| Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C. H K
Car<&una Indian
[ Building Communicative Bridges In A Tri-Racial Setting"
VOLUME 28 NUMBER / THURSDA Y, JANUARY 4, 2001 25c
k ~~ " ???????? if
First Baptisiholds Dedication
for new Fellowship Hall
First Baptist Church of Pembroke~ej^i08 Union Chapel Road, Pembroke,
NC held its dedication service for the new Fellowship Hall on
iDecember 10, 2000. The service was conducted by the Rev. Kent Chavis
\with special guest speaker Dr. Mike Cummings, President of the NC Baptist
State Convention. Shown in the photo for the presentation of the keys to
'the Church is (left to right) Charles Oxendine, Chairman of the Building
Committee, Tim Bell of Certified Construction, Contractor, and Rev. Kent
1Chavis, Pastor.
"Atomic Veterans" can
! acquire free VA benefits
WASHINGTON (Dec. 29, 2000) '
- "It's about time " That's how the
leader of the nation's largest veterans
organization reacted today to regulai
tions to be proposed by Acting
i Department of Veterans Affairs Seci
retary Hershal Gober that would make
it easier for "atomic veterans" to ac|
quire free-of-charge VA health care
and disability compensation.
| Certain veterans suffering from
i cancer of the bone, brain, lung, colon
j or ovary would be presumed to be
| ailing from exposure to ionizing ra'
diation related to military service,
! which means veterans with those diagnoses
would have easier time
. proving they are eligible for benefits.
Currently, "atomic veterans" are
those who participated in atmospheric
nuclear tests conducted in the 1940's,
* "50s and ' 60s or were held captive in
1 Japan or participated in the occupation
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But
! under the new rules. VA would also
recognize those who were at underground
tests in Alaska and those who
were assigned to certain nuclear weapi
ons plants in Kentucky, Ohio, and
j Tennessee.
"It's about time the government
stop forcing these veterans to fight
j two wars- one for freedom and the
! other for the benefits they earned,"
? American Legion National Commander
Ray G. Smith said,
j "Veterans exposed to ionizing raS
diation have been through hell,
i m -
working hard to prove their illness
are service-connected while suffering
from the gave scars of- their
sacrifice. I commend Acting Secretary
Gober for doing the right thing
for veterans as the administration
also reaches out to sick civilians who
manufactured America's nuclear arsenals.'
The new rules would extend eligibility
for benefits to those exposed to
radiation connected to underground
nuclear tests at Amchitka Island,
Alaska, prior to 1974, and at gaseous
diffusion plants in Paducah, Ky.:
Portsmouth, Ohio; and Oak Ridge,
Tenn. (area K25). " Conspicuously
missing is the nuclear facility at
Hanford, Washington, which has had
a long history of radiation problems."
Smith said, recommending it added
to the list. "Civilians at these plants
are also eligible under the Radiation
Exposure Compensation Act of 1990
for diseases related to exposure to
beryllium and silica. VA should
apply the same standards to veterans
who served on active duty at these
plants."
The American Legion successfully
represented a major claimant: Orville
E. Kelly, who in 1979 was awarded
disability compensation by the VA
for his radiation-linked cancer. The
landmark case set the stage for the
awarding of benefits to thousands of
"atomic veterans."
students may become legislators
i for a weekend during 2001 Youth
Legislative Assembly
If you are a high school student,
j here's your chance for your opinions
to be heard by North Carolina's government
leaders. N.C. students in
grades 9-12 are invited to become
"legislators for a weekend" during
the 2001 Youth Legislative Assembly
(YLA) March 16-18.
Space is limited for the 31st annual
mock assembly, which is
expected to attract approximately 250
students from throughout the state.
Feb. 2 is the registration deadline.
YLA will meet at the Radisson
I Governors Inn in the Research Tri;
angle Park, beginning with a general
j session at noon Friday, March 16,
and 'concluding midday Sunday,
March 18. The $160 student registration
fee includes overnight
^ accommodations for two nights (four
students to a room), five meals, a Tshirt
and all conference materials.
During the assembly, participants
will meet with one of 10 assigned
committees: children and family,
civil rights, constitutional and government
affairs, criminal justice,
education, environment, health affairs,
human sexuality, substance
abuse, and youth affairs. The young
legislators are expected to write, debate
and vote on a number of bills,
including one prohibiting the use of
cell phones while operating an automobile
and another proposing a
five-year moratorium on capital punishment
in North Carolina. A final
report will be forwarded to the governor
and other state leaders.
YLA is sponsored annually by the
Youth Advocacy and Involvement
Office (YAIO) in the N.C. Department
of Administration.
To register or for more information,
visit YAIO's Web site (http://
www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/yaio/
ylal.htm) or contact Reginald Ronald
Holley, YLA coordinator, Youth
Advocacy and Involvement Office,
(919) 733-9296.
