Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 December 1998 — Page 2

PAGE A2

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11,1996

Vv'„XV

NNPA News

National

U.S. Military denies murdering Black soldiers The U.S. Army hus officially denied charges that it murdered 1.250 out of 3,000 troublesome Black soldiers on a military training base in Mississippi during the fall of 1943. The allegations were made by author Carroll Case in his book “The Slaughter: An American Atrocity,” released in August. Responding to requests for an investigation from the NAACP and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Army Secretary Louis Caldera, in a letter to NAACP CEO Kweisi Mfume, stated, “We have examined a sizable portion of the records, and we have found nothing that supports Mr. Case's allegations.” According tp Case, for 13 years he was unable to get the records from the Army because he was told "they were destroyed in a fire.” The book states that 1,250 members of the all-Black 364th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Camp Van Dorn in southwestern Mississippi, were machine-gunned, loaded onto boxcars and carried to mass graves. He says the victims’ families were notified that they died in the "line of duty.” The book is based on eyewitness accounts, declassified government files and missing records. The NAACP is not satisfied with the Army’s investigation and is calling for “a more thorough and impartial investigation of this alleged incident.” — Simeon Booker Muhammad Critics say tobacco deal ignores problems NEW YORK (IPS) — A $206-billion settlement unveiled by major U.S. tobacco companies will go toward paying for the health costs of smokers in the United States, but critics argue it will not help the new pool of smokers worldwide. Analysts of international tobacco sales contend that the settlement announced between four tobacco giants — R.J.R. Nabisco, Philip Morris, Brown and Williamson and Lorillard — and eight U.S. states does little to deal with the main problem: the huge expansiomby those companies in overseas cigarette sales. “There is not a single international tobacco-control measure in this deal,” says Robert Weissman, co-director of Essential Action, a Washington-based group which opposes the big tobacco firms. “The attomeys-general who are backing this are making a mistake.” “It is irresponsible of the attomeys-general to let big tobacco (firms) off the hook,” adds Karen Licavoli, associate executive director of the American Lung Association of San Francisco. “Any settlement must protect public health both in the United States and abroad.” The deal’s defenders contend that the settlement will provide money to states — the largest amount given in a civil suit ever—to help those states recoup money spent on health care for people suffering from lung cancer, emphysema and other smoking-related ailments.— FarhanHaq

NAACP

Continued from A1

the $187 million construction of the new Pacer Dome thus insuring 18-20% per craft minority vending and contracting on various levels. They have developed or deepened coalitions with the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, Concerned Clergy, Indianapolis Urban League, Fair Housing Task Force, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, and others. They have begun to computerize an organization that three years ago didn’t have a single computer. They are reaching out to create a younger membership. “When I took over the branch, the average age of the board was probably about 62-63, and that (speaks) to the fact that younger folks in their 40’s and 50’s weren’t involved I think we need to get younger than that. I think we need to go younger, in terms of their 20’s and 30’s.” Ambitious membership goals Over the next 10 years, Roderick Bohannan would like to see 20 percent of Greater Indianapolis paying the $10 annual membership fee. That would represent an incredible increase in membership, up to 50,000, from the mere 1200 count of today. Fred Bullard, member of the NAACP Board of Directors, is currently the office manager, program coordinator and subsequently the only employee. He noted that the current leadership is now in synch with national goals. “With the growth of Indianapolis, a lot of the racial incidents get swept under the rug or not attacked at all,” stated Bullard. “I think Mr. Bohan nan’s election has brought a focus to the organization, based upon national resolutions and responding to those as well as responding to the needs of the African -American community.” Whether the organization can meet it’s membership, technology, or even staff goals, it it good to see this kind of awakened activism in Indianapolis. If the new, community leadership of the good oT NAACP actually becomes as visible and forceful as its president wants, die new NAACP won’t re-

NAACP. He projects a kind of positive aura that you’d like to see in more young Black men: respectful, interested, articulate. He has served as the keynote speaker at a national luncheon in Houston and was elected as Indiana’s “Youth of the Year.” Amazingly, this confident young man is a 15-year-old freshman at Park Tudor High School. The Youth Council has it’s own budget, their own officers, meets separately, and has its own agenda. “I was aware of the NAACP’s lasting reputation for civil rights, but I was never really a member,” stated Neal. “My grandmother was, and I believe my mother was a member. But I really never got into it until they came out that there was going to be a youth chapter.”

PETERSON Continuud from A1

Evan Bayh, rising to the position of Chief of Staff. He’s been very active in Democratic politics, serving this year as co-chair of Julia Carson’s successful Congressional re-election campaign. Callers to the Amos Brown Show echoed Peterson’s call for improving Indianapolis neighborhoods by flooding the program with complaints about inattention and indifference to neighborhood problems by the Goldsmith Administration. On other issues important to Indianapolis, Peterson told Channel 53 viewers that Indianapolis must do more to reduce its “violent crime rate.” Education is another important concern of Peterson, having been educated in the Washington Township schools. Peterson wants to see local schools, including IPS improve. He’d “focus not just on what’s not working in our public schools, but also focus on what is working in schools.” Regarding Goldsmith’s controversial policy of privatization, Peterson agreed that some aspects • of government should be ran like a business. But he would place more emphasis on city/county government being “more responsive to citizens”; rather than just “selling assets” and “privatizing every service.” “Some government services can’t be privatized,” Peterson declared. Peterson also told viewers that he isn’t running “against the current Administration,” but running to “lead Indianapolis into the next Century.” And he declares that his will be a positive campaign. “Julia Carson was successful running a positive campaign talking about the issues. That’s something I’m going to do in our campaign,” Peterson said. Peterson will face Secretary of State Sue Ann Gilroy who announced her candidacy for Mayor last month, succeeding Steve Goldsmith. Independent Rev. John Gibson, is the only other announced mayoral candidate.

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