March 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper

Survey finds Americansdeeply dissatisfied with theleadership potential of thenews media, government,and large corporations

FLORIDA — Most Americansare putting their faith in small busi-ness owners, entrepreneurs, andscience and technology leaders to

lead the U.S. to a better future -and they are significantly lesshopeful the news media, govern-ment or large corporations will dothe same, a new We Media/ZogbyInteractive poll shows.

Who will lead usto a better future?

Nearly two-thirds ofAmericans (63%) said small busi-ness and entre-preneurs willlead the U.S. toa better future,while 52% said the same of sci-ence and technology leaders.Americans are far less optimisticabout the leadership of govern-ment (31%), large corporations

and business leaders (21%), ortraditional news media such as

newspapers,t e l ev i s ion ,radio, andm a g a z i n e s

(13%). Americans think leader-ship toward a better future is more

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POLL on page, P.18

The Remarks ofPresident BarackObama — Addressto Joint Session of Congress

adame Speaker, Mr. VicePresident, Members ofCongress, and the First Ladyof the United States:

I’ve come here tonight not only toaddress the distinguished men and womenin this great chamber, but to speak franklyand directly to the men and women whosent us here.

I know that for many Americans watch-ing right now, the state of our economy is aconcern that rises above all others. Andrightly so. If you haven’t been personallyaffected by this recession, you probablyknow someone who has - a friend; a neigh-bor; a member of your family. Youdon't need to hear another list ofstatistics to know that oureconomy is in crisis, becauseyou live it every day. It’sthe worry you wake upwith and the source ofsleepless nights. It’s thejob you thought you’dretire from but now havelost; the business you builtyour dreams upon that’s nowhanging by a thread; the col-lege acceptance letter your childhad to put back in the envelope. Theimpact of this recession is real, and it iseverywhere.

M

We Media/Zogby Poll: Most Americans Believe Small Business,Science, and Tech Leaders Will Lead the U.S. to a Better Future

Don’t Quit!“History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation,this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas.” — U.S. President Barack Obama

OPINIONS

PRESIDENT on page, P.12

ON PAGE 9: In her editorial for thismonth, CEO, Gina Parker Ford says:“Big Brother has lost his mind; and thegovernment has gone wild.”

BUSINESS

ON PAGE 18: McConnell JonesLanier & Murphy LLP announces thatThomas Jones Jr., one of its foundingpartners has been named chairman ofthe Greater Houston Partnership’sMinority Task Force.

INDUSTRY

ANNOUNCEMENT: At PHA, WadeBattles, the PHA Managing Directorhas been appointed acting executivedirector by the Port Commission of thePort of Houston Authority.

www.peopledoingbusiness.comAubrey R.Taylor’sAubrey R.Taylor’s

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INFORMATION

Publisher’s Notice!

ENTREPRENEURS CREDOI do not choose to be a Common manIt is my right to be UNCOMMON...If I canI seek Opportunity - not SecurityI do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulledby having the state look after me.I want to take the “Calculated Risk” toDream and to Build,to fail and to SUCCEED.I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.I prefer the challenges of Life to the“Guaranteed existence”,the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.I will not trade FREEDOM for Beneficencenor my dignity for a handout.I will never cower before any master norbend to any threat.It is my heritage to stand erect,proud and unafraid,to think and act for myself,to enjoy the benefit of “MY CREATIONS” and to face the world boldly and say:“This with God’s help, I have done. All this is what it means to be a ENTREPRENEUR”

This (www.peopledoingbusiness.com) Newspaper is publishedby AUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may becopied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without theprior written approval of the publisher. For special requests pleasecall: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

Harris County Judge EdEmmett Reveals His Vision forThe County in 2009

Emmett Vows Harris County Will Not “Slip Under theWaves” Of Economic Turmoil

TEXAS — Harris County Judge EdEmmett said recently that HarrisCounty remains in “very healthy” condi-tion despite a precarious national and worldwide econo-

my, and he predicted the countywould remain on solid financial foot-ing throughout 2009, thanks to itsconservative economic leadership.

“Who knows what the comingyear will bring, but I can guaranteeyou that Commissioners Court andthe county’s financial managers will

not allow this county to slip under the waves of eco-nomic turmoil,” Emmett told the crowd of 1,200 gath-ered at the Greater Houston Partnership’s annual Stateof the County Address. “The four commissioners have acombined 68 years of experience. The county’s budgetoffice, headed by Dick Raycraft since its inception 27years ago, has always taken a fiscally responsibleapproach, and that approach will no doubt continue.”

Emmett, who was appointed county judge inMarch 2007 and elected in November, used his speechto the region’s community leaders to call for a height-ened level of cooperation across party lines and govern-mental borders. He called for the area’s leaders in state,county and city governments to work together to solvethe region's transportation, health care and environmen-tal challenges. Given the area's natural and economicadvantages, he said, there is every reason to believe thateffort will be successful.

The root of that economic success, Emmett said,also lies in regional cooperation.

“Harris County, while itself a complex governmentorganization, is part of a larger whole,” he said. “Nomatter what the state of Harris County is at thismoment, our future condition is inextricably tied to oth-ers. We must act cooperatively with the wide range ofentities in our region to make sure that the state of all of

us remains sound.”

Brilliant Steps Down as Google.org Head

Larry Brilliant, executive director ofGoogle.org, has announced on the organization’s

blog that he no longer will manage the company’s phil-anthropic arm. The three-year-old organization also

indicated that in the future it likelywill only fund organizations whosework closely aligns with the for-prof-it company's mission to leverageinformation and technology toaddress global challenges.

“I am most effective in helping toidentify ‘big ideas’ and potential part-

ners, as well as raising awareness about society’s biggestchallenges,” wrote Brilliant, who will become Google’s“chief philanthropy evangelist.” “I hope to be able tospend more time motivating policy makers, encouragingpublic and private partnerships, and generally advocatingfor the changes that we must make as a global society tosolve these problems.”

Megan Smith, vice president of new businessdevelopment at Google, has been named general manag-er of Google.org and will be responsible for its day-to-day management.

Aligning Google.org more closely with Google as awhole will ensure that “Dot-Org,” as the organization isreferred to within Google, is better able to build innova-tive, scalable technology and information solutions,Brilliant noted. An internal review of the organization’swork over the past three years revealed that its greatestimpact came from supporting efforts that make the mostof Google’s strengths in technology and information,including Flu Trends, an application that tracks certainsearch terms to track flu outbreaks, and RechargeIT, aninitiative designed to reduce CO2 emissions by acceler-ating the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles.

While Google.org has donated more than $100 mil-lion to efforts in the areas of global health, clean energy,

and access to information, it has been criticized by somefor emphasizing a business approach to philanthropyand a belief that engineering alone can solve the world’sproblems. In an earlier interview with the New YorkTimes, Siva Vaidhyanathan, a professor at theUniversity of Virginia, warned that “the habits and ide-ology of the company will lead the philanthropy ratherthan the needs of the communities or the planet.”

The change in leadership at Google.org will notaffect Google’s level of investment in the nonprofit sec-tor. “We stand behind the commitment made in 2004 todevote 1 percent of Google’s equity and profits to phi-lanthropy,” Brilliant wrote, “and we will continue toiterate on our philanthropic model to make sure ourresources have the greatest possible impact for good.”

Gov. Perry: WeShould Reducethe Weight ofGovernment onTexas Business

Supports raising small business taxexemption; replenishing incentive funds

USTIN — Texas Gov. Rick Perry recentlyaddressed National Federation ofIndependent Business (NFIB)Small Business Day luncheon

expressing his support of small business inTexas, including the idea of raising the busi-ness margins tax exemption to $1 million.

“I think we can do more to make Texasthe best option for companies that employ Texans,which should include taking a close look at the reformedbusiness tax we implemented a few years ago,” saidGov. Perry. “I support raising the small business exemp-tion to $1 million but also look forward to hearing whatour legislators have to say. We need to do everything wecan to reduce the weight of government so that employerscan have the breathing room they need to make it throughthese uncertain economic times.”

The governor additionally reiterated his commit-ment to maintain reasonable taxes and regulations, andpursue fiscal responsibility as the state works to balancethe budget for the upcoming biennium in order toenhance Texas’ competitive edge in the current nationaleconomic downturn.

“I am committed to working with our legislators tokeep Texas living within its means, continuing ouradherence to proven fiscal principles and making toughchoices,” said Gov. Perry. “It may not be the most popu-lar course, but it is the wisest and will keep Texas strongin the months and years to come.”

In his remarks, Gov. Perry also emphasized theneed to continue investing in state incentive programslike the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) and the TexasEmerging Technology Fund (ETF) which are powerfultools in the state’s efforts to create jobs, and commer-cialize technology and research in Texas. Since 2003,TEF has generated more than 53,800 jobs and $14 bil-lion in capital investment; and since 2005, ETF hasinvested approximately $53 million in 54 early-stagecompanies and 16 universities, and attracted more than45 world-class researchers.

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COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF TEXAS: Gov. Perryaddressing the National Federation of IndependentBusiness (NFIB) Small Business Day luncheon.

EMMETT

Unemployed Texans GrantedAdditional $25 Per Week in UI Benefits

TWC Will Automatically IncreasePayments to Eligible Claimants

he Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced a$25 increase to weekly unemployment benefits for indi-viduals currently receiving payments. The increase waspart of the economic stimulus package passed byCongress and signed by President Barack Obama.

The legislation provides an increase of $25 per week for eligibleTexans receiving unemployment benefits as of February 22, 2009.Claimants will see the additional benefits beginning mid-March.Eligible claimants who are currently receiving benefits will receive theincrease retroactive to February 22. The increase is effective for initialclaims filed through December 26, 2009.

The federally funded increase applies to all types of unemploy-ment benefits, and employers will not be charged the additional funds.Claimants do not need to call or take any additional action to receivethe additional amount; however, they should continue requesting pay-ment as scheduled. TWC administers unemployment benefits to work-ers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and areactively seeking work.

Claimants may receive further information online through www.texasworkforce.org or by using our e-mail form. A TWC staffmember will call you back within 48 hours.

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Opinion

Zogby Poll: Just27% BelieveThey WillBenefit FromEconomicStimulus Bill

Survey finds likely voters favor proposalsfrom Democrats overthose from Republicans,but 23% have little confidence in ideas from either party

NEW YORK — Just 27% of like-ly voters are optimistic the recent-ly passed federal economic stimu-lus bill will personally benefitthem or their family, a new ZogbyInteractive poll shows.

More than half - 56% - aredoubtful the stimulus package willpersonally help them, and another17% are unsure. While nearly halfof Democrats (48%) believe theywill benefit from the stimulus, fewpolitical independents (19%) andeven fewer Republicans (7%)believe they will be helped. Thevast majority of Republicans(88%) and most independents(62%) remain skeptical they per-sonally stand to gain from the newstimulus bill, compared to just26% of Democrats who said thesame. Higher levels of optimismfor the stimulus bill were foundamong the youngest adults, age18-24, who were more likely(38%) than older adults to believeit would benefit them or their fam-ily. Just 16% of those age 65 andolder felt the same. The ZogbyInteractive survey of 1,474 likelyvoters nationwide was conductedFeb. 23-24, 2009, and was com-pleted before President BarackObama’s address to a joint meet-ing of Congress on the state ofthe U.S. economy. It carries amargin of error of +/- 2.6 per-centage points.

Democrats seen ashaving better economicstimulus ideas thanRepublicans, but manyremain dissatisfied withproposals from both sidesof the aisle

Overall, more than a third oflikely voters (36%) said theybelieve proposals from Democratsto stimulate the economy havebeen better than ideas offered upby Republicans (27%) - but nearlyone in four (23%) said neitherparty had offered up the betterideas. It comes as no surprise thatmajorities of both Republicans andDemocrats believe their own par-ties have offered the best ideas,but political independents are split,giving slight preference to ideasfrom Democrats (29%) over thosebrought up by Republicans (24%).These political independents arealso more than twice as likely(41%), compared to Democrats(13%) and Republicans (20%), tosay neither party has offered the bet-ter ideas to stimulate the economy.

The UH Bauer College ofBusiness Alumni Association islooking to score another hole inone with its 2009 Ted BauerGolf Classic, which will be heldon May 18 at Champions GolfClub in Houston.

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The Annise Parker forMayor campaign releasedthe results of a new pollrecently that show Parkerwith a significant lead inthe Mayor’s race.

“City Controller Annise Parkeris the clear front runner and a strongfavorite to make the runoff. Parkeris better known than any declaredcandidate, better liked, and receivessolid job performance ratings,”according to Parker’s polling firm,Lake Research Partners.

“Annise starts the race with aone to two million dollar advantageover her opponents. Annise’s oppo-nents, all much lesser known, willhave to spend a vast part of their warchests simply to gain name recogni-tion. Meanwhile, Annise will beusing resources to grow her advan-tage, building on her already stronglead and image,” said Cynthia Millerand Dean Rindy of Rindy Miller

Media, Parker’s media consultants.The poll we really care about

is the one conducted on ElectionDay,” said Parker’s campaign man-ager, Adam Harris. “But these num-bers are significant because theyshow that Annise Parker’s oppo-nents are already behind and have along way to go to catch up.”

