Judge Bell to speak at Carroll Co Freedom Fund Banquet

Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals to be the featured speaker at the Carroll County NAACP Branch 7014 Freedom Fund Banquet

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/1dc9n8

March 31, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/ybghotl http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/judge-bell-to-speak-at-carroll-co.html

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/313304.html

Crossposted: NEWS BRIEF — Maryland's chief judge to be featured speaker at ... Investigative Voice By Kevin Dayhoff Robert M. Bell, long-serving chief judge of the Maryland ... Editor's Note: Kevin Dayhoff, who frequently contributes to Investigative ...

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The Carroll County branch of the NAACP has announced that Chief Judge Bell will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming annual Freedom Fund banquet to be held April 9.

In 1996, Bell became the only active judge in the State to have served at least four years on all four levels of Maryland’s judiciary, and the first African-American to be named the state’s chief jurist.

Bell began his long career as an attorney with the law firm Piper and Marbury. He was first appointed to the bench in 1975 as a judge of the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, according to information from his office.

He next served as a judge for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City from 1980 until 1984. In that year, he was appointed judge to the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland and in 1991, Bell was appointed to the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

On October 23, 1996 then-Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, appointed him to the state’s highest court, Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Bell, who in his current role manages over 3,000 employees, and oversees the Maryland court system, lectures frequently at schools and community groups.

He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on July 6, 1943 grew-up in Baltimore where he attended Dunbar High School.

In 1960, twelve Dunbar High School students entered a downtown Baltimore restaurant, were refused service and subsequently arrested and convicted for trespassing.

One of those students was a young Bell, who led an appeal of the verdict in a landmark civil rights case, Bell v. Maryland, which was eventually argued before the United States Supreme Court and brought an end to de facto racial segregation in Maryland.

Bell continued his education at Morgan State College, where he received his A.B. degree in 1966. He went on to Harvard University Law School where he received his J.D. in 1969.

The annual banquet will be held this year at Martin's Westminster on Friday, April 9, 2010, beginning 6:30 pm. Tickets for the banquet are $45.00. For more information contact Charlotte Brown (410) 861-7890, Jean Lewis (410) 861-6872, Bernard Jones, Sr. (410)-876-2358, or the Carroll County NAACP web site, http://ccnaacp7014.blogspot.com/

20100331 sdosmked de SCE Bell to speak at NAACP banquet

Disclosure: The writer is a life member of the NAACP

Labels: Carroll Co NAACP, Diversity NAACP Carroll Co Chap, Judiciary Maryland, NAACP, NAACP Carroll Co

20100331 sdosmked de SCE Bell to speak at NAACP banquet

Robert M. Bell, Chief Judge, Maryland Court of Appeals to be the featured speaker at the Carroll County NAACP Branch 7014 Freedom Fund Banquet

Bell Chief Judge Md Court Appeals speaker Carroll Co MD NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet http://tinyurl.com/ybghotl http://twitpic.com/1dc9n8

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NAACP: Van Jones To Receive President's Award

Last night on CNN, I announced that the NAACP will be awarding the President's Award to green jobs pioneer Van Jones at this year's NAACP Image Awards, set to broadcast this Friday on Fox.

Sign up now to get exclusive updates from the 41st Annual NAACP Image Awards on your mobile phone.

Van Jones embodies the spirit of the NAACP Image Awards -- an entrepreneurial spirit that comes with a sense of social responsibility. His plan to retool the American economy by creating millions of new "green collar" jobs is groundbreaking, not only because it opens up a new sector of American industry, but also because it does so in a way that creates jobs and protects the environment.

Since 1970, the NAACP Image Awards have celebrated the best in African American Arts and Culture. It is an awards ceremony that honors the aspirations and dreams of all Americans, told from an African American perspective. The President's Award has traditionally honored those whose achievements in public life have been game changing. Recent honorees have included Muhammad Ali, Ruby Dee and President Bill Clinton.

