September 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS www.peopledoingbusiness.com

Houston-Area

Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998 •

Email: news@houston-businessconnections.com • PROMOTIONAL ISSUE!

DOING THEIR THING! QUOTE There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

— Machiavelli

Next month, Aubrey Magazine will highlight some of Houston’s brightest, innovative, and influential female business owners in Part Three of our "People Doing Business" series.

Our next issue will also feature a section on women proudly serving abroad on behalf of our country. We’d like your input on this highly anticipated and much needed issue. If you or someone you know would like to be considered for inclusion of this special issue, please call us at 832-212-8735.

www.PeopleDoingBusiness.Com DR. Angela Rogers Business Owner/Supporter

Constance Hicks Business Owner/Supporter

“PART THREE” PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES

“Women’s “Women’s Issue” Issue” Supporters!

Supporters!

The Jaworski Law Firm The Law Office of Silvia Pubchara-Munoz Brown, Brown, Reynolds, P.C. Law Office of Dagnee McKinney, PLLC Leroy Simms & Associates

Iraqi Women Take Business Into Their Own Hands

By Army Spc. Stephanie Cassinos Special to American Forces Press Service CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Iraqi women discussed opportunities in business development and contracting with U.S. soldiers and contractors during a meeting at Basra Airport in Iraq resently.

The conference highlighted opportunities with Joint Contracting Command Iraq’s women-owned business initiative, a program that reserves Defense Department contracts for businesses primarily owned by women.

“The target audience for the conference was educated women, because contracting normally deals with a huge scope of work that requires specialties in engineering and business management,” explained Army Capt. Ann Demapan, a women’s initiatives coordinator with Multinational continued on page, P.22

WOMEN’S INITIATIVES: Army Capt. Ann Demapan, a women’s initiatives coordinator for Multinational Division South, discusses business opportunities available to educated Iraqi women at a conference at Basra Airport, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Stephanie Cassinos.

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PUBLISHER’S ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATION

Special Note from Aubrey On Thursday October 1st, Victor Walker will host another “Building Wealth Through Your Business” educational workshop at Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen at 6:00 pm. There will be free food and information provided. I’ll be there soaking up as much knowledge as I can get my hands on! I hope to see you there!

Seating is limited, so make sure you RSVP at 713-260-1358.

Aubrey R. Taylor, Publisher Houston Business Connections Newspaper Direct: aubreyrtaylor@houston-businessconnections.com Press: news@houston-businessconnections.com Place Ad: advertise@houston-businessconnections.com

The Life and Legacy of

Contact The Publisher: 832.212.8735

“Teddy”

NEXT FREE WEALTH BUILDING WORKSH0P ¥ OCT. 1, 2009!

Words by Aubrey Williams Special To Aubrey R. Taylor Communications

And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.

PICTURED: Victor Walker talks with (left to right) Montrice Malone, M. Jeanne Roberson, president of Southern Medical Transportation, LLC, and Houston Realtor/Investor Terry Azzouz.

Being a Student of Wealth Building t has been said that “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. In fact, when business owners have clarity about the process of generating revenue, they are motivated and accelerate toward known objectives. Accumulating business and personal wealth is also a known process. On Thursday, August 27th, I held an educational workshop on “Building Wealth Through Your Business” at Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen. The workshop was specifically tailored for business owners and many entrepreneurs were invited for an evening of wealth building strategies, tax reduction maneuvers, asset and wealth protection ideas and systems. And of course, all enjoyed great Cajun food while gaining immediate walk-away strategies that could be implemented the very next day. Owners of engineering firms, home healthcare, real estate firms, internet companies, non-profit organizations and others were there for education and step-by-step wealth building and protection strategies. While held in a private and cozy setting, our Thursday evening event leveraged a terrific networking and referral occasion for me to spotlight each business owner and their services. The event was highlighted by the attendance of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications who took pictures of various business owners to appear in this publication.

The event was informative and many attendees said they will definitely be more focused on the mechanics of building and continued on page, P.23 keeping wealth using their busi-

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SEPT. 2009 PROMOTIONAL Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published by AUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may be copied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without the prior written approval of the publisher. For special requests please call: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

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What family better substantiates that statement, than the Kennedy’s, and what man could better demonstrate that statement, than Ted Kennedy? After considerable deliberation, I could think of none, and therefore presume that there are very few, if any.

Indeed, we have seen (in the public eye), few families that have endured the parallels of prominence and pain as simultaneously as the Kennedy’s. History has recorded and attributed two of the world’s most tragic events to the Kennedy family and ascertained a notable list of other events that are if not tragic, incredibly painful.

Through tragedy however comes triumph when one wills to prevail. And through the life of Ted Kennedy we have been given an example of a man determined to overcome every obstacle placed before him. His life conveyed quite compellingly, that he understood he was one who had been given much, but even more, it seems he understood that in that – equally as much would be required. He seemed to understand that his family had been delegated; entrusted with an inheritance, both in wealth and in deed and that with that comes an enormous responsibility, a debt it seems, with distribution to an entire country, and even the world.

Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy was born on February 22, 1932 at St. Margaret’s Hospital in the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald, who were both members of prominent Irish-American families in Boston and who constituted one of the wealthiest families in the nation.

As a child, Kennedy and his family moved frequently and by the age of eleven he’d attended ten different schools. Between the ages of eight and sixteen he suffered the pain of dealing with his sister Rosemary Kennedy’s mental illness and the trauma of the deaths of his brother Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. in World War II, and sister Kathleen Agnes Kennedy in an airplane crash in 1948.

Kennedy attended all four years of high school at Milton Academy prep school and was an average student. He excelled in football and was involved in other sports such as tennis and hockey and was active in the schools drama and debate clubs. He graduated in 1950.

Kennedy entered Harvard College, and in his spring semester was assigned to Winthrop House, where his brothers had also lived.

He played as a valiant offensive and defensive end on the freshman football team. In May 1951, concerned about maintaining his eligibility to play football the following year, he had a friend who was better prepared; take his Spanish language examination for him. The two were caught and expelled. Offered the opportunity to apply for readmission in a year or two after demonstrating good behavior, Kennedy opted out to enlist in the United States Army in June 1951.

Following basic training, Kennedy requested assignment to Fort Holabird for Army Intelligence training, but was cut after only a few weeks without explanation. He went to Camp Gordon for training in the Military Police Corps and in June 1952, was assigned to the honor guard at SHAPE headquarters in Paris. He was discharged in March 1953 as a private first class.

After being discharged from the military Kennedy recontinued on page, P.5 entered Harvard in the summer of 1953. On athletic probation

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

The Life and Legacy of

“Teddy” Article written by Aubrey Williams • continued from page, P.2

during his sophomore year, he returned as a second-string end. Kennedy received a recruiting letter from Green Bay Packers head coach Lisle Blackbourn, asking about his interest in playing professionally. Kennedy objected, saying he had plans to attend law school and to “go into another contact sport, politics.” Kennedy became a starting end on the Harvard Crimson football team in his senior year. In the 1955 Harvard-Yale game, which Yale won 21-7, Kennedy caught Harvard’s only touchdown pass. He graduated from Harvard in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government.

In 1956 Kennedy enrolled in the University of Virginia School of Law and was the winner of the prestigious William Minor Lile Moot Court Competition, a competition that began in 1929. It consists of five rounds spanning a two-year period, from the start of the second year to the spring of the third year. Each round involves writing a brief and one or two oral arguments of the case before a panel of judges. Kennedy also attended the Hague Academy of International Law during 1958. He was appointed manager of his brother John’s 1958 Senate re-election campaign, where his ability to connect to ordinary voters helped bring a record-setting victory that gave credibility to John’s presidential aspirations.

