P.O. Box 15692 ~ Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87506-15692 ~

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August 2009

2009 marks the 100 th Anniversary of thefounding of the National Association for theAdvancement of Colored People. We are theoldest Civil Rights Organization in America.

PRESIDENTS LETTER Carol Johnson

I hope you are having a great summer. TheNAACP National Convention was held in New YorkCity, July 11-16, 2009. The theme was NAACP100 Years Bold Breams Big Victories! ChrisJohnson was our delegate; see her report forhighlights.

I accompanied William Katz, author of The BlackWest to meet with Libby Dover, ExecutiveDirector of Santa Fe 400 during his visit to SantaFe in May. Santa Fe 400 would like to include Mr.Katz in their quatrocentenial lecture series whichwill begin October, 2009. Funding is an issue

since the Legislature did not provide funds for theSanta Fe 400 commemoration. Santa Fe 400, theBranch and others are investigating potentialfunding sources. Any ideas are greatlyappreciated. Members of the Branch met with Mr.Katz after the meeting at Santa Fe 400 for lunchand stimulating conversation. We will keep youinformed as to the progress and plans for apresentation by Mr. Katz in Santa Fe.

Congratulations to Christine Johnson, Bob Mosesand Wanda Padilla for their awards from the NewMexico Office of African American Affairs on June13, 2009. They are well deserved. Thanks tothem for their continued hard work anddedication to the NAACP and the community.

It has been a busy spring and summer for the

Branch. Read on for more details. We are sendingthe newsletter electronically, by email and onwebsite, and will have printed copies atmeetings. If you would like a printed copy mailedto you, please let us know. The cost of printingand mailing the newsletter was becomingprohibitive. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Thanks for your support and dedication to themission of the NAACP .

ABOUT USProtecting the diversity of culture, ethnicity, andthe rights of people under the law is at the heartof the mission of the Santa Fe branch of theNAACP. Bruce King , former New Mexicogovernor declared, in 1979, that New Mexico is amulticultural state. The NAACP is about ensuringthe political, educational, social, and economicequality of rights of all persons and to eliminateracial hatred and discrimination.


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BOLD DREAMS BIG VICTORIES!

NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTIONJULY 11-16, 2009

-Report by Christine Johnson.

The Annual NAACP National Convention was held

in New York City, July 11-16, 2009, thebirthplace of the NAACP in February, 1909 andthis was its 100th Anniversary. The Theme wasBOLD DREAMS BIG VICTORIES.

On Sunday, July 12th, I attended the PrayerBreakfast/Memorial Service for deceased NAACPOfficers and members, the Rev. Al Sharpton wasthe "Speaker" and he preached !!!! Later on inthe evening the Grand Ballroom was packed forthe Opening Public Mass Meeting, which was veryably presided over by the VP of the Board of Directors, Roslyn Brock.

All the dignitaries from NY State and City, StateSenators and Representatives and the US Houseof Representatives Speaker of the House broughtgreetings. The Keynoter was Julian Bond,Chairman of the Board. He was committed towhat the NAACP stands for and insistent in whatMORE has to be addressed and done in the next100 years. He announced that he will not berunning next year for Chairman of the Board.

On Monday, July13th, we began having ourRegional Meetings which begin (Mon, Tues, & Wed. @8am) for Region VI (AR, LA, OK, NM, & TX). Sam Bone, Jr. presided and I tookthe minutes. The newly elected Officers 2009-2010 are Chair: Miller Newman (OK), Vice Chair:Gary Bledsoe (TX), Secretary: Twan Jones (OK),Asst. Sec: Yolanda Smith (TX), Treasurer: OraWashington. The 1st Plenary Session had 5 of theformer Presidents/CEOs speak and then ouryoung Pres/CEO Benjamin Jealous gave theKeynote address. He was energetic, forwardthinking and explicit in what this organization has

to and MUST DO in the next 100 years--startingNOW!!!Tuesday, July 14th, at our Regional meeting metwith Miller Newman presiding--we elected Dr.Ernest Johnson (La) as our Regional Nominee tothe Board of Directors. Our present Board of Directors members gave their reports. The Youthof Regional VI elected officers and they wereintroduced. Sam Bone, Jr. (NM State Pres) gave

a detailed report of the Region VI's LeadershipConference held in ABQ. In Feb, 2009. TheConference made $1,311.82.

There were over 2,000 registered Delegates, and5,000 attendees at this historical Convention--thelargest ever!!!

During the Legislative session, I was mostimpressed with the young delegates who spoketo and for different Resolutions on the floor, in aconcise, intelligent, researched, and committedmanner. Some notable Resolutions passed onTuesday, were: National Day of Non-Violence,April4,2010;anti-bullying andHarassment in schools; HIV/AIDS "The WayForward" in 2006 in collaboration with the BlackAIDS Institute; Change the time of AnnualFinancial Report from February to March; NAACPsupports legislation to address RacialDiscrimination and Disparities in Criminal JusticeProsecutions.

Tabled Resolutions that will come before theDelegates on Thursday AM were: Combining the

Efforts of ACTSO of the mind and Back to SchoolStay in School program to assist in Demolishingof High School Dropout Rates among African-American students.