Bruce Jenner to speak
at UNCP January 9
PEMBROKE ,N.C.? Olympic hero Bruce Jenner will speak at the
Givens Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Mr. Jenner will answer questions from the public from 8:30 - 9 p.m and
be available to the press at 9 p.m for 30 minutes. His appearance is part of
UNC Pembroke's Distinguished Speaker Series.
Admission is S5 and free to students.
Mr. Jenner, who captivated the world's attention winning the gold medal
in 1976 in the Decathlon, gives audiences a motivational message. He
recently published the book, "Finding the Champion Within," which is stepby-step
plan for self-improvement in all areas of life.
He has written several other books, including "The Decathlon Challenge:
The Bruce Jenner Story" and Bruce Jenner's Viewer Guide to the Olympics."
He has made numerous venture appearances on TV, including sports
commentary and in dramatic roles.
Mr. Jenner has been a spokesman for many company's products. His latest
business venture with his wife Kris is a series of health and fitness products.
The Distinguished Speaker Series continues Feb. 14 with Julian Bond and
Oliver North on April 10.
Hope to see you there. Call if you have questions.
Local Task Force Meeting
Held December 14
The Robeson County Syphilis
Elimination Task Force met December
14, 2000 at Robeson County
Department of Public Health. The
Task Force was formed in February
of 2000 to combat the spread of
syphilis in Robeson County, which
currently has more cases than any
other county in North Carolina.
The Purpose of the meeting was to
organize the Task Force around specific
recommendations for syphilis
prevention. The Task Force formed
subcommittees based on prioritized
recommendations from community
leaders and members. The subcommittees
are: Education, Collaboration,
Social Marketing and Mobile Van
Acquisition.
The Task Force is currently seeking
new members. It is not necessary
to become a member in order to
support syphilis elimination efforts.
Suggestions can be made to members
of the task force; and members of the
community are free to attend task
force meetings. If you are interested
in participating in any way, please
contact Susan Sheets, RN at (910)
671-3218 or Lumbee Davis at (919)
733-9557. The next meeting is January
16, 2001 at 1:30 p.m. at the
Robeson County Department of Public
Health.
Light refreshments will be served.
Pembroke BPW continues to
promote women and children
The Pembroke Business and Professional Women's Organization
continues to make strong efforts in promoting and supporting women
and children.
Myron Chavis, staff attorney of the Lumbee River Legal Services,
spoke to the organization concerning practice in the field of law, as she
promoted her career in sharing the awards received and the hard work
she experiences. Ms. Chavis attended the University of Greensboro and
received her law degree at Carolina in 1998. She has been practicing law
for one and one half years.
December 8, the organization sponsored a dance at the Pembroke JC
Hunt in which the proceeds will provide scholarships for female students
who desire to pursue their college education.
Members and their guests also attended a Christmas dinner at
Adelio's and collected money to assist two ladies within the Pembroke
area who needed financial assistance.
Dr. Felicia Turner will be the guest speaker for the organization's
February 5, 2001 monthly meeting.
The organization encourages those who are interested in its purpose
and goals and wish to attend any meetings or join to please contact
president Marie Moore at 521-4421.
Town of Pembroke Honors
Fire Department Volunteers
To get in the middle of the night
or early hours in the morning, leaving
your family and warm house,
takes much devotion and great concern
for the people in general.
Individuals involved in this scenario
rescue victims of fire hazards and
tragedies as people are in constant
danger of losing their homes, their
lives ,and even their love ones. What
greater love can anyone show to a
person in need, especially when these
concerned individuals perform such
hazardous tasks without pay?
As a way to express appreciation
for the volunteer workers of the Pembroke
Fire Department, the town of
Pembroke provided an annual dinner
to the workers Friday, December
22 at the fire department.
"They're here quickly. They arc
no problem; they work well and
they're devoted," stated fire chief,
Ray Hunt.
Master of ceremony and assistant
fire chief, Earl Demcry, welcomed
everyone and shared how the volunteers
of the fire department gave
much of themselves to protect so
many lives from fires engulfing
homes, lives and property. As with
any other business, team, or group,
individuals are recognized for their
diligent efforts and meaningful sacrifices
they demonstrate beyond the
call of duty. Mayor, Milton Hunt,
along with Mr. Demery, presented a
prestigious plaque to captain,
McDuffie Cummings Jr. for his devotion
and knowledge of the fire
department procedures and policies.
First responder, Worth Lewis, also
received recognition with a plaque
for his devotion to the fire department.
Others who were recognized
for their dedication included: Sharon
Jacobs, Robert Jones, Steven Hunt,
Danny Locklear, Robert Locklear,
Katisha Oxendine, Teresa Carter,
Charles Maynor, and Kevin Lowry.
