District Chronicles V15 Issue 16 by District Chronicles

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Satanists counter Nativity with Snaketivity Page 5 www.districtchronicles.com

Volume 15 Issue 16

Cheriss May/Howard University News Service

Editorial

Christian terrorists and the mark of Caine

By Oscar H. Blayton George Curry Media Columnist

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Not all Christians are bigots and not all bigots are Christians, but the nonsense that is spewing from the mouths of many Christians in recent months has more than a few thoughtful people scratching their heads. A White man walked into a Colorado Planned Parenthood health facility on Nov. 27, and began firing an automatic rifle. He killed three people and wounded nine. He did not know any of his victims personally. After being apprehended, the shooter, Robert Dear, said to the police, “No more baby parts.” The next day, a debate began to rage over whether the killer should be called a “domestic terrorist.” Those who argued against labeling the shooter a “terrorist” said that because his motives were “unknown” at this time, the terrorist label should not be applied. Let us step back and reflect for a moment. Would this argument be taking place if the shooter had been a Muslim? Why do Christians get a pass when one of their number commits an atrocity? There are those who would argue that Dear does not represent the many millions of Christians in the world. This would be a satisfactory answer if it were not for the fact that many of the Christians who make that argument do not hesitate to tie all Muslims to the acts of a few violent extremists who claim affiliation with that religion. Many White Christians see Christians generally as the “good guys,” while they see Muslims generally as the “bad guys.” And this is true, to a lesser extent, in the Black community. It is to a lesser extent among Blacks because many Black Christians are painfully aware that members of the KKK proclaim adherence to Christianity, and that Christianity was used to justify slavery in America. One would be hard pressed to find a Black Christian who would argue that all Christians are without lapse in their regard for humankind. The Black Christian com-

Planned Parenthood attack suspect Robert Dear likened to Christian terrorist.

munity, however, often will try to insulate its religion from terrorism and hate-inspired violence by claiming that the perpetrators were not “true Christians.” The problem with separating “true Christians” from any other type of Christian is that no one can see into the heart or the mind of a believer. The acts of a terrorist may be contrary to the majority’s interpretation of the tenants of a belief system, but that does not mean that a terrorist has not acted in accordance with his own interpretation of that belief system. And it does not work to say that there is only one correct interpretation of the “Word of God.” We have a myriad of self-described believers who perceive their religion to reflect their own personal beliefs, and anyone who strays too far afield risks losing the identification of a true believer. This allows self-described (and usually self-righteous) Christians to disassociate themselves from people such as Dear; Dylann Roof, who murdered nine Black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina or even Officer Michael Slager of the North Charleston police who is charged with murder after shooting a Black man in the back eight times because “good” Christians do not do things like this. Thinking like this makes it impossible to include the term “Christian terrorist” in the dia-

logue on American violence. In fact, it makes it impossible to apply the term on a global scale. Fifty years after its founding, the Ku Klux Klan began to conduct cross burnings not only to intimidate their targets, but also to show their reverence for Jesus Christ while they sang hymns and said prayers. In 1934, Adolph Hitler stated in a speech: “The National Socialist State professes its allegiance to positive Christianity.” And in case you have forgotten, German National Socialism was more commonly known as Nazism. Christians all. Or, at least selfprofessed Christians – and every one a terrorist. The absence of language with which to identify Christian terrorists is not merely the ignorance of those political leaders and media personalities whose voices we hear and read every day. There is a conscious effort to omit Christian terrorists from the dialogue about criminal violence in America and around the world. And it will take an effort by those people who believe in justice and fairness to bring about an honest discussion about who is responsible for violent terrorism and why. Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps. combat pilot and human rights activists who practices law in Virginia.

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Jim Stovall used self-development and determination to overcome blindness, become a multi-millionaire businessman.

