The caption for a photo that appeared with the April 7 Metro article “ Activists riding a fresh wave of optimism ahead of immigration rally ” identified a worker cleaning “a statue at Union Station.” But what a statue! It’s of A. Philip Randolph , the organizer of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, prime mover behind the original March on Washington, longtime spokesman for the rights of African American workers and author of the famous line, “At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you can’t take anything, you won’t get anything, and if you can’t hold anything, you won’t keep anything. And you can’t take anything without organization.” How gratified he would be by this movement and the mobilization of individuals intent on securing a path to U.S. citizenship.  Kathleen McKirchy, Washington The writer is executive director of the community services agency of the Metro ...continue reading

December 07, 2012 | BY NORMAN AND VELMA HILL SOCIAL SECURITY, Medicare, and Medicaid are the foundations for the well-being of scores of millions of middle- and low-income Americans. Without Social Security, 14 million more low-income Americans would be living in poverty. Because of Medicare, 33 million older people live longer, have access to quality care, and are not driven into poverty by rapidly rising health-care costs. Medicaid is a health-care boon to Americans not yet eligible for Medicare, which covers some 60 million Americans. Because of historical and lingering discrimination, racial minorities in particular need these programs. Overall, they have less income and fewer assets than whites, so a higher percentage of their retirement income comes from Social Security benefits. Also, because they more often have physically demanding jobs, they rely more on Social Security disability and require more health care after retirement. If there were no such support, the ...continue reading

One of the most effective ways to create good jobs at good wages in the coming years will be encouraging adoption of high-speed broadband Internet in every American community. Broadband has become as necessary to economic growth in the 21stcentury as electricity and telephone lines were in the 20th century. That’s why it is troubling that Julius Genachowski, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, may be backing away from his support for so-called tiered pricing, a policy that encourages Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to invest the $350 billion in network upgrades the FCC itself says is needed to deliver high-quality broadband to all of America -- while keeping the cost of broadband low for working families. In 2010, the FCC said that ISPs could charge more to the heaviest users of their network, those in the upper tier of bandwidth usage. The idea was that those who used the most bandwidth should pay extra to maintain and upgrade the network – otherwise, the average ...continue reading

The Seattle Chapter of APRI Young Adults is putting the challenge out to APRI Chapters, NAACP Branches, Churches and High Schools in Washington to join us in a voter registration competition. Young Adults participating in your programs can join in the competition to win awards and financial scholarships.   Don’t miss this opportunity to get your youth involved in this civic activist program even if they are not old enough to vote in the 2012 elections.   Awards will be given to the Top Three youth who you have certified have registered the most voters in your participating church, school or organization.   Voter registrations must be turned into the head of the sponsoring program or a point person designated by the participating program within 24 hours of being signed and arranged to be picked up or turned into a program volunteer with in 48hrs.   The winner of the awards will be announced in October 2012. Download Flyer Here: APRI Seattle: ...continue reading

Dear APRI National Board & Memebers: Our Sister, Mary Montford , President, APRI North Carolina State, has been selected as one of six semifinalists for the 2012 Spectacular Magazine Women of the Year Award in the Community Service category. Sister Montford was selected—not only based on her nomination, but because of her background, accomplishments and the criteria set forth for the Community Service category. Spectacular Magazine will honor the achievements of these African American women and other women who have made a difference in the African American community with the Spectacular Magazine Women of the Year Awards at a black tie gala on April 13, 2012. The public will have the opportunity to vote on-line ( www.spectacularmag.com ) for their choice of the finalists to be the recipient of the Spectacular Magazine Women of the Year Award in several categories. We want Sister Montford to win in the Community ...continue reading

Duval County has again been recognized for its inclusion in the National Academy Foundation. A. Philip Randolph (APR) was chosen as one of three schools in Florida to pilot the NAF Health Science Program. The National Academy Foundation (NAF) was created as a partnership between educators and business leaders to better prepare students for successful professional careers. “It’s exciting to be included in the pilot to develop the NAF Health Science Program,” said Angela Collins, instructor and lead teacher at A. Philip Randolph. “NAF currently operates four academies – finance, engineering, information technology, as well as hospitality and tourism. Only 17 schools nationwide are included in the planning stages, as NAF develops this national academy of health sciences.” APR’s vision for the academy is to create a national model academy that will prepare students for success and excellence in all of their post secondary endeavors. “This program will mirror the mission of A. ...continue reading

