responsiblegovernmentpg

2011 Fall DNC Meeting - Chicago

2011-09-14T14:43:00.001-04:00

We arrived in Chicago after the President's incredible speech Thursday night, then we were able to visit the 2012 Campaign Headquarters in the morning. All of the meetings and caucuses and councils were packed with information from the DNC, the Campaign and the Convention. A highlight was Charlotte's wonderful reception Friday night. At Saturday morning's General Meeting Chair, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz' remarks brought everyone to their feet and Senator Richard Durbin's outstanding speech reminded us of the Democratic party's perseverence, Iris Martinez' welcome gave witness to our Party's diversity and its future, and then we also looked back to honor the past with a Tribute to Chuck Manatt. Finally we were briefed by Jim Messina and the polling data at the Member's only lunch, it was amazing.

I think we are all invigorated, informed, ready to pass the American Jobs Act, and truly fired up and ready to go! I want to be sure you know about the new Web Site: www.Americanjobsact.com . It has a wealth of information, the full plan, special sections for several constituencies -- and more to come. I trust this will be helpful as we fight for jobs for the American people. The President asks us to contact our elected officials, Democrats and Republicans, both in Congress and in our states, to talk with our friends and neighbors and co-workers and tell them to contact their officials, and to help him build support for the Jobs Plan.

President Obama on the Green Fleet Initiative

2011-04-02T19:08:00.000-04:00

President Obama visits the UPS offices in Prince George's County

2011-04-02T18:00:00.004-04:00

President Obama visited Landover, Maryland on Friday April 1, 2011- it was no joke - he had great news the unemployment rate was down to 8.8% new private sector jobs are increasing. The POTUS praised UPS and other companies for being an example to Congress of how to stimulate the economy and keep the country on track to a full recovery. Cut back where necessary but be innovative and create opportunities to grow.

UPS, Fritolay and AT&T were singled out because they have started using hybrid vehicles in their fleets to cut costs and reliance on fossil fuels.

2011 DNC Meeting and White House Reception

2011-03-01T07:52:00.007-05:00

Four More Years! At the Democratic National Committee winter meeting Chairman Tim Kaine reminded us that yes, President Obama and the Democartic Party do care about healthcare for all, jobs and the future of our country. We are going to aggressively defend our record over the last two years and return to the White House victorious.

Once again we will need everyone working hard for the campaign, star by making sure that everyone you know is registered to vote and make sure they plan to vote for OBAMA!

I remain humbled and grateful to represent Maryland on the DNC and am ready to roll up my sleeves and work to re-elect our President, I hope you will join me.

Highlights from the DNC Summer Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri

2010-08-25T14:23:00.001-04:00

I attended the summer meeting and came back ready to elect DEMOCRATS! Remember, we must vote in the Primary election in September and again in the General election in November.

MARYLAND GENERAL AND LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT

2010-06-19T18:56:00.006-04:00

Maryland Legislation Helps Families

On May 20, 2010, Governor Martin O’Malley signed SB309 and HB659 popularly known as Loretta’s Law http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2008/02/21-38/Making-it-harder-to-steal-from-family.html?ne=1 the new law is entitled the Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act. The new law repeals some portions of our current law and adds new language modeled after the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. Applying the African proverb, “It Takes A Village” to this law’s journey through the Maryland General Assembly gives new meaning to the saying because it is not being used to describe raising children, instead it is being used to describe the process used to pass a law that helps to protect the elderly and disabled from abuse.

Each year that Loretta’s Law was introduced and defeated in the General Assembly, the “village” grew and worked together to come back in the next legislative session. The “village” learned the value of building coalitions, listening to opposing views and most importantly of compromising. So in the end, the law that was passed was not the pristine law that was originally proposed but does reflects the desire to hold agents accountable for their actions; provide a statutory form power of attorney and allow principles and interested persons access to the Maryland court system.

Led by Senator Delores Kelley and Delegate Kathleen Dumais, groups as diverse as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, United Seniors of Maryland, AARP, the Maryland Bankers Association, and the Prince George’s County Aging Advisory Committee joined with distinquished law professors, the National Conference of Commissioners of Uniform State Laws, the ABA Commission on Law and Aging, and the Elder Law and Estates and Trusts sections of the Maryland State Bar Association to provide written and oral testimony as well as expert testimony. Perhaps the proverb, “it takes a village” is not turned on its head when applied to Loretta’s Law. Instead, it demonstrates that adult children raised by a village will make every effort to care for the elderly in the village.

Transportation 4 America

2010-04-01T23:00:00.001-04:00

2010-02-02T00:29:00.000-05:00

End of Life Care

2010-01-10T16:04:00.000-05:00

[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/opinions/outlook/index_20100109.html]
In Britain or France, my aging mother would have gotten better health careBy Sara Mansfield TaberSunday, January 10, 2010; B01In the final months before her death in May, my mother kept her shoes on all day, even when napping. She had to -- at her assisted-living facility in Mitchellville, Md., three certified nursing assistants looked after 39 residents. My mom couldn't depend on one of them to have the time to put her shoes on when she needed to get out of bed. Only in the mornings and evenings, when one of her private aides was with her for about 30 minutes, did she have personalized care.Disabled by heart disease, two hip replacements and depression, my mother was often groggy when I visited. She needed me to take her hand and pull her up so she could grab the bed rail and maneuver into a sitting position. Though she brightened when I told her stories about her grandchildren over lunch in the facility's dining room, her joy vanished as soon as we returned to her unit. A blank look on her face, she would lay back on her bed, prone and helpless.Like many American women of my generation, I struggled to figure out how to best care for my aging mother. As the end neared, I compared notes with my friends Fiona and Juliette. Fiona lives in Canada, but her mother lives in their native England, while Juliette lives with her mother in their family home in France. How could we establish safe and comfortable environments for our ailing mothers? How could we find high-quality medical care within reach of their incomes, and our own? And how could we preserve their mental health and sense of well-being while limiting our stress?My mother's plight made my stress considerable. Each month, Lois Taber paid $4,069 to reside in her assisted-living community, $1,400 for private aides and an average of $140 for medications. Just before she died at age 82, she liquidated assets from her 401(k) to pay for a $5,800 hearing aid. At $169.50 per ride, the retirement home's fee for transporting her to medical appointments was prohibitive. Other than Medicare, my mom had no government-subsidized elder-care services. Already, the lack of affordable in-home support had forced my parents to leave their beloved house in Chevy Chase, Md., to receive the basic care they needed.Overseas, things are different -- that is, better. In England, which has a national health system similar in structure to our Veterans Affairs system, Fiona's mum, Pat Reid, suffers from disabling arthritis and diabetes, and cannot move without great pain. But a government-supplied home health aide visits Pat at breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. This costs the family 120 pounds a week (approximately $785 per month), a little more than half of what my mom paid for private aides. Lower-income patients receive this service free. The National Health Service provides general practitioners, nursing care, ambulance services, diabetic clinic visits, medications and hospitalizations for no charge. Doctors and nurses make home visits.In addition, Pat's son Simon, who has no work at the moment and lives in his mother's converted garage, receives 50 pounds a week (about $325 per month) from the government to help him look after her. With this government support, Pat is able to stay in the home where she lived with her husband for more than 35 years. The cost of her care is well within her monthly income of 2,000 pounds.In France, Juliette's maman, Madeleine Fournot, has Alzheimer's disease. She receives assistance via a national health reimbursement system similar to Medicare as well as through a special program for the elderly and disabled called l'Allocation Personalisée à l'Autonomie ("Personal Autonomy Allocation"). Since the government refunds 560 of every 1,200 euros Juliette spends on her mother's medical expenses, she is able to hire a caregiver who looks after her mother around the clock 3 1/2 days per week. This allows Madeleine to stay in her suburban Paris home, where her family has lived for three generations, and provides Juliette a regular respite from elder care.Madeleine receives one free doctor's visit per month, and the doctor makes house calls when needed. Four days a week, a physical therapist visits her, charging a one euro co-pay per visit -- less than the cost of a cup of coffee on the Champs-Élysées. Because Madeleine is on blood thinners, a hematology technician comes each week to check her blood levels. If she is in bed when he arrives, she can stay snug under her covers while he takes the sample. All medications related to Madeleine's Alzheimer's are free, as is transportation to her neurologist in Paris. Her doctor simply fills out a form stating that she cannot stand without assistance, and she is reimbursed for the 30-minute taxi ride into the city.Other services available to Madeleine include daily medication-administration house calls by a trained nurse, daily meal service (a three-course lunch and soup for dinner) and a specially designed activity program for Alzheimer's patients. The total monthly cost of Madeleine's care is 1,500 Euros, or $2,205.I am struck by all that Fiona's mum and Juliette's maman can take for granted. They enjoy access to services far beyond free and full medical and prescription drug coverage. In England, my mother's $5,800 hearing aid would have been free. While Mum and Maman get house calls from their doctors and cash compensation for family members who care for them, I often had to take time off from work -- an expensive proposition for a self-employed psychologist and writer -- to help Mom. Taking her back and forth to her medical appointments ate up entire days and, with her disabilities, she could barely get in and out of my car. This was hard work, not quality time with an aging parent.Mom, Mum and Maman were not very different people. All three married civil servants, led middle-class lives and retired on government pensions. Pat and her husband, a BBC editor and translator who escaped five Italian prison camps during World War II, sought to create a peaceful life for their children. After her husband died, Pat took a job on the local council for village planning. Madeleine spent most of her middle years in Afghanistan, where her husband was posted with the United Nations. My mother worked in orphanages and schools in Asia, Europe and the United States as she followed my father, a CIA officer, across three continents. All three women eventually became widows and developed significant medical problems. Illness and enfeeblement limited their lives, and they came to require help with their daily activities.There, the similarity ends. As seniors, each woman's quality of life was shaped by her government's health-care policies. The services offered to older people in Britain and France seem, to this American observer, straightforward, logical and humane. These countries provide the basic help their elders need to remain in their homes and in their communities, close to family and friends. It upsets me to think how much more peacefully my mother's life might have ended had she had the support available to older people in Britain and France. Why should Mum and Maman be able to grow old at home, but not Mom?Many Americans protest that Europeans pay high taxes for medical care. It is true that people in other countries pay more in taxes, but, between out-of-pocket expenses and private health insurance premiums, many Americans spend much of their tax savings staying alive. Of course, high-quality health care costs money. Treating Mom like Mum and Maman is expensive. But Pat and Madeleine both have much lower living and medical expenses than my mother had, and, unlike Americans, they never had to pay for health insurance in their prime.If our taxes were somewhat higher but we received dependable services that enabled us to spend less out of pocket on doctors' visits, medications and nursing care -- services that helped us remain independent, at home, and that relieved our families of financial and emotional burdens -- wouldn't peace of mind outweigh the additional cost?My mother, a physical therapist and teacher with a blow of cumulus hair, was a hard-working person whose motto was: "If, at the end of the day, I can say I've helped someone's life to be better, then I've had a good day." It would have been nice if, at the end of her days, she could have taken her shoes off.Sara Mansfield Taber, a psychologist and writer, is the author of "Bread of Three Rivers: The Story of a French Loaf."--

