Page A3 — (The Portiani* OMisrrucr----------------- Historic M om ent Revenue Department Mailing Out Federal Retirement Refund Checks The Oregon Department o f Rev­ enue is in the midst o f mailing re­ fund checks to eligible retired fed­ eral employees and their beneficia­ ries. Many recipients already have received their checks and other are on their way. “We are very pleased that these refund checks are in the mail and will be in the hands o f federal retir­ ees and their families,” said Ben Gille o f the department. “We know all retirees have been waiting for these refunds for quite awhile." Gille advises those who have not received a check to be patient. “W e’ve received thousands o f veri­ fication forms and we will continue to process refunds for the next few months.” He reminds those eligible to re­ ceive a refund to send in a verifica­ tion form as soon as possible if they already haven’t done so. Federal retirees and their beneficiaries must accurately complete and return veri­ fication forms provided by the De­ partment o f Revenue. Eligible fed­ eral retirees can get the forms by calling 503 378-4988, or toll-free in Oregon 1-800-356-4222 (Janu­ ary through April only). For TTY (hearing or speech impaired only), the year-round toll-free number within Oregon is 1-800-886-7204. In Salem the number is 503-945- 8617. These numbers are answered by machine only and are not for voice use. Telephone hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m., exept Wednesday when the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. The verification forms and in­ structions also are available on the d e p a rtm e n t’s W eb site at www.dor.state.or.us The information needed on the form includes number o f months worked before and after October 1, 1991, and federal pension amounts for each affected year. Civilian federal employees who receive a pension from the U.S. Office o f Personnel M anagem ent and are unsure o f their service months may contact the Revenue Department at the above numbers for that infor­ m ation.### Free Vision Screening Offered FOREST GROVE - March has been proclaimed National Save Your Vision Month. To celebrate, the Pa­ cific University College o f Optometry reminds the public that it’s network of community Vision Centers are provid­ ing free vision screenings for people of all ages.Screenings are available by appointment and are offered at Pacific University Vision Centers located in Downtown. Northeast and Southeast Portland; Cornelius, and on the Pacific University campus in Forest Grove.For more information and to schedule screening at any Pacific University Vision Center or through the College’s Off-Site Screening Program, please call (503) 357-5800. Evening and weekend hours are available upon re­ quest. U.S. Congressman Maxine Waters (center) and entertainer and philanthropist Bill Cosby (second trom right) congratulate tneir rriena, ESSENCE magazine editor-in-chief and Essence Communications, Inc. (ECI), senior vice-president Susan L. Taylor (second, from left), on being the first African-American to receive the Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA). Joining Waters and Cosby are ESSENCE cofounders Edward Lewis (far left), ECI publisher and chief executive officer, and Clarence O. Smith (far right), ECI president. The Henry Johnson Fisher Award, now in its thirty-fourth year, is the magazine industry’s highest honor. The award recognizes people, who have dedicated their lives to the magazine business and helped the industry thrive and expand, or who through their editorial polocies address social, political, economic or lifestyle issues. Cosby presented the award to Taylor, who was saluted along with Rodale Press, Inc., president and chief operating officer Robert J. Teufel at a gala held in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria. (Photo by Star Black) Portland-Area Students may apply for a Health Care Scholarship PORTLAND, O re - The Kaiser Permanente African American As­ sociation will award three $500 col­ lege scholarships to high school se­ niors to study health care and one $ 1,000 scholarship to a student cur­ rently enrolled in a health-related program at a two o f four-year col­ lege or university. This is the first year the scholarships are being of­ fered. They are to support African- American students in Northwest Or­ egon and Southwest Washington pur­ suing careers in health care. The scholarship program is open to African-American high school se­ niors and undergraduate college stu­ dents (currently enrolled at a non­ profit, accredited college or univer­ sity) who have a grade point average at or above 2.75. To apply for a scholarship, send the following information. A resume; Transcript o f high school or col­ lege classes; A 500-word essay about the area o f health care you are pursuing and career goals; Two academic or professional let­ ters o f reference. Mail items to: K aiser P erm anente A frican American Association o f the North­ west Kaiser Permanente Building 500 N.E. Multnomah, Ste. 100 Portland, OR 97232-2099 Deadlines for applying is Fri- dav, A pril 16. For more informa­ tion about the scholarship call (503) 813-4823 or send an e-m ail to The Kaiser Permanente Af­ rican American Association provides a forum to encourage professional and personal growth, career develop­ ment. opportunity, and enhancements in the work environment for African- Americans within Kaiser Permanente and to faciliate diversity initatives within the organization. Bank of America, the recipient of the 30th NAACP Image Awards Corporate Award, has qualities it brings to communities that promote real change. Vision that gives hope. Action that improves lives. Commitment that’s lasting. The N A A C P Congratulates the Corporation of the Year. From your more than $100 million in loans to African Americans to your increased spending with mmority-owned businesses to our partnership to launch the NAACP Community Development Resource Centers, we recognize Bank of America's continued dedication to serving our communities We look forward to working with you to find more ways to improve the day-to-day lives of all people. The NAACP Image Awards will air March 4 on FOX