Houston Defender: July 19, 2012

IN MEMORIAM

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LOCAL HISD SEES IMPROVEMENT in graduation, dropout rate

P3 NATIONAL OPINION

TEXAS’ BAD GRADE Southern states get F

REV. J.J. ROBERSON PASSES AT THE AGE OF 94 P8

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source www.defendernetwork.com

Volume 81 | Number 38 WEEK OF JULY 19, 2012 | FREE

Save Freedmen’s Town H Page 6

P4 WHAT’S UP

RANDY JACKSON last “Idol” judge standing

P11 SPORTS BRIEFS

JEREMY LIN returning to Rockets

P12

Parents urged to buckle up

Sugar Ray Leonard

Minority parents are being encouraged to use seat belts and car seats for their kids, and use them properly. Read the frightening statistics about African-American and Hispanic children. Find out what’s being done about the problem locally, and learn how Toyota is spearheading the movement.

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard enjoyed an outstanding career in the ring. He now has another title, author. Leonard’s new memoir is described as “moving,” and reveals his joy and pain. Read about his professional mistakes and Olympic memories. Hear what he has to say about a “taboo, hands-off subject.”

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writes memoirs

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012

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What to do this weekend Looking for something to do this weekend? The Defender has a list of things to do in the Houston area at defendernetwork.com.

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There have been reality shows for everyone from athletes’ exes to mistresses. Are you sick of reality TV? Well, more shows are on the horizon. The story at defendernetwork.com.

He’s one of the biggest singers in the business.

Now, R. Kelly is allowing an up-close and personal look at his life in his new book, SoulaCoaster: The Diary of Me. Find out more at www.defendernetwork.com.

The gospel comedy “Sanctified” runs through July 29 at the Ensemble Theatre.

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WEEK OF July 19 | 2012 | DEFENDER

newstalk Toyota urges minorities to buckle up

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Defender News Services

oyota recently announced the expansion of its national safety program, Buckle Up for Life, in Houston. It is the only national program that addresses the substantial disparity in motor vehicle deaths among Hispanic and African-American children.

Research shows that motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for children under 12 nationally, and are responsible for 53 percent of all unintentional child deaths in the Houston/Harris County area. Studies also show that: • Hispanic and African-American children are significantly less likely than other children to be buckled up in seat belts or car seats.

• In crashes involving fatalities in children under 14, seat belt use is lower among African Americans than among all other race or ethnic groups.

• The proper use of seat belts and car seats for Hispanic children is significantly lower than for non-Hispanic children across all age groups.

• Three out of every four car seats are not used or installed correctly, and almost 50 percent of fatally injured children were unrestrained at the time of Parents are reminded to play it safe by always using seat belts and car seats. a crash.

“At Toyota, we are strongly commitvice president of national philanthropy and ted to the belief that everyone deserves the Toyota USA Foundation at Toyota Motor to be safe,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group

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North America.

“Through our educational outreach, Collaborative Safety Research Center and numerous partnerships with leading hospitals, nonprofits and research universities nationwide, Toyota is engaged extensively in programs that help ensure that drivers and passengers are safe at every stage of life. These figures are tragic and unacceptable – but they are also avoidable,” Pineda said.

Buckle Up for Life is a national, community-based injury prevention initiative. Working with local hospitals and churches, the initiative addresses the economic, cultural and, where appropriate, language barriers to motor vehicle safety, especially in the African-American and Hispanic communities.

Over a six-week period, the program’s medical experts and trained specialists work closely with participants of all ages to deliver vital safety information in an engaging, culturally sensitive and memorable way.

Participants are eligible to receive free car seats, and they are matched with certified child passenger safety technicians to help install these car seats and ensure that children are properly restrained.

Buckle Up for Life, which began in 2004, was developed jointly by trauma specialists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and vehicle safety experts at Toyota. For more information visit awww.buckleupforlife.org.

localbriefs QUESTIONS REMAIN about the Harris County Board of Trustees Position 6 race between Jarvis Johnson and Erica Lee, who face each other in the July 31 Democratic runoff. The county used outdated district boundaries when it distributed ballots for the trustee primary elections in May. Some voters could have cast ballots in the wrong district, and others who should have had a chance to vote were excluded. Don Sumners, Harris County tax assessor-collector, said in a letter sent to the candidates and others that the number of voters not given the opportunity to vote in the race was 1396. The number of those who voted in the race but did not reside in the district was 872.

“Unfortunately,” he wrote, “there is no way to positively know the impact on the Position Six race of the failure to update (redistrict) the boundary lines,” Sumners said.……... MAYOR ANNISE PARKER UNVEILED a $410 million public improvement bond package that she will ask City Council to place on the November 2012 ballot. It is the smallest bond referendum in 30 years. Voter approval would provide funding for improvements for the next five years. They include repairs at cityowned buildings, new police and fire stations, and improvements to parks, libraries, health, trash and recycling facilities……... HISD IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS to fill 276 teaching positions,

most of which came open because of voluntary resignations and retirements. Candidates are encouraged to apply before July 31 to be eligible to start teaching this fall. The annual salary begins at $44,987, depending on educational credentials and work experience. Applicants should visit HISD’s Teacher Recruitment page on the district’s website at www.houstonisd.org........TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S National Alumni Association hosts its 2012 convention Aug. 2-4 at the Sheraton Suites Galleria. Activities include a casino night, educational sessions, a “trip down memory lane” party and awards banquet. To register visit www. tsunaa.com or call 713-320-8158.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012

national

Southern states get ‘F’ in school funding

By Sue Sturgis Special to NNPA from the Louisiana Weekly

ming comes out on top, providing $19,520 per pupil, compared to the national average of $10,774.

