The Eyes and Ears of the Community” Volumn XXII, Number 8 I < |»i i m i »19, 1992 N r s . F r a n c e s S c h o e n —N e w * pâper U n i v e r s i t y o f Or e g o n L i b r E u g e n e , Or ■>n 97403 R oc Qllje ^jXnrtlanh ODhseruer 5-Year-Old Cancer Patient Receives Young Heroes Award For Bravery Kevin Gay, a 5-year-old cancer p a tie n t at E m anuel C h ild re n ’s Healthcare Center, received the first 1992 Young Heroes Medal of Valor award for courage in the face of illness. Kevin accepted his medal in a spe cial ceremony at Emanuel on Friday, February 14, just two days after the bone in his forearm was removed be cause of bone cancer. The award is given by the 939th Air Rescue Wing of the U.S. Air Force Reserve to children age 5 to 19 who demonstrate bravery in the face of serious illness. Kevin’s bone cancer, called osteo genic sarcoma, was discovered by his mother in October 1991.Shefeltalump on his wrist while helping her son wash his hands. Within a week, he began receiving chemotherapy at Emanuel. Doctors believe the cancer is isolated in an arm bone. While he is expected to have dramatically reduced mobility in his arm, doctors are optimistic he will regain the use of his hand. Kevin is the son of Dave and Char lotte Gay of Milwaukie. Dave Gay has discontinued traveling to his oil field service business in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to spend time with his son and family. The Young Heroes Award was ini tiated in 1990 by the 939th Air Rescue Wing after a number of senior non commissioned officers heard about a similarprogram in Michigan.The award recognizes both children who have shown bravery during their own illness, and youngsters who have helped to care or support others with serious illnesses. Kevin’s physicians are Pediatric Oncologist Dr. Sarah J. Fryberger, and Orthopedic Oncologist Dr. Gary D. Bos. Both are on staff at Emanuel Children’s Healthcare Center, a regional leader in pediatric medicine. Whitney M. Young Education And Cultural Center To Receive Commemorative Poster Bela Odighizuwa (left), 15, from Wilson High School and Leo Mitchell III (right), 14, from Whitaker Middle School view the current exhibit at the Whitney M. Young Education Center (WYEC). In continuation of celebrating Black History Month The Urban League of Portland’s Whitney M. Young Education and Cultural Center (WYEC) will be receiving a commemorative poster of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from TRI-MET. Mr. Doug Capps, Executive Director of Public Services and Preston Cannon (employee of TRI-MET) will be on hand to unveil and present the poster to Dr. Darryl Tukufu, CEO of the Urban League of Portland. Dr. Tukufu will also speak during this time. The event will take place on Wednesday, February 19, at 4:45 p.m. at the Urban League of Portland, 10 N. Russell St. lue & Gold Banquet Big Success Judges Continue to Participate in Scouting Program Judge Roosevelt Robinson, coordinator Angela Greer and Judge Aaron Brown, Jr. (proudly displaying his Scoutmaster card) enjoy the Cub Scouts Pack 75 Blue and Gold Banquet. See Story on Page 7 Apply Now For The Ethnic Minority Education Assistance Award Program High school seniors or adults who have graduated some years ago who are Native American, African American, Hispanic or Asian may now apply for entry into the Ethnic Minority Educa tion A ssistan ce A w ard program (EMEAA). EMEAA is designed to prepare American ethnic minorities for a pro fessional career in teaching for Port land Public Schools. This program is Portland Community College’s com ponent of the Portland Teachers Pro gram (P.T.P.), a partnership effort be tween P.C.C., Portland State Univer sity and Portland Public Schools. The specific requirements in order to qualify are listed in the application form. Those who can answer “yes” to the two following questions have the best chance to be selected: -Have you given serious thought to dedicating your life to the education of others? -Are you academically prepared to take on college coursework? Those who cannot answer “yes” to both questions but still are interested should call for an appointment to dis cuss with us what it would take to become eligible: P.C.C. Rock Creek Cam pus 244-6111 ext 7225 P.C.C. S.E. C enter 244-6111 ext 6252 P.C.C. Cascade Cam pus 244-6111 ext 5282 P.C.C. Sylvania 244-6111 ext 4699 Each spring 15 students are se lected based on their application mate rials and an interview. Those selected will enter an intensive program, receive special counseling and be awarded up to two years of tuition waivers at P.C.C. if they meet all requirements. Applications forms arc available at any P.C.C. Admissions Office. These forms will not be mailed. The DEADLINE for turning in completed applications is MARCH 18 th, 1992. The application process has sev eral steps and, for some, can be lengthy. Therefore we encourage you to pick up the form and begin the process immedi ately. Business Employment Line: Construction Opportunities Storm Clouds Over Oregon State University Campus AMCO Contests Contract Award BY E.T. OTTO The National Association of Mi nority Contractors of Oregon led a del egation of African-American contrac tors, truckers, and