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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP/ MAY 19, 2009) - NFL owners voted Tuesday to play the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the first time the championship will be played there since Hurricane Katrina shredded parts of the Louisiana Superdome. The hurricane caused 1,600 deaths and devastated the Gulf Coast four years ago.

New Orleans beat out Miami, which sought a record 11th Super Bowl, and 2008 host Glendale, Ariz. This is the 10th time New Orleans will be the Super Bowl site.

"We're just thrilled about what's going on," Saints owner Tom Benson said. "We're getting a new Superdome. Now we're going to get a Super Bowl on top of that. It couldn't be any more exciting than that."

New Orleans last hosted in 2002, when Adam Viniateri's 48-yard field goal as time expired lifted the New England Patriots over the St. Louis Rams.

Benson said he was congratulated by the owners, even those who saw Super Bowl bids for their city get voted down.

"All are great Super Bowl cities," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, a part-owner of the Saints and Tom Benson's granddaughter. "But no city has been through more than New Orleans . . . . This is just a true testament to what an entire community can do . . ."

Louisiana lawmakers are debating plans to spend $85 million in Superdome upgrades, which would be completed in time for the 2013 NFL title game. The upgrades would include additional seating, new suites, wider concourses and other measures for the Saints to generate new revenue streams.

"The membership heard from three great cities today and had some terrific alternatives," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "But I think this is a great statement about the spirit and people of New Orleans and the great relationship the Saints and the NFL have in that community."

The Superdome played an iconic role during Katrina, which struck the city in August 2005. It was an evacuation center during the storm, housing thousands of people who had nowhere else to go. Within days, the building was tattered, filthy inside from mold, debris and raw sewage.

The Saints needed to leave their home city and then returned to great fanfare in September 2006 -- a night many in New Orleans point to as perhaps the most poignant sign that normalcy was returning.

"[That] had an emotional impact on this city that carried the hearts of New Orleanians for the next two years," said J. Stephen Perry, the president of the New Orleans metropolitan convention and visitors bureau. "And this announcement today, I will tell you, will have jubilation in the streets."

The stories of suffering are still everywhere. Even now, some who lost nearly everything in 2005 are fighting to keep their federally provided trailers a bit longer.

Still, New Orleans clearly didn't forget how to host an event. College football's national championship game was played there in 2008, followed about six weeks later by the NBA All-Star Game -- and now football's biggest spectacle.

"This is a huge win for New Orleans but also the entire state of Louisiana," Gov. Bobby Jindal said . . . .

WHAT: Mayor C. Ray Nagin will deliver the 2009 State of the City Address

WHO: Mayor Nagin will be joined by The New Orleans City Council, State Legislators, executive staff members and other community and city leaders. The City of New Orleans welcomes Actor, Director, Producer in theatre, television and film, Mr. Wendell Pierce, as tonight's Master of Ceremonies.

Pierce is a native New Orleanian, raised in the Gentilly area of the city, in Pontchartrain Park and is a graduate of NOCCA. He left home to attend and graduate from The Juilliard Drama School, and to peruse a career in film and television.

Pierce recently led an intensive effort to rebuild Hurricane Katrina-battered Pontchartrain Park, one of New Orleans' historic black neighborhoods, where he serves as president of the Community Development Corporation. The organization was developed to plan and rebuild affordable and environmentally friendly homes in Ponchartrain Park.

Other participants include Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and First Baptist New Orleans Church combined choirs.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 20th a 6 p.m. The Mayor is scheduled to begin the address at approximately 7pm.

WHERE: The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart Street

New Orleans City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow, State Representative Cedric Richmond, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Sylvain Solutions, WBOK 1230AM Radio, Sponsoring Trip That Also Includes Guided Tour of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

New Orleans, LA - May 15, 2009 - On Wednesday, May 27th, 100 middle school students from across New Orleans will get an opportunity to witness a unique part of American history by attending the 14th Annual Rickwood Baseball Classic in Birmingham, Alabama. Rickwood Field is America's oldest ballpark, and played host to iconic baseball teams and players over the past 99 years. The field served as the home park for the Birmingham Barons and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League. Baseball legends including Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige and Willie Mays all played on Rickwood Field.

Immediately following the minor-league baseball game, the students will be taken on a private, guided tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute before returning to New Orleans that evening. The trip is sponsored by New Orleans City Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow, State Representative Cedric Richmond (District 101) and Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Marlin Gusman. WBOK 1230-AM radio and Sylvain Solutions are the media sponsors.

Council Vice President Fielkow said, "Rickwood Field is a historic ballpark where some of baseball's greats once played." Fielkow continued, "The impact of the Rickwood Classic extends far beyond baseball. It represents our nation's civil rights history and the impact that baseball had in desegregating this country. I am so excited to share this unique opportunity with New Orleans students."

The Recovery School District (RSD), Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) and the Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA) are all participating. Students will be chosen to attend this trip by their respective school districts, based upon high academic and behavioral criteria set by the three school districts.

The Rickwood Classic pays homage to the 1982 season when the Atlanta Braves traveled to Birmingham to play a mid-summer exhibition against the Southern League All-Stars. Prior to moving to New Orleans, Council Vice President Fielkow served as President of the historic Southern League. The 1982 season was the last time prior to this one that Birmingham hosted the league's annual All-Star event. The 2009 game, featuring the Birmingham Barons versus Southern League division rival Mississippi Braves, will feature the players wearing the uniforms worn by both teams in the early 1980's. The Classic is considered one of the best opportunities to experience a regulation ballgame in a historic ballpark that remains true to its original and traditional appearance.

"Our local kids have been through so much trauma in recent years," said Representative Cedric Richmond. "From the hurricane, to long evacuations, to their schools and daily routines being constantly changed, this trip is a reward for the hard work these students have performed over the school year. This trip is not just about baseball - it's about showing these kids a living piece of history and how good, clean sports can help change the world."

Sheriff Marlin Gusman said, "This trip is a tremendous opportunity to share the joy of a national past time with our kids, as well as an opportunity for them to appreciate the sacrifices made by earlier generations in the name of equality for all."

The game begins at 12:30 p.m. Immediately following the game, the New Orleans group will be taken on a private, guided tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Hotard Coaches will pick-up the students and chaperones in front of New Orleans City Hall on Perdido Street at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27th. The buses will travel to Rickwood Field for the 12:30 p.m. game. At approximately 3:00 p.m., the group will re-board the buses and travel to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for a 1 hour guided tour. The buses will return to New Orleans by 10:00 p.m.

PROJECT 2010 State of the Cultural City Address

Please join PROJECT 2010 for this landmark occasion as New Orleans' Cultural Ambassador Irvin Mayfield addresses the New Orleans City Council on the issue of culture in the city.

Organizers To Urge Lawmakers To Help Louisiana Get All Of Its Allocated Stimulus Dollars

May 12, 2009, Baton Rouge, La - On Wednesday, May 27, 2009, hundreds of Louisianans will gather at the steps of the capitol to say "Enough is Enough," by holding a march and rally to urge state lawmakers to work together to make sure that Louisiana gets all of its share of the Obama economic stimulus package - in response to Governor Jindal's recent refusal to accept it in its entirety.

Piggybacking with the start of the 2009 legislative session, the mass demonstration will emphasize the relief the Obama economic stimulus package will bring to Louisiana, as parts of the state are severely poverty stricken, undergoing massive job losses, hospital closures, suffering from dilapidated housing, poor school systems, and are seeing foreclosures on the rise.

The demonstration is being led by the Concerned Citizens Coalition (CCC)-a group of local non profits and community leaders who aim to give a voice to Louisiana's hard working families. At 9 a.m. participants will march from Memorial Stadium (N. 19th Street, Baton Rouge, La) to the State Capitol to proceed with a rally. Ernest Johnson, president of the Louisiana NAACP and CCC organizer said, "President Obama's federal economic stimulus package represents an opportunity for investing in our people and our infrastructure in new and different ways to help break the cycle of poverty and inequality once and for all."

Metro city councilwoman, C. Denise Marcelle and lead CCC organizer said, "I believe that it is high time that we engage our community, community leaders and churches in the issues that face our city and state. I believe that our officials should have transparency as it relates to all of the stimulus money."

In addition to asking for all of the stimulus dollars for Louisiana, CCC organizers will push for lawmakers to vote against proposed cuts Jindal plans to make to Louisiana's education and Medicaid budgets, as well as call for government accountability, and the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

"With a quarter of Louisiana's children uninsured and with low performance scores in basic reading, making cuts to programs that were put in place to aide our children should not be the route our governor takes to try to balance the state budget," said Shacara Lewis, Every Child Matters in Louisiana State Director and CCC organizer. "It is time for us to take responsibility and stop letting government control us. We need to send a message to our elected leaders that the only way to make investments into government is to invest in our children first."

Citizens interested in participating in the May 27 demonstration can call (225) 218-3147 for more information. In addition, individuals who cannot participate but wish to register their support can do so on-line at www.mainstreetgroup.org

The "Enough is Enough" demonstration is supported by a wide variety of organizations, churches and businesses throughout Louisiana.

Members of the press are invited. For more information contact Nadra Harrison Hall with Every Child Matters at 504-528-8239 or 504-615-4721.

Tracking the loveless marriage of technology and government

By Kenneth Corbin, May 19, 2009 - A New Orleans judge has ordered Michael Dell to head to the Big Easy to testify about his company's role in a soured deal to sell the city crime cameras, the Times- Picayune reports.

The PC giant has come under fire for efforts to sell the city crime cameras in violation of a multistate agreement, and a judge has threatened to hold the firm in contempt of court for stalling when asked to disclose documents about its dealings with the city.

Complicating things: One of Dell's partners in the deal, NetMethods, is the subject of an FBI investigation for providing Mayor Ray Nagin with expensive trips, begging the suggestion of a payola affair in a city where such arrangements have a long and proud tradition.

Plaintiffs Southern Electronics and Active Solutions, have cried foul, charging Dell and its partners with unfair business practices by seeking to freeze them out of the crime-camera deal and conspiring to steal its technology. Those firms had been providing the crime-riddled city with cameras until late 2006, when Dell took over the business, selling the equipment through NetMethods and Veracent, firms both owned by Mark St. Pierre, a businessman with close ties to city hall and a chummy relationship with former New Orleans CTO Greg Meffert.

Vintage New Orleans, from the Times-Picayune:

"The lawsuit has helped uncover hundreds of thousands of dollars in gratuities NetMethods gave Nagin and his former technology chief, Greg Meffert. Nagin and his family took trips to Hawaii, Jamaica and Chicago on NetMethods' dime. Meffert had free access to a corporate credit card while he was the city's tech chief, using it for everything from strip club visits to cruises to home furnishings, and then collected more than $600,000 in fees from St. Pierre's firm once he left City Hall."

Dell's lawyers had asked the judge to allow the company's founder and CEO to give a one-hour deposition by phone, but she said no, that he must appear in person and submit to a questioning session of up to three hours.

Dell is scheduled to testify within 60 days.

"Our McDonald's restaurant located at 6005 Bullard Avenue in New Orleans East has expanded its drive- thru operations to 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights to better serve our customers", says Henry L. Coaxum, Jr., owner/operator. The restaurant, which reopened after Katrina in July 2007, will continue to operate dine-in lobby hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The drive-thru will be open until 12 midnight Sunday through Thursday.

This renovated restaurant now offers McCafe' - McDonald's specialty coffees and hot chocolate. These hot or cold drinks give customers quality coffeehouse flavor with a selection of espresso (a serving of rich tasting coffee); cappuccino (espresso and steamed milk topped with frothy milk with vanilla or caramel syrup), latte (espresso and steamed milk with vanilla or caramel syrup); iced latte (espresso with cold milk and vanilla syrup served over ice); mocha (espresso, steamed milk and chocolate syrup topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle); iced mocha (espresso with cold milk and chocolate syrup served over ice and topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle); hot chocolate (hot steamed milk and chocolate syrup topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle); and hot or iced premium roast coffee.

Visit: www.mccafecoffee.com

At the Bullard Avenue restaurant, dine-in customers can enjoy complimentary "TouchTunes" musical selections of their choice; as well as "playporTT" table- top electronic devices with age-appropriate games.

This restaurant is one of several locally owned and operated by Coaxum Enterprises. The other locations include:

Legal Notices: Published in The Times-Picayune 5/11. Updated 5/14

FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS EPIPHANY SCHOOL AND ST. PHILLIP COMMUNITY CENTER ALTERNATE PROJECT NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA The Department of Homeland Security and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) have established Alternative Arrangements (AA) to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and CEQ regulations for implementing the procedural requirements of NEPA, for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to reconstruct critical infrastructure in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area (Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 56, p. 14712, March 23, 2006). Interested parties are hereby notified that FEMA has determined that the alternate project for the alternate project for Epiphany School and St. Phillip Community Center qualifies for expedited NEPA review under the AA guidelines. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has prepared and submitted an application to FEMA for funding under FEMA's Public Assistance Program being administered in response to FEMA-1603-DR- LA. The Presidential Disaster Declaration, for this event was signed on August 29, 2005. Storm-force winds and flooding associated with Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to facilities at Epiphany Catholic School, located at 1959 Duel St., in New Orleans, LA, and the St. Phillip Community Center, located at 3333 Clouet St., in New Orleans, LA. The Holy Roman Catholic Church, Archdiocese of New Orleans, (hereafter Applicant), applied for, and was approved for federal funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to repair or replace these facilities. The applicant has determined, however, that the public interest would be better served by demolishing the damaged facilities at these locations, and constructing a new classroom building at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic School, located at 2305 Fenelon Blvd., in Chalmette, LA and another classroom building at Mary , Queen of Peace Catholic School, located at 1501 W. Causeway Approach, in Mandeville, LA.

