december 12 -18 2013

1 www.cnyvision.com | DECEMBER 12 - 18| 2013

syracuse ny

local news

local News

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New Legislation Introduced to Promote STEM Careers for Women, Minorities and Economically Disadvantaged

Say Yes to Education Adds 10 Colleges and Universities as Partners

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world news

local NEWS
pg 4

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Syracuse Partners with Lumina Foundation to Increase College Attainment Goal

Interpreter at Mandela event: I was hallucinating

2 www.cnyvision.com | DECEMBER 12 - 18| 2013

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LOCAL

New Legislation Introduced to Promote STEM Careers for Women, Minorities and Economically Disadvantaged
The STEM Gateways Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (DNY) and Congressman Joe Kennedy (DMA) Tuesday, is meant to encourage women, minorities and economically disadvantaged students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This new legislation would provide grants for classroom learning, career preparation, mentoring, internships, informal learning and other appropriate educational activities, officials stated. New York is home to the greatest colleges and universities, and the worlds most innovative minds, said Sen. Gillibrand. But if were going to compete and win in the global economy, we must prepare our students with the education they need for the jobs of the future. That starts with getting more talented young women, minorities, and students in high-need communities into the STEM pipeline. We are relying on our children today to be the innovators of tomorrow. Its our job to make sure they are prepared. Minorities account for only three out of 10 professionals in the STEM fields. Not only are the number of women and minorities in STEM fields low, but their numbers are decreasing. The number of engineering bachelors degrees awarded to African-American women has steadily declined since the late 1990s. Additionally, students from economically disadvantaged communities struggle to access STEM opportunities, with the vast majority of federal resources channeled into higher education institutions where these populations are significantly underrepresented. For too long our national STEM efforts have failed to effectively reach critical segments of the U.S. population, said Rep. Kennedy. By under-investing in educational opportunities for populations historically underrepresented in STEM fields, we arent just doing those individuals a disservice; we are leaving a tremendous amount of economic potential on the table. The STEM Gateways Act will help us close pervasive opportunity gaps and support the diverse and dynamic workforce that leadership in a global innovation economy requires. The STEM Gateways Act would provide funding through the U.S. Department of Education to help schools implement rigorous STEM academics, with a focus on reaching underrepresented groups. As a former educator who represents Silicon Valley, I know firsthand that STEM Gateways Act is a step in the right direction to ensure that each and every child receives an excellent education, said Rep. Mike Honda (D-

CA), an original co-sponsor of the bill. STEM training provides for a highquality workforce and a well-informed public, and this critical legislation addresses the unique challenges that many women and minority populations face. Closing the opportunity gap will help ensure the future success of our nation. Selected elementary and secondary schools, in partnership with community colleges, non-profits, and other partner organizations, would be able to use federal funding to support

STEM, classroom activities, extracurricular and after-school learning, summer programs, student tutoring and mentoring, and professional development for educators. Such focused efforts on expanding STEM opportunities for girls, minorities and economically disadvantaged students will broaden and strengthen the pipeline of American STEM workers, officials stated.

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Syracuse Partners with Lumina Foundation to Increase College Attainment Goal