unemployed con struction workers to City Hall on Feb ruary 12, to contest the awarding of a street improvements contract to an out of town general contractor. According to a statement read by O.B. Hill, a NAMCO spokesman, “A vote to award a contract at this time shall defeat the City’s objective to pro vide full and equal opportunity for both contracts and employment for contrac tors and workers from the African- American community.” The protest stemmed from a bid opening held on January 30, 1992, wherein Slayden Construction, Inc. of Stayton, Oregon, submitted a bid of $5,067,676.95 for improvements to Holladay Street in Northeast Portland. Hill claimed that minority goals established by the City were circum vented with the C ity Purchasing Bureau’s consent “Slayden Construc tion,” Hill said, “discriminates against firms owned and operated by African- Americans. Only one company par tially owned by an African-American is planned to be utilized on the project. This proposed contract is for $ 1,925.00 and represents ,00037ofSlayden’sbid.” Slayden met only 2.5 of a 10 percent goal. The City Purchasing Director Carlton Chayer had recommended award of the contract to Slayden as “the lowest responsive and responsible bid der,” because the City could not compel them to meet the ten percent goal. Darnell Holefield, a local contrac tor who bid on the job, told the Council of the problems he has faced by trying to be a positive role model in the black communi’y. According to Holefield, “African-American role models cannot develop within the construction indus try because of discriminatory practices by some general contractors.” Holefield bid $158,000 worth of One hundred forty-five voices from the Martin Luther King Jr. Grade School Choir have given enjoyment to thousands of people from all over the United States. The talent and ability of this group of children has been witnessed at such prestigious events as the 1989 Presidential Inaugural Parade and the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in Atlanta, Geor gia. In addition, performances on NBC’s “Today Show” and CBS’s “This Morning Show” showcased the widely acclaimed choir. The choir also visited the White House just this past summer. Locally, the choir has performed at Portland Trailblazer Games, The Oregon State Legislature, Portland State Uni verity, and at several largccon- ventions held in the Portland area. I NWPC Endorses Vera Katz Continued on page 7 Some of the members of this choir have even invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and an operatic performance of “AIDA” in Portland. It is an understatement to say that these 145 children have represented their school, Portland Public Schools, their city, and Or egon in an admirable fashion. Ms. Giffert and these children have worked very hard together. For all their hard work and efforts they would like to purchase enough robes for 145 choir members. This is where your financial support can make a difference. They neet, to raise approximately $2500.00 to purchase these robes. Further information may be ob tained by Martin Luther King, Jr. School at (503) 280-6155. Please ask for Kathryn Giffert. News Dick Bogle Announces Candidacy For Re-Election by James Posse by McKinley Burt Page 2 work on the job and spent numerous hours in preparing his bid, only to be informed by Slayden that, “For ethical reasons,” he must award the work to the lowest bidder and do the rest of the work with his own workforce. According to Holefield,“The issue is two-fold. On die one hand you have contractors unable to get contracts and create jobs, and on the other hand you have workers unable to get jobs with majority contractors because of the way the system tends to discriminate against them.” Holefield vowed, however, to continue pursuit of his dream to be a successful contractor and role model. Commissioner Dick Bogle, who is responsible for the overall activities of the Purchasing Bureau, convinced Earl Blumenauer and Gretchen Kafoury, two other commissioners in attendance, to table the matter until it could be fully investigated. He drew applause from the onlookers because of his actions. Mayor Bud Clark and Commissioner Mike Lindberg were not present. Several persons, including Nathan Proby, President of NAMCO and James Posey, both owners of trucking con cerns, testified before City Council. Several others spoke before the Council and described the difficulties they en countered while seeking employment in Portland. “It will be interesting when this matter comes to a vote before full coun cil,” Hill said. “This will allow every one to see where these elected officials are coming from.” NAMCO has brought a major deci sion before City Council during this election year. The issues on the table concerns both contracts and real jobs. Inclusion or exclusion of African- Americans from being a viable force in contracting in Portland is at the crux of the final outcome. As Dick Bogle put it, “The problem is not just a Purchasing Bureau problem, it is a City Council problem.” Choir Needs Help To Purchase New Robes Is News Page 3 Page 2 250 NEWS SPORTS RELIGION ENTERTAINMENT CLASSIFIED/BIDS 2 5 6 7 9 Page 3 BLACK HISTORY 11