestrated a spectacular draft day trade that resulted in the selection of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. Houston traded away its first-round pick for 2018 to the Cleveland Browns and switched places with the Browns, allowing the team to move from the 25th pick to the 12th. The Texans have not drafted a quarterback in the first round since quarterback David Carr in the 2002 NFL expansion draft and last drafted a quarterback in 2014 when they took QB Tom Savage in the fourth round (135th overall). The selection of Watson satisfies the franchise’s greatest need, a young quarterback with the potential to elevate the team to the next level. In addition, he has the type of image and character to be the face of the franchise. Texans’ GM Rick Smith admires Watson’s winning ways and Watson’s college resume is as good as it gets. He leadership skills. guided Clemson to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances and the school’s second national championship “When he came here to meet with us here, he met with our (2017). He led Clemson to 28 wins over his final two seasons whole offensive staff and it was impressive. He was able to learn (2015-16). plays, teach the plays back to us and talk about his own. Like He’s a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third in Rick [Smith] said, with his history and his ability to overcome 2015 and second in 2016 to become first ACC player to finish in adversity, he’s a very impressive guy.” the top three of the voting on multiple occasions. Watson is also For Watson, the post draft experience has been a whirlwind. two-time recipient of the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top “My emotions have been sky-high,” he said. “Ever since I QB, one of only four quarterbacks to win the award twice. got the call, tears have just been coming out of my eyes. It’s surWhen you compile a rereal to think that I’m officially sume that impressive, employers an [NFL] player. Just to be able pay attention. Rick Smith and the to be on this stage and be here Get more details on the Texans Texans were hiring. with these guys and with this and NFL draft “[Watson is impressive] great organization, it’s special.” when you look at the young man Watson feels it’s important and you study his history and that in a new environment people understand his approach to the the things that he has had to work through, the adversity that he’s game. worked through, the human being that he is first of all,” Smith “I respect the game and I respect the people that came before said. me and I respect the players on the field with me,” Watson said. “Then when you look at his history as an athlete, you have “It’s just the way I carry myself…I’m quiet and down to earth. a guy who’s a winner. He has that winning gene. He was a high Like I said before, I respect others and respect the game.” school Gatorade Player of the Year and a state champion in high Watson is known as much for his character off the field as school. He’s a national champion. He throws for almost 70 percent his ability on the field, and credits his mother for molding his of his passes…When we watched him in the building here around personality. our players, it was pretty apparent that the leadership trait that he “She made sure that I was the right person off the field – that has is infectious.” I was a man, I was taking care of my responsibilities, being disciHead coach Bill O’Brien explained what sold him on plined and just being the guy that I am,” Watson said. “The way I Watson. treat people is the way they’re going to treat me, so I have to carry “He’s a winner – 33-5 as a college quarterback, a national myself the right way. My mom, she’s my rock. She’s the champion,” said O’Brien, who recalled meeting Watson at the one who raised me. A single-parent mom of four kids and NFL Combine. the struggles that we went through, it was tough.” “I felt like he was a guy who answered the questions very Houston welcomes the new face of the honestly, had a good memory, a good recall of specific plays that Texans franchise, from Gainesville by way of happened in his college career,” O’Brien said. Clemson University.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was picked by the Texans in the NFL draft.
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Watson led Clemson to a national championship and is a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist.
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sportsbriefs Trio of Cougars drafted Fort Bend Marshall won the girls’ Region III-5A co-champion title.
Three University of Houston gridiron greats were selected in the NFL draft. Linebacker Tyus Bowser was drafted in the second round, 47th overall to the Baltimore Ravens. He is the first UH player ever drafted by the Ravens. He was third in the American Athletic Conference and tied for the team lead with 8.5 sacks, despite missing five games his senior year with an injury. Defensive backs Howard Wilson and Brandon Wilson were drafted by the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. Howard was selected in the fourth round (126 overall) and Brandon in the sixth round (207 overall). It marks the second consecutive year at least three Cougars have been drafted.
