Thursday, April 30, 2015

Statements by President Obama, Attorney General Lynch on the Situation in Baltimore, Maryland Surrounding the Death of Freddie Gray








Statements by President Barack Obama, Attorney General Lynch, and Publisher Aubrey R. Taylor on the Situation in Baltimore, Maryland Surrounding the Death of Freddie Gray

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "As a nation of law abiding citizens we must employ the spirit of patience and civility as we allow the process of justice to run its course. Violence, rioting, and upheaval will not solve any of the problems or issues facing us as a nation. Nor will continuing to ignore the plight, voice, and injustices that continue to haunt us as a nation of free people. So, I strongly encourage you to keep our nation in your prayers as we work through this very difficult and daunting process of realizing our goal of living as "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" in America.

WE MUST PUT GOD FIRST 

As we endeavor to realize the justice, equality, and the freedoms we so desperately seek, let's not forget that we must actively participate in the process of realizing the hopes, goals, dreams, and ambitions that God has in mind for us . So, with this in mind, rather than looking for Republicans or Democrats to deliver us, I submit that we should all begin the process of putting forth our very best effort to ensure that we are placing, appointing, and electing people of God (with the relevant experience and heart to help us) into positions of authority on the local, state, and federal level."

LET'S THRIVE TOGETHER

New International Version: "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." -- PROVERBS 29:2



Attorney General Loretta Lynch released the following statement on the situation in Baltimore, Maryland:

“I condemn the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore that have resulted in harm to law enforcement officers, destruction of property and a shattering of the peace in the city of Baltimore. Those who commit violent actions, ostensibly in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, do a disservice to his family, to his loved ones, and to legitimate peaceful protestors who are working to improve their community for all its residents.

“The Department of Justice stands ready to provide any assistance that might be helpful. The Civil Rights Division and the FBI have an ongoing, independent criminal civil rights investigation into the tragic death of Mr. Gray. We will continue our careful and deliberate examination of the facts in the coming days and weeks. The department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has also been fully engaged in a collaborative review of the Baltimore City Police Department. The department’s Community Relations Service has already been on the ground, and they are sending additional resources as they continue to work with all parties to reduce tensions and promote the safety of the community. And in the coming days, Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division, and Ronald Davis, Director of Community Oriented Policing Services, will be traveling to Baltimore to meet with faith and community leaders, as well as city officials.

“As our investigative process continues, I strongly urge every member of the Baltimore community to adhere to the principles of nonviolence. In the days ahead, I intend to work with leaders throughout Baltimore to ensure that we can protect the security and civil rights of all residents. And I will bring the full resources of the Department of Justice to bear in protecting those under threat, investigating wrongdoing, and securing an end to violence.”



President Obama on Freddie Gray’s Death: "This is Not New, and We Shouldn’t Pretend that It’s New."

On April 12, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old native of Baltimore, was arrested by the city’s police. He died a week later.

The Department of Justice is now investigating the events that led to his death and today, President Obama offered his thoughts to the family and friends of Freddie Gray who are appropriately looking for answers while at the same time making clear there is “no excuse” for violence.

He noted that events in Baltimore called attention to the urgent need throughout the country to build trust between communities and their police.

“We have some soul-searching to do. This is not new. It’s been going on for decades.” – President Obama

Every American has role to play in tackling this longstanding challenge. "We don't just pay attention to these communities when a CVS burns, and we don’t just pay attention when a young man gets shot or has his spine snapped," the President said. We should be “paying attention all the time because we consider those kids our kids, and we think they’re important and that they shouldn’t be living in poverty and violence.”

That is why President Obama is committed to promoting policies that would make a difference on unemployment, poverty, and other serious social challenges that continue to afflict too many communities across the country.

The President is also working with police departments and community leaders to implement recommendations from his Task Force on 21st Century Policing to help build trust between communities and law enforcement while maintaining public safety. From adopting new technologies to build trust to prioritizing de-escalation and avoiding provocative tactics to enhancing officer safety and wellness, these recommendations can begin to build a culture of trust that is needed to promote safety and justice in every community and for every individual, no matter who they are.