Please be sure to tune in to the live broadcast this Friday, February 26, on FOX at 8:00pm Eastern / 7:00pm Central, where I will present the President's Award to Van Jones. You will also get a chance to see Tyler Perry, Mo'Nique, Morgan Freeman, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Taraji P. Henson and other leaders of the entertainment world walk the red carpet. And do not miss out on exclusive mobile updates -- sign up for our mobile updates now.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Todd Jealous President and CEO NAACP

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Md NAACP Wants To Limit Govs Power To Replace Dixon

Investigative Voice: Md. NAACP Wants To Limit Governor's Power To Replace Dixon If She Is Convicted By Stephen Janis

The Maryland State Conference of the NAACP calls for legislation to limit the governor's power to appoint a replacement if Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is convicted of misconduct.

By Stephen Janis Sunday, 11 October 2009

The continuing legal troubles of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has prompted the Maryland State Conference of the NAACP to approve a push for legislation that would limit the governor options for choosing a new mayor, if she is convicted of misconduct while in office.

Check out the latest on these stories and more. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102758508869&s=1030&e=00186xsDiCdo00g1CUY0SoAUgoS1uPCce2KNumGn8wl0TofSM5rl9u-60z41nyRQ75RjO4wE282sVgeNIlzj81Wze2YBQqgbD7WgkmqBHK6AlmUC1SdPquB5mQpb0xB_u_I

Find it here: http://www.investigativevoice.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1342:naacp-seeks-to-limit-governors-ability-to-appoint-new-mayor&catid=25:the-project&Itemid=44

20091011 sdosm Md NAACP Wants To Limit Govs Power To Replace Dixon

Media Investigative Voice, NAACP, People Dixon-Sheila

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NAACP: I missed the joke... And I miss the NAACP when a conservative of color is maligned…

NAACP: I missed the joke...

And I miss the NAACP when a conservative of color is maligned…

February 23, 2009

The other day, the national wing of the NAACP – of which I am a life member – posted “I missed the joke...” on the NAACP web site.

And then I listened to the conversation on the Diane Rehm show on WAMU Monday morning in which the New York Post cartoon and the recent remarks by US Attorney General Eric Holder were discussed.

[qv: Holder: U.S. a 'nation of cowards' on race discussions - CNN.com In a blunt assessment of race relations in the United States, Attorney General Eric Holder Wednesday called the American people "essentially a nation of ...”]

“Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," said Attorney General Holder February 18, 2009.

Well, we are a nation of cowards because any discussion of race in our county is so fraught with potholes and downside – why would any sane person want to subject themselves with the exposure.

Especially when there are so many folks in our nation that eat, sleep, live and breath the politics of professional outrage in order to remain relevant – or their perception of relevance.

Not to be overlooked is the fact that the old traditional media is always too willing to pile-on when there is even the slightest hint of a real or imagined insensitivity.

Funny thing is that folks like the NAACP, the Reverend Al Sharpton et al, (and Attorney General Holder) only seem to practice professional outrage when a liberal of color is involved.

Seems, that for example, when it is a conservative woman or conservative African-American is involved – the NAACP and the practitioners of professional outrage – all seem to lose their voices.

Funny how that is.

Re-read: November 9, 2005 The Appalling Silence Kevin E. Dayhoff
We're waiting. The time is now. Responsible leaders of the Democratic Party must denounce the blatant racism being used in reference to the United States senatorial candidacy of Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.

In all candor, I found the New York Post cartoon in poor taste and unfortunate – but I am much more overwhelmingly offended by the hypocrisy of the NAACP and folks like Reverend Sharpton and Attorney General Holder.

NAACP - I missed the joke...:

The New York Post's decision to publish a blatantly racist cartoon comparing our commander in chief to a dead chimpanzee is absolutely unacceptable, especially given the historic racist stereotypes of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys.

Join me in demanding that the Editor-in-Chief and all those involved in the decision to print the image step down from their positions at the New York Post. In addition, we want the New York Post to print a full, and unequivocal apology. The Post needs to know that there is no room for this kind of insensitivity and divisiveness -- it distracts us from the real work that we need to do to foster an era of change, collaboration, and acceptance of all people.

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/2446/t/4676/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1086

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/18/holder.race.relations/index.html

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/

http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=1338

20090223 NAACP I missed the joke

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Diane Rehm Race in America

Tuesday February 24, 2009 10:00 Diane Rehm Race in America

Listen to this segment Real Audio Windows Media

Reaction to Attorney General Eric Holder's speech for Black History Month, his assertion that we are a "nation of cowards" on racial issues, and differing views on what we should be talking about when it comes to race.

Guests

John Payton, director-counsel and president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; lead counsel for the University of Michigan's successful defense of its use of race in the admissions process in two 2003 Supreme Court cases

Robert Woodson, founder and president of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise; author, "The Triumphs of Joseph: How Community Healers are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods"

Rinku Sen, president and executive director of the Applied Research Center; publisher of "ColorLines" magazine; co-author, with Fekkak Mamdouh, of "The Accidental American: Immigration and Citizenship in the Age of Globalization"

Abigail Thernstrom, vice-chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute; co-author with her husband, historian Stephan Thernstrom, of "No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning" and "America in Black and White: One Nation, Indivisible." She has a forthcoming book, "Voting Rights and Wrongs: The Elusive Quest for Racially Fair Elections."

20090224 SDOSM Diane Rehm Race in America
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Remarks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration by Allan H. Kittleman January 16, 2005

Remarks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Allan H. Kittleman
January 16, 2005

Senator Kittleman honors his father, the late Senator Robert Kittleman, in his keynote address at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Remarks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration by Allan H. Kittleman January 16, 2005

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/06/remarks-at-martin-luther-king-jr.html

http://www.kittleman.com/News/News.cfm?ID=277&c=20

MLK Jr Day Celebration Remarks

Sunday, January 16, 2005

I want to thank the Martin Luther King, Jr. Howard County Holiday Commission for inviting me to speak this afternoon.   It is a great honor to be with all of you today to celebrate the life of a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As many of you may know, the Commission was created in 1985 by an Executive Order issued by the County Executive.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual celebration to honor Martin Luther King Jr.  

I especially want to commend the Commission for motivating young people.  During the past four years, over $2,700 has been presented to middle and high school students who were selected as winners for participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream Essay” contest.

When I was considering this year’s theme – “A Day to Dream – A Lifetime to Act”, I thought of my father, Bob Kittleman.  As many of you may know, my father passed away on September 11, 2004.  After his death, there were many kind words said about my father.  He would have probably been embarrassed by the attention paid to him.  That was just the kind of person he was.

My family moved to Howard County in the mid-1950s. My father was transferred to this area by Westinghouse. They bought a new home in Allview Estates [just off Route 29]. My father was a strong Republican and he quickly sought to get involved in the Howard County Republican Party. He got the names of two Republican activists in Howard County who lived in the 6th election district [his district] and he went to meet them. Their names were Remus and Leola Dorsey. My father often told me that Remus and Leola Dorsey were the first African Americans that he shook hands with in his life.  He always loved going to see the Dorseys – he especially loved Mrs. Dorsey’s chocolate chip cookies. Mrs. Dorsey is with us this afternoon.

Mrs. Dorsey can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the conversation went something like this: My father said that he was there to work with the Republican Party and wanted to know if they would help him. Mr. Dorsey responded, yes and we are wondering if you would help us with civil rights issues in Howard County. My father said yes. And a lifetime relationship began.

My father joined the Howard County Branch of the NAACP. He later became the Chairman of the Education Committee. When my parents divorced in the early 1960s, my father got custody of the three children [quite unusual for the time].  He did not stop his work with the NAACP. As you can imagine, at that time in Howard County, it was not the most popular thing for a white person to be an active member of the NAACP.