Kennedy graduated from law school in 1959.

In October 1957 while in law school, Kennedy met Virginia Joan Bennett, while he was delivering a speech at Manhattanville College. After a brief courtship and engagement they were married on November 29, 1958 to Joan’s displeasure. She believed their time together before marriage had been too short and unfamiliar with the world of politics, was uncomfortable with the thought of being married to a politician. From this union were born three children: Kara Anne, Edward Jr., and Patrick.

Kennedy was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1959. In 1960, John Kennedy ran for President of the United States. Ted managed his campaign in the Western states. His diligence towards the campaign in Wisconsin helped his brother win the first contested primary of the season there, and in Wyoming was rewarded when a unanimous vote from that state’s delegates put his brother over the top at the 1960 Democratic National Convention.

Upon his victory in the general election, John vacated his Massachusetts Senate seat.

Ted would not be eligible to fill the vacancy until February 22, 1962, when he would turn thirty. Ted initially wanted to stay out West and do something other than run for office right away; he said, “The disadvantage of my position is being constantly compared with two brothers of such superior ability.” His brothers were also not in favor of his running immediately, but Ted desired the Senate seat as an accomplishment to match his brothers’, and their father overruled them. Thus, the President-elect asked Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo to name Kennedy family friend Ben Smith to fill out John’s term, which he did in December 1960. This kept the seat open for Ted. [Meanwhile, Ted began work in February 1961 as an assistant district attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts (for which he took a nominal $1 salary), where he first developed a hard-nosed attitude towards crime. He also took many overseas tours and began speaking to local political clubs and organizations.

The beginning of Ted’s legacy was unfolding, and for the following 46 years, an entire country, would serve as his audience.

In the 1962 U.S. Senate special election in Massachusetts, Kennedy first faced a Democratic Party primary challenge from Edward J. McCormack, Jr., the state Attorney General. Kennedy’s slogan was “He can do more for Massachusetts”, the same one John had used in his first campaign for the seat ten years earlier.

Kennedy was sworn in to the Senate on November 7, 1962. He maintained a deferential attitude towards the older, seniority-laden Southern members when he first entered the Senate, avoiding publicity and focusing on committee work and local issues. Compared to his brothers in office, he lacked John’s sophistication and Robert’s intense, sometimes grating drive, but was more affable than either of them.

Most of us who were around at the time, have forcontinued on page, P.14 ever etched in our minds, the devastation that shook the

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Statement from The Kennedy Family “Edward M. Kennedy - the husband, father, grandfather, brother

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and uncle we loved so deeply - died support over this last year, and late Tuesday night at home in everyone who stood with him for so Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irremany years in his tireless march for placeable center of our family and progress toward justice, fairness and joyous light in our opportunity for all. He lives, but the inspiloved this country and ANALYSIS ration of his faith, devoted his life to serving optimism, and perseverance will live it. He always believed that our best on in our hearts forever. We thank days were still ahead, but it's hard to everyone who gave him care and imagine any of them without him.”

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Statement by Gov. Perry on the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy

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“Senator Kennedy carried on his family’s tradition of service to our country, devoting his life to the causes that mattered most to him.

We can all admire and should respect a life lived with such consistent adherence to a deeply-held set of beliefs. Anita and I extend our sincere condolences and prayers to his family and friends.”

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ANALYSIS

FROM THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER Social Trends

Recession Turns a Graying Office Grayer

T

The American work force is graying – and not just because the American population itself is graying. Older adults are staying in the labor force longer, and younger adults are staying out of it longer.

Both trends took shape about two decades ago. Both have intensified during the current recession. And both are expected to continue after the economy recovers. According to one government estimate, 93% of the growth in the U.S. labor force from 2006 to 2016 will be among workers ages 55 and older.

Demographic and economic factors explain some – but not all – of these changes. Attitudes about work also play an important role – in particular, the growing desire of an aging but healthy population to stay active well into the later years of life.

A new nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends project finds that a majority (54%) of workers ages 65 and older say the main reason they work is that they want to.

Just 17% say the main reason is that they need the paycheck. An additional 27% say they’re motivated by a mix of desire and need.

When asked to identify specific reasons for working, older workers emphasize psychological and social factors: “to feel useful”; “to give myself something to do”; “to be with other people.” Younger and middleaged workers are much more inclined to cite classic pocketbook considerations: “to support myself and my family”; “to live independently”; “to qualify for retirement benefits”; “to receive health care benefits.”

To be sure, the current state of the economy has influenced nearly everyone’s calculations about work to some extent. But the recession appears to be having a very different impact, depending on age – keeping older adults in the labor force and younger ones out of it.

According to the Pew Research survey, nearly four-in-ten adults who are working past the median retirement age of 62 say they have delayed their retirement because of the recession. Among workers ages 50 to 61, fully 63% say they might have to push back their expected retirement date because of current economic conditions.

All of these survey findings are consistent with a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data that show that the labor force participation rate of older adults, which declined from 1950 until the middle of the 1980s, has been rising ever since. This trend has accelerated during this decade, especially in the current recession.

At the other end of the age spectrum, census data show that in the current decade, a rising share of Americans ages 16 to 24 are in school and a declining share are in the labor force – 57% today versus 66% in 2000.

The Pew Research survey identifies two factors that help explain these changing patterns among the young. First, a growing share of the public says that a person needs a college education to get ahead in life; about three-quarters (73%) of the public feels this way now, up from about half (49%) in 1978. Second, younger adults (like all adults) are being hit hard by the recession, and

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some may have become discouraged and dropped out of the labor market.

Overall, more than four-in-ten nonworking people ages 16 to 24 say they've looked for work but can't find anything.

Gender Shifts Age is not the only demographic characteristic of the work force that's changing. There are also new developments on the gender front – but here, the most compelling story of the decade is not the presence of

change but the absence of change. work/family trade-off continues to After marching steadily upward be much more complicated for for five decades, the labor force par- women than for men. The Pew ticipation rate of women has essen- Research survey dramatizes these tially flattened out. It disparities; it finds that now stands at 59%, nonworking women ANALYSIS slightly below the are nine times as likely as nonworking men to 60% peak it reached in 2000 at the end of a period of cite the tug of family responsibility robust economic growth, and about as a key reason for not having a job.

13 percentage points below the cur- The survey also finds that only a rent rate for men. small share of the public – 12% – Even in an era of growing gen- thinks the ideal situation for a mothder parity in the workplace, the er of young children is to work full

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time outside the home.

As for men, their labor force participation rate has declined in this decade – just as it has every decade since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began keeping such records in 1948.

As of June 2009, it stood at 72%, the lowest level in modern history. The current economic downturn has hit men harder than women, with men suffering about two-thirds of all continued on page, P.22

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email: spubchara@comcast.net www.SilviaForJudge.com In voluntary Compliance with the Judicial Fairness Act. Political Adv. paid for by the Silvia Pubchara-Munoz campaign, Jim Garcia, Treasurer.

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BUSINESS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

“The Coffee That Pays” Looking for a healthier way to drink coffee without it losing its rich, full-embodied flavor? Well, you may have just found it! mericans are said to drink over 400 million cups of coffee each day, which is nearly 52% of the American adult population! We drink coffee in the morning, afternoon and evening. It is our morning staple and our evening pick-me-up, as many of us depend on its caffeine to stay active and alert. For many Americans, drinking coffee has become a ritual. In fact, coffee is only second to water as the most consumed beverage in the world!