The public comment period will be from May 11, 2009 to May 25, 2009. Written comments on the proposal may be mailed to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency Environmental/Historic Preservation, Attn: Nick Knowles 1250 Poydras St., Box 43 New Orleans, LA 70113 or emailed to nicholas.knowles@dhs.gov, of faxed to FEMA's Transitional Recovery Office in New Orleans at (504) 762-2871; and verbal comments will be accepted at (281) 757-2975 between 7:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.

Syndicated Weekly Column by National Urban League President & CEO Marc H. Morial

MAY 20, 2009 - Last month I wrote a column about how too many inner city boys are putting basketball before education, only to be left with no futures once their playing days are through. Today I want to talk about two former NBA All-Stars, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who chose another route. Both Johnson and Bing grew up in poverty, graduated from high school and college and went on to accomplish great things in business and politics after they retired from playing basketball.

Kevin Johnson became Sacramento 's first African American Mayor in 2008 after 12 seasons as a point guard for the Phoenix Suns and a subsequent career as a successful Sacramento developer and civic leader. The son of a teenage mother, Kevin was raised by his grandparents in the city's rough Oak Park neighborhood. Young Kevin excelled both academically and athletically at Sacramento High School and earned a scholarship to play basketball for the University of California at Berkeley . He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1987 with a degree in political science, numerous basketball records and an NBA draft offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Johnson went on to a stellar career with the Phoenix Suns and then returned home in 2000 to serve as the CEO of St. Hope, a non-profit community development corporation he founded to improve education and revitalize inner-city neighborhoods. He was elected Mayor of Sacramento in 2008 and has laid out a bold vision for that city's future.

NBA Hall of Famer Dave Bing may have just taken on the toughest job in America . On May 5th, the Detroit Piston all-time great was elected Mayor of Detroit, a city that has been hit especially hard by the current economic meltdown. Bing's background and track record have prepared him well for the challenge.

Like Kevin Johnson, Bing was also a basketball prodigy and a child of urban poverty. A graduate of Washington , DC 's Spingarn High School , Bing attended Syracuse University where he is known as "the greatest player in Syracuse history." He earned a degree in economics and after a great NBA career, founded the Bing Group and became one of the leading African American businessmen in the country. Ronald Reagan once named him, "Minority Small Business Person of the Year" and in 1998, Black Enterprise named the Bing Group its "Company of the Year." Upon accepting that award Bing said, "As a black with the stigma of being an ex-jock, the toughest thing for me was getting people to realize that I had the intellect to get things done and that I was serious about making the leap from athletics to business."

Kevin Johnson and Dave Bing have proven they have both the intellect and the seriousness to be big city Mayors. They've used the lessons of teamwork and discipline that they learned on the basketball court and in the classroom to succeed in both business and politics. I hope the young men see them as true role models and say, if KJ and Dave can do it, you can too.

National Urban League (www.nul.org) - Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest communitybased movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research.

Struggles to Reclaim, Rebuild, and Revitalize New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

Foreword By Marc H. Morial

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans leaving death and destruction across the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Gulf Coast counties. The lethargic and inept emergency response that followed exposed institutional flaws, poor planning, and false assumptions that are built into the emergency response and homeland security plans and programs. Questions linger: What went wrong? Can it happen again? Is our government equipped to plan for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade disasters? Can the public trust government response to be fair? Does race matter? Racial disparities exist in disaster response, cleanup, rebuilding, reconstruction, and recovery. Race plays out in natural disaster survivors' ability to rebuild, replace infrastructure, obtain loans, and locate temporary and permanent housing. Generally, low- income and people of color disaster victims spend more time in temporary housing, shelters, trailers, mobile homes, and hotels-and are more vulnerable to permanent displacement. Some "temporary" homes have not proved to be that temporary. In exploring the geography of vulnerability, this book asks why some communities get left behind economically, spatially, and physically before and after disasters strike.

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Join WBOK 1230AM forRoundtable Tuesday from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. with guest co-host Vincent Sylvain of the New Orleans Agenda.

Listen as they discuss some of the top issues of the week with community leaders & newsmakers.

Past Roundtable Guests:

Donna Brazile / Susan Taylor / Marc Morial / Reverend Jesse Jackson / Dr. Corey Hebert / Judge Ed Lombard / Judge Michael G. Bagneris / Dr. Ron Walters / BESE Member Louella Givens / Dr. Silas Lee / Nolan Rollins / Pastor Torin Sanders / Pastor Tom Watson / Dr. Beverly Wright / Councilman James Carter / Councilman Arnold Fielkow / Councilperson Cynthia Willard-Lewis / Councilperson Cynthia Hedge-Morrell / Councilman Byron Lee / Senator Cheryl Gray / Senator Ed Murray / State Senator Ann Duplessis / Rep. Austin Badon / Rep. Juan Lafonta / Rep. Cedric Richmond / Rep. Charmain Marchand / Rep. Jared Brossett / Election Commissioner Dr. Sandra Wilson / Recovery Manager Ed Blakely / AALP's Gail Glapion & Mtangulizi Sanyika / Melanie Campbell / Dr. Ron Daniels / Congressman William Jefferson / Mtumishi St. Julien / Helena Moreno / Actor Wendell Pierce / Sheila Williams / Tracie Washington / James Perry / Dr. Elliott Willard / Rev. Sampson "Skip" Alexander / Dyan French Cole / Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson / Keith Medley / Lloyd Dennis / Bishop J.D. Wiley / Pastor John Raphael / Speaker Pro Tempre Karen Carter Peterson / Police Chief Warren Riley and many more ...

"Showtime in the Afternoon"

ROUNDTABLE TUESDAY, May 19, 2009

Dr. Edward J. Blakely, Office of Development and Recovery Administration

From BookerRising:

No, I'm not talking about President Barack Obama. I thought I'd return to the older dudes. Who is this guy? Rear Admiral Stephen Rochon is the White House Chief Usher. The Louisiana native is in charge of the domestic staff at the White House, and making sure everything runs like clockwork. He is the eighth person and the first black person to hold this position. He was appointed to this position in 2007 under President George W. Bush after the previous usher retired after 20 years of service, and the Obamas decided to retain him.

However, don't get it twisted. Ol' boy ain't the butler. Admiral Rochon manages the day-to-day operations of the White House, with its 132 rooms, $13-million plus budget, and 90+ staff. He oversees the White House operations, maintenance and utilities and works with the White House Social Security on ceremonial events of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. If the president needs him, he's on it. If Mrs. Obama wants an environmentally-friendly, American-made swing set for Sasha and Malia, he's testing the equipment on her behalf. When the Obamas host dinners, he's there. When the Obamas say they want to make the White House more accessible to the public, he's on it.

His job is to run a tight ship, of which he is very familiar. Admiral Rochon previously served as the Coast Guard's commander of the Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic, where he was responsible for naval and civil engineering, financial management, personnel, legal, civil rights, electronic systems support, and contingency planning across 40 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Europe, and the Middle East.

