Butterfield’s Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

For Release:  Immediate

Date:  January 28, 2014

Contact: Kezmiché “Kim” Atterbury            

             Office: (202) 225.3101               

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Butterfield’s Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement regarding tonight’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Obama unveiled a bold agenda to create and expand opportunity for all Americans.  In his speech, he touched on the pervasiveness of income inequality caused by stagnant minimum wages, shrinking access to education, and limited opportunities for upward mobility.

“The top 1 percent of American households earn above $394,000 each year, while the top 50 percent only earn $35,000 each year.  And those living in extreme poverty earn even less.

“In my congressional district alone, one in four people live in poverty, including 73,000 children.  We have the highest unemployment rate of all congressional districts in North Carolina, yet last year Governor Pat McCrory and the General Assembly caused the state’s long term unemployed to go without federal emergency unemployment insurance.

“So I applaud the President for reiterating his desire to work with Congress to raise the federal minimum wage and immediately boost 4.6 million Americans out of poverty.  I am pleased the President will also, through Executive Order, raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour for people working under new federal contracts.  But it cannot stop there.  Swift and decisive action needs to be taken on other poverty-reduction measures such as passing an extension to unemployment insurance, reforming the tax code, and investing in job creation and training programs.

“I am hopeful that the President’s speech marks the beginning of a long and sustained effort to address Americans everyday challenges.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to move the President’s agenda forward and create opportunity for all.”

http://Butterfield.House.Gov

Mayor David W.Combs to issue State of the City Address.

For Immediate Release

February 8, 2012

Media contact: Kim Weaver,interim Public Affairs Manager

252/972-1274 kim.weaver@rockymountnc.gov

 

Mayor David W. Combs will address the community and City Council regarding the State of the City prior to the City Council Meeting on Monday, February 12, 2012. Mayor Combs will assess the challenges and opportunities of 2011, and how the City responded to them.

Hurricane Irene, the local economy, and public safety issues top the challenges of the year 2011. However, the city excelled in the vast improvements downtown including the Douglas Block Revitalization, the Downtown Streetscape, and WI-FI in downtown City venues. The City began an EnergyShare opportunity for the citizens of Rocky Mount. This program will continue into 2012 to provide rebates for attic insulation and/or HVAC replacement.

The mayor will also discuss the exciting Twin Counties Visioning and Strategic Plan Project and how it will open up new opportunities for the City.

The Mayor anticipates making the State of the City an annual event. The community is encouraged to attend. All are welcome to the George W.Dudley City Council Chamber at 7 pm to hear the Mayor’s comments.

Town Hall Meeting - Crime, Courts, Juvenile Justice

Time

Thursday, June 9 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm

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Location

Rocky Mount Judicial Center

305 Cokey Road

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

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Created By

City of Rocky Mount

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More Info

Mayor David W. Combs and the Rocky Mount City Council invite you to attend this Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 6:00 pm at the Rocky Mount Judicial Center. This meeting is the fourth of a series of Town Hall Meetings being held throughout Rocky Mount; Councilman Lamont Wiggins is coordinating this particular meeting.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

The Honorable Robert Evans
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SEVENTH PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

Dick Jenkins
NASH COUNTY SHERIFF

James L. Knight
EDGECOMBE COUNTY SHERIFF

John Manley, Chief
ROCKY MOUNT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Capt. Keith Stone
NC HIGHWAY PATROL

Mike Walston
CHIEF JUVENILE COURT COUNSELOR

Rally in Raleigh date change

After reviewing the date and time of the rally we decided to change it to Thursday, June 2nd from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The legislature is out on Fridays and we felt it important to hold the rally when our representatives are present.

Please pass the information along and help get the word out.

Several anti-equality, "pro-marriage" groups gathered in Raleigh this week for a rally of their own. They had several thousand people show up to demand passage of SB106. It is our time to gather in unison for equality.

You've heard the saying "If you are not outraged you're not paying attention". Outrage is easy, action is hard. Are you willing to take action? You've sent in postcards, signed petitions, sent emails to your representatives, now it is time to join together, united, and make a stand. Will you stand with us to let our North Carolina lawmakers know that we refuse to be even further alienated from and discriminated by our government? We are all equal, and it is time our government started treating us as such.

Our message to NC legislators: we are your neighbors, your doctors, your lawyers, your teachers, your child care providers, your mothers, your fathers, your sons, your daughters, your brothers, your sisters. We are your constituents. We are your fellow human beings. We deserve more and will no longer settle for less.

