Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 2002 — Page 1

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Daniels receives national award

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INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPEI

VOLUME 107 ■ NUMBER 52 ■ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2002 ■ PHONE 317/924-5143 ■ www.indianapolisrecorder.com ■ 75*

Jarius Duncun, a patient at Rllay Hospital for Children is shown with Marsh Suparmarkat mascot Fielding the Mouse during a recant party held In the hospital's atrium. City announces new tenant at Union Station The city of Indianapolis recently announced R.W. Armstrong has signed a letter of intent to enter into a 10year lease to occupy 45,000 square feet space in Union Station. "Reviving the Union Station and stopping the financial bleeding caused by vacancies in the building have been top priorities for this administration," said Mayor Bart Peterson. In the past, the city has invested approximately $1 million each year to preserve and maintain the historical integrity of Union Station. With this announcement, and the inclusion of eight new tenants since early 2000, it is anticipated the cost absorbed by the city has been cut by 75 percent. Rep. Carson to speak Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind., wilt be guest speaker at the Emancipation Day Celebration, 140"’ observance Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. at Christ Missionary Baptist Church at 1001 Eugene St.. Services are sponsored by Interdenominational Ministers' Alliance and Missionary Baptist Ministers' Alliance of Indianapolis. Frozen pipes cause damage every winter According to a statement by State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., a quartermillion American families have one or more rooms in their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter by water pipes freezing and breaking. Water pipes in homes with little or no insulation are likely to freeze and break when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Homeowners can avoid frozen pipes by having adequate insulation where pipes run along outside walls, floors and ceilings. They can disconnect outside garden hoses, wrap exposed pipes with insulating sleeves or tape and seal foundation cracks that let arctic air freeze pipes in crawlspaces. They can also open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to piping under sinks and vanities. For more information visit the Web site at www.statefarm.com.

Nordstrom sNil under fire

By SHANNON WILLIAMS

RtcerSer mter Earlier this year, Elder Lionel T. Rush, pastor of Greater Harvest Church became an advocate for the Coalition of Present and Former Employees of Nordstrom. The group alleges that Nordstrom in Circle Centre mall displays "horrendous, racist attitudes toward African-

American employees.”

Perhaps the most publicized complaint against Nordstrom came from Gail Johnson. Johnson was a cosmetics employee at Nordstrom from 1995 to 1997- She felt that she was unfairly overlooked for three

promotions.

“During my employment, I sought promotions on several occasions and was passed over each time, once for a person with approximately a year of seniority over me but less experience,”

said Johnson.

In 1997. Johnson sued Nordstrom. She lost a summary judgement in a U.S. District Court and was denied appeals by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the U.S. Supreme

Court

In a memorandum addressed to Peter Nordstrom, president of Full Line Stores, Nordstrom ► Sm NORDSTROM, Pag* A3

Bob Johnson (front) and Eldar Llonal Rush taka thalr stand on allagad racism against formar Nordstrom omployaas at a recant protest. Johnson's wife, Gail filed suit against the department storaJPhoto/ John Hurst)

Housing Agency does more than house

Nordstrom rebukes

allegations

Although Nordstrom did not grant an interview with The Recorder, they did want to clarify some things. The following is a statement from Nordstrom officials in response to the charges of Elder Lionel T. Rush and the Coalition of Present and Former Employees of Nordstrom: “Nordstrom leaders have met and spoken with Elder Rush on several occasions. We were very concerned to learn that a perception of racism might exist about our Circle Centre store. “We took this issue very seriously and immediately conducted an internal investigation. Our investigation found no evidence of discrimination or racism, and cases brought to the EEOC and the U.S. courts have also been found to be without merit “Nordstrom has firm policies in place and we will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Nordstrom is proud of our efforts to maintain a workforce that represents many backgrounds, and are deeply committed to cultivating an environment where the contributions of every employee, customer and vendor are respected. “Any time an issue is brought to our attention, we immediately investigate. That is what we have done in this situation - and we have found all allegations to be without merit Our door U always open to anyone to discuss concrete and specific issues with us.”