2010 Census Signing with Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards

2010-01-09T03:52:00.006-05:00

Complete Count Committees and other partners were invited to Congresswoman Edward's Office to witness the signing of the Partnership Agreement.

2009 J. F. Bourne Banquet

2010-01-01T16:23:00.004-05:00

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards and I were humbled by the achievements of the Maryland Chief Judge Robert M. Bell and his colleagues who passed the Maryland State Bar 30 years ago.

Honorees, Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, Judge Arrie Davis and

2009 EVENTS

2010-01-01T15:59:00.004-05:00

I attended MD-NARAL's Evening of Chocolate Fundraiser we had guests from the staff of MD Planned Parenthood in Baltimore. I was happy to share the evening with my mom and sister. Of course, our friends from NOW joined in the festivities!

African-American Democratic Clubs had a forum to organize for the future. They asked me to discuss opportunities for leadership within the Democratic Party.

2009 Ploughman and Fisherman's Breakfast

2009-10-18T12:45:00.003-04:00

The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee annual Ploughman & Fisherman's breakfast honored our past as we look forward to our future. I am pictured here with state party chair Susie Turnbull and county party chair Terry Spiegner. It definitely is a good time to be a DEMOCRAT!!!

President Obama comes to University of Maryland

2009-09-21T00:10:00.006-04:00

President Barack Obama came to College Park, Maryland to rally students,their parents and allthose concerned about the dismal state of our current health care system. As witnessed by the over 18,000 enthusiastic people in attendance THIS is the CHANGE that people voted for!

November 6, 2008 members sworn in for new term

2009-09-20T22:13:00.002-04:00

On Novemember 6, 2008 County Executive Jack Johnson hosted a reception after the swearing-in of the Committee. Click on link to watch video:

HEALTH CARE REFORM

2009-08-02T20:15:00.003-04:00

This is the link to the Healthcare Reform Legislation, have you looked at it?

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.3200:

A few of you have requested information to combat disinformation about
health reform. A nonpartisan source for checking myths and facts on
health reform is www.factcheck.org - a project of the Annenberg Public
Policy Center. The White House's sources for information are:
www.healthreform.gov and http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/.

NASUA participated in the first of two conference calls with the White
House. The call was convened on Wednesday, August 19, for "consumers
and seniors working on health care in the field." NASUA will announce
the second call to NASUA members so they can participate, which is
expected to occur in a couple of weeks.

The following is a snapshot of some of the information conveyed in the
call. This is not a NASUA analysis.

White House Call on Health Reform Myths & Facts

The call focused on how health reform supports can talk about health
care reform with seniors. White House staff said the focus should be on
what is wrong with the current system and suggested using anecdotes. On
the call were national groups representing seniors and retirees.
Representing the White House were:

* Tina Tchen, Director of the Office of Public Engagement

* Mike Hash, Senior Advisory with the White House Office of
Health Reform

* David Simas, White House Communication Office

Policy Update

Mike Hash gave a quick overview of what was going on in Congress citing
"tremendous progress." Four out of the five committees of jurisdiction
have reported a bill to the full chamber, and the remaining committee -
Senate Finance - continues to work through August. Their goal is still
a bipartisan agreement by Sept. 15, 2009. Once the House merges it's
three bills and the Senate merges its two, the full chambers will each
vote on their respective health reform product and a conference
committee will work to make the two bills into one final package for
final passage in both chambers.

The following are some of the highlights from his overview of the core
pieces common to all health reform legislation:

1. Insurance Market Reforms: health reform proposals do way with
current practices that make coverage cost prohibitive or exclude people
for having preexisting conditions. They also prohibit dollar limits or
lifetime benefit limits.

2. New Market Place: The "exchange" is a place that will be
developed for one stop shopping for health insurance that is easy to
understand and includes only plans with essential benefits that cap out
of pocket costs.

3. Public Option: The public option will be one publicly run
insurance plan aimed at keeping insurance companies honest, driving
competition that is fair and bringing down prices.

4. Lower-wage Worker Subsidies: Lower income workers will be
given subsidies to purchase health insurance.

5. Mandates on Employers & Individuals: Both will be mandated to
provide or purchase coverage.

6. Expansion of Medicaid eligibility: Generally, the bills raise
eligibility to 133% of FPL.

7. Delivery System Reforms: Changes to improve the quality of
care and efficiency include medical homes for providers, and bundling of
payments.

For Seniors Specifically:

1. Medicare Coverage for Preventive Benefits: Preventive benefits
under Medicare will require no deductible or coinsurance. They will be
free.

2. Reinsurance for Retirees: Encourages employers to maintain
retiree coverage.

3. Medicare Drug Benefit: Those who reach the "donut hole" will
get a discount of 50% off their drugs.

4. Generic Biological Drug Pathway: This will lower costs in the
long run for seniors.

5. CLASS Act: New national long term care insurance plan for
workers.

Combating Fears:

* Health reform is NOT "government takeover" that takes away
choices.

* You have Medicare now and you will continue to have it because
health reform will strengthen the long term solvency of Medicare with
health insurance reform.

* "Cutting" of Medicare is primarily in Medicare Advantage
overpayments to insurance companies' "windfall profits."

Q&A:

How will you prove people who receive benefits are legal?

* People in the country illegally will not be eligible for
benefits in health reform. The bills don't detail the process for
implementation. That mechanism will be provided later.

Why will employers keep offering plans?

* Employers will be mandated to pay for coverage for employees
(with some exceptions for small businesses). Those who opt out will pay
into the exchange.

Questions for the White House can be directed to: public@who.eop.gov

Senate Finance Committee Update - nothing new...

According to Politico, the six bipartisan Finance Committee Senators
(Sens. Grassley, Enzi, Snowe, Conrad, Baucus and Bingaman) convened an
hour and a half long conference call last night to continue discussions.
Chairman Baucus released a statement at midnight last night:

"Tonight was a productive conversation -- we discussed our progress and
remain committed to continuing our path toward a bipartisan health care
reform bill. Our discussion included an increased emphasis on
affordability and reducing costs, and our efforts moving forward will
reflect that focus. We have come a long way, will continue our work
throughout August and plan to meet again before the Senate returns in
September."

Look for more news in the upcoming NASUA Newsletter. If you have any
questions, please contact:

Peggie Rice

Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs

National Association of State Units on Aging

1201 15th Street NW, Suite 350

Washington, DC 20005

P: 202.898.2578 ext. 139

F: 202.898.2583

Ain't I A Woman Too!

2009-04-28T20:06:00.001-04:00

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)Abolitionist, Suffragist Sojourner Truth was freed when New York abolished slavery in 1828. She successfully sued for freedom for a son who had been sold illegally. Already a forceful speaker for abolition, she attended a Women’s Rights Convention in 1850 and became a strong voice for women’s rights and suffrage with her famous speech in Ohio in 1852, "Ain’t I a Woman?" After the Civil War, she tried to get Congress to provide land in the West for newly freed blacks.Sojourner Truth's story continued today as her statue was unveiled in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. What a day! I was the guest of my representative Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The program began with Yoland Adams, Dorinda Clark Cole and Lomax Spaulding preforming "Nothing But the Truth"My Bishop, The Right Reverend Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie gave the Invocation.The Honorable Hilary Clinton, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, gave remarks, followed by Ms. Cicely Tyson's monologue, " Ain't I a Woman"The students from the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA performed "Sojourner's Truth".This was followed by the Honorable Nancy Pelosi and our belovedFirst Lady, Michelle Obama. The Benediction was given by Rabbi Amy Schwartzman.I forgot! There were some men speakers: The HonorableJohn Boehmer, The Honorable Mitch McConnell and the Honorable Harry Reid.I am attaching photos and a video to commemorate the auspicious occasion.