Syracuse will be among the first 20 cities in America to partner with the Lumina Foundation in an effort to push the importance of increasing the number of Syracuse residents who go to college. This partnership will establish a community-wide attainment goal for Syracuse and support Syracuse partners in achieving that goal. Partners will have access to significant technical assistance, data tools, flexible funding and guidance from a network of national thought leaders. Lumina Foundations commitment to seeing more Syracuse residents obtain college degrees is a tremendous boost for the community, said George Theoharis, associate dean of the School of Education at Syracuse University. This is a chance to bring educational opportunity to the students who graduate from Syracuse City Schools, allowing them to have meaningful access to the benefits of higher education. The combined efforts of the Syracuse City School District, Syracuse University, Say Yes to Education, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County to improve post-secondary attainment rates are the reason the Lumina Foundation, a private and independent foundation, chose Syracuse to join its mobilization. Syracuses partnership with Lumina, as well as other national groups, will help the city develop an action plan to increase the percentage of local residents with high-quality certificates, associates degrees and bachelors degrees. Say Yes to Education Syracuse, in partnership with Syracuse University, has worked with students and families in the Syracuse City School District to emphasize the importance of attaining post-secondary credentials, said Laura Kelley, chief academic officer for the Syracuse City School District. The support of Lumina Foundation around this very important work allows us to continue to inform our students and their families about financial pathways to college and to offer opportunities to thrive in a post-secondary environment for all of our students. Research shows a direct correlation between thriving cities and education beyond high school, said Jamie Merisotis, president and chief executive officer of Lumina. Increased attainment delivers stronger local economies, greater individual earning power and better quality of life. Every community in America wants that, and weve designed this work to give leaders in Syracuse, and beyond, the tools they need to be successful. Through the initiative, Syracuse will be eligible for an allocation of $200,000 from Lumina over a three-year period. The allocation will be tied to the achievement of goals and the overall effort connects to Goal 2025, a national goal to increase the percentage of Americans with high-quality degrees and credentials to 60 percent by the year 2025. The guidance offered to Syracuse by national partners will be the most crucial part of the movement. Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey, the president of Say Yes to Education,

LOCAL

said, We are proud to be part of the Lumina 2025 national coalition. This collaboration will strengthen our efforts to enable every child in Syracuse to aspire to complete a postsecondary education. Project leaders from Syracuse and the other 19 cities have already begun to participate in webinars with the national partners to prepare them for the upcoming months of strategic planning. Community representatives and project leaders are currently in Indianapolis for a two-day kick-off convening and workshop being led by Lumina. It is our hope that Luminas support can fan the flames that are already burning in our partnership cities,

improving results there and showing cities across the country how this gets done and just how transformational education can be for communities social, economic and civic strength, said Haley Glover, strategy director at Lumina Foundation. Glover is heading up the work. The other cities joining Syracuse in the first gathering of this initiative include: Albuquerque, N.M.; Boston, Mass.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ind.; Dayton, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Greensboro, N.C.; Houston, Texas; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Quad Cities, Iowa/Ill.; San Antonio, Texas; Santa Ana, Calif.; and South Seattle, Wash.

STATE
NY education chief due at Buffalo forum on reforms
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - New York Education Commissioner John King Jr. is due in Buffalo for the latest in a series of forums on the Common Core, teacher evaluations and other reforms. Thursdays forum with King and Regents Robert Bennett is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at WNED-TV, which will broadcast the hour-long session live. In the audience will be members of the District Parent Coordinating Council and representatives from area school districts. Members of the general public, chosen by lottery, will fill any remaining seats. King has been traveling the state defending his departments implementation of more rigorous learning standards and assessments, saying theyre necessary to prepare students for college and careers. Hes been met by critics who say the rollout has been rushed.

10 more colleges, universities sign on to Say Yes

BUFFALO, N.Y. Yale and Brown University are among the latest colleges and universities to promise free tuition to students as part of the Say Yes to Education compact. New York City-based Say Yes announced the addition of 10 institutions on Friday. Say Yes offers locally funded tuition scholarships to Buffalo and Syracuse public school students who attend a public two- or four-year college. Private institutions typically waive tuition for qualified Say Yes students whose family income is below $75,000 a year. The other newly added colleges are: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Washington University in St. Louis; Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.; Smith College in Northampton, Mass.; Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.; Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio; Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. and Northeastern University in Boston.