Admiral Rochon has a B.S. in Business Administration from Xavier University, and an M.S in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University. He has earned the Coast Guard Distinguished Medal and three Legion of Merit medals.

Admiral Rochon is married and has four children.

When I was thinking about goosebumps moments, I mentioned that HGTV Special at The White House with The First Lady, and I thought it would be wonderful for Admiral Rochon, the first Black Chief Usher to be in service to the first Black First Family.

by David Fiderer / Posted on The Huffington Post

MAY 18, 2009 - Talk about running from your record. "The Bush administration is gone and people addicted to attacking it really have to get over that," said George Will. Bush may be gone, but his failures have a cost that accrues with time. And conservatives who aided and abetted Bush's failures haven't gone anywhere. They persist in arguing that the crimes have ended, so the cover-ups should continue.

And when new revelations emerge, the Republicans' credibility takes new hits. That's why GQ's reporting on Donald Rumsfeld is damning to Susan Collins, who spearheaded the Senate's sham investigation of the Katrina disaster. The GQ article reveals how Rumsfeld's illegal insubordination contributed to the delayed federal response during Katrina. (The National Response Plan specified that the Defense Secretary was to take direction from DHS Secretary Chertoff, who belatedly ordered additional troops to New Orleans.)

"The next day, three days after landfall, word of disorder in New Orleans had reached a fever pitch. According to sources familiar with the conversation, DHS secretary Michael Chertoff called Rumsfeld that morning and said, 'You're going to need several thousand troops.' 'Well, I disagree,' said the SecDef. 'And I'm going to tell the president we don't need any more than the National Guard.

"The problem was that the Guard deployment (which would eventually reach 15,000 troops) had not arrived--at least not in sufficient numbers, and not where it needed to be. And though much of the chaos was being overstated by the media, the very suggestion of a state of anarchy was enough to dissuade other relief workers from entering the city. Having only recently come to grips with the roiling disaster, Bush convened a meeting in the Situation Room on Friday morning. According to several who were present, the president was agitated. Turning to the man seated at his immediate left, Bush barked, 'Rumsfeld, what the hell is going on there? Are you watching what's on television? Is that the United States of America or some Third World nation I'm watching? What the hell are you doing?'

"Rumsfeld replied by trotting out the ongoing National Guard deployments and suggesting that sending active-duty troops would create 'unity of command' issues. Visibly impatient, Bush turned away from Rumsfeld and began to direct his inquiries at Lieutenant General Honore on the video screen. 'From then on, it was a Bush-Honore dialogue,' remembers another participant. 'The president cut Rumsfeld to pieces. I just wish it had happened earlier in the week.'

"But still the troops hadn't arrived. And by Saturday morning, says Honore, 'we had dispersed all of these people across Louisiana. So we needed more troops to go to distribution centers, feed people, and maintain traffic. That morning Bush convened yet another meeting in the Situation Room. Chertoff was emphatic. "'Mr. President,' he said, 'if we're not going to begin to get these troops, we're not going to be able to get the job done.'

"Rumsfeld could see the writing on the wall and had come prepared with a deployment plan in hand. Still, he did not volunteer it. Only when Bush ordered, 'Don, do it,' did he acquiesce and send in the troops--a full five days after landfall.

GQ's anecdote was a small part of the information deemed off-limits to the Congressional investigations, which were designed to give the illusion that there had been a full accounting of events before, during and after the hurricane. The White House disclosed almost nothing about the basic flow of information to and from senior White House officials, including Rumsfeld, Chertoff, Chief of Staff Andy Card, or HHS Secretary Michael Levitt. It disclosed no emails, no phone logs, and no list of documents being withheld. Congressional staffers were not allowed to interview key individuals.

Before, during and after the hurricane, FEMA's Michael Brown said he had "innumerable" conversations with Bush, Cheney, Card, Card's deputy, Francis Townsend, and Karl Rove. Yet The White House deemed those conversations off-limits to Congressional scrutiny, and the Republicans in Congress dutifully complied.

So, even though she had no idea what went on between Brown and the people he spoke with, Collins, Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, designated Brown as the party deserving primary culpability. Upon release of her, "plenty-of-blame-to-go-around" report on Katrina (the analog to those "a-few-bad-apples" reports on Abu Ghraib), Collins said:

"[T]here were several findings that I found particularly troubling. The first is the blatant insubordination of then FEMA Director Michael Brown. It was clear that he was disengaged from the onset of Katrina. He failed to communicate absolutely vital information about the condition of the levees in New Orleans. Most of all, he allowed his personal feelings, his distaste for being in the Department of Homeland Security, to override his clear obligation to provide effective leadership at a time when lives were at stake."

What about Collins' distaste for bucking the party line, which overrode her obligation to provide effective leadership in pursuit of the truth? Do you think anyone cares to find out what really went on during Katrina?

There are approximately 40 neighborhoods in New Orleans East. This week's featured neighborhood is Lakewood East.

One of the older subdivisions in eastern New Orleans, Lakewood East is made up of middle class homeowners with a large number of retired residents. There are 112 homes in the subdivision, and several are for sale. Approximately 65% of the homes in the community are repaired. The neighborhood boundaries are I-10 Service Road, Mayo Road, St. Charles Canal and the rear of Livingston Middle School.

The neighborhood charter had to be reestablished after Katrina because it had lapsed, but Lakewood East Homeowners Association has been active for 25 years or more. Its goals are to assist homeowners of Lakewood East in having a clean, safe and secure community by providing rules and guidelines that each homeowner agreed to when they purchased the property.

The officers of the Lakewood East Homeowners Association are Paul Condoll, President; Dennis Scott, Vice President; Olga Hartman, Secretary; Calvin Spears, Treasurer; and Leon Pannell, Sergeant-at- Arms. The association is currently in the process of electing new officers.

The community's goals are to continue to strive for a clean, safe and secure community. All of its residents are interested in having Eastern New Orleans return to its former glory. Residents also all agree that a hospital, more retail, and better police coverage are among their priorities for Eastern New Orleans.

(Contributed by Dennis Scott)

Sunday, May 17, 2009 - Sheriff Newell Normand reports, this evening around 6:45 PM, our officers responded to reports of a female shot in the 2800 block of Pritchard Drive in Marrero.

First responding officers located the victim, identified as Connika Proctor, B/F, 18, of 2725 Britannica in Marrero suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to University Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Homicide Investigators are searching for a subject wanted for questioning in this matter. He is identified as Brian Thompson, B/M, 38, last known address 950 Beechgrove Dr. in Westwego.

Thompson was seen fleeing immediately following the shooting in an older model, navy blue, Chevrolet Suburban. Witnesses reported a partial license plate on the vehicle as RO307.

Anyone with information in this matter, or who knows the whereabouts of Thompson is asked to call our Homicide Division at 364-5300 or Crimestoppers.

