7 ne Carolina Indian Voice
Published Each Thursday by First American Publications^ Pembroke^h^
^y.QLUME 26 NUMBER 48- ^ THURSDAY, DECEMBEF!)?, 1999 <( TWESTY-FIV'E CENTS
Congresswoman Eva M.
Clayton gives support to
Indian Health Care Issues
Congresswoman Eva Clayton
sent the following letter to Paul
Brooks, Chairman ofthe North Carolina
Commission of Indian Affairs:
"Dear Mr. Brooks:
Thank you for contacting me
regarding the proposed amendments
to the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (IHC1A) and
how it will affect the scholarship
portion ofthe 1HCIA. As always, I
appreciate the benefit of your views.
"You state that in the proposed
amendments to the 1HCIA is a
suggestion that State-Recognized
Tribes and Native Descendents be
made ineligible for any health care
scholarship programs found in the
1HC|A. You further state that since
the inception of the scholarship
programs as provided for by the
1HCIA, State-Recognized Tribes
have been eligible for the scholarship
funding.
"I am supportive of your endeavors,
Our goal must be to
continue to facilitate quality health
care for all Americans and to continue
in the spirit ofthe IHC1A to
have trained American Indian
people to meet the health care needs
of American Indians.
"Again, thank you for sharing
your concerns with me. Please do
not hesitate to contact me in the
future regarding other issues of
concern to you.
Sincerely,
"Eva M. Clayton, Member of
Congress "
Chairman Brooks released the
following statement following receipt
ofCongresswoman Clayton's
letter:
"I am deeply concerned about
the fact that the Indian Health Service
would make State Recognized
lrfdians ineligible for Indian Health
Service Scholarships during a time
in our history when there are so
many health concerns among the
American Indian population. Why
is this happening? Who on earth
would do this?
"Hopefully help will come from
other North Carolina members of
Congress to stop this travesty."
Russian Minister Visits Local Churches
Dr. and Rev. Alexander Keminin of Belgorod, Russia, visited the
rural United Methodist churches in the Rockingham District in
November. J.\
Serving as Rev. Keminin's host, Gary Locklear and his family
provided a first opportunity for their guest to visit a heach at Myrtle
Beach, S.C., share fun and fellowship with MR. Locklear's family and
friends, shop and visit some local First United Methodist churches in
the community.
Rev. Keminin is in the process of building the first Rural Chaplains
Association.
He also serves as a school teacher and musician.
National Board of Certification
Angel Marie Chavis an eight grade teacher at Prospect School
recently attained National Hoard Certification. Mrs.. Chavis is a
graduate of Purnell Swell High School. She received her P.A. Degree
from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and will receive
her M.A. degree in Middle Grades Education at the December
Commencement. Mrs.. Chavis is in her fifth year of teaching North
Carolina History. She is married to Don Grady Chavis and is the proud
parent of a son, Don Christian and a daughter, Angelica Marie. She
resides in Pembroke and is a member of Mount Olive Pentecostal
Holiness Church.
National Board Certification is a rigorous process und is a demanding
assessment of teaching and learning. Mrs.. Chavis was
required to submit evidence of her teaching practice for evaluation by
her peers nationwide. This certification is a significant accomplishment
and one that has tremendous potential for Mrs.Chavis and her
students. Mrs.. Chavis is the first teacher in Robeson County to be
nationally certified in the area of Early Adolescence/Social StudiesHistory.
MARC program marks its 15 th year at UNCP
Pembroke, N.C. ? UNC Pembroke's MARC program, now in ils 15 th
year, produces some of the top graduates at the university.
It is sponsored by the National Institute of Health to encourage
promising students to enter scientific research careers.
Of the 50 graduates of the program, many have gone onto careers
in medicine. Dr. David Maxwell said. Dr. Maxwell, a UNCP biology
professor, has directed the program from its start.
"The success of the program has been very impressive," Dr.
Maxwell said. "It really does benefit the students and our department.
Besides the scholarship, the program allows students to attend 2-3
scientific meetings per year and perform in a summer internship
program."
"The internship exposes them to high level research, so they can
decide if a career in biomedical research is for them," he said. "It is
intensive training in laboratory procedure and scientific concepts that
they could not get on our campus. "
MARC program class of 1999-2000. Seated from left are Heather
Locklear of Pembroke, Andrea S. Locklear of Lumberton and Emily
Love of Pembroke. Standing from left are Barry Graham of Prospect,
Natasha Jacobs of Lake Waccamaw, Von Locklear of Prospect and Dr.
David Maxwell, UNCP biology professor and director of the Minority
Access to Research Careers program.
??i l i>:
The United Methodist Women's Organization of Sandy Plains
United Methodist Church demonstrated their support of love and
giving to the first rural United Methodist church in Russia. The money
will be used to meet the needs of the church and its members.
Left - Frances Reagan, Ida B. Jacobs, Betty Johnson, Ruth Odom,
Panthia l.ocklear. Rev. and Dr. Alexander Kemenin from Belgorod,
Russia, Brenda Jacobs, Joy Locklear, Elizabeth Jacobs, and Ryan
Jacobs.
A Report to the People from Rep.
Ron Sutton, 85th House District
Gov. Jim Hunt ended weeks of
speculation, discussion and rumors
about a special session of the General
Assembly with a simple
statement issued by his office.
As expected, the governor cal led
lawmakers back to Raleigh on Dec.
15 to address emergency disaster
needs.
The governor met with reporters
the next day to talk about his
hopes for the mid December session.
Hunt endorsed an $830 million
package that officials in his administration
had presented to
lawmakers during informal briefings.
"I stand behind it 100 percent."
Hunt said.
"This plan docs not raise taxes.
It docs not tackle a dollar out of the
classroom- It does not force us to
borrow money and pay a huge
amount of interest."
Hunt also announced that he4
was paying for a big chunk of the
package with savings in the current
state budget. That will generate $504
million.
"I think this is the right way to do
this and the people appreciate us
doing it this way - tightening our
belts," Hunt said.
To pay for the rest of the plan.
Hunt sought a General Assembly
appropriation of $286 million from
the state's "rainy day fund" and
$40 million that was left
unappropriated earlier this. year.
The biggest chunk of money in
the governor's plan -- $.446.8 million
would go toward putting
people back into permanent hous-,
ing.
Meeting the state match for $2.2
billion in fed'rral funds would requirc
$242.4 million.
Small businesses would receive
a little more than S50 million in nointerest
loans and grants to pay the
interest on federal loans.
Farmers and commercial fishermen
would be eligible for almost
SI64 million.
Programs to protect public
health and the environment would
receive S27.7 million.
Hunt launched the plan by receiving
Council of State approval
ofcmcrgency powers. They allowed
hitnjo shift $504 million in the
state budget approved earlier this
year by the General Assembly.
Legislators laid plans for the
special session by holding informal
briefings to give lawmakers a
chancfc to ask questions and learn
about the proposals.
The goal-expressed by Democrats
and Republicans alike - was
to make the special session as short
as possible.
Rb^ip&fiaplains
Retrieve Certification
Gary Locklear. Odette W right.
Winnie James. Evelyn Attvvood
and Cynthia Kent have received
honor and certification for their
diligent efforts demonstrated in
various ministries as Rural Chaplains.
They were among seventeen
lay clergy persons who joined the
Reverend Dr. Alexander Raminin.
community physician and the pastor
of the first rural United Methodist
Church of Russia, to be certified
also as a Rural Chaplain by the
Rural Chaplains Association in its
November 18. 1999 annual focus
event in Dallas. Texas.
Minnesota Bishop John L.
Hopkins and the Reverend David
Kerr, former President of the Methodist
Church of Ireland, led the
service for celebration and worship.The
ReverendTerenceCorkin
of the Uniting Church of Australia
delivered the sermon focusing on
the struggles of rural people, congregations,
and communities
throuighout Australia and the
world.
High spirited and eager to assist
and minister unto others, Odette
Wright responds favorably about
her service as a Rural Chaplain,
"We had a great gathering. It was
wonderful to meet more Native
American who were also Rural
Chaplains."
The Rural Chaplains Association
is an international group of
people who focus on rural issues,
concerns, and opportunities for
communit) and church renewal,
IN response to the rural crisis in
the United States during the I970's.
rural (lay and clergy) community
leaders began meeting together to
seek understanding and to identify
ways of offering support to families
forced out of farming and small
town businesses. The Association
provides on going opportunities to
learn, share, and fellowship together
around issues including
environmental concerns; special
needs of women; children, and '
youth; local church revitalized and
cooperative ministries; racism, violence,
and the proliferation of hate
groups; lay leadership, etc. The
Association is ecumenical and increasingly
international in its scope
and membership. Six countries are
represented on its roster. For information
on the Rural Chaplains
Association, contact Dr. Harold
W. McSwain. PO Box 29044, Columbus.
OH 43229.