Learn more about the President’s Task Force on Community Policing here by visiting: https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/03/02/what-21st-century-policing-means


CUTLINE FOR TOP PHOTO: President Barack Obama speaks to the press after a meeting with members of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, March 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

CAMPAIGN NEWS: Ben Hall for Mayor of Houston, Carroll G. Robinson for City of Houston Controller Campaign Signs are Being Vandalized







CAMPAIGN NEWS: Contact Attorney Ben Hall If You Witness Someone Vandalizing His 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election Campaign Signs

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

According to 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Candidate Ben Hall, someone has been vandalizing his campaign signs. As you may already know, Ben Hall has launched his second bid to become Houston’s mayor. He’s asking for our prayers, vote, and support on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. Early voting for the 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election will be taking place from Monday, October 19, 2015 to Friday, October 30, 2015.

Here’s a short statement released by 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Candidate Ben Hall via facebook:

“Unfortunately there's been damage to my campaign signs. If you see anyone cutting down my signs, please take pictures and let me know. Thank you in advance for your continuous support.”

You are strongly encouraged to contact Ben Hall at: (713)942-9600 if you witness anyone damaging his campaign signs. Also, it would be helpful if you could take a picture of the sign to be used as evidence.

A FEW OTHER CANDIDATES WHO MAY BE RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF HOUSTON

Other candidates expected to be in the Tuesday, November 3rd race for City of Houston Mayor are: Victoria Lane, Sylvester Turner, Adrian Garcia, Bill King, Marty McVey, Stephen Costello, and Chris Bell. The deadline for candidates to have their name placed on the ballot in the City of Houston is Monday, August 24, 2015. Early voting will start on Monday, October 19, 2015 and end on Friday, October 30, 2015. You are strongly encouraged to consider the candidates who value and respect us when you go to the polls.


Saturday, April 25, 2015

All Houston Lawyers Association Members Are Encouraged to Vote for Keryl L. Douglas, HLA President-Elect on May 12, 2015



VOTE! Keryl L. Douglas, HLA President-Elect 2015 on Tuesday, May 12, 2015


KERYL L. DOUGLAS:"Humbly yet passionately, I seek to become your next President-Elect of Houston Lawyers Association. The acronym, “HLA SOARS!” indicates my proposed “5-Point Strategic Plan” if elected on Tuesday, May 12th." 

Scholarship

· Continuing our work to provide scholarships for current and future law school students; especially to increase number of law students/attorneys from underrepresented communities | Enhancing scholastic performance of law students and admission test-takers | Recognizing scholarly achievement/contribution of attorneys; especially HLA members | Increasing access to scholarly opportunities for attorneys/HLA members: CLE’s, advanced degrees/certifications, etc.

Outreach

· Build upon current and past efforts of our esteemed previous leaders to increase outreach which will:

1) Empower and inform surrounding communities, particularly the underserved, of rights, laws, opportunities; access to legal assistance and protections; as well as to social, racial, judicial, economic, educational justice and equality; 2) Increase volunteerism, aide, collaborative assistance which elevate quality of life, particularly for the underserved; 3) Increase presence and participation on societal issues of concern; 4) Increase collaborative partnerships with other community service organizations to further HLA’s mission; 5) Help increase number of attorneys from underserved communities in general, as well as in major firms, corporations, judiciary and positions of leadership; 6) Implement, highlight, and further National Bar Association initiatives, advancing HLA’s and NBA’s visibility, recognition, and effectiveness locally in furtherance of HLA’s mission; 7) Increase collaboration with other state, national, international groups on issues of shared focus.

Advocacy

· Build upon work of previous administrations to increase advocacy activity/projects, programs, awareness, visibility, effectiveness, and reach | Insure presence, participation, progress through vigilant advocacy on issues of crisis and importance in surrounding communities, nationally, and worldwide | Increase collaborative alliances with other advocacy individuals/groups in furtherance of HLA’s mission.

Reengagement

· Reengage ALL previous members of HLA to rejoin with reignited passion to serve and participate | Reengage communities, corporate, political and educational arenas, etc., for involvement, collaboration, dialogue. | Reengage students of all surrounding law schools to help prepare and transition them successfully into legal careers, service, volunteerism, especially those from underrepresented communities.

Success

· Establish, implement, increase initiatives which: 1) insure and further the success of HLA’s mission; 2) support, aide, enhance success of local attorneys, especially HLA members, via career connections, preparation and promotion to policy/political positions, professional development/enhancement assistance, etc.; 3) support, assist, enhance successful matriculation, graduation, job placement of HLA law student members; 4) assist potential students’ success with applying and qualifying for law school admission and scholarships; especially potential students from underrepresented communities.

www.HoustonLawyersAssociation.org

HLA Elections
will be held during its regular May Meeting, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 6:30 p.m., Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2nd Floor.