Lady Tigers win West
Manvel boys, Marshall girls rule Region III son, Reina Ryan, Angel Johnson and Payton Wells came from behind to win the meet’s final event (mile relay) in a time of 3:53.55 and capture the girls’ team title with 50 he expected and the unexpected took center points. stage at the Region III-5A high school track Wells won the open 400 with a clocking of 57.29 meet at Turner Stadium. seconds. Hannah Overmyer of Kingwood Park took Defending regional champion Fort Bend the silver medal (57.36) and Humble’s Rikisia Thomas Marshall was expected to receive a stiff chal- (57.75) placed third. lenge from both Manvel and Port Arthur Memorial in the The Marshall 4X200 relay unit of freshman Khacia boys’ division. Mitchell, Ryan, Johnson and Wells placed second in With first-place finishes in the 100-meter dash 1:41.33 to Manvel (1:41.20). Ryan is the lone Marshall (Caleb Jolivette), 400-meter dash (Howard Fields), senior. high jump (Michael Tolds) and the 4X200 relay, ManIt was later announced that due to a compilation ervel amassed 108 points to ror the Marshall and Manvel outdistance runner-up Port girls tied with 50 points and Arthur Memorial (88) for are regional co-champions. See Lamar HS standouts at Region the boys’ team title. Manvel girls won a gold III-6A track meet “We got second in the medal in the 4X200 relay 300-meter hurdles (Lon(1:41.20) and came in second don Harris) and second in in the 4X400 relay (3:56.12). the 4X100 relay so we’ll take a full group to Austin for “We helped the girls grow up and become a little the state track meet and see what happens,” said Manvel more mature,” Smith said. “It was time to run and we head boys’ coach Kendrick Crumedy. “With a third place know when to do it and how to do it. They performed in the mile relay we might have a shot at the at-large today. spot.” “Payton Wells was a key addition to our squad. She The Port Arthur Memorial boys were second with transferred in from [Houston] Madison and she did a 88 points and Marshall came in third with 45. great job in the 400 and she helped us in the 4X400,” “Our kids competed real well,” Crumedy said. “We Smith said. “She’s a Marshall Buffalo now.” came in with some nicks and bruises. Some of the guys Beaumont Central and Humble girls tied for third didn’t take care of their bodies coming into the meet. Yet with 46 points. we were able to advance two relays with a chance for a The 2017 Texas UIL high school state track and field third and we had success in some open events.” meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin is set for May Jolivette placed third in the boys’ long jump with a leap 11-13. of 22 feet, 10 inches. “We have two weeks to prepare now,” Smith said. An unexpected force in the meet was the coming of “The girls are happy and motivated now. There’s not too age of a youthful Marshall girls’ squad led by head coach much more that we have to do. We’re going to enjoy this Benita Smith. right now, but when it’s time to run in two weeks, The Marshall foursome of freshman Doneshia John- we’ll be ready.”
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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
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Coach Worley Baker’s Texas Southern University Lady Tigers softball team claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s West Division championship outright after splitting a doubleheader with Grambling. TSU won the series finale 11-3 in six innings after falling 4-3 in the opening game of the afternoon. Madilynn Marek knocked in three runs, while Heaven Benavidez added two RBIs. Lauren Rodriguez pitched four and one-third innings and scattered only three hits to pick up the win in game two. She improved to 8-4 on the season. Only one of Rodriguez’ three runs given up was earned. TSU (21-16) finished conference play with a 12-6 league record. The SWAC postseason softball tournament takes place May 11-14 in Irondale, Ala., at Shea Brothers Softball Complex. TSU is the defending champion.
Dawson ousts Alvin Fourth-seeded Pearland Dawson made quick work of state-ranked Alvin in the first round of the girls’ high school softball playoffs. Dawson senior shortstop Amber Langston played a key role as the Lady Eagles swept Alvin 2-0 in the best-of-three bi-district matchup. Dawson, the fourth-seed out of District 23-6A, won game one 2-1 in 10 innings. Langston led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a triple and following two intentional walks, scored the game-winning run on an Isabella Richey sacrifice fly. Earlier in the game, Langston drilled a double high off the centerfield wall. Sophomore pitcher Courtney Day went the distance for the victory. In game two, Langston and Day had key RBI hits that preserved Dawson’s 7-4 victory in Alvin. The Texas Girls Coaches Association’s Class 6A final regular-season poll had Alvin ranked No. 8. Other first-round Houston area softball winners included The Woodlands, Montgomery, Spring, Klein Collins, Oak Ridge, Memorial, MacArthur, Ridge Point, Cy-Fair, Katy, Cypress Lakes, Clear Creek, Pasadena Memorial, Bellaire, Tompkins, Cypress Ranch, Clements, Deer Park, Friendswood, Kingwood and George Ranch.