Although I was fairly young at the time, my father told me that he would receive threats because of his involvement with the NAACP. He told me that he would come home and move my sister’s, my brother’s and my bed away from the windows just in case someone threw something through the window.  There was always a lot of rumors going around the community concerning my father’s activities.  People wondered why so many African Americans were coming to our house.  There were concerns that my father was going to sell our house to an African American.  Can you imagine such a terrible thing?  Despite all this, my father did not stop his efforts.

As the Chair of the Education Committee, he focused on the desegregation of the public schools.  He worked very closely with Silas Craft and Elhart Flurry.  Two of the great “triumvirate” – as my father would call Mr. Craft, Mr. Flurry and Morris Woodson.  All three were great civil rights leaders in Howard County.

My father spent many evenings meeting with school officials in an effort to get them to desegregate the public schools.  He wrote letters to, and met with, the superintendent of schools.  The superintendent and the Board of Education continued to hamper all the efforts to push desegregation.

My father loved to tell the story of when he and Mr. Craft [the President of the Howard County Branch of the NAACP] went to meet with Dr. Edward Cochran.  Dr. Cochran had just been appointed to the Howard County Board of Education.  Prior to that time, the Board of Education had voted consistently 3 to 2 to avoid desegregation.  With Dr. Cochran’s appointment, my father and Mr. Craft thought that there was a real opportunity to get a majority of the Board to push to desegregate the schools.  

They set up an appointment to meet with Dr. Cochran at his home in January.  There happened to be a large snowfall that day and no one in their right mind would have traveled out on the roads.  I recall Dr. Cochran saying that he did not expect them to be able to keep the appointment. 

In the evening, Dr. Cochran heard a knock at the door.  There was Mr. Craft and my father.  They had parked their car at the bottom of Dr. Cochran’s driveway [a fairly long uphill driveway] and walked up to meet with him.  The meeting was historic because Dr. Cochran indeed became the deciding vote to once and for all desegregate the Howard County Public Schools.  

When Mr. Craft resigned from the NAACP to accept employment outside Howard County, my father was appointed to replace him.  Later, when he was asked to run for the position, my father responded that he did not think it was right for a white person to be the President of the Howard County Branch of the NAACP.  To this day, he is the only white person to hold that office.

My father also told me stories of when he would go to a restaurant with his friends and being told to leave because the restaurant would not serve African Americans. 

He told me that lawsuits would be filed against the restaurant and the owner would be forced to serve African Americans.  My father told about one restaurant owner, who told my father and his friends, “I may have to serve you dinner, but I do not have to be in the restaurant when you eat.”  And the owner would leave until they were finished with their dinner.

After his work in the civil rights movement, my father continued to work for what he believed was right by serving in the State Legislature.  He served 19 years in the House of Delegates [becoming the Minority Leader in 1995.  He served 3 years in the State Senate until his death last September.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated:

“Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? 

Expediency asks the question – is it politic?
  
Vanity asks the question – is it popular?  

But conscience asks the question – is it right?  

And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe,nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.” 

In a 1963 speech, Dr. King also said:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  

My father stood for what was right during the times of challenge and controversy.  He did not ask if it was safe, politic or popular.  He only asked “is this right?”

I was talking with someone the other day about my father’s life.  She told me that she did not know about my father’s involvement in the civil rights movement.  I told her that many, many people came up to me after reading about my father’s life and said that they also did not know about his work in the 1960s.  I told her that the reason people did not know, was because my father didn’t talk about it.  My father saw his work as being the right thing to do.  He didn’t think that he deserved any recognition for doing the right  thing.  He didn’t consider himself a hero.  He considered himself simply a person who wanted to make sure that everyone was treated equally.

My father used his lifetime to make a difference for the good.  The question to us becomes, are we willing to do the same?  As Dr. King said, “Life’s most urgent question is:  What are you doing for others?”

Are we willing to go the route that is not safe, politic or popular?  Are we willing to stand for what is right and just? Are we willing to serve others?
If you think that you are not able to serve – let me close with these words of Dr. King:


“Everybody can be great …. because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”

20050116 Remarks at MLK Jr Celebration kittleman

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