The poll shows that more than

half of voters have heard of Parkerand she has a six-to-one favorableratio among those voters who canrate her (44% favorable to just 7%unfavorable). Parker also receivessolid job performance ratings thatare more than two-to-one positive.Half of voters (46%) rate her per-formance as City Controller eitherexcellent (13%) or good (33%).Only 19% are critical (justfair/poor).

When poll participants wereasked whom they supported formayor at the beginning of the poll(before hearing information aboutthe candidates), almost one thirdsupported Parker (29%), while 18%support all other candidates com-

bined. Half were undecided (53%).The information released by

Parker’s campaign is contained in apair of memos from Parker’s pollingfirm, Lake Research Partners, andher media firm, Rindy MillerMedia. Both are available for down-load on her web site.

Annise Parker currently servesas Houston’s City Controller, direct-ing Houston’s financial investmentsand managing billions of tax dollars.Prior to her public service, Parkerworked for 20 years in Houston’soil and gas industry. Learn more atwww.AnniseParker.com.

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CANDIDATES TO WATCHNew Poll: Annise Parker Opens Early Lead in Houston Mayor’s Race, Name ID andpositive image give Parker a “$1 million - $2 million advantage” over opponents according to a recently released poll by Parker’s Polling Firm, Lake Research Partners

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LOCKE served as Houston’sCity Attorney under formerMayor Bob Lanier. He is cur-rently a partner with Andrewsand Kurth for the past decade.

BROWN is currently an At-Large City Council Memberand prominent architect andurban planner. Brown is athird-generation Houstonian.

PARKER is currently the onlycandidate with a video mes-sage on our website. The othercandidates will be posted whenmessages are received.

Peter Brown Acceptedthe Endorsement FromOver 100 Houston AreaReligious Leaders backin October of 2008

HOUSTON — LastOctober the ReverendWilliam A. Lawson joinedBishop James Dixon IIand dozens of other min-isters and bishops inbacking Houston CityCouncil Member PeterBrown for Mayor in 2009.The announcement tookplace in front of theHouston Garden Center inHermann Park where fam-ily and friends gathered tohear the ReverendLawson, Bishop Dixonand Council MemberBrown speak.

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SOUTHFIELD — In harmonywith President Obama’s stimuluspackage, The Women's Debt HelpCenter (WDHC) - an organizationin the Detroit area - has launchedan exclusive “Bailout For Women”program that helpswomen reduce oreliminate theirfinancial debt through debt set-tlement.

On February 18, 2009,President Obama activated a$787 billion economic-stimuluspackage to help strugglingAmericans - one of the biggesteconomic-rescue efforts in U.S.history. He also established theWhite House Office of UrbanAffairs “to bring long-overdueattention to the urban areas,where 80 percent of the Americanpeople live and work.”

Obama’s plan, designed tohelp American families, willespecially benefit the women inthis country. Millions of womenare more than $10,000 in debt, are

homeowners struggling to paytheir monthly mortgage pay-ments, and are single motherswho are not receiving child sup-port. Even worse, more womenthan ever before are resorting to

welfare and otherforms of govern-ment assistance.

Debt settlement is an honor-able option for women who aretired of fighting the losing battleagainst late fees and interest.WDHC’s “Bailout For Women”program is the first of its kind,and is already helping thousandsof women settle and alleviatetheir debt from major creditcards, medical bills, phone bills,payday loans, and more.

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Address laysout plans foraddressing thehousing crisis,jumpstarting theeconomy, andreducing thefederal deficitWASHINGTON, DC -CongressmanAl Green recently applaudedPresident Obama’s first-ever addressto a joint session of Congress, inwhich the president laid out anexpansive vision for the comingyears, including plans foraddressing the foreclosure crisis,for ensuring that the AmericanRecovery and Reinvestment Actis used efficiently and effectively,and for taking aggressive actionto deal with the long-term chal-lenges facing the country.

“I am pleased that PresidentObama used this occasion to layout a bold vision for the futurethat described plans for overcom-ing the numerous and severe chal-lenges facing our country today,”said Congressman Green. “Atthis difficult time, it is imperativethat those in leadership positionsdemonstrate toughness and a will-ingness to take on the problemsconfronting us, and I believe thatthe president did that today.”

In his address to the jointsession, President Obama out-lined plans for implementation ofthe recently-enacted AmericanRecovery and Reinvestment Act.According to a recent analysis bythe Council of EconomicAdvisors, this bill will save orcreate at least 3.5 million jobsover the next two years. Texas inparticular will benefit greatlyfrom the bill, which will create orsave 269,000 jobs in the state,including 8,000 jobs in the 9thCongressional District alone.Additionally, over eight millionTexas workers will benefit froma new “Making Work Pay” taxcredit, while the HoustonIndependent School District willreceive over $100 million innew funding.

According to CongressmanGreen, “The American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act is a majorstep forward in the effort to getour economy back on track andto help the millions of people onMain Street who have sufferedthe negative impacts of thisrecession. I was pleased to hearthe president discuss his plans tomake sure that this bill is used ina timely fashion to get millionsof people back to work.”

Congressman Green alsopraised President Obama’sassessment for the need foraction to reinvigorate the housingmarket. President Obama pro-posed a HomeownerAffordability and Stability Planlast week that would help four tofive million responsible home-owners refinance to make theirmortgages more affordable,implement clear guidance for ser-vicers to provide loan modifica-

tions, and increase funding forFannie Mae and Freddie Mac tostrengthen confidence and helplower mortgage rates.

“In his address, PresidentObama made a cogent case for theneed for quick and decisive actionto right the housing market. Theforeclosure crisis precipitated thebroader credit crisis that we are nowencountering. I believe that helpinghomeowners is a critical piece ingetting our economy back on track.We in Congress stand ready to workwith the president to do what is nec-essary to help homeowners and getthe housing market moving again,”said Congressman Green.

Finally, Congressman Greenpraised President Obama’s dedi-cation to overcoming the long-term challenges facing the coun-try, including skyrocketing

health care costs, the large feder-al budget deficit, the need forenergy independence, and theneed to improve our educationsystem to meet the needs of a21st century workforce.

“Even as we confront manypressing challenges, we cannotafford to push these long-termissues off further into the future. Iam heartened that President Obamademonstrated the foresight to keepthese issues high on the priority list.We must fix our health care system,create a clean energy economy forthe future that makes us energyindependent, strengthen our educa-tion system, and make sure that thefederal government spends fundswisely-for our children, for ourgrandchildren, and for the future ofthis great nation,” saidCongressman Green.

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CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN APPLAUDS PRESIDENT'S “BOLD VISIONFOR THE FUTURE” IN ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

OPINION PROVIDED BY CONGRESSMAN GREEN 08


By Gina Parker FordPresident and CEO

ig Brother has lost hismind; and the govern-ment has gone wild!Conservative talk show

host Gary Bauer describes theenormity of the stimulus bill inthese terms: “It is the largest sin-gle expenditure in America's his-tory. It dwarfs major initiativeslike the Louisiana Purchase, thespace program, the New Deal,and the Iraq war, even in infla-tion-adjusted dollars.” Moreover,the Congressional Budget Officeprojects this package of pork willdo more harm than good.

Surely, the democrats inCongress have been drinking!U.S. Congressman MichaelMcCaul (R-TX) describes justhow much the trillion dollarplan will cost. He said, “...thisplan will cost taxpayers theequivalent of a million dollars aday for the next 3,000 years tofund a long wish list of itemsthat won't create jobs.”

Not only did they get drunkand go on a spending spree and

run up a tab they cannot afford,but they were so drunk that theydecided to be peeping toms aswell. The bill pours billions ofyour hard earned tax dollars intothe creation of a new agency,Office of the NationalCoordinator for HealthInformation Technology. Thisagency is responsible for creatinga GOVERNMENT electronicdatabase of the personal medicalrecords of ALL Americans.

There is no way to ensureprivacy of these medical recordsbecause there will be governmentofficials, employers, insurers,lawyers, and even ex-spousesthat will find a way to access thisinformation. Joe the Plumber cantell you about how privacy ofrecords plays out with govern-ment databases. The cost to cre-ate and maintain a database ofthe health records of 300 millionAmericans is astronomical to saythe least.

The bill also provides for afederal coordinating council for“comparative clinical effective-ness research.” This is liberal-speak for scheming up ways to

ration health care based onsome government bureaucrat'sreview of these records.Beware Grandma could bedenied care because somebureaucrat said treating her can-cer is not cost effective.

Maybe they inhaled too.Consider this slop. The billwastes $650 million for theswitch from analog to digital TVof which a part of is dedicated toeducate “vulnerable populations”that they need to get their con-verter boxes or lose their TV sig-nals. After all, the democratscannot create new jobs if youcan't watch Who Wants to Be aMillionaire.

President Reagan must haveseen into the future of the Obama

administration when he said,“Government is like a baby. Analimentary canal with a bigappetite at one end and no senseof responsibility at the other.”

Let us seriously consider thewords of President ThomasJefferson, “I predict the futurehappiness of Americans if theycan prevent the government fromwasting the labors of the peopleunder the pretense of taking careof them.” We will all have ahang-over when we wake up tothe reality of the enormous costof this “stimulus” bill. ----------------------------------------Gina Parker Ford — CEO ofDental Creations, Ltd., a dentalmanufacturing company, and asuccessful attorney - is theNational Eagle Forum Chairmanfor Judicial Reform. Mrs. Fordis immediate past chairman ofthe Texas Department ofLicensing and Regulation. Sheserves on the American FamilyRadio Advisory Board ofCentral Texas, and she was boththe former Republican Party ofTexas Treasurer and AssociateGeneral Counsel.

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GOVERNMENT GoNe WiLd!EDITORIALS FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 09

We Can NoLonger Afford toPut Health CareReform on Hold

he same day that President Obamatold Congress “we can no longerafford to put health care reform onhold,” a pair of separate, signifi-

cant reports affirmed health care’s tight con-nection to our weakening economy.

Early that morning, the journal HealthAffairs published on its Web site projectionsthat U.S. health care spending in 2009 is like-ly to reach its highest share ever of thenation's economy. Mid-day, just a few hoursbefore the president's speech, the Institute ofMedicine reported that more people will losetheir health coverage this year, putting the healthof families and entire communities at risk.

That evening, both President Obamaand Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, theRepublican responder, made it clear: Wecan't fix the economy without fixing healthcare at the same time. We agree. And we areencouraged that the country’s next steptoward reform begins with such strong bipar-tisan recognition of this essential reality.

The president proposes action on ele-ments the Foundation and our grantees havelong worked to achieve, such as:

* A national commitment to comprehensivereform;

* Quality, affordable care for everyAmerican;

* Reduction in medical errors and improve-ments in patient safety;

* A national move to electronic healthrecords.

President Obama also is calling for “thelargest investment ever in preventive care.”Part of our job will be to make sure “preven-tive” includes strengthening the nation’s pub-lic health capability. Providing flu shots is onething; teaching a whole generation to exerciseand eat healthy foods is something entirelydifferent. We need both approaches.

For those of us who have worked togeth-er so long and so passionately to bring theseelements of reform to critical mass it is tempt-ing to sit back and celebrate the fruits of ourlabors. Now, however, is the time to press for-ward with even more urgency.

I call on our remarkable RWJF commu-nity of grantees, stakeholders, staff and alliesto continue our common and relentless pursuitof better health and health care with the sameintensity that's brought us so successfully tothis important juncture.

Help us work together to equip policy-makers and elected leaders with the evidence,information and expertise they need to makethe best possible decisions. And join us inguiding the national debate toward construc-tive, consensus-building, bipartisan commonground. This, indeed, is health reform’smoment. As the president said, “None of thiswill come without cost, nor will it be easy.”But it is necessary.

We have much to do. On behalf ofeveryone at the Foundation, we are excitedand challenged to be your partners on thisnext, crucial part of our journey to reform.

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A.President and CEO

T

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A.President and CEO

GINA PARKER FORD

B


TAYLOR: So, tell us a littleabout what you guys do atTherapeutic Professionals?

TURNER: TherapeuticProfessionals is a healthcare educa-tion and training company. We takea holistic approach to business man-agement which means we offer serv-ices that address the mind, body &spirit. Our mission is to be a catalystfor life transformation for those whoutilize our services. We offer mas-sage therapy as a form of stressrelief and CPR training whenstress not properly dealt withresults in cardiac arrest. With theunderstanding that most individualswait until they are on their death bedbefore they stop taking their healthfor granted, our goal is to reach peo-ple through education and training.To make it convenient we travel toour customer’s home or office toprovide either service - or they cancome to one of our locations.

