Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 June 1999 — Page 5

The Muncie Times, June 3,1999, Page 5

NEWS E3RIEFS

BRIEFS, from page 4 assisting in fund-raising for the museum. “Mayor Williams has met with William Gladstone, the owner of the largest AfricanAmerican collection of the Civil War memorabilia and he promised to help us purchase the collection.” Last summer, a sculpture was unveiled on the anniversary of the famous battle of the Assault on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, some 135 years later, the first national monument to salute the 209,145 U.S. black Troops and their 7,000 white officers. The sculpture, designed by Ed Hamilton of Louisville, Ky., is titled “The Spirit of Freedom.” It was unveiled at a ceremony at Vermont Avenue/10th and U. Streets, NW, with thousands of people attending from around the world.. Since then thousands have visited the memorial, many from out-of-state. Black contractor sues govt, over highway jobs INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.Black contractors say they are not getting a fair shake when it comes to federal work and have cited the Federal Highway Administration, which is under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Harry C. Alford, president of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, says the group is virtually shut out of the $526 billion worth of work over the next 5 years. The president of the Black Contractors Association says the group has nothing to lose by filing this suit. The organization represents contractors from 35 states. Anyone interested in joining the lawsuit can call the National Black Chamber of Commerce at 202-466-6888. Jackson gets Chicago’s highest civilian honor CHICAGO, 111.—Chicago Mayor Richard L. Daley has

given the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., the city’s highest honorthe Chicago Medal of Meritfor his role in freeing three U.S. Prisoners-of-war in the Balkans. Also honored with Jackson were two other Chicagoans, the Rev. James Meeks, who is also African American, and Rep. Rod Blagojevich. They were part of the 26-member delegation that secured the soldiers’ release. In accepting the award, Jackson, 57, praised Blagojevich, the U.S. Congress’ lone Serbian American representative, for his contribution to the successful mission. Sgt. Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, staff Sgt. Christopher Stone of Michigan and specialist Steven Gonzales of Texas, were held for 42 days on the orders of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Daley said that Jackson, Meeks and Blagojevich had not only distinguished themselves as statesmen, but had also brought honor and distinction to the city. This marks the second time that Jackson has received the medal, which is awarded for exemplary valor and accomplishment. It was first bestowed on him in 1984 by the late Mayor Harold Washington for securing the release of Navy Lt. Robert Goodman from Syria. Black automobile pioneer dies at 88 DETROIT, Mich.—Detroit resident Ed Davis, the first black to own an automobile dealership in the United States, recently died here. He was 88. Honored a few months ago by leading auto magazine African Americans On Wheels (AAOW) for his contribution to the business, Davis became the owner and operator of a Studebaker dealership in 1940. Born in Shreveport, La., in 1911, Davis moved to the Motor City to pursue his love of automobiles. He was offered a job selling cars at a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, but at that time blacks were not allowed to work on the showroom floor.

However, he eventually became a top salesman, before leaving to start his own business. He finally opened a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in 1963. Congress holds hearings on racial profiling The U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight of the House Ways and Means Committee, led by Chairman Amo Houghton (R-N.Y.) and ranking member William Coyne (D-PA) recently heard allegations by international travelers of racial profiling by the U.S. Customs Service. Several weeks ago there were reports on racial profiling incidents at Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta. Those reports cited complaints that African Americans were being targeted at a higher rate than international travelers. At that time Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) Called for an investigation into the incidents. In response, a Personal Search Review Commission was appointed to evaluate policies and procedures. During the congressional hearing, commissioner Kelly provided testimony on these procedures. Other witnesses included international travelers who were selected for personal searches, including x-ray, partial strip and body cavity searches. Witnesses are also expected to testify that they were detained in hospitals for a day or longer with no opportunity to contact traveling companions, members of their families or attorneys. House passes anti-drug law Rep. Maxine Waters’ (DCalif.) drug trafficking amendment to The Intelligence Authorization Bill was approved recently on the U.S. House floor with no opposition. The amendment, called Prohibition on Drug Trafficking by Employees of the Intelligence Community, prohibits

the CIA and other intelligence agencies from participating in drug trafficking activities, including the manufacture, purchase, sale, distribution of and conspiracy to traffick in illegal drugs. The amendment also requires CIA employees and covert agents to report known or suspected drug trafficking activities to the appropriate authorities. The amendment was introduced following investigations of allegations of drug trafficking by the Nicaraguan Contras in the 1980s. The investigation led Waters to conclude the CIA knew about the drug trafficking but chose to support the Contras, without taking any action. Last year the CIA inspector general released a report which confirmed allegations of CIA knowledge and support of drug trafficking. There were allegation the CIA participated in drug trafficking activities, she added. In certain circumstances, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) arranges controlled shipments of illegal drugs, in which drugs are allowed to enter the United States, and then tracked to their destination and seized. “However, in this case, the CIA was more interested in keeping the drug lords happy than confiscating the drugs and prosecuting the traffickers. “For 13 years, the CIA and the Department of Justice followed a memorandum of understanding that explicitly exempted the CIA from requirement to report drug trafficking by CIA assets, agents, and contractors to federal law enforcement agencies,” Waters said in testimony presented on the House floor. “This allowed some of the biggest drug lords in the world to operate without the fear that their activities would be reported to the DEA or other law enforcement authorities. This remarkable—and secret agreement—was in force form February 1982 until August of 1995.” She said the CIA asked for permission to “let the dope walk,” allowing it to be sold on the nation’s streets. Despite

the DEA’s refusal, the CIA ushered the drugs into the U.S. anyway, she said. Jackson introduces anti-redlining bill WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says he introduced the AntiRedlining Bill because barriers stil exist for many people in low income and minority communities. This prevents them from buying homes, cars, affordable insurance and businesses. Jackson says his bill is the tool needed to help remove such barriers. Support for Mayor Brown grows SAN FRANCISCO, Calif—A cross-section of African Americans has come together in San Francisco to support the reelection of San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Support recently came from college and high school students. African Americans attribute the growth in minority business in San Francisco to Brown. African American church leaders say they will also be on the forefront to assure the reelection of Willie Brown, the first African American mayor of San Francisco. NAACP boss slams Arizona school district EAST VALLEY, Ariz.— East Valley NAACP president Floyd Galloway called on the Chandler School District racist in its selection of a new school principal. The district, which has 22 schools and a 40 percent minority population, does not have one African American principal. An African American was skipped over in the last appointment. According to the NAACP, a less qualified white was chosen. Galloway says he will petition the school board to have his concerns heard. See BRIEFS, page 6