Monday, October 31, 2011

'In God We Trust' gets a House vote


'In God We Trust' gets a House vote

Nobody has proposed changing the national motto, but the House is set Tuesday to vote on a bill that assure that the phrase “In God We Trust” stays put.


The measure, which is sponsored by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), would encourage public buildings, schools and government facilities to display the phrase. It declares that “In God We Trust” and sentiments behind it have been an “integral” part of the United States, and “in times of national challenge or tragedy, the people of the United States have turned to God as their source for sustenance, protection, wisdom, strength, and direction.”


The bill “sends a message that 'In God We Trust' is not only written in the halls of our federal buildings, but it is a bedrock upon which our nation is built,” Forbes said in a statement when the measure passed the House Judiciary Committee on a voice vote in March.


The legislation has 64 co-sponsors, including several Democrats such as Rep. Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia and Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas.


But other Democrats have made their complaints known. In a committee report, five House Democrats – Reps. John Conyers (Mich.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Bobby Scott (Va.), Melvin Watt (N.C.) and Judy Chu (Calif.) – said Forbes’s bill “creates unnecessary and excessive government entanglement with religion.”


“We must remember that the United States is comprised of people of many faiths, as well as those who do not hold any religious beliefs, as is their right,” they wrote. “The passage of this resolution would, as Justice [Sandra Day] O’Connor warned, send a message to the American people that our government favors religion, and specifically one type of religion over another, in violation of the endorsement test.”


The bill will be voted on under suspension of the rules, which it requires a two-thirds vote from the House for final passage.

Committee Report Dissent in God We Trust

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Conyers Request Hearings On State Voting Laws


By Pete Kasperowicz 10/31/11 10:41 AM ET
Senior Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee on Monday requested a hearing on how changes to state voting laws — including those that require people to present photo identification before voting — might be making it tougher for people to vote.
"These changes in state voting laws raise serious constitutional concerns under both the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the 15th Amendment," Judiciary Committee ranking member John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Subcommittee on the Constitution ranking member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) wrote in a letter to Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas).
Other laws they want assessed are those that don't allow people to present certain forms of identification, such as a Social Security card, those that require proof of citizenship, and those that preclude same-day voter registration.
Disputes over how to properly identify legal voters have risen over the last year, as some states have sought to require these sorts of changes in order to help prevent illegal residents from voting. But Democrats in particular have opposed these changes, and many have said they would have the effect of making it harder for blacks to vote.
The letter from Conyers and Nadler sites a study from the Brennan Center for Justice that said these changes would hurt minority voters. "The report concluded that African-American and Hispanic voters were more likely to take advantage of early voting opportunities and register to vote through the types of voter registration drives now curtailed or eliminated by the new laws," they wrote.
"In view of the gravity of this situation, we urge you to schedule hearings soon to address an issue so critical to our democracy," they concluded.
Here is a sample of Michigan election reform Bills.
Senate Bill 750: Authorize criminal penalties for extreme campaign finance scofflaws
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on October 12, 2011, to authorize criminal penalties of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine for candidates and campaign treasurers who fail to file mandated campaign finance reports after an extended period of time specified in the bill. Contributions and other assets of the campaign committee would be subject to state seizure. These sanctions would only apply to campaign committees with balances of more than $20,000.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141558
Senate Bill 751: Establish inactive voter file and procedures
Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R) on October 12, 2011, to require the Secretary of State to create an inactive voter file within the qualified voter file (QVF), which would contain a record for each voter who was sent a notice by a local clerk who had received information that the voter had moved. If a   remained in the inactive voter file for an extended period specified in the bill, the voter registration would be canceled. Also, to require the Secretary of State to notify a voter who appears to have left the state, and after an extended period of time specified in the bill has passed, establish a process for canceling the voter registration if no response is received.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141559
Senate Bill 752: Ban “stealth conventions” by minor political parties
Introduced by Sen. Goeff Hansen (R) on October 12, 2011, to require minor political parties to notify the Secretary of State of the date of any upcoming county caucus or state convention to nominate candidates. This would prohibit schemes like the “stealth convention” and candidate nominations organized by a fake “Tea Party” political party in 2010. The bill would also revise the procedures for absentee ballot counting boards.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141560
Senate Bill 753: Authorize criminal penalties for extreme campaign finance scofflaws
Introduced by Sen. Jack Brandenburg (R) on October 12, 2011, to establish sentencing guidelines for the penalties proposed by Senate Bill 750 for candidates and campaign treasurers who fail to file mandated campaign finance reports after an extended period.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141561
Senate Bill 754: Regulate “third-party voter registration organizations”
Introduced by Sen. Mark Jansen (R) on October 12, 2011, to require “third-party voter registration organizations” to register with the state, turn in late registrations within 24 hours, provide their “voter registration agents” with state approved instruction in proper procedures, and require the agents to sign a statement affirming that he or she has received the instruction. The bill would also require a person to show a photo identification when registering to vote.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141562
House Bill 5058: Restrict using campaign contributions for politicians' criminal defense
Introduced by Rep. Marty Knollenberg (R) on October 12, 2011, to prohibit a political candidate committee from using campaign contributions to defend or pay the legal costs of an elected or appointed official in a civil or criminal action, except for cases involving campaign finance issues, a recall campaign, a recount, or actions that tangibly benefit the nomination or election of the candidate.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141548
House Bill 5059: Revise ballot question and political party campaign finance details
Introduced by Rep. Sharon Tyler (R) on October 12, 2011, to revise details of the campaign finance statements and reporting deadlines that apply to ballot question and political party committees. Among other things, the bill pplies some of these regulations to a party attempting to qualify as a new political party.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141549
House Bill 5060: Revise absentee voting procedure detail
Introduced by Rep. Cindy Denby (R) on October 12, 2011, to modify the regulations that apply to absentee voting so that they explicitly apply to a person who applies for an absentee ballot in person at the clerk's office and presents photo identification.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141550
House Bill 5061: Require photo ID when applying in person for absentee ballot
Introduced by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R) on October 12, 2011, to require a person to have photo identification when applying in person for an absentee ballot; require local governments to use a state ballot tracker program if it available; and require the Secretary of State to develop information displays indicating that ballot coaching in residential care facilities for the elderly is prohibited.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141551
House Bill 5062: Establish continuing education program for local election clerks
Introduced by Rep. Anthony Forlini (R) on October 12, 2011, to require the Secretary of State to establish a continuing election education program for all local election clerks; establish a post election audit program that identifies the documents and procedures for such audits; and make other miscellaneous changes to the Michigan election law.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=141552