As for a therapeutic massage,we bring everything including themassage table or chair, linens, essen-tial oils, candles, and also the music.When conducting CPR training webring the adult, child and infantmanikins as well as the AED (auto-mated external defibulator). AtTherapeutic Professionals webelieve that every single personshould learn CPR. Statistics showthat 85% of all heart attacks occur athome. Family members trained inCPR can prevent brain damage fromoccurring by starting CPR rightaway. This will have a significantimpact on the quality of life.However, waiting helplessly anddoing nothing until paramedics arrivemay result in the person living, butdoing so in a vegetative state. Ourhands-on class allows students togain confidence that in the event ofan emergency they can do enough tobuy time until help arrives. Unlikeour competitors, we teach criticalthinking not memorization. Sinceindividuals usually only performCPR once or twice in their lifetime,memorization is not the best method.Our common sense approach makesit possible for us to train well over4,000 people in Houston annually.

TAYLOR: So how long haveyou been providing the wonderfulservice to the Houston community.

TURNER: AlthoughTherapeutic Professionals has beenin existence since June 2004, I havebeen a CPR Instructor aligned withAmerican Heart Association for over23 years.

TAYLOR: Who initiallyinspired you to go into business foryourself?

TURNER: My dad inspired meto go into business for myself. Heowned and operated Chicago’slargest record distributorship at thetime. I worked for him from the timeI was 8 years old. In doing so, Ilearned from one of the best, thegood, the bad, and the ugly, aboutbusiness ownership. Some of thethings I learned, I wouldn’t havebeen able to learn any other way.

TAYLOR: What type of peoplecan most benefit from what you haveto offer at TherapeuticProfessionals?

TURNER: Whether you are abusiness owner desiring to train yourstaff or an individual wanting tomake sure your family is prepared,CPR is for EVERYONE. The lifethat gets saved might just be yours!

TAYLOR: What advice wouldyou give to someone whose businessmay be struggling right now?

TURNER: Seize themoment! Remain focusedat all times in theNOW, the presentmoment, not worry-ing about yesterdayor tomorrow. Don’tbe concerned withthe fruit of yourlabor; instead giveattention to the actionyou are currently taking.The fruit will come on its ownaccord. Affirm this daily and you willbe amazed at what happens!

TAYLOR: What is your

outlook for your business goingforward?

TURNER: My outlook is tomake a difference whether in

business or in life. If mycontributions help oth-

ers, then my purposehas been fulfilled.As for TherapeuticProfessionals, wewill continue toexpand our territory

with exceptional teamand individual perform-

ances making us the mostsought after and respected

healthcare organization city-to-city,state-to-state, coast-to-coast, andnationwide!

AT ARROW POINT CLINICAL LABORATORY WE PROVIDE ROUTINE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SERVICES FORNURSING HOMES, DOCTOR’S OFFICES, HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES ETC. WE ALSO PROVIDE DRUG

TESTING SERVICES: NON-DOT AND DOT AND ACCEPT ALL MAJOR HEALTH INSURANCES.

We are pleased to introduceArrowpoint Clinical Lab Services(ACL) to you. We are a medical laboratory testing company, whichoperates for the primary purpose of providing quality clinical laboratory and drug screening services. ACLis focused on providing accurate and timely clinical laboratory testing with cost-effective and personalized service in mind.

With a variety of offerings to choose from, we're sure you'll be happy working with us. Visit our web site atwww.arrowpointlab.com to find out more information about us. And if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact us.

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1.866.669.7076 Call Us Today!

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Where Accuracy Meets Precision at the Point of Care...

Our Philosophy and Standard of Services: The philosophy of Arrowpoint Clinical Laboratory is to first exceed the accreditation practices gen-erally followed in this field. ACL’s standards, policies and procedures are set by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), under theUnited States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)- the same accreditation of most major hospital laboratories- this is toensure our clients are getting the highest quality and most accurate testing available. Our Mission Statement and Commitment: OurMission is to provide constant provision of timely and accurate test results in a cost-effective manner, by operating a laboratory with uncom-promising integrity, principles of excellence. We are a mission driven organization with human compassion, sensitive and responsive to ourclients needs. Through team management, unity and high quality clinical laboratory services, we will be a recognized leader in the laboratory industry.

ARE YOU PREPARED?Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of this newspaper and founder of PeopleDoingBusiness.comtalks to Mary Turner, RN the president and CEO of Therapeutic Professionals.

INTERVIEW PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 10

CONTACT INFORMATION: If you would like to learn more orschedule an appointment with Mary Turner, RN please call her at:(832) 876-9917 or visit: www.TherapeuticProfessionals.com


Upon the passing of aloved one, you or a member ofyour family will have to dealwith the property and effectsleft by them. When that timearrives, someone will have tostart the process (probate) tobring his or her business andfinancial matters to a close.The Texas Probate Code pro-vides the laws and method gov-erning the distribution of prop-erty. The method that would bethe best for you is going to bebased on several factors.

Below is information on theprocess and a brief descriptionof several methods available tohandle a loved one’s estate

Probate - The name given tothe court procedure to handle theaffairs of a Deceased person’s estate.Most probate proceedings are startedby filing an application with thecourt and require a court hearing. Ifthe Deceased left a Will, the Willwould be filed along with an applica-tion to begin the probate process. Ifthe court finds that the Will is valid,the judge will appoint the Executornamed in the Will. This will allowfor the Independent Administrationof the Deceased's estate.

Non Probate Assets - Thereare certain assets whose distributionwill be controlled by a contract as towho is to receive the property.Commonly this group of assets con-sists of life insurance policies,retirement plans, stocks and bondsand could also include bankaccounts. These assets will not begoverned by Texas probate law.

Independent Administration -This method can be used when theDeceased left a valid Will appoint-ing an Independent Executor or ifthe Will fails to name an Executorand all heirs named in the Willagree to the selection of one. Thisprocess is the most efficient way ofhandling the estate and requires theleast amount of court supervision.Under this process, the court willapprove the appointment of theExecutor, who will have the job ofgathering all the assets of the estate,paying all debts, and transferringthe property to the persons namedin the Will.

Probate Will as Muniment ofTitle - This procedure can only beused when the Deceased left a Will.This method can be used when thecourt finds that there are no unpaiddebts (except those secured by liens

on real estate), the Will is valid andit is not necessary for administrationof the estate. If the court finds thesefacts to be true, the court will sign

an order granting the heirs’ authori-ty to receive or sell property belong-ing to the Deceased.

Declaration of Heriships -Heirships determination is one ofthe most costly probate proceedings.If the Deceased left no Will and leftassets greater than $50,000.00excluding the value of the home andexempt property, then this methodwill provide the only process fordistributing the assets of the estate.All known heirs of the Deceased arebrought before the court and thecourt appoints an attorney to repre-sent the unknown heirs. At the com-pletion of the hearing establishingthe heirs, the court signs a judgmentlisting all heirs and the percentageof property they are to receive.

Affidavit of Distrustees forSmall Estate - Allows the passageof title to property to the heirs if the

assets making up the estate is lessthan $50,000.00 excluding the valueof the Deceased home and exemptproperty. This method is one of theleast expensive ways of handling anestate if the person left no Will. It ismost commonly used when theDeceased left few assets.

Affidavit of Heirship - Thismethod is commonly used whenthe only asset in the estate is realestate and it is widely accepted bymortgage and title companiesregarding the transfer of property.A document is prepared listing allof the heirs of the Deceased that isacknowledged and sworn by twowitnesses. Once the document hasbeen executed, it is filed in thecounty real estate record.Therefore, anyone interested inacquiring the property would havemeans of determining ownership.

1 8 3 4 S o u t h m o r e , H o u s t o n , T e x a s 7 7 0 0 4 I T e l e p h o n e : 7 1 3 - 9 4 2 - 8 9 2 0

Hours of Operation: The Museum opens and conducts tours Monday thru Friday from 10:00a.m.to 5:00p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. the Museum is closed on Sundays.

www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com

HANDLING A LOVED ONE’S ESTATE

Oswald J. Scott, Jr. is anattorney and municipal courtjudge who specializes inwills & probate. He can bereached at (713) 227-8060or at [email protected].

COLUMN PROVIDED BY JUDGE OSWALD SCOTT 11

ANNOUNCEMENT

Martin to Get NewWeekend Program

CNN/U.S. made the following announcementrecently regarding Martin:

ood Luck Roland!“In early April,

Campbell Brown willtake maternity leave for

about 8 weeks and Roland S. Martinwill fill in for her during that time.

"Roland is a solid journalistand a terrific communicator. He’sbeen a regular part of the No Bias,No Bull family and our audienceknows him well. He has alsoserved as a contributor/analyst forCNN, and in fact, he's been trans-parent about whom he has support-ed for president, whether it wasGeorge H. W. Bush, George W.Bush or Barack Obama.

“We look forward to Roland’ssmart, energetic and spirited report-ing in this role, and in the future onCNN. Following his stint filling infor Campbell, CNN plans to developa weekend program with Roland.”

G


But while our economy may be weakenedand our confidence shaken; though we are livingthrough difficult and uncertain times, tonight I

want every American to know this:We will rebuild, we will recover, and the

United States of America will emerge strongerthan before.

The weight of this crisis will not determinethe destiny of this nation. The answers to ourproblems don't lie beyond our reach. They existin our laboratories and universities; in our fieldsand our factories; in the imaginations of ourentrepreneurs and the pride of the hardest-work-ing people on Earth. Those qualities that havemade America the greatest force of progressand prosperity in human history we still pos-sess in ample measure. What is requirednow is for this country to pull together, con-front boldly the challenges we face, andtake responsibility for our future once more.

Now, if we're honest with ourselves,we'll admit that for too long, we have notalways met these responsibilities - as agovernment or as a people. I say this not tolay blame or look backwards, but because itis only by understanding how we arrived atthis moment that we'll be able to lift ourselvesout of this predicament.

The fact is, our economy did not fallinto decline overnight. Nor did all of ourproblems begin when the housing marketcollapsed or the stock market sank. We haveknown for decades that our survival dependson finding new sources of energy. Yet weimport more oil today than ever before. Thecost of health care eats up more and more ofour savings each year, yet we keep delayingreform. Our children will compete for jobsin a global economy that too many of ourschools do not prepare them for. And thoughall these challenges went unsolved, we stillmanaged to spend more money and pile upmore debt, both as individuals and throughour government, than ever before.

In other words, we have lived through anera where too often, short-term gains wereprized over long-term prosperity; where wefailed to look beyond the next payment, thenext quarter, or the next election. A surplusbecame an excuse to transfer wealth to thewealthy instead of an opportunity to invest inour future. Regulations were gutted for thesake of a quick profit at the expense of ahealthy market. People bought homes theyknew they couldn’t afford from banks andlenders who pushed those bad loans anyway.And all the while, critical debates and difficultdecisions were put off for some other time onsome other day.

Well that day of reckoning has arrived, andthe time to take charge of our future is here.

Now is the time to act boldly and wisely -to not only revive this economy, but to build anew foundation for lasting prosperity. Nowis the time to jumpstart job creation, re-startlending, and invest in areas like energy,health care, and education that will grow oureconomy, even as we make hard choices tobring our deficit down. That is what my eco-nomic agenda is designed to do, and that’swhat I'd like to talk to you about tonight.

It’s an agenda that begins with jobs. As soon as I took office, I asked this

Congress to send me a recovery plan byPresident's Day that would put people back towork and put money in their pockets. Notbecause I believe in bigger government - Idon’t. Not because I’m not mindful of themassive debt we’ve inherited - I am. I calledfor action because the failure to do so wouldhave cost more jobs and caused more hard-ships. In fact, a failure to act would haveworsened our long-term deficit by assuringweak economic growth for years. That’s whyI pushed for quick action. And tonight, I amgrateful that this Congress delivered, and

pleased to say that the American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act is now law.

Over the next two years, this plan willsave or create 3.5 million jobs. More than90% of these jobs will be in the private sector- jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges; con-structing wind turbines and solar panels; lay-ing broadband and expanding mass transit.

Because of this plan, there are teach-ers who can now keep theirjobs and educate ourkids. Healthcare pro-fession-als

cancontin-ue caringfor our sick.There are 57 policeofficers who are still on thestreets of Minneapolis tonight becausethis plan prevented the layoffs their depart-ment was about to make.

Because of this plan, 95% of the work-ing households in America will receive a taxcut - a tax cut that you will see in your pay-checks beginning on April 1st.

Because of this plan, families who arestruggling to pay tuition costs will receive a$2,500 tax credit for all four years of college.And Americans who have lost their jobs inthis recession will be able to receiveextended unemployment bene-fits and continued healthcare coverage to helpthem weather this storm.

I know there aresome in this chamberand watching at homewho are skeptical ofwhether this plan willwork. I understand thatskepticism. Here inWashington, we’ve allseen how quickly goodintentions can turn into brokenpromises and wasteful spending.And with a plan of this scale comes enormousresponsibility to get it right.

That is why I have asked Vice PresidentBiden to lead a tough, unprecedented over-sight effort - because nobody messes with Joe.I have told each member of my Cabinet aswell as mayors and governors across the coun-try that they will be held accountable by meand the American people for every dollar theyspend. I have appointed a proven and aggres-sive Inspector General to ferret out any and allcases of waste and fraud. And we have creat-ed a new website called recovery.gov so thatevery American can find out how and wheretheir money is being spent.

