Take Action 2013


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With the encouragement and support of friends like you I founded the Black Institute, a think tank that takes action, purposed to shape intellectual discourse and dialogue and impact public policy uniquely from a black perspective in the US and throughout the Diaspora.
I am pleased to share that 2012 has proven to be just that – a year of action, filled with exciting campaigns and movements that have brought about change in our communities and cities, and have put our brothers and sisters at the forefront of issues such as immigration, worker rights, consumer rights, and voter suppression.
The contributions that we received from you and other generous supporters have made an incredible difference in our efforts to:

  • Create and implement our first research, data, and training projects
  • Assist in leading the Walmart Free NYC Coalition in its victory to keep Walmart out of East New York
  • Stand in solidarity with local unions, elected officials, and community groups to demand fair labor practices for Cablevision workers and fair consumer practices for Verizon and Cablevision consumers
  • Elevate the profile of Black immigrants by organizing recruited Caribbean professionals and their aged-out children, launching a campaign for these Caribbean Dreamers, and publishing a report on this topic
  • Organize a clergy social justice network that has been instrumental in the support and advocacy of low wage workers and the movement for low wage workers rights that is now taking this country by storm
  • Start our Adopt A Dreamer Sponsorship Program

Though we have accomplished much in 2012 there is still much more to do. The generous gift that you give today will make it possible for us to continue our work to shed light on the various issues that plague our Black communities, and to help empower our men, women and children to speak out against maltreatment, injustice, ineffective government, poor public policy, and inadequate and inefficient social service programs.
Please make a tax deductible donation or become a monthly Sustainer TODAY. https://theblackinstitute.nationbuilder.com/make_a_donation

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Gun Safety


mayorsagainstguns

I am against hand guns in the hands of teachers let alone the home because of incidents my family and friends have experienced. I am without a doubt totally against automatic weapons because I don’t think we civilians need to have them at all.  I definitely understand how folks interpret the 2nd Amendment and states’ rights but after the Gifford’s attack and all attacks afterward, it is beyond time to sit up right move into genuine outrage, use the sadness with a determination to at least ban assault weapons, retrofit K-12 School buildings and act rationally about creating registries, better permit process, close the gun show loophole and in my opinion every state should be required to impose a state of the art background check. I am not an expert on the NRA, ALEC or gun safety, but I do receive newsletters and interesting articles that are meant to start a dialogue. I will admit I cringe anytime I hear states’ rights and while I did post an article by a Mayor I did not say he was speaking up for any citizen but what he has experienced as a Mayor.  I, am certain your 2nd Amendment rights will stay intact but the facts are what they are guns in the wrong hands kill innocent people. I don’t think the rules laws or Policies State by state should be different unless there are statics to back maybe a strict process. I just feel a dialogue is needed now not later and all guns should be registered and the owner vetted …everyone.

I respect the rights of Americans, though I don’t understand how our “Government is damaging the whole country” as Republicans Conservatives and the Tea Party seems to spew every time they get on camera.

The Second Amendment, states:

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

We the People deserve good faith effort from our members of Congress; specifically the Republican Party to do the People’s Business , move our democracy into the 21st Century yet it goes without saying … They have failed Americans miserably

The end of 2012


BIO TRUE STORY
2012 Year in Review
Take a look back at 2012 and some of the famous people who made the biggest headlines this year.  Watch videos about Barack Obama, Michael Phelps, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Whitney Houston.
Watch the 2012 In Memoriam Video »
More from BIO.com
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933 and drafted the New Deal programs to help the country recover from the Great Depression.
Watch his mini bio »
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt became one of the most outspoken First Ladies in the White House.
Watch her mini bio »
Cast of Hyde Park                    on Hudson
Learn more about the cast of the 2012 Franklin D. Roosevelt biopic Hyde Park on Hudson. The film stars Bill Murray as FDR, Olivia Williams as Eleanor Roosevelt and Samuel West as King George VI.
Get to know the cast »

CONGRESS: the Republican led House : acts out ::: the Senate led by Dems : debates


Obama Launches DNC Campaign Tour At Illinois State Capitol

the Senate Convenes: 11:00amET December 31, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only until 12:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the chair. A caucus meeting is still expected this evening.

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

Last Floor Action:
9:01:07 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 10:00 a.m. for the start of legislative business.

Congress : Republican led House :: Will they do the People’s Business? :: the Senate led by Dems


WethePeople

the Senate Convenes: 1:00pmET December 30, 2012

There will now be up to 60 minutes for debate prior to a series of 2 roll call votes. Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 2:05pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the following nominations:

–          Confirmation of Executive Calendar #909, William Joseph Baer, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General (majority vote threshold) and

–          Confirmation of Executive Calendar #518, Carol J. Galante, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (60-vote threshold).

Following the votes, the Senate will recess in order to accommodate the caucus meetings. The Democratic caucus meeting will begin at 3pm.

2:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of William Joseph Baer, of Maryland, to be Assistant Attorney General (majority-vote threshold);

Confirmed: 64-26

2:40pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Carol J. Galante, of California, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (60-affirmative vote threshold);

Confirmed: 69-24

The Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the chair.

The Senate has reconvened and is in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no further roll call votes today. Roll call votes are possible tomorrow. We will convene at 11am and hope to have more information regarding the schedule then.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #909, William Joseph Baer, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Attorney General; Confirmed: 64-26

2)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #518, Carol J. Galante, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Confirmed: 69-24

 

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged the Energy Committee and Passed the following:

S.2015, Powell Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act

S.3563, A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to modify the Pilot Project offices of the Federal Permit Streamlining Pilot Project.

 

Passed the following Energy bills:

H.R.3263 Lake Thunderbird

H.R.3641 Pinnacles National Park

H.R.4073 Pikes Peak

S.264 Natchez Trace conveyance, with committee amendment

S.2015 Powell Shooting Range

S.3563 Pilot Project Renaming

S.1047 Leadville Mine Drainage

S.1421 Peace Corps Memorial

S.1478 Minuteman Missile NHP

S.499 Bonneville Unit

S.970 White Clay Creek WSR

S.140 Sleeping Bear Dunes

S.114 San Antonio Missions, with committee substitute and floor amdt. to committee substitute

 

Passed S.970, White Clay Creek by voice vote.

 

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.459, theFederal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012. (Republican request)

 

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

 

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Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on December 31, 2012.

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses