s
~ ^
Eye Witness to History
b> Dexter Brooks,
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge
J
On December 7,19921 hiu again
honoredpi have the opportunity to
administer the oath of office to the
newly-eleXSedmembers of the Board
of Commissioners of Robeson
County. Pr^or to this time it was
almost impossible to elect a Black to
the Robeson County Board of Commissioners.
Following the redistricting
of the commissioner's
district, tri-racial representation hus
almost assured.
Many of my friends say they always
look to me for a brief history
lesson when I am called upon to
administer the oath of office. I do
enjoy history and consider it a
privilege to be a living part of the
history in Robeson County.
Following is the oath of office I
administered to the newly-elected
members of the Board of Commissioners
of Robeson County on December
7, 1992:
It is indeed my pleasure to administer
the oath of office to the five
newly-elected members of the Board
of Commissioners of Robeson
bounty On this historic occasion, it
is only right and proper that we reflect
on how we came to be here
today.
Since the enactment of the Federal
Voting Rights Act of 1965, this
body has been the subject of reapportionment
plans. In 1967, the Board
was increased from six to seven commissioners
by the addition of a second
commissioner to the Lumberton
district. Before the election of another
White Commissioner as a result
of this reapportionment, the
Board was composed of five whites
and one Indian In 1972. the second
Native American Commissioner on
the Board was elected from the Red
Springs district, joining another Native
American Commissioner alreads
on the Board representing the Maxton
district In 1975, the Board was
reapportioned to meet federal oneperson.
one-vote requirements in response
to the federal litigation
brought by Native American plaintiffs
entitled "Brenda Brooks v. Robeson
County Board of Elections " In
the election of 1976, a third Native
American Commissioner on the
Board was elected as a result of the
redisricting, from the Row land district.
The Board was then composed
of four Whites and three Indians
After the next census, the reapportionment
of 1981 not only re-drew
district lines to account for changing
populations, but also in response to
the urging of the Robeson County
Black Caucus and the then Indian
Caucus, divided the Lumberton district
into two single-member districts
in order to enhance Black political
influence in South Lumberton A
majority Black district, however, was
not created during this redistricting
though there were then four White
and three Indian majority districts.
In 1984, a Black Commissioner replaced
the Native American Commissioner
from the majority Indian
Rowland district making the Board
tri-racial (four Whites, two Native
Americans and one Black) for the
first time since Reconstruction. After
the election of 1988, the Black
Commissioner was replaced by a
Native American. The Board thus
returned to its earlier composition ol
four Whites and three Native Americans
During the latest reapportionment
in 1991. the nuniberjof districts was
increased to eight so as to enable, but
not require, the election to two Blacks,
three Native Americans and three
Whites to the Board When you five
members take your seats, for the first
time in history. Robeson County will
have a Board of Commissioners
which accurately reflects its racial
makeup In your div ersity, you represent
what America is fast becoming
Blacks. Whites and Native Americans
must learn to understand and
respect each other if we are to be
successful in addressing common
problems If you fail, then how can
America succeed''
You could not have been elected
waging a campaign directed solely
tow ards members of your own racial
group The v oters of racial groups in
the minority in the new electoral
district decided several contests in
the last election You. as a Board, arc
therefore, to be congratulated in devising
an electoral plan prov iding for
equitable representation for each racial
group while protecting, at the
same time, the voting rights of individuals
regardless of race Although
you were elected from a district in
which your own racial group comprised
a majority of the district population;
nevertheless, you represent
Blacks. Whites, and Native Americans.
This Board is not only the most
representative of our county's racial
diversity, but may well be the most
qualified such Board in local history.
You have the talent to successfully
address all of our county's problems r
Although some may disagree with
your methods, no one can reasonably
challenge your right to make such
decisions Each of you earned the I
right to sit on this Board By their
votes, the people of this county have
demonstrated then eottftdenee in soui
abilits to successful Is address the
problems besetting all of us
I thank >ou for allowing me to
participate in this historicescnt You
honor me bs asking that I perform
this cere it 10 n\ I wish each of sou
csers success in sour common endeas
or
Give A Gift that
will be remembered all
year long!!!
Here's the secret?give a
gift subscription of this
newspaper to your special
friends. We provide a colorful
gift card to meet any
special occasion announcing
you as the giver. Now
you don't* have to worry
about shopping for a hard
to find gift for that special
person to enjoy. Come by
our office or call today for
specific details on this convenient,
exciting gift!
Indian Voice.