So the recovery plan we passed is thefirst step in getting our economy back ontrack. But it is just the first step. Becauseeven if we manage this plan flawlessly, therewill be no real recovery unless we clean upthe credit crisis that has severely weakened

our financial system.I want to speak plainly and candidly

about this issue tonight, because everyAmerican should know that it directly affectsyou and your family's well-being. You shouldalso know that the money you've deposited inbanks across the country is safe; your insur-ance is secure; and you can rely on the contin-ued operation of our financial system. That is

not the source of concern.The concern is

that if we do not re-start lending in

this country,our recov-

ery willbe

chokedoff before

it evenbegins. You see, the

flow of credit is thelifeblood of our economy. The

ability to get a loan is how you finance thepurchase of everything from a home to a car toa college education; how stores stock theirshelves, farms buy equipment, and businessesmake payroll.

But credit has stopped flowing the way itshould. Too many bad loans from the housingcrisis have made their way onto the books oftoo many banks. With so much debt and solittle confidence, these banks are now fearfulof lending out any more money to households,

to businesses, or to each other. Whenthere is no lending, families can’t

afford to buy homes or cars. Sobusinesses are forced to make

layoffs. Our economy sufferseven more, and credit driesup even further.

That is why this admin-istration is moving swiftlyand aggressively to break this

destructive cycle, restore con-fidence, and re-start lending.

We will do so in severalways. First, we are creating a

new lending fund that represents thelargest effort ever to help provide auto

loans, college loans, and small business loansto the consumers and entrepreneurs who keepthis economy running.

Second, we have launched a housing planthat will help responsible families facing thethreat of foreclosure lower their monthly pay-ments and re-finance their mortgages. It's aplan that won't help speculators or that neigh-bor down the street who bought a house hecould never hope to afford, but it will helpmillions of Americans who are struggling withdeclining home values - Americans who willnow be able to take advantage of the lowerinterest rates that this plan has already helpedbring about. In fact, the average family whore-finances today can save nearly $2000 peryear on their mortgage.

Third, we will act with the full force ofthe federal government to ensure that themajor banks that Americans depend on haveenough confidence and enough money to lend

even in more difficult times. And when welearn that a major bank has serious problems,we will hold accountable those responsible,force the necessary adjustments, provide thesupport to clean up their balance sheets, andassure the continuity of a strong, viable institu-tion that can serve our people and our economy.

I understand that on any given day, WallStreet may be more comforted by an approachthat gives banks bailouts with no stringsattached, and that holds nobody accountablefor their reckless decisions. But such anapproach won’t solve the problem. And ourgoal is to quicken the day when we re-startlending to the American people and Americanbusiness and end this crisis once and for all.

I intend to hold these banks fully account-able for the assistance they receive, and thistime, they will have to clearly demonstratehow taxpayer dollars result in more lending forthe American taxpayer. This time, CEOswon’t be able to use taxpayer money to padtheir paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disap-pear on a private jet. Those days are over.

Still, this plan will require significantresources from the federal government - andyes, probably more than we've already setaside. But while the cost of action will begreat, I can assure you that the cost of inactionwill be far greater, for it could result in aneconomy that sputters along for not months oryears, but perhaps a decade. That would beworse for our deficit, worse for business,worse for you, and worse for the next genera-tion. And I refuse to let that happen.

I understand that when the last adminis-tration asked this Congress to provide assis-tance for struggling banks, Democrats andRepublicans alike were infuriated by the mis-management and results that followed. Sowere the American taxpayers. So was I.

So I know how unpopular it is to be seenas helping banks right now, especially wheneveryone is suffering in part from their baddecisions. I promise you - I get it.

But I also know that in a time of crisis,we cannot afford to govern out of anger, oryield to the politics of the moment. My job -our job - is to solve the problem. Our job is togovern with a sense of responsibility. I willnot spend a single penny for the purpose ofrewarding a single Wall Street executive, but Iwill do whatever it takes to help the smallbusiness that can't pay its workers or the fami-ly that has saved and still can't get a mortgage.

That's what this is about. It's not abouthelping banks - it's about helping people.Because when credit is available again, thatyoung family can finally buy a new home.And then some company will hire workers tobuild it. And then those workers will havemoney to spend, and if they can get a loantoo, maybe they'll finally buy that car, oropen their own business. Investors willreturn to the market, and American familieswill see their retirement secured once more.Slowly, but surely, confidence will return,and our economy will recover.

So I ask this Congress to join me indoing whatever proves necessary. Becausewe cannot consign our nation to an open-ended recession. And to ensure that a crisisof this magnitude never happens again, I askCongress to move quickly on legislation thatwill finally reform our outdated regulatorysystem. It is time to put in place tough, newcommon-sense rules of the road so that ourfinancial market rewards drive and innova-tion, and punishes short-cuts and abuse.

The recovery plan and the financial sta-bility plan are the immediate steps we're tak-ing to revive our economy in the short-term.But the only way to fully restore America'seconomic strength is to make the long-terminvestments that will lead to new jobs, newindustries, and a renewed ability to competewith the rest of the world. The only way thiscentury will be another American century is ifwe confront at last the price of our depend-

“Well that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to takecharge of our future is here.” — U.S. President Barack Obama

PRESIDENT on page, P.15

Presidentcontinued from P.1

REMARKS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 12


By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — The VH-71 helicopterbeing developed as the next-generation presi-dential helicopter could get the ax before itever takes flight.

President Barack Obama announcedrecently that he has directed Defense SecretaryRobert M. Gates to conduct “a thoroughreview” of the program, which has experiencedbig cost overruns.

Speaking at the closing of a White Housesummit on fiscal responsibility, the presidentcalled the helicopter program an example of“the procurement process gone amok.”

“We're going to have to fix it,” he said,calling it “one of our highest priorities” and

urging congressional support.Obama noted that Gates is a big advocate

of the effort and “recognizes that simply addingmore and more does not necessarily mean betterand better, or safer and more secure.”

The president offered a lighthearted takeon the helicopter Lockheed-Martin is devel-oping to replace the Sikorsky Marine Onehelicopters the White House has used for a

quarter-century. “The helicopter I have nowseems perfectly adequate to me,” he quipped.“Of course, I've never had a helicopterbefore. ... Maybe I've been deprived, and Ididn't know it.”

The VH-71 contract calls for 28 helicop-ters for $6 billion, but the cost has almost dou-bled to about $11 billion.

Cost overruns of this magnitude in major

defense acquisition programs require congres-sional notification. This requirement wasestablished under the so-called Nunn-McCurdyprovision of the 1982 Defense AuthorizationAct. The provision was named for its sponsors,U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and U.S. Rep DaveMcCurdy.

The VH-71 program “certainly fits thecategory of requiring a Nunn-McCurdy breachnotification, and that is not a good position tohave a program in,” Pentagon spokesmanBryan Whitman told reporters.

The program will be among many to geta thorough review during the acquisitionoverhaul, he said. “We are committed to look-ing at expensive programs, particularly thoseprograms that are underperforming,”Whitman said.

New Presidential Helicopter

Scrutiny• FACES •

“The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequateto me,” he quipped. “Of course, I’ve never had ahelicopter before. ... Maybe I’ve been deprived,and I didn't know it.” — U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA


SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofAlabama is Gov. Bob Riley. He wasborn and raised in the small ClayCounty town of Ashland, where his fam-ily has lived on ranches and farms forsix generations. After graduating fromthe University of Alabama at age 20with a degree in business administra-

tion, he returned to his hometown, married his highschool sweetheart, Patsy Adams, and began a 30-yearcareer in the private sector in which he ran several suc-cessful businesses and a cattle farm.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofAlaska is Gov. Sarah Palin. She madehistory on Dec. 4, 2006, when she tookoffice as the youngest governor in Alaskahistory at 42 years of age, and the firstwoman. During the 2008 presidentialcampaign, she became the first Alaskanand the first woman to be nominated for

vice president by the Republican Party.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofArizona is Gov. Jan Brewer. She haslived in Arizona for 38 years, and shehas spent many of them serving thepeople and upholding the public trust.There are few, if any, elected officials inArizona with a broader range of pro-ductive experience in public service.

Prior to her succession to Governor, she served asArizona Secretary of State, as Maricopa CountySupervisor, and as a highly respected member of bothhouses of the Arizona Legislature, where she rose toleadership of the State Senate. She is an active memberof Life in Christ Lutheran Church in Peoria. She haslived in Arizona since 1970.

SPOTLIGHT —The current governor ofArkansas is Gov. Mike Beebe. He wasborn in Amagon, Arkansas (JacksonCounty), in 1946, the Governor earned abachelor's degree in political sciencefrom Arkansas State University inJonesboro in 1968, and completed lawschool at the University of Arkansas in

1972, while serving his country in the U.S. ArmyReserves. As Governor, he spends his days working withpeople of every background and every political persua-sion to implement the positive vision he has forArkansans. He believes in more and better-paying jobs,affordable and accessible health care, and providing allchildren with a first-class education.

and growth.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governorof California is Gov. ArnoldSchwarzenegger. A little about theGovernor: The world knows ArnoldSchwarzenegger as a famous body-builder and a Hollywood action hero,but he is also a successful business-man, generous philanthropist and

California's 38th Governor. As Governor, he has beenCalifornia's most effective marketing tool, traveling acrossthe country and around the world promoting California-

grown products, cutting-edge technologies and the state'sdiverse travel destinations.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofColorado is Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr. Hewants to harness Colorado’s abundantsupplies of traditional and renewableenergy, as well as the intellectual capi-tal of its workforce, to provide a catalystfor change towards a more sustainablenational energy portfolio that can pro-

duce thousands of homegrown jobs. He has quicklyestablished the state as a national and internationalleader on energy innovation, business development, andbuilding a New Energy Economy for Colorado and thenation's future. CNBC recently named Colorado one ofthe top five states in the country for business, andMoney Magazine named Fort Collins the second-bestplace to live in America.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofConnecticut is Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Shehas held elected office in Connecticut formore than two decades. She holds thestate's highest office after serving as the105th Lieutenant Governor for over nineyears. Governor Rell also representedthe 107th House District of Brookfield in

the state House of Representatives where she held keyleadership posts, including Deputy House Minority Leaderand Assistant House Minority Leader.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofDelaware is Gov. Jack Markell. He wasborn and raised in Newark, Delawareand graduated from Newark HighSchool along with his wife, Carla. Hewent on to receive an undergraduatedegree in economics and developmentstudies from Brown University and an

MBA from the University of Chicago. Governor Markellhas been recognized in Delaware and across the countryas a leader in promoting policies to help all peopleachieve their economic potential.

SPOTLIGHT — Washington DC is notconsidered a state. It has one delegate toprovide non-voting representation inCongress. However, Adrian M. Fenty isthe current Mayor of the District ofColumbia. He has made quality publiceducation for all and efficient andaccountable government hallmarks of his

administration. Mayor Fenty is a national leader in the areaof urban education reform, after changing the city's publicschools governance structure in his first months in office.The new structure, which placed the city’s school chief asa direct report to the mayor allowed him to make swiftchanges in the system’s central office, improve teacherqualification requirements and implement a dramaticschool consolidation process and focus resources onstronger academic programs.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor of Florida is Gov.Charlie Crist. He is committed to ensuring the children ofFlorida have the resources and opportunities to realizetheir full potential. The Governor established the

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitnessto educate and encourage Florida stu-dents about leading a healthy andactive lifestyle. He also created theChildren and Youth Cabinet andappointed a Chief Child Advocate tostreamline the adoption process inFlorida. Governor Crist signed the Anti-

Murder Act as the first law of the 2007 legislative sessionin order to ensure the safety of all Floridians. TheGovernor, the Florida fundraising campaign chair for theUnited Negro College Fund, introduced a change in theRules of Executive Clemency that allows automaticrestoration of human rights.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofGeorgia is Gov. Sonny Purdue. AsGeorgia’s Governor, Perdue has led hisstate based on his own personal lifeexperiences. Gov. Perdue was born onDecember 20, 1946, in Perry, Georgia,to a lifelong farmer and a classroomteacher. He graduated from Warner

Robins High School and earned a doctorate in veterinarymedicine in 1971 from the University of Georgia.Following his service as a Captain in the United States AirForce, Perdue became a successful small businessowner, concentrating in agribusiness and transportation.Today, those businesses have grown to include severallocations across the Southeast.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofHawaii is Gov. Linda Lingle. AsHawaii's chief executive, Governor LindaLingle is leading the direction and effortto meet the challenges of the 21st centu-ry and capitalize on new opportunitiesduring a pivotal and exciting time ofchange in the history of Hawaii and the

world. Governor Lingle was born on June 4, 1953 and is anative of St. Louis, Missouri. When she was 12, her familymoved to Southern California, where she attended publicschools and graduated from Birmingham High School.She relocated to Hawaii in 1975 after graduating cumlaude with a journalism degree from California StateUniversity, Northridge. In 1976, she founded and beganserving as publisher of the Moloka’i Free Press.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofIdaho is Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.Governor Butch Otter was born inCaldwell on May 3, 1942. He graduatedfrom St. Teresa's Academy (nowBishop Kelly High School) in Boise,attended Boise Junior College (nowBoise State University), and received a

Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from theCollege of Idaho in 1967. Governor Otter's 30-yearcareer in business included membership on the Board ofDirectors of the J.R. Simplot Company.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governorof Illinois is Gov. Pat Quinn. FormerLieutenant Governor Pat Quinnbecame the 41st Governor of theState of Illinois, having taken the Oathof Office on January 29, 2009. TheOath of Office was administered byIllinois Supreme Court Justice Anne

Burke in a brief ceremony in the Chamber of theIllinois House of Representatives.