Many states are Tennessee comes in last, failing to provide public at $7,306. Other states in schools with the resources the bottom 10 include they need to serve all Mississippi, Arkansas students equitably, and and Texas.

Florida and North Caro“Even after adjustlina are doing a particuing for regional wage larly poor job in addressvariation and population ing educational disparities density, low-funding caused by concentrated states predominate in the poverty.

South and West regions, That’s among the while the highestfindings of a new report funding states are in the from the Educational Law Northeast and Midwest,” Center (ELC) and Rutgers the report finds.

Graduate School of EduThe report finds cation titled “Is School wide variation among Funding Fair? A National • Texas received a D for its public school funding states on funding effort, Report Card,” which anadistribution grade and a C for its effort grade. Its funding which it calculates by lyzes data through 2009. level rate is 43rd out of the 50 states and District of looking at the percentage It’s the second such report Columbia. of the state’s Gross card from the group, with • Six states have regressive funding systems, meaning Domestic Product districts with higher poverty rates actually receive less the last one issued in allocated to education. funding than more well-off districts. The most regressive 2010.

The lowest-effort states state is Illinois, followed by North Carolina, Alabama, “Most states continue are Tennessee, LouisiMichigan, Texas, and Colorado. to neglect growing student • Some states have improved funding distribution by at ana, South Dakota and poverty by failing to direct least one letter grade (Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, and Delaware. resources to the students Maryland), while other states have regressed one letter Coverage rates and schools most in need,” grade (Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, also vary widely among says co-author David G. and Texas). states. Louisiana comes Sciarra, ELC’s executive in near the bottom, director. “In some states with its public schools racial composition, English-language and regions, the shortfalls enrolling only about 80 percent of the proficiency and student mobility. in school funding are reaching crisis state’s school-age children, and with The report evaluates states on four levels.” those students coming disproportionmeasures: The report defines “fair” school ately from lower-income households.

• Funding Level – the overall level funding as a state finance system that “Three states – Florida, Missouri of state and local revenue provided to provides a sufficient level of funding and North Carolina – received low school districts; to local school districts to account for ratings in each of the four indica• Funding Distribution – the distribuadditional needs due to student poverty. tors,” the report states. “These are tion of funding across local districts in a In other words, a fair system would low-effort, regressive states receiving increase funding for local districts as the state relative to student poverty; a grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ on both indica• Effort – differences in state spendlevel of concentrated student poverty tors, and ranking in the bottom half in ing for education relative to state fiscal rises. terms of the overall levels of funding capacity; and The report found that student povprovided and coverage.”

• Coverage – the proportion of schoolerty – especially concentrated student To improve student achieveage children attending the state’s public poverty – is the most critical variable ment, the report concludes, states will schools. affecting funding levels. Student and need to go beyond politically popular The results show that many states school poverty correlates with, and is a “school reforms” and develop strong proxy for, a multitude of factors that im- unfairly allocate education funding, systems of public education that are shortchanging their most disadvantaged pact the costs of providing equal educasufficiently funding, with those funds tion opportunity—most notably, gaps in students and the schools serving them. distributed progressively.

When it comes to funding, Wyoeducational achievement, school district

What the report says about Texas

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U.S.briefs FLORIDA LT. GOV. JENNIFER CARROLL, one of a few nationally prominent Black female Republicans, has sparked outrage among some lesbians with comments she recently made. A former aide to Carroll, Carletha Cole, said she was fired last year after she caught Carroll and another female staffer in “a compromising position” in Carroll’s office. Carroll denied Cole’s charges, and pointed out that she has been married 29 years.

“The accuser is the one that’s been single for a long time. So usually Black women that look like me don’t engage in relationships like that,” Carroll said. One irate woman tweeted to Carroll, “You have labeled lesbian gender expression as being deviant and have both denied and revoked Black lesbian femininity.” In another twist to the drama, Cole was arrested last year on charges that she illegally leaked taped conversations of Carroll’s staff to a reporter ………THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL announced a new national campaign to remove the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS and to end complacency about the epidemic. The “Let’s Stop HIV Together” campaign is being kicked off in six cities heavily impacted by HIV: Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City and Washington, D.C. Another 21 cities are scheduled to be added. Approximately 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, including some 510,000 African Americans……...

FLORIDA A&M PRESIDENT JAMES AMMONS’ resignation is now effective immediately. At first, Ammons said his resignation would not take effect until Oct. 11. However, the FAMU board of trustees waived the 90-day notice requirement in Ammons’ contract, and also agreed to pay him two bonuses in his contract. Current FAMU Provost Larry Robinson was named interim president. Ammons had been under fire since the hazing death of Robert Champion at the hands of fellow band members.

