Daily Update …

                               Daily Update
                       Blacks In Government 30th Annual National Training Conference
                                       Volume 1 ­ August 11, 2008
 "Rising Above the Storm: Navigating New Challenges with High
   Professional Competency and Dedication to Public Service"
          2008 Delegates Assembly                                           Opening Plenary
                                                            The Crescent City opened its arms and welcomed
                                                            back Blacks In Government in an opening plenary
                                                            Monday morning that literally shook the rafters at the
                                                            Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. From jazz and
                                                            gospel music to impassioned pleas from political
                                                            leaders to "ask the real questions and take back the
                                                            real answers," the 5,000 conferees received a
                                                            resounding message: Your presence is making a
                                                            powerful statement as the city continues its recovery
                                                            and the nation stands at the brink of political history.

     Mr. Thomas Walton, National Delegates Assembly Chair   After a nine-year absence, BIG returned to New
                                                            Orleans--frequently referred to as "the Big Easy"--
                                                            to celebrate its 30th anniversary and lend a hand in the
This year's National Delegates Assembly took place          city's economic and spiritual recovery. New Orleans
at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New            City Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis brought
Orleans, LA. The Assembly of Delegates is the most          the capacity crowd to their feet, evoking cheers and
critical forum of Blacks In Government. The                 applause as she joined U.S. Congressman William J.
Assembly is where the operating arm of the                  Jefferson, Mayor Ray Nagin, City Council President
organization (local chapters) comes together to             Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and a host of
conduct the business of the organization. This only         organizational leaders in opening the five-day
occurs once a year and is conducted in an effective         conference.
and efficient manner, as we continue to strive for
excellence. The assembly convened on Sunday,                As she lifted her voice in praise for the organization's
August 10, 2008 and reconvened on Monday,                   long history of leadership, she reminded the audience
August 11, 2008.       The critical issues that the         that just as the Louisiana Purchase changed the
Assembly addressed included the amendments to the           course of the nation, BIG has spent three decades
National Constitution, resolutions, Treasurers' report,     creating a new course for Blacks to take leadership
audit report and the election of the national officers      roles at all levels of government.
for 2009-2010, which include the election of its'
National President, the 1st Vice President, 3rd Vice        Willard-Lewis reminded the audience that post-
President, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.               Katrina flooding devastated the neighborhoods she
                                                            represents, including the Lower 9th Ward and New
The Newly Elected Officers are: Mr. J. David                Orleans East. Recovery in her district has been slow
Reeves, President-Elect, Ms. Carmelita Pope-                and difficult, largely because so many of her
Freeman, 1st Vice President-Elect, Ms. Janie Ealey,         constituents are poor and lack the resources to rebuild
3rd Vice President-Elect, Ms. Contress Braxton,             and return to their beloved city. She has been a
Secretary-Elect and Ms. Norman J. Samuels,                  tireless--and unabashedly ferocious--fighter for her
Assistant Treasurer-Elect.                                  people, giving a voice to the disenfranchised and
                                                            displaced residents.



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Fighting the fight, standing firm, and creating a path
to success are engrained in BIG's history, Willard-      Although Mayor Nagin told attendees that an
Lewis told the cheering throng, "and we deeply,          estimated almost two-thirds of the population have
deeply appreciate each and every one of you and          returned to the city, Rep. Jefferson added: "They
what you do. We need you here to bear witness to         aren't the same people who were here before the
what has happened--and what has not happened. We         storm."
need you to do the work you do best."
                                                         When levees failed after Hurricane Katrina and flood
Rep. Jefferson, who represents the 2nd Congressional     waters decimated 80% of the city, the chaotic
District and lives in New Orleans, drew cheers when      aftermath "revealed how our folks live day in and day
he spoke about the upcoming Democratic National          out, how they were left out and left behind," he said.
Convention later this month in Denver, Colorado.         The poor, the disenfranchised, and the uneducated
This event, he said, "will change history."              have "again been pushed aside" in post-Katrina
                                                         recovery efforts, particularly the thousands of
"On Aug. 28, I will cast my vote as a superdelegate      residents who depended upon public housing. "First
to nominate Sen. Barack Obama as the Democratic          they were locked out, told not to come back, and now
presidential candidate," Jefferson said. Obama's         the housing is torn down and they can't come back,"
nomination "will mark a glorious moment in our           a somber Jefferson said.
history and is a giant step toward equality."
                                                         "BIG must raise its voice and offer your support so
The historic nomination and possible election of a       we will never, ever, ever see this kind of thing
Black as the next U.S. President also carries great      happen in any other American city again," Jefferson
responsibility for BIG and its thousands of members      concluded.
across the nation, Jefferson warned.
                                                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The issues of competency and professionalism will
take center stage as never before," he said. "You             BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT ®
must redefine your roles and places in government                  GIVES BACK!
and continue to break through important ceilings.
You must continue to work as advocates and bring
more people into the public sector and train and teach
them.
                                                         Now you have the great opportunity to participate in
                                                         a service project that is critical to the rebuilding of
"You need to convince our young people that public
                                                         the areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in New
service is a good thing, that it's a very good way to
                                                         Orleans. There will be an opportunity for you to
spend your time and your life, in service to the
                                                         participate in a cleanup project that will assist those
people. You carry a great responsibility and I urge
                                                         who are rebuilding their homes and lives. Use your
you to stay the course."
                                                         free time to help someone to "rise above the storm".
Rep. Jefferson also encouraged BIG members to
                                                         Should you decide to participate in the cleanup
learn firsthand what has been done to help New
                                                         project, you will need the following items:
Orleans recover from a "government-created"
catastrophe, and to be aware of what has not been            · Work gloves, Masks to protect you from dust
done. "With your presence here, ask the real                      and other allergens
questions and take back the real answers," he                · Hat or head covering, Old clothes
emphasized.                                                  · Boots if you have them but no open toe shoes
                                                             · Flashlight, since there is no electricity in the
"Your presence here makes a powerful statement,                   area
and you have a legacy, a history, of educating and
training leaders. We cannot rise about the storm         Transportation will be provided from the hotels; more
unless you help lift us above the storm. We cannot       information can obtained at the Customer Service
recover without your help," Jefferson lauded the         Desk.
audience.

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                                         Announcements


  Agency Heads Forum Breakfast with the National President, 7:00 a. m. -8:30 a. m., Hilton, Windsor Room

  Graduate School, USDA Special Enhancement Program, 8:00 a.m-5:00 p. m.

  AE/EEO Forum, 12:00 p.m. ­ 2:00 p.m. Hilton Grand Ballroom B

  BIG National President Picture Signing, 4:30 p.m. ­ 5:30 p.m.
  BIG National President's Reception, 5:30 p.m. ­ 8:30 p.m.
  Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
  Exhibitor's Hall
  Attendees are invited to share an evening with the National President, Ms. Darlene H. Young and enjoy
                                   the taste of New Orleans Masquerade

  Katrina Town Hall, 7:30 p. m. -9:30 p. m, Jefferson Ballroom, Hilton, Level 3




                    Broadcasting live, WBOK 1230 AM in the Ernest N. Morial
                                  Convention Center Exhibit Hall



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