Illinois

Idaho

Hawaii

Georgia

Florida

District of Columbia

Delaware

Connecticut

Colorado

California

Arkansas

Arizona

Alaska

Alabama

CHIEF EXECUTIVES

RILEY

PALIN

BREWER

BEEBE

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RITTER

RELL

MARKELL

OTTER

PURDUE

FENTY

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CRIST

LINGLE

FROM ALABAMA TO WYOMING...GET TO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THE CEO OF EVERY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES!

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ence on oil and the high cost ofhealth care; the schools that aren’tpreparing our children and themountain of debt they stand toinherit. That is our responsibility.

In the next few days, I will sub-mit a budget to Congress. So often,we have come to view these docu-ments as simply numbers on a pageor laundry lists of programs. I seethis document differently. I see it asa vision for America - as a blueprintfor our future.

My budget does not attempt tosolve every problem or addressevery issue. It reflects the starkreality of what we’ve inherited - atrillion dollar deficit, a financialcrisis, and a costly recession.

Given these realities, everyonein this chamber - Democrats andRepublicans - will have to sacrificesome worthy priorities for whichthere are no dollars. And thatincludes me.

But that does not mean we canafford to ignore our long-term chal-lenges. I reject the view that saysour problems will simply take careof themselves; that says governmenthas no role in laying the foundationfor our common prosperity.

For history tells a differentstory. History reminds us that atevery moment of economicupheaval and transformation, thisnation has responded with boldaction and big ideas. In the midst ofcivil war, we laid railroad tracksfrom one coast to another thatspurred commerce and industry.From the turmoil of the IndustrialRevolution came a system of publichigh schools that prepared our citi-zens for a new age. In the wake ofwar and depression, the GI Bill senta generation to college and createdthe largest middle-class in history.And a twilight struggle for freedomled to a nation of highways, anAmerican on the moon, and anexplosion of technology that stillshapes our world.

In each case, government didn’tsupplant private enterprise; it cat-alyzed private enterprise. It createdthe conditions for thousands ofentrepreneurs and new businesses toadapt and to thrive.

We are a nation that has seenpromise amid peril, and claimedopportunity from ordeal. Now wemust be that nation again. That iswhy, even as it cuts back on the pro-grams we don't need, the budget Isubmit will invest in the three areasthat are absolutely critical to oureconomic future: energy, healthcare, and education.

It begins with energy. We know the country that har-

nesses the power of clean, renew-able energy will lead the 21st centu-ry. And yet, it is China that haslaunched the largest effort in historyto make their economy energy effi-cient. We invented solar technolo-gy, but we've fallen behind countrieslike Germany and Japan in produc-ing it. New plug-in hybrids roll offour assembly lines, but they will runon batteries made in Korea.

Well I do not accept a futurewhere the jobs and industries of

tomorrow take root beyond our bor-ders - and I know you don’t either.It is time for America to lead again.

Thanks to our recovery plan,we will double this nation's supplyof renewable energy in the nextthree years. We have also made thelargest investment in basic researchfunding in American history - aninvestment that will spur not onlynew discoveries in energy, butbreakthroughs in medicine, sci-ence, and technology.

We will soon lay down thou-sands of miles of power lines thatcan carry new energy to cities andtowns across this country. And wewill put Americans to work makingour homes and buildings more effi-cient so that we can save billions of

dollars on our energy bills. But to truly transform our econ-

omy, protect our security, and saveour planet from the ravages of cli-mate change, we need to ultimatelymake clean, renewable energy theprofitable kind of energy. So I askthis Congress to send me legislationthat places a market-based cap oncarbon pollution and drives the pro-duction of more renewable energy inAmerica. And to support that inno-vation, we will invest fifteen billiondollars a year to develop technolo-gies like wind power and solarpower; advanced biofuels, cleancoal, and more fuel-efficient cars andtrucks built right here in America.

As for our auto industry, every-one recognizes that years of bad

decision-making and a global reces-sion have pushed our automakers tothe brink. We should not, and willnot, protect them from their ownbad practices. But we are commit-ted to the goal of a re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry that cancompete and win. Millions of jobsdepend on it. Scores of communi-ties depend on it. And I believe thenation that invented the automobilecannot walk away from it.

None of this will come withoutcost, nor will it be easy. But this isAmerica. We don't do what's easy.We do what is necessary to movethis country forward.

For that same reason, we must alsoaddress the crushing cost of health care.

This is a cost that now causes a

bankruptcy in America every thirtyseconds. By the end of the year, itcould cause 1.5 million Americansto lose their homes. In the last eightyears, premiums have grown fourtimes faster than wages. And ineach of these years, one millionmore Americans have lost theirhealth insurance. It is one of themajor reasons why small businessesclose their doors and corporationsship jobs overseas. And it's one ofthe largest and fastest-growing partsof our budget.

Given these facts, we can nolonger afford to put health carereform on hold.

5615 Northwest Central Dr. Suite #104 Houston, Texas 77092

“The weight of this crisis will not determine thedestiny of this nation.” — U.S. President Barack Obama


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SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofIndian is Gov. Mitch Daniels. He camefrom a successful career in businessand government, holding numerous topmanagement positions in both the pri-vate and public sectors. His work asCEO of the Hudson Institute andPresident of Eli Lilly and Company's

North American Pharmaceutical Operations taught himthe business skills he brought to state government. Healso has served as Chief of Staff to Senator RichardLugar, Senior Advisor to President Ronald Reagan andDirector of the Office of Management and Budget underPresident George W. Bush.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofIowa is Gov. Chet Culver. He began hiscareer as an environmental and con-sumer advocate in the Iowa AttorneyGeneral’s Office. After receiving hisMaster of Arts in Teaching at DrakeUniversity in 1994, he taught govern-ment and history at Roosevelt High

School and Hoover High School in Des Moines, where healso coached both football and basketball. As a teacherand a coach, Governor Culver drew on his experiencesplaying both sports in high school and playing football onscholarship at Virginia Tech.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofKansas is Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Atthe heart of Governor Sebelius’ admin-istration is a commitment to growing theKansas economy and creating jobs;ensuring every Kansas child receives aquality education; protecting Kansasfamilies and communities; improving

access to quality, affordable health care; and takingadvantage of the state’s renewable energy assets.Through a commitment to making the state’s businessclimate more attractive - and by balancing the statebudget without raising taxes - the Kansas economy hasrebounded resulting in low unemployment and the cre-ation of thousands of new jobs.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofKentucky is Gov. Steve Beshear. Anattorney by profession, Gov. Beshearhas a long background in public service,having served as a state representativein the Kentucky General Assembly, attor-ney general and lieutenant governorprior to being elected governor. To each

of these positions he has brought a foundation of integrityand ethics, as well as a deeply felt commitment to improv-ing the lives of fellow Kentuckians.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofLouisiana is Gov. Bobby Jindal. He waselected Governor of Louisiana onOctober 20, 2007, with 54 percent of thevote in the primary, winning 60 of 64parishes. Shortly after taking office,Governor Jindal called a SpecialSession to address comprehensive

ethics reform, the cornerstone of his election platform.Since the conclusion of the session, the BetterGovernment Association and the Center for PublicIntegrity announced that Louisiana’s new ethics laws areamong the best in the nation.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofMaine is Gov. John Elias Baldacci. Hewas born and raised in Bangor, Maine.One of eight children, Baldacci learnedthe value of communication and cooper-ation at a young age. As he grew up inhis family’s Bangor restaurant, MommaBaldacci’s, Baldacci was surrounded by

civic-minded family and community members who instilledin him an intense work ethic and an equally intense desireto serve the people of his state. While working at the fam-ily restaurant, Baldacci earned a Bachelor of Arts degreein History from the University of Maine, where he contin-ued to learn about the opportunities and challenges thatfaced the people in his communities.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofMaryland is Gov. Martin O’Malley. He isa fearless, intelligent public servant whoputs people before politics. During his sixyears as mayor of Baltimore City, heworked tirelessly with the citizens andpublic servants to make it a more beau-tiful, cleaner city where people want to

live and businesses want to invest. As Governor, he isapplying that knowledge, experience and energy to theState of Maryland to make it stronger and more preparedfor any challenges that lie ahead. Governor MartinO’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown have made steadyprogress for the working families living in Maryland.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governorof Massachusetts is Gov. DevalPatrick. He was elected in Novemberof 2006 and brings to the Governor’soffice a broad range of leadershipexperience at the top levels of busi-ness, government, and non-profits.From an early age, he has built his life

on hope, and traced a trajectory from the South Side ofChicago to the U.S. Justice Department, Fortune 500boardrooms, and now the Massachusetts Statehouse.He came to the Commonwealth at the age of 14. Anexcellent student despite the difficult circumstances ofunder-funded and often violent Chicago schools. Aftergraduating from Milton, Patrick went on to Harvard, thefirst in his family to attend college. He received hisdegree, with honors, in 1978 and spent a post-graduateyear working on a United Nations youth training projectin the Darfur region of Sudan.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governorof Michigan is Gov. Jennifer M.Granholm. This Governor has set inmotion an aggressive economicagenda for Michigan. She has accel-erated infrastructure projects to cre-ate thousands of jobs for Michiganworkers, introduced new job training

to prepare unemployed workers for high-demandjobs, reduced cumbersome business permitting time,and signed into law the new Michigan Business Tax(MBT) - the most significant reform of Michigan busi-ness taxes in three decades.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofMinnesota is Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He isregarded as one of the nation’s mostinnovative, energetic, reform-mindedand accomplished governors. Since tak-ing office he’s increased accountabilityto state government, held the line ontaxes, improved K-12 education stan-

dards and made Minnesota a leader in energy reform.Governor Pawlenty’s most notable accomplishmentsinclude proposing and signing into law significant newbenefits for veterans and members of the military; enact-ing a property tax cap, eliminating the marriage penaltyand cutting taxes; toughening the state’s education stan-

dards; reforming the way teachers are paid through anation-leading performance pay plan; instituting free-mar-ket health care reforms that increase accountability andprovide tax credits to encourage the use of health savingsaccounts; and implementing a plan to Americanize ourenergy sources by generating 25% of the state's electrici-ty from renewable sources by 2025.

SPOTLIGHT— The current governor ofMississippi is Gov. Haley ReevesBarbour. In his administration Gov.Barbour has offered Mississippi a newpath in terms of job creation, education,health care, energy, safer communitiesand stronger families. His message hasresonated with voters: His election in

2003 marked the largest voter turnout in Mississippigubernatorial history, and he was reelected in 2007 with58.2 percent of the vote. He is only the second governorsince Reconstruction to be elected to a second consecu-tive term as Mississippi’s chief executive.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofMissouri is Gov. Jeremiah W. (Jay)Nixon. A native of the small town ofDeSoto, Mo., Gov. Jeremiah W. (Jay)Nixon was raised in a family of publicservants. His mother, the late BettyWilson Nixon, was a teacher andserved as president of the local school

board. His father, Jerry Nixon, was elected Mayor ofDeSoto and was a police judge for the community.Growing up in a home with these strong examples, Gov.Nixon learned at a young age that faith and family comefirst - and giving back to the community comes next.That's the simple philosophy that has guided Gov. Nixonthroughout his career in public service.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofMontana is Gov. Brian Schweitzer. He’sa farmer and rancher who held no elect-ed office prior to being elected as the firstDemocratic Governor to serve Montanain 20 years. The grandson of Montanahomesteaders, he grew up on his folks'cattle ranch in the Judith Basin. Gov.

Schweitzer went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degreein international agronomy from Colorado State University,and later earned a Master of Science degree in soil sciencefrom Montana State University. With his unique global per-spective, Gov. Schweitzer is a leading national voice to endour addiction to foreign oil by developing clean and greenAmerican energy with Montana leading the way.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNebraska is Gov. Dave Heineman.Since becoming Governor, he hasworked with the Nebraska Legislature topass the largest tax relief package in thehistory of the state and the most com-prehensive jobs creation, economicincentive legislation since the 1980s.

Governor Heineman has also signed into law a bill makingthe Department of Health and Human Services more effi-cient, more effective and more accountable. A strong pro-ponent of local control of schools and a quality educationfor all children, he supports high academic standards andincreased parental involvement in education.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor of Nevada is Gov.Jim Gibbons. He was born and raised in Sparks andattended Nevada public schools and universities. He

Nevada

Nebraska

Montana

Missouri

Mississippi

Minnesota

Michigan

Massachusetts

Maryland

Maine

Louisiana

Kentucky

Kansas

Iowa

Indiana

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CULVER

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SEBELIUS

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Already, we have done more toadvance the cause of health carereform in the last thirty days thanwe have in the last decade. When itwas days old, this Congress passed alaw to provide and protect health

insurance for eleven millionAmerican children whose parentswork full-time. Our recovery planwill invest in electronic healthrecords and new technology thatwill reduce errors, bring down costs,ensure privacy, and save lives. Itwill launch a new effort to conquera disease that has touched the life ofnearly every American by seeking acure for cancer in our time. And itmakes the largest investment ever inpreventive care, because that is oneof the best ways to keep our peoplehealthy and our costs under control.

