Mayor Vincent C. Gray led local and federal leaders in the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the completion of the new 11th Street Bridge. Calling the $300 million project a "vital linkage between east and west," the mayor said the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) project is the largest construction venture ever undertaken by the agency.
"Just two years after construction began, we have already arrived at this important juncture," Mayor Gray said. "Critical for connecting one city across the Anacostia River, these new spans will serve our residents, workers and visitors for decades to come."
JANUARY
Gray Takes the Helm
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
The newly-inaugurated mayor of Washington said that he wants city residents to unify and to work with him to see that statehood for the District is achieved. D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D) delivered his inaugural address on Sun., Jan. 2 at the Washington Convention Center in Northwest. Gray, 68, said that his goal is to make Washington "One City." "This is one city, our city, the District of Columbia," Gray said to an estimated crowd of 3,500. "There is far more that brings us together than drives us apart."
South Sudanese Delegation Meets with D.C. Mayor, Business Leaders
Thursday, 22 December 2011 22:27 Published in International
As part of its new international business initiative, on Dec. 16, the D.C. Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation from the worlds' newest country--the Republic of South Sudan. Leaders from the northeastern African country met with District government leaders and representatives from the housing, telecommunications, and health industries. The objectives of the meetings were twofold: entrepreneurial opportunities and partnerships.
South Sudan's Garang Diing Akuong, Minister of Commerce, Investment and Trade was accompanied by Stephen Dhieu, Minister of Petroleum and Mining; Gier Chuang Aluong, Minister of Roads and Bridges, and Mr. Bol Mei, chairman of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce.
The return of the International AIDS Conference to the U.S. after more than 20 years…is the result of dedicated advocacy to end the nation’s misguided entry restrictions on people living with HIV.Conference Returns to the U. S. After more than 20 years
Registration, abstract and program activity submissions for the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), to be held July 22-27 2012 in Washington, D.C., opens December 1 online at www.aids2012.org.
More than 25,000 participants and 2,000 journalists from approximately 200 countries are
expected to convene at the conference, which is predicted to be a landmark event in the history
of HIV and AIDS both in the United States and globally.
“Turning the Tide Together,” the theme of the conference, emphasizes that we have reached a pivotal moment in time and that seizing this potential and actually turning the tide on HIV and AIDS will require commitment and action on many levels, conference organizers said.
Hundreds of Black State Lawmakers Convene to Pass National Legislative Agenda
Thursday, 08 December 2011 19:46 Published in NationalMore than 350 members of the Washington, D.C.-based National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) will meet in Chicago, Illinois, December 7-11, 2011, to learn about the nation's best models and practices across an array of policy areas. The theme of this year's 35th Annual Legislative Conference is "Seeing Beyond – State Leadership, National Progress." Organizers said NBCSL members would leave the conference armed with legislative ideas they can take to their respective Capitols during the upcoming legislative sessions.
NBSCL President, Representative Barbara W. Ballard, said state lawmakers have to be "warriors" on behalf of the people they serve, ensuring that critically important issues for African Americans are a part of the national dialogue.
"We are on the frontlines in the battle to bring jobs and a better quality of life to our constituents, Ballard said. "The issues we deal with are life and death, and this conference will provide a framework for national progress."
On Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, District of Columbia Councilwomen Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), center, along with Council members from left to right Michael Brown, (D-At-Large), Vincent Orange, (D-At-Large), Kwame Brown (D-Council Chairman), and David Catania (I-At-Large) voted to move the Councilwomen Bowser's ethnics bill to the full council. The movement of the bill to the full council was not an easy task for Bowser as Council members Michael Brown and Orange delayed the movement at the start of the committee hearing due to their objections with the bill thus creating a possible stalemate because of the possibility of a tie vote.
Council member Michael Brown wanted a 24-hour delay because he had not had the opportunity to look over the new draft of the bill. Council member Orange opposed the bill leaving only Bowser and Catania in favor of the bill moving to full counsel. After a brief meeting between Catania and Michael Brown on the dais, Brown was persuaded by Catania to vote to move the bill to the full council. With Council Chairman Brown's support, of the bill moved forward with a 4 to 1 vote.
Olender Foundation Honors Washington Informer Publisher
Thursday, 15 December 2011 17:34 Published in Local
Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes is the 2012 recipient of the Olender Foundation's Generous Heart Award.
Jack H. Olender, an institution in the city's legal circles, presented her with the award at a ceremony and dinner held on Dec. 6 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Amphitheater in Northwest.
"I presented Calvin Rolark with the Generous Heart Award for all the work he was doing, the United Black Fund, Spelling Bee, Civil Rights and work in the community," said Olender during a recent interview. "His daughter took over and followed right in his footsteps. She franchised the Spelling Bee and is the first Black-owned paper to do so. She's made it even bigger, she supports the United Black Fund – it was her time. She was the ideal person to receive the award."
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker’s Anniversary and Trip to India
One year ago, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker took office. Upon taking office Baker talked about a vision which included building the county into an economic engine. His successes include the recent passing of a $50 million dollar Economic Development Incentive Fund which will result in more job opportunities for residents.
Baker touted the EDIF as the most important and significant legislative priority of his administration. He said the EDIF will create jobs, spur development and increase our commercial tax base, which over time will bring in much needed revenues for education and public safety.
For more than 60 years, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has answered the call of duty by delivering a message of hope and happiness in the form of new toys for children during the Christmas holiday season. With many Americans continuing to face financial challenges, Toys for Tots offers real help.
"As a grandparent raising my 1-year-old granddaughter, Toys for Tots is helpful to parents that don't have a lot," said Marlo Armstrong, 39, of Southeast. "This is my first time ever using Toys for Tots because we're in bad economic conditions."
While researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center recently disproved the myth that suicides spike during the holiday season, many Americans still feel a sense of loneliness and despair during the holiday season. Particularly among African Americans, the feelings of grief or despair go unrecognized and unanswered. Mental Health America, an organization championing the diagnosis and treatment of common mental health issues, suggests that many factors contribute to the blahs. Top among them are “stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations,
over-commercialization, financial constraints, and the inability to be with one’s family and friends.”
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