Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 February 2001 — Page 4

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2001

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By EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus In response to a request. President Bush met w ith a delegation of the Congressional Black Caucus at the White House. The pain of the presidential election debacle still lingered so heav ily in the districts of our three Florida members —Alcee Hastings, Carrie P. Meek and Corrine Brown — that they did not attend the meeting. In the hour-and-one-half meeting, caucus members spoke forthrightly about the Florida race and about the legislative issues that we are holding the Bush administration accountable. On our agenda were seven issues: the Ashcroft nomination, election reform, civil rights enforcement, tax policy and the budget, technology, and Africa. Each of those issues is critical to the health and well-being of African Americans. On many, such as education reform, the caucus and the president are at odds. We told the president that we preferred measures to improve the quality of public schools rather than his voucher plan that would create a stampede to private schools, most of which are not required to admit troubled or disadvantaged students. We have learned from the past, that running away is retreat and that is the best way to ruin schools, not to run them. We feel that if the president is serious about addressing the real flaws in public

schools rather than to placate private school special interests, he will push for smaller classrooms and higher teacher pay, expansion of Head Start, more funds for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and respond to the urgent need for school construction. A recent government report shows that one-third of our schools need major repair or outright replacement. Studies show a correlation between school conditions and student performance. We looked for signs of hope and offered the president a way to send African Americans a substantive, immediate signal — to borrow a Clinton phrase — that he ’’felt our pain” and was ready to begin the process of healing with strong medicine: We asked the president to renominate Ronnie White, the judge that was so caustically blocked by Ashcroft to the federal bench. He is the first African American to serve on the Missouri Supreme Court and embodies the principles of fairness, excellence and impartiality. As my colleague, William (Lacy) Clay from Missouri has said, “A (Ronnie) White appointment after the storm (of Ashcroft) would be fitting to heal the wounds of the nation.” We also asked Bush to reappoint Judge Roger L. Gregory to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond. The Republican-led Senate has stymied several appointments of African Americans like Gregory. To get around the Senate, Clinton had to

use the rare device of a congressional recess appointment to elevate Gregory to the 4th Circuit. Although it has the highest AfricanAmerican population, the circuit has never had an African-American judge. Bush could withdraw the appointment, which would force Gregory to step down within a year. On other issues, however, such as debt relief to Africa, President Bush seemed more positive than when he was campaigning. In response to the AIDS epidemic in Africa, to,, the nations where people are suffering because of the tough demands of repaying their debts to various nations, the president ' promised that Africa would be a priority. Throughout the meeting, the president was cordial, even charming. But charm does not feed the hungry, educate a child, nor does it assure that Black and brown votes will count in the democratic order. If President Bush is serious about healing the wounds created not only by the ill-fated presidential election but also by the nomina-' tion of John Ashcroft as attorney general, an aspirin won’t do. Only strong medicine can begin the healing. And it must be applied quickly to stop the emotional hemorrhaging. It must assuage the bad blood that comes not only from past wounds, but from future expectations of more of the same from an attorney 1 general with a questionable anti-civil rights record.

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10 ways to help keep yourself smoke-free (NAPSA)-Consider the benefits of not smoking: no more hacking cough, improved senses of smell and taste, increased vitality and better physical appearance (less yellow on teeth and fingers). For many people, quitting i smoking can be a way to enjoy life • more. Fortunately, there’s help I available. For example, over-the- ! counter nicotine patches and gum 1 can help relieve the physical urge: to smoke and withdrawal symptoms. A support program may help you overcome the psychological and behavioral aspects of smoking as you reduce your nicotine; intake. Here are some suggestions:; 1. Write up a contract that you can sign that states your commitment to stop smoking. Display the contract in a place where everyone can see it. 2. Tell your friends and family members that you have decided to quit stnoking, and give them the reasons for this lifechanging decision. Have them reinforce these reasons when asked. 3. Extend an invitation to a smoker friend or family member to quit with you, but don’t force them to do so. Nagging a smoker who is not ready to quit will not help him or her-as you likely know from experience. 4. Ask that friends and family not smoke around you. 5. If any of your loved ones smoke, ask that ashtrays and cigarettes be kept out of your sight. 6. Tell your friends and family that you need to be the one to bring up the subject of quitting. 7. Ask a friend or family member who is an ex-smoker, or one who is also attempting to quit, if they would be your quitting “buddy” and let you vent frustration or talk about your good days. Call your “buddy” when you experience a craving. 8. Let your friends and family members know how they can help you relieve some of your, stress. Maybe your best friend i could go for a walk with you, your spouse could take you to your favorite restaurant or your kids could help out with chores. 9. Make a list of all the things you want to do when you are smoke-free that you haven’t done before (e.g., go on a bike trip, run a marathon). Have your loved ones make a list of ail the activities they want to do with you. 10. Emphasize how much you appreciate the support that your friends and family members are giving you.