Please JOIN prior to that time! You can join and pay online. Students can join FREE!!!

Please VOTE Keryl L. Douglas, HLA President-Elect 2015! Thank you!



CAMPAIGN NEWS: Carroll G. Robinson has Received the Endorsement of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, Local 341, in the 2015 Race for City of Houston Controller








CAMPAIGN NEWS: Carroll G. Robinson has Received the Endorsement of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, Local 341 in the 2015 Race for City of Houston Controller


HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

According to a recent press alert we received from the Carroll G. Robinson for City of Houston Controller campaign, he's received the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, Local 341 endorsement. "Modernizing city government and making it work more efficiently includes making sure our first responders have the necessary and best tools possible to protect our city," says Carroll G. Robinson.

OTHER CANDIDATES 

Other candidates expected to be in the Tuesday, November 3rd race for City of Houston Controller are: Bill Frazer, Jew Don Boney, and Chris Brown. The deadline for candidates to have their name placed on the ballot in the City of Houston is Monday, August 24, 2015. Early voting will start on Monday, October 19, 2015 and end on Friday, October 30, 2015. You are strongly encouraged to consider the candidates who value and respect us when you go to the polls.

SEND YOUR "POSITIVE" NEWS AND INFORMATION TO US TODAY!

If you have a “POSITIVE” editorial, announcement, or upcoming event you would like to submit for consideration inside Houston Business Connections magazine or newspaper, email it to us today! Email“POSITIVE” information for consideration to us at: positivenewsandinfo@gmail.com. We will only consider “POSITIVE” news and information for publishing in this section.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Attorney Ben Hall, A 2015 Candidate for City of Houston Mayor Has Been Named a Super Lawyer by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine








Attorney Ben Hall, A 2015 Candidate for Mayor of Houston Named a Super Lawyer by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

We would like to take this moment to congratulate Ben Hall on being selected a 2015 Super Lawyer. This distinguished honor is reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.

“I am honored to have been selected, by my peers, to be a Super Lawyer. Because this is an honor that is decided, exclusively by other attorneys -- I am humbled and thankful to receive this award again, even more so, that I have received this award for the past 12 years,” said Ben Hall.

Attorney Ben Hall will be included in the October 2015 edition of Texas Super Lawyers Magazine, which reaches more than 61,000 attorneys. He will also be included in the October 2015 edition of Texas Monthly, which reaches more than 2.7 million readers.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Other candidates expected to be in the Tuesday, November 3rd race for City of Houston Mayor are: Victoria Lane, Sylvester Turner, Adrian Garcia, Bill King, Marty McVey, Stephen Costello, and Chris Bell. The deadline for candidates to have their name placed on the ballot in the City of Houston is Monday, August 24, 2015. Early voting will start on Monday, October 19, 2015 and end on Friday, October 30, 2015. You are strongly encouraged to consider the candidates who value and respect us when you go to the polls.

SEND YOUR "POSITIVE" NEWS AND INFORMATION TO US TODAY!

If you have a “POSITIVE” editorial, announcement, or upcoming event you would like to submit for consideration inside Houston Business Connections magazine or newspaper, email it to us today! Email“POSITIVE” information for consideration to us at: positivenewsandinfo@gmail.com. We will only consider “POSITIVE” news and information for publishing in this section.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

CAMPAIGN NEWS: Oliver Pennington has Dropped Out of the 2015 Race for Mayor of Houston to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015







CAMPAIGN NEWS: Council Member Oliver Pennington Withdraws from the 2015 Race for Mayor of Houston, Texas

HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

Please keep Beverly Pennington, wife of City Council Member Oliver Pennington in your prayers. We recently received a press release from the Oliver Pennington for Mayor Campaign detailing why he’s dropping out of the race for mayor.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Other candidates expected to be in the Tuesday, November 3rd race for City of Houston Mayor are: Victoria Lane, Sylvester Turner, Adrian Garcia, Bill King, Marty McVey, Stephen Costello, and Chris Bell. The deadline for candidates to have their name placed on the ballot in the City of Houston is Monday, August 24, 2015. Early voting will start on Monday, October 19, 2015 and end on Friday, October 30, 2015. You are strongly encouraged to consider the candidates who value and respect us when you go to the polls.