Evans Crossings fire chief
Monford Dial attended the special
event and was also recognized for his
unselfish assistance to the Pembroke
Fire Department.
Also, at noon, the town employees
were also honored for their hard
work and dedication with a lunch
with honored guests- Judge Dexter
Brooks, the ABC board, commissioner,
Noah Woods, and attorneys,
Arnold Locklear, Arlie Jacobs, Grady
Hunt, Brian Brooks, and Mark
Locklear. Mayor, Milton Hunt
thanked everyone for their time and
dedication for devoted their time and
profession as they worked for the
town of Pembroke.
The town employees honored included:
town manager, McDuffie
Cummings, councilmen, Larry
McNeil, Allen Giffen Dial, Gregory
Cummings, and Larry Brooks, and
Bartle Bell, Jerry Brooks, Royal
Bryant, Phillip Bullard, Leavira
Chavis, Robert Chavis, Charles Cummings,
Christopher Cummings,
Earnest Demery, Amy Dial, Hoarace
Dial, Karen Dial, Grant Florita, Garry
Harris, Frank Hernandez, Adrian
Hunt, Dwayne Hunt, Ray Hunt,
Winifred Jacobs, Patricia Lambert,
Dosta Locklear Jr., Edward Locklear,
Rhonda Locklear, Rosevelt Locklear,
Charles Maynor, Amands Oxendine,
Mary Pevia, Victor Ransom, Billy
Revels, Celvin Sampson, Teresa
Scott, Fannie Strickland, Jo Ann
Strickland, Ronald Strickland,
Stephen Strickland, and Sebastian
Veneziano.
By Yvonne Barnes Dial
Mclntyre Sworn in for Third
Term as Member of Conaress
Washington, DC? Congressman
Mike Mclntyre was sworn in today as
a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
for the 10th Congress.
Mclntyre was re-elected to North
Carolina's Seventh Congressional
District in November with 70% of
the vote.
Congressman Mclntyre stated, "I
am very honored and thankful for the
opportunity to represent the citizens
of southeastern North Carolina. With
the close margin between the parties
in both the U.S. House and U.S.
Senate, it will be critical that we
dedicate ourselves to working together
to solve the challenges that we
face. This is an exciting time to be
involved in public service, and I look
forward to enacting common-sense,
responsible legislation that reflects
the values of the families of our region.
I encourage Seventh District
residents to continue staying in touch
with me and letting me know their
thoughts on the many issues before
us. And please pray for our family,
my staff, and me as we seek to build
a solid foundation for the future of
the families of southeastern North
Carolina."
Mclntyre's Washington office has
moved to Suite 228 of the historic
Cannon House Office Building. He
also has district offices inFayetteville,
Lumberton, and Wilmington, as well
as a mobile unit that travels the entire
Seventh District.
Congressman Mclntyre moves up
in seniority on both the House Agriculture
and Armed Services
Committees.
Lumber River COG Receives
Youth Opportunity Grant
The Lumber River Council of
Governments, in its dedication to
providing services throughout Robeson
County, has received a Youth
Opportunity grant from the U.S.
Department of Labor. The mission
of the Lumber River Youth Opportunity
Project is to develop and
implement comprehensive strategies
that will provide a systematic approach
for improving education,
training and workforce development
opportunities, and allQw the youth to
acquire skills and develop a heightened
sense of community
responsibility, service and citizenship.
The Youth Opportunity Program
is designed to meet the needs of youth
ffomages 14-21 that live in the South/
West Lumberton area. This area has
been designated as an enterprise zone
by the U.S. Department of Labor. An
enterprise zome has been established
to meet the needs of communities
that are considered to need the most
assistance in areas such as education,
job training, and literary development.
The Youth Opportunity
Program can provide services for
those who have not received a high
school diploma that may wish to
continue their education. Other services
such as job training and
placement,, recreation, community
service, and guidance/cgjAt^eling will
be offered.
The future site of the Youth Opportunity
Center will be located in
the south Lumberton area, which is
expected to open in February. This
center will provide a computer lab
along with fiill time youth specialists
that will assess arid provide productive
services to meet the needs of the
youth that enroll in the program. A
classroom will be provided in the
center for Robeson Community College
to conduct tutoring, GED, and
High School Diploma programs.
If you are interested in learning
more about our services, please contact
a Lumberton Youth Opportunity
Specialist at the Lumber River Council
of Governments Office: (910)
618-5533.
Left-Pembroke Fire Department captain, McDuffle Cummings Jr.,
first responder, Worth Lewis, fire chief, Ray Hunt, chief assistant, Earl
Demery, town manager, McDuffie Cummings, and mayor, Milton Hunt.