Colonel John N. Fortunato, Public Information Office

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Gorden and Joseph lead St. Mary's Academy graduates

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Fifty-five students received diplomas from Sr. Eva Regina, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Holy Family and Sr. Jennie Jones, principal, in ceremonies marking the 124th graduation of St. Mary's Academy, May 14 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, New Orleans. Divine Word Father Alfred Ayem, Chaplain of St. Mary's Academy, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass that preceded the graduation ceremonies. National award winning speaker and author Dr. Joe Martin, served as the Commencement speaker.

The members of the Class of 2009 have been accepted to more than 35 elite colleges and universities and have garnered more than 3.2 million dollars in scholarship awards.

Brittany M. Gorden, daughter of Charlie and Cabrini Gorden of New Orleans, was valedictorian. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and vice-president of the senior class. She also participated in the AMHPS Biomedical Symposium held earlier this year in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gorden, a TOPS Performance and Board of Regents Scholar, earned the highest average awards in Science, English, Social Studies and Computer. Throughout her years as a student at St. Mary's Academy, she consistently maintained both Principal's and Renaissance Star status. Additionally, she was actively involved in several extracurricular activities including, the SMA Geek Squad, Maryites 4 Maryites, Friends of Henriette Delille, yearbook staff, Chess Club, Pre-Alumnae Association and National Society of High School Scholars.

Gorden was awarded more than $600,000 in scholarship offers to Agnes Scott College, Dillard University, Fordham University, Loyola University, Milliken University, Newman University, Spring Hill College, Stillman College, St. John's University, Tulane University, Tuskegee University, Wentworth Institute of Technology and Xavier University of Louisiana. She will attend Xavier University of Louisiana on a full academic scholarship and will major in either pre-med or pharmacy.

Salutatorian was Montrelle N. Joseph, daughter of Cheryl Joseph Smothers and Errol Joseph of New Orleans. She was secretary of the Pre-Alumnae and co-captain the SMA Cougarette Dance Team. She also participated in Maryites 4 Maryites, Friends of Henriette Delille and Key Club.

Joseph, a TOPS Performance and Board of Regents Scholar, consistently maintained Principal's Honor Roll and Renaissance Star status throughout her years of study at SMA. She earned the highest average awards in Mathematics and Art.

She was awarded scholarships to Dillard University, Tuskegee University and Xavier University of Louisiana. She will study pharmacy at Xavier University on an academic scholarship.

Ranking Honor graduates were Jasmine M. Brooks, Kristine E. Wilson, Sydni C. Lipps, Angell M. Luter, Paige M. Huntsberry, Nicole M. Ancar, Kyrean C. Bowens, Justina S. Smith, Ayo F. Davis, Jeanne J. Thompson, Deonka S. Crayton, Arielle S. Aubry, Diorre G. Johnson, Melissa D. Foy, Chervon L. Hillard, Elizabeth J. Porter, Taelor E. Young, Rian A. Duronslet, and Helen S. Adams.

Other graduates were Sylenthea G. Bagneris, Monique P. Baptiste, Natascia A. Bickham, Rickia T. Bolden, Shari D. Brown, Oriana G. Durden, Arionne B. Edwards, Ainsleigh D. Fontenette, Quiante' M. Green, Brianca C. James, Jana J. James, LaChaune A. Jenkins, Kendra M. Johnson, Kiera J. Johnson, Noelle J. Johnson, Diana E. Jones, Jasmin N. Jones, Elizabeth S. King, Brittany C. Knighten, Lauren F. Lewis, Darrineka C. Mathieu, Brittany A. Mc Keel, Dominique N. Melancon, Courtney E. Metoyer, Cody L. Morgan, Taylor A. O'Connor, Tempestt A. Roche', Randi M. Smith, Jasmine N. Tyson, Raven S. Washington-Moses, Dominique M. Watson, Ashley S. Williams, Charisse D. Williams, Kelly J. Williams

by Lance Hill

May 20, 2009 - Unlike the past, I think that the media should publish the iLeap scores for all grades rather than just the 4th, 8th, and Graduate LEAP exam scores. This is the only current way of measuring new charters which avoid public evaluation by opening schools with grades other than the mandated major testing of 4th, 8th, and Graduation, e.g. the well-established practice of opening a school with all grades closed except for 5th grade, 9th grade, or K-2).

Publishing iLeap scores for grades 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11 will give parents some way of comparing schools. For example, by opening a 9th grade only in a high school and closing all other grades, the school operators have four years to avoiding public scrutiny as long as the media only publishes 4ht and 4th grade and graduation LEAP scores. Social studies and science scores also should be published because they are generally appalling and prove that the focus on high-stakes testing is at the expense of a well-rounded education. Also the iLeap scores almost always show a sharp decline in achievement in the 5th and 9th years, indicating that schools are "teaching for the test" and not improving general proficiency.

Of course, test scores alone do not tell the story of a school. We have several charters that "force out" students; that have open admission but post- admission selectivity (a grade below a "C" and the student can be expelled); that pre-test 3rd graders and expel those who can't pass the 4th grade LEAP; that use college-educated AmeriCorps volunteers as teachers under the guise of "tutors" (thus decreasing the adult-student ratio without telling the public); and that have millions of dollars in supplementary funds. All these factors need to be public to explain scores.

Low LEAP scores can simply mean that a school operator has true open admission, is not forcing our academically-challenging students, and is constrained by having to educate students on state formula funding alone. We can no longer let privatized schools avoid accountability by dancing around grade levels to avoid the major LEAP scores.

Presented by New America Media and the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication

Join New America Media and the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication for the largest convening of ethnic media in the United States. On June 4th & 5th, 2009, NAM will host our National Ethnic News Awards Ceremony at a gala dinner and conduct a series of plenary sessions and professional development workshops for ethnic media practitioners and attendees interested in learning about the sector's vital role in journalism and communications.

The Curry Report: George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com

MAY 13, 2009 - The recent death of Jack Kemp and Senator Arlene Specter's switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party are reminders of just how far the GOP has swung to the right. And with GOP Chairman Michael Steele and titular Republican leader Rush Limbaugh applauding Specter's switch, there are no signs that Republicans are ready to deal with the reality of their fading influence. One person who understood the party needed to broaden its base was Jack Kemp, the former pro quarterback who tried to help Republicans score points with African-Americans. The former HUD secretary and vice presidential candidate always tried to build bridges, showing up at NAACP and National Urban League conventions and other events unpopular with party leaders.

"Among the many tragedies of the contemporary Republican party is that the partisans who will honor the memory of former Congressman, cabinet member and 1996 vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp have refused so consistently and belligerently to embrace the man's wisest political insight," John Nichols wrote in the Nation magazine. "'The only way to oppose a bad idea is to replace it with a good idea,' said Kemp, who worked harder than anyone else to make the GOP a positive force rather than the 'party of no.'

"Unfortunately, the 'no' camp prevailed and the Republican party that Kemp imagined as a modern tribune of humane and enlightened conservative ideals--the twenty-first-century version of the British Tory Party that evolved under the leadership of Benjamin Disraeli--died well before the death on Saturday at age 73 of the most open and optimistic leader of the GOP in the 1980s and 1990s."