Pembroke VF W
Post #2843 Report
On Monday Evening December
13th 1993, the VFW Post #2843
held it's last meeting of the year
1999. There were a fair turnout of
members at this meeting. The
evening meal was very good. The
menu consisted of home made pork
bar bq, fried chicken, cole slaw,
green beans, corn, dinner rolls,
- strawberry short cake, ice tea and
hot coffee. As everyone
fellowshipped we had 5 guests with
us at this meeting. The 1st place
and 2nd place winners of the voice
of democracy and parents. Following
the meal Post Commander Mr.
Daniel Jones called the meeting to
order. Introduced our Post Chaplain
Mr. Archie Oxendine to begin
the presentation and introductions
of the 1999. First & Second place
winners of the contest. Preceding
this event there was the placing of
drape on our Post Charter in
memory of our latest deceased Post
member Mr. Garnctt Lowry. Prayer
and a moments silence offered by
Mr. Archie Oxendine. We extend
our condolences to Mr. Lowry's
Family Members.
Chaplain Archie Oxendine introduced
Mr. Jordan Chavis & Miss
Marguirita Thompson to the Post.
Miss Thompson is a Junior at South
Robeson High School, her parents
Mr. Earl and Mrs. Precilla Thompson
accompanied her to this event..
Miss Thompson will graduate in
the Class of 2000. She aspires to
finish school and be a teacher. The
theme of this years resume was
America's Roll In The Next Century.
Mr. Oxendine explained that
the tapes of each contestant were
heard and judged by a panel of
judges at Cumberland County Central
Office, Friday night Dec. 10th
and the 1st and 2nd place winners
were named. Miss Thompson gave
an oral resume and received a great
applause. Followed by Mr. Jordan
Chavis accompanied by his mother
Diane Chavis. his father Mr. James
R. Chavis had a previous engagement.
Jordan is a Senior at Purnell
Swett High School and plans to
attend NC' State and study to be an
engineer. They received a nice applause
after reading their resumes.
The parents were asked to join the
two young people at the podium.
Their mothers pinned each student
with gold pins with the voice
of Democracy Logo on it. 1st place
was given to Mr. Chavis. 2nd place
was given to Miss Thompson, They
in turn pinned their mothers with
an appreciation pin. Mr. W. Oxendine
was asked to pin a blue medal
on MR. Chavis, Post Commander
Jones pinned a red medal on Miss
Thompson as 2nd place winner.
Chavis received a check for SI00.
Miss Thompson was given by Mr.
Daniel Jones 2 crisp S50 dollar
bills. They were given plaques and
Mr. Chavis was given a school bag
with V.FAV. Voice of Democracy
Emblazoned on it. The Post Represents
Purnell Swett and South
Robeson in these contests. Youths
from Mr. Oxendines Church serenaded
the winners with small flags
and Mr. America Hats on to recorded
music and was asked to
pass out the flags to someone in the
audience. A brief recess was called
after prayer by the womens auxiliary
Chaplain. The visitors departed.
The women adjourned to thei r meeting
room.
The closed meeting was called
to order by Post Commander Jones.
The meeting of last months minutes
were read by Post Adjucant
Mr. Calvert Jones, followed by the
report of Post Quartermaster Ardell
Jacobs on our monies and disbursement.
Mr. Art Shull arrived during
the presentation of the Voices of
Democracy to a warm welcome of
applause, lie was asked to address
the Post at the closed meeting. He
stated that he has traveled
exstensively in the last month visiting
places where flood disaster
hit and the response of other states
sending relief and monies to help
the victims. HE stated that North
Carolina Lost 4 V.F.W. Organization
people arc not sending in
renewal dues. They must be in
before the last of December. If you
know anyone who haven't paid,
please urge them to do so. The
ladies will have a social at the Post
December 30th at 6:30 p.m. Men
please attend this event, its their
way of doing something for you.
The District 8# meeting will be
held at Post# 670 in Fayetteville
January 16th at I p.m. The 1st
meeting of the Post for the Millenium
will be Monday evening
January 10th, 2000. Here's hoping
you have a wonderful Holiday Season
and may Cod smile on you, is
my prayer.
F.rwin Jacobs,
Post Judge Advocate