PRESS RELEASE: Oliver Pennington Withdraws from Race For Mayor

Houston, TX – Houston City Council Member Oliver Pennington announced today that he has decided to end his campaign for Mayor of Houston due to a medical diagnosis received by his wife Beverly.

Pennington said, “For nearly 47 years, Beverly has been the love of my life and I will be by her side as we walk through this situation. I will continue to serve the residents of District G until my term ends January 1, 2016. "

He went on to say, “I want to thank all of the volunteers and contributors who have tirelessly supported my campaign and want to encourage them to continue standing up for this great city we all love."

The Pennington family thanks the media for respecting their privacy during the coming months and also thanks their friends and supporters for their thoughts and prayers during this time.

SEND YOUR "POSITIVE" NEWS AND INFO TO US TODAY!

If you have a “POSITIVE” editorial, announcement, or upcoming event you would like to submit for consideration inside Houston Business Connections magazine or newspaper, email it to us today! Email“POSITIVE” information for consideration to us at: positivenewsandinfo@gmail.com. We will only consider “POSITIVE” news and information for publishing in this section.

Judge John Schmude, Newly Elected Judge for the 247th Family District Court, Already Making A Positive Impression in Harris County, Texas







New Harris County Family Court Judge Already Making an Impression in Harris County


HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

The publisher of Houston Business Connections magazine and newspaper met Judge John Schmude for the first time back in 2014 shortly after he pulled off an underdog primary victory against two very qualified and well-funded opponents: one who was a board certified and accomplished family lawyer and the other who was the popular sitting Associate Judge of the 247th. Schmude entered the race with no money, no political consultant, almost no name recognition, no major donors, and very little support among the family law bar. On paper, he had no chance. However, his faith, hard work, an uncanny ability to connect with voters and sweeping support among evangelicals and right to life organizations propelled a longshot candidate to a truly incredible and improbable victory. In many respects, Schmude’s campaign broke all the rules and beat all the odds.

After nearly four months in office, it is apparent that the administration of this Court is already earning a reputation for innovation, efficiency and hard work. One innovative tool that Judge Schmude launched at the beginning of the year is the Court’s new “Express Docket.” The purpose of the Express Docket is to provide lawyers and litigants who require less than five minutes of the Court’s time an opportunity to have their case handled before the call of the main docket – saving litigants time and streamlining the Court’s daily docket. What a great idea!

In less than four months, Judge Schmude and his Associate, Judge Paula Vlahakos, have taken the bull by the horns and have disposed of well over 1,000 cases and are already making significant progress in addressing the enormous backlog of cases that were pending in the 247th at the beginning of 2015. Moreover, the 247th has already been recognized by the Harris County District Clerk’s Office as being the most efficient Court for electronic filing for three consecutive months in 2015. By any measure, this is a very impressive start for a new Judge who was criticized – by many within his own party – for lacking the experience necessary to preside over this important family court bench. It’s refreshing to see the immediate success of a previously unknown judicial candidate with an innovative approach, new ideas and a fresh perspective.

The 247th District Court is one of eleven family district courts in Harris County handling divorces, adoptions, CPS cases, paternity actions, custody cases, and child support.





 Harris County Family Court Judges 

245TH - Judge Roy L. Moore
246TH - Judge Charley Prine
247TH - Judge John Schmude
257TH - Judge Judy Warne
280TH - Judge Lynn Bradshaw-Hull
308TH - Judge James Lombardino
309TH - Judge Sheri Y. Dean
310TH - Judge Lisa Millard
311TH - Judge Alicia Franklin York
312TH - Judge David Farr
CPC - Judge Katrina M. Griffith


Have Something Positive to Share?

If you have a “POSITIVE” editorial, announcement, or upcoming event you would like to submit for consideration inside Houston Business Connections magazine or newspaper, email it to us today! Email “POSITIVE” information for consideration to us at: positivenewsandinfo@gmail.com. We will only consider “POSITIVE” news and information for publishing in this section.

Monday, April 13, 2015

CAMPAIGN NEWS: Hillary Clinton is Officially A 2016 Candidate for President, Carroll G. Robinson Has Stepped Down from the HCC Board of Trustees to Focus on His 2015 Bid for City of Houston Controller







Hillary Clinton Has Stepped Down from the Clinton Foundation to run for President of the United States in 2016

The Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation convenes businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for women and girls, reduce childhood obesity, create economic opportunity and growth, and help communities address the effects of climate change. The foundation was started in July of 2001.

Hillary's story

Hillary Clinton has served as Secretary of State, Senator from New York, First Lady of the United States, First Lady of Arkansas, a practicing lawyer and law professor, activist, and volunteer, but the first things her friends and family will tell you is that she’s never forgotten where she came from or who she’s been fighting for throughout her life.

Hillary grew up in a middle class home in Park Ridge, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Her dad, Hugh, was a World War II Navy veteran and a small business man with a drapery business that designed, printed, and sold his draperies. Hillary, her mom, and her two brothers helped out in the business whenever they could. Hugh was a rock-ribbed Republican, a pay-as-you-go kind of guy who worked hard and wasted nothing.

Hillary’s mother, Dorothy, had a tough childhood. She was abandoned by her parents as a young child and shipped off to live with relatives who didn’t want her. By age 14, Dorothy knew the only way she’d get by was to support herself, and she started working as a housekeeper and babysitter while she went through high school. Her mother’s experience sparked in Hillary a lifelong commitment to championing the needs of children.

Her own childhood was very different. Her parents built a stable middle class life. Hillary attended public schools and was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. She played in a girls' softball league. She was raised a Methodist and her mom taught Sunday school. Her youth minister took Hillary to see Martin Luther King, Jr. speak in Chicago and helped her develop a life-long passion for social justice.

Hillary graduated from Wellesley College and then went to Yale Law School, where she was one of just 27 women in her graduating class. Hillary met her husband Bill at law school.

After law school, Hillary chose not to go to a big New York or Washington law firm. Instead, she went to work for the Children’s Defense Fund, going door to door in New Bedford, Massachusetts, gathering stories about the lack of schooling for children with disabilities, which contributed to the passage of historic legislation to require their education.

It’s this commitment to public service and fighting for others—especially children and families—that she’s carried all her life.

After serving as a lawyer for the Congressional Committee investigating President Nixon, she moved to Arkansas where she taught law and ran legal clinics representing poor people. She co-founded Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, one of the state’s first child advocacy groups. And on October 11, 1975, she married Bill in a small ceremony in Fayetteville, Arkansas. As First Lady of Arkansas, she was a forceful champion for improving educational standards and health care access. And she and Bill started their own family when their daughter, Chelsea, was born in 1980.

Bill was first elected president in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. As First Lady, Hillary tenaciously led the fight to reform our health care system so that all our families have access to the care they need at affordable prices. When the insurance companies and other special interests defeated that effort, Hillary didn’t give up. She worked with Republicans and Democrats to help create the successful Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage to more than 8 million children and has helped cut the uninsured rate for children in half.

In 1995, despite being told by some officials not to go, Hillary led the U.S. delegation to Beijing to attend the UN Fourth World Conference on Women and gave a groundbreaking speech, declaring that “human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights once and for all”—inspiring women worldwide and helping to galvanize a global movement for women’s rights and opportunities.

In 2000, Hillary was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first woman senator from New York. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Hillary pushed the Bush administration to secure $20 billion to rebuild New York and fought to provide health care for first responders who were contaminated at Ground Zero. She repeatedly worked across the aisle to get things done, including working alongside Republicans to expand TRICARE so that members of the Reserves and National Guard and their families could get better access to health care.

When Congress wouldn't do enough for rural areas and small towns, Hillary didn’t back down. She launched an innovative partnership in New York with eBay and local colleges to provide small businesses with tech support, microloans and training programs to sell their goods online. She helped expand broadband to remote areas of the state. And she launched Farm-to-Fork, to help New York farmers and producers sell their products to New York’s restaurants, schools, colleges and universities.

Secretary of State In 2008, Hillary ran for president. When she came up short, she told her supporters, "Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it."

And when President Obama asked Hillary to serve as his secretary of state, she put aside their hard-fought campaign and answered the call to public service once again. After eight years of Bush foreign policy, Hillary was instrumental in starting to restore America’s standing in the world. Even former Republican Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said she “ran the State Department in the most effective way that I’ve ever seen.”