Letter From Representatives John Conyers, Jr. and Jerrald Nadler to Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith on State...
Brennenn Report on Voting Law Changes in 2012
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Conyers Voices Opposition To Medicare Cuts In D.C.

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., center, accompanied by fellow members of Congressm participate in an event on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, to voice opposition to potential cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits as the deficit supercommittee looks for ways to reduce government spending in all areas.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)



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National Emergency Employment Defense Act of 2011

National Emergency Employment Defense Act of 2011’. HR-2990

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Sunday, October 30, 2011

House Democrats Urge Preservation Of Social Security, Health Care Benefits

House Democrats Urge Preservation Of Social Security, Health Care Benefits 



John Conyers U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) (L), speaks while flanked by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol October 26, 2011 in Washington, DC.U.S. Rep. DeLauro and U.S. Rep. Conyers called on the Joint Deficit Reduction Committee to preserve Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits when making their decision on cutting the deficit.
House Democrats Urge Preservation Of Social Security, Health Care Benefits
In This Photo: John ConyersRosa L. DeLauro
U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) (L), speaks while flanked by U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol October 26, 2011 in Washington, DC.U.S. Rep. DeLauro and U.S. Rep. Conyers called on the Joint Deficit Reduction Committee to preserve Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits when making their decision on cutting the deficit.
(October 25, 2011 - Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)


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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Motion Picture Association of America Supports Stop Online Piracy Act

Motion Picture Association of America Supports Stop Online Piracy Act

Hello, My Name Is...
By Howard Gantman

It’s been only two days since the bipartisan House Judiciary committee leadership introduced a highly anticipated bill to crack down on foreign rogue websites that steal and profit from counterfeit goods and stolen creative content like books and movies and music. Yet those who seem to side with the rights of these rogue websites over the rights of American workers and businesses, are taking every step possible to confuse the public, falsely characterize its provisions and mislabel the bill.