Now, if you are a devoted coffee consumer as I am, the words “healthy coffee” may not sound all that appealing. As coffee lovers, we look forward to sipping that cup of fresh brewed coffee and seldom consider any of the ramifications for doing so! With all of the other substitutes for healthy living, the “healthy” coffee alternative may not be one that automatically captures your attention, let alone the change in your pocketbook!

Well, OrGano Gold coffee with Ganoderma Extract may finally be the coffee that does capture your attention, especially for those of us who are looking for a healthier way to consume beverages.

We all know that caffeine is addictive, yet, for many coffee drinkers, the laced down affect of “decaf” just doesn't cut it. As a result, many of us who are in search of that all too important, “kick”, opt for the less healthy of the two - caffeinated.

OrGano Gold is a brand-new exotic coffee blend made from 100% Arabica coffee beans blended with the Reishi Mushroom, also dubbed the King of Herbs.

According to Jason Chenier, an independent consultant for OrGano Gold who has over 15 years of experience in the global supply chain industry as former owner of an importing and exporting company, the Arabica bean is said to have less caffeine than all other varieties of coffee beans. When blended with Ganoderma Extract (found in the Reishi Mushroom), the typical amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee is said to be significantly reduced.

Mr. Chenier also explained the other benefits of the OrGano Gold product and that improvements in overall health have been seen. He states that Ganoderma also oxygenates the body, increasing oxygen to the brain, which in turn helps with mental capabilities and even flexibility. He also stated that Ganoderma helps to balance the P.H. levels in the body and is full of natural antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals.

The Reishi Mushroom is native to Asia, growing in countries such as Japan and China and is hailed as the “mushroom of immortality”. In China, it is known as Ling Zhi, and at one point in history was esteemed by Emperors and

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prized more highly than gold.

Founded by Bernie Chua, the OrGano Gold product has been the number one selling coffee in the Philippines for over 10 years. The OrGano Gold product was introduced to the United States in 2008 and has since created quite a “buzz” in and out of the social drinking community. In its first ten months in the states, the product is said to have had over $7M in sales.

An instant coffee, OrGano Gold comes in three gourmet flavors; Black, Latte and Mocha. The coffee is sold in single packets, by the box in counts of 30 for Black, 20 for Latte and 15 for Mocha, at about .50 per cup. For individuals

who may be in search of a healthier drinking alternative with Ganoderma, but prefer something other than coffee, OrGano Gold also has a delicious green tea that may suit your taste buds. And hot chocolate, a favorite for children (and those of us who are children at heart), is also available!

Mr. Chenier also explained the OrGano Gold Compensation Package and its' “Seven Ways to Get Paid”, which include their Retail (buying product at wholesale) and the Dual Team Builder packages (for consumers and those interested in business opportunities). OrGano Gold's objective is to capture 1% of the coffee market,

which would generate approximately $125M in sales per month!

He further explained that Texas has the highest number of distributors for the OrGano Gold product, placing the Lone Star state in prime position, and making the state a major player in reaching their goal!

Simply put, this means there is potential to make tremendous supplemental income for entrepreneurs and those who may be interested in becoming one, right here at home!

For more information on the OrGano Gold product “The Coffee That Pays” and their weekly networking meetings, or to become an independent consultant please visit Jason

Mr. Chenier may be contacted directly at (832)-421-7102.

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Chenier on the web at http://debtfree.coffeemillions.com/movie_player/. For purchase orders, please visit http://coffeecompany.organogold.com /na/biz/ or contact Mr. Chenier directly at (832)-421-7102 or ntsjasonchenier@netscape.net for free samples.

----------------------------------------------If you are interested in finding out more on products containing Ganoderma, detailed information can be found at: www.pubmed.com.

Pubmed.com is a government run educational website and is not affiliated with the OrGano Gold product line.

MJLM Wealth Solutions Moves Office Locations MJLM Wealth Solutions, the financial planning affiliate of McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy, LLP (MJLM), one of the nation's largest minority-owned accounting and consulting firms, announces the relocation of its office to 4203 Montrose Blvd, Fifth Floor, Houston, Texas 77006.

Established in 2000 through a strategic partnership with Wealth Development Strategies L.P. (WDS), a comprehensive financial services provider, MJLM Wealth Solutions offers comprehensive financial and retirement planning services to individuals as well as private business owners and entertainers.

Since the launch of MJLM space with WDS. Wealth Solutions, the relationship “Everyone involved is excited between MJLM and about the upcoming WDS has seen tremenmove and the profesTEXA S dous success. In order sional opportunities to facilitate this growth as well as that will result,” said MJLM Wealth increased client needs, MJLM Solutions Founder, Thomas Jones Jr. Wealth Solutions has selected a new “By physically joining forces with office location that includes shared Wealth Development Strategies we

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will have access to a myriad of financial resources that allow us to better serve our existing clients while continuing to grow our practice.”

-------------------------------------------Contact information for MJLM Wealth Solutions advisors: C. Allen Robinson at 713-561-8163 or Catina Risper at 713-561-8149.

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UPCOMING

DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING KEEPSAKE EDITION OF “AUBREY” MAGAZINE! CALL US TODAY: 832.212.8735

ARE YOU IN? Houston-Area Attorney Dagnee “Dee” McKinney And Women Just Like Her Will Be The Highlight of “Part Three” Of The People Doing Business Series

®

“DEE” TERMINATION School was scheduled to begin a few weeks later and Dee was uncertain as to whether or not she should miss the fall semester or return. While sitting in her car in the university parking lot, that invisible force, that driver called will, and that power to see things opposite their outward reality - perspective, rose up against every odd and made a decision to keep going.

Even during a period of time when even the most inflexible person would have given her a pass to pout-it-out, perhaps even shout-it-out; she kept her face forward and her mind focused on the intended purpose. And so the phrase “enrolled in college” seems incredibly inappropriate to use in her case; the better phrase would be “that she enrolled in college and vowed (promised, guar~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox anteed, declared, [be] determined) to complete her commitment, especially when we consider that this was only one of the many obstacles that she endured and persevered through. She learned not to take things for granted To chronicle the life of Dagnee “Dee” McKinney is to understand, inexand to understand that tricably, the power of perseverance and determination. Growing up as the you can control your only girl amongst three older brothers, Dagnee McKinney was tomboyish emotions and pain by and uncompromising. Reared in Houston's South Park - an area considgoing to God when the ered by many a place of hopelessness and despair, Dee, as I will refer to hurt is just too much to her, found herself miles away from prosperity. bear. She experienced what, “you have to go This is the story of Dagnee “Dee” McKinney. through to get to” …really meant. She went on to For Dee, as a young child, being poor was a misnomer up until her latter earn her bachelor's degree and give birth to a beautiful baby girl! childhood years, when in elementary school she would experience firsthand the While in the Masters Program at the University of St. Thomas, Dee experireality of what being underprivileged meant and the stigma it carried with it. One enced the most embarrassing moment of her life. During a writing class there day in the first grade, Dee's parents, now without food and money, sent her to was a disagreement about a story involving cowboys and constellations. Dee school without lunch or money to purchase it. Ignorant to a world of bias and parexpressed her opinion about the story, which consequently, enraged the professor, tiality, she notified the school staff of her inability to pay and was ridiculed for com- who then, in the presence of the entire class defiantly said, “People like you ing to school without lunch money and sent home to eat. When she reached BREED ignorance!” Suddenly, Dee felt the most disconcerting sensation as home and told her father what happened, he sent her back to school, still without though her heart had settled in her throat and knew that if she responded, her lunch. In an attempt to embarrass and humiliate her, she was told that they could words would cause her to be expelled. She sat there amid enveloping embaronly give her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk. However, even in all rassment and heard the professor say, “Even their persistence, their attempt to “weaken” her was unsuccessful, as there were Malcolm X could read!” Since they two major assessments the school “failed” to recognize in their evaluation of Dee; were discussing cowboys, she one: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk (preferably ice-cold) was her knew this was clearly a racial favorite meal, and two; if growing up in the ghetto did anything at all for Dee - it statement directed at her. fortified her. It developed within her an unyielding endurance and a will-power that When the class took a break, refused to do anything less than overcome.