Olgen Williams pardoned by Bush Staff Report This Christmas, Olgen Will- • iams, director of the Christamore House received a surprise giftfrom President Bush. Williams and six other individuals from various states were granted pardons by Bush earlier mis week. Those pardoned were previously convicted of relatively small crimes. In 1971 Williams was convicted of mail theft when he stole $10.90 from an envelope he was delivering while he was a postal worker. As a resuh, he was sentenced to one year in prison. Williams, who applied for the pardon during Clinton’s administration, said that he thought his request was rejected, but he’s glad foat it wasn’t “I’m so happy. I thank God for his grace and mercy,” Williams enthusiastically said. “I (also) thank my family and the community for allowing me to work for them and serve them, which in turn has allowed me to be a oart of some {Treat things in Haughville, U.SA

By ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Recorder Corraopandont

The Indianapolis Housing Agency has initiated a program to help promote better lives for the children of this city. The mentoring program was die idea of several leaders in the agency and a political icon, as well. They include the agency’s Executive Director Rufus “Bud” Meyers; Pam Morrison, director of resident relations; Rob Jackson, manager of resident services; and state Sen. Glenn Howard, who is also the Section 8 utilization liaison for the agency. Raymond Satterfield, special assistant to Meyers, was one of the first people on board to help support the program. According to Jackson, the program began in October, convenes in community centers in the public housing areas across the city, and includes children in those communities from the ageof8tol8. The mentors are young men from all backgrounds and professions, he said. “We

Rob Jackson daft), manager of resident services and former NFL player, supervises children In the Indianapolis Housing Agency's mentoring program with Raymond Satterfield (right), special assistant to Executive Director Rufus Meyers. decided we wanted a program that ership from those who have alwould help the children in school ready been through some of Ufe’s to better their education,” Jack- experiences, especially educason noted. “Manyofthem are fail- tional ones. And it’s a chance for ing the I STEP and GQE exams, those mentors to get some satisso we want to equip them with faction by giving back to the comwhat they need to succeed.” munity and helping these young Jackson, an Indianapolis na- men and women to achieve their

Clements (standing) is one of the mentors for the Housing Agency's new program. (Pfwtoe/C. Guynn)

tive, grew up in Brightwood, during some trying times. “I saw many of my friends go to prison or die out there in the streets,” he remembered. “But I want these kids to have something to look forward to. But they need to know that life is not all peachy, and that there maybe some obstacles along the way. But in order to have a chance to make it, they also have to learn to face these obstacles, and to hurdle them (to be suc-

cessful).”

Meyers said the program is: “A chance for our young men and women to get guidance, and lead-

goak-’

f Satterfield became involved at the program’s inception. “The mission of the program is to create an atmosphere to assist children in the community to experience a more positive lifestyle,” he commented. ‘It is also a great opportunity for these young men (mentors), who have exhibited leadership qualities, to give something back to the community.”, Jackson, a forma' Minnesota Viking, says being an athlete was good to him, but that this good

Perfect Holiday Gift Presence of daughter can beyond the individual’s control.

complete local man’s wish By BRANDON A. PERRY

StaH Writer

Henry’s challenge, however, is

more complicated.

“My ex-wife’s parents, especially her father, did not want ha romantically or sexually involved with anyone,” Henry said. They still resented me” even after

Cluvon was bom.

Henry later moved away from Indianapolis, re-married and had three more children. But when he returned in 1991, Henry discov-

During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, many people around the world will be enjoying the presence of close family members and

friends. But Patrick Henry is one of ere d that his ex-wife had died and the many individuals who are ^ cluvon wasinthe custody of

seeking help with their search her grandfather.

“Cluvon’s grandfather was her legal guardian, and did not let me see her,” Henry alleges. “When I tried to visit Cluvon at his house once, he threatened to shoot me if I did not leave immediately.”

, - - Unfortunately, Henry was senhas not teen kidnapped or de- tenced to prison for „ unrelated dared officially missing by law cr jme. Upon being released this enforcement authorities. Usu- past sep^ber, hi first mission ally, these people are separated was to g n( j his daughter. He has from their families for various also takensteps toget his life “back

“non threatening^ reasons, especially bitter divorces, prison

time, or any drcumstance that’s >. see GIFT, PageAZ

to find a lost loved one. Henry has not seen his daughter, Cluvon Washington, since she was a newborn, about 30 years

ago.

In cases that are similar to Henry’s the long lost relative

City Lights

i