This budget builds on thesereforms. It includes an historiccommitment to comprehensivehealth care reform - a down-pay-ment on the principle that we musthave quality, affordable health carefor every American. It’s a commit-ment that’s paid for in part by effi-ciencies in our system that are longoverdue. And it's a step we musttake if we hope to bring down ourdeficit in the years to come.

Now, there will be many differ-ent opinions and ideas about how toachieve reform, and that is why I'mbringing together businesses andworkers, doctors and health careproviders, Democrats andRepublicans to begin work on thisissue next week.

I suffer no illusions that thiswill be an easy process. It will behard. But I also know that nearly acentury after Teddy Roosevelt firstcalled for reform, the cost of ourhealth care has weighed down oureconomy and the conscience of ournation long enough. So let there beno doubt: health care reform cannotwait, it must not wait, and it will notwait another year.

The third challenge we mustaddress is the urgent need to expandthe promise of education in America.

In a global economy where themost valuable skill you can sell isyour knowledge, a good education isno longer just a pathway to opportu-nity - it is a pre-requisite.

Right now, three-quarters of thefastest-growing occupations requiremore than a high school diploma.And yet, just over half of our citizenshave that level of education. Wehave one of the highest high schooldropout rates of any industrializednation. And half of the students whobegin college never finish.

This is a prescription for eco-nomic decline, because we know thecountries that out-teach us todaywill out-compete us tomorrow. Thatis why it will be the goal of thisadministration to ensure that everychild has access to a complete andcompetitive education - from theday they are born to the day theybegin a career.

Already, we have made an his-toric investment in educationthrough the economic recovery plan.We have dramatically expandedearly childhood education and will

continue to improve its quality,because we know that the mostformative learning comes in thosefirst years of life. We have madecollege affordable for nearly sevenmillion more students. And we haveprovided the resources necessary toprevent painful cuts and teacher lay-offs that would set back our chil-dren's progress.

But we know that our schoolsdon't just need more resources.They need more reform. That iswhy this budget creates new incen-tives for teacher performance; path-ways for advancement, and rewardsfor success. We'll invest in innova-tive programs that are already help-ing schools meet high standards and

close achievement gaps. And wewill expand our commitment tocharter schools.

It is our responsibility as law-makers and educators to make thissystem work. But it is the responsi-bility of every citizen to participatein it. And so tonight, I ask everyAmerican to commit to at least oneyear or more of higher education orcareer training. This can be com-munity college or a four-yearschool; vocational training or anapprenticeship. But whatever thetraining may be, every Americanwill need to get more than a highschool diploma. And dropping outof high school is no longer anoption. It's not just quitting on

yourself, it's quitting on your coun-try - and this country needs and val-ues the talents of every American.That is why we will provide thesupport necessary for you to com-plete college and meet a new goal:by 2020, America will once againhave the highest proportion of col-lege graduates in the world.

I know that the price of tuitionis higher than ever, which is why ifyou are willing to volunteer in yourneighborhood or give back to yourcommunity or serve your country,we will make sure that you canafford a higher education. And toencourage a renewed spirit ofnational service for this and futuregenerations, I ask this Congress to

send me the bipartisan legislationthat bears the name of Senator OrrinHatch as well as an American whohas never stopped asking what hecan do for his country - SenatorEdward Kennedy.

These education policies willopen the doors of opportunity forour children. But it is up to us toensure they walk through them. Inthe end, there is no program or poli-cy that can substitute for a motheror father who will attend those par-ent/teacher conferences, or help withhomework after dinner, or turn offthe TV, put away the video games,

“It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educatorsto make this system work.” — U.S. President Barack Obama





THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP MINORITY TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN:Jones, is one of the founding partners in Texas’ largest African-American ownedaccounting and consulting practices, has first hand experience in growing a minor-ity-owned business in Houston. As the leader of this special task force, Jonesplans to apply his experience in spearheading several major initiatives, includingincreasing the visibility of Houston’s diversity to international businesses.

H

UPDATES INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS 18

HOUSTON — McConnellJones Lanier & Murphy LLP(MJLM) recently announcedthat Thomas Jones, Partner,has been selected to lead theGreater Houston Partnership’sMinority Task Force.

The principal objective of theGreater Houston Partnership, whichtraces its roots back to Houston’s originalChamber of Commerce founded in 1840,is to build regional economic prosperity.The Partnership facilitates relocationsand expansions in the Houston area;international outreach initiatives such asbusiness development missions outsidethe U.S. and receiving foreign trade dele-gations; and strategic planning.

“I look forward to workingthrough the Partnership to helpHouston’s minority businesses developand thrive,” says Jones. “As importantas Houston has become to the world’seconomy, it makes sense to increasethe opportunities available to disad-vantaged business enterprises in ourcommunity. This will increase compe-tition in the marketplace and ultimate-ly keep our local economy growing.”

Jones, a founding partner in Texas’largest African-American ownedaccounting and consulting practices, hasfirst hand experience in growing a minor-ity-owned business in Houston. As theleader of this special task force, Jonesplans to apply his experience in spear-heading several major initiatives, includ-ing increasing the visibility of Houston’sdiversity to international businesses.

Known as a world-class city with apro-business culture, Houston’s globalpossibilities are significant to the growthof minority-owned businesses. The manydynamic business opportunities availablein this region will help to achieve Jones’goals for the task force.

“I congratulate the Partnership on itschoice of Thomas Jones as its next Chair ofthe Minority Task Force,” said MJLMManaging Partner, Wayne McConnell.“His leadership skills and business

savvy will be a true asset as thePartnership continues to advanceHouston’s image as a sophisticatedinternational business center.”

Mr. ChairmanMcConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP Announces the Selection of Thomas Jones Jr. as Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Minority Task Force

likely to come from family and friends (38%), non-profitgroups (32%), or even themselves (36%). The Zogby

Interactive survey of 2,497adults nationwide was con-ducted Feb. 11-13, 2009, and

carries a margin of error of +/- 2.0 percentage points. The sur-vey results are also featured at the fifth-annual We MediaConference in Miami (www.wemedia.com), is hosted by theUniversity of Miami School of Communication and organizedand produced by iFOCOS, a Reston, Va.-based media thinktank (www.ifocos.org). This is the third year of the survey.

“Americans are deeply dissatisfied with traditionalmedia’s leadership today - and they also don’t expect muchin the future,” said Andrew Nachison, founder of the mediathink tank iFOCOS, which organizes the We Media confer-ence, awards, community and web site(www.wemedia.com). “I’m not sure what’s worse - the dis-satisfaction with the current performance, or the low expec-tations for the future.”

Dissatisfaction with the newsmedia, corporations, and government runs deep

Americans are deeply dissatisfied with the leadershipcurrently provided by large companies, government and tradi-tional media - and they are not confident the leadership fromthese groups will improve in the future. The survey shows 71%are “not very” or “not at all” satisfied with the leadership pro-vided by traditional news media. Even greater numbers ofAmericans are unsatisfied with the leadership of the govern-ment (74%) and large corporations and business leaders (81%).

While just one in four (27%) Americans are satisfiedwith the leadership provided by traditional news media,Internet media - including blogs and social networks - faredfar better, with 56% satisfied with online media leadership.Fewer than a third of Americans (32%) believe online mediawill provide leadership in the future, but they are muchmore confident in the potential of Internet media to guidethe U.S. in a better direction than they are in traditionalnews media (13%).

“The public’s sense of who will lead in the future is, sadto say, a painful reflection of the place that newspapers and

other traditional media hold inAmerican culture. Most Americansdon't think they provide much lead-ership now, nor will they lead us toa better future. They look to sci-ence, technology and entrepreneursfor that leadership,” said Nachison.

“This raises an old questionthat takes on new meaning as theworld's economy reorganizesaround diminished returns: what’sthe purpose of a news enterprise? Is

it simply to produce, package and distribute data? Or is itmore? Is there a purpose to the endeavor?”

“We think there is, and we look to publishers and jour-nalists to lead us to a better future. However they are config-ured, news enterprises must lead. And to lead they mustchange. That's a call to action to improve performance and toraise the bar on expectations.”

Americans most likely to look onlinefor breaking and daily news

Nearly half of Americans (46%) said they first turn toInternet news sites for information on breaking news aboutnational and government issues and nearly as many (40%)said online news sites are where they get most of their newsand information. These online sites far outpace traditionalnews sources, such as television (25%), radio (14%), andnewspapers (12%), as a source of daily news and informa-tion. It comes as no surprise that younger Americans aremost likely to favor online news sources, but only those age65 and older are more likely to turn to television (36%) overthe Internet (29%) to get their news.

We Media/ZogbyPoll: Most AmericansBelieve SmallBusiness, Science,and Tech LeadersWill Lead the U.S. toa Better Future

ZOGBY

continued from page, P.1

INFORMATION: McConnell Jones Lanier & Murphy LLP (MJLM) is a full-service professional services firm providing accounting, financial planning,management consulting, engineering and technical services. Assuranceservices are provided through MJLM affiliate, McConnell & Jones LLP.MJLM specializes in solving problems, reducing risk and improving busi-ness performance for public, private and government clients in a variety ofindustries including manufacturing, oil and gas, investment management,real estate, construction, hospitality, non-profit, and professional servicessuch as doctors’ and attorneys’ practices. For additional info please see:

WWW.MJLM.COM


and read to their child. I speak toyou not just as a President, but as afather when I say that responsibilityfor our children's education must

begin at home. There is, of course, another

responsibility we have to our chil-dren. And that is the responsibility toensure that we do not pass on to thema debt they cannot pay. With thedeficit we inherited, the cost of thecrisis we face, and the long-termchallenges we must meet, it has neverbeen more important to ensure that asour economy recovers, we do what ittakes to bring this deficit down.

I’m proud that we passed therecovery plan free of earmarks, andI want to pass a budget next yearthat ensures that each dollar wespend reflects only our most impor-tant national priorities.

Yesterday, I held a fiscal sum-mit where I pledged to cut thedeficit in half by the end of my firstterm in office. My administrationhas also begun to go line by linethrough the federal budget in orderto eliminate wasteful and ineffectiveprograms. As you can imagine, thisis a process that will take sometime. But we're starting with thebiggest lines. We have already iden-tified two trillion dollars in savingsover the next decade.

In this budget, we will end edu-cation programs that don't workand end direct payments to largeagribusinesses that don't need them.We'll eliminate the no-bid contractsthat have wasted billions in Iraq,and reform our defense budget sothat we're not paying for Cold War-era weapons systems we don't use.We will root out the waste, fraud,and abuse in our Medicare programthat doesn't make our seniors anyhealthier, and we will restore asense of fairness and balance to ourtax code by finally ending the taxbreaks for corporations that shipour jobs overseas.

In order to save our childrenfrom a future of debt, we will alsoend the tax breaks for the wealthiest2% of Americans. But let me per-fectly clear, because I know you'llhear the same old claims that rollingback these tax breaks means a mas-sive tax increase on the Americanpeople: if your family earns lessthan $250,000 a year, you will notsee your taxes increased a singledime. I repeat: not one single dime.In fact, the recovery plan provides atax cut - that's right, a tax cut - for95% of working families. And thesechecks are on the way.

To preserve our long-term fis-cal health, we must also addressthe growing costs in Medicare andSocial Security. Comprehensivehealth care reform is the best wayto strengthen Medicare for years tocome. And we must also begin aconversation on how to do thesame for Social Security, while cre-ating tax-free universal savingsaccounts for all Americans.

Finally, because we’re also suf-

fering from a deficit of trust, I amcommitted to restoring a sense ofhonesty and accountability to ourbudget. That is why this budgetlooks ahead ten years and accountsfor spending that was left out underthe old rules - and for the first time,that includes the full cost of fightingin Iraq and Afghanistan. For sevenyears, we have been a nation at war.No longer will we hide its price.

We are now carefully reviewingour policies in both wars, and I willsoon announce a way forward inIraq that leaves Iraq to its peopleand responsibly ends this war.

And with our friends and allies,we will forge a new and comprehen-sive strategy for Afghanistan andPakistan to defeat al Qaeda andcombat extremism. Because I willnot allow terrorists to plot againstthe American people from safehavens half a world away.

As we meet here tonight, ourmen and women in uniform standwatch abroad and more are readyingto deploy. To each and every one ofthem, and to the families who bear

the quiet burden of their absence,Americans are united in sending onemessage: we honor your service, weare inspired by your sacrifice, andyou have our unyielding support.To relieve the strain on our forces,my budget increases the number ofour soldiers and Marines. And tokeep our sacred trust with those whoserve, we will raise their pay, andgive our veterans the expandedhealth care and benefits that theyhave earned.