Dee feared leaving as she Growing up in her surroundings and under the guidance of strong, intelligent knew she might not return. The women, it's no surprise that Dee, as a teenager, was considered “tough”. After professor came over being called “obnoxious” and “militant” by an 11th grade teacher, she and said, “I have a Ph.D., so I found herself interested and intrigued with the likes of Malcolm X SUPPORTER think I know more than you about and Nikki Giovanni, not because of their beliefs necessarily, but writing.” When Dee returned to class because of the clear-cut identity they displayed. For Dee, the attraction was their the following day the entire class clapped communal link; the fact that they too celebrated their individuality and that their announcing their gratification in seeing her, as they disposition was unambiguous. They exuded confidence within themselves amid a had presumed she'd quit school. The only other populace filled with rejection that more often than not, contradicted their perspecAfrican-American student in the class remarked, “I've tives and consequently, cut them off. Three weeks before graduation, Dee decided never seen a black person turn so red in my life”. to quit high school because she was simply tired of going. However, when she This professor, although equipped with a Ph.D., thought about facing her mother and grandmother with this news, she quickly had not been successful in having any of her changed her mind and graduated with honors from Jesse H. Jones High School. work published. Seeking silent revenge, Dee After graduation, Dee enrolled in Houston Community College. She was so engrossed herself in her writing. Not only did against attending that her mother would drive her to school, wait in the lobby until she prevail to write a story that brought the the classes ended, and drive her home. Her mother knew that Dee would skip entire class to tears, she also managed to school if she were not monitored. This lasted for about a year until Dee finally get her work published that semester. Her grew accustom to college. After graduating from Houston Community College she greatest joy was bringing the published enrolled at the University of St. Thomas (Houston, TX). It somehow seems inapwork to class and making a point to propriate to simply state that Dee merely “enrolled in and then graduated from colshow it to the then-still unpublished prolege”, as if it were some simple achievement or a sort of familial custom acted fessor. After several such incidents, upon in adherence to those who went before her. Dee did not come from a family Dee wrote a letter to the President of of college folks, and moreover, most people in her neighborhood did not even grad- the college, who responded by creatuate from high school. In fact, even though she had excellent grades, Dee never ing a focus group and writing a letapplied for any scholarships to college as no one had ever advised her to do so. ter of apology.

For Dee, at age 22, there had never been an occurrence that was more Dee received her Master's heartbreaking than that of losing her firstborn child and existing through four degree and in a move of protest, dreadful days in which she powerlessly watched him fight for his life. During this refused to participate in the ordeal, Dee burst her stitches while reaching for the phone for news of her newborn's condition and was left with a hole in the dead center of her stomach. To Attorney Dagnee McKinney further test her strength, Dee was late to her son's funeral due to being discontinued on page, P.19 charged late by hospital staff.

There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of the determined soul.

This story is a collaborative writing

by Aubrey Williams and Attorney Dagnee “Dee” McKinney

PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SUPPORTERS — ATTORNEY RON & DR. JONITA REYNOLDS Although a CEO's responsibilities are diverse and demanding, this public servant's civic and community involvements are encompassing: She serves r. Jonita Reynolds, affectionately called, as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the “Dr.J.,” is a native Houstonian, and proven Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, educational and social service leader. As a 2009 American Leadership Forum Fellow, President fifth-generation educator, Dr.J. worked in of the Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation, the Houston Independent School District Facilitator for the Missouri City's Juneteenth for 11 years serving as High School English Teacher, Foundation Villagers 20-20 Program, Education Magnet Coordinator, Internal Consultant, and Director Chair for the Missouri City & Vicinity Branch of of Strategic Management and Quality Improvement. the NAACP, and Advisory Board Member for the Since December 2003, she has served at the helm of College-Bound Beginning at Birth Initiative. the Gulf Coast Community Services Association She is also a member of the Missouri City Links, (GCCSA) as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Inc., Top Ladies of Distinction, and Alpha Kappa As an issue-advocate, Dr.J. vows to win the war Alpha Sorority, Inc. on poverty by providing the highest quality and most In recognition of her dedication to making a difrelevant educational, social, and economic opportuference, this former Ms. Black World-Houston nities for the un-served and under-served populaPageant Winner who also appeared in the George tions. As the CEO of the largest Community Action McKenna Story with Denzel Washington, has Agency in the state of Texas, with over received numerous honors: One of 425 employees spanning 36 sites Houston's 25 Most Influential Women SUPPORTER throughout Harris County, and an annual

by Rolling Out Magazine; Recipient budget in excess of $25 million, she of the American Red Cross' takes the business of empowering vulnerable popula- Humanitarian Award; YMCA's Minority Achievement tions to attain economic independence, very seriousAward; Who's Who in Black Houston; Pine-Sol's ly. Under her strategic leadership and direction, Women Making a Powerful Difference; Leadership GCCSA has exceeded expectations and garnered the Award by the Department of Health and Human support of the elected officials, achieved excellent Services; A Healing Hand of Houston - Outstanding results in all regulatory compliance areas, received People Doing Extraordinary Gestures for the numerous recognitions, increased partnerships, Betterment of Others by the Top Ladies of expanded services, and increased the number of indi- Distinction; Distinguished Achievement Award by the viduals who have transitioned out of poverty.

Ivy Education and Charitable Foundation; Recognizing the importance of an education, Outstanding Community Service Award by We of Dr.J. graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Faith Mission; the Community Service Award by Just University of Houston where she also earned both Between Girlfriends; Named one of the 2007 Women her Master of Education and Doctor of Education in It to Win It by D-MARS Magazine; and featured in Degrees in Educational Leadership and Cultural Cambridge's Who's Who for Executive and Studies. However, more than just attaining degrees, Professional Women and Kipling's Who's Who in Dr.J. gives back, unceasingly, by serving as the Leading Business Professionals. keynote speaker at commencements, promotion cereDr.J. is married to Ronald E. Reynolds, Esq.; monies, church events, and service-oriented prothey reside in Missouri City, Texas, and are memgrams. She believes passionately in that “To whom bers of The Church Without Walls. As long as she much is given, much is required.” Therefore, she is has breath, she vows, “to be deeply rooted, everunapologetic for taking the L-E-A-D in life! growing, and forever serving.”

Dr. Jonita W. Reynolds’ Bio

D

12 •

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

The Life and Legacy of

“Teddy” Article written by Aubrey Williams • continued from page, P.5

world during the fall of 1963. On November 22, while Kennedy was presiding over the Senate an aide rushed in to tell him that his brother, President John F. Kennedy, had been shot; his brother Robert soon told him that the President had died a short while after. As the world seemingly stood still, at a loss and in deep mourning, Ted flew to the family home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, as the delegate selected to deliver to his father, who had recently suffered a stroke, the devastating news. In the years to follow both his personal and professional life would be riddled in tragedy and sorrow, which often lingered, acting as an overhang that would overshadow many of his accomplishments.