PUZZLES STATE
$66.9 million Awarded to Central New York for Economic Development Project
Each of the 10 regions of New York has received an award totaling almost $716 million for 824 economic development projects. Award amounts varied from region to region with Long Island receiving the largest award of $83 million. Central New York has been awarded $66.9 million. State grants and tax incentives that will be used for the projects next year account for the $66.9 million. This is part of the Cuomo Regional Economic Development Program. Five hundred thousand dollars will be used to purchase and refurbish the Harriet Tubman Residential Center in Auburn, which has been vacant, to create a healthcare, sports and wellness campus. Picnic areas, an indoor athletic and rehabilitation facility, nature trails and numerous outdoor multipurpose sports fields will all be on the campus. Regarding infrastructure, $750,000 will go into investments, wetland mitigation, environmental studies and access to Interstate 81 at the proposed Central New York Raceway Park in Hastings. Syracuse Inner Harbor will receive $1.3 million for development purposes, including removing three abandoned storage buildings, relocating the historic freight house and constructing a 170,000-square-foot commercial and residential building. The NYNEX building in Syracuse will receive $2.8 million in funding to convert the structure into a mixed-use facility that will include apartments, office space and retail. Thirty-five projects overall will be funded by state support totaling $32 million. ACROSS 1 Mushrooms 5 College degree 8 Floral arrangement 12 Related by blood 13 ESPN sportscaster, Bob 14 Slender instrument 15 Test 16 Fire starter 18 At last 20 Small intestine section 23 They are worked out by analysis 27 Unhappy 28 Acme 31 ___ deck 32 Summer month, abbr. 33 Rate 35 Leave dumbstruck 36 Middle east dweller 38 St. Louis landmark 39 Crime investigator (abbr.) 40 Sign of affection 42 Mideast leaders 44 The Descendants star, George 47 Trifling 50 Spin 54 Egg 55 Student-focused org., for short 56 Stir 57 Harp-family instrument 58 Juicer 59 Attractive guy

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Say Yes to Education Adds 10 Colleges and Universities as Partners

Say Yes to Education is continuing its efforts to make higher education attainable and affordable for children in the communities the organization serves by partnering with 10 colleges and universities. With the addition of its new partner institutions, the Say Yes Compact now has 64 private colleges and universities as members, including Harvard, Duke, Syracuse University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Rochester, Notre Dame, Rice, Cornell and Medaille College. The national non-profit group launched the Say Yes to Higher Education Compact back in 2008 in collaboration with Syracuse University. Several leading public and private New York state colleges are part of the Compact, which provides financial aid to Say Yes Scholars through college tuition waivers. It also gives the schools a chance to advertise their degree programs and campus offerings to students of all ages. Students whose annual family income is at or below $75,000 are eligible, at a minimum, to attend private colleges and universities that are part of the Compact, tuition-free if they meet the schools regular admission requirements. Say Yes students whose family income is above $75,000, and who are enrolled in a Compact institution, are eligible to receive annual grants from the organization itself of up to $5,000. The first students eligible to apply under the new partnership agreements are those seeking to enroll in Fall 2014. Sixty-five thousand students and their families, from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, in every public school in Buffalo and Syracuse have benefitted from the tutoring, afterschool services, counseling, legal assistance and tuition benefits available from Say Yes. Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey, the president of Say Yes said, It is not enough just to give a student a scholarship, a philosophy we are pleased to see embraced by our new partners, several of whom are led by individuals who were themselves among the first in their families to graduate from college. We thank all the members of the Say Yes to Higher Education Compact for standing with us as we seek to ensure that our students can receive a post-secondary education, pay for it and possess the necessary tools to persist through graduation. In Syracuse and Buffalo, graduates of the cities public high schools are also eligible, regardless of family income, for up to 100 percent of the tuition needed to attend any public, two or four-year college or university to which they are accepted in New York state. The scholarships are funded by local donors, including individuals, families, foundations and businesses in Syracuse and Buffalo. More than 3,000 high school graduates have gone off to college with Say Yes support since its inception. In Syracuse and Buffalo, Say Yes works in partnership with local elected officials, business leaders, community-based organizations and local universities as well as students, parents, school administrators, teachers and counselors. Jeremiah Quinlan, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University, said, Yale is proud to partner with Say Yes to Education. For 50 years, Yales financial-aid policies have ensured that costs are never a barrier for students who gain admission to Yale. The partnership with Say Yes will help college-bound students see that a Yale education is financially accessible, and will aid incoming students as they navigate the transition to college. We share Say Yes commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable to all students. Debra Shaver, Dean of Admissions at Smith College said, Smith College is thrilled to partner with Say Yes to Education. Joining the Higher Education Compact strengthens Smiths already deep commitment to providing access to first-generation and low-income women of promise. The Say Yes model is extraordinary, both in its scope of partnerships throughout the cities it serves and in the comprehensive support it offers to all students and their families. Julie M. Shimabukuro, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis said,

COVER

Washington University is delighted to become a Say Yes Compact partner as we expand our outreach efforts to recruit and support talented students. We look forward to getting to know the Say Yes students and helping them learn more about the broad college opportunities that are available to them here. Richard L. Nesbitt, Director of Admissions at Williams College said, We are pleased to join the Say Yes partner schools committed to making college affordable for all. Jennifer Delahunty, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Kenyon College said, Kenyon is absolutely delighted to partner with Say Yes on enrolling talented students of all backgrounds. This kind of partnership will create an important pipeline from high school to college for students who are so very deserving but who have the most difficult row to hoe. Larry Dow, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Trinity College said, Trinity College is pleased to join a wide range of institutions that view this program as we do, a potentially life-changing opportunity for students from low-income families to receive a first-rate college education. Were happy to be on board. The other institutions involved are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, Muhlenberg College and Northeastern University.

7 www.cnyvision.com | DECEMBER 12 - 18| 2013

WORLD
Interpreter at Mandela event: I was hallucinating
JOHANNESBURG (AP) The man accused of faking sign interpretation while standing alongside world leaders like U.S. President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandelas memorial service said Thursday he hallucinated that angels were entering the stadium, suffers from schizophrenia and has been violent in the past. Thamsanqa Jantjie said in a 45-minute interview with The Associated Press that his hallucinations began while he was interpreting and that he tried not to panic because there were armed policemen around me. He added that he was once hospitalized in a mental health facility for more than one year. A South African deputy Cabinet minister, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, later held a news conference to announce that a mistake happened in the hiring of Jantjie. Government officials have tried to track down the company that provided Thamsanqa Jantjie but the owners have vanished into thin air, said Deputy Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. She apologized to deaf people offended around the world for Jantjies incomprehensible signing, and said an investigation is under way to determine how Jantjie was hired and what vetting process, if any, he underwent for his security clearance. The deputy minister said the translation company offered substandard services, the rate they paid the translator was far below the normal levels and that in order to maintain the interpreters concentration level, interpreters must be switched every 20 minutes. Jantjie was on the stage for the entire service that lasted more than three hours. She declined to say who in South Africas government was responsible for contracting the company that provided the translator, or how those rules could be flouted. Its an interdepartmental responsibility, she said. We are trying to establish what happened. Jantjie, who stood gesticulating threefeet (1 meter) from Obama and others who spoke at Tuesdays ceremony that was broadcast around the world, insisted in the AP interview that Thamsanqa Jantjie he was doing proper sign-language interpretation of the speeches of world leaders. But he also apologized for his performance that has been dismissed by many sign-language experts as gibberish. I would like to tell everybody that if Ive offended anyone, please, forgive me, Jantjie said. But what I was doing, I was doing what I believe is my calling, I was doing what I believe makes a difference. The statements by Jantjie raise serious security issues for Obama, other heads of state and U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon who made speeches at FNB Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburgs black township. The ceremony honored Mandela, the antiapartheid icon and former president who died on Dec. 5. Many of them, including Obama, stood one yard (meter) away from Jantjie. What happened that day, I see angels come to the stadium ... I start realizing that the problem is here. And the problem, I dont know the attack of this problem, how will it comes. Sometimes I react violent on that place. Sometimes I will see things that chase me, Jantjie said. I was in a very difficult position, he added. And remember those people, the president and everyone, they were armed, there was armed police around me. If I start panicking Ill start being a problem. I have to deal with this in a manner so that I mustnt embarrass my country. Asked how often he had become violent, he said a lot while declining to provide details. Jantjie said he was due on the day of the ceremony to get a regular sixmonth mental health checkup to determine whether the medication he takes was working, whether it needed to be changed or whether he needed to be kept at a mental health facility for treatment. He said he did not tell the company that contracted him for the event for about $85 that he was due for the checkup, but said the owner of SA Interpreters in Johannesburg was aware of his condition. AP journalists who visited the address of the company that Jantjie provided found a different company there, whose managers said they knew nothing about SA Interpreters. A woman answered the phone at a number that Jantjie provided and said it was not for the company, and another phone number went to a voicemail that did not identify the person or company with the number. Jantjie said he received one year of sign language interpretation at a school in Cape Town. He said he has previously interpreted at many events without anyone complaining. The AP showed Jantjie video footage of him interpreting on stage at the Mandela memorial service. I dont remember any of this at all, he said. __ Associated Press writer Ray Faure in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

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NATIONAL

Black Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly in November: Second consecutive month that job growth exceeded 200,000
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for African-Americans dropped in November as the nations nonfarm payroll expanded by 203,000 jobs, which was stronger than what many analysts had expected. The jobless rate for blacks, however, was still much higher compared to whites, to Hispanics and to Asians, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this morning. The unemployment rate for Blacks was 12.5 percent in November, compared to 13.1 percent in October. The November rate compares to 6.2 percent for Whites and 8.7 percent for Hispanics. The unemployment rate for Asians was 5.3 percent, but it was not seasonally adjusted. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the jobless rate in November for black men 20 years old and older was 12.5 percent, down from 13 percent in October. In comparison, white men in the same age group reported an unemployment rate of 6 percent, down from 6.2 percent in October. The jobless rate in November for Black women 20 years old and older was 11.1 percent, compared to 11.5 percent in October, BLS reported. White women 20 years old and older reported the nations lowest jobless rate on a seasonally adjusted basis. Last month, their unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, down from 5.5 percent in October. The nations unemployment rate declined to 7 percent from 7.3 percent, BLS reported. The Washington, D.C.-based Center for Economic and Policy Research reported that the number of jobs created in November was the second-consecutive month that the economy added more than 200,0000 jobs. In October, the nonfarm payroll expanded by a revised 200,000 jobs. It was impressive that the jobs gains were broadly spread across industries, the Center for Economic and Policy Research reported. Manufacturing added 27,000 jobs after adding 16,000 in October. This is the largest two-month gain since February and March of 2012. BLS also reported job gains in warehousing, health care, professional and business services, retail, construction, leisure and hospitality. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted, however, that 7.7 million workers were employed part-time and that there 762,000 discouraged workers in November. These are workers who have stopped looking.

9 www.cnyvision.com | DECEMBER 12 - 18| 2013

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NATIONAL

List of 52 bus companies that feds shut down

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal bus safety regulators announced that they have shut down 52 companies in what they describe as a major nationwide crackdown on unsafe carriers. Here is a state-by-state list of 49 companies that were shut down by the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have not reopened. That is followed by a list of three companies that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shut down but have reopened after taking corrective action, according to the agency. Arizona: -Autobuses Rayon Inc. -River City Shuttle British Columbia, Canada: -FTS Forest Transport Services LTD California: -Salcido Tours Connecticut: -New Haven Bus Service -People to Places Inc. Florida: -Ricardo Transportation -McRea Transportation, Inc. -Fabulous Coach Lines Georgia: -All Pro Motor Coach -Best Limo Service Illinois: -Across USA Tour & Travel -Nealson Coach Inc. -Acrosstown Charter -Irma J Tours, Inc. -Illini Tours Indiana: -Rotel North American Tours LLC Kansas: -Midnight Express LLC Kentucky: -M H B S Inc Massachusetts: -Furtado Bus Lines -Lynettes Limousine -MTZ Tours -Sovereign Transportation Mississippi: -Carbo Limo Of Oxford, LLC -CC Rider Coach New Jersey: -Pocono Progressive New York: -Coach USA Tour Inc. -Horizon Coach Inc. -Gotham Coach Service Inc. -Uniworld Tours, Inc. North Carolina: -Charter Bus -Southeastern Tours, Inc. -Executive Charters Lines, Inc. -Spaulding Charters and Tours, Inc. Ohio: -Destiny Tours Pennsylvania: -Bus Go Bus, Inc. -Travel Time Transportation, LLC -S & V Tours Inc. -Wilcar Tours, Inc. South Carolina: -Destiny Tours -The Peoples Choice -South Carolina VIP Tours, LLC Tennessee: -GWC Enterprises Inc. Texas: -Autobuses Zacatecanos LLC -Hotel Mexicano -Agape Tours Inc. Utah: -Salt Lake Shuttles LLC Vermont: -Advanced Ventures, LLC Washington, D.C.: -Onboard DC Tours LLC Companies that were shut down but have reopened: Georgia: -Transsouth Motorcoach, LLC Massachusetts: -Lucky Star North Carolina: -DAPTCO Motor Coach Services Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

US unemployment aid applications surge to 368,000

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose 68,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 368,000, the largest increase in more than a year. The surge in first-time applications could be a troubling sign if it lasts. But it likely reflects the difficulty adjusting for delays after the Thanksgiving holiday. The Labor Department said Thursday that the less volatile four-week average rose 6,000 to 328,750. That is close to pre-recession levels and generally a positive sign for job gains. Applications had tumbled in recent weeks to nearly six-year lows, partly because of a late Thanksgiving holiday that may have distorted the government's seasonal adjustments. Economists believe this week's jump in claims was a dose of payback. "What the seasonals give in one month they have to take back the next, hence today's number," said Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. Applications for unemployment aid are a proxy for layoffs. A steady decline over the past year suggests that fewer Americans have lost their jobs. Economists will track the next few weeks closely to see if that trend is reversing, or if the surge is a temporary blip caused by seasonal adjustments. The recent drop in layoffs has coincided with a pickup in hiring. The economy has added an average of 204,000 jobs a month from August through November, up from an average of 146,000 in May through July. Employers added 203,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate dropped to a five-year low of 7 percent, the government said Friday. Four straight months of robust hiring have raised hopes that 2014 will be the year the economy returns to normal. As more Americans draw a paycheck, incomes and consumer spending generally increase. About 70 percent of economic activity comes from consumer spending. However, the unemployment rate remains above the historic averages of 5 percent to 6 percent that are associated strong job markets. A healthier job market could make the Federal Reserve scale back its extraordinary economic stimulus programs. The Fed has been buying $85 billion in bonds each month to keep long-term interest rates low and encourage borrowing and spending. More than 3.8 million people collected some form of unemployment benefits in the last full week of November. However, 1.25 million of them could soon lose those benefits. They received aid under a special federal program for the long-term unemployed that is set to expire on Dec. 28. The program extends aid that usually expires after six months for an additional 28 weeks. Congressional leaders have proposed a budget deal that would not preserve the additional benefits, meaning that as many as 2.1 million Americans will lose this assistance by March.

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OPINION/EDITORIAL
As your representative in the Assembly, I am committed to passing legislation that benefits Central New York and the great state that we live in. That is why Im joining with Assemblymembers SAm RObERTS Carl Heastie and Joseph Lentol to cosponsor At-Rest legislation. This legislation will help create and retain jobs, as well as support the local economy by protecting New York businesses from unfair out-ofstate competition. The At-Rest legislation would require wine and spirits imported from outside New York to remain in the state at a duly licensed premises or warehouse for a 48 hour period before distribution to retailers. Requiring that these products come to rest in New York will not only level the playing field, it will also allow the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York State Liquor Authority to more accurately track inventory being shipped and sold in New York. Oftentimes, alcoholic beverage wholesalers in states like New Jersey sell

11 www.cnyvision.com | DECEMBER 12 - 18| 2013

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Assemblymember Sam Roberts joins effort to pass At-Rest legislation

to retailers in New York, capitalizing on the difference between each states liquor and beverage regulations and cutting out New York wholesalers. While this may be smart business for them, it is bad business for New York State. This practice has a negative impact on our economy and prohibits us from effectively enforcing our own liquor control laws. The message is simple: out-of-state wholesalers wanting to reap the benefits of doing business in New York should be required to play by the same rules as New York wholesalers. New York is becoming an increasingly prominent wine producing state, and I want to keep it that way. At-Rest legislation will benefit businesses that are committed to staying in New York, particularly in the 128th District, which I represent. In my district, businesses such as Syracuse China, Western Electric, and Carrier are going extinct, and the ones that remain have severely downsized, costing our region thousands of jobs. To combat this, we need to do everything we can to help local businesses, such as those in the wine industry, thrive.
--------------Sam Roberts is a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly representing the 119th Assembly District in Syracuse, New York

Nelson Mandela - A Soul of Rare Vintage

(TriceEdneyWire. com) - Every now and then a soul of rare vintage comes our way. That by circumstances, sacrifice and suffering, finds its way into the soul of our global culture, ReV. Jesse JacKsOn, the family of sr. man, and calls our better angels to fly. Such a soul is Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was truly a transformative force in the history of South Africa and the world. My heart weighs heavy today, but his life was full and the imprint he left on our world is everlasting. Addressing the Democratic National Convention in 1988, I said: Suffering breeds character. Character breeds faith. In the end faith will not disappoint. We see this clearly in the life of Mandela. Imprisoned in Robben Island for 25 years and eight months, Mandela never lost faith that the South African people would win freedom. Suffering breeds character. Mandela was a transformational figure; to say he was a historical figure would not give him his full due. Some people move through history as being the first this or that just another figure in a lineage of persons. To be a transformer is to plan, to have the vision to chart the course, the skills to execute it. To be transformational is to have the courage of ones convictions, to sacrifice, to risk life and limb, to lay it all on the line. I recall marching against apartheid with Oliver Tambo and the enormous rally at Trafalgar Square in November 1985. I later met Margaret Thatcher to decry Britains economic, political and military support of the apartheid regime. Let us not forget that Britain, the US and all of the western powers labelled Mandela a terrorist and steadfastly propped up the apartheid regime they were on the wrong side of history. I appealed to her to support the release of Mandela, and departed for South Africa. My heart burst with excitement on that day of Mandelas release from Victor-Verster Prison on 11 February 1990. When word got out about his impending release, maids started doing the toya toya in the hallways, beating pots and pans, weeping and demonstrating. In the end, faith will not disappoint. I met Mandela and his then wife, Winnie, at City Hall and when we spoke later at our hotel, he thanked me and recalled hearing about my 1988 convention speech; even from his jail cell, Mandela was keenly aware of the outside world, and the ebbs and flows of the world. Three years later, as part of the official US delegation, I was honoured to celebrate Mandelas inauguration as president of the new, free South Africa. We forged an everlasting relationship. Weve welcomed him to our home and headquarters in Chicago. Weve met numerous times in South Africa the last time in 2010 where we spoke about boxing, sports and politics, and traded baseball caps. Mandela was a giant of immense and unwavering intellect, courage and moral authority. He chose reconciliation over retaliation. He changed the course of history. Now, both South Africa and the US have unfinished business to complete. Mandela is not gone, he remains with us always. Hell always be a chin bar to pull up on. Mandela has indeed forged South Africa as a new beauty from ashes. He has left this earth, but he soars high among the heavens, and his eloquent call for freedom and equality is still heard among the winds and the rains, and in the hearts of the people the world over. Shakesphere may have said it best, And when he shall dietake him and cut him into little starsand he make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will fall in love with nightand pay no worship to the garish sun.

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