For a clear and concise explanation of the Stop Online Piracy Act, Chairman Lamar Smith has put out a fact sheet that summarizes the bill and will clarify any uncertainty about what it does.

And for those who want to get their facts right about its name: It’s called the Stop Online Piracy Act.

So let’s stop playing games. More than 2.2 million hard-working, middle-class people in all 50 states depend on the entertainment industry for their jobs. They work behind the scenes in production, and in small businesses like equipment rental, transportation, construction and food service. Millions more people work in theaters, video stores, retail, restaurants and other businesses that depend on entertainment. For all of these workers and their families, digital theft means declining incomes, lost jobs and reduced health and retirement benefits.

We thank the bill’s initial co-sponsors, Representatives Lamar Smith, Howard Berman, Marsha Blackburn, Mary Bono Mack, Steve Chabot, John Conyers, Ted Deutch, Elton Gallegly, Tim Griffin, Bob Goodlatte, Dennis Ross, Adam Schiff, and Terry Lee for introducing this bill and recognizing the importance of protecting American workers and businesses.

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Stop Online Piracy Act Summary

Stop Online Piracy Summary
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Arts+Labs Statement on Introduction of Stop Online Piracy Act


New York, Oct 28, 2011 - The introduction in the House of Representatives of legislation to combat the theft of U.S. intellectual property represents an important step in the fight to sustain American creativity and support individual innovators.  The newly-introduced Stop Online Piracy Act, along with the PROTECT IP legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year provide a way to push back against rogue websites that seek to profit from digital counterfeiting and piracy.

While adjustments will be necessary to reconcile the House and Senate bills and secure the votes for final passage, Arts + Labs endorses the key premise in both measures: namely, that all actors in the Internet ecosystem must play a role in helping protect the rights of those who create content while fostering innovation.  Ultimately, these twin goals help fight the digital theft that robs the U.S. economy and threatens creativity.  We also are pleased that the proposals recognize the critical need for substantial due process safeguards and the central role of federal law enforcement.

Arts + Labs offers a special thanks to House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R- Texas) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich) for working across party lines on this economically critical measure.  We also applaud the similar bipartisan efforts of IP Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va) and Ranking Member Mel Watt (D-NC) and the eight other co-sponsors.

We look forward to working with Congress to ensure that the needs of creative communities, as well as those who provide Internet services and sustain its commerce, are fairly represented in this legislation to protect, preserve, and enhance the American workforce.
###
Arts+Labs is comprised of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, AT&T, Broadcast Music, Inc., Cisco, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Songwriters Guild of America, Verizon and Viacom.


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Friday, October 28, 2011

U.S. Copyright Office Priorities 2011

U.S. Copyright Office Priorities 2011
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Stop Online Piracy Act of 2011

Stop Online Piracy Act
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Conyers: Conservatives Pile On Regulations Stifling Job Creation

Conyers: Conservatives Pile On Regulations Stifling Job Creation

OCT 26, 2011 Issues: Government Oversight
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on H.R. 3010, the “Regulatory Accountability Act,” which would amend the Administrative Procedure Act in numerous ways that would effectively halt agency rulemaking, undermining critical public health and safety rules.  Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the following statement in response to the hearing:
“The Regulatory Accountability Act will result in ‘paralysis by analysis’, slowing down the implementation of critical public health and safety rules, all while doing nothing to promote job creation,” said Conyers.  “Rather than encouraging job creation and improving the rulemaking process, the bill will lead to even greater regulatory uncertainty for businesses awaiting decisions by rulemaking agencies and delay the promulgation of critical rules intended to protect public health and safety because of the bill’s burdensome new requirements.    
“Every economically significant rule already must undergo a rigorous review and cost-benefit analysis per longstanding executive orders.  This bill, however, will provide yet another opportunity for big businesses to recklessly cut corners on public health and safety in the name of increasing big profits.  
“The bill would add more than 60 new analytical requirements that will considerably delay the rulemaking process and allow numerous opportunities for parties to litigate whether agencies complied with these additional procedures.  Moreover, it would allow federal judges, who are often generalists, to second-guess and override agency experts. 
“Most important, the bill has a super-mandate that would override all other laws, including the Clear Air Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Mine Safety and Health Act, to impose a cost-benefit analysis requirement that could compromise worker safety and public health.  
“The Regulatory Accountability Act will undercut critical public heath and safety rules, and undermine the public’s confidence in the products businesses provide.  It will increase economic uncertainty, not lead to job creation.”  