EARTH DAY 2009

2009-04-25T08:56:00.000-04:00

Vice-President Biden was welcomed to Prince George's County (New Carrollton) by Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards to celebrate Earth Day and announce/celebrate money that Maryland will receive to purchase more fuel efficient public transit buses. Senator Ben Cardin and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley were also on hand to thank the Obama Administration for linking energy and ecology with the economic recovery. Click on link to see video:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/042209_biden_millions_stimulus_clean_car

THE INAUGURATION JANUARY 20, 2009

2009-01-25T19:48:00.000-05:00

We have some great videos of President Barack Obama and his beautiful wife, Michelle! This has been an amazing journey - let's continue to support him! Check out some of our new videos below: · Barack & Michelle Obama's First Da nce At Neighborhood Ball (With Beyonce Singing "At Last") · President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address (FULL) · President Obama gets funky and does "The Bump" · Obama takes historic oath · Aretha Franklin sings during inaugural ceremonies · Do the "Obama Hustle"! · The "Obama Hustle" (Part 2)! · "Yes We Can" Obama Dance · Martin Luther King Jr.'s prediction about Barack Obama's presidency - (this is Amazing!) · Obama: "A Change is Gonna Come" · "Good Crazy" - Rev. Joseph Lowery · "Where We're Going" · We Are The Ones Song by will.i.am - Obama

It was my privilege and honor to participate in the Inauguration festivities, of course connecting with my Maryland Women for Obama sisters U.S. Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards, Walakewon Blegay and State Senator Verna Jones was a fitting end to the day. YES WE DID!!

The new chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Governor Tim Kaine.

There were so many activities for progressive women such as U.S. Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards to attend as we craft our change agenda. It gives one a feeling of comfort to know that we have serious hardworking elected officials representing Maryland.

My son Charles escorts me to the Mid-Atlantic Ball. We enjoyed the performance of Wyclef Jean, check out the video!

President Obama and theFirst Lady arrive at the Mid-Atlantic Ball.

This post has pictures from the Harvard Law School reception at the historic Willard Hotel, the Women's Leadership Luncheon, the Inauaguration Swearing-In Ceremony, the Mid-Atlantic Ball and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting on Wednesday January 21, 2009. What a way to begin a year, the Democratic Party will need our continued energy and support to deliver the CHANGE that people want. Please click on the link below to see a unique panoramic view of January 20, 2009: http://gigapan.org/viewGigapan.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c&window_height=313&window_width=860

YES WE DID !!!!

2008-11-12T05:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone that voted! WE DID IT! We elected the Democratic Party Candidate for President of the United States of America, BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!! In the process we made history by electing our nations first black president. I did not understand how profound this was until the very moment that it happened. I am truly grateful, that I was able to help in my small corner of the earth. So, all of you community organizers and community activists, take heart. As President-elect Obama likes to say," one person can change a room, a city, a state, a country, a world - let's go change the world!" YES WE CAN !!!!

I spent November 4, 2008 with the Obama Protect the Vote team in Northwest Philadelphia. I have posted pictures - our line was almost a block long at 6:30 a.m. - and we had a steady turn-out all day long. I drove back to Maryland when the polls closed and watched the returns with my mother, Christine A. Kennard - we cried, talked to other family members and praised God from whom ALL blessings flow.

SPREAD THE TRUTH ABOUT BARACK

2008-10-12T13:03:00.000-04:00

On October 11, 2008 the Law Office of Karren Pope-Onwukwe, LLC hosted a successful grassroots fundraiser for Barack Obama. Many attendees expressed concern about misinformation being presented as truth. The most effective way for Senator Obama to fight back is for you get involved! Please read the informationbelow and consider calling people in swing states that may need to hear from a regular person like you. (I posted some pictures from the fundraiser at the end)

DROWNING IN A FLOOD OF MISINFORMATION REGARDING ELECTION 2008?
THE FACTS:
WILL OBAMA RAISE YOUR TAXES?
-- The Obama plan provides three times as much tax relief for middle class families as the McCain plan.
According to the Washington based "Tax Policy Center"
-- Under the Obama plan, middle class families will see their taxes cut - and no family making less than $250,000
will see their taxes increase. http://www.obama.com/
-- Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan - a lifelong Republican and longtime friend of Sen. John McCain - said the country can not afford $3.3 trillion of tax cuts proposed by McCain without corresponding spending reductions. Bloombergreports.com
WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S ISSUES?
-- Obama has received a voting record of 100% from NARAL Pro Choice America
-- Obama has advocated for women by actively supporting each of the following issues and legislation that McCain has routinely voted against:
- Roe v. Wade - Equal Pay for Equal Work - Women's Health Initiatives - Stricter Domestic Violence Laws - Supplemental Childcare Funds
WHO WILL IMPROVE THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY?
"I have a great belief that the fundamentals of our economy are very strong."
John McCain, September 15, 2008
As of September 16, 2008:
-- Unemployment rate is 5-1/2% -- 49,000 jobs were lost last month
-- 1,000,000 homes are in foreclosure -- The U.S. owes more than nine trillion dollars in debt
CNN, September 16, 2008
-- Republican Sen. Phil Gramm, a member of the Senate Budget Committee from 1989-2003, is likely to be Treasury Secretary in a McCain administration. Gramm is the author of the laws deregulating banking.
-- Data show average annual growth of real gross national product of 1.64 percent per capita under Republican presidents versus 2.78 percent under Democrats since the 1940's. That 1.14 point difference, if maintained for eight years, would yield 9.33 percent more income per person, which is a lot more than almost anyone can expect from a tax cut. New York Times, August 30,2008
HOW WILL CHANGES IN THE SUPREME COURT AFFECT AMERICANS?
During the next four years, there is the potential for appointing three new Supreme Court Justices.
-- McCain says he would put conservatives on Supreme Court Washington Post, May 7, 2008
-- John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned. John McCain.com
-- The Court's upcoming cases touch on the issues of abortion, affirmative action and air pollution, in addition to immigration and patent law. Morning Edition, NPR, October 2, 2008
WHICH CANDIDATE PROVIDES THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PLAN?
"The Obama health plan outperforms the McCain plan in coverage and efficiency."
The Urban Institute/Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, May 23, 2008
McCAIN'S VIEW ON THE SURGE AND U.S. VICTORY IN IRAQ?
The outgoing commander of U.S. Troops, Gen. David Petraeus, said that recent security gains were "not irreversible" and that the U.S. still faced a "long struggle." Petraeus said that he would never declare victory there. "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan."
BBC, September 11, 2008
CONFIRMED AMERICAN DEATHS:* 4,094
CONFIRMED AMERICAN CASUALTIES:* 30,182
*as of Sept. 16, 2008
COST OF WAR: $ 341.4 million per day
WILL OBAMA PROTECT ISRAEL?
-- A letter decrying criticism of claims that Obama is not a supporter of Jewish causes has been signed by: Top executives of the American Jewish Committee, the Reform movement, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Congress, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Phoenix Jewish News, the Orthodox Union, the Jewish Council of Public Affairs, the United Jewish Communities and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Obama has been endorsed by the Jewish Council for Education and Research.
Phoenix Jewish News, January 25, 2008
WHICH CANDIDATE IS MOST LIKELY TO BRING ABOUT TRUE CHANGE IN WASHINGTON?
McCain has been in D.C. since 1982, and has voted with Bush 90% of the time.
Washington Post, September 16, 2008
Obama was the Senate's point person on ethics reform, and sponsored or co-sponsored the bills that made up what the Washington Post called "the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet."
All legislative actions can be verified on The Library of Congress website: http://thomas.loc.gov/
McCAIN REPEATEDLY STATES THAT OBAMA OPPOSES OFF-SHORE DRILLING AND NUCLEAR POWER.
"I still don't believe that (off-shore drilling) is a particularly meaningful short-term or long-term solution...I am willing to consider it if it's necessary to actually pass a comprehensive plan...In addition, we'll find safer ways to use nuclear power and store nuclear waste. And we'll invest in the technology that will allow us to use more coal, America's most abundant energy source, with the goal of creating five 'first-of-a-kind' coal-fired demonstration plants with carbon capture and sequestration."
http://www.barackobama.com/
WHERE DO THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES STAND ON GLOBAL WARMING?
-- Gov. Sarah Palin does not believe that climate change is caused by human behavior.
ABC News.com August 29, 2008
-- The science is clear: Human activities are changing our climate, and Senator Biden continues to lead the fight for responsible management of our environment. Biden.senate.gov
JUDGMENT?
-- The first crucial decision a presidential candidate makes is the selection of a running mate.
Even leading Republicans are wary of Governor Palin's domestic and foreign policy experience. Republican Senator Chuck Hagel was asked if he thought Palin could lead the country if GOP presidential nominee John McCain could not? "I think it's a stretch to, in any way to say that she's got the experience to be president," he said.
http://www.startribune.com/ September 18,2008
BECAUSE OF THESE FACTS I AM VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA.
I BELIEVE HE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE TO INSURE THE WELL-BEING OF MY FAMILY, MY COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.
http://www.obamamoms.org/ (for a PDF version of this fact sheet)
Spread the truth about Barack‏
From:
Jon Carson, BarackObama.com (democraticparty@democrats.org)
Sent:
Sun 10/12/08 2:07 AM
Reply-to:
democraticparty@democrats.org
To:
Karren Pope-Onwukwe (kpopeatty@msn.com)
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Dear Karren, The smears and lies about Barack are becoming more frequent, more outrageous, and more offensive.While you and I know the truth, many undecided voters do not.It's more important than ever to reach out to voters in crucial battleground states. You can set the record straight, fight back against John McCain's attempt to mislead voters, and help win a key state in this election.Get your list of potential supporters to contact. We'll give you talking points you can use.This election is coming down to the wire. Voters are making up their minds, and in a number of states they are casting their votes early. You can help make sure the attacks we're seeing from the McCain campaign don't influence their decision at the polls.No experience is required. You can do it all from home. You'll join more than 200,000 supporters around the country who are using our voter contact tool to great success.Ask friends and family to join you. If more supporters like you get involved, we can quickly reach the number of voters we need to win this election.Get started right now:http://www.democrats.org/page/m2/4052b103/5f7cf2c/5403517b/74b978f7/1679019486/VEsF/Thanks for all you do,JonJon CarsonNational Field DirectorObama for America

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org/page/m2/4052b103/5f7cf2c/5403517b/74b978f5/1679019486/VEsD/. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
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We are registering Lottie, Dottie & EVERYBODY here in Prince George's County and beyond !!!

