The Page 16 Portland Observer Black History Month February 10, 2010 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views o f the Portland Observer We welcome reader essays, photos and story' ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. New Prices Effective May 1 ,2 0 0 8 Martin Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG $45.00 Carpet Cleaning 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 Each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: I small Hallw ay) I Cleaning Area (only) $40.00 (Includes Pre-Spray' Traffic Area • Hallway' Extra) Stairs (12-16 stairs) $25.00 (With Other Services) Heavily Soiled Area: Additional $10.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Area & Oriental Rug Cleaning • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Sendee • Scotchguard Protection UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa $79.00 Loveseat $59.00 Sectional $ 1 0 9 -$ 1 3 9 Chair or Recliner $35 - $49 Throw Pillows $5.00 % « (With Other Sendees) See Flyers for Additional Prices Call For Appointment (503) 281-3949 These Times Call for Action Take the empowerment pledge by M arc H. M o rial This year, Black History Month coincides with a historic milestone of the National Urban League: Our 100th anniversary. Fittingly, this year's theme, "The History of Black Economic Empowerment," tracks the organization's century-long mis sion. The National Urban League was founded in 1910 to address the needs o f African Americans migrating north from the Jim Crow South in search o f jobs and a better life. Unfortunately, 100 years later, the doors of opportunity are not yet fully opened to people ofcolor. And history remains one o f our greatest teachers. As President Obama said 1 S 11 h « C r i h I 0 U 7 c ^ in his historic 2008 speech on race, "So many o f the disparities that exist in the African American commu- nity today can be directly Join with us in tackling some o f the most pressing and persistent problems facing our nation. traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy o f slavery and Jim Crow ...That legacy helps explain the wealth and income gap between black and white and the contributions to America and con- tinue to embrace Dr. King's dream, Highlighting those largely unher- aided contributions has always been the purpose o f Black History Month, While our centennial year is also • m q atimetoreflectontherichhistoryand legacy o f the National Urban League, these times call for action. We want f5Q ~28~-~033 C r 1 D e \ju st $60 per -------- year (please include check) concentrated pockets o f poverty that persist in so many o f today's urban and rural communities." But in spite o f tremen dous odds, African Ameri cans have made remarkable ^ S u . b uU s c U rip tio n s , The av.,Huu.», Portland Observer, PO Box I t0 lisethii>moment to rally the Amen- 3137, Portland OR 97208. ■ can people tojoin with us in tackling I N ame : I T elephone : I I A ddress : I _______ I or email subscriptions@ portlandobserver.com | l„ — — — " goals for America in the areas o f education, employment, housing and healthcare, I Am Empowered will galvanize millions o f people to take a pledge to help achieve the followingby2025: Education - Every American child is ready for college, work and life. Jobs - Every American has ac cess to jobs w ith a living wage and good benefits. Housing - Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable and en ergy efficient housing on fair terms. Healthcare - Every American has access to quality and affordable health care solutions. Black History Month 2010 also marks one year that America's first African American president has been in office. President Obama's election and the I Am Empowered initiative remind us o f the power o f individual and collective citizen ac tion to bring about change. As we celebrate Black History Month and the 100th anniversary o f the National Urban League, I urge every American to claim your em powerment and become a part o f this exciting movement for change. some o f the most pressing and per sistent problems facing our nation. To that end, we have chosen Black History Month to announce the launch of our national public service initiative, I Am Empowered, which Marc H. Morial is president and will officially kick-off on March 1. chief executive officer o f the Na wll’on’cia*1y klck-°ffonM archl- focused on four aspirational tional Urban League.