By Willie Jolley George Curry Media Columnist As a young college football star and Olympic weightlifting champion, Jim Stovall was focused on athletics and not his education. But all of that changed after a routine medical examination revealed that Stovall was losing his sight and would be blind in a short time. He had no marketable skills and was flat broke. The shock of this forced him to change his mindset. He began to search out coaches and mentors who could direct him towards his goal of becoming wealthy. Stovall sought out people who helped him work on his mindset. And he took courses and studied material that helped him grow himself. This is how Stovall began his personal journey of self-development and growth that would lead him to become a multi-millionaire businessman. Stovall is now the founder and president of the Emmy Awardwinning Narrative Television Network that caters to blind viewers. He was selected as the International Humanitarian of the Year, joining former President Jimmy Carter and Mother Teresa. He’s the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Blue Chip Enterprise Award, a world-renowned speaker and the

author of the best-selling book, “The Ultimate Gift,” now a 20th Century Fox major motion picture. In the book, “Forbes Great Success Stories: Twelve Tales of Victory Wrested from Defeat” by Alan Farnham, Steve Forbes, Jr. the president and CEO of Forbes magazine said, “Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era.” His accomplishments are remarkable, in and of themselves, yet he found time to go back to college. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate of aw from ORU for his work with the disabled. During my SiriusXM interview, Stovall shared these powerful principles: Life is really not about what happens to you, but what you do about it. Money must be seen as a tool to allow you to do what you love to do. Money magnifies everything. “If you love doing good, then money allows you to do more good. But if you love doing stupid stuff, it will allow you to do more of that as well.” Money gives you options and allows you to live on your own terms. Never buy a map from someone who has never been where you want to go. Be willing to ask

for help from those who have been where you want to go. The quickest way to get to wealthy is to make up your mind to do whatever it takes (that is moral and legal) to achieve it. Then go to work on that goal. Starting is half the battle of success. And a good plan poorly executed is better than a perfect plan that is never executed. Change your mind and you can change your life. You have the right to choose your path. You are one quality decision away from anything you want. Don’t let small challenges become big obstacles. To have no sight is not a big deal, but to have no vision is tragic. Sight is to only see where you are; but vision is to see where you want to go and what you want to be. Make the decision to invest in yourself by reading great books. Poor people have big TVs and small libraries. Millionaires have big TVs as well, but bigger libraries. You cannot expand your bank account until you expand your mind. Willie Jolley is the host of a Sirius XM Satellite Radio show and the opening speaker on the national “Get Motivated Business Seminar Tour.” He can be reached through his website, www. williejolley.com.

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BALTIMORE – Antoin Quarles stood at the podium erect and proud. He was dressed in his burgundy cap and gown, adorned like his 68 fellow graduates gathered in a room at the University of Baltimore for their special day. Quarles had been asked to speak audience because his previous life and how he had come through it was exemplary of so many of the former students. “I grew up in a neighborhood where all I seen was hustlers, stick-up boys, shooters,” Quarles, 43, would say later. “I didn’t have a father to guide me. I was outside. The streets became the vision that I was into. Going inside prison was always about image, identity and having my nickname connected to my hood.” He took deep a breath and began. He told them how he had been in and out of prison for selling drugs for 20 years, almost all of his adult life. He was homeless at times, roaming the streets armed with guns and knives and looking for a crime to commit, and then he was back behind bars. Consequently, he struggled to maintain a relationship with his daughter and the rest of his family. Those days are over, he said. And with that, Quarles verbally embraced the other graduates from Public Safety Compact (PSC), a program that helps exoffenders—typically on drug-related charges— get their lives on track and provides counselling, skills, education and jobs so they will not return to prison. “It’s 10 guys over here that every time we go in the system, we all on the same tier, the same units or the same jails,” he said, “and now we all need to give ourselves congratulations. “I thank y’all for being there and supporting us. I truly thank y’all.” The family and friends of the graduates stood up and proudly cheered as their loved ones walked across the stage to receive their completion certificates. Baltimore State’s Attorney

Briahnna Brown/Howard University News Service

By Briahnna Brown Howard University News Service

Graduates gather for a group photo. Baye Parker, center, spoke on how the program has changed his life.