Not more than a year after the assassination of his brother, on June 19, 1964, Kennedy was a passenger in a private Aero Commander 680 flying from Washington to Massachusetts that crashed on final approach into an apple orchard in bad weather, in the western Massachusetts town of Southampton. The pilot and Edward Moss, one of Kennedy's aides, were killed. Kennedy was pulled from the wreckage and spent months in a hospital recovering from a severe back injury, a punctured lung, broken ribs and internal bleeding. He suffered chronic back pain for the rest of his life. Kennedy took advantage of his long convalescence to study issues more closely. His time spent in the hospital would be the experience that would trigger his lifelong interest in the provision of health care services.

Kennedy returned to the Senate in January 1965, walking with a cane and employing a stronger and more effective legislative staff. He took on President Lyndon B. Johnson and almost succeeded in amending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to ban the poll tax, gaining a reputation for legislative skill. He was a leader in pushing through the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended a quota system based upon national origin and which, despite Kennedy's predictions at the time, would have a profound effect on the demographic makeup of the United States. He also played a role in creation of the National Teachers Corps.

Following in the Cold Warrior path of his fallen brother, Kennedy initially said he had “no reservations” about the expanding U.S. role in the Vietnam War, acknowledging that it would be a “long and enduring struggle”.

Kennedy held hearings on the plight of refugees in the conflict, which revealed that the U.S. government had no coherent policy for refugees. Kennedy also tried to reform “unfair” and “inequitable” aspects of the draft.

14 •

By the time of a January 1968 trip to Vietnam, Kennedy was disillusioned by the lack of U.S. progress, and suggested publicly that the U.S. should tell South Vietnam, “Shape up or we’re going to ship out.”

Ted initially advised his brother Robert against challenging the incumbent President Johnson for the Democratic

nomination in the 1968 presidential election. Ted recruited political leaders for endorsements to his brother in the Western states.

He was in San Francisco when his brother Robert won the crucial California primary on June 4, 1968; and then after shortly after continued on page, P.15

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS midnight, received the horrifying news that Robert had been shot in Los Angeles. He died a day later. Ted Kennedy was particularly devastated by his death, as he was closest to Robert among all of the Kennedy family; a Kennedy aide said of seeing Ted at the hospital where Robert lay mortally wounded: “I have never, ever, nor do I expect ever, to see a face more in grief.”

After his brothers’ deaths, Ted Kennedy took on the role of surrogate father for their 13 children. His role in their lives was crucial. He demonstrated, in a time of catastrophe, an enormous amount of strength and courage and solidified a place in each of their hearts while capturing the hearts of many individuals around the globe.

Following Republican Richard Nixon’s victory in November, Kennedy was widely assumed to be the front-runner for the 1972 Democratic nomination. In January 1969, Kennedy defeated Louisiana Senator Russell B. Long by a 31-26 margin to become Senate Majority Whip, the youngest person to attain that position. While this further boosted his presidential image, he also appeared conflicted by the inevitability of having to run for the position. The reluctance was in part due to the danger; Kennedy reportedly observed, “I know that I’m going to get my ass shot off one day, and I don't want to.”

Assassination never caught up with Ted, however another tragedy did, and one that would follow him for the rest of his life.

On the night of July 18, 1969, Kennedy was on Martha’s Vineyard's Chappaquiddick Island at a party for the “Boiler Room Girls”, a group of young women who had worked on his brother Robert’s presidential campaign the year before.

Kennedy left the party, driving a 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 with one of the women, 28-yearold Mary Jo Kopechne and later accidentally drove off Dike Bridge into the Poucha Pond inlet, a tidal channel on Chappaquiddick Island. Kennedy escaped the overturned vehicle, swam to safety and left the scene. He did not call authorities until after Kopechne’s body was discovered the following day.

On July 25, Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was given a sentence of two months in jail, suspended. That night, he gave a national broadcast in which he said, “I regard as indefensible the fact that I did not report the accident to the police immediately”, but denied driving under the influence of alcohol and denied any immoral conduct between him and Kopechne. Kennedy asked the Massachusetts electorate whether he should stay in office and, after getting a favorable response, he did so.

Kennedy easily won re-election to another term in the Senate in 1970 with 62 percent of the vote.

During the 1970's Kennedy would fight tirelessly, unwavering in his pursuit to save his son Teddy Jr., who was 12-years old, from bone cancer. Although Teddy survived his battle with cancer, he was forced to have a leg amputated. During this time Kennedy’s marriage to Joan further deteriorated. There have

been several accounts as to why - from Joan’s alleged heavy drinking to Ted's womanizing, whatever the cause(s) the couple divorced in 1981.

In January 1971, Kennedy lost his position as Senate Majority Whip when he lost the support of several members and was defeated by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. Kennedy became chair of the Senate subcommittee on health care and played a leading role with Jacob Javits in the creation and passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971.

In October 1971, Kennedy made his first speech about The Troubles in Northern Ireland that would forcontinued on page, P.16

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS ever change his place in history, namely as an orator.: he said that “Ulster is becoming Britain's Vietnam”, demanded that British troops leave the northern counties, called for a united Ireland, and declared that Protestants who could not accept this “should be given a decent opportunity to go back to Britain” (a position he backed away from within a couple of years). In December 1971, Kennedy strongly criticized the Nixon administration’s support for Pakistan and its ignoring of “the brutal and systematic repression of East Bengal by the Pakistani army”. He traveled to India and wrote a report on the plight of the 10 million Bengali refugees. In February 1972, Kennedy flew to Bangladesh and delivered a speech at Dhaka University, where a killing rampage had begun a year earlier.

In September 1974, Kennedy announced that for family reasons he would not run in the 1976 election, declaring that his decision was “firm, final, and unconditional.”

Kennedy finally ran for the Democratic nomination in the 1980 presidential election by launching an unusual, insurgent campaign against the incumbent Carter, a member of his own party. Kennedy formally announced his campaign on November 7, 1979, at Boston’s Faneuil Hall.

With little mathematical hope of winning the nomination and polls showing likely defeat in the New York primary, Kennedy prepared to withdraw from the race. Carter won 11 of 12 primaries held in May, while on the June 3 Super Tuesday primaries, Kennedy won California, New Jersey, and three smaller states out of eight contests. Overall, Kennedy had won 10 presidential primaries against Carter, who won 24.

His tenure in the Senate would span four decades, with him and his staff pushing some three hundred bills through Congress. He is best known as the driving force in enacting a health care bill, stating that health care reform was “the cause of my life”.

Kennedy was a major player in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90's! Every civil rights bill of the last 45 years had Kennedy’s stamp on it. Every health-care bill of the last 30 years had his imprint on it. Every minimum wage bill of the last 30 years had his imprint on it. Every Supreme Court nomination from 1965 until last month, Kennedy played a huge role in.

Kennedy’s role as a liberal lion in the Senate came to the fore in 1995, when the Republican Revolution took control and legislation intending to fulfill the Contract with America was coming from Newt Gingrich's House of Representatives.[ Many Democrats in the Senate and the country overall were depressed, but Kennedy rallied forces to combat the Republicans. By the beginning of 1996, the Republicans had overreached; most of the Contract had failed to pass the Senate; and the Democrats could once again move forward with legislation, almost all of it coming out of Kennedy’s staff.

On July 16, 1999, tragedy struck the Kennedy family again CALL THE RAINBOW continued on page, P.17

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS when a Piper Saratoga crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha’s Vineyard. The accident killed its pilot John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife and sister-in-law.