Steele, who relishes attacking President Barack Obama and shirks from standing toe-to-toe with talk show host Rush Limbaugh, said he was glad to see the Pennsylvania senator leave the GOP. He likened Specter to traitor Benedict Arnold in a party fundraising appeal and at another point claimed Specter had "flip (ped) the bird" to Republican colleagues.

On his radio program, Limbaugh said he hopes more moderate and liberal members of the GOP defect.

The problem is that in the senate, there are only two liberal Republicans, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins both of Maine. Specter was thelone Republican moderate in the upper chamber and now he's gone. Although his decision to become a Democrat was a calculated political move, he was correct in stating that the GOP is now captive of the far- right.

The best way to learn what is happening to the Republic Party is to ignore the predictable rhetoric on both sides of the political aisle. A poll of Republicans who switched parties in Pennsylvania by the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion is didactic.

"In recent years there has been a major shift in party registration among voters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," the poll found. "In May of 2006, Democratic voters outnumbered their Republican counterparts by 550,000 registered voters statewide. Two and half years later the gap between Democrats and Republicans had more than doubled, with over 1,200,000 more Democrats than Republicans registered to vote in November of 2008."

The public opinion survey found:

• An overwhelming number of Pennsylvania Republicans who switched their voter registration status to Democrat had been in the Republican Party for 20 years or more;
• Almost two out of three voters that have abandoned the GOP for the Democratic Party identified themselves as politically moderate or liberal;
• The presidency of George W. Bush and the war in Iraq were identified as the largest contributing factors to the abandonment of the Republican party in Pennsylvania;
• Pennsylvania voters leaving the GOP to become Democrats were more likely to claim that their decision was the result of changes in the party rather than changes in their personal beliefs and
• A solid majority of individuals who have switched from Republican to Democrat indicated that they are not likely to change party registration again in the next five years.

Especially troubling for the GOP is the loss of voters who were an important part of their traditional base. Most of the defectors are fairly well-educated voters in the middle- to upper-income categories. More than two-thirds of them - 68 percent - cited dissatisfaction with George W. Bush's performance in the White House as a very important reason for changing parties. In second-place, at 54 percent, was the Iraq War, followed by dissatisfaction with the GOP's positions on foreign policy issues (49 percent), the GOP's position on environmental affairs (45 percent) and Republican stances on taxes and spending (44 percent).

Had Republicans listened to Jack Kemp, it could have stemmed some of those losses to Democrats. But they didn't. Today, they continue to listen to the advice of failed leaders, such as former vice president Dick Chaney.

Chaney said on Sunday that he favors the conservatism of Rush Limbaugh's over the politics of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who crossed party lines last year to endorse Barack Obama.

"Well, if I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh, I think," Cheney said in an interview on "Face the Nation. "I think my take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican."

As the Louisville Courier-Journal observed in a recent editorial, "It isn't clear why anyone would take seriously a drug-abusing radio blowhard or a former vice president who left office with an approval rating of 13 percent."

Dear Friend:

Each year approximately 3 million cases of STD's occur among teens, in some instances, girls as young as ten years old. Approximately 870,000 teenagers become pregnant each year. Statistics state that a child who has a positive role model or who is actively involved in afterschool programs will finish high school and attend college, versus a child that has no guidance and support. To avoid academic failure, our youth must be mentored, tutored and given opportunities to excel.

The JiCam Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young ladies. Our mission is to promote emotional, social, spiritual, and physical well being in the lives of young girls ages 8- 17 . . . targeting girls in Louisiana. We will mentor, train and nurture girls by encouraging open mindedness and community involvement so the girls will develop the life skills necessary to make quality choices in their future careers and relationships.

As the ancient African Proverb says, "It takes a whole village to raise a child." We want to evoke a sense of refinement and innocence in the lives of young girls by guiding them towards a successful life. The orchid best describes our girls today; they begin as a seed, then a bud and are then nurtured into a beautiful Orchid. Each seed is unique and must be properly cared for in order to blossom.

We want to extend to you the invitation to become a part of The JiCam Greenhouse by giving a tax-deductible donation. We will host a "Sneak Peek Event" on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Concerned Citizens For A Better Algiers. The funding will cover JiCam's Sneak Peek introduction event, and the start up of field-trips and materials needed for the girls. Our annual fundraiser will be held in October or November 2009.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and support of The JiCam Foundation, Inc. Please feel free to share this information with potential friends and contributors. If you would like to meet with us, or need additional information, please contact us at 504.319.1751 or 504.331.8103.

State scores indicate growth in 28 of 30 assessments.

Baton Rouge, La - According to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), more students and families than ever will receive positive news when iLEAP, LEAP and GEE test scores are released today. And for the state as a whole, this year's growth in student achievement represents exceptional progress for Louisiana's public education system - and from multiple perspectives. This is especially encouraging considering academic achievement gains in the prior three years have been fairly small.

From 2008 to 2009, the percentage of students earning Basic or above increased in 28 of 30 core subject assessments in grades 3 through 11 -- with the exception of 11th grade social studies scores, which remained flat and 4th grade math scores, which dropped by two percentage points from last year. In 25 of the 30 assessments the improvements exceeded the annual historic gains in that grade and subject. While the state has demonstrated gains each year since the implementation of the accountability system, this year represents the broadest improvements, and gains that are larger than any year except the first year of the accountability system.

"I want to congratulate our students and teachers. Their hard work and persistence has paid off. I also want to commend principals, content coaches, administrators, paraprofessionals, support personnel, families and community groups for their role in achieving this significant improvement. Today is a testament to Louisiana's education community and to the state as a whole," said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. "I have the good fortune of being the one who gets to tell the story today. But I want to emphasize that these results represent the extraordinary effort and determination of thousands of people. Today's news is a strong indication that we are closer to our pursuit of a better future for Louisiana's next generation and for our state. My hope is that today's report will not only validate the extraordinary work of so many people - but that it will remind us all that we can and will create a better future for our children by raising expectations for ourselves and for them."

Pastorek's praise for the education community is echoed by the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

"This year's results are very encouraging, especially considering that over the last several years the progress has been incremental," said Keith Guice, President of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. "We are asking the education community to do things differently in an effort to achieve better outcomes, and they are responding through their implementation of best practices and initiatives to address some of our most complex challenges. We have also shifted our focus at the state level to provide more assistance to districts as they strive to implement effective interventions for struggling students and low-performing schools. All of these efforts are clearly benefitting our children, and that's the real measure for us in the end."

Each year, students in 4th and 8th grades participate in the high stakes LEAP test, which determines whether they will be required to attend summer school or be retained. Students in 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th grades take the state's iLEAP test, which is designed to measure student progress but does not determine whether they will be retained in their current grade. High school students in 10th and 11th grades take Louisiana's Graduation Exit Examination, or GEE, which they must pass at some point in their high school career to earn a standard diploma.