To subscribe
call 521-2826^
Mr. and Mrs. Bl to Observt
Golden Wedding Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. James Blue will
celebrate their 50th >yedding anniversary
on February 23, 1997 with a
reception at their home. The Blues
were married on February 23, 194 7
at the Marriage Chapel in Dillon,
SC.
They have fourteen children:
(iurney Blue of Raleigh; Lee Verne
Blue and Clementine Butler of
Dillon, SC; Lee Grant Blue of
Fairmont; Ernestine Pierce of Pembroke;
Gereline Hammonds of
Rowland; Timmy Blue of Rennert;
Tommy Blue of Lumberton; Sheila
Blue, Jennifer Blue, Jimmy Leon
Blue, Jerry l.ee Blue, and Joshua
Blue, all of Fairmont. Thai- also
have -13grandchildren and 18greatgrandch
ildren.
Mrs. Blue is the former, Tessie
Locklear, daughter of Catherine
Locklear and granddaughter of the
late Mattie Locklear of l.umberton.
Mr. Blue is the son of the late
Anna and l.eander Blue.
The Blue live on a farm in the
McDonald community and pride
themselves on keeping to the old
way of doing things... They kill hogs
once a year which they raise?and
are surrounded by many other animals,
a large garden, and Mrs. Blue
still cooks on an old wood stove.
They also heat their home by wood.
The animaLs on the farm which
Mrs. Blue calls "Old McDonald's)
Farm," include Emus, mules, cows,
horses, ponies, buffalo, chickens,
hogs, etc.
Mrs. Blue has served as pastor of
Back Swamp Full Gospel Holiness
Church for 30 years. She invites all
her friends and family to join her for
the celebration of their anniversary
at 2p.m. attheirhomein McDonald.
An airplane is expected to fly over
the house and drop gifts at this
momentous occasion.
What.
A ten week internship program that provides qualified American
Indian/Alaska Native college students with opportunities to
explore potential federal service careers. Interns receive a
competitive stipend and round-trip travel expenses between
home or school and the work site.
Where:
Interns work with United States Federal Government agencies in
Washington, D.C. and other locations throughout the country.
Under the guidance of mentors, who are knowledgeable
, professjpnals in their own fields, A18ES summer interns work on
i projects relevant to their course of college study.
Who.
AISES interns are American Indian/Alaskan Native college
students who are active in college and community activities, have
demonstrated success in sollege and are recommended by their
advisors or professors.
When:
June 2 through August 8, 1997
...tracks to the future
Why:
To help diversify the government workforce and to provide pre-career
experiences for A1SES students
Eligible applicants must...
have a GPA of 2.5 minimum (A=4.0);
he .enrolled and pursuing a degree in a college or university on
a full-time basis;
have at least sophomore class standing at the lime assignment
begins; and
be a U.S. citizen
To obtain additional inforihatioh about the program, application
materials, or information about implementing an internship program
within your agency, please contact: AISES-Jobs, Attn: Stephanie Paine,
5661 Airport Blvd., Boulder, CO 80301-2339; call (303) 939-0023, ext
31; or entail: Stephanie paine@colorado edu Application materials can
also be accessed on the World Wide Web at http/Avwwcolorado edu/
AISES.
Completed application materials must be received by April 11, 1997,
however, review will begin as soon as applications are received.
I
Native American I
Handcrafted Wooden I
Doughboards For Sale \
< Icsi^ncc I J >\'
lilisliii I .< >( klciu
(?) I ()) r>2 I h:'>47
Ho&ice
Roreson
VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSE
ORIENTATION: February 24, 1997
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Attendance required for those interested in becoming Hospice of Robeson Volunteers)
TRAINING COURSE: February 25, 1997 - April 15, 1997
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
(Meets once a week for 8 weeks)
If you are interested in learning more about Hospice of Robeson and becoming a
volunteer, please clip and mail this form to the above address.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Name Date of Birth
Address
Phone: (Home) (Work)
Please check ALE that apply:
I plan to attend Orientation on February 24. 1997 to learn more about I lospicc of
Robeson and the volunteer opportunities.
I am interested in becoming a Hospice of Robeson Volunteer.
I am not interested in becoming a volunteer at this time, but do want to learn more
about the Hospice program.
Comments: '
Date: Signature:
You are invited
to attend
a lecture and reading
by
Dr. Kimberly Blaeser
{White Earth Anishinaabe)
nationally-known poet, scholar
and storyteller
Friday, 7 February 1997
1:00 PM
Native American Resource Center
Old Main Building
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
t
\
This event is co-sponsored by
the American Indian Studies Department
and the Native American Resource Center.