Marilyn Mosby and other officials congratulated the program’s graduates. “I am so proud of each and every one of you,” Mosby said. “You have taken the first step and each of you deserves to be recognized for what is already a story of triumph.” PSC, which was created in 2010, starts while people are in custody, and if participants are successful, they can get out early. Quarles, for example, was released early in 2014 after participating in the program and became a mentor to others like him. The program’s goal is to end the revolving door process that has become the nation’s prison system. It has been funded with over $2 million in one-time grants as a partnership among several Maryland nonprofits and the state’s correctional. According to the organization, it has been a success, saving $2.25 million in tax dollars through early release and by reducing recidivism rate for graduates three years after release to 6.5 percent, which is 84 percent less than Maryland’s average of 40.5 percent. This year’s graduation ceremony was filled with words of encouragement and optimism as graduates shook hands with many of those who helped and inspired them on their journey. It was bittersweet, however because the program lost funding in October. Consequently, for the 75 people who are working towards graduating from the program and the 60 people who were approved for early release, their futures are uncertain. Those awaiting release may have the opportunity revoked. Those working toward graduation may never see the day. “It’s kind of baffling that they’re cancelling it,” said Kate

Wolfson, the director of the PSC. “It’s saving the state money and it’s helping people. “The state doesn’t have to pay for anything. They’re just giving us some of the savings that they would’ve spent on food, medication and medical care if these people were locked up anyway. They’re going to have to pay more money to keep these people locked up.” After the ceremony, graduates and their families wrote messages to Gov. Larry Hogan on a giant poster board to ask him to continue the initiative. The graduates praised the program, noting how they now have jobs and opportunities that would have otherwise not been available to them. Baye Parker, 34, another graduate and community organizer with Safe and Sound, was released last year, roughly five years early, through the program. Parker told the audience how on the day of his release he thanked Maryland Parole Commissioner David R. Blumberg who was in attendance. “He had a conversation with me that day and said, ‘Why do you deserve to go home?’” Parker recalled. He then called his two sons down from the audience to stand by his side. “This is why I deserve to go home,” he said. “I say these two, because I understand what I was going through when I was 10 and 11. I understand what I was going through when I had a single mother. “PSC is no longer a single mother. PSC is no longer children without a father. PSC is no longer me throwing bricks at the penitentiary. PSC is now me being a taxpaying citizen.”

Divine Intervention Satanists counter Nativity scene with ‘snaketivity’ By Justin A. Hinkley USA Today Network

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To counter a live Nativity scene planned next weekend on the Michigan state Capitol lawn, a Satanic group plans to resurrect its own “snaketivity” display that began last year. A Nativity scene that Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign planned last weekend. The Satanic Temple of Detroit is awaiting approval from the Michigan State Capitol Commission to perform its own live display on Dec. 19, said Jex Blackmore, the temple’s director. State Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican from Grand Ledge, Michigan, plans to sponsor another Nativity display the same day. “The overriding message in our holiday display, and many of the Satanic Temple’s public activities, is one of plurality and religious liberty,” said Blackmore in a written statement. “We have no interest in proselytizing Satanism to the public. However, we refuse to allow one religious perspective (to) dominate the discourse.” The Satanic Temple, a loosely organized national group, doesn’t actually worship the Christian devil. It is a secular organization closely aligned with atheist groups in protesting religious displays on public grounds. “Freedom of speech may be inconvenient, messy and at times offensive, but that is the cost of living in a free country,” said Wendy Day, Michigan state director for the Cruz campaign, in an emailed statement. “America was founded on the principles of free speech and freedom of religion … We don’t have to agree on religious principles to stand together for the right of free speech.” At last week’s Rally for Religious Liberty, sponsored by the Christian group Salt & Light Global, Blackmore and a handful of her fellow Satanists stood quietly at the back of the crowd on the east lawn with a large banner reading, “The Satanic Temple supports religious liberty,” in white letters on a black background. While the event’s speakers railed against what they deemed govern-