Based on today's report, more 4th and 8th grade students met the minimum requirement to earn promotion to the next grade during spring testing. The number of 4th grade students who failed to meet the minimum standards during spring testing declined from 24 percent in 2008 to 23 percent in 2009, while the number of 8th grade students failing the test dropped from 31 percent in 2008 to 28 percent in 2009. However, these students will have the opportunity to earn promotion to the next grade in summer school.

Specifically, students were required to score Approaching Basic on the English Language Arts and mathematics portions of the LEAP test to move to the next grade during the early years of the state's accountability program. In 2004 the standard was changed for 4th graders, and in 2006 the standard was changed for 8th graders. Now 4th and 8th grade students must score at least Basic in either English Language Arts or math - and Approaching Basic in the other subject - in order to move to the next grade.

"I think much of the progress we're seeing is not only due to the exceptional effort of educators, but also to the fact that for the last ten years, policy makers have remained committed to high standards," Pastorek explained. "Over the last 10 years, standards have gone up and the numbers of students meeting the standards have increased, dramatically this year. While there has been intense pressure to lower standards, today's results confirm Louisiana's PK-12 standards, policies and initiatives are paying off for our children. Over and over again, we've seen that lowering standards does not improve student performance. When we raise expectations, students achieve more, which means they will have the knowledge and skills to succeed in their future academic and career pursuits."

This year's growth might also be attributed to later testing dates, which were pushed back two weeks from the testing dates of previous years to allow teachers more instructional time prior to testing. Department leaders said they also placed more emphasis on benchmarking and testing resources, and more students and teachers took advantage of these tools.

"Beginning In early February, we made several attempts to remind district and school administrators to take advantage of LDOE's instructional and tutoring resources," said Deputy State Superintendent of Education Ollie Tyler. "I think it's important to point out that these tools go beyond test preparation. Some of these resources allow teachers to benchmark student progress so that they can provide interventions to students when they recognize they haven't adequately grasped course content. We saw school and home utilization of LDOE'S instructional and tutoring resources significantly increase in February and March - and in the case of our PASS online tutorial program, utilization increased by 22 percent from 2008 to 2009. And it appears our students benefitted from these opportunities more this year than in years past."

Department leaders said they are particularly encouraged by the progress high school students showed on the GEE this year. The percentage of high school students scoring Basic or higher dropped in all four subject areas in either 2007 or 2008, but this year's scores showed percentage gains in three subjects - increasing by four, eight and five percent respectively in English Language Arts, mathematics and science -- and held steady in social studies.

"I expect with our initiatives around Literacy and Numeracy, High School Redesign, Career and Technical Education and support for chronically low- achieving schools, we will see continued growth in these areas," Pastorek concluded. "Examining every assessment and our overall progress for 2009, we are cautiously optimistic, realizing that a one year bump -- up or down and small or large - should not be taken out of perspective or distract us from aggressively pursuing our objectives. We must continue to make dramatic changes and dramatic improvements. Our children cannot wait, and neither can our state."

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced her recommendations to President Obama for three key federal positions in Louisiana's Middle District. Sen. Landrieu recommended Brian Jackson as U.S. District Court judge, former Congressman Don Cazayoux to be U.S. Attorney and Kevin Harrison to be U.S. Marshal.

"Brian Jackson, Don Cazayoux and Kevin Harrison have outstanding records of public service and are uniquely qualified to serve the people of Louisiana and the nation," Sen. Landrieu said. "I am recommending to the President and Attorney General Holder the most fair-minded and capable choices for Louisiana's Middle District."

"I am privileged to personally know the three U.S. Middle District federal nominees," said Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley. "All of them are individuals of the highest character and have many years of public service experience. As a Sheriff, I am most pleased that Sen. Landrieu's nominees are criminal justice experienced professionals and will serve with distinction. She could not have made better choices."

Brian Jackson has had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Department of Justice. Between 1994 and 2002, Mr. Jackson was the First Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, where he managed or litigated a variety of civil and criminal cases. Because of his leadership, he was selected in 2001 to be the interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District pending the confirmation of then-President Bush's nominee. He also worked as an Associate Attorney General and an Assistant United States Attorney.

Since 2002, Brian Jackson has served as a partner in the law firm of Liskow & Lewis, where he heads the firm's government investigations and white collar crime groups. He graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and Southern University School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the Southern University Law Review. He also received an LL.M. from Georgetown University in international and comparative law.

"Brian Jackson is an outstanding attorney and prosecutor," Sen. Landrieu said. "He is well-known and respected in the courthouse in the Middle District, which will allow him to hit the ground running as District Court judge. I have gotten to know Brian Jackson well over the last few months and I could not have selected someone more qualified to serve on the federal bench. In addition to his experience in the Middle District and desire for public service, Brian will bring tremendous energy to the Court."

"I am honored by Senator Landrieu's recommendation to the President that I be appointed to the federal bench," Brian Jackson said. "If confirmed, I pledge to be fair-minded, independent and impartial in all matters before the Court."

Donald "Don" Cazayoux practices primarily civil litigation in New Roads, Louisiana. Mr. Cazayoux received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Louisiana State University, and then obtained his law degree from the Georgetown University School of Law. Shortly after graduating law school, he served as a local prosecutor in Pointe Coupee Parish and never lost a jury trial. Mr. Cazayoux went on to serve as a state representative where he strengthened Louisiana's ethics laws and wrote legislation that toughened sentences for sexual offenders. In 2008, he was elected to the United States Congress.

"As a former prosecutor, state legislator and Member of Congress, Don Cazayoux brings great experience and a wonderful temperament to the U.S. Attorney position," Sen. Landrieu said. "I was particularly impressed with Don's commitment to bringing sex offenders and child predators to justice, a commitment that is vitally important to Louisiana's law enforcement community. With an impeccable record as a prosecutor and deep roots in the Middle District, he is an exemplary choice to serve as a U.S. Attorney."

"I'm grateful to Senator Landrieu for recommending me for US Attorney of the Middle District to President Obama," Mr. Cazayoux said. "It would be a privilege to serve the people of the Baton Rouge area, the state and country through the Justice Department's critical role in fighting crime and securing justice. I look forward to working through the confirmation process in the upcoming weeks, and if nominated and confirmed, I hope to be able to continue the good work of our outgoing US Attorney David Dugas. If confirmed, I will gladly rely on the men and women who have served the Middle District with dedication and professionalism to make the US Attorney's office a very strong and effective one, and I will work closely with local law enforcement professionals throughout the district to coordinate efforts to make and keep our community safe."

Since 2005, Kevin Harrison has served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in New Orleans. In this capacity, he serves as a liaison between federal, state and local anti-drug efforts. He also commands six supervisors and more than 80 investigative and support personnel, while coordinating and managing the DEA's activities in 51 of Louisiana's parishes. Since 1986, Mr. Harrison has worked his way through the ranks of the DEA and has held management positions since 1998. He received his bachelor's degree from Nicholls State University.