To overcome extremism, wemust also be vigilant in upholdingthe values our troops defend -because there is no force in theworld more powerful than theexample of America. That is why Ihave ordered the closing of thedetention center at GuantanamoBay, and will seek swift and certainjustice for captured terrorists -because living our values doesn'tmake us weaker, it makes us saferand it makes us stronger. And thatis why I can stand here tonight andsay without exception or equivoca-tion that the United States of

America does not torture.In words and deeds, we are

showing the world that a new era ofengagement has begun. For weknow that America cannot meet thethreats of this century alone, but theworld cannot meet them withoutAmerica. We cannot shun the nego-tiating table, nor ignore the foes orforces that could do us harm. Weare instead called to move forwardwith the sense of confidence andcandor that serious times demand.

To seek progress toward asecure and lasting peace betweenIsrael and her neighbors, we haveappointed an envoy to sustain oureffort. To meet the challenges of the21st century - from terrorism tonuclear proliferation; from pandem-ic disease to cyber threats to crush-ing poverty - we will strengthen oldalliances, forge new ones, and useall elements of our national power.

And to respond to an economiccrisis that is global in scope, we areworking with the nations of the G-20to restore confidence in our financialsystem, avoid the possibility of esca-

lating protectionism, and spurdemand for American goods in mar-kets across the globe. For the worlddepends on us to have a strong econ-omy, just as our economy dependson the strength of the world's.

As we stand at this crossroadsof history, the eyes of all people inall nations are once again upon us -watching to see what we do with thismoment; waiting for us to lead.

Those of us gathered heretonight have been called to govern inextraordinary times. It is a tremen-dous burden, but also a great privi-lege - one that has been entrusted tofew generations of Americans. Forin our hands lies the ability to shapeour world for good or for ill.

I know that it is easy to losesight of this truth - to become cyni-cal and doubtful; consumed withthe petty and the trivial.

But in my life, I have alsolearned that hope is found in unlike-ly places; that inspiration often

“History reminds us that at every moment of economicupheaval and transformation, this nation has respondedwith bold action and big ideas.” — U.S. President Obama




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earned a B.S. in Geology from theUniversity of Nevada, Reno, and aMaster's degree in Mining/Geology fromthe University of Nevada’s MackaySchool of Mines. Gov. Gibbons earnedhis J.D. from Southwestern UniversitySchool of Law and completed his post-graduate work at the University of

Southern California. He is a former combat pilot anddecorated veteran of both the Vietnam and PersianGulf Wars and served in the United States Air Forcefrom 1967 to 1971 and graduated from the USAF AirCommand and Staff College, as well as the Air WarCollege. He also joined the Air Guard in 1975, attainingthe rank of Colonel, and served as the group's ViceCommander from 1990 through 1996.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNew Hampshire is Gov. John Lynch.He is currently working on initiatives toincrease New Hampshire’s graduationrate to direct more state education aid tothe communities that need it most; toexpand the number of children withaccess to health insurance; to make

health care more affordable and accessible; to protectchildren from sexual predators; to preserve NewHampshire's environment; and to strengthen NewHampshire's economy. His commitment to putting theinterests of people first is an extension of his work as abusiness and community leader.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNew Jersey is Gov. Jon S. Corzine. AsNew Jersey’s 54th governor, he hasapplied his experience as a Wall Streetexecutive and as a consensus builder inthe United States Senate to advance anagenda of socially conscious initiatives,while maintaining a focus on financial

responsibility. Governor Corzine began his Wall Streetcareer in 1975, when he was recruited by the New Yorkinvestment firm Goldman Sachs. After taking a job withthe firm as a bond trader, he and his family settled in NewJersey. Corzine's financial acumen propelled him throughthe ranks at Goldman Sachs, where he was named apartner in 1980, became a key player in crucial strategicdecisions, and was eventually named chairman and chiefexecutive officer in 1994.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNew Mexico is Gov. Bill Richardson.He’s serving his second term asGovernor of New Mexico. Gov.Richardson was re-elected in 2006 withthe support of 69 percent of voters, rep-resenting the largest margin of victory forany Governor in New Mexico’s history.

He was supported by Democrats, Republicans andIndependents, winning in both urban and rural counties NewMexicans overwhelmingly endorsed Governor Richardson'saggressive efforts to improve education, cut taxes, build ahigh-wage economy, expand health care access, invest inrenewable energy and make New Mexico safer.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governorof New York is Gov. David A.Paterson. He became New York’s55th Governor on March 17, 2008. Inhis first address as Governor,Paterson spoke about the challengesNew York faces and his plan for NewYork’s future. He’s served the people

of New York for over 23 years. An agent of change:Governor Paterson has worked towards change byreaching across party lines and bringing peopletogether. His thoughtful, inclusive approach to gov-erning has won him the respect of colleagues and areputation for uniting disparate forces towards con-sensus that benefits all New Yorkers.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNorth Carolina is Gov. Beverly “Bev”Eaves Perdue. Her inauguration as the73rd Governor of North Carolina - andthe state’s first woman governor - fol-lowed a distinguished tenure in publicservice focused on creating 21st centu-

ry jobs, fighting for world-class public schools, andimproving the health of the people of North Carolina.Before entering public service, Gov. Perdue worked as apublic school teacher, as director of geriatric services ata community hospital in her hometown of New Bern, andearned a Ph.D. in Education Administration. Prior to herelection as Governor, Perdue established herself one ofthe most active and accomplished Lieutenant Governorsin North Carolina history.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofNorth Dakota is Gov. John Hoeven.Under his leadership, North Dakota hasexpanded and diversified its economy,adding thousands of new jobs and grow-ing its targeted industry sectors, includ-ing value-added agriculture, advanced

manufacturing, energy development, technology-basedbusiness and tourism. During his term, North Dakota’spersonal income growth has outpaced the national aver-age. Today, North Dakota continues to grow its economy. Asa direct result of Hoeven’s stewardship, the state ended thelast fiscal biennium with a strong reserve for North Dakota’sfuture, and no new taxes. His current budget focuses oninvestments that will continue to stimulate the state’s econo-my, including property and income tax relief, as well asenhanced funding for education, economic development andhelping North Dakota families.

SPOTLIGHT — The current Governor ofOhio is Gov. Ted Strickland. AsGovernor, he believes that Ohio govern-ment must live within its means whileinvesting in what matters. Broughttogether by a sense of common purpose,legislators from both parties in Ohio have

worked closely with the Governor to strengthen Ohio. AfterTed Strickland was first reelected to Congress, he placed aplaque in his office with the following quote from Scripture:“And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”- Micah 6:8. Throughout his service as a minister, a psy-chologist, a professor and a Member of Congress, Gov.Ted worked to exemplify those simple, powerful words.That same plaque is now in the Governor’s Office, wherethose same words guide Ted each day.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofOklahoma is Gov. Brad Henry. He’s athird generation Oklahoman, GovernorHenry was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma,where he attended public schools andgraduated from Shawnee High School.The governor attended the University of

Oklahoma as a President’s Leadership Scholar andearned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1985. In1988, he was awarded his law degree from the Universityof Oklahoma College of Law, where he served as manag-ing editor of the Law Review. Governor Henry has placedhis greatest emphasis on the improvement of public edu-cation, raising teacher salaries and benefits, putting moreresources into the classroom and setting higher academicstandards for students. The governor has also expandedOklahoma’s early childhood education programs, whichhave earned national recognition, and increased fundingfor college scholarship programs.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofOregon is Gov. Theodore “Ted”Kulongoski. He was born in ruralMissouri in 1940 and grew up in St.Louis in a Catholic boys’ home. Aftergraduating from high school, he enlistedin the U.S. Marine Corps and, on return-

ing from duty in Southeast Asia, spent a few years as atruck driver and a bricklayer in a steel mill in Alton, Illinois.Those experiences and the availability of the GI Bill gavehim the impetus and the financial opportunity to put him-self through the University of Missouri. When Kulongoskiwas sworn in as governor in January 2003, Oregon facedthe largest budget deficit since the Great Depression. Thegovernor responded by changing the way Oregon budg-ets, building a principle-based budget designed to estab-lish fiscal stability while delivering measurable returns. Hemade priority investments in economic development,workforce training, transportation infrastructure, and artsand culture that helped turned Oregon’s economy around.In his first term, he helped create over 150,000 jobs,attracted over a dozen new major employers to Oregonand substantially reduced the state's hunger rate.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofPennsylvania is Gov. Edward G.Rendell. Rendell’s unprecedentedstrategic investments have energizedPennsylvania’s economy, revitalizedcommunities, improved education, pro-tected the environment and expanded

access to health care to all children and affordable pre-scription drugs for older adults. He championed andsigned into law Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive meas-ure to substantially reform the local tax system by provid-ing urgently needed property tax relief to homeowners. In2008-09 taxpayers will save nearly $800 million in the firstyear of statewide property tax relief from gaming rev-enues. Gov. Rendell is continuing to work on building onhis efforts to make government more responsible to thepublic, and more responsive to the public's needs. He hasannually cut wasteful spending and improved efficiency tosave more than $1 billion and is pursuing a legislativeagenda that includes common sense political reforms toput progress ahead of partisanship.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofRhode Island is Gov. Don Carcieri. InApril 2002, Don Carcieri took the podi-um at the historic and flag drapedVarnum Armory in his hometown ofEast Greenwich to formally announcehis grass roots candidacy for Governor

on the Republican ticket. As 250 people in the packedhall cheered, he told them: “My name is Don Carcieri andI want to be your next Governor!” He had never run forany elected office except his town’s home rule chartercommission. Focusing his campaign on the need to reinin state spending and balance the budget, demandintegrity in government, and create a coordinated planfor statewide economic redevelopment, Don Carciericame from behind to defeat the endorsed candidate in ahighly contested primary. Hammering home his call for aClean Start in state government, he defeated theDemocrat candidate in the November election. The manfrom East Greenwich had bested a candidate who hadover 15 years of political experience and had mountedtwo campaigns for Governor.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor of South Carolina isGov. Mark Sanford. His administration has been markedby a focus on improving the lives of the people of SouthCarolina. By creating more economic opportunity, by

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watching out for the taxpayer, by workingto reform government structure, by open-ing up South Carolina's political system,and by bettering quality of life in the state,change of long-antiquated systems isbeginning and South Carolina is becom-ing more competitive in the global econo-

my. Further restructuring of South Carolina's antiquatedsystem of government continues to be one of his top pri-orities in his efforts to bring more accountability and cost-effectiveness to the state.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofSouth Dakota is Gov. Mike Rounds.Governor Rounds is encouraging SouthDakotans to make healthy choices thatlead to longer, healthier lives, and he hasinitiated an effort in state government tohelp state employees make healthy

choices. He is encouraging every South Dakotan to followthis lead. Mike, the oldest of 11 children, was born inHuron, S.D., and is a lifelong resident of Pierre. He earneda Bachelors of Science degree in political science fromSouth Dakota State University in Brookings and met hiswife, Jean, of Lake Preston, while attending the university.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofTennessee is Gov. Phil Bredesen.Before serving as Tennessee’s gover-nor, Bredesen served as mayor ofNashville from 1991 to 1999, workingwith community leaders to chart acourse that made Music City U.S.A. one

of the best places in America to live, work and raise a fam-ily. Under his leadership, Nashville invested nearly $500million to build new schools and hire new teachers. Thecity developed a state-of-the-art library system, redevel-oped downtown, expanded its park system and drovedown the crime rate. Also during Bredesen’s tenure,Nashville enjoyed record economic growth by recruitinghigh-quality jobs and companies such as Dell ComputerCorp. and HCA Inc. He led the city’s efforts to recruit twoprofessional sports teams: the NFL’s Tennessee Titansand the NHL's Nashville Predators. Phil Bredesen wasborn on November 21,1943. He grew up in ruralShortsville, N.Y., and earned a bachelor's degree inphysics from Harvard University.

SPOTLIGHT — A fifth generation Texan,Governor Rick Perry has taken anextraordinary Texas journey, from a ten-ant farm in the rolling West Texas plainsto the governor’s office of our nation’ssecond largest state. Governor Perry’sadministration has focused on creating a

Texas of unlimited opportunity and prosperity by improvingeducation, securing the border and increasing economicdevelopment through classical conservative values.Starting with his election as lieutenant governor in 1999,Rick Perry has worked to build a stronger safety net for thepoorest of the poor. The number of children with healthinsurance under Medicaid and CHIP has more than dou-bled since 1999. He is also working to expand opportuni-ties for the private sector to offer health insurance, andsigned legislation allowing small businesses to pool togeth-er to offer affordable health insurance policies.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor of Utah is Gov. JonM. Huntsman, Jr. During Governor Huntsman’s tenure,Utah has been repeatedly recognized by many prestigiousorganizations for its dynamism, business climate and qual-ity of life. Perhaps most importantly, Utah has been namedby the Pew Center as the Best Managed State in America.

