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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday. April 25.1994
3
Public concerns aired at caucus
James Wilcox / KANSAN
State Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, and State Sen. Sherman Jones, D-Kansas City, share a laugh after the African American Legislative Caucus. The annual event is intended to help African-American legislators become acquainted with their constituents.
By Denise Nell Kansan staff writer
Gov. Joan Finney, three gubernatorial candidates and Kansas' six African-American legislators were among more than 200 people who attended the African American Legislative Caucus on Saturday at the Kansas Union.
The event, which takes place everyyear at a college or university in Kansas, is intended to give African-American legislators a chance to hear the concerns of their African-American constituency.
The caucus ended with a luncheon. At that time, Finney addressed the group. She said she planned to continue pushing to have a statewide African-American advisory commission established. The Kansas House approved a bill that would establish the commission, but the bill has not made it past the Senate.
District Judge Cordell D. Meeks Jr. of the 29th District Court was the keynote speaker at the luncheon. In his speech, Meeks said that minority groups must work with each other, not against each other, to have their concerns heard.
"If we can work together for change,we can make a difference," he said.
The caucus also included three workshops, which focused on issues such as health care, banking and career opportunities. A legislators' "roundtable" gave caucus participants a chance to discuss issues with
the six African-American legislators.
State Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence and coordinator of the event, said that having the caucuses on college campuses gave students an opportunity to voice their political concerns.
"We wanted to encourage students to become more aware and involved
in politics and to be able to meet legislators and interact with them," she said.
Terry Bell, Tampa, Fla., senior and president of the Black Student Union, was one of the students who worked at the event. Bell said that the caucus helped legislators become acquainted with student
leaders on campus.
"It gives us an opportunity as student leaders to let our representatives be able to relate to a face on the KU campus," he said. "That way, when issues on the KU campus come about, they can relate what's going on with their former acquaintances."
African Americans recognize Finney's service
James Wilcox / KANSAN
By Stephen Martino Kansan staff writer
Choking back tears and having to stop during her speech several times to gather herself, Gov. Joan Finney was recognized by the African American Legislative Caucus on Saturday for her contributions as a public servant.
"You are my friends in this room," she said. "You have stood by me when no one else did."
Finney was awarded a special resolution by the caucus for her contributions to the lives of minorities, especially African Americans. Before she was elected governor in 1900, Finney served as state treasurer for 16 years.
The caucus was a group consisting of African-American legislators and state officers. There are six African-Americans in the Legislature.
State Sen. Sherman Jones, D-
Kansas市，presented Jones
resolution for her contributions, noting that she would be leaving public service in January, having decided not to seek re-election.
Gov. Joan Finney struggles to hold back the tears while speaking at a luncheon by the African American Legislative Caucus. The event took place Saturday afternoon at the Kansas Union.
"She is fair," Jones said. "She has selected people of all colors to boards and committees. She understands the plight of African Americans, and she has carried that knowledge with her in office."
Finney clearly was overwhelmed by the standing ovation she received and the compliments in the resolution. She recalled her first days in government and how many other chief supporters were African Americans. Their support, she said, was crucial for continued political success.
"I could not have been governor without your help," she said. "I can't name you all, but I know you all."
"She is a populist," he said. "She believes in our voice being heard through the ballot box instead of
always through elected representatives, and for the African-American community, that is an asset."
Unity Week to recognize achievements
Black Panhellenic sponsoring events to unite greeks
By Susan White Kansan staff writer
Robert Vaughn said he wanted to end the year with an event that would unite the Black Panhellenic sororites and fraternities.
The purpose of Unity Week, said Vaughn, Yorkville, Ill., senior and vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, is to bring the Black Panhellenic sororities and fraternities together after they have competed throughout the year in various events.
"Often their achievements get lost in the sea of activities and events around campus," he said. "We want to end the year feeling as if we've done something."
Kris Morgan, Lawrence senior and vice president of the Black Panhellenic Council, said the week also was intended to bring the group together after they had spent the year working individually for scholarships and community service.
Morgan said one of the main events for the week was the Golden Image Award, which was intended to recognize people inside and outside the greek and campus community.
"We will be awarding people who have done exceptionally well academically and for their community service." Morgan said.
Vaughn, who also is coordinating the award ceremony, said he thought that the achievements of a lot of people were overlooked throughout the year.
"It's kind of like a breath of fresh air," he said. "It's a feeling of accomplishment for the end of the year."
Another highlight of the week will be the reinstating of a rivalry basketball game between Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities.
Haile Sims, Overland Park sophomore and a representative for Kappa Alpha Psi, said that the basketball game had been a tradition
Calendar of events
Calendar of Events for Unity Week
Tuesday—Informational step show to give information about the organization and to perform a step dance at 7:30 p.m. in Ellsworth Hall.
Monday—Members of the Black Panhellenic Council will be handing out informational fliers about the council on the Kansas Union plaza.
Thursday — Unity Forum to discuss some of the problems between the Greeks and nongreeks on campus at 7 p.m. at the Jayhawk Room of the Kansas Union.
Saturday — Members of the council will have a field day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, 1520 Haskell Ave.
Sunday — Arivalry basketball game between Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Phi Alpha at 4 p.m. at the Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th St.
Monday through Friday — Clothes drive boxes will be set up in all the residence halls.
KANSAN
for 40 years but that the fraternities had not played for two years.
"Both of our groups have been here since the '20s," he said. "The rivalry has been going for a long time."
Vaughn said the award for the contest would be a trophy.
"I found an old, Grecian trophy in our house," he said. "I researched the history on it. Then I found the rules and regulations for the basketball game. The losers of the game have to get the winning team's name engraved on the trophy."
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Vaughn said he hoped that the week would have a good turnout.
"People are looking forward to it, especially the rival groups," he said. "It will bring a lot of flavor to the campus environment."
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NSF EPSCoR Grants Informational Forums
FACULTY MEMBERS are invited to discuss the recently issued Request for Proposals for the K*STAR NSF EPSCoR Systemic Initiative (SI). Preproposals are due on June 6, 1994. The final proposal for the five year K*STAR NSF EPSCoR SI plan is due at NSF on November 4, 1994. Successful states can be funded for up to $1.5 million per year [1:1 State match required]. The purpose of EPSCoR is to enhance the research competitiveness of Kansas.
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