"Kevin Harrison became the obvious pick for U.S. Marshal because he was the top choice of local sheriffs, district attorneys and other law enforcement officers in the Middle District," Sen. Landrieu said. "Kevin's lifetime of experience, particularly his career in the DEA, makes him well-qualified for this position. I am confident his work as U.S. Marshal will continue to make Louisiana a safer place."

"I am obviously honored and grateful to Sen. Landrieu for this opportunity to continue serving the community as the U.S. Marshal," said Mr. Harrison. "I think it is an affirmation of Sen. Landrieu's continued commitment to law enforcement."

NEW ORLEANS - The House Criminal Justice Committee today approved House bill 383 byRep. Walker Hines (D-New Orleans) to allow for judges to sentence thecaretaker of minors convicted of misdemeanors to be sentenced tocommunity service. If the caretakers refuses to complete communityservice, they can be fined. Hines cited Louisiana's growing violentcrime rate amongst teenagers and significant high school dropout rateas the primary reasons for holding parents more accountable for theactions of their children.

"The parental responsibility act will encourage parents to be moreinvolved and engaged in their children's lives. An absent parentleads to children breaking curfew, dropping out of school, and headingto the streets," said Hines.

Rep. Hines said the idea for the bill came after discussing newsolutions for fighting crime with Major Bruce Little of the 2ndDistrict New Orleans Police Department. The Criminal JusticeCommittee moved favorably by a vote of 10-2. The bill now heads tothe floor for a vote by the entire House of Representatives.

Greetings:

As your elected BESE representative, I wanted you to have direct access to send and receive dialog regarding education in Louisiana - particularly as it relates to the role the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. School systems across the country are facing many challenges today. Many strategies, policies and practices have been implemented - all with hopes of producing better results. As we tackle these same issues, and some that are uniquely ours, it is critical that each of you, as stakeholders in the future of Louisiana, engage and participate in this process. Together, we can tap the country's knowledgebase and implement the best practices for our state and BESE districts.

Fortunately, engaging in the process can be interesting and rewarding. I encourage you to visit the Louisiana Department of Education web site. It is now wonderfully structured and makes reviewing the complex maze of education easy to grasp - and to study in detail those areas that are of special interest. Below you will find a few links I have isolated for more frequent referencing - as well as a current events section for news and special announcements.

I sincerely, hope this resource will be of help and inspire you to make your thoughts and opinions count as they relate to education in Louisiana.

Louella Givens, 2nd BESE District

NEW ORLEANS - Xavier University Preparatory High School held its Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Holy Name of Jesus Church on St. Charles Avenue. Sixty-nine graduates of the Class of 2009 participated in the 93rd commencement ceremony for the school. Diplomas were conferred by Sr. Eileen Sullivan, SBS, president and Carolyn Oubre, principal.

Rev. Anthony Bozeman, NSSJ, was the main celebrant. Xavier University Preparatory School's "Voices of Praise" provided the musical selections under the direction of Collette Handy.

Fifty-six graduates (81%) of the Class of 2009 have been awarded over $4.5 million dollars in academic scholarships. This is quite an accomplishment for a class of 69 graduates.

The 2009 Valedictorian is Megan Haynes, daughter of Mr. Joe Haynes and Mrs. Denise Haynes. Megan served as President of the National Honor Society. Because of her outstanding academic record, she was awarded a place in the Xavier Prep Concurrent Admissions Program. This program allows seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence to enroll in colleges while still a senior in high school. Megan attended Xavier University of Louisiana for two semesters thus accumulating college credit while still in high school. Megan is also a member of the Key Club and assisted the school as an Ambassador.

Megan has been accepted to several outstanding colleges and universities throughout the United States, and she has been awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, including Xavier University of Louisiana where she received the Merit Scholarship; Louisiana State University; Dillard University, Dean's Scholarship; Loyola University of New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship; Howard University, Legacy Scholarship; Stillman College, Stillman Academic Scholarship; and Spelman College.

Xavier Prep's Salutatorian for 2009 is Jacobi Owens, daughter of Mr. Jacob Owens and Mrs. Ahsan H. Owens. Jacobi is a member of the National Honor Society; President of the Key Club; Captain of the Flag Team for the Marching Unit; Announcer for Channel One, Xavier Prep's television broadcast system; and a member of the Golf Club. Jacobi has received several outstanding academic and service awards. She is a member of the Tri-M Honor Society because of her excellence in Piano and Art. As a member of the "Voices of Praise" Jacobi leads the chorus in all liturgical functions.

Jacobi was also awarded a place in the concurrent Admissions Program. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana for three semesters and was awarded college credit.

Jacobi has been accepted to several outstanding colleges and universities throughout the United States, and she has been awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships including Spring Hill College, Ignatian Leader Award Scholarship; Drew University, Dean's Scholarship; Xavier University of Louisiana, Xavier merit Scholarship; Tuskegee University, Achievement Award scholarship; Loyola University of New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship; Stillman College; Dillard University, Dean's Award Scholarship; Rockford College, Dean's Scholarship; Xavier's Dad's Club Scholarship; Florida Agricultural and mechanical University, President's Scholarship; St. John's University, Academic Achievement Award Scholarship; Clark Atlanta University; Carleton College; Spelman College; Baylor University, Provost's gold Scholarship; Gates Millennium Scholarship; and Dr. Robert Turner, Sr. Scholarship.

The 2009 Honor Graduates are: Tieranni Parquet, Cori Cryer, Jasmine Brown, Semonne' Aguillard, Michelle Lawrence, Arianne Armand, Raneetra McClendon, Alyssa Lee, Lauren Jimerson, Erin Rogers, and Keelyn Myers.

Other Graduates are as follows:

Alexandra Age, Michelle Ainey, Jasmine Anthony, Kortney Bougere, Christina Brazley, Carmen Breaux, Craishan Bridges. Kayla Collins, Briana Collins, Ashley Cornin, Darriante' Craig, Breana Davenport, Brionne Davis, Brionna Day, Shelbie DeBose, Maegan Deflanders, Jamesean Dunbar, Kirbie Duncan, Angelic Durand, Keriona Francis, Whitney Garner, Icilyn Garrison, Darrielle Gray, India Grimes, Alicia Harper, Taylor Holt, Lindsey Hubbard, Nadia Hunter, Tia Jackson, Raven Jackson, Lauren Jimerson, Shaundai Jordan, Jasmine Junis, Alexandra Lain, Shaquille Laurent, Lawrence Michelle, Alyssa Lonon, Arielle Matthews, Da'Lisa Maurice, Jamenecia Nero, Michelle Ozah, Quanteyell Peters, Jessica Powell, Marissa Roberson, Christa Simpson, Angel Slack, Staar Smith, Kelsey Sullivan, Roslyn Thomas, Kelsey Thomas, Jessica Venson, Antoniajose' Villa, Rochelle Walters, Erica Washington, Erin Washington, Jasmin White, Channon Williams, Kimberly Williams,