Stay up to date at www.getequalnc.org/rally-in-raleigh/

Contacts us:

Jonathan Green, SAGA

jsg47235@yahoo.com

Angel Chandler, GetEQUAL NC

angel@getequalnc.org
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Dream Act

For Immediate Release
Senators Reintroduce the DREAM Act
May 11, 2011
Washington, D.C. - Today,
Senators Richard Durbin, Harry Reid, and Robert Menendez re-introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Last fall, the DREAM Act passed the House of Representatives, and garnered the support of a majority in the Senate, but was ultimately defeated when the Senate failed to invoke cloture and proceed to debate. The sponsors of the DREAM Act hope to build on last year's momentum and continue to highlight the importance of fully utilizing the talent and potential of thousands of young people who are Americans in every way but their birth certificates.

First introduced in 2001, the DREAM Act would address the plight of young immigrants who have been raised in the U.S. and managed to succeed despite the challenges of being brought here without proper documentation.

The proposal would offer a path to legal status to those who have graduated from high school, stayed out of trouble, and plan to attend college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years.

Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, many at the top of their classes, but cannot go on to college, join the military, work, or otherwise pursue their dreams.

They belong to the 1.5 generation: immigrants brought to the United States at a young age who were largely raised in this country and therefore share much in common with second-generation Americans. These students are culturally American and fluent in English, growing up here and often having little attachment to their country of birth.

The moral, intellectual and practical rationale for the DREAM Act is overwhelming. The White House supports it. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice, entrusted with enforcing and implementing our immigration laws, support it. The Department of Education and America's academic and faith community support it, as well as state legislators, community groups, and the American public. The DREAM Act is even part of the Department of Defense's 2010-2012 Strategic Plan to assist the military in its recruiting efforts.

Despite broad support for the legislative proposal, the divisive political environment around immigration poses an enormous challenge for the DREAM Act. If Congress fails to act, the Administration can and should take more decisive steps to ensure that the values driving their legislative agenda are reflected in their implementation and interpretation of current law. DHS should ensure that its officers use their prosecutorial discretion to defer the removal of any eligible student caught up in the broken immigration system.

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Racist Tricks of Extreme Ultra-Conservative Republican Tea Party

Immediate Release

5 May 2011

Contact:  Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137

                Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

                Atty.  Al McSurely, Communications Chair, lawyers@mcsurely.com

RE-SEGREGATE THE BLACK VOTE

Racist Tricks of Extreme Ultra-Conservative Republican Tea Party

Politicians Exposed

"The extreme right-wing, ultra-conservative tea party that has apparently captured the North Carolina Republican Party has gotten so cocky, it now brags in public about its plans to use tactics rooted in racism and political segregation in order to gain and control political power," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the NC NAACP. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), recently bragged to the Washington media:

"It's politically probable that there will be a new minority influence district.  Republicans should pick up three seats under any fair and legal [redistricting] map. That is huge. No other state in the nation would gain as many Republican seats. This would be in a state that Barack Obama won in 2008 and where we have had a Democratic governor since 1992 - the longest such period in the nation. A 9-4 [Republican majority] delegation is pretty good and would attempt to avoid the risk of a bad year for Republicans. Clearly, Reps. Kissell and Miller are serving their final term."

"Let us look at the racist implications of McHenry's statement," Rev. Barber said. "When he says 'minority influence district' he means the tea party wants to draw new lines around Black areas, and lump us all into a third segregated voting District. Their aim is to remove progressive black voters out of surrounding areas, where we can create a strong voting majority with the growing number of white and brown progressives to get our anti-racism, anti-poverty agenda passed.  McHenry and the extreme ultra-conservative Tea Party Republicans want to defeat our progressive agenda, and take us back to their good old days.  John Tedesco wants to keep us in our 'neighborhoods.'  Ron Margiotta wants to keep 'the animals' in our 'cages.'  McHenry wants to resegregate our voting districts so the tea party can win 9 out of 13 of North Carolina's congressional seats and pass their regressive agenda.

"In 1898, the racist red shirts murdered scores of Black people who had created a fusion alliance with progressive white people in Wilmington and were building a world-class port city.

For the next 67 years, the red shirts, with their white friends in high places, disenfranchised one-third of Southern voters--all of us with black skins.  In 1965, after many courageous anti-racism fighters--Black and White and Jewish--were murdered, beaten and jailed, the Congress passed the Voting Rights Act.  This set the stage for the long struggle to insure the safety and protection of our voting rights.  Five years ago, Congress found that white supremacists still use voter suppression and dilution tricks, and re-authorized the VRA for another 25 years.  Now, the virtually all-white tea party ultra-conservative wing of the Republican Party is trying an end run of the VRA.  The NAACP will continue to fight to guarantee the right of every voter of color to cast her ballot against the tricks of the tea party and, at the same time, build a new progressive fusion alliance that can usher in a society of human beings of all colors, a beautiful diverse society--One North Carolina."