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER 38 WEEK OF JULY 19, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

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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WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012 DEFENDER

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entertainment Sugar Ray Leonard

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writes his memoirs

By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

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ugar Ray Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, N.C., in 1956 to Cicero and Getha Leonard. The fifth of seven kids, his family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1959 before settling down seven years later in Palmer Park, Md., where his father was employed as a supermarket night manager and his mother as a nurse.

Though shy as a young child, Ray followed his brother Roger’s footsteps into boxing, ultimately eclipsing his elder sibling in terms of potential and finding fame by capturing the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

He went on to become the first fighter to earn over $100 million over the course of an enviable career, winning world championship titles in five different weight classes while squaring-off in classic showdowns with such formidable opponents as Roberto “No Mas” Duran, Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Wilfred Benitez.

Leonard retired from the ring in 1997 with a record of 36-3-1, with 25 of those wins coming by knockout. Today, he lives in California with his wife, Bernadette, and their children, Camille and Daniel. Here, he discusses his moving memoir, “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.”

KW: You won your gold medal at the ’76 Olympics in Montreal. What is your best memory of the city?

SRL: My very best memory of Montreal was the moment inside the Olympic arena when I was waiting under the stadium and those majestic gates opened up. It was a whole other world. I was just a youngster from the ghetto.

I suddenly felt like a star. It was emotionally overwhelming. It was something I’d wanted, but it was also something I didn’t understand. It was a whole different world, and Montreal was an absolutely beautiful setting unlike anywhere I’d ever been before. So, Montreal in ‘76 was an encompassing experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

KW: It is very difficult for men to talk about sexual abuse. What made you decide to go public with your story, and was it a cathartic and healing experience to write about it?

SRL: It was cathartic. I only wish that I had had the courage and the knowledge to have gotten that out of my system, out of my mind or my heart years earlier. But there is no book, there is no manual to tell you how to deal with sexual abuse. I

Sugar Ray Leonard

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What’sup BEYONCE is showing her support for President BARACK OBAMA by appearing in his latest celebrity campaign video. In the spot, the superstar reads the letter she wrote to First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA and posted on her blog. “Michelle is the ultimate example of a truly strong African-American woman,” says the wife of rapper JAY-Z. “She is a caring mother, she’s a loving wife, while at the same time, she is the First Lady. No matter the pressure, and the stress of being under the microscope, she’s humble, loving and sensitive.” Beyonce also thanked the First Lady for being a role model……..RANDY JACKSON is the only “American Idol” judge left standing now that JENNIFER LOPEZ and rock star STEVEN TYLER are leaving the show. “Steven and Jennifer are truly two of the most talented and consummate professionals I’ve worked

with,” Jackson said. “I was friends with them before we hopped on this crazy journey together and I have no doubt our friendships will continue long after.” Jackson has been with the show since its inception in 2002, but it remains unclear if he will stay on. Meanwhile, MARIAH CAREY is being mentioned as a possible judge. She is currently working on a new album, the first since the birth of her twins with husband NICK CANNON……..The Queen of Soul said she would consider stepping into one of the open “Idol” spots. ARETHA FRANKLIN responded to an email question asking if she was interested in joining the show.

“Yes I am interested as a judge,” she said…….. Is CHRIS BROWN abiding by the rules of his probation? A judge recently ordered an audit of Brown’s community service progress after a prosecutor handling his felony assault case

cited a possible discrepancy in the amount of work the entertainer has performed. The judge said the court hadn’t received detailed logs of Brown’s community service, which includes roadside cleanup, graffiti removal and other manual labor. Brown is on probation for physically abusing Rihanna in 2009. He has completed domestic violence and anger management counseling……..JENNIFER HUDSON will have a recurring role on the NBC musical series “Smash” next season. She will star as Veronica Moore, an awardwinning Broadway star. “This series is a showcase for some of the best musical talent in the business and that’s a fitting description for Jennifer Hudson,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment. “Her character will represent someone who reached their Broadway dream but also paid a price for it.”

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Save Freedmen’s Tow F

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

ourth Ward activists are concerned that critical pieces of history are in danger of being destroyed unless City of Houston officials have a change of heart.

They assert that the 10 remaining original row houses in Freedmen’s Town – a historic community in Fourth Ward – are slated for demolition by developers who are attempting to purchase the properties built nearly a century ago and listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places maintained by the National Parks Service of the U.S. Department of Interior.

City officials, however, say they are working to relocate eight of the 10 houses in an effort to preserve the historic structures.

Lenwood Johnson, a longtime activist in the community, said Freedmen’s Town faced similar gentrification efforts in past decades but believes the current threat to be the most serious.

“The city doesn’t seem to care about any of the history out here, and there appears to be an effort to tear down the things people in this area can afford and what the city will permit to come up,” said Johnson. “The city doesn’t want any low-income people here, but rather a certain higher-income group of people.”

According to Johnson, the row houses in question located on Victor Street were all built by former slaves roughly 100 years ago as Blacks congregated in Fourth Ward to be near jobs available at the time.

As Houston developed a mass transit system, Johnson said efforts to remove poor Blacks from the neighborhood which borders downtown Houston began, and continues with the current push to demolish these historic homes.

City officials offer a much different perspective on the issue.

Janice Evans, director of communications/policy for the Mayor’s Office, says the city has been actively involved in efforts to save the 10 row houses, with the goal of keeping them in the historic ward.

“Mayor [Annise] Parker understands how important these structures are to the history of the neighborhood and wants to find a way to keep them there. Numerous parties are involved in the effort, including the TIRZ [Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone], neighborhood leaders, and the city,” said Evans.

A group of participants from the recent NAACP convention held in Houston accompanied Johnson on a tour of Freedmen’s Town, and more specifically, the homes scheduled for demolition, as part of the convention’s off-site service effort.

NAACP members sought to draw attention to the need to preserve Black history in Houston, and across the country.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was part of that delegation, urging the city to listen to the voices of the people.

Protecting history

“The preservation of historic sites is important for economy and life of the city,” said Jackson Lee. “It is important for citizens to know the history of Houston, and who built this city.”

4th Ward historical facts • Fourth Ward/Freedmen’s Town was the first Black settlement in Houston following the Civil War. It began when freed slaves bought land along Buffalo Bayou to build homes. The land was cheap because whites did not want to live along the swampy southern edge of Buffalo Bayou which was susceptible to flooding.

• During the late 19th century and early 20th century Fourth Ward was the center of Black cultural and professional life in the city. Initially it encompassed most of what is now downtown Houston west of Main Street, and the residential areas along San Felipe Street (now West Dallas) and West Gray.

• Fourth Ward also provided a home to Black religious and educational institutions. After the Civil War the area attracted two of the city’s most important AfricanAmerican churches – Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and Antioch Baptist Church. In 1870 Fourth Ward’s Gregory School became the first public school for Blacks in Houston. In 1893 Fourth Ward became home to Colored High School, later renamed Booker T. Washington (which moved in 1959).

• By 1907 the shotgun residences that are characteristic of the ward began to be commonplace. They were joined

by T-shaped houses, L-shaped houses and two-story tenements. In addition to churches and schools, the area included cafes, bars, grocery stores and other commercial buildings. By 1915 more than 400 Black establishments existed in Freedmen’s Town, and the majority of Black doctors, dentists and lawyers had offices in the area.

• Fourth Ward began to lose preeminence in the 1920s as Third Ward passed it in population and began to attract more Black institutions. In the 1930s, white institutions and downtown businesses encroached on Fourth Ward.

In early 1940s land was cleared to build San Felipe Courts (now Allen Parkway Village), a housing development for white defense workers.

• In the 1960s a large area of Fourth Ward was cleared to make way for the construction of office buildings. By 1980 the only residential area left in the old Fourth Ward, along West Dallas and West Gray just a few blocks west of downtown, had become the poorest Black area in the city. Its population had declined to fewer than 4,400, almost 50 percent of its residents lived below the poverty level, and only 5 percent owned their own homes.

Sources: Texas State Historical Association, Houston Public Library

According to Jackson Lee, Houston once claimed 500 sites as part of the National Register for Historic Places, but now has less than 50 percent of that number.

“What does it say about a city that doesn’t protect its history? Freedmen’s Town is a symbol for all of Houston; originally

a neighborhood for freed slaves that bred entrepreneurs, lawyers, and leaders – the place where Barbara Jordan attended church, and where Reverend Jack Yates lived and served,” said Jackson Lee. She listed the city’s 2009 purchase of Bethel Baptist Church that suffered a fire in 2005, and the restoration of the African American Library at the Gregory School, as examples of the city’s ability to preserve history. She is calling on the city to invest that same effort in the historic “shotgun” houses.

Earlier this month, the Free Man’s Neighborhood Association (FMNA) hosted a press conference at 1503 Victor Street to underscore the need to persevere these symbols of not only Houston’s Black history, but the nation’s history in general.

Johnson asserts the area’s predominantly older residents did not fully understand the ramifications of the neighborhood reno-

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wn Longtime residents Lenwood Johnson and Ola Mae Kennedy stand by a Freedmen’s town historic marker.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and NAACP convention delegates participate in a press conference to preserve row houses in Freedmen’s Town.

Fourth Ward activists want to save neighborhood houses such as the ones shown.

vation efforts presented to them by city officials and developers.

“They found out too late. Ministers and older people thought they were going to get things newer and better but didn’t know that it was not going to be for them,” said Johnson.

“With the 2009 Recovery Act Houston got federal funds to renovate vacant housing, but it’s never mentioned, and those funds are going to be gone. We need to demand to know where that money is, and where that TIRZ money is,” added Johnson.

He referred to a bill passed by then State Sen. Craig Washington that designated one third of all TIRZs to affordable housing.

According to Johnson, not a penny of it went to Freedmen’s Town where 2,500 properties altogether have already been demolished.

However, in contradiction to Johnson’s assertion, Evans maintains that the TIRZ and the city have been active partici-

e Houston area for over 80 years

pants during the entire process of seeking a resolution amenable to all that allows for new development in Fourth Ward, while honoring the historic significance of the row houses in question.

Solutions sought

“The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone has acquired six of [the row houses]. Four of the six will be moved to the TIRZowned land. The remaining two of the six will be disassembled for parts for restoration of the four that are being moved to the TIRZ-owned land. The remaining four of the 10 houses are still owned privately,” said Evans.

According to Evans, the owners originally planned to relocate those four houses to land in Sunnyside and use them as rental property. However, they have determined the move is cost prohibitive.

“As a result of this new development, the city is work-

ing to find locations in Fourth Ward for the remaining four houses that the family owns. The family is selling the property on which all 10 houses sit to a developer,” added Evans.

Johnson identified Hines, a privately held real estate firm, as the force he believes is behind this move.

“My understanding is its Gerald Hines III [founder and chairman of Hines] who may be waiting on some investors to decide whether to invest. They want the houses moved off the lots or they will demolish the buildings because investors want to see a clean piece of property,” said Johnson.

Members of the Hines firm could be not reached for comment.

Johnson believes moving the homes from their original sites will diminish their historical relevance. Still, he, Lee and others have not conceded defeat, and assert that individuals can take action to ensure these historic homes remain where they have been for the past 100 years.

“First, get on your politicians to represent the people instead of rich developers downtown. When we fought to save Allen Parkway Village, we had to fight some of the very people elected to represent us. We have to make politicians represent our interests.

“Second, there is historical preservation money out of D.C., because these houses are of national significance representing a unique and historic era in this country’s history,” Johnson said.

Lee urges citizens to raise their voices for historic preservation in general, calling on individuals, corporations and developers to work together with civic-mindedness and take a page out of the preservation of Dallas’ Warehouse District.

“We’re a multi-cultural city and state. We lose when we do not affirm each other’s culture. But if we allow these homes to be restored, similar to Rick Lowe’s Third Ward Project Row Houses, what a wonderful story this can become,” said Lee.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

HISD graduation, dropout rates improve Defender News Services HISD’s streak of declining dropout rates and increasing graduation rates has continued for the fourth straight year according to preliminary class of 2011 figures released by the Texas Education Agency.

The district’s latest dropout rate of 11.8 percent and fouryear graduation rate of 78.5 percent are the best they have been under the accountability system Texas put into place in 2007.

While the district’s overall enrollment has remained steady during that time period, the number of annual graduates has risen from 6,978 in the class of 2007, to 9,070 graduates in the class of 2011 – a 30 per-

“We all know the dropout rate remains a critical problem in our city, but we are making strong progress” cent increase of 2,092 diplomas in just four years.

“Houston students are proving they are willing – and more

than able – to achieve academically when we show faith in them and put them in a position to succeed,” said Trustee Michael Lunceford, president of the HISD Board of Education.

“We all know the dropout rate remains a critical problem in our city, but we are making strong progress.

The students, with help from the school administrators and teachers, have made a concerted effort to stem the tide of dropouts,” Lunceford said.

The increase in the annual number of graduates coincides with HISD’s launch of Grad Labs in high schools across the district in 2010. The computer-based credit recovery initiative lets students who have

fallen behind academically make up courses at their own pace under the guidance of campus-based graduation coaches.

Some of HISD’s other efforts to reduce the dropout rate and help more students graduate on time include:

• Dropout Recovery, Intervention and Prevention (DRIP) committees on high school campuses to bring staff together for regular strategy meetings • Student case workers assigned to specific at-risk students to help them overcome ob-

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Rev. J.J. Roberson passes at 94 Defender News Services

Services were recently held for Rev. Johnnie Jeffery Roberson, who died July 10 at the age of 94.

Roberson, the founder and pastor emeritus of Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, was a noted community and religious leader and served as president of the Baptist Ministers Association of Houston and Vicinity.

He founded and organized Mount Hebron in 1958 and retired in 2007 after 49 years of spiritual leadership.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said Houston lost a champion Rev. J.J. Roberson for equality. “Whenever there was an indignity or violation and undermining of the civil rights of Houstonians and Texans, Rev. J.J. Roberson was at the front of the fight,” she said.

Jackson Lee said she had known Roberson and his wife, Elouise Jackson Roberson, for many years.

“Reverend Roberson always spoke eloquently about his relationship with God, stating that his philosophy of life embraced his mission to put God first in his life, serving Him with all his heart and soul, and

serving his fellow man. Reverend Roberson’s work and dedication to this community is unsurpassed,” she said.

Congressman Al Green said he loved Roberson and will miss him.

“Pastor Roberson was many things to many people. To me he was a dear friend and I miss him. He was uniquely qualified to lead our community and help us through many crises.

“When we had the need for a turnout on Election Day he was there. When there was police brutality and it had to be addressed, he was there.

When there were people in need of housing, clothing and food he was there,” Green said.

“His love for us allowed him to speak candidly to us.

When we needed to know things others wouldn’t tell us he would. He was the only one who could call Black men ‘boy’ and have them be honored by him,” Green said.

Roberson was born March 27, 1918 in New Gulf, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He studied at Tyler Barber College, Southern Business College, Southwestern Seminary and Texas Southern University. He received an honorary doctorate from Mount Hope Bible College.

Notice of Public Hearing Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) will hold a Public Hearing on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Noon to receive public comment regarding the new 285 Kingsland Park & Ride route to Uptown, which will be effective Monday, October 1, 2012. Other changes effective October 1, 2012 include trip adjustments on Route 221 and route re-alignment on the 228.

Other changes effective Monday, August 27, 2012 to the following routes will be presented for informational purposes, including minor route re-alignments or extensions on Routes 59 and 68; additional trips or trip adjustments on Routes 25, 78, 217, 222, and 303; and running time adjustments on Route 42. The public meeting will be held in the METRO Board Room on the 2nd floor at 1900 Main Street in Houston, TX (served by METRO Routes 3, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30, 44, 52, 56, 60, 66, 77, 78, 79, 88, 102, 108, 137, 249, and METRORail). The meeting will also be streamed live on RideMETRO.org.

Copies of proposed timetables and maps will be available Friday, July 6, 2012 for public review at the following locations: • Online - RideMETRO.org • METRO Administration Building - 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays • METRO Outreach Offices o Las Palmas Shopping Center at 6215 Harrisburg (served by Route 50) o Palm Center at 5330 Griggs, Suite A104 (served by Routes 5, 77) o 2613 Fulton (served by Routes 15, 78) How to Comment about the Service Change You may attend the public meeting or write to us

stacles that could lead to them dropping out of high school.

• Computer-generated Dropout Prevention Early Warning reports to alert schools when students are exhibiting risk factors that could lead to them becoming dropouts

9/12/11 8:37 PM

at METRO, ATTN: August 2012 Service Change, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. You may also fax your comments to (713) 652-7956 with a subject line referencing the August 2012 Service Change, or call METRO’s Customer Service line at (713) 635-4000 with your comments. Visit METRO’s website at RideMETRO.org to make comments.

Comments should be received by METRO no later than the date and time of the Public Meeting.

Help for People with Disabilities For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Please call (713) 750-4271 or (713) 635-6993 (for persons with a hearing impairment) a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the public hearing.

Language Interpretation Any person who requires language interpretation or special communication accommodations is encouraged to contact METRO Community Outreach at 713-739-4018, or via email at na01@ridemetro.org. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

1. This Public Hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration’s Circular 9030.1D, published May 1, 2010, page IV-13.

2. METRO does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.

3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2011 | DEFENDER

9

Sugar Ray Leonard...Continued from page 8 ....

saw Todd Bridges talk about being abused on Oprah. Something that he said, or an expression that he made that gave me that little boost I needed to be open about it and to talk about it as transparently as I did.

When I told my wife, she couldn’t believe it. She was petrified, because it’s such a nono, taboo, a hands-off subject. But I’d have to say hearing Todd Bridges on Oprah was my watershed moment.

KW: Do you regret coming out of retirement past your prime to fight Terry Norris and Hector Camacho?

SRL: Do I regret it? Yeah, I do, but it took that to wake up to the fact that my time was over, my time was gone. Sometimes it just takes that kind of beating, if you will, to wake up. It does. I didn’t want to take it.

I took it in intervals.

The first time was in ’91. I retired and came back in ’97. Woo! I mean, come on! I don’t know, man. A six-year layoff? That was crazy! My career was relatively short, whether you look at either its length in years or the number of fights I had. But it was

brutal.

KW: Are you ever afraid?

SRL: Yes, we all are afraid of something. We might not admit it, but we are.

KW: Are you happy?

SRL: Extremely.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

SRL: It used to be a pint of ice cream in bed.

KW: What inspired you to write the book?

SRL: To be honest, I don’t know. I started one back in 1982

SRL: Success is attaining your dream while helping others to benefit from that dream materializing.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

SRL: You don’t

or ’83 when I first retired. But I was only 25 or 26 and not ready to write my memoirs.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

SRL: I’m pretty good with oatmeal.

KW: How do you define success?

play boxing. You really don’t. You play golf, you play tennis, but you don’t play boxing.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

SRL: As someone who had an impact outside the ring.

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Sale merchandise may not be available at all stores and is not available at RxPress Pharmacies and pharmacy-only locations. Sale prices may also be limited to your local newspaper distribution. Rain checks are not available at stores that do not carry the advertised item. Sale prices offered for the dates listed on the front page unless otherwise specified in the ad or on the coupon. Right reserved to limit all quantities on all items. Coupons must be presented at time of purchase. Regular prices quoted may vary by store. Items may not be exactly as pictured. Availability at Walgreens.com may differ. Call 800-WALGREENS (800-925-4733) toll free or visit Walgreens.com/findastore for the location nearest you. While supplies last. ©2012 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved.

Project Title

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Ethnic Ad

10

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012

sports

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sportsbriefs Lin returns to Rockets

Astros, partners

plan to revitalize parks

I

By MAX EDISON Defender

t has been a rough year so far for the Houston Astros on the field. The team has the worst record in baseball, some 20 games below .500. While the team has had its well- documented problems on the diamond, first-year owner Jim Crane has shown his championship mettle in the community.

With the assistance of Mayor Annise Parker, Crane has personally developed the Community Leaders program. It partners Houston-based corporations with the City of Houston in an effort to build or refurbish youth baseball and softball fields in disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout the city.

Astros owner Jim Crane is vocal about the team’s community involvement.

The Astros plan to have 12 corporate partners in the Community Leaders program, said Parker. “As a former softball player, I know this program which will ultimately contribute $18.0 million to the city over will be successful in encouraging young people to play, and the next five years.

I applaud the Astros and the corporations participating in this The five-year program matches the corporation’s emprogram for their community spirit and generosity. ployees with wounded veterans as volunteers in the building, “We are proud to partner with the Houston Astros to refurbishment and guest services that go along with the plan. help some of our parks in disadvantaged neighborhoods,” Employees will also volunteer as coaches or mentors at the Parker said. park, some of which will also be providing wellness and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig thinks the program will education programs for their patrons. be a great vehicle to further promote baseball to the younger Companies that have already committed to the program generation. are National Oilwell Varco, Halliburton, Blue Cross and Blue “I applaud Jim Crane and the Astros for partnering with Shield of Texas, Calpine Corporation, Champion Energy so many fine local organizations and impacting the future of Services, Schlumberger and Nabors Industries. youth baseball in Houston,” Selig said.

For Crane, the endeavor is an opportunity to expose “The Astros’ efforts will help us reach our next generayoung people to the joys of baseball and let it provide a catation of leaders, players, coaches and fans. Major League lyst to personal development, something that Baseball is a social institution, and I am delighted that the he can personally attest to.

Astros’ new Community Leaders Program will help us meet “Baseball was very important to our important social responsibilities in the communities of my own development,” said Crane.

Houston.”

“Playing baseball made me a lot Crane, Parker and Houston Parks and Recreation Direcmore confident and comfortable in tor Joe Turner have visited neighborhood parks to select my ability to achieve things. I’d like those that will have the most lasting impact on youth baseball to help more kids get the opportunity I and softball. had through baseball.”

The Astros will break ground on the project this summer For Parker, the program and will complete construction of the fields at the start of the is a win-win for the City of 2013 baseball season.

Houston.

To recognize the partners participating “The Astros’ in the Community Leaders program, the Community Astros have begun building a large structure Leaders program on the left field light tower at Minute Maid is providing a trePark that is scheduled to be completed mendous service later this month. to Houston’s young people at Crane said the Community Leaders no cost to our program can help expose youngsters to taxpayers,” the joy of baseball.

In a much anticipated move, Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced that the team signed guard Jeremy Lin after the New York Knicks chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Knicks had three days to match the offer from the Rockets.

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy back as part of the Rockets family,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “In his limited opportunity last season, Jeremy showed that he has all the skills to be a great player in this league for many years to come. In addition to being a great passer, he is also exceptional at driving to the rim and finishing plays. He also showed poise well beyond his years by making winning plays at the end of numerous games last season.” Lin averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.38 steals in 64 games (25 starts) with Golden State and New York. After being claimed by the Knicks off waivers, Lin exploded onto the NBA landscape by averaging 18.2 points, 7.6 assists and 2.0 steals with seven double-doubles in 25 starts with New York. Lin previously appeared in two preseason outings with the Rockets before being waived on Dec. 24, 2011.

Toyota chooses the SWAC Toyota will serve as title sponsor for the 2012 SWAC Football Championship. The move continues the auto maker’s relationship with HBCUs. Since 2009, the Toyota Green Initiative has reached over 50 HBCU schools, campuses and events with a fully-immersive consumer experiential featuring hybrid vehicle test drives, a simulated recycling center and eco-friendly games, prizes and exhibits.

SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said, “We are excited to continue our relationship with Toyota and are looking forward to the championship in November.”

Penn State exposed By now countless people have been sickened by the entire Jerry Sandusky case. The former Penn State defensive coordinator will spend the rest of his life in jail after being found guilty on 45 counts of sexually abusing young boys. The only remaining concern was exactly when the “higher ups” at Penn State knew about Sandusky’s proclivity towards young boys and what they did to stop him. The independent report commissioned to investigate the abuse has been completed and it couldn’t be worse for Penn State. The investigation conducted by former FBI director Louis Freeh concluded that key university officials, including the late legendary head football coach Joe Paterno and university President Graham Spanier “repeatedly concealed critical facts” about Sandusky’s abuse of children.

The only question to be answered now is will there be some sort of sanctions imposed by the NCAA against the university and the storied program?

Many will be watching the NCAA to see how they handle this case. The governing body has been notorious for being quick to enforce an incredible array of diverse infractions. It will be quite interesting to see how they handle this major breech of institutional control.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

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autoreview 2012 Toyota Camry SE Sedan

E

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

ngineers of the Toyota Camry had their feathers ruffled a bit last year.

Camry has been the best-selling car in America every year but one (2001) since 1997. Americans bought more than 325,000 of them in 2011. Yet Camry lost out in the milesper-gallon ratings, specifically to the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata.

Toyota promises that the all-new 2012 Camry will at least tie for leadership in fueleconomy figures this year. The V6 SE model is up to 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Just like clockwork every five years, the Camry undergoes noticeable changes, while maintaining the virtues – quiet, smooth, comfortable, reliable and af-

fordably priced – that have made it America’s sedan of choice.

This new, seventh-generation 2012 Camry is designed to maintain these virtues while offering more fuel efficiency and value.

Toyota was able to make these alterations without direct fuel injection, downsized engines or turbo-charging. The 3.5-liter V6 is virtually unchanged from a year ago. But the LE, hybrid and four-cylinder models were made lighter with lowerrolling resistance tires, sleeker sheet metal, taller gearing, more aggressive torqueconverter lockup and electric power steering.

Although this Camry doesn’t turn many heads, it still has better exterior appeal than its predecessor. The front end has a shovel-nose look and the sides are lacking aerodynamic styling. Other exterior highlights include color-keyed folding heated side mirrors, projector-beam headlamps with automatic on/

2012 Toyota Prius Four

I

t has become legendary in a relatively short amount of time.

The Toyota Prius was introduced in Japan as a compact car in 1997 and worldwide three years later.

It graduated to a mid-sized vehicle in 2003.

Since 2010, the Prius has only undergone modest styling and packaging changes.

Yet the car that has become synonymous with the term “hybrid vehicle,” continues to deliver stellar fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and high-tech cabin features, with few compromises.

Without a lot of pomp and circumstance, the 2012 Toyota Prius offers the smartphone-connected Entune system that brings live destination search, traffic date and Pandora streaming to the front dashboard. Other features like voice command, speedometer in the front windshield (headup display) and intuitive steering wheel controls help keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

In the past I’d always been mesmerized by Toyota’s claim of the Prius’ 50 miles per gallon combined (city/highway) fuel economy and drove around in the vehicle’s ECO mode.

Sure, I’d put it on the freeway

and stomp on the accelerator for awhile.

But this time I was determined to take an extended road trip utilizing the power mode button from the outset.

It should be duly noted here that choosing the power mode does nothing to actually affect the engine’s behavior. It does increase the sensitivity of the accelerator, making it more responsive at the vehicle’s least fuel-efficient setting.

Rather than the normal crawl away from a stop light, there was a reasonable amount of acceleration. It was the maximum throttle response from this 134-horsepower hybrid synergy drive power train.

Though the Prius will never press you back in the seat, it’s not exactly a tortoise in sheep’s clothing.

Despite my best attempts to drive like a bat out of you know where, the

2012 Prius’ trip computer consistently hung out in the 48 to 50 mpg zone. That was all while navigating extended highway cruising, rush-hour traffic and city stop-and-go.

The interior was complemented by SofTex-trimmed seats, automatic climate control, multi-information display with trip info, 6.1-inch touch-screen navigation display with backup camera, AM/FM/CD/ MP3/satellite radio system with eight JBL speakers, cruise control and two front power outlets.

Safety and security features include the star safety system with smart stop technology, driver and front passenger advanced air bag system, side curtain air bags and driver’s knee air bag, engine immobilizer, remote keyless entry and tire pressure monitor system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the Prius a five-star rating in four safety categories, including overall vehicle score. It also received five stars in frontal driver, side front seat and crash rear seat divisions.

Four stars were awarded in the crash passengers and rollover categories.

This legend will become a classic in due time.

WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012 DEFENDER

11

SPECS MSRP base price – $26,640 (as tested - $31,107) Engine – 3.5-liter V6 Transmission – Six-speed automatic with manual mode Fuel economy – 21 miles per gallon (city), 30 mpg (highway) Estimated annual fuel cost - $2,220

off feature.

The interior package remains spacious and comfy.

A new layered dashboard with genuine stitching on its leading edge has upgraded the ambiance. Large controls on the steering wheel help navigate the vehicle’s standard and optional electronics. Toyota engineers might want to consider wood trim.

Wind and road noise are even more subdued than before, and the ride is smooth without being floaty.

The ride is the result of a sport-tuned suspension that includes springs and shock absorbers along with sporttuned electric power steering.

The SE’s powertrain consists of a 3.5-liter V6 engine matched with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode paddle shifters mounted on the rear of the steering wheel.

Safety features include Toyota’s Star Safety System with traction control and anti-lock brakes, 10 air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and whiplash injury-lessening front seats.

The seats are better for not getting your feathers ruffled.

SPECS MSRP base price – $28,235 (as tested - $32,815) Engine – 1.8-liter DOHC four cylinder Transmission – Automatic with EV/ECO/ Power modes Fuel economy – 50 miles per gallon (combined city/highway) Estimated annual fuel cost - $1,100

classified Assessment Administrators We are seeking motivated individuals to proctor assessment sessions with 4th-, 8th-, and 12th- grade students in schools for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Must be available January 28– March 8, 2013. Paid training, paid time and mileage reimbursement for local driving, and weekly paychecks. This is a part-time, temporary position. To apply, visit our website at www.westat.com/CAREERS and select "Search Field Data Collection Jobs." Search for your state, find the NAEP Assessment Administrator position and select the "apply to job" button. For more information e- mail NAEPrecruit@westat.com or call 1-888-237-8036.

WESTAT EOE

H.S. Sports is on vacation

12 DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 19 | 2012

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Best Black Information Source in Texas Defender Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

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One of the Top Three Black Newspaper Websites in the nation A. Philip Randolph Messenger Awards

Pulitzer Prize® of the Black Press Sponsored by: MillerCoors

National Newspaper Publishers Association Merit Awards:

Academy Awards® of the Black Press The Voice of the Black Community n Best Original Advertising

First Place for Twelve Taste of Christmas Promotion with KTSU-FM n Circulation Promotion

First Place for Exceptional Distribution System n Best Sports Section

Second Place for Pro/College and High School Sports n Best News Story

Second Place for the story “OUTRAGED”

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Thank You Defender Staff for outstanding work that reflects your commitment and service to the Houston Area Community.

n Best Feature Story

Third Place for the story “Family Violence”

By Marilyn Marshall

Winning more awards than all the Black newspapers in the State of Texas combined.

We share these awards with our readers, advertisers and the community. Thank You.