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Conyers Fights Dangerous Gun Legislation: Bill Would Override States’ Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence

Conyers Fights Dangerous Gun Legislation: Bill Would Override States’ Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence

OCT 26, 2011 Issues: Health Care
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) led the opposition to H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011,” a dangerous bill that would override the laws of almost every state by obliging each to accept concealed handgun carry permits from every other state, even if the permit holder would not be allowed to carry or even possess a handgun in the state where he or she is traveling.   The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill by 19-11 vote with all Democrats and one Republican opposed to the bill.   
During consideration of the bill, Committee Republicans refused to adopt Ranking Member Conyers’  amendment to preserve the application of state laws concerning eligibility to carry concealed weapons within their borders.  Committee Republicans also rejected other common sense amendments offered by Democrats that would have allowed states to prevent concealed carrying of handguns by those with out of state permits with convictions for offenses such as misdemeanor assault on police officers and misdemeanor sex offenses against children. 
“The refusal by Committee Republicans to allow states to protect their citizens against gun violence has set the country on to a dangerous path,” said Conyers.  “The proliferation of guns on our Nation’s streets is an urgent problem in need of solution.  For example, the chances of being murdered for African American males in Detroit between ages 15 and 24 have risen rapidly in recent years, and nationally, almost 300 African American youth aged 15 to 24 are injured by gun fire each week. 
“More concealed guns on the streets, in contravention to local state laws, will not solve this problem, but make it worse.  
“Each state must be allowed to make critical public safety determinations like conceal-and-carry laws without Congress overruling them.  The opinion of local and state law enforcement agencies hold great weight in these matters.  And during the hearing on the bill recently held by the Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey summarized best their concerns with the bill:  ‘This bill would eliminate the right that states now have to set their own public safety laws, in consultation with law enforcement professionals.  This legislation is not aligned with our vision for the future of policing.  It is counter to what the field of law enforcement needs to create safer neighborhoods, towns and cities.’” 


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Conyers Letter to Chairman Smith Requesting Hearing on College Athletics

Conyers Letter to Chairman Smith Requesting Hearing on College Athletics



Conyers Letter to Chairman Smith Requesting Hearing on College Athletics
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Register of Copyrights Names Associate Register for Policy and International Affairs

Register of Copyrights Names Associate Register for Policy and International Affairs

Register of Copyrights Maria A. Pallante has named Michele Woods to the position of Associate Register for Policy and International Affairs. The appointment was effective on October 23, 2011. Woods has extensive experience in both domestic and international copyright policy, including through prior positions with the U.S. Copyright Office. She has headed the Office of Policy and International Affairs for the past year on an acting basis, and before that served as Senior Counsel for Policy and International Affairs from March 2009 to October 2010.
"The position of associate register is a critical position within the Copyright Office and the greater copyright community," Pallante said. "Michele’s talents and experience are tremendous assets to the office and greatly appreciated by all who work with her."
The Office of Policy and International Affairs (PIA) is responsible for an important portfolio of copyright matters that includes analysis and support on copyright legislation, policy studies, and review of foreign copyright laws. Enforcement and anti-piracy efforts are also an important focus for PIA attorneys, who frequently serve on U.S. delegations to international organizations and in trade and other international negotiations with foreign governments.
Prior to joining the Copyright Office, Woods was in private practice in Washington, D.C., most recently from 2000 to 2009 as counsel in the Intellectual Property and Technology group at Arnold & Porter LLP. Her copyright practice included a wide range of domestic and international copyright policy, legislative, litigation and counseling matters. Woods litigated extensively and appeared before numerous United States federal courts, the Copyright Office, the Copyright Royalty Board, the former Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panels and the Copyright Royalty Tribunal. She was also with the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.
Woods received both her J.D. and LL.M (in International and Comparative Law) degrees from the Duke University School of Law. She received an A.B. from Princeton University and a Master of Studies from Oxford University. Since 2003, she has been an adjunct professor at the Catholic University Columbus School of Law, where she teaches an upper-level seminar on international intellectual property.

