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VOLUME 73 - NUMBER 43
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1995 TELEPHONE & FAX (919) 682-29''3 PRICE: 30 CENTS
I School Dedication Recalls
E Contributions of
W Halifax Blacks
I See Page 16
NCCU Students Visit Ghana, West Africa — Several
NCCU students can back from a trip to Ghana. From
left to right are: Bryan Mills, Cheryl Woods, Hope
Copeland, Ella Russ and Nathaniel Todd.
Last week’s Million Man March Photos were by Ronnie Stur
divant of TQ Business Complex. -
Black Lawyers Find Racism
In North Carolina
According to the National Bar Association, the North Carolina As
sociation of Black Lawyers (NCABL) successfully petitioned for the
removal of a local district attorney for conduct prejudicial to the ad
ministration of justice. The lawyers reported that D.A. Gerry L.
Spivey directed racial epitaphs at Ray Jacobs, a defensive player for
the Denver Broncos. The NCABL says that after a hearing on the
case in August, D.A. Spivey was permanently removed from the of
fice.
Black Lawyers Go With
Johnnie Cochran
National Bar -Association President Keith Waters appeared on
CNN’s "Burden of Proof program'during the O. J. Siimpson trial and
stated his strong support of Johnnie Cochran’s closing statements to
the jury, saying, "While it is understandable that any discussions of
the Holocaust should be handled with sensitivity and dignity, we be
lieve that Johnnie Cochran’s linkage of Mark Fuhrman’s racist views
on burning masses of people with those of Adolph Hitler, are factual
ly accurate, ethically proper, and legally permissible."
Budget Cuts Will Affect All
In searching for ways to balance the budget, the U.S. Congress has
proposed substantially reducing the amount of financial aid for col
lege students. Proposed reductions amount to over $30 million dur
ing the next seven years and include elimination of the sixth month
post graduation grace period, increases in loan origination fees by 23
percent, and elimination of over 280,000 Pell Grants in 1996.
Reports show that unpaid student loans total over $25 million that
could be used to fund new programs, if he U.S. could collect.
Who’s Who in Black
Corporate America
Miller Brewing Company recently announced that Virgis Colbert
has been named senior vice president of worldwide operations. Col
bert joined Miller in 1979 and was appointed senior vice president of
operations and elected to Miller’s Board of Directors and Executive
Committee in 1993. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for
Fisk University and serves as chairman of the Executive Advisory
Committee for the National Urban League’s Black Executive Ex
change Program.
Denny’s: Fading to Black?
Denny’s Restaurants recently announced 14 first-time franchise
candidates have been selected to participate in the company’s new
Fast Track program, which offers a unique financing plan. The Fast
Track program provides eligible minority candidates with the op
portunity to own a Denny’s restaurant upon successful completion of
a structured program. The program consists of hands-on training
covering all phases of a Denny’s restaurant’s operations and manage
ment. Call (803) 597-8000 for information.
7-Eleven Honored for Outstanding
Minority Purchasing
The Dallas Together Forum has presented its "Most Advancement
Award" for progress made in minority purchasing to The Southland
Corporation {7-Eleven). The award is presented for the greatest year-
to-year improvement in minority purchasing, hiring or advancement.
"We owe this award to the outstanding efforts of our Construction
Department," says Jeanne Hitchcok, 7-Eleven’s national urban affairs
manager. "In 1994, during the renovation of Dallas-area 7-Elcvcn
stores, over 40 percent of our construction dollars went to minority
businesses. This award demonstrates that a company can successful
ly diversify its vendor base," stated Hitchcock. Southland’s opera
tions include more than 5,500 7-Eleven and other convenience stores
in the U.S. and Canada.
Activist Named to Civil Rights Panel
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Clinton on Monday named
veteran Asian-American activist Yvonne Lee to the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights.
Lee, a graduate of the University of California at Davis and current
ly head of her own public relations company, has been an advocate
for Chinese immigrants and the elderly for more than 20 years.
She is the former executive director of the Chinese American
Citizens Alliance, a civil rights advocacy group, and was instrumental
establishing a senior citizens’ housing project in San Francisco.
Spit in the Faces of
Black Conservatives
See Page 10
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North Carolina Senators Block
Charles Becton Nomination
WASHINGTON (AP) - North
Carolina’s Republican senators
may have scuttled a Raleigh law
yer’s chance to become the first
black judge on the 4lh Circuit
Court of Appeals.
The Clinton administration has
decided not to move forward with
the nomination of Charles Becton
following opposition from Sens.
Jesse Helms and Lauch Fairclolh,
administration and congressional
officials said.
Democrats and Republican , de
scribe Becton as exceptionally well
qualified for the court and, oyer the
past year, dozens of i,..vycrs and
judges of both parties have written
to the White House urging his ap
pointment. Becton has been to
Washington and passed an initial
vetting.
But a power struggle over judicial
appointments between Helms and
the Clinton administration may
have doomed Becton’s chances of
,aed.
smarting
even being forma
President Clinton,
from such disastrous nominations
as Zoc Baird for attorney general,
doesn’t like to pul forward names
that won’t gel Senate confirmation.
In an interview. Helms said his
main reason for opposing Becton
was in retaliation for an action by
Sen. Joseph Biden. D-Del, a for
mer chairman of the Sbnate Judi
ciary Committee.