Pasadena Memorial wins The Pasadena Memorial High School baseball team ended a four-year postseason drought with a pair of 6-1 victories over Pasadena and Sam Rayburn on back-to-back days due to weather postponements. The Mavericks celebrated clinching a playoff berth by coming from behind to defeat District 22-6A leading Deer Park 2-1 to improve to 10-3 in league play. Dylan Sanchez scored the winning run with two outs in the seventh inning to push Pasadena Memorial’s winning streak to five games.
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DEFENDER | MAY 4 | 2017
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
2017 BIGGERS-SIMMS SYMPOSIUM……..The Texas Southern University significance of the 14th Amendment, a lecture by Dr. Minion Morrison chronicling College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences (COLABS) hosted the 2017 John our history of voting rights and political representation, a job fair and several other T. Biggers/Carroll Harris Simms Symposium. Under the banner of “Art as Activism,” activities. Attendees included TMSL Dean James Douglas, Yolanda Smith, Carroll the symposium that highlights art from the African diaspora featured a keynote address Robinson, Dr. Fernando Colon, Timothy Adams, Bethany Allen, Dr. Faith Joseph by artist Vicki Meek and presentations by TSU art students Chanise Epps, Shelton Jackson, Laura Alvarado, Staci Childs, Jude Owusu, Dr. Michael Adams, Dr. Brown, Jose Martinez Jr., Carlton Banks, Maurice Jenkins, Darlise Goodlow Gautam Nayer, Tieranee Jones and others.…..HOUSTON DELTAS CELEBRATE and Michael Thomas. COLABS Interim Dean Dr. Merline 90th ANNIVERSARY……...The Houston Alumnae Chapter Pitre provided words of welcome, Sister Mama Sonya offered of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrated its 90th anniversary a poetic transcript, and Dr. Alvia Wardlaw moderated the Defender TOP EVENTS recently at the Power Center. Ninety community members were panel discussion. Other attendees included Earlie Hudnall honored for their service in various capacities. Sunday, April 23 More photos on defendernetwork.com Jr., Marlon Hall, Ashura Bayyan, Josie Pickens and many was declared Delta Sigma Theta Day in the City of Houston by more ……..LAW WEEK AT THURGOOD MARSHALL mayoral proclamation. Attendees heard remarks from panelists SCHOOL OF LAW……..The Student Bar Association of the Thurgood Marshall and Councilman Dwight Boykins. Chapter President Dr. Pat Phipps was on hand as School of Law (TMSL) hosted its annual Law Week. Festivities included a naming well as Anne Lundy, Tammie Lang, Dr. Carlotta Brown, Barbara Curtis, Audrey ceremony of the school’s Moot Court Room in honor of alumnus Jerome M. Karam, Gassama, Judge Hazel Jones, Karen Smith, Marlene Moore, TSU Police Chief a visiting lecture by alumnus Judge Marc C. Carter focusing on the historic Mary Moore, Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers and many others.
P.K. McCary, Vicki Meek, Sister Mama Sonya
Timothy Adams, Dr. Minion Morrison, Dr. James Douglas
Chanise Epps, Derek Hawkins, Jose Martinez
Alisa Harris, Tieranee Jones, S. Wyatt Kajese
Dr. Pat Phipps, Deborah Hawkins, Christine Criner Smith, Vickia Gibbs
Tina Jones-Green, Barbara Curtis, Dr. Carlotta Brown
Darlise Goodlow, Josie Pickens
Judge Marc Carter, Susan Bynam
Vera Bumpers, Thelma Malveaux, Mary Young
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