She built a coalition for tough new sanctions against Iran that brought them to the negotiating table and she brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that ended a war and protected Israel’s security. She was a forceful champion for human rights, internet freedom, and rights and opportunities for women and girls, LGBT people and young people all around the globe.

In 2014, Hillary took on a new role—grandmother to Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky—and she couldn’t be prouder or happier.



Carroll G. Robinson has resigned from the HCC Board of Trustees to run for City of Houston Controller in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election

Resignation Letter from Carroll G. Robinson

After a great deal of consideration, I have decided to step down from the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) to focus on my campaign for Houston City Controller.

I want to thank the voters of HCC District IV for electing me to represent and serve them and all the residents of the HCC service area and the students who attend the college.

During the past three years, I have achieved the major goals I promised to implement when I campaigned for HCC Trustee.

HCC now has a 6th Grade Pre-Admission Program to help encourage our young people to stay in school and graduate from high school on time, college and workforce ready. The Board of Trustees has approved increased funding for student scholarships and in 2013, I worked with the legislature to establish Texas Academic College Scholarship Day to recognize and celebrate our children’s academic achievement like we celebrate high school athletic achievement.

All these things have helped bring a greater focus to improving the graduation rate and job placement rates for HCC students. The policies I implemented at HCC are a part of my broader commitment to ensuring that all Houstonians – our families, children, entrepreneurs and businesses – have An Opportunity To Do Better.

Education is a cornerstone to a better life and a better city, but so too are Safety, Opportunity and Prosperity. All four of these cornerstones need to be modernized and expanded to everyone in our city and I want to be a part of that effort which cannot be done from the Board of Trustees of HCC.

As City Controller, I will have a greater ability to help Empower Houston’s Future. The solutions I have succeeded in getting the HCC Board of Trustees to approve as well as those I have proposed in my campaign for City Controller can help us Make Houston Greater.

As always, thank you for your support and I am asking for your vote to serve as City Controller.

Sincerely,


Carroll G. Robinson

CAMPAIGN NEWS: 2015 City of Houston Candidates Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, Oliver Pennington, Amanda Edwards, and Carroll Robinson were Recently Spotted Worshiping Together at Wesley AME Church located in Houston, Texas








CAMPAIGN NEWS: 2015 Candidates Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, Oliver Pennington, Amanda Edwards, and Carroll Robinson were Recently Spotted Worshiping Together at Wesley AME Church located in Houston, Texas


In case you haven’t heard, political season is here; and the candidates have started to make their rounds. So if you plan on running for office in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election you’d better get going. Candidates who plan to have their name on the ballot must declare their intention with the City Secretary before Monday, August 24, 2015.

Sylvester Turner, Ben Hall, and Oliver Pennington are candidates running for Mayor of  the City of Houston. Amanda K. Edwards is a candidate running for Houston City Council At-Large Position 4. And Carroll G. Robinson is a candidate running for City of Houston Controller in the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election.

Wesley AME Church – Our Mission

The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens’ homes; caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement.

Wesley AME Church – Our Motto

The Motto of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is God Our Father, "Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother." It is a great summary of what the African Methodist Episcopal Church believes. By the Grace of God our Father, we have received Christ our Redeemer and can now share this love with every man, woman and child because we are now family.

The A.M.E. Church is Methodist in terms of its basic doctrine and order of worship. It was born, through adversity, of the Methodist church and to this day does not differ in any major way from what all Methodists believe. The split from the main branch of the Methodist Church was not a result of doctrinal differences but rather the result of a time period that was marked by intolerance, based on the color of a person's skin. It was a time of slavery, oppression and the dehumanization of people of African descent and many of these un-Christian practices were brought into the church, forcing Richard Allen and a group of fellow worshippers of color to form a splinter denomination of the Methodist Church. To find the basic foundations of the beliefs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, you need look no further than The Apostles’ Creed and The Twenty Five Articles of Religion.

LOCATION

The Wesley A.M.E Church is located at: 2209 Dowling St. in Houston Texas 77003. Their phone number is 713.659.6682. The Pastor of Wesley Chapel AME Church is Leo Griffin. He and First Lady Evangelist Mary Griffin would like to welcome everyone seeking faith, hope and joy, and for whom Christ is the Lord of their Life to come out to one of their worship services.