Tag Archives: Senate

Education, Government, Politics, Senate, Society, Voters

Doug Berger for NC Senate: Happy Birthday, Garner’s Own, Scotty McCreery

Today, Senator Doug Berger, wished local American Idol phenomenon, Scotty McCreery, a happy 19 th birthday. McCreery, who won Season 10 of the popular TV singing competition, American Idol, is from Garner, North Carolina. When asked why he singled out McCreery, Senator Berger said, “ While many people are fans of Scotty McCreery’s music, I think he should be commended for his decision to not only return to high school, but to attend North Carolina State University.”

Instead of completing his high school education through the use of tutors, Scotty McCreery opted to complete his senior year at Garner High School last fall where he competed as a pitcher on his high school baseball team. After he graduated, McCreery enroll as a freshman at North Carolina State University.

Senator Berger went on to say, “There was a real collaborative effort with his school, his parents — it’s just such a great example to young people, when someone makes it big like Scotty, yet stays grounded and puts his priorities in the right place. So many people look up to him; he’s a local hero and for Scotty to choose education – as a former school teacher that’s something I particularly appreciate, and something for which we should all be proud.”

Senator Berger is running for reelection to the Senate in the newly drawn, NC Senate District 18. The races features two candidates with varying backgrounds; there is a clear choice between Senator Doug Berger and Chad Barefoot. Senator Doug Berger’s distinguished legal career has included serving as a prosecutor, judge, and an attorney in private practice.  Berger has also served as a middle and high school teacher as well as a youth football coach.  Senator Berger’s background in education and law has given him tremendous perspective and insight during his four terms in the Senate.

If you would like more information visit www.bergerfornc.com or www.bergerbeatsbarefoot.com.

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Education, Government, Politics, Senate, Society, Voters

Doug Berger for NC Senate: Questions Arise in NC Redistricting

Recent media reports indicate that advocacy groups found over two thousands voters who were assigned to the wrong state House, Senate or congressional districts. This information was gleaned from a “spot analysis” of six counties including: Wake, Durham, Wayne, Wilson, Robeson and Richmond. According to these reports, over two hundred of these voters received the wrong ballots on Election Day. Advocacy groups contend that black voters are much more likely than white voters to live in split precincts, which is the root of the issue.

One of the more impacted areas was the former NC Senate District 7 (Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren), which was carved up sending Franklin county as well as portions of Wake county into the newly formed NC Senate District 18.  This forced 4-term senator, Doug Berger, into a new district where he is unknown to many of the Wake county voters.

Senate districts were redrawn by the Republican majority during the last legislative session. To accomplish this, Thomas Hofeller who lists his present occupation as, “Redistricting Consultant at Republican National Committee,” was employed. According to Senator Rucho, who served as the Chairman of the North Carolina Senate Redistricting Committee, Hofeller was employed to provide “the technical expertise.” Hofeller also lists years of work at the United States Department of Agriculture, which has its own checkered past regarding race relations.

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City Council, Executive Agency, Government, Government Agency, Governor, Healthcare, Issues, Law, Legislature, Projects, Senate, Society

Governor Pat Quinn Approves Bill to Create Illinois State Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages Targeting Youth

Governor Pat Quinn last week approved legislation that creates a new state advisory council to help state government develop effective HIV/AIDS prevention messages targeting youth.

The legislation, House Bill 3974 sponsored by State Representative Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago) and State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) would create the Advisory Council on Youth HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages to advise the Illinois Department of Public Health on effective prevention messages to deter youth from engaging in risky behaviors that lead to HIV/AIDS infections.

“The percentage of Illinois HIV/AIDS infections that is represented by youth has been growing enormously over the last eight years, and that growth, in part, represents a failure of HIV/AIDS prevention messages to effectively reach youth” said Cathy Krieger, President & CEO of The Children’s Place Association based in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.

“We are grateful to Governor Quinn that he recognizes the problem of youth HIV/AIDS infections and is acting to address the problem.”

On February 27, 2009, at the 2nd annual Illinois Youth & HIV/AIDS Forum sponsored by The Children’s Place Association, the Illinois Department of Public Health presented data that revealed that the youth proportion of reported HIV/AIDS infections in Illinois has grown from 10% in 2000 to 20% in 2008—a 100% increase.

“This is a staggering increase,” said Krieger.

In addition to the IDPH data, new research was presented by Dr. Dexter Voisin, an Associate Professor, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration that examined the attitudes of Chicago-area college students in seven focus groups, including blacks, Latinos, whites, males, females, and gay men—regarding HIV/AIDS prevention messages.

The research findings revealed all groups reported a significant reduction in the intensity, range, and the length of media messages on HIV prevention and testing over the last 5 years.

More specifically, the research showed that young blacks and Latinos in Chicago tend to distrust most sources of government information on HIV/AIDS prevention. And young Latina women in Chicago fear getting an HIV/AIDS test out of concern that they may be labeled negatively as “fast” women.

Additionally, all respondents said they would be likely to take their parents seriously if they spoke to them about sex and HIV/AIDS transmission.

Of the 50 students who participated in the focus group research—only one had been tested for HIV/AIDS.

“The bottom line is that AIDS awareness initiatives and media prevention messages targeted at young people in Chicago – and African-Americans and Latinos in particular – are not working,” said Krieger. “We think the advisory council approved by Governor Quinn is a good step to address the problem.”

The Children’s Place Association is Illinois’ only child welfare agency exclusively dedicated to the care of HIV/AIDS infected children and families in Illinois.

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Court, Court System, Democracy, Election, Federal Government, Government, Immigration, Issues, Judiciary Power, Law, Policy, Senate, Society

Members Of The Senate Judiciary Committee Vote To Confirm Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor As Supreme Court Justice – The Nation’s First Latina Supreme Court Justice

Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT), a non-for-profit dedicated to enhancing quality-of-life issues between Mexico and the United States, congratulates the Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for their vote to confirm Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor as this nation’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice.

Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together

“We are pleased to see how this process finally focused on the issues and the qualifications of this exceptional candidate. We have full confidence that the Senate will do the same and that our next Supreme Court Justice will be Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor. This is an extraordinary moment for us as Americans and an unforgettable day as Latinos,” said MATT Chair Alonso Ancira.

The San Antonio-based organization counts with over 300,000 on-line members throughout the country. “Of note to our members is the political courage demonstrated today on behalf of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) who voted in favor of Sotomayor. We congratulate him for voting his conscience and not along party lines,” concludes Ancira.

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Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) was established to serve as the voice of reason influencing policy to improve U.S./Mexico relations. MATT’s mission is to encourage Mexicans and Americans to come together to bridge the gaps of understanding so that we may truly prosper together. MATT has been a vocal advocate for comprehensive immigration solutions, offering innovative public policy solutions, raising public awareness and visiting with policy-makers since 2006. MATT is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of business and thought leaders from the U.S. and Mexico. For more information about MATT.org, visit www.matt.org or call 210-270-0300.

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