Ted paraphrased William Butler Yeats by saying of his nephew: “We dared to think, in that other Irish phrase, that this John Kennedy would live to comb gray hair, with his beloved Carolyn by his side. But like his father, he had every gift but length of years.” Ted now served as a role model for Maria Shriver, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, and other family members. The Boston Globe wrote of the changed role: “It underscored the evolution that surprised so many people who knew the Kennedy’s: Teddy, the baby of the family, who had grown into a man who could sometimes be dissolute and reckless, had become the steady, indispensable patriarch, the one the family turned to in good times and bad.”

Following his endorsement, Kennedy staged a campaign appearance with Barack Obama in Hartford, Connecticut on February 4, 2008, the day before the Super Tuesday primaries.

Kennedy initially stated that he would support John Kerry again should he run for president in 2008, but in January 2007, Kerry said he would not.

Kennedy then remained neutral as the 2008 Democratic nomination battle between Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Barack Obama intensified, as his friend Chris Dodd was also running. Kennedy gave an endorsement to Obama on January 28, 2008, despite appeals by both Clintons not to do so. In a move that was seen as a symbolic passing of the torch, Kennedy said that it was “time again for a new generation of leadership,” and compared Obama’s ability to inspire with that of his fallen brothers. In return Kennedy gained a commitment from Obama to make universal health care a top priority of his administration if elected.

Kennedy’s endorsement was considered among the most influential that any Democrat could get, and raised the possibility of improving Obama’s votegetting among unions, Hispanics, and traditional base Democrats[ as the Super Tuesday primaries approached.

On May 17, 2008, Kennedy suffered a seizure, and then another one as he was rushed from the Kennedy Compound to Cape Cod Hospital and then by helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. [It was originally thought that Kennedy had suffered a stroke, but on May 20, doctors announced that Kennedy had a malignant glioma, a type of cancerous brain tumor. The grim diagnosis brought reactions of shock and prayer from many senators of both parties and from President Bush.

Doctors initially told Kennedy the tumor was inoperable, but he looked around for other opinions and decided on the most aggressive and exhausting course of treatment possible. On June 2, 2008, Kennedy underwent brain surgery at Duke University Medical Center in an attempt to remove as much of the tumor as possi-

ble. The 3-hour operation, conducted by Dr. Allan Friedman while Kennedy was conscious in order to minimize any permanent neurological effects, was deemed successful in its goals.

Kennedy left the hospital a week later to begin a course of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Opinions varied regarding Kennedy’s prognosis: the surgery typically only extended survival time by a matter of months, but sometimes people lived for years. Only time would tell, Kennedy’s fate.

On September 26, 2008, Kennedy suffered a mild seizure while at his home in Hyannis Port, for which he was examined and released from hospital on the same day.

On January 20, 2009, Kennedy attended Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration in Washington, but then suffered a seizure at the luncheon immediately afterwards.

Kennedy died of his tumor on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at his home in Hyannis Port, two weeks after the death of his sister Eunice. He is survived by his wife Victoria, his sister Jean Kennedy Smith, and his three children and two stepchildren.

Kennedy's body traveled a 70mile journey from the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, past numerous landmarks named after his family, to the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts where it lay in repose and where over 50,000 members of the public filed by to pay their respects. Kennedy’s body was returned to Washington, D.C. for burial at Arlington National Cemetery near the graves of his brothers.

Perhaps the best way to summarize the life of Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy is to use the eulogy he spoke at his brother Robert’s funeral. His eulogy went as follows:

‘My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering, and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it. Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest today, pray that what he was to us and what he wished for others will some day come to pass for the entire world. As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he touched and who sought to touch him: ‘Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.’

And so It is. The last of the famed Kennedy brothers has been laid to rest, their lives of prominence and peril asserting that life, however simple – is certainly not easy. Ted Kennedy’s life; however full of difficulty and tragedy, was also a life full of love and giving. Perhaps it was

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his tragic moments, be them filled with heart-break, guilt or shame that pressed forth in him that “lion” we all came to know.

Whatever the reason(s), Ted seemed to understand that he had been given much and that with that came immeasurable responsibility. He took on that responsibility and as a result has helped millions of people around the world. All that tragedy it seems, built up a tremendous courage, and with that Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy had the courage to persevere - even through the deepest devastation.

-----------------------------------------------

“Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run. The daily work - that goes on, is in the end, what adds up.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver

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OPINION SUBMITTED BY CHAIRMAN TOM PAUKEN

Will Government Jobs Keep Growing?

ByTom Pauken Tom Pauken is Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission

G

“Government Jobs Have Grown Since Recession's Start” was the headline of a recent story in The New York Times. The article cited a report from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government which stated that “state and local governments have expanded their payrolls and added 110,000 jobs” since the beginning of the recession in December 2007. The growth in government jobs comes during a period in which approximately 6.9 million private sector jobs have been lost nationally. Even here in Texas (which has the best economy of any large state in the nation), private sector jobs have declined by 266,300 jobs over the past year while government jobs have expanded by 47,100.

Those year-to-year increases in government jobs may be coming to an end as cities and states across the country find themselves faced with declining tax revenues in what has become the worst national recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. For example, the City of Dallas has a $190 million deficit while Houston has a $105 million shortfall in revenues. Don't expect either of those two major Texas cities to go on a hiring spree anytime soon.

Bloomberg News reports that 88 percent of city finance officers say that “they are less able to cover the cost of running their governments than a year earlier.” The article in Bloomberg by William Selway notes that cities continued to increase their spending even after it was clear that we were in a deep recession. Now, local taxing entities can't count on rising property taxes, higher sales tax revenues, and other revenue sources to keep paying for bigger government at the state and local levels. The only solution under these circumstances is to raise taxes. And, this is the worst possible time to do that when individuals and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. That's why the growth in government jobs at the state and local levels is not likely to continue. The money simply isn't there. Nor can cities or states run up massive deficits

18 •

like our federal government does during hard times.

I have long maintained that government doesn't create jobs.

Only the private sector does.

Government is dependent upon a vibrant private sector if it is going to be able to have sufficient tax revenues to provide for necessary public services. The problem with the American economy is that we are not creating enough good-paying jobs in the private sector here in the

United States to pay for a government that continues to cost more.

This is not a new phenomenon which just started happening when we

went into this national economic recession. Floyd Norris of The New York Times has done us all a real service by pointing out that the American economy has added virtually no jobs in the private sector over the last ten years, with the only growth in U.S. employment coming from the public sector. If that doesn't wake up the Washington policy makers to the fact that we need to change our economic policy in order to encour-

age job creation in the private sector, then I don't know what will.

Unless we start encouraging savings and capital investment for job creation here in the United States, all these “governmental stimulus” programs amount to only temporary fixes to a serious structural problem facing the American economy. If we don't change our ways, those government jobs will go away just like those in the private sector already have.

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

“DEE” TERMINATION continued from page, P.13 graduation commencement.

She immediately enrolled to South Texas College of Law and received the Corpus Secundum Award for Excellence in Torts her first semester.

While in law school, and at 8-months pregnant Dee fell through an attic (I told you she was tomboyish)! Despite her injuries she returned to class the very next day, bruised ribs and all. Finally during spring break vacation Dee gave birth to a baby boy and almost immediately, returned to class to participate in a Mock Trial Competition.

This was an especially important event to Dee as the opponents were top law students. Needless to say, Dee (and her partner) won the mock trial competition!

After sixteen years of part-time study, Dee finally obtained her Law degree from South Texas College of Law. It wasn't until graduation day at age 34; Dee realized she had been in school since she was 18 years old.

Before then, she'd never thought about how much time and effort she'd actually put in to reaching her goal. What is more, after all of the cramming: report after report, exam after exam, and all the while pressing through life and its many facets: working fulltime, raising her children, the daily assignment of making sure she raised (elevated) herself, to site a few; at last; on November 6, 1998, Dee passed the State Bar Exam, earning her the right to practice law and serve the people of Texas, making it the happiest day of her life!

Dee began her employment as a paralegal for Jim S. Adler & Associates and continued employment there as an attorney for 12 years and was well known for her candor and wit, and her ability to challenge herself in personal injury matters. During this time Dee became the President of the Fort Bend Young Lawyers Association. She then decided to accept a position as a Personal Injury Partner with another law firm. Soon, however, opportunity presented itself for her to step out on faith and begin her own practice in 2004 as the Law Office of Dagnee McKinney, PLLC. In beginning her own law firm, Dee was at that time, more than any other time before, in a position to “hustle”. She was notorious for passing out business cards at post offices and Wal-Marts, and for placing them on car windows, even to the point of almost being arrested at the Sharpstown Mall shopping complex in Houston, for soliciting. Her persistence paid off nonetheless, and that day in the mall, she picked up a client and was hired to defend a man in Jasper, Texas. When she arrived at the courthouse in Jasper, Dee was treated like royalty but even better, the Deadly Conduct case was dismissed!

Dee's practice allows her to take up special interest in her clients,

getting to know them and their individual situations and most importantly - provide honest legal support, without regard to their socioeconomic status and do so with integrity and with compassion. With focus on personal injury, criminal and family law, Dee's practice is almost equally divided. At present, most of her business comes from referrals from past clients.

The biggest reward for Dee often does not come while in the courtroom at the time of the verdict, but rather well after the verdict has been read. It comes

when she receives follow-up from her former clients who have not only declared wanting to change their life for the better, but who have actually taken action in making that change happen and moreover, doing their best to maintain it. It is especially gratifying for Dee to be able to relate to and speak frankly with her clients. She usually asks the parents to step out of the room so she can speak honestly and sometimes even brutally, to the client's about their situations.

For Dee, it goes so much

further beyond winning a case.

Her position asserts, “What good have you done if you've won a case but have done nothing to try and help that person build a better understanding, to change his or her perspective on life? If there's been nothing done to help cultivate change within a person, was the case “really” won? What good is done when a criminal, convicted or not, be allowed back onto the street and there have been no words of caution, of genuine concern, of encouragement, of hope…spoken into their lives? The process

of going through court and even the prospect of serving time in jail or prison certainly do not always deter criminal behavior.

We know that through evidence of recidivism. Perhaps the solution for the world's ills does not rest on your or my tongue, although it very well may. I am convinced however, that our words can mean the world to one somebody and totally reshape their mindset. Words have the power to activate what continued on page, P.21

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LEGAL CORNER FROM ADAMS & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.

HOW DO I PROTECT MY BUSINESS NAME?

By Aaron G. Adams, Esq.

Frequently clients come to my office wanting to start a business. By the time of their arrival they have at least thought about their business name and have some concerns about protecting it from being used by others. The more savvy clients may have already registered an Assumed Name, also known as a fictitious business name, or DBA ("doing business as"), and/or purchased an Internet domain name in hopes of thwarting the efforts of would be infringers.

The reality is that neither of the above mentioned methods alone or together are sufficient to protect a business name. The client then asks, "What do I need to do as a business owner to protect my business name?" The short answer is to obtain a Trademark and use it in conjunction with a Domain Name and/or Assumed Name.

A trademark is a word, phrase, logo, or other graphic symbol used by a manufacturer or seller to distinguish its product or products from those of others. It is not a requirement that a trademark be registered. However, registration confers benefits that are not available if you do not register.

The major benefits of registering a trademark are the presumption that you are the owner of the mark for the goods and services specified and the entitlement to use the mark nationwide. In order to avoid the pitfalls of registration always see an attorney.

An assumed name, fictitious business name, or DBA ("doing business as") allows you to legally do business as a particular name without having to create a business entity such as a Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership, etc... You can conduct business and present yourself under your assumed name. The main function of an Assumed Name is to allow consumers and others to ascertain the person or legal entity behind the business name. An assumed name is only necessary if you have not created a formal business entity such as those listed above.

A domain name is a unique name that identifies one or more numerical Internet proto-

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col addresses. An example of a domain name is "www.microsoft.com" As the law currently stands it is possible to register a domain name that is not already taken without regard to whether that name is trademarked by a third party. However, this is not advised because courts are increasingly siding against this practice. If you eventually plan on doing business on the

Internet at some point it is advised to register your domain as soon as you receive your trademark.

In the planning stages of your business it is crucial to choose a business name for the long term. The first step is to obtain a Trademark, as it is the most important of the three methods mentioned above in terms of protection and it differentiates your products and services

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from your competitors'.

Thereafter you should register your trademark as a domain name to claim your space on the Internet. Lastly, if necessary, an Assumed Name should be acquired. By recognizing how each method reinforces the other you can establish a business name that is protected and easily marketable as a brand.

Aaron Gabriel Adams is a practicing attorney in the Houston area focusing on Business, Intellectual Property, and Real Estate Law. Have a margin tax question? or Do you have a general Legal Question? Contact him at aaronadams@aalawoffice.com or his office at 713-566-1990.

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FEATURE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AUBREY WILLIAMS

“DEE” TERMINATION continued from page, P.19 lies dormant. We place so much emphasis on the “big” things when it's the small things that matter most. It does not require much effort on our part, what it does require is the ability to see beyond self - in order to spot the bigger picture. It's really only a matter of each one of us taking the initiative to set the pace.”

Dee's practice allows her to deal with family issues from both the male and female perspectives. The process of divorce can be easier if parties decide to accept and not vow to hurt. She does not try to postpone the inevitable and counsels both parties in areas of self-esteem as well.

Although gregarious in nature, Dee has never been one to try and fit into circles and has always opted to take the road less traveled. It's not always fun, but for Dee, it's what works best.

Dee believes in being true to herself. When not in a business suit, you will catch her in tennis shoes, a baseball cap and jeans.

Furthermore, the theory that fewer people equals to more space, and thus more freedom and peace of mind for Dee, has proven itself quintessential. She has more time to focus on the areas in her life that are most dear to her: raising her children and providing for them opportunities she never had and caring for the grandmother that helped rear her. To recall being hungry at night and not having food to eat, the luxury of choosing from more than one or two pairs of shoes, to watching her mother worry about whether or not the lights would be on when her children came home from school, was all the incentive Dee needed to ensure that her children never had to endure the type of hardships that come from being poor.

The one thing that growing up poor didn't mean for Dee (and many other children reared in the ghetto) was to grow up without love, guidance and direction. Whatever needs Dee may have lacked physically: food and clothes namely, her mother and grandmother made up for emotionally, spiritually and intellectually; always teaching their children the value of love, hope, respect and education. These qualities have carried over into her adult life, proving that people, including children do not require “perfection” and that we can adjust to the fact that people are fallible and, in the process, learn something about human nature and about living. Given love and adequate support we can withstand even severe hardships - including those experiences that are beyond our control - and still turn out just fine.

Dee doesn't see her life as having been difficult; it's only when she hears it played back from the mouths of others that she understands how they could see it that way. She counts the death of her firstborn, as a

blessing because lessons learned during that time could not have been learned any other way than through experience.