2008-09-09T12:35:00.000-04:00

While at the historic Democratic National Convention I attended a seminar where Cornell Belcher, the pollster for the campaign told us that a total of 60,249,452 young whites, African-Americans and Hispanics reresent 29% of eligible voters, but they represent 42% of unregisterd voters! So when you moan and groan about the polls that show who the most likley registered voters are supporting you need to find a young white person, an African-American or one of your Latino friends and find someone to register to vote and make sure that they vote.

So there are 60,249,452 people 18-24 years old that are white, African-American and Hispanic and then there are those in that are over 24 that are white, African-American and Hispanic that we need to register and get to the polls.

There is some concern brewing that voter registration is being jeopardized.
Don't assume that since you have voted in the past that your voter
registration is still active. Some people have recently checked to find out
that they are no longer registered. Their registration has mysteriously
disappeared even though they have been registered to vote for years.

For Maryland residents, you can click on the link below to check to make
sure you are still registered.

http://mdelections.umbc.edu/voter_registration/v2/vote_prod.php

We can make a difference this November. If you are not registered to vote,
you can click on the following link for a voter registration form which
must be filled out and mailed before October 14th to vote in the general
election.

http://www.elections.state.md.us/pdf/2007_English_InternetVRA.pdf

The deadline to request an Absentee ballot in Maryland is October 28, 2008. You may vote absentee if you are not able to vote at the polls on Election Day (because you want to volunteer in a swing state). ABSENTEE BALLOTS DO COUNT!!!! (Ask Congresswoman Donna Edwards)

http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com/Government/AgencyIndex/Elections/2008_Absentee_Ballot_Application.pdf

The Prince George's County Board of Elections is located @ 16201 Trade Zone Avenue, Suite 108, Upper Marlboro, MD and will be open from 9:00 -2:00 for voter registration on the following Saturdays: September 13, 20. & 27 and October 4 & 11. The telephone number is (301) 430-8020 website: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/elections/

We are at a point in the election where we must stay focused on the goal, THE WHITE HOUSE! Right now there are more registered DEMOCRATS in the country than republicans. We must energize our base all over the country and get them to the polls on November 4, 2008. Your friends and neighbors are counting on you to provide them with accurate information.

So, let's get busy. We need to understand how can people register to vote, when is the last day to register to vote and how are people able to vote early.

Pass the word....

Peace, KPO

2008 Democratic Convention

2008-08-30T23:19:00.000-04:00

Thank you Maryland for allowing me to represent you at the historic Democratic Convention held August 25-28, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be up close and personal with such a ground-breaking movement. "I woudn't take nothing for the journey" I cast my vote as your Democratic committeewoman fo An African-American to be the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States. I paid homage to the spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKXoXwYpzmU

Karen Toles and I were interviewed after Senator Obama's historic speech on Thursday August 28, 2008, click on the link to read our reactions.

http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/08/31/story35513.asp

Bishop Vashti MacKenzie at the Maryland breakfast.

DEMOCRATIC UNITY

2008-08-27T09:02:00.000-04:00

I was unable to post a blog on Tuesday so today I will post some pictures from both days. What about Michelle & Hillary? GRAND SLAM HOMERUN!!!

2008 Democratic Convention

2008-08-25T00:33:00.000-04:00

My sister Beverly and I arrived in Denver on Sunday morning, August 24, 2008. We are staying at the Maryland Delegation hotel and got an opportunity to see a little bit of downtown Denver when I joined U.S. Congresswoman Donna Edwards to participate in a live webcast of a town hall meeting hosted by Laura Flanders. We visited the Huffington Post Oasis and did a little relaxing yesterday afternoon.

YES WE CAN !!!

2008-06-08T22:28:00.000-04:00

I Iattended the Prince George's for Obama picnic and saw so many of our Women for Obama volunteers, working. Catherine Burt and I remember our first event, the Iowa Watch Party in Brandywine, we had no idea what was ahead of us!!

We both agree, it was worth the time and effort, now we need to take a deep breath and get ready for the BIG DANCE - THIS IS IT !!!!

Barack Obama vs. John McCain:
Read about Records on Reproductive Rights and Other Issues Women Care About

Barack Obama:

Received a 100% pro-choice vote rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America

Obama received a 100% rating from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council as a state senator for all years where ratings were available and was endorsed by the council in his 2002 race for U.S. Senate.

Obama was the only presidential candidate who rose in support of Illinois Planned Parenthood when their new Aurora clinic faced a threatened shut-down last year.

Obama was the ONLY U.S. Senator who helped raise funds in 2006 to successfully repeal a South Dakota law that banned abortions.

In 2005 Obama voted to repeal the Mexico Policy, which bars U.S. air to international family planning organizations that provide or promote abortion.

As an Illinois state senator, Obama supported a successful law to require insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptives in Illinois.

Obama co-sponsored legislation with Sen. Claire McCaskill to make birth control affordable for low-income women and students after Federal changes to regulations caused birth control costs to skyrocket.

Obama voted against allowing anti-abortion activists to escape court-ordered fines or judgments by filing for bankruptcy protection.

Obama twice voted against making it a crime to take a minor across state lines for an abortion.

As an Illinois state Senator, Obama worked closely with the Illinois Pro-choice community - led by Planned Parenthood - to employ a "present vote" strategy to successfully defeat a series of anti-choice legislation proposed by republicans.

Obama sponsored a bill to provide information about emergency contraception to sexual assault victims.

Obama Passed the Prevention First Act. Obama co-sponsored the Prevention First Act which increases funding to family planning programs.

Obama has said that protecting and safeguarding Roe v. Wade will be a priority in his administration. Fight AIDS Worldwide.

There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. As president, Obama will continue to be a global leader in the fight against AIDS. Obama believes in working across party lines to combat this epidemic and recently joined Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) at a large California evangelical church to promote greater investment in the global AIDS battle.

John McCain:

McCain has received a 0% pro-choice rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America

Since 1983, in votes in the House and the Senate (where he has served since 1987), McCain has cast 130 votes on abortion and other reproductive-rights issues. 125 of those votes were anti-choice.

McCain co-sponsored and voted for the Federal Abortion Ban.

He voted to uphold the Global Gag Rule. The Global and Gag Rule is a policy that bans aid to global and if they use their own funds to provide legal abortion services or even adopt a pro-choice position. He has also voted for a similar a ban on grants for domestic health centers that offer abortion or take a pro-choice position.

McCain has consistently voted against legislation requiring insurance companies to cover birth control.

He voted against legislation that established criminal and civil penalties for those who use threats and violence to keep women from gaining access to reproductive health clinics.

McCain voted to shut down the Title X family-planning program. This program provides millions of women with health care services ranging from birth control to cancer screenings.

McCain has consistently voted against expanding access to programs that reduce pregnancy and the need for abortion and in favor of abstinence-only programs.

Voted to impose a Federal Parental Consent Law on teens seeking birth control.

McCain has pledged to fill Supreme Court vacancies with justices who will overturn Roe. V. Wade. McCain voted for four anti-choice nominees for the Supreme Court including Roberts and Alito.

Voted against reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years. McCain voted against reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program for five years. His health care plan provdes $2 billion in tax cuts to health insurance

When Congress was considering the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, McCain voted to suspend it.

NORTH CAROLINA - YES WE CAN!!!

2008-05-08T08:34:00.000-04:00

South Carolina started it and North Carolina ended it!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/06/north-carolina-indiana-pr_n_100400.html

I was blessed to be in South Carolina when Senator Obama won, but nothing can compare with working the polls in this historic campaign with my son Charles Onwukwe, Jr. (a rising sophomore at St. Augustine's College in Raliegh, North Carolina)! We spent the day working the poll at Walnut Terrace in Raliegh. As we drove back to Maryland Charles and I had a very long serious conversation about the future. I am proud of Charles and his heart for people and desire for a more perfect world. I hope that I am doing my part to make it possible for people like Charles to change the world. I believe that he has the capacity to do anything that he sets his mind to do. YES WE CAN !

More and more super delegates are publicly endorsing OBAMA for president, click on article below:

http://www.gazette.net/stories/050508/polinew183937_32372.shtml

MARYLAND WOMEN FOR OBAMA TRAVEL TO PHILLY

2008-04-15T19:09:00.000-04:00

Honorable Pat Fletcher and Senator Verna Jones
join some of the MD-WFO on the road.

Verna & Karren support Philly fundraiser.

Judge Hatchet was Fired Up & Ready to Go! Beverly helps deliver supplies to PA office

MARYLAND WOMEN FOR OBAMA WERE "ON THE ROAD AGAIN" FOR BARACK OBAMA on April 12 - 13 2008! Over 100 women from Maryland brought donations of water & snacks, participated in the rally, canvassed, addressed postcards, made phone calls, attended fundraisers, house parties and attended church (I attended the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church with my sister Beverly Jones who drove up from Connecticut) we were all united in our message - Barack Obama will be the Democratic Party's nominee and reclaim the White House.

Becky Carroll , National Director of Women for Obama joined some of the MD-WFO for a photo as we left the rally. Read Becky's letter below and sign up to go to Pennslyvania to help Barack!

Dear friends,

What an amazing weekend we had in Pennsylvania! More than 1,000 women from throughout the country traveled to PA this weekend to help get out the vote and recruit undecided voters. More than 800 of them rallied on behalf of Senator Obama during a pre-canvass rally and canvass training in the Philadelphia area, while others joined with hundreds more women throughout PA to canvass in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Allentown, Harrisburg, Erie and elsewhere.

Saturday’s rally was filled with incredible energy and enthusiasm driven in part by amazing speakers who helped fire up the crowd before they went knocking on doors and making calls. The pre-rally program was set to start at 8:30 am – and women were already lined up down the street by 7:15 am! Women traveled by bus, minivan, carpools, train and plane. Margi Casey McGann, who’s brother is the junior U.S. Senator for PA and who’s father was Governor of the state, served as our emcee and introduced a fabulous and diverse cast of women including: Caroline Kennedy; actress and advocate, Jessica Lange; former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Kate Michelman; Glenda Hatchett of the Judge Hatchett Show; and former Philadelphia councilwoman Augusta Alexander Clark. They inspired everyone and brought the crowd to their feet many times over – the rally ended with everyone shouting in unison “Yes We Can!” Our women were so fired up afterwards that their canvassing efforts helped the PA field team far surpass their goals for the weekend!

I want to give a special thanks to some Women for Obama state groups who took on many responsibilities in organizing women in their states to travel to PA this weekend. They include New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Washington D.C., Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia and New Hampshire. In total, 21 states were represented from as far away from California, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado, and even the U.S. Virgin Islands was represented! Its First Lady, Cecile DeJongh, was on hand to canvass and meet with voters. Massachusetts brought a bus with more than 40 women, while women from Chappaqua, NY brought in two buses filled with 80 women!

The campaign also hosted several events with undecided voters including house parties, meetings at senior centers, brunches, lunches and teas – one which was hosted by several women who served in the Clinton administration, but support Barack Obama for president!

Our WFO low dollar fundraiser that night was a great success with more than 200 in attendance. Our fantastic host, Gail Connors, put on a great event complete with a choir, live band and a festive mood that was perfect after a long day of canvassing. Jessica Lange, Kate Michelman, and Judge Glenda Hatchett stopped by to speak to the crowd and thank them for their time and dedication to the campaign.

Check out our WFO blog over the next day at women.barackobama.com and to read blogs and views photos from our exciting weekend.

And thanks again to all of you who made this weekend possible!

We have other activities in the works for next weekend in PA – which is the critical last weekend before the primary – as well as Indiana and North Carolina, so stay tuned!!

Becky Carroll
National Director, Women for Obama

We received another note from Becky with an update and links to some blogs, see below:

Thanks again for all the work you did to make last weekend such asuccess in PA. I received a ton of positive feedback from both oursupporters and those on the campaign in the field -- they were soappreciative for all of the canvassers we gave them. It was such animportant weekend for them -- the kick off of GOTV -- and we helped themexceed the goals they had set out. I am so grateful to have had all ofyou on board to help make the weekend possible. I was also able to provide a briefing to Michelle Obama and she waselated with the outcome. This program is very important to her so I'dlike to give a big thanks on her behalf as well. The low dollar fundraiser was also a hit -- our host raised close to$50,000! We also were able to hit several senior centers (6), house parties (6),a brunch, a tea with the former Clinton admin women, churches, andbeauty shops. If you haven't seen these already, ck out the pics and blogs below fromthe weekend. Thanks again!! From one of our NY volunteers:http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/13/184851/974 From our WFO Philly director:http://picasaweb.google.com/margaret.richardson/WFOCanvassKickOffRallyWithCarolineKennedy?authkey=JHKZxOSL1Bw From the MD WFO co-chair:http://responsiblegovernmentpg.blogspot.com/ From one of our PA WFO volunteers:http://women.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gGBppR

DNC Delegation to Taiwan

2008-04-01T21:48:00.000-04:00

It was a distinct honor to be invited to be a member of the DNC delegation that visited Taiwan and observed their Presidential election.

BARACK WINS MARYLAND !!!

2008-02-18T12:43:00.000-05:00

The Chesapeake Primary gave this area an opportunity to see Senator Barack Obama - up close and personal. We had an electrifying rally at the UMD Comcast Center
Play it now with your RealPlayer:

http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&&title=Obama%20Speech%20at%20Maryland%20U%202%2D11%2D08&link=http%3A%2F%2F66.90.80.130%2Fbt%2Fballentine.asx

This victory came with hard work and sacrifice of many volunteers and committed leadership. Here in Prince George's County we had the capable leadership of Obama staff led by Prince George's County Field Director Ryan Cooper. We knew we had worked hard, but when we saw that 78.98% of our votes went to Barack Obama we were FIRED UP and READY TO GO!! Click on the link below to see the numbers, YES WE CAN!!!!

http://www.co.pg.md.us/election_2008/summary2008-1.htm

PRINCE GEORGE'S WOMEN FOR OBAMA HOSTS ALFRE WOODWARD

2008-02-10T07:02:00.000-05:00

We made the local news! Click on the link below:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=5731939&version=1&locale=EN-US

Over 100 women, girls and some men gathered for a reception Saturday afternoon at the Law Office of Karren Pope-Onwukwe, sponsored by the Prince George's County chapter of Maryland Women for Obama. We talked with acclaimed actress Alfre Woodward and U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) discussing Senator Barack Obama's platforms on various issues. The women left FIRED UP and READY TO GO to elect a candidate that will represent everyone latino, female,male, democratic, republican and independents as the president of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA !!! See VIDEO below:

YES WE CAN

2008-02-04T00:35:00.000-05:00

Please take a moment to view this amazing video that Senator Obama's supporters in LA made. Thank you.

http://www.dipdive.com/

Important Prince George's for Obama Volunteer Meeting
Monday, February 4, 7PM
Vista Gardens Community Room (at the Vista Gardens Shopping Center)
10201 Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy
Lanham MD 20607
The Vista Gardens shopping center is located at the corner of Rts 450 and 704. (To go to the Vista Gardens Community Room, enter the glass doors between Quizno's and Benito's and take the elevator to the second floor)

The main contact for the Prince George's County for Obama campaign (and the person to send all volunteer information):
Ryan Cooper
Regional Field Director - Prince George's County
843-601-6087
rcooper@barackobama.com

Prince George's County for Obama office locations:
1101 Mercantile Lane, Largo, MD 20774
9801 Greenbelt Rd., Suite 103B, Lanham, MD 20706

Tentative Calendar for Prince George's County for Obama activities:

Monday, February 4, 5PM
Opening of a new Barack Obama campaign office
1101 Mercantile Lane, Largo, MD 20774

Monday, February 4, 7PM
Volunteer Meeting/Get Out the Vote Training
Vista Gardens Community Room (at the Vista Gardens Shopping Center)
10201 Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy, Lanham MD 20607

Tuesday, February 5 - Thursday, February 7 - 6PM-9PM
More Phonebanking
4640 Forbes Blvd, Lanham, MD 20706
No cell phones needed (landlines already set up)

Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10
Get Out the Vote Weekend Canvasses
10AM and 2PM shifts

Sunday, February 10
Church visits

Monday, February 11
Get Out the Vote Door Hangers
10AM and 2PM shifts

Election Day, Tuesday, February 12
Canvass shifts: 9AM and 1:30PM
Phone Shifts: 9AM, 1PM, and 5PM

Point of Contact for all activities:
Ryan Cooper
Regional Field Director - Prince George's County
843-601-6087
rcooper@barackobama.com

Online sign-up for Get Out the Vote Activities: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mdgotv

JANUARY 27, 2008 SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY

2008-01-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

YES WE CAN!! I have just returned from South Carolina providing voter protection/legal assistance to ensure that everyone has a right to vote - no matter who they support. I of course am very pleased to report that the election resulted in a BLOW-OUT for Senator Obama.

The margin of victory was 2-1, he won 44 0f the 46 counties, and captured virtually every demographic, including women, men, young and old, middle-aged and elderly, 55% of the vote!

JANUARY 3, 2007 IOWA CAUCUS WATCH PARTY

2008-01-04T18:00:00.000-05:00

A message from our hostess, Joyce Dowling:

Yea, Barack won! Thanks to all who came! It was great! Sorry to those of you who couldn't make it. I hope you are all signed up to at least one of the local Obama groups - check the web site if you haven't yet. Sorry to hear that the photographer from the Washington Post was in a car accident and had to go to the hospital; I hope she's OK. I posted my photos on my LiveJournal and will send info to the listservs and post about it in my blog on the BarackObama.com site. I'm trying to post the video on YouTube since it was only 2 mins. If anyone has a problem with being in public photos, please let me know and tell me specifically which photo you're in that you'd like removed (or for me to black you out) and if you'd like your name to be listed on the ones you appear in, please let me know that, too. Go to my LJ blog for a link to the photos & more information: http://uu-mom.livejournal.com/

REACTIONS TO BARACK'S WIN IN IOWA
See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJYAOfHmBJU

THIS IS THE LINK TO SENATOR BARACK OBAMA'S HISTORIC SPEECH
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/iowavictoryspeech/

Thanks to everyone that came out FIRED UP & READY TO GO!!!!!

2007-12-12T06:50:00.000-05:00

http://women.barackobama.com/page/content/WFOhome

Obama Campaign Launches Maryland Women for Obama Leadership Committee
Chicago, IL – The Obama campaign announced the Women for Obama Leadership committee in Maryland today. The Maryland state committee will join similar structures in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and other key February 5th states set up to lead a national network of 20,000 women who are organizing on behalf of Barack Obama. The campaign also recently introduced a new video focused on women that will be shown at the kickoff event this evening. The video can be viewed at my.barackobama.com/page/invite/wfodoc20071120. “What I am hearing from women across the country is that they are looking for a leader who will put them first, who will remember that balancing work and family is a challenge for millions. When our leaders forget that fact we lose focus on what is important,” said Barack Obama. “The values I learned as the son of a single mother, as the grandson of a strong Midwestern woman and from my wife and two daughters are a not only a part of who I am, but a part of what keeps me fighting for change we can believe in.” “Every woman I know, regardless of race, education, income and background, is struggling to keep her head above water. We have spent the last decade talking a good game about family values, but I haven’t seen much evidence that we actually value women or families. But we have a real opportunity in this election to create major change – to bring everyone to the table like never before – to get women and families the support they need to not only survive but thrive,” said Michelle Obama. Since the launch of Women for Obama in April, the group has played a key role in Barack Obama’s campaign for President. By focusing on fundraising, grassroots and online organizing, Women for Obama has built a network of women who will play an instrumental role in sending Barack Obama to the White House. Maryland Women for Obama Steering Committee Members Include:State Senator Verna Jones, Baltimore CityState Senator Lisa Gladden, Baltimore CityState Delegate Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's CountyState Delegate Jolene Ivey, Prince George's CountyState Delegate Cheryl Glen, Baltimore CityState Delegate Sue Kullen, Calvert CountyState Delegate Gerron Levi, Prince George's CountyCouncilwoman Helen Holton, Baltimore CityCouncilwoman Jennifer Terrasa, Howard County Councilwoman Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, President of Baltimore City CouncilState's Attorney Patricia Jessamy, Baltimore CityBoard of Education Member Dr. Judy Docca, Montgomery County Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis, Eastern Shore
Penny McCrimmon, Baltimore County
Alice Torriente, Baltimore CityVeris Lee, Baltimore CitySharane Miller, Baltimore CityKathleen Miller, Baltimore CountyErnestine Jolivet, Baltimore CountyKarren Pope Onwukwe, Prince George's CountyWalakewon Blegay, Prince George's CountyRoxanne Taylor, Prince George's CountyCorriece Gwynn, Prince George's CountyPatrice Alexander Ficklin, Prince George's CountyVanessa Ali, Montgomery CountyJean Bailey, Montgomery CountyBonita Phinney, Ann Arundel CountyCorey Paterson, Maryland Students for Barack ObamaChristine Kennard, Howard County### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 6, 2007Contact: Obama Press; (312) 819-2423

Maryland Women for Obama

2007-12-12T06:41:00.000-05:00

Maryland

mdwomenforobama@gmail.com On Sunday October 7, 2007 thirteen women from all across Maryland representing private industry, government agencies, union workers, students, the faith community, seniors and community advocates came together to begin organizing the “Maryland Women for Obama” movement and Steering Committee, chaired by State Senator Verna Jones from Baltimore, Maryland. Since October the women have joined forces in diverse communities through out the state to raise thousands of dollars, canvass many neighborhoods, attend community events, host local events and participate in Camp Obama campaign training sessions. Now, barely eight weeks old the “Maryland Women for Obama” movement has grown to over 350 female grassroots volunteers and 13 elected officials. They are well on their way to raising significant resources for Barack Obama’s December surge in Iowa and New Hampshire. The women keep coming because:
“Senator Barack Obama embodies the vision, values, and perspective that this country needs to bring about hope and prosperity for all. As an elected official, I sincerely appreciate his integrity, intellect and sincere desire to lead.” State Senator Verna Jones – Baltimore City and Chair, Maryland Women for Obama “America has lost faith with our claim of being the ‘land of opportunity’; I want to bring that back for my grandchildren.” Natalie Besanson – Anne Arundel County “Senator Obama and his wife Michelle are wonderful role models of a family that has balanced family, career and politics without sacrificing their principles, values and morals in order to succeed.” The Honorable Aisha Braveboy – Prince George’s County “Barack Obama is intelligent, honest and caring. He has a vision to bring this diverse country together.” Alice Brailey Torriente – Baltimore City “Barack Obama is committed to change. I believe that he can renew our civil liberties and social policies that have been eroded by the Bush Administration.” Penny McCrimmon – Baltimore County “Senator Obama represents a new direction for America; because of his grassroots organizing he understands the needs of the people.” Walakewon Blegay – Prince George’s County “He is against the War in Iraq” Christine Kennard – Howard County “He is an advocate for Women’s Rights and he has keen vision about implementing universal health care.” Bonita D. Phinny – Anne Arundel County “At last a leader of the people, for the people” The Honorable Moonyene Jackson-Amis – Eastern Shore “I’ve known Barack since we attended Harvard Law School together. I’m proud to have supported him for every political office he’s sought, from his bid for the Illinois legislature to his current presidential campaign. Over all these years, I’ve been impressed with Barack’s compassion, intellect, and character. I can’t imagine a better person to serve as our next President.” Patrice Alexander Ficklin – Prince George’s County
The following names are the 14 elected officials that are members of the Maryland Women for Obama Leadership Council: 1. State Senator Verna Jones, Baltimore City 2. State Senator Lisa Gladden, Baltimore City 3. State Delegate Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's County 4. State Delegate Jolene Ivey, Prince George's County 5. State Delegate Cheryl Glen, Baltimore City 6. State Delegate Sue Kullen, Calvert County 7. State Delegate Gerron Levi, Prince George's County 8. Councilwoman Helen Holton, Baltimore City 9. Councilwoman Jennifer Terrasa, Howard County 10. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Council President 11. State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy, Baltimore City 12. Board of Education Member Dr. Judy Docca, Montgomery County 13. Councilmember Moonyene Jackson-Amis, Eastern Shore
14. Penny McCrimmon, Baltimore County

The following 15 women are the Maryland Women for Obama Steering Committee
1. Alice Torriente, Baltimore City 2. Veris Lee, Baltimore City 3. Sharane Miller, Baltimore City 4. Kathleen Miller, Baltimore County 5. Ernestine Jones-Jolivet, Baltimore County 6. Karren Pope Onwukwe, Prince George's County 7. Walakewon Blegay, Prince George's County 8. Roxanne Taylor, Prince George's County 9. Corriece Gwynn, Prince George's County 10. Patrice Alexander Ficklin, Prince George's County 11. Vanessa Ali, Montgomery County 12. Jean Bailey, Montgomery County 13. Bonita Phinney, Ann Arundel County 14. Corey Paterson, Maryland Students for Barack Obama 15. Christine Kennard, Howard County

2007 DNC Fall Meeting

2007-12-01T19:46:00.000-05:00

I have pledged my vote at the 2008 Democratic Natonal Convention in support of Senator Barack Obama's nomination as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States of America because I believe that he is the candidate that can run a truly inclusive campaign in the general election and recapture the White House.

Like you, I have seen Senator Obama help unify Democrats all across America and especially here in Maryland before and after the last round of congressional elections. Just as Barack Obama helped Senator Ben Cardin to defeat a strong Republican candidate by addressing Obama's positive vision of America and rallying all of us to come together to support Democratic principles to win in Maryland and solidify a majority in the U.S. Congress, I believe Obama will do the same thing in a national campaign.

Senator Barack Obama will unite rank and file Americans whether Democratic, Republican or Independent that is the only way to end gridlock and move our country forward.

To view the Senator's speech please click on the link below:

http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/11/barack_obama_1.php

October 10, 2007 Reception for OBAMA

2007-10-15T00:45:00.001-04:00

Speculating that the Senator had experienced a very long day, I was really amazed with his sincerity and zeal to meet each guest!

BARACK OBAMA comes to Prince George's County, Maryland

2007-10-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

Attorneys from all across Maryland support Obama
State Senators Lisa Gladden and Verna Jones are Obama supporters.
Baltimore and Prince George's united in support of Obama.
Senator Obama speaks

WAKE UP EVERYBODY !!!!

2007-08-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
American Majority Partnership Summit
Las Vegas, Nevada

As your Maryland representative to the Democratic National Committee (“DNC”) I attended the 2007 Summit at the Paris/Bally’s Hotels August 23-25, 2007. The Summit was hosted by the DNC’s five constituency caucuses – APIA, Black, Hispanic, LGBT and Women’s Caucuses to enable them to strategize on how we can work together to elect a Democratic president in 2008. The DNC brought the groups together for three days of training and dialogue. http://www.democrats.org/communities.html
The Summit participants received briefings on the delegate selection process and the upcoming Democratic convention, issue briefings, strategies on running for office, faith in action, and Next Gen internet Strategies. A result of the Summit was the formation of regional working groups to find ways in which we can work across constituencies to motivate and mobilize communities to vote Democratic in the 2008 presidential election. The goal is to ensure that we will not be divided by categories; but we will work together with hope and optimism.

A highlight of the Summit was luncheon speaker, AMEC Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, she spoke from the book of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes:

"Wake up everybody no more sleeping in bed No more backward thinking time for thinking ahead The world has changed so very much From what it used to be There is so much hatred, war, and poverty"

The issues that the DNC has focused on are:
1. IRAQ – We must support a plan to begin removing troops.

2. Culture of Corruption – We must get a signed Ethics bill.
(Scooter Libby/Alberto Gonzales)

3. Don’t ask don’t tell – We must repeal this failed policy.

4. Voter Protection – We must protect everyone’s right to vote and have their vote counted in 2008. (Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George’s)

The DNC Fall Meeting will be held in Baltimore, Maryland November 29 through December 1, 2007. Remember, the Democratic Convention is scheduled to convene August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado all delegates to the convention must be selected by June 21, 2008.

Meeting with Governors Martin O'Malley and Howard Dean

2007-07-30T15:21:00.000-04:00

This year Maryland hosted the DNC meeting of the State Party Chairs and Governor O'Malley hosted a reception at the Governor's mansion. All of the DNC leadership is excited about winning back the White House. Have you found a candidate that you are ready to work for? The primary process is where the grassroots membership gets the strongest voice, SPEAKOUT!

MARYLAND CAN REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY

2007-03-02T12:06:00.000-05:00

Maryland can repeal the death penalty if you speak out, elected officials have to know that this issue is important to you see below for how to do this:

Steps to writing your Delegate or Senator:
1. Put your name and address at the top of the letter
2. Address your letter to the proper Delegate or Senator (if you do not know who represents you go to http://mdelect.net )
3. Introduce yourself and state that you are writing to express your support for repeal of the death penalty.
4. Share some of the reasons why you support repeal. Some suggested reasons are;· Death sentences cost more than life without parole· Risks executing innocent people· Doesn’t offer victims true closure or healing· Is not an effective deterrent to crime· Is administered in a racially and economically biased manner· Life is sacred
5. Ask your Delegate or Senator to support repeal legislation, bill number HB 225 (House) or SB 211 (Senate).
6. Ask that your Delegate or Senator contact you regarding their position on the issue.
7. Sign your name Citizen Jane123 River View Dr.Maryland City, MD 20548 SEE EXAMPLE BELOW:

Dear Delegate So and So:

As a constituent of the Xth Legislative District, I write to express to you my support for repeal of the death penalty in Maryland. I believe Maryland has an historic opportunity this session to pass repeal legislation and move the debate on to more effective measures of crime prevention.I am opposed to the death penalty because it doesn’t serve as an effective deterrent to crime, it doesn’t offer true healing and closure to victims families and it costs more than a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

For these and other reasons, I ask that you support death penalty repeal legislation (HR. 255 Del. Rosenberg is the primary sponsor.) I look forward to hearing from you regarding this letter. I can be reached at the above address.

Sincerely,
Your Name--

There is also a link to a poll survey in the Annapolis Gazette for Marylanders in support/or not in support of repeal of the Death Penalty. It's an up/down yes or no survey question that we currently need more votes on in favor. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/

Transportation Forum on February 22, 2007

2007-02-21T11:22:00.000-05:00

Rail on the Wilson Bridge: How to move forward?
A forum sponsored by Prince George’s Advocates for Community-based Transit
All are welcome!
Thursday, February 22, 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Oxon Hill Public Library
6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Light refreshments will be provided.
Question-and-answer session included
Founded in 2003, Prince George's Advocates for Community-based Transit is a growing advocacy group. We seek accessible transit and livable communities for Prince George's County. Membership is free.
Visit us at www.princegeorgesact.org
Prince George’s ACT, PO Box 22
Hyattsville, MD 20781

Invited speakers
U.S. Rep. Al Wynn, U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, County executive Jack Johnson, community activists Donna Edwards and Ollie Anderson, transit activist Harry Sanders

Democratic National Committee (DNC) 2007 Winter Meeting

2007-02-14T01:42:00.000-05:00

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE REPORT
2007 WINTER MEETING

The Democratic National Committee (“DNC”) 2007 Winter Meeting was held at the Washington Hilton Hotel February 1-3, 2007, on Friday morning Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reminded us that the Democratic Party not only had a political victory, but we made history when we took control of the House of Representatives and elevated Nancy Pelosi to the position of Speaker of the House (Maryland is proud that we are represented in the national leadership ranks by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen) . The DNC also passed the attached Resolution: http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/02/on_the_need_for.php

The DNC celebrated the success of Governor Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy, especially here in the Eastern Region as evidenced by the following victories:
Connecticut: Joe Courtney (CD-2) and Chris Murphy (CD-5)
Maryland: Ben Cardin (Sen.), John Sarbanes (CD-3), Anthony Brown - Lt. Governor and Martin O’Malley - Governor
Massachusetts: Deval Patrick - Governor
New Hampshire: Carol Shea-Porter (CD-1) and Paul Hodes (CD-2)
New Jersey: Robert Menendez (Sen.), Albio Sires (CD-13)
New York: Yvette Clark (CD-11), John Hall (CD-19), Krisen Gillibrand (CD-20), Michael Arcuri (CD-24), David Paterson – Lt. Governor, Eliot Spitzer – Governor
Pennslyvania: Bob Casey (Sen), Jason Altmire (CD-4), Joe Sestak (CD-7), Patrick Murphy (CD-8) and Christopher Carney (CD-10)
Rhode Island: Sheldon Whithouse (Sen.)
Vermont: Bernice Sanders (I-D), Peter Welch (CD-1)
Virgin Islands: John Dejongh –Governor

The Democratic Convention is scheduled to convene August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado all delegates to the convention must be selected by June 21, 2008. The highlight of the winter meeting was the opportunity to hear speeches, meet with and talk to the ten 2008 Presidential hopefuls. If you were unable to attend you may view the meeting on the web at: www.democrats.org/wintermeetingvideo.html or you may visit: http://www.cspan.org/ . Once you listen to the ten candidates if you wish to contact them you may click on the links below for more information:

Sen. Joe Biden http://www.joebiden.com/, Gen. Wesley Clark http://www.securingamerica.com/, Sen.Hillary Clinton http://www.hillaryclinton.com/, Sen. Chris Dodd http://www.chrisdodd.com/,
Sen. John Edwards http://www.johnedwards.com/, Sen. Mike Gravel http://www.gravel2008.com/,
Rep. Dennis Kucinich http://www.kucinich.us/, Sen. Barack Obama http://www.barackobama.com/,
Gov. Bill Richardson http://www.billrichardsonforpresident.com/,
Gov. Tom Vilsack http://www.tomvilsack08.com/

YOUR TIME TO BE HEARD!!

2006-12-13T12:54:00.000-05:00

Legislative bills that apply only to Prince George’s County are called “local bills.” There is a special process for introducing and approving them. The process begins with a public hearing in the county. Two of these hearings are scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Student Union at PG Community College.

DECEMBER 18TH AND DECEMBER 19TH

If you want to know about the bills that will be heard, you can get a listing, read a summary, and even see the whole bill at the website of the Prince George’s County House Delegation at www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com. ( Note: you may have to “refresh” your screen to view the text of the bill. See the note on the home page.)

If you want to express an opinion on any bill, you can send written comments to: Chair, Prince George’s County House Delegation, Lowe House Building, Annapolis, MD 21401.

THANK YOU!

2006-09-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

Thank you to each of you for your support. Prince George's County residents have spoken. I was not successful in my bid to go to Annapolis.

However, I am excited and encouraged because I believe that Prince George's County has turned a corner politically. You are no longer satisfied with rehetoric and slate politics - you want discussion of issues and contested elections with many qualified candidates to choose from. After all, THIS IS PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND and you deserve no less.

I am aslo excited and encouraged because you have slayed the dragon of fear in Prince George's County, citizens that wish to run for elective office do not have to live in fear of elected officials and receive their permission to run for office, you have shown your disdain for political bosses. We now have a county where those in high places understand that each elected official serves at the will of the PEOPLE! That's a good thing.

Now if we could just do something about all of those campaign signs!

I will continue to be involved in the legislative process in Annapolis through my work with Prince George's Advocates for Community-based Transit and on the national level, I will continue to represent you on the Democratic National Committee.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You may view election results by clicking the link below:

IT'S TIME, TIME FOR CHANGE!

2006-04-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Recently, I attended Progressive Maryland's http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=268 Awards Dinner.

The keynote address was given by U.S. Congressman John Lewis, a man of courage. Mr. Lewis is an example of what a public servant should be like.

I have made the decision to run for the Maryland General Assembly to represent District 22 in the House of Delegates. I have three reasons to go to Annapolis:
1. Fight for schools that provide a First Class Education for ALL. http://www.marylandpolicy.org/documents/educationfactsheet.pdf
2. Fight for safe Communities for ALL. http://www.ndc-md.org/ndc/current.html
3. Fight for Smart Growth that benefits ALL. http://www.brookings.edu/metro/speeches/20060215_mayors.htm All includes District 22 http://www.mdp.state.md.us/redistrict/prin.pdf , Prince George's County http://www.princegeorgesact.org/ and the State of Maryland . http://www.msba.org/sec_comm/sections/elder/Newsletters/elderlawspring06.pdf
I will need your help to raise at least $50,000.
Please ask people to donate money to:
Friends of Karren Pope-Onwukwe P.O. Box 205
Hyattsville, MD 20781

Remember in politics early money is like yeast, it makes the dough rise!!!
My treasurer is attorney Rebecca Letsome if you have any questions concerning political donations please contact her at the campaign number (301) 560-8461. As a rule of thumb an individual may give up to $4,000 and as little as one (1) cent!
If 2,000 people each gave $25.00 that would equal $50,000.
IT IS TIME, TIME FOR A CHANGE: WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO IT

Peace, Karren

http://www.gazette.net/stories/122905/greenew182048_31926.shtml

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!

2006-04-24T01:17:00.000-04:00

WE ARE THE PEOPLE,
WE CAN DO IT!
January 24, 2006 members of United Seniors of Maryland (USM) held a Legislative Day in Annapolis.

MFUME ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

2006-03-17T23:30:00.000-05:00

My good friend and Secretary of the Maryland Democratic Party, Doris Spencer invited another one of my friends (and political mentor) Mary B. Murphy (former chair, Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee) to dinner with Congressman Mfume as he campaigned in Calvert County at the annual Louis Goldstein dinner. Mfume laid out his agenda for becoming the next U.S. Senator for Maryland it was a nice feeling sitting with and talking to "the Senator". Thanks Doris for the invitation!

2005 DNC Fall/Winter Meeting

2005-12-09T12:17:00.000-05:00

December 1st thru 3rd I represented Maryland at the Democratic National Committee fall/winter meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

It was a great time to discuss issues with individuals from across the country. I am a member of the Women's Caucus and the Black Caucus. I was on the Black Caucus "Unity Slate" and I now serve as the Parliamentarian of the Black Caucus.

The goal of all of this is to make sure that the platform and policies of the Democratic Party reflect Prince Georgians, Marylanders, Women, and African-Americans.

I always welcome any coments or suggestions that you may have for the Prince George's, Maryland, and the National Democratic Party - for WE are the Party! www.pgdems.com www.mddems.org www.democrats.org

Public Hearings for 2006 County Legislation

2005-11-01T14:30:00.001-05:00

Your voice should be heard! Tell your representatives what is important to you. Plan now to attend a Public Hearing.

Please find below dates for Public Hearings on all County Legislation that will come up this year in Annapolis.

All bills can be reviewed online at http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/

WHERE:
Prince George's Community College301 Largo Road, Largo, Maryland 20774-2199
Rennie Forum

WHEN:
7:00 PM

WHAT:
Public Hearing Dates are as follows:Bi-County Committee - Tuesday, November 1, 2005
County Affairs Committee - Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Law Enforcement Committee - Tuesday, November 29, 2005

The only thing missing is you!!!

Public Hearings for 2006 County Legislation

2005-11-01T14:30:00.000-05:00

Maryland Democratic Committewoman

2005-06-28T20:56:00.000-04:00

As a Maryland Democrat
I am proud to represent the state of Maryland on the Democratic National Committee , as with everything I do, I try and do this with all my energy. Thanks for your continued support.

WHY ARE WE LOSING POLICE OFFICERS!!

2005-02-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

Our police department is in the same position as our school system, we are training excellent people and then they are leaving. WHY?? We can not afford to continue down this path - schools and safety are the engines that drive economic development. Please read this article:

http://www.gazette.net/200507/princegeorgescty/county/260918-1.html

RALLY & LET FOLKS KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS!!

2005-02-08T21:43:00.000-05:00

Prince Georgians
Join With These Organizations to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Selma-to Montgomery March for Voting Rights and
Rally to Restore the Elected School Board in Prince George’s County:
NAACP
Prince George’s County Educators’ Association
Young Latino Leadership Council
Parents’ Action Committee for Education
Mitchellville-Largo-Kettering Education Coalition
South County Economic Development Association
On

March 7, 2005
Lowe House Office Building,
Environmental Matters Hearing Room
7:00-8:30 p.m.
[Watch for more details]

P.O. Box 506 • Upper Marlboro, MD 20773 * (301) 627-5126 • ElectedBoard@aol.com

SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATION

2005-01-12T09:05:00.000-05:00

Please send the letter below to your state senator and all your delegates. A list of Delegation members with their postal and email addresses is also attached. If you do not know your legislator check here: http://mdelect.net/

SAMPLE LETTER TO DELEGATES AND SENATORS

(Date)

The Honorable ___________(omit for email)
(See attached addresses)

Dear (Delegate)(Senator)_________________:

I urge you to support Delegate Parker’s bill, PG 409-05, to restore the elected school board for Prince George’s County in 2006 with nine, single-member districts.

I don't like the current law with all nine members to be elected at large. They would not represent me and would only be accountable to the powerbrokers and special interests who got them elected. I want someone directly accountable to me and my community.

I don’t like a mixed board, either. The proposal for six district seats and three at-large members is like Question H only worse. The districts would be 50 percent larger, my voice would be smaller, and the three at-large members still would be accountable only to the politicians and developers who put them in office. Also, the mixed-board bill would let the school board conduct all of its business in secret executive sessions. The county’s voters rejected the idea of at-large seats when we voted against Question H last year. They were no good for the County Council, and they are no good for the school board.

Instead, I want a school board with all its members accountable to people like me in small single-member districts where they will listen to our problems, be our advocates, and give voice to the diversity that is Prince George’s greatest strength. I also want the board to conduct its business in public and limit what it can discuss in executive session. That’s what the Parker bill does, and you should support it.

Your vote in this matter is important to me, and I am holding you accountable for the outcome. Please represent me by voting for the Parker bill and against any bill that includes at-large seats on the school board.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
DISTRICTS AND MEMBERS

DISTRICT 21
Senator John A. Giannetti, Jr.
Delegate Barbara A. Frush
Delegate Pauline H. Menes
Delegate BrianR. Moe

DISTRICT 22
Senator Paul G. Pinsky
Delegate Tawanna P. Gaines
Delegate Anne Healey
Delegate Justin D. Ross

DISTRICT 23
Senator Leo E. Green
District 23A:
Delegate Mary A.Conroy
Delegate James W.Hubbard
District 23B
Delegate Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.

DISTRICT 24
Senator Nathaniel Exum
Delegate Joanne C. Benson
Delegate Carolyn J.B. Howard
Delegate Michael L. Vaughn
DISTRICT 25
Senator Ulysses Currie
Delegate Anthony G. Brown
Delegate Dereck E. Davis
Delegate Melony G. Griffith

DISTRICT 26
Senator Gloria G. Lawlah
Delegate Darryl A. Kelley
Delegate Obie Patterson
Delegate Veronica L. Turner

DISTRICT 27
Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
District 27A
Delegate James E. Proctor, Jr.
Delegate Joseph F. Vallario, Jr.

DISTRICT 47
Senator Gwendolyn T. Britt
Delegate Doyle L. Niemann
Delegate Rosetta C. Parker
Delegate Victor R. Ramirez

ADDRESSES FOR THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION

ADDRESSES FOR SENATORS

(For Senators Giannetti, Pinsky,
Exum, Lawlah, and Britt)
James Senate Office Building
110 College Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401

(For Senators Green and Currie)
Miller Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

(For Senator Miller)
State House, H-107
Annapolis, MD 21401

ADDRESS FOR ALL DELEGATES
Lowe House Office Building
84 College Avenue
Annapolis, MD 2140
EMAIL ADDRESSES

DELEGATES:

District 21
barbara_frush@house.state.md.us
pauline_menes@house.state.md.us
brian_moe@house.state.md.us

District 22
tawanna_gaines@house.state.md.us
anne_healey@house.state.md.us
justin_ross@house.state.md.us

District 23A
mary_conroy@house.state.md.us
james_hubbard@house.state.md.us

District 23B
marvin_holmes@house.state.md.us

District 24
carolyn_howard@house.state.md.us
joanne_benson@house.state.md.us
michael_vaughn@house.state.md.us

District 25
anthony_brown@house.state.md.us
dereck_davis@house.state.md.us
melony_griffith@house.state.md.us

District 26
darryl_kelley@house.state.md.us
obie_patterson@house.state.md.us
veronica_turner@house.state.md.us

District 27A
james_proctor@house.state.md.us
joseph_vallario@house.state.md.us

District 47
doyle_niemann@house.state.md.us
rosetta_parker@house.state.md.us
victor_ramirez@house.state.md.us

SENATORS:

District 21
john_giannetti@senate.state.md.us

District 22
paul_pinsky@senate.state.md.us

District 23
leo_green@senate.state.md.us

District 24
nathaniel_exum@senate.state.md.us

District 25
ulysses_currie@senate.state.md.us

District 26
gloria_gary_lawlah@senate.state.md.us

District 27
thomas_v_mike_miller@senate.state.md.us

District 47
gwendolyn_britt@senate.state.md.us

CAN ANYTHING GOOD COME OUT OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY?

2004-12-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND VIEW THE VIDEO:

http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=34623