Black Churches
To Pressure
Clinton
By Darlene Supervilie
WASHINGTON (AP) - Black
leaders from eight religious
denominations are planning a na
tional telephone canipalgn to presr
sure President Clinton to veto legis
lation they say would dismantle
welfare and Medicaid programs.
The Congress of National Black
Churches, concluded a three-day
conference last Friday, also
released a 10-point program to deal
with "deep despair" among black
Americans. |
Republican measures pending in
Congress would hand over to the
stales much of the responsibility for
programs dealing with the health
and welfare of poor people. Presi
dent Clinton has threatened to veto
such measures.
Bishop John Hurst Adams of the
African Methodist Episcopal
Church, founding chairman of the
leadership organization, said the
programs are "essential to the
wholeness and health of the na
tion." "Nobody objects to a rea
sonable and rational reform." he
said.
"But the absurd, absurd, absurd
agenda being promoted now
deserves to be vetoed. It furthers
the gaji as it enriches the rich and
devastates the poor and we cannot
subscribe to that." The congress’
68,000 congregations, with more
than 19 million members, will be
gin working on the program a.s
soon as possible, said the Rev. W.
Franklyn Richardson, pastor of
Grace Baptis't Church in Mount
Vernon, N.Y.
He said the conference, which
was called to redefine the focus of
the historically black churches, was
not timed to coincide with Louis
Farrakhan’s Million Man March in
Washington ''
As Colin Powell Looks More Like A
Candidate, Other Republicans Adjust
By .lohn King
WASHINGTON (AP) - To Pat Buchanan it would be a "godsend," to
Bob Dole another headache. As they wait for Colin Powell to decide
whether he will run for president, the declared Republican candidates
can’t wait to reassess their strategies.
On virtually a daily basis, Powell now factors into the GOP campaign
debate: The candidates and their allies look to blunt his chances and more
neutral observers assess how a Powell candidacy would change the race.
"A huge change," is GOP contender Dick Lugar’s safe guess. "I just
can’t describe the displacement of water that comes if you sort of drop a
skyscraper into the harbor.” Some candidates aren’t waiting for the
splash. Just last Thursday, Buchanan said it would be unthinkable for the
Republican Parly to abandon its principles and turn to Powell, given his
support of abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action and "New Deal
and Great Society programs." "There really is no argument for the
nomination of General Powell other than the fact he is running high in
the polls," Buchanan said.
At the other Republican campaigns, public reaction to Powell has been
more muled. Candidates discuss him only when asked.
Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, for example, says Powell’s views make him a
belter fit in the Democratic Party. Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar
Alexander labels Powell "too liberal to be nominated" by the GOP.
Dole, the GOP front-runner, predicts Powell’s popularity would be
hard to maintain if he became a/candidate and spelled out his views in
more detail.
Privately, Dole aides suggest a Powell candidacy would force some ac
tivists now aligned with Buchanan and Gramm to decide whether to stay
put, which could help Powell by splintering the conservative vole, or
strike an alliance with Dole.
Buchanan predicted his supporters would not waver.
"I think conservatives will respond to someone who does nol.modify or
dilute his positions - like a Powell or Dole - but someone who stakes
them out clearly and boldly," Buchanan said.
"I think the entrance of Colin Powell into the race would be a god
send." Powell, whose book tour ended last Friday, promises to make a
decision by Thanksgiving.
At a book-signing last Thursday in Duluth, Ga., he told reporters that
when the tour is over, "I then go into seclusion for a couple of weeks
with my family and advisers and then will come to a conclusion and an
nounce it in due course, some time in November." Earlier in the week.
Powell said Ije would have lo he "hraui dead" not to be moved by en
couragement received (.luring his hook tour. But he also said he realizes
"your enemies don’t come out to buy a book and have you sign it."
Powell added that his "popularity rating does not really compare to the
political ratings"/of President Clinton. Dole and others engaged in daily
debate, "i don’t! confuse the two," he said, adding that some of those
urging him Co rup might miss the distinction.
That comment, reflects the caution that some Republicans ultimately
believe will convince Powell not lo run. He also agreed in recent days lo
deliver several paid speeches next spring, in the heal of the ndmin«ating
season,
Butev^ry sign that Powell might not run is matched by one suggesting
he wants to.
Last Wednesday, for example, he poked fun at those in the Republican
field who suggest he couldn’t win. "The answer I give to them is. well,
find your revolutionary who gets more than 8 or 9 percent of the vote and
let me know when you gel it," Powell said.
And while in New York on last Monday, Powell met with two finan
ciers who have raised money for GOP candidates, according to a GOP
source who spoke on condition he not be identified further.
GOP insider and close Powell friend Kenneth Duberslein also has had
conversations with Republican opcrtiii\ . ho are not already involved
in the presidential race, although most of these have been initiated by
strategists eager to work for any Powell campaign. :
Duberstein also met recently with GOP pollster Ed Goeas and reviewed
recent surveys assessing Powell’s prospects. Goeas, who initiated the
meeting, said last Thursday he had no concrete evidence but guessed
Powell would run.
That is increasingly the view in GOP circles.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t announce sometime around
Thanksgiving," House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on ABC’s "Good
Morning America." Alexander spoKcsman Mark Merritt said a Powell
entry would underscore Dole’s weakness. Over time, he predicted,
Powell would fade and another candidate would have an opening.
Others, however, share Gingrich’s view that with a dramatic Powell
entry "it would immediately become a Powell-Dole race." Just the talk of
a Powell run "has frozen the other candidates in place," said Goeas.
"They would just like for this to be over."