She also realizes that her prayers for a stronger faith in God had become a reality during her toughest times. She prides herself on growing up poor because she developed an appreciation for things that her children are unable to comprehend, and she wouldn't have had it any other way.

After interviewing Dee, I made a comment to her regarding her spirit. She later men-

tioned to me that as we ended our conversation, she'd wondered what it was that I saw in her, that she did not herself see, and furthermore, that she was puzzled by what I'd said. In fact, it made her uncomfortable to think about it. With that said, I'd like to expound on the statement I made to Dee that evening, and how walking with her through the telling of her life story has affected my life story, both personally and professionally, and in the most profound way.

Dee's life is an example of that determined soul; a life that

bases its self worth and value not on that of which is tangible, but intangible: love, honesty, dignity, kindness and even courage. There is no doubt that Dee was born with an inherent strength and an indomitable spirit, nevertheless, I believe now that courage is primarily a learned behavior, a behavior not necessarily instinctive but developed. Courage is a behavior that without tribulation can neither develop nor increase.

We know that as individuals we are affected by all that we experience; but it is the long

run, broad-range picture that matters; the sum total of all that we are exposed to. And so if growing up having to struggle was the initiator in developing the character of this most incredible woman and is therefore the grounds for which I write this article, we can only determine that struggle can be a very good thing. Her life demonstrates that our strength is perfected in weakness and that the most important factor during the “trial” is never really our problem - the most important factor is our perspective.

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ADVERTISE HERE! THE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS SHOWCASE is a monthly platform sponsored by the businesses showcased. All advertisements are accepted at the discretion of the publisher. Although Aubrey R. Taylor Communications makes every effort to check the authenticity of our advertisements, we accept no responsibility or liability for the contents therein. The advertiser assures that advertisements will not contain any matter that is libelous or violates any person's right of privacy or constitutes copyright infringement or is otherwise contrary to law. The advertiser assumes all responsibility in connection with the advertisement placed in this publication. Aubrey R. Taylor Communications shall be held harmless from any claim, loss, damage (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be incurred or suffered for any reason including but not limited to a breach of any kind associated with advertisers included in this section. What are you waiting for? Call today to get started! Advertising in this section is an excellent way to promote your business in 2009!

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Set Your Appointment Today!: advertise@houston-businessconnections.com PEW RESEARCH CENTER ALALYSIS continued from page, P.8 recession-related job losses. As often happens in a recession, a portion of these newly unemployed workers have become discouraged about finding jobs and have dropped out of the labor force altogether.

Other Findings This report is based on a Pew Research Center analysis of long-term trends in survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as on Pew Research’s own survey of a representative national sample of 1,815 people ages 16 and older conducted from July 20 to Aug. 2, 2009. Among its other key findings: * Security trumps salary. By a ratio of nearly two-to-one, survey respondents say they would prefer a job that offers better security (59%) over one that offers higher pay (33%) but less stability. It’s not the recession that drives this preference. A similar question asked by the General Social Survey in 1989 (when the economy was in the midst of an expansion) produced a similar result. * Despite tough times, job satisfaction remains high. Even in the face of widespread layoffs, pay freezes and involuntary furloughs, nine-in-ten employed adults say they are either completely (30%) or mostly (60%) satisfied with their job. In recent decades, levels of job satisfaction have tended to remain stable through good times and bad. * Older workers are the happiest workers. Some 54% of workers ages 65 and older say they are “completely satisfied” with their job, compared with just 29% of workers ages 16 to 64. The explanation lies in figures cited above – a high percentage of these workers are working because they want to, not because they need to. * Retirement is not always voluntary.

Only about half (51%) of all current retirees say they retired because they wanted to. About a third (32%) say they had to retire for health or other reasons, and about one-in-ten (9%) say their employer forced them to retire. * Even so, retirement gets high marks.

More than half of all retirees (57%) say their retirement has turned out to be very satisfying; an additional 23% say it has been fairly satisfying. Only about one-insix describe retirement as not too (10%) or not at all (6%) satisfying. * The public is skeptical about full-time working moms. Just 14% of men and 10% of women say that a full-time job is the "ideal" situation for a woman who has a young child. A plurality of the public (44%) say a part-time job is ideal for such a mother, while a sizable minority (38%) say the ideal situation is for her not to work outside the home at all. * Most working moms would rather have a part-time job. Among mothers of young children who have a full-time job outside the home, six-in-ten (61%) say they would prefer to work part time. By contrast, just 19% of fathers who have a full-time job and a young child say they would prefer to work part time.

22 •

Iraqi Women Take Business Into Their Own Hands continued from page, P.1 Division South. “Programs like these can prove to both men and women that women are competitive and competent in almost any field of work.”

Jasim al-Sarraf, a business development consultant with Regional Contracting Center Basra, noted that most contractors in Iraq are men. “We know for sure that there are many educated women in this society,” he said.

“The university is pumping students out every year. They need jobs. They need income. And if they don't have it, they’ll end up sitting at home.”

Civil affairs and contractors help Iraqi women by introducing business opportunities. They also train them on becoming a Defense Department-contracted

company, from filling out paperwork to learning contracting rules and ethics.

“It’s our job to find them, get them out, encourage them to have a company, show them the way to do it, and train them," Sarraf said.

In 2008, the command awarded 4 percent of its contracts to women-owned businesses, totaling $187 million. Adding on to past successes, this year, the aspirations are even higher.

“Joint Contracting Command Iraq has made it a goal to award 10 percent of its contracts to women contractors,” Demapan said. “Women contractors will only compete amongst other women contractors. Past contracts done by women contractors resulted in quality, professional work.”

Both Sarraf and Demapan said they believe the conference was beneficial for the women who attended.

“My objective is first encouraging them, stimulating them,” Sarraf said, “then to give them a general idea about the contracts, and tell them that “We are here to help you.’”

Demapan said the women were eager for details, and many asked how to fill out contractor applications. “And even before the conference took place, 40 women contractors applied to [the command] to be added into their database system of contractors.”

Iraqi women at the conference also expressed a desire to give back to their communities.

“Some of the women were very passionate in wanting to help other women in rural areas,”

Demapan said. “Some spoke of outreach programs concerning health care and humanitarian assistance for women in rural areas.”

Demapan said she hopes to help women understand how their roles as business owners can offer Iraq even more than economic development.

“The ladies and I share a commonality, in that we are mothers,” Demapan said.

“Mothers only want the best provided for their children. That entails building a strong Iraq for their children.

“I wanted to convey to them that all Iraqis – men and women – have a stake in the future of Iraq,” she continued, “[and] that the women of Iraq need ... to be recognized as major players in policy-making and decision-making for their motherland.”

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ness. However, although the teacher was there, where were all the students who were invited? You would think that finding out about advanced strategies on building wealth using your business and networking would be of common interest. Attendance and a good Cajun meal at Boudreaux's were free. So why wasn't there a line outside the door trying to attend?

Admittedly, Thursday evening is a popular night for many events held.

But as a business owner, to have crystal clear clarity about building and protecting your wealth, that has to be sought out on purpose. Thus, the student has to be receptive and purposely looking for the teacher. The good news is that you do not have to look much further, because on Thursday October 1st, we will have another “Building Wealth Through Your Business” educational workshop at Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen at 6:00 pm. Seating is limited so make sure you RSVP at 713-260-1358.

Most importantly, be prepared to make a wealth building paradigm mental shift and to showcase your business.

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continued from page, P.2

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