Even in times of economic hardship,Governor Huntsman has worked collabo-ratively with legislators and his cabinet tominimize impacts to critical human serv-ices while maintaining job-stimulatingconstruction projects and keeping theState’s Rainy Day Fund in tact as a toolfor any future fiscal distress. Governor

Jon Huntsman was elected to a second term in lastNovember with a record percent of the voters, includingthe majority in all 29 of Utah’s counties. As he begins hislast four years, Governor Huntsman continues his commit-ment bolstering Utah's competitive economic developmentclimate. He believes maintaining Utah’s unparalleled quali-ty of life is key to increasing the state's economic competi-tiveness which is essential to continue funding Utah's criti-cal public education system.

SPOTLIGHT — Governor Jim Douglashas been serving the people of Vermontfor more than thirty years. Elected to theVermont House of Representatives in1972-the same year he graduated fromMiddlebury College - his influence as alegislator increased quickly, becoming

assistant majority leader in his second term and majorityleader in his third term at the age of twenty-five. GovernorDouglas retired from the state legislature in 1979 tobecome a top aide to Governor Richard Snelling. Outsideof government and politics, Governor Douglas has beenactive in many community organizations. He’s a pastPresident of the Addison County Chamber of Commerceand Porter Medical Center. He was master of his MasonicLodge, Treasurer of the State 4-H Foundation andPresident of the Vermont Conference of the United Churchof Christ. He has served on the boards of the MaryJohnson Day Care Center, the Counseling Service ofAddison County, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra andthe United Ways of both Addison County and Vermont. Hecontinues to served as Town Moderator for Middlebury, apost he has held for more than twenty years.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofVirginia is Gov. Tim Kaine. UnderGovernor Kaine’s leadership, Virginiaboasts one of the highest medianincomes and one of the lowest unem-ployment rates in the nation. While hehas kept Virginia a business-friendlystate, Governor Kaine has also worked

for consumers, strengthening consumer privacy protec-tions and identifying theft protections by requiring compa-nies to notify customers if their records are accessed by anunauthorized person and allowing consumers to freezeaccess to their credit report to protect it. Governor Kaineentered political life in 1994 and was elected to four termson the City Council, including two terms as Richmond'smayor, where he worked to build Richmond’s first newschools in a generation, cut taxes and slash the city’scrime rate. Richmond’s success in reducing violent crimewon national recognition from Presidents Clinton and Bushand the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Theimprovements in Richmond’s economy during Kaine’stenure earned the city its first-ever listing in ForbesMagazine’s annual ranking of the top 10 cities in Americafor doing business.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofWashington is Gov. Chris Gregoire.Facing a $2.2 billion budget shortfallwhen she took office in 2005, GovernorGregoire balanced the state’s budget asshe expanded health care coverage tolow-income children, led an effort tomake government more efficient and

accountable, introduced a plan to create a world classeducation system, and launched a bold plan to save PugetSound. In 2007, she proposed and the voters passed aconstitutionally protected rainy day fund to help the stateprepare for economic downturns like we face today.

Governor Gregoire is committed to promoting andexpanding business and creating family-wage jobs in thestate of Washington. The governor's “Next Washington”plan lays out strategies and initiatives to encourage busi-ness development and growth, and has helped lead tothe creation of more than 200,000 jobs in Washingtonsince she took office. Forbes magazine recently rankedWashington as the 3rd best state to do business. Fortunemagazine recently ranked Washington in the top five tostart a small business.

SPOTLIGHT— The current Governor ofWest Virginia is Gov. Joe Manchin, III.This Governor inherited a head for busi-ness from his grandfather, who was anItalian immigrant and the town grocer.His grandmother was a virtual one-woman social services agency, whohelped him discover his heart for people.

After attending West Virginia University on a footballscholarship, he became a successful businessman. Hewas a state legislator from 1982-1996, where he earned areputation for standing up for West Virginians. As governor,Joe Manchin has improved West Virginia’s economic cli-mate, while reducing the state's long-term debt and lower-ing taxes for citizens and businesses. He is committed tomaking health care affordable and accessible, creating aseamless education system for the children of WestVirginia, ensuring prescription drug assistance for seniorsand providing more support for our veterans.

SPOTLIGHT — The current governor ofWisconsin is Gov. Jim Doyle. When hetook office in 2003, Governor Doyleinherited the largest budget deficit inWisconsin history - a $3.2 billion hole.By making deep and often difficult cutsin state government, he was able to bal-ance the budget without hurting priori-

ties like education and without raising taxes. NowGovernor Doyle is working to move Wisconsin forward -creating jobs, expanding access to health care, and mostimportantly, investing in Wisconsin's future: our kids.Governor Doyle is working to make health care moreaffordable and available to all Wisconsin citizens. As a firststep, Governor Doyle is working to make all health carepremiums tax free. He has fought to save and expandSeniorCare - Wisconsin’s model prescription drug pro-gram - and is a leading national advocate for allowing citi-zens to buy safe, affordable prescription drugs fromCanada. He is also expanding Family Care statewide, sothat seniors and people with disabilities can get care intheir own homes and communities instead of being forcedinto nursing homes. Governor Doyle’s parents were found-ing members of the modern Democratic Party in Wisconsinand he credits them for instilling in him the belief that politicsand government are honorable professions, and that publicservice is a way to improve people's lives.

SPOTLIGHT— The current governor ofWyoming is Gov. Dave Freudenthal. Gov.Frudenthal was born in Thermopolis in1950, the seventh of eight children, andgrew up on the family farm north of town. Tohelp pay for college, he earned money byworking construction during the summer.His jobs included working rigs and building

tanks as a member of the National Brotherhood ofBoilermakers and Blacksmiths Union. After graduating fromAmherst College in 1973, he returned to Wyoming to take aposition as an economist for the Wyoming Department ofEconomic Planning and Development. Governor Ed Herschlerappointed him State Planning Coordinator in 1975. While work-ing for the state, Freudenthal simultaneously earned a lawdegree from the University of Wyoming. After graduating fromlaw school, he opened his own law office in Cheyenne in 1980;this office grew into a general practice firm that representedindividuals and businesses. In 1994, he was appointedUnited States Attorney for Wyoming, a position that he helduntil May 2001. Away from his job as governor, he enjoysspending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and restoringsheepwagons, airstream trailers, and antique furniture.

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comes not from those with the most power orcelebrity, but from the dreams and aspirationsof Americans who are anything but ordinary.

I think about Leonard Abess, the bank

president from Miami who reportedlycashed out of his company, took a $60 mil-lion bonus, and gave it out to all 399 peo-ple who worked for him, plus another 72who used to work for him. He didn’t tellanyone, but when the local newspaperfound out, he simply said, ” I knew someof these people since I was 7 years old. Ididn't feel right getting the money myself.”

I think about Greensburg, Kansas, atown that was completely destroyed by atornado, but is being rebuilt by its residentsas a global example of how clean energycan power an entire community - how itcan bring jobs and businesses to a placewhere piles of bricks and rubble once lay.“The tragedy was terrible,” said one of themen who helped them rebuild. “But thefolks here know that it also provided anincredible opportunity.”

And I think about Ty’Sheoma Bethea,the young girl from that school I visited inDillon, South Carolina - a place where theceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls,and they have to stop teaching six times aday because the train barrels by their class-room. She has been told that her school ishopeless, but the other day after class shewent to the public library and typed up a let-ter to the people sitting in this room. Sheeven asked her principal for the money tobuy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, andsays, “We are just students trying to becomelawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourselfand one day president, so we can make achange to not just the state of South Carolinabut also the world. We are not quitters.”

We are not quitters.These words and these stories tell us

something about the spirit of the peoplewho sent us here. They tell us that even inthe most trying times, amid the most diffi-cult circumstances, there is a generosity, aresilience, a decency, and a determinationthat perseveres; a willingness to take respon-sibility for our future and for posterity.

Their resolve must be our inspiration.Their concerns must be our cause. And wemust show them and all our people that weare equal to the task before us.

I know that we haven’t agreed onevery issue thus far, and there are surelytimes in the future when we will part ways.But I also know that every American whois sitting here tonight loves this countryand wants it to succeed. That must be thestarting point for every debate we have inthe coming months, and where we returnafter those debates are done. That is thefoundation on which the American peopleexpect us to build common ground.

And if we do - if we come togetherand lift this nation from the depths of thiscrisis; if we put our people back to workand restart the engine of our prosperity; ifwe confront without fear the challenges ofour time and summon that enduring spiritof an America that does not quit, thensomeday years from now our children cantell their children that this was the timewhen we performed, in the words that arecarved into this very chamber, “somethingworthy to be remembered.” Thank you,God Bless you, and may God Bless theUnited States of America.



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Community Activists Lead NationalImage Campaign Through “No MoreSagging” Posters, Workshop Series

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By Tim Delaney, Esq., President & CEO, National Council of Nonprofits

“These are the times that trymen’s souls,” wrote Thomas Painein 1776 when helping to launchAmerican independence. His wordsstill ring true today, given the cur-rent economic despair and growinguncertainty about the future. Ourfamilies, colleagues, constituents,friends, and neighbors feel threat-ened. Everyone yearns for earnestleaders who will show the way to abetter collective future. Today’spositional leaders seem nervous,however, frozen in place, fearful tostep forward. Who will provide thebold, proactive leadership our com-munities need in these trying times?Nonprofit leaders can. We must. Forour communities, nonprofit boardmembers and staffs can initiate bold,proactive leadership in these ways:

Rally to Unify OurCommunities

“We the people.” Those threesimple words are the most powerfulin America. Some people will seethem as the beginning of the U.S.Constitution. For me, they alsosymbolize something equally funda-mental: every time in American his-tory when things looked dire, we thepeople came together to overcomeadversity. We gathered through abo-litionist societies, women’s suffragegroups, community chests, churchesand synagogues, March of Dimes,civil rights groups, American RedCross, and so many more ways,whether to fight particular plights oraddress distinct disasters. We’vedone it before, and we can do itagain to forge our way through thiscurrent crisis.

When serving as the commonground for people to connect, non-profits must remain mindful thatwhen situations get dreadful, peoplecan react in diametrically oppositeways: either they come together forcomfort or they fragment and fightfor the scraps. We have an opportu-nity to help coach our communitiesto come together. Nonprofits canprovide the forums where concernscan be constructively vented, posi-tive values can be shared, and jointsolutions to community challengescan be shaped. Fear is contagious.Nonprofit leaders need to get aheadof the curve by coaching people tocome together as communities tosupport each other in a healing wayto avoid divisions.

Engage in PublicPolicy

Nonprofit board membersmust, as in MUST, get their non-profits proactively engaged in publicpolicy work. As state and local gov-ernments scramble to figure out howthey will balance their budgetswhile income, property, and salestax revenues are all plummeting,some are starting to look at remov-ing tax exemptions. Nonprofits canno longer sit on the sidelines.Recognize the obvious - there issafety in numbers - and make sureyour nonprofit has joined your statenonprofit association so these sec-tor-wide threats can be monitoredand responded to collectively. That

is not to suggest, however, that non-profits should engage in public poli-cy work just to defend themselvesagainst taxation. Rather, nonprofitsshould be at the policymaking tableto help find solutions for the broadercommunity - with our voices heard.

Tell Our StoryPersuasivelyNonprofit leaders must be mindfulthat during these challenging times,we need to speak up for America’snonprofits. We need to let people -policy makers, journalists, and eveneach other - know the scope of ourchallenges. This is not just a “mar-ket” problem. For me, the canary inthe coal mine revealing whether theeconomic air is toxic happens to beinformation about state and local

governments. When Californiawarns the U.S. Treasury it may seek

an emergency infusion of $7 billionjust to operate, when the DallasIndependent School District lays offhundreds of teachers in the middleof the fall semester because ofbudget shortfalls, and when the Cityof Vallejo declares bankruptcy, thecanary plops from its perch.

Will it be safe to get a replace-ment canary any time soon? Not ifyou care about canaries. With recentreports about homes in Phoenix,Miami, and Los Angeles losing 29,28, and 27 percent of their value inone year, local governments (coun-ty, city, and school districts) will bemissing almost a third of their prop-erty tax base - for years to come.Thus, the real pain has not hit yet,because property tax assessmentswill not be done until next year,when governments and communitieswill be hurt even more. So while

times are bleak now, things will geteven worse as state and local gov-ernments will be stretched beyondcomprehension to provide police,fire, and other basic services.

What’s this mean for nonprof-its? Historically, when the economyturns wicked nonprofits get smackedby a double-whammy: at the sametime that small and midsize commu-nity-based nonprofits are asked todo more to help those who have losttheir jobs, their homes, and theirhealth benefits, society also expectsus to somehow perform miracles byproviding those additional serviceswith less revenues as businessesdonate less, foundations have less togive, governments cut contracts orfreeze reimbursement rates in con-tracts for services, and individualshang onto their resources out of fearof what the future may hold for them.

DELANEY: Nonprofits Should Provide the Bold,Proactive Leadership Our Communities Seek

Tim Delaney is an well-known attorney with exten-sive leadership experiencein the business, government,and nonprofit sectors.

ADVICE PROVIDED BY PRESIDENT TIM DELANEY 24


March 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper

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Transcript of March 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper