The 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States, Britain, Australia and Poland officially began on March 20, 2003.
Latest Coalition Fatility: March 29, 2008 is 4007
As of August 27, 2007
74 Troops killed this month
3,732 Troops killed since war begun
27,506 Troops wounded
12,340 seriously wounded
Update: As of May 1, 2007
3,351 Soldiers killed
As of May 6, 2007
3,377 United States Soldiers has been killed
13,875 soldiers wounded in action and returned to duty
11,215 wounded, not returned to duty
Update:
As of May 19, 2007
3,422 Soldiers killed
Wounded
25,549
________________________________________________
Letter from the President:
Thank you to everyone for your vote Against Vouchers on November 6, 2007. Our votes were counted in this election as we were heard across the country opposing vouchers.
We ask for your continued support of the NAACP. Please join us on Monday, January 21 as we give tribute to the works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks. The award recipients, Judge Paul Warner and Frances Battle will be presented awards in the name of these two outstanding individuals for their work in the fields of justice and education achievements.
We are extremely pleased to have Pace McConkie to keynote the luncheon. Pace has a long history with Civil Rights and worked in the legal department at the NAACP National Headquarters.
Thank you for your interest in the NAACP Salt Lake Branch. I hope that you will take the time to read this entire letter put together for better understanding of our beloved NAACP.
We have people that do not understand what the NAACP is and what we do.
First, we are a Civil Rights Organization founded in 1909. The Salt Lake Branch was formed February 1919.
The NAACP is a membership organization and therefore, we do solicit memberships. Individuals, Businesses, Churches, and Organizations can be members of the NAACP.
NAACP Membership is not required for the NAACP to assist anyone but a completed complaint form is required.
Some folks think that the NAACP only assists African Americans. That is not true because the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is for all people.
The NAACP cannot be everything to everybody but do fight for the rights of all people.
The NAACP does not endorse political candidates and is non-partisan.
The NAACP Salt Lake Branch held a successful Political Candidates Forum, Thursday, October 5, 2006. Candidates from all parties were invited to participate at the Utah State Baw Law and Justice Center. The Branch is actively promoting the "Get Out To Vote" and signing people to work the polls and others to transport people to vote.
The work of the Officers and Executive Committee members are done on a voluntary basis.
I would like to highlight some of the Branch activities the past several years.
Scholarships:
In January 2005 the NAACP Salt Lake Branch presented two (2) $2,000 scholarships to University of Utah students. The Branch also selected a University of Utah student to receive the annual Utah Jazz scholarship presented by Larry H. Miller at the Annual Dr. Martin L. King Jr., Memorial Luncheon.
In pass years, the Branch have presented numerous $1,000.00 scholarships in our continuing educational excellences effort, to students attending BYU, University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College and Westminster College.
Appreciation Luncheon:
In June 2004 the branch held its first Life Membership
Appreciation Luncheon for all fully paid Life Members and again June 2005. This will be an annual event held in June at a date close to Juneteenth. The lunch was a way to say thanks to those dedicated enough to the NAACP Salt Lake Branch to become a Life Member.
Internship Programs:
An internship was set-up at the Utah Jazz Office Delta Center for one University of Utah student. An internship program was set-up at Citadel Communications for a University of Utah College student. This student was able to attend school, work and get paid for over 4 years until completion of the Masters Program. Another student is presently enrolled in the NAACP Salt Lake Branch/Citadel's Internship Program.
These students and program is under the driection and set-up by the NAACP Salt Lake Branch.
Back to School/Stay in School: Tutoring Program
The Branch working with the Salt Lake Youth Council, utilizing our Back to School/Stay in School Program to set up a tutoring program for youth. The results were excellent; students achieved notable improvements in their grades.
Another success was the Back to School/Stay in School Backpack program. The Branch in 2004 and 2005 gave over 600 School Back Packs filled with school supplies and toiletries donated by our business partner, Wal-Mart Stores. These were all distributed to youth and College students.
Feed the Homeless Program:
The feed the homeless program provided our youth the opportunity to volunteer to serve food to individuals at the Homeless Shelter and gave homeless students Back Packs, School Supplies and toiletries.
Voter Registration/Get Out The Vote Campaign:
The Branch, Youth Council and University of Utah College Chapter participated with Voter Registration at local Wal-Mart Stores and the Day Riverside Library registering citizens to vote.
Christmas for Families:
Another project the Branch is proud of is when we worked several years ago with John Amaechi, former Utah Jazz basketball player. President Jeanetta Williams led the effort to select 16 low income families of diverse backgrounds, some of which were single parents either Father or Mother and some with both parents to go on a $250.00 each shopping spree at Dillard’s for Christmas. The largest family had 10 children. In addition each family member (including parents) received new winter coats. Prior to the shopping spree, everyone was treated to dinner at a local restaurant and took pictures with John Amaechi.
During the 2003 Christmas Season, the NAACP Branch did something a little different. The NAACP Salt Lake Branch through the NAACP Communications Chair joined with Citadel Communications, donated food, clothing, toys, games and gift certificates to 8 low income families of diverse backgrounds. Family’s names were identified from local Churches.
December 2004, the NAACP and Citadel Communications made Christmas available for 39 children and teenagers and their families. These families were from a wide diverse community including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Pacific Islander and Caucasian's were all selected for that years gifts, food, and certificates.
Again, in 2005, the NAACP Salt Lake Branch and Citadel worked together and donated gifts and food items for Christmas to low income, disadvantaged families all of diverse backgrounds
Recognition:
The Branch in December 2004 presented Governor Olene Walker at a special reception an award for her work with the NAACP's Education Program. Her term expires January 1, 2005.
Prison Program:
We have worked on Prison Reform and met with prison officials. What we are attempting to do is prepare inmates for release into society. The Branch has made rehabilitation and other programs at the prison top priorities for inmates to get into. President Williams personally assisted with an early release of an inmate due to personal health reasons. The Branch is looking at sentencing guidelines of People of Color versus non-minorities.
President Williams have appeared at inmates Board of Pardons Hearings and written letters to assist them with concerns.
We have monitored the courts to assure fair procedures throughout the system. President Williams has developed excellent working relations with the FBI, US Attorney, Attorney General and others on important civil rights issues.
Housing Initiatives:
The Branch has addressed employment and housing discrimination complaints. Working with Fannie Mae, the Branch through Marci Milligan, NAACP Housing Chair, worked to initiate Faith Based Initiatives with local churches. Most recently, the Branch launched its Home Buyer's Assistance Portal as a pilot program.
Class Action Lawsuits:
The Branch entered into a class action lawsuit against the city of Bluffdale and because of that lawsuit, Bluffdale changed its restrictive zoning ordinances and housing policies to allow for various housing types. Presently, the NAACP Salt Lake Branch has an almost identical class action lawsuit against the city of Fruit Heights. On April 25, 2005 the Branch announced the third class action housing lawsuit. This is against the Summit County.
The NAACP General Counsel at the 2006 Annual NAACP Meeting reported to the NAACP National Board of Directors on the Summit County Lawsuit. The NAACP Crisis Magazine will feature the Summit County Lawsuit in the April-May issue.
Education: Call to Action Plan
The Branch worked closely with Richard Gomez and the State Office of Education to implement the NAACP Call To Action Plan.
The NAACP introduced locally our National Education: Call to Action Plan and Dr. John H. Jackson, Director of Education, Edward L. Lewis Jr., President of the NAACP State Conference and President Jeanetta Williams, Utah State Chair for Education, met with then Lt. Governor Olene Walker to outline the plan. The goal of resource equity and how it is used was the focus of the meeting. The intent is to achieve measurable improvement in academic outcomes for minority children. Another objective is to monitor whether State and local educational agencies are in full compliance with the existing public reporting laws and regulations. We encourage timely action, when new reporting and yearly progress provisions are introduced and strive for compliance within six months of enactment.
The overall objective is to identify where resource inequities exist, a Five-Year Plan to identify the size of each gap and set yearly goals for closing each gap incrementally for a total reduction of at least 50% over the life of the plan. The plan details how current patterns of distribution will be changed to achieve the goals set out by the educational agency.
Police/Citizens Review Board
President Williams has served on the West Valley Professional Standards Citizens Police Review Board for 10 years where the group reviews all citizen complaints and Police Procedures. The group reviews all Use of Force and High Speed Chase. Reports are made regularly back to the NAACP Branch. This is a very important Board because other Police Departments has been reluctant to set up anything identical to this. Chief Buzz Nielsen came and made a presentation to the NAACP Salt Lake Branch Members. This is a very important Board because it allows citizen participation in determining whether Police Officers are operating within the scope of their jobs.
Civil Rights Forum:
The Branch held a Civil Rights Forum in May 2004 to commemorate Brown v. Board of Education. The forum included panelist from Fannie Mae, Credit Union, Banks, State Office of Education, and Civil Rights Attorney.
Brown vs. Board of Education:
The Branch held a Banquet to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education. Dr. Ernest L. Holloway, President of Langston University (Historic Black University) was the keynote speaker at the Little America Hotel.
Monthly Meeting Presentations:
Attending and presenting at other NAACP Branch meetings has been the FBI, The Village Project, Larry H. Miller, American Heart Association, IHC, Fannie Mae, Utah State Office of Education, Small Business Administration and other groups and or individuals.
Notable keynote speakers at the Branch:
Notable activities with keynote speakers has been Hilary Shelton, NAACP Director at the Washington Office, Julian Bond, NAACP Chairman of the Board, Kweisi Mfume, NAACP President & CEO, Dr. John H. Jackson, NAACP Director of Education, NAACP Headquarters, William Haley (Son of Alex Haley), David Gamble, Director of Graduate Juvenile Sanction National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Sharee M. Freeman, Director of Community Relations Service United States Department of Justice , Dr. DuBois Williams (Grand Daughter of W.E.B. DuBois), Mickey Ibarra Assistant To The President (Clinton) and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Brenda J. Joyce, Deputy Regional Director-Dallas Region VI at the Department of Labor, Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the late Earl T. Shinhoster, Director of NAACP Voter Empowerment, Dr. Ernest L. Holloway, President of Langston University. Julie Cunningham, President and CEO, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), was the keynote speaker at the 2005 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Luncheon. Professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr. gave a free lecture at the Salt Lake Library in February 2005 with special emphasis to the youth. Professor Ogletree is the author of All Deliberate Speed: Reflections on the First Half-Century of Brown v. Board of Education, published by W.W. Norton & Company in April of 2004 (www.alldeliberatespeed.com). In April 2004, Professor Ogletree was also appointed director of Harvard Law School’s new Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, named in honor of the visionary lawyer who spearheaded the litigation in Brown v. Board of Education.