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CEA Calls On House To Hold Off On Protect IP Bill


CEA Calls On House To Hold Off On Protect IP Bill

Ask that a House bill not be introduced until stakeholders included in further discussions

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/24/2011 2:19:31 PM

Consumer electronics companies are pushing back hard against recent movement on Capitol Hill on the Protect IP Legislation that takes aim at offshore Websites pirating digital content. That came after a meeting last Friday between stakeholders and committee staffers.

There is already a Senate bill, and a House version could be introduced anytime. In fact, The Consumer Electronics Association, NetCoalition and the Computer and Communications Industry Association got together to send letters to every member of Congress Monday, with a separate letter to a quartet of representatives atop the relevant committees and subcommittees, suggesting a House bill could be forthcoming as soon as Tuesday (Oct. 25).

In the letters, the tech companies said that they still had issues with the "timing and the substance" and asked that a House bill not be introduced until there can be more discussions, with stakeholders included in discussions on any draft before it is introduced to avoid any "undue collateral damage."

They pointed to concerns of Tea Party members, venture capitalists and Internet security companies about the Senate legislation.

Tea Party Chair Michele Bachmann was among those who have expressed strong reservations.

On the other side of the issue, and also in the wake of movement on a bill they support, content creators including NBCU last week launched a new campaign to get rank and file members of the creative community to take a personal interest in combating digital content theft.

The Senate version (S.968) was motor manned to Senate Judiciary Committee passage last May by author and Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). It has yet to get a vote in the full Senate due to a hold on the bill reportedly placed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The bill would empower the Attorney General or a copyright owner to sue content-infringing Websites registered under a nondomestic domain name.

It is supported by major studios, unions, broadcasters and cable operators, but fair use fans still have issues with what they say are overbroad powers that could send the wrong signal to foreign governments.

There has been renewed attention on the bill in recent weeks. CEA last week called on House leaders to convene stakeholder discussions to talk about the concerns of its members and others about the Senate bill -- there is talk that a similar bill will be introduced in the House. The law's critics have called it overbroad, ripe for abuse and bad international precedent.

CEA says the bill -- the House version is expected to be very similar -- "will constrain economic growth and threaten a vital sector of the U.S. economy and a major source of global competitiveness."

In addition to writing every member of Congress, the groups sent a separate letter to PRO-IP bill backers Rep. Lamar Smith, chair of the House Judiciary Committee; Bob Goodlatte, chair of the intellectual property subcommittee; John Conyers, ranking member of the Judiciary and Mel Watt, ranking member of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee.

The same groups wrote the same legislators Oct. 12 arguing that the bill was ripe for abuse, could chill investment and even quoted Tea Party backers as saying human rights activists are "terrified" that the act will "provide comfort to totalitarian regimes that seek ever more control over Internet users in their own countries."
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Monday, October 24, 2011

Ben Williams And Sound Effect: Tiny Desk Concert

Ben Williams And Sound Effect: Tiny Desk Concert
He's no Beltway insider. But in a way, jazz bassist Ben Williams owes his career to the politics of Washington, D.C.
While growing up in the District, his mother, Bennie Barnes-Williams, worked for U.S. Rep. John Conyers. The Democrat from Michigan happens to be a huge jazz fan, as well as a noted advocate for the art form, and when the 6-year-old Ben accompanied his mother to her boss' well-appointed office one day, he stumbled upon a massive, curvaceous, wooden string instrument in the corner.
Fast-forward some 20-odd years, and Ben Williams is a rising jazz star. He won the 2009 Thelonious Monk Competition — held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. — and (literally) went home to his mother with a recording contract for his debut album. State of Art was released this summer, and for a release party, he came down from his New York apartment to play two nights in D.C., stopping by the NPR Music offices in the process.

Williams and his band gave us two songs, both from the new record. The second was a calming, meditative ballad called "Dawn of a New Day," with the good manners of cloth on a drum head and tinkling piano. But the first tune — that's where the District comes bubbling up. First, the guitar (Gilad Hekselman) and drums (John Davis) lay down an aggressive, snappy foundation. The bass and electric keyboard (Christian Sands) fill out the polyrhythms. That groove, with its faint hint of go-go, feels at home cruising down Georgia Avenue, then turning right on U Street NW, the historic African-American commercial district of Washington. Then the saxophone (Marcus Strickland) enters, and it's game on.
On the day of our show, Williams' band arrived before he did — he'd come to town a day early to spend time with his family. So while Bennie was piloting her son down from Northeast D.C., the other musicians jammed on J Dilla beats and the saxophone riff from George Michael's "Careless Whisper." (It was great, actually.) Once Ben Williams arrived, we rushed him upstairs, at which point he tuned up his bass and launched right into that first tune. Not surprisingly, it's called "Home."

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Goodbyes begin for civil rights leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth


Goodbyes begin for civil rights leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth



A horse drawn buggy carries the casket of the late reverend Fred Shuttlesworth while his widow Sephira walks along side down 29th Avenue from the historical Bethel Baptist church to begin 'legacy and memorial celebration' of his life a in the Collegeville Community located in Birmingham, Alabama, October 22, 2011. REUTERS-Marvin Gentry
(Reuters) - Three days of public goodbyes for civil rights leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth began on Saturday at the Birmingham, Alabama church where his fiery sermons once inspired others to join the fight against segregation.

Shuttlesworth, who endured beatings, survived a bombing and was described by Martin Luther King Jr. as "the most courageous civil rights fighter in the South," died on October 5 at age 89.

Spectators gathered early on Saturday outside the historic Bethel Baptist Church where Shuttlesworth served as pastor from 1953 to 1961, surviving the Christmas Day 1956 bombing of the parsonage.

An honor guard of police and firemen carried his casket from the church and loaded it onto an artillery wagon drawn by a white horse. Friends, family and dignitaries then lined up behind the wagon for a procession to the new Bethel sanctuary a block away.

"There are two things a great general deserves as he takes his last ride," said Washington Booker III, 62. "One is honor, and the other is dignity. The artillery carriage is an old symbol of both."

Booker, who said he was arrested as a teenager for marching against segregation, wore overalls for the procession to symbolize the humble working people who changed history.

Inside the new Bethel sanctuary, more than 250 people gathered for a private funeral. A public service was scheduled for Monday.

The mood was somber as the congregation listened to speakers describe the man they considered a hero in their city and beyond. Only the occasional laugh, applause or "Amen" broke through the quiet.

HOME WAS BOMBED

Julius Clark, a parishioner who had lived next door to Shuttlesworth, recalled when the pastor's home was bombed with 16 sticks of dynamite.

"I was blown out of my bed. I thought my pastor was dead. If he had not come out, there would have been blood on 29th Avenue. People came there angry," Clark said.

Shuttlesworth later was beaten by a mob with baseball bats, chains and brass knuckles as he tried to enroll his children in an all-white school, and was hospitalized after being sprayed by fire hoses during a demonstration against segregation.

Less widely known than King, with whom he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Shuttlesworth often prodded his more contemplative counterpart to take action.

"He was sometimes slow in doing things. Too slow for me," Shuttlesworth said of King in an interview at age 85. "He'd meditate on things a lot and agonize over them. I think if things need doing, be about them."

U.S. Representative John Conyers Jr. of Detroit, a lawyer who represented many of the protesters during the civil rights era, said: "Everyone has the impression it was one unified movement, but there were many strong-willed people with different opinions."

Shuttlesworth "was a spirit and a leader like no other," Conyers said. "He was the incredible force."

Birmingham Mayor William Bell said he would never have been able to grow up to become mayor without Shuttlesworth.

The deceased minister will lie in repose at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on Sunday. That evening, a memorial service will be held at the 16th Street Baptist Church, where a Ku Klux Klan bombing killed four little girls in 1963. The public is invited to attend both events.

Shuttlesworth will be buried on Monday following a final public service.


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