Today, Senate Republicans are set to go on record that they don't support putting Americans back to work when they vote against President Obama's American Jobs Act . By casting a 'No' vote, they also will oppose middle-class tax cuts and will refuse to ask the nation's millionaires to pay their fair share. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has vowed that not a single Republican will vote for the jobs bill that would quickly put hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. With Democrats holding just a 53-seat margin, the bill will fall short of the 60 votes needed to break the Republican filibuster. Please call your senators toll free at 1-888-659-9401 right away. We'll give you info and connect you with your senators' offices. Here are some reasons why you and your senators should support the American Jobs Act: It will create nearly 2 million jobs and prevent 280,000 ...continue reading

Greetings Friends! Please share the following information with people you know who would be interested in actions to help stop the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia, now scheduled for next week. If you can do nothing else, please be sure to click here to learn more and sign the petitions! Friday, Sept. 16 is the Global Day of Solidarity to help stop the execution of Troy Davis. In solidarity with the major march and rally happening in Atlanta, folks from the DC region will gather at 6pm at Tivoli Square, 14th & Park NW (Columbia Heights Metro Station on the Green/Yellow line).  At 7pm there will be a march to St. Stephens Church where there will be a program of speakers (TBA) - meet us there if you can't make it in time for the march! Additional details will be posted as we get closer to Friday. If you would like to help, please e-mail Jiva .If you are too far from DC and want to organize something locally, please click here . See below for info on one ...continue reading

“Our brothers and sisters who are federal employees are being attacked with an intensity that parallels what’s been going on at the state level.  The House has already voted to eliminate collective bargaining rights for airport screeners, cut 200,000 jobs, and freeze pay for five years.  And the vital services that our families rely on are being cut beyond the bone – from OSHA and MSHA to labor law enforcement, food inspection, education, community safety, and other services that keep our communities safe and secure.   Perhaps the biggest threat and fight is happening at the White House where Vice President Biden is negotiating a deal on the debt ceiling with a bipartisan group of lawmakers.  Sources have told AFGE that there is tentative agreement on significantly increasing what federal employees pay for their pensions – essentially what amounts to a 6% pay cut per pay period.  They won’t tax the rich and big ...continue reading

I regret to inform you that our State President, Mary Montford is experiencing the grief of the loss of a brother. Mr. Eldridge Leon Hill, passed away from cardiac arrest. He was 56 years old. The Montford family has requested that in-Lew of flowers. That donations be made to the N.C. State A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) in his honor.   Checks can be sent to:  1408 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.   Our Charlotte member, Kim Ratliff, also is grieving over the loss of a cousin, Mr. Kenneth J. Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard was said to have succumb from a bee sting. Kim can be emailed at kratliff48@yahoo.com with condolences. Please keep both of these families in your prayers as they struggle with their loss. ...continue reading

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. NIIW is part of a broad global initiative with the World Health Organization Regions of the Americas, European, Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, and Africa to promote vaccination through education and communication activities. Since 1994, local and state health departments, national immunization partners, health care professionals, community leaders from across the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have worked together through NIIW to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children, and to call attention to immunization achievements. 2011 NIIW This year’s NIIW, set for April 23-30, 2011 will be held in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA). Hundreds of ...continue reading

On March 31, 2011 a news conference was held in conjunction with the A. Philip Randolph Institute at The Concourse Hotel. The A. Philip Randolph Institute moved its national board meeting to Madison to show solidarity for labor in Wisconsin.  The news conference highlighted 'taking Madison's energy all over - why Wisconsin matters to us all.'  Remarks were made by Dian Palmer of SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, Sheila Cochran of AFL-CIO Milwaukee, Clayola Brown, National President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee, 6th District), and George Gresham, President of SEIU 1199 of New York.   ...continue reading

The Durham Chapter of APRI officially formed an APRI Youth Chapter on December 9, 2010. Wayne G. Bostick, President of the Durham Chapter, had the youth to pledge an oath to become active members of the newly formed youth organization. In total, seven young people took the pledge and, since then, two more have joined giving the Durham Youth Chapter a total of nine members in their youth organization.  The State APRI Chapter President, Mary Montford, and Executive Director, Melvin Montford, were also there too meet and congratulate the new youth members.   ...continue reading

On Wednesday night, President Obama spoke in Arizona to memorialize and honor the victims of Saturday's shootings. His speech was moving and called on each of us to reach for our best selves and help build a better and stronger democracy. Watch it here, and then share it with your friends. ...continue reading

The A. Philip Randolph Institute would like to congratulate Peaches Whalen, of the UAW, on her appointment to the Board for the "Port of Wilmington" by the Governor. Ms. Whalen also was appointed to the Board of Adjustments for Land Use and is still serving on the Board of United Way.