Satanists plan to resurrect snake statue on capitol grounds during Ted Cruz’s event.

mental intrusion into religious life – many speakers specifically criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that states must allow gay men and women to marry – the Satanists received numerous raised eyebrows. But, overall, they received a warm welcome. The event was decidedly Christian, with signs such as “Vote Biblically” spread throughout the crowd. “We have radical Islam; we need radical Christianity,” said Rev. Ellis Smith of Detroit’s Jubilee City Church from the Capitol steps. During the speeches, Amy Piatt of Muskegon, Michigan, stood by Blackmore’s group, her eyes closed and palms heavenward, praying for the Satanists. Asked why, she said, “because the Lord told me to do it.” The Satanic Temple first brought its snaketivity display – which depicts a snake wrapped around the Satanic cross, presenting a book as a holiday gift – to the Capitol in December 2014 in response to a planned Nativity scene later called off. But the Satanists’ announcement spurred a response

from Lansing-area churches and from Jones, who helped pull together a Nativity scene to counter the snaketivity last year. In addition to Jones’ Nativity scene Dec. 19, state Rep. Mike Callton, a Republican from Nashville, Michigan, sponsored a Chanukah display this. John Truscott, vice chairman of the Capitol Commission that regulates the statehouse facility and grounds, said last week that the Satanic Temple hadn’t submitted an official request for its display but had sent emails checking dates around Dec. 18 or 19. Truscott said the commission could sign off on a request within a week of its submission, so any request still could receive approval. The commission would be obligated to approve the snaketivity display as long as it meets commission’s guidelines, which limit the size of the display and prohibit permanent displays, meaning the snaketivity would have to be placed and removed daily. The Satanic Temple met those criteria last year. Hinkley reports for the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal.

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Cover First Family lights National Christmas Tree By Cheriss May Howard University News Service

Cheriss May/Howard University News Service

Hundreds of people join the First Family to light the National Christmas Tree on the White House Ellipse.

Cheriss May/Howard University News Service

n a brisk December night, the First Family joined hundreds of people to officially light the 2015 National Christmas Tree last Thursday on the White House Ellipse. Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon hosted the ceremony, which featured performances from musical trio David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash; Fall Out Boy, Andra Day, Aloe Blacc, Scandal’s Bellamy Young, Kelsea Ballerini, Tori Kelly, Trombone Shorty, the Joyous String Ensemble and the United States Coast Guard Band. There was also a special appearance by Miss Piggy. The oldest, full-time Park Ranger, 94-year-old Betty Reid Soskin, introduced President Obama. Soskin works five days

a week at the Rosie the Riveter/ World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif. “Merry Christmas everybody, and thank you, Betty, for that introduction, for your extraordinary service as one of our park rangers, and for all of your –and your great-grandmother’s – contributions to this country,” said Obama. “I want tips from Betty on how I can look that good at 94.” After leading the crowd in a countdown, the president, First Lady Michelle Obama, their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and Michelle Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson, took the stage to light the tree at the 93rd annual National Christmas Tree Lighting. “So on behalf of Michelle, and Malia, and Sasha, and Grandma, and Bo, and Sunny, happy holiday to all of you,” said Obama.

The oldest Full-Time Park Ranger, 94-year-old Betty Reid Soskin took the stage to introduce President Obama at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

Trombone Shorty performs with the United States Coast Guard Band onstage.

NY Daily News headline: ‘God isn’t fixing this’

By Jessica Durando USA Today A recent front cover of the New York Daily News takes a strong stance against how some politicians are reacting to the San Bernardino shooting with calls for prayer instead of tighter gun control laws. The headline reads: “God Isn’t Fixing This.” Underneath, it proclaims, “As [the] latest batch of innocent Ameri-

cans are left lying in pools of blood, cowards who could truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind meaningless platitudes.” House Speaker Paul Ryan and GOP presidential hopefuls Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham all responded to the attack with tweets about “prayers” for the victims of San Bernardino. The Daily News’ tweeted image of its provocative front page is currently the most retweeted of

6 | Dec. 10 - Dec. 16, 2015 | District Chronicles

2015 for the news organization, according to Twitter. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, took a different tone and called for “action” to stop gun violence. President Obama underscored the need for stronger gun control laws in the United States after last week’smass shooting, which left at least 14 dead and 14 wounded. “There’s some steps we could

take, not to eliminate every one of the mass shootings, but to improve the odds that they don’t happen as frequently,” Obama told CBS News. David Mignery tweeted, “@ SpeakerRyan We need more from you than prayers.” Others tweeted that calling for prayer should not be mocked at a time like this. Jessica Durando reports for USA Today.

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By Marc H. Morial President and CEO, National Urban League via George Curry Media “The Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective anti-poverty program in the United State. It both encourages and rewards work by allowing low-income workers to recoup money that otherwise would have gone to taxes. And since low-income people are more likely to spend their income than to save it out of necessity, it is also an economic stimulus.” – Alice Lieberman, Professor, University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. With only a few weeks left in the year, Congress is debating a series of key issues for working families. One of the most important is the fate of key parts of two tax credits that help millions of lowincome working Americans. The two credits – the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) – are powerful tools that reduce poverty and encourage and reward work. Together, they lift more children out of poverty than any other program, while also promoting greater mobility and opportunity for families. And, with four million African-American children living in poverty today, the EITC

and CTC make a critical difference in our communities. In 2009, President Obama signed into law temporary improvements to the credits that dramatically expand access to the CTC to very low-income working families and provide additional help for some families receiving the EITC. Although these very important improvements to both tax credits were extended in 2012, they will expire in 2017 unless Congress acts to make them permanent. This fall may be the best opportunity that Congress has as it debates legislation that could make some business tax breaks permanent. As the House and Senate consider this legislation, they cannot leave working families behind. They must make the improvements of the EITC and CTC permanent as well. If they don’t, African Americans would be disproportionately harmed: 2 million working African-American families and four million children would lose an average of $1,200 per year. A single mother of two working full time at the federal minimum wage would lose every penny of her CTC. “In many cases, these two measures are what allows working families to stay in their homes,” said Don Cravins, Jr., Executive

Director of National Urban League Washington Bureau. “The consequences of ending the credits would be nothing of devastating.” In the course of these discussions, Congress also has a chance to address the plight of lower-income workers without kids, many of whom are left out of the EITC. Expanding the EITC to cover these workers has bipartisan support and would help promote work, could reduce incarceration rates, and boost earnings. The Obama administration is calling for Congress to make the improvements to these working family tax credits permanent. Now is the time to make your voice heard in the halls of Congress. You can help by contacting your senators and representatives, urging them to make the improvements to the EITC and CTC permanent and reminding them of the importance of fixing the glaring hole in the EITC that leaves out childless workers without kids. With your help, we can make the key provisions of these credits permanent so that they can keep making a difference in our communities. Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League

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(BPT) - You may have already received your new credit or debit card equipped with a microchip. If you haven’t received your new chip card, you most likely will by the time your card expires. The EMV chip technology is intended to help reduce debit and credit card fraud, and thanks to a collaboration between America’s payment networks and card-issuers, you’ll see many more merchants using EMV-equipped card readers over the coming months. Chip-enabled cards store the same basic information that’s already in the magnetic strip on the back of your card, such as the card number and expiration date. They add a layer of fraud protection by producing a single-use code to validate every transaction. While EMV technology is intended to reduce card fraud, it’s still important to be aware of how fraud happens, what you can do to prevent it and what your card-issuer does to help protect you. “Fraud prevention is a partnership between cardholders and the bank,” said Pam Codispoti, president of Chase Consumer Branded Cards. “By working together, we can help customers keep their accounts safer and more secure.” Chase offers some tips to help you stay alert to fraud while you holiday shop and in the New Year:

Keep your contact information, including phone number and email address, up to date so the card issuer can contact you quickly if they detect signs of fraud on your account. Review your card agreement to be sure you understand what antifraud measures the issuer takes. For example, Chase uses specialized monitoring tools to keep an eye on your account 24/7. If your card company or bank offers it, sign up for account alerts to monitor your finances and keep your accounts safe. Most issuers will allow you to choose to be alerted to any unusual account activity via text, email or phone call. Review your statements every month to ensure all charges are accurate and authorized by you. If you spot a charge you don’t recognize, contact the card issuer or bank immediately. With the shift to greater use of EMV technology, if fraud occurs on your account and you have a chip-enabled card, the merchant will be responsible for the costs in most situations. Also, banks like Chase offer zero liability protection - you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or

account information. Monitor your credit reports. Although you’re entitled to a free report from all three major credit bureaus once a year, checking your report more often can help catch signs of fraud earlier. Opt for secure paperless billing. Theft of paper documents, such as from your mailbox or trash, is still a top way fraudsters obtain information. By going paperless, you eliminate an opportunity for someone to steal your statement and get your account information. Switch to secure online or mobile payments to help protect your account information. Online payments add layers of security to your transaction and can help ensure you never miss a payment. When using your card in a store, never allow the card out of your sight. If you have to enter a PIN number to use the card, be aware of who’s standing around you and shield the keypad from view when you type in your PIN. To learn more about how Chase partners with customers to protect against fraud, visit www.chase.com/fraudsecurity.

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In the Neighborhood

Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington District of Columbia A day after San Bernardino massacre, conservative senator attacks DC gun safety laws.

ongresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) recently blasted Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) for introducing his bill to eliminate the District of Columbia’s gun safety laws. He proposed it as an amendment to the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill, an ill-timed decision put forth on the day after the San Bernardino shooting massacre that left 14 Americans dead. The amendment failed, however, as Senate Democrats rallied to defeat it, with all but one Democratic Senator voting against

residents for political and personal gain. By bullying a local jurisdiction with the big foot of the federal government, Sen. Paul demonstrated he is anything but presidential,” said Norton. “His amendment would have endangered D.C. residents, millions of visitors to the nation’s capital, high-ranking government officials, and foreign dignitaries from all over the world that frequent our streets. After yet another mass shooting yesterday left the nation in mourning, the last thing we should be doing is eliminating gun safety laws. I thank my Democratic allies in the Senate for defeating Paul’s – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) amendment,” she continued. The Repubitary personnel, carry on non-sen- lican budget reconciliation bill, sitive federal property, and permit- which the Senate is expected to ting interstate handgun purchases. pass, also defunds the Affordable “Sen. Rand Paul has sacrificed Care Act and Planned Parenthood. his federalism principles and the President Obama has said he will democratic rights of 650,000 D.C. veto this legislation.

it. Norton said Paul once again shamefully threw his libertarian principles out the window by interfering with the District’s right to self-government in a last-ditch effort to raise his national profile as he runs for president. Norton said she was not surprised that the amendment failed, particularly because it showcased Paul’s extremism by not only wiping out D.C.’s gun safety laws, but also containing several national gun provisions: concealed carry reciprocity, permitting guns on military installations, carry by mil-

Sen. [Rand] Paul is ... anything but presidential.

Prince George’s Prince George’s County Council elects new team for 2016 legislative year The Prince George’s County Council unanimously elected Council Member Derrick L. Davis (D) – District 6, to serve as chair for legislative year 2016. Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros (D) – District 3, was elected to serve as Vice Chair. The newly-elected council leadership team presided over the first session of legislative year 2016 on Tuesday. Chairman Davis and Vice-Chair Glaros will serve in Council leadership through December 6, 2016. Accepting the “Gavel of Leadership,” Davis addressed his colleagues directly, reconfirming his commitment to serve the residents of Prince George’s County humbly, and with integrity.

“I am honored to accept the Gavel of Leadership and to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as county council chair. My promise to you is that I will humbly serve, and do so with integrity. I will give all I have,” said Davis. “My leadership of this body and our work together on this council will leave Prince George’s County a better place in which to live, play and conduct business. And when we are done, our residents will be able to take even greater joy in being Prince Georgians.” He also addressed the 2016 legislative agenda during his remarks. “Creating more high-performing schools; increasing access to quality health care with a new Regional Medical Center serving all Prince Georgians; moving beyond our structural deficit; delivering efficient services; and continuing to focus on a long-term economic development strategy that creates jobs and attracts businesses, strengthening the county’s tax base

– these are among the big things that we must achieve, on purpose. This Council has initiated key strategic initiatives for the progression and transformation of our county. We will continue this critical work in Legislative Year 2016.” Davis, a resident of Upper Marlboro, was elected to his first fouryear term on the Prince George’s County Council in the November 2014 General Election, after serving the remaining three years of a four-year term vacated by his predecessor. Vice-Chair Glaros of, Riverdale, was elected to serve her first term on the Prince George’s County Council in 2014. Visit http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Council for on-demand video of the Gavel Exchange Ceremony. The Gavel Exchange ceremony will also be cablecast on Prince George’s Community Television (CTV), Channel 42 (Verizon FIOS) and Channel 76, (Comcast). For air dates and times, please visit www.pgctv.org or contact CTV at 301.773.0900.

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In the Neighborhood

Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington District fo Columbia

Norton secures federal funding for DC transit, roads. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) is ecstatic about the five-year transportation reauthorization bill the House of Representatives passed last week. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act provides the District of Columbia with an additional $193.5 million in transit formula funding and an

additional $75 million in highway formula funding in addition to current funding. In her floor remarks, Norton used D.C.’s H Street Bridge as a symbol of what the FAST Act will do not only for transportation and infrastructure, but also for economic development. The act provides money that can be used for the H Street Bridge, which leads to every form of transportation. The DC Streetcar, intercity and WMATA buses, cars, bikes and pedestrians all use the H Street Bridge. It also leads to Metrorail, Amtrak, MARC, VRE and freight trains, as well as to federal high-

ways I-395 and Route 50. For the first time, the FAST Act provides major funding for freight trains and includes new funds for improvements in the Northeast corridor for passenger rail and freight nationwide. According to Norton, this long-term bill will allow for planning of the major expansion of Union Station to proceed, including for major economic development above the track. The FAST Act had bipartisan and bicameral support and was the product of months of negotiation by Norton and other leaders of the Conference Committee. At

$281 billion from the Highway Trust Fund, the bill provides nearly $13 billion more than the one originally passed in the House. Additionally, it includes $24 billion from the General Fund for Transit New Starts, Amtrak and intercity passenger rail grants. The increase resulted from a request made by Norton and several other Conferees to reduce the authorization’s duration from six years to five years. Norton said that the tradeoff was unfortunate, considering that the FAST Act is the first long-term surface transportation authorization in 10 years. However, she said that

reducing the duration of the authorization was the only way to get increased funding for states and D.C., which are starving for new funds, from the Republicancontrolled House and Senate. “I thank my partners in this bill, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Schuster (R-PA), Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Subcommittee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) for engaging in a truly bipartisan process,” said Norton. “Because of a willingness of all concerned to compromise, the FAST Act got over the finish line.”

Music, dancing and a Nativity scene on stage at the BSU Fine & Performing Arts Holiday Extravaganza

Robert Eubanks/District Chronicles

Robert Eubanks/DistrictChronicles

Robert Eubanks/District Chronicles

Robert Eubanks/DistrictChronicles

Robert Eubanks/District Chronicles

12 | Dec. 10 - Dec. 16, 2015 | District Chronicles