We started all the Plenary and LegislativeSessions with this Call led by the PresidentFIRED UP--and we answered--READY TOGO!!!! This was done three (3) times eachlouder than the first. WOW!!!!!

Thank you for permitting me to represent theSanta Fe Branch!


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TRUTH & RECONCILIATION

IN SOUTH AFRICA

-Report by Vikki Scott

The end of apartheid in South Africa and theelection of the first democratic government in1994, was one of the defining events of the endof the 20th century. After careful consideration,the new government decided against instituting

judicial proceedings based on the Nurembergmodel to prosecute the perpetrators of humanrights abuses under the Apartheid Regime. Itwas thought that to "judicialize" the processwould by too costly in time and money for theyoung nation and the patience of her citizens tobear.

Instead the South African Government under theleadership of President Nelson Mandela, instituted

the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission(TRC) by statute, the Promotion of National Unityand Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995. Sincethen Commissions have been set up to addressall sorts of government wrongdoing in countriesfrom Argentina to the United States. TheseCommissions have taken various forms andserved different ends, but the South Africanmodel remains foremost in the minds of peoplethe world over.

An important objective of the Commission was todiscover the truth of what happened during theapartheid era. It was thought that an honest andopen examination of past events would fosterinformed public debate and an accurate publicconsciousness of shared history. The mandate of the Commission was limited to only two years.

Distinctions between the function of the TRC andthe judicial system were defined in the Statute

and refined in practice. The Commission soughtfree confession and the renunciation of violenceby perpetrators, the incentive being thepossibility (not the promise) of amnesty. Cross-examination, legal representation, thedetermination of guilt, and the imposition of sanctions were left to the Courts. The processwas thought to reinforce democracy.

The experience of the TRC in South Africa and itsrole in facilitating the transition to a democratic,nonracial South Africa continues to be evaluatedand debated. The South African model is invokedwhere people seek to resolve conflict and exposegovernment abuse outside the limitations of the

judicial system. Here in the U.S., Senator PatrickLeahy and Representative John Conyers haveproposed a "truth commission" to investigate, butnot prosecute, alleged crimes of the Bushadministration. It is appropriate for people whovalue democracy to understand the workings of the South African Truth and ReconciliationCommission in order to support the effectiveimplementation of the principle where needed.

FORT CRAIG REPATRIATION CEREMONY SANTA FE NATIONAL CEMETERY

JULY 28, 2009

The remains of 64 soldiers and civilians exhumedfrom Fort Craig Cemetery in central New Mexico

by the Bureau of Reclamation are now resting atthe Santa Fe National Cemetery. The last three of the soldiers were reburied following a memorialservice at Santa Fe on July 28, 2009.

The three identified soldiers, United States ArmyPrivates Levi Morris, Thomas Smith and DavidFord and the other soldiers and civilians receivedfull military honors during the ceremony held onNational Buffalo Soldier Day. All three wereBuffalo Soldiers.


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Cliff Shields, director of the Santa Fe NationalCemetery, was Master of Ceremonies; thePresentation of the Colors was performed by theNew Mexico National Guard; the Eulogy wasgiven by retired U.S. Army General Julius Parker;and other comunity leaders were on hand at theevent.

(For more on the story go tohttp://www.usbr.gov/uc/feature/FtCraig/index.html)

FROM NAACP NATIONAL AUGUST, 2009

NAACP Congratulates Supreme CourtJustice Sonia Sotomayor

APPLAUDS U.S. SENATE FOR CONFIRMING THE NATIONS FIRSTLATINA JUSTICE AND BALANCING

THE SUPREME COURT

WASHINGTON DCThe NAACP issued thefollowing statement today on the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next SupremeCourt Justice.

The confirmation of the first Latina to join theSupreme Court is a moment that our nationshould celebrate, NAACP President and CEOBenjamin Todd Jealous said. It brings us onestep closer to the inclusive democracy that is thehallmark and promise of our great nation. JudgeSotomayor has the judicial track record, theintellectual fortitude, and the life experiencesthat will serve the Supreme Court and our nationwell.

Said Jealous; The NAACP applauds the U.SSenate and the Judiciary Committee membersSenators Patrick Leahy, Benjamin Cardin, CharlesSchumer, Sheldon Whitehouse, and LindsayGraham for moving this process along in a swiftand judicious manner. Justice Sotomayor bringsmore federal judicial experience to the SupremeCourt than any justice in 100 years and we areproud to see her confirmed.


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The United States Senate made history today,and the NAACP is proud to stand with newlyconfirmed Supreme Court Justice SoniaSotomayor. Justice Sotomayors historicnomination and confirmation to the Court is anexcellent choice, and she will bring much neededbalance to Supreme Court, stated Hilary O.Shelton, Director of the NAACPs WashingtonBureau and Senior Vice President for Advocacy.

Justice Sotomayors decisions after 17 years onthe federal bench show her to be thoughtful,intelligent and extremely fair-minded with astrong and proven commitment to civil rightsprotection. As such, we have not seen a moreinspired nomination to the U.S. Supreme Courtsince the great Judge Thurgood Marshall, concluded Shelton.HTTP://WWW.NAACP.ORG/

NORTH AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN CAFE

AUGUST, 2009

Jambo Cafe

North African and Caribbean influenced restaurant will be having its grand opening in Santa Fe!

Chef Amed Obe has a great menufeaturing his native foods.

Jambo Cafe has good prices and awelcoming environment.

Drop by and say Jambo (hello)!

Lunch or dinner anyone? Location: 2010 Cerrillos Road

Open 11am to 9pm

505-920-4803 for information

Only 15 percent of drug users are African-American, yet 74 percent of all drugoffenders sentenced to prison are black

Arianna Huffington on Sunday, July 26th, 2009 inThis Week with George Stephanopoulos

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIPPROGRAM

AUGUST 11, 2009

At the August 11th monthly meeting, we willhave very special visitors present who areparticipating in the International Visitor

Leadership Program sponsored by the StateDepartment and hosted by The Council onInternational Relations. They are from Israel,including an Ethiopian student coordinator.

The objective of their visit includes Examininghow grassroots organizations seek to influencehuman rights policy at the national, state, andlocal level and Exploring citizen's rights andresponsibilities in a civil society, particularlyminority rights.

Hope you are able to attend!

SANTA FE NAACP BRANCH MEMBER PASSES

Luis Rodriguez1935 2009

NAACP Branch member, Luis Rodriguez of SantaFe and Las Vegas, passed away in the earlymorning of Friday, June 26, after a brief strugglewith lung cancer. He died at home surroundedand supported by family and friends.

Louis Alphonse Rodriguez, Jr. a.k.a. LuisRodriguez was born January 24, 1935, on CerroGordo Road near Two Mile Reservoir in Santa Fe.He was 5 years old when he and his 2 brotherswere orphaned by the death of their mother fromTB. His father left Santa Fe to serve in the Navyduring WWII. The brothers were raised by theirgrandmother, Simona Ortiz Rodriguez. GrandmaRodriguez made tortillas by hand on their wood-burning stove; they drew water from the acequiaand kept goats on the hills above. Grandmataught him to roll and smoke tobacco at the ageof eight: he was a life-long smoker. Luis'sexperience growing up in pre war Santa Fe, inOakland, CA, and later in the US military, gavehim a keen sense of racial justice and social bias.

Luis is survived by daughters Audry Rodriguez of Albuquerque and Yvonne Rodriguez of Sacramento, California; companion of 20 years,Victoria Scott of Santa Fe; her children CharlesMundy-Castle of Las Cruces; Jenny Mundy-Castle, and daughter Salom Castle-Verkouille of Santa Fe.


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PLANNING MEETING

The Santa Fe NAACP Branch 2009-10 PlanningMeeting was held March 10, 2009 duringcombined Executive Committee and Membershipmeetings. In this centennial year and the next,we are planning productive and excitingactivities, which will increase our ability tocontinue the struggle for civil rights for all.

Some of the activities planned include events toincrease membership and strengthening ourpartnerships with other organizations with likemissions; speakers at monthly meetings;Juneteenth and Martin Luther King, Jr. holidaycelebrations; participation in the 400 th anniversary of Santa Fe; a Walk for FamilyJustice; a trip to Africa

The following members have agreed to chair and

participate on the following committees:

Communications/Press & Publicity George Geder & Vikki ScottCommunity Coordination Cedric PageEducation Rebecca Cecil & Carol JohnsonFinance/Fundraising Christine Johnson, Daran Moon & Carol Johnson,Political Action Bob Moses & Reena SzczepanskiYouth Work Isaac EngelsonHealth Doris FieldsMembership Cynthia Geder & AlexDownen

Juneteenth Nichoe Lichen & Karen FinneyLegal Redress Karen Finney

Chair and committee members are pending forthe following committees:

Armed Services/Veterans Affairs,Religious Affairs, Economic Development,Housing, Labor & Industry,and Martin Luther King Day .Volunteers are need for all committees. Yourparticipation will be greatly appreciated and willincrease our ability to continue the struggle forcivil rights for all.

www.naacpsfnm.blogspot.com

OBJECTIVES OF THE NAACP

The principle objective of the National Associationfor the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)shall be to ensure the political, educational, socialand economic equality of minority group citizens;to achieve equality of rights and to eliminate raceprejudice among the citizens of the United States;to remove all barriers of racial discriminationthrough democratic processes; to seek enactmentand enforcement of federal, state and local lawssecuring civil rights; to inform the public of adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seekits elimination; to educate persons as to theirconstitutional rights and to take all lawful action tosecure the exercise thereof, and, to take any lawfulaction in furtherance of these objectives consistentwith the Articles of Incorporation.

NAACP The Oldest Civil RightsOrganization in America

Founded in 1909

100 th Anniversary Celebration in2009

Special thanks to the following memberswho assisted in getting out thisnewsletter:Carol Johnson, Christine Johnson & Victoria Scott.

George Geder, Editor


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Documents

P.O. Box 15692 ~ Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87506-15692 ~