"We're sick and tired of the tea party's politics of yesterday. Black people can count too, Mr. McHenry. We understand your racist game. This is 2011. It's our agenda of tomorrow vs. your agenda of yesterday. The new fusion of Black, Brown and White voters who want to move North Carolina forward is forming. The Tea Party wants to segregate our Congressional Districts--three Black and 10 White.  We say No to Re-Segregating our Schools and our Voting Districts. Yes to One North Carolina."

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.  For more information, call the State Office at 866-626-2227 or e-mail us at execdirnaacpnc@gmail.com.  ###

NAACP Sponsors Education Forum to Discuss Possible Legislative Impacts on Public Education

MEDIA ADVISORY

Immediate Release

March 21, 2011                                 

Contact:  Rev. Andre’ D. Knight, President, (252) 544-2949

Reuben Blackwell, NC NAACP Community Coordination Chair (252) 544-3343

    

NAACP Sponsors Education Forum to Discuss Possible Legislative Impacts on Public Education

Rocky Mount, NC – The Rocky Mount Branch of the NAACP, in conjunction with area ministers, will host a discussion with local and statewide leaders in education.  “The NC General Assembly is on a fast track to drastically change the face of public education,” Andre’ Knight, President of the Rocky Mount Branch said. “We want to make sure that our local legislators and the people they serve understand the full ramifications that Senate Bill 8 will have on public schools in the Nash/Rocky Mount and Edgecombe County Public Schools.”  This bill deals with lifting the cap on charter schools in North Carolina as well as their funding and governance.

The Education Forum will be held in the OIC Auditorium located at 402 E. Virginia Street at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th.  Reuben Blackwell, NC NAACP Community Coordination Chair stated, “The North Carolina NAACP and the HKonJ coalition has made a clear call to all chapters throughout the state to support progressive legislation that helps every child in North Carolina receive a sound education.  We want to have a good dialogue that might help our legislators craft and support bills that will move our state forward, not cripple and destroy public education opportunities for every child.” 

Confirmed panelists to date are: Rick McMahon, Retiring Nash/Rocky Mount Public Schools Superintendent; Marvin Pittman, Education Consultant and former Associate Superintendent of NC Public Schools; Evelyn Wilson, Chair of the Edgecombe County Board of Education; Michael Pratt, Headmaster, Rocky Mount Preparatory School; Keith Sutton, Wake County School Board Member; and NC Rep. Angela Bryant.  The complete delegation of members of the NC General Assembly from the Twin Counties has been invited to attend and participate.

Andre’ Knight added, “This forum is for everyone. We want to be able to discuss issues related to charter schools, education tax credits and any other issue that is relevant to the education of our children and that will either help our eastern North Carolina economies grow or fail.  We need everyone to be concerned and to attend. ” 

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Hate Crimes Conference with the F.B.I

Time Wednesday, April 6 · 4:00pm - 7:00pm

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Location Lumina Theater-Univeristy of North Carolina Wilmington

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Created By OutReach, Amy Schlag

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More Info

Enjoy us for a fascinating and timely discussion of Hate Crimes and Hate Crimes Legislation. This event is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

INTRODUCTION: Keith H. Bethke Jr., FBI Resident Agencies Supervisor, Wilmington and Raleigh

PRESENTATION ON HATE CRIMES: The FBI's Civil Rights Program from Washington HQ will be conducting an unclassified presentation on Hate Crimes. It will include definitions of Federal Hate Crimes statutes (Ma......tthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), nationwide statistics on Federal Hate Crimes cases, and examples of Federal Hate Crimes Cases previously worked by the FBI and other agencies.

SERVICES: Victim Specialist Kory Williford, FBI Charlotte Division, Office for Victim Assistance Rapid Deployment Team. Kory Williford will discuss services provided by the FBI’s Raleigh Resident Agency program to victims of Hate Crimes.

HATE CRIMES INTELLIGENCE: Tom Kuhl will conduct a brief presentation on Southeastern North Carolina Hate Crimes statistics and how Hate Crimes affect our local community.

HATE CRIMES PANEL DISCUSSION: Moderator Buffy Ruffin, Coordinator of Multicultural Student Affairs.

SHOWING OF S.P.I.C. The Storyboard of My Life (27mins)

CLOSING REMARKS: Quynh Rcom