Category: National News
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 16, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is actually the official Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
About Martin Luther King Jr.
King was the chief spokesman for activism in the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968), which successfully protested racial discrimination in Federal and State law. The campaign for a Federal Holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the Holiday into Law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some States resisted observing the Holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
“I Have a Dream”
..is a public speech that Mr. King Jr. delivered during the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. the speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Beginning with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863, King observes that: “one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free.” Toward the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text for a partly improvised peroration on the theme “I have a dream,” prompted by Mahalia Jackson’s cry: “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” In this part of the speech, which most excited the listeners and has now become its most famous part, King described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred. The March on Washington put pressure on the Kennedy administration to advance the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Congress.
His Legacy
In the wake of the speech and march, King was named Man of the Year by TIME magazine for 1963, and in 1964. He was also the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The full speech did not appear in writing until August 1983, some 15 years after King’s death, when a transcript was published in The Washington Post.
His legacy is remembered with positive and inspiring notions of love, peace, and freedom for the progress of humanity.
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Colorado’s Director of Marijuana Coordination Andrew Freedman: Official Announcement
Andrew Freedman to leave position as State Director of Marijuana Coordination
Gov. John Hickenlooper announced that Andrew Freedman, Director of Marijuana Coordination, will be transitioning out of the administration. Freedman will be launching a consulting firm, Freedman & Koski, LLC which specializes in advising State and Local governments on how to best implement marijuana legalization.
Andrew Freedman has done a remarkable job shepherding Colorado through one of the great social experiments of this decade. I think he has an invaluable expertise to support and assist other states as they work through issues of good government, public health, and public safety. I believe he can serve as a connection between these states so we can all share lessons learned and communicate effectively with the federal government. – Hickenlooper
Freedman was first hired in January 2011 by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Garcia to be chief of staff. He left that position in July of 2013 to become the campaign director for Yes on 66: Colorado Commits to Kids. In January of 2014 he was hired by Hickenlooper to be the State’s Director of Marijuana Coordination. He was charged with coordinating the State’s efforts to implement the effective regulation of Colorado’s recreational and medical marijuana while promoting public health, maintaining public safety, and keeping marijuana out of the hands of children.
During his time as Director, Freedman worked with various departments to tackle some of the state’s most complex issues regarding marijuana legalization. He coordinated with the Department of Revenue, Department of Public Health and Environment, Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General’s Office to create the world’s first regulatory structure for recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, and hemp. Freedman rallied state resources and the community to pursue sensible policy options for banking, edibles, taxation, advertising, pesticides, data collection, and the gray and black markets. Freedman also served as the governor’s point person on marijuana issues for the federal government, the media, and other states and countries.
It has been an honor to work for the administration, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor these last six years. Though I have often worked on some of the more divisive policies in Colorado politics, I have been amazed by the ability of Coloradans and this administration to come together to make sure we implement these policies in a way that benefits all of us. The Governor and Colorado have taught me that good government matters, and I will forever be grateful for that lesson. – Freedman
The Governor’s November 1st budget requested that the Office of Marijuana Coordination be sunset by the end of the fiscal year. The office was intended to aid in the roll-out of a legalized system, and thereafter to allow departments to handle the long-term work. Going forward, the responsibilities of the Director of Marijuana Coordination will be handled by the Governor’s Senior Deputy Legal Counsel, Mark Bolton. Bolton will be the point person for the Governor for ongoing issues concerning marijuana legalization, and will maintain his responsibilities in the Office of Legal Counsel. Freedman will remain on staff part time to aid in this transition.
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US Congressman Ken Buck joins House Rules Committee
Today, Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan (WI-1), and Pete Sessions (TX-32), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, announced that US Congressman Ken Buck (CO-4) will be joining the House Rules Committee for the 115th Congress. Ken Buck is the U.S. Representative for Colorado’s 4th congressional district. Congressman Buck will also continue to serve on the House Judiciary Committee for the 115th Congress. He has previously served as District Attorney for Weld County, Colorado.
I’m honored for the opportunity from Speaker Paul Ryan and Chairman Pete Sessions to join the House Rules Committee. The House has an important role to play in returning our nation to the right path, and I’m eager to get to work. – Ken Buck
The Rules Committee:
The Rule Committee determines when and how bills are considered on the House floor through special orders known as “special rules.” It also considers original jurisdiction measures, which often affect the standing rules of the House.
The One Hundred Fifteenth United States Congress:
The 115th Congress makes up the current Legislative Branch of the United States Federal Government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Sworn in on Jan. 03, 2017, it is scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C. now until January 3, 2019, which takes place during the final weeks of the Obama presidency and the first two years of the Trump presidency. The elections of November 2016 maintained Republican control of both the House and Senate.
UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 15: The freshman class of the 115th Congress poses for their group photo on the House steps of the U.S. Capitol during orientation week in Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) Like & Follow The I-70 Scout for continued political coverage! @I70Scout
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CORY GARDNER, Senator for Colorado, makes Official Announcements…
Colorado’s United States Senator Announces Committee Assignments
Washington, DC reports U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) will be joining the Budget Committee and continue serving on the Foreign Relations Committee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Gardner’s Official Statement:
I look forward to serving on the Budget Committee, working to get our fiscal house in order, and to address years of the Obama Administration’s reckless spending. In addition to joining the Budget Committee, I’m grateful to continue serving on the Foreign Relations Committee, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. My committee assignments provide Coloradans a voice in shaping federal policy on important issues and significant challenges facing our country, and I’m eager to get to work. – Cory Gardner
For additional questions, please contact the Gardner Press Office, 354 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, (202) 224-5941.
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‘Star Wars’ Actress Carrie Fisher Dies at 60
After suffering a heart attack, ‘Star Wars’ Actress Carrie Fisher Dies at 60.
Best known for her role as Princess Leia in George Lucas’ epic intergalactic movie series, Star Wars, Carrie Fisher was an American actress, screenwriter, author, producer, and speaker.
Fisher was born in Beverly Hills, California, October 21, 1956, as the daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress Debbie Reynolds. When Fisher was two years old, her father left Fisher’s mother for actress Elizabeth Taylor. The following year her mother remarried as well. Fisher “hid in books” as a child, becoming known in her family as “the bookworm.” She spent her earliest years reading classic literature, and writing poetry while attended Beverly Hills High School. At the age of 15 she appeared as a debutante and singer in the hit Broadway revival Irene (1973), which also starred her mother. In 1973, Fisher enrolled at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, and later, in 1978, Fisher was accepted into Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied the arts. However, she left before graduating due to conflicts filming Star Wars. Her other film roles included Shampoo (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The ‘Burbs (1989), and When Harry Met Sally… (1989).
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Carrie Fisher
October 21, 1956 – December 27, 2016
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COLORADO ROCKIES ANNOUNCE 2017 MAJOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFF
Rockies add four coaches from within the organization to the Major League staff
DENVER – The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has finalized their 2017 coaching staff under Manager Bud Black.
Below is the breakdown by role:
Manager: Bud Black* Bench Coach: Mike Redmond* Pitching Coach: Steve Foster
Hitting Coach: Duane Espy* Assistant Hitting Coach: Jeff Salazar* Bullpen Coach: Darren Holmes
Third Base Coach: Stu Cole First Base Coach: Tony Diaz* Coach: Ron Gideon*
* indicates new to the staff in 2017
Among Diaz, Espy, Gideon and Salazar, there are a combined 81 years of professional coaching experience, including 53 years of coaching in the Rockies organization.
Diaz, 39, will join his first Major League coaching staff in 2017 after 17 seasons as a Minor League coach or supervisor. Diaz served as the supervisor of development with Rookie Level Grand Junction from 2013 through 2016 after spending the previous six seasons as the manager of the Rookie Level club (Casper: 2007-11; Grand Junction: 2012). His body of work in the Rookie Level Pioneer League earned him induction into the league’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Prior to his role as manager, Diaz served as the hitting coach for Casper from 2001 through 2006 and was named Colorado’s Player Development “Man of the Year” in 2002. Diaz also assists in the Rockies Dominican Instructional League and wrote the manual Practical English for Latin Players to help Latin baseball players diminish their language barrier.
Espy, 64, will serve as the Rockies hitting coach for the second time in his career after originally filling the role for four seasons under Manager Clint Hurdle from 2003 through 2006. The Aberdeen, Wash., native transitions back to the Major League coaching staff after most recently serving as the Rockies’ Minor League Hitting Coordinator the past two seasons (2015-16). Espy has also worked in the Rockies organization as the supervisor of development for Short-Season Tri-City (2014) and Double-A Tulsa (2013), manager of Double-A Tulsa (2001-12), hitting coach for High-A Modesto (2008-2010) and hitting coach for Rookie Level Casper (2007).
Prior to joining the Rockies in 2003, Espy served as the hitting coach for the San Diego Padres for two and a half seasons (2000-2003) under Manager Bruce Bochy, his first career stint on a Major League staff after serving as a Minor League manager, coach and instructor for 21 years with the Padres, Giants and Brewers.
Gideon, 52, will enter his 21st season in the Rockies organization, his 26th as a professional coach and his first as a member of a Major League coaching staff. The Tyler, Texas, native has spent the past four seasons as a supervisor of development after serving the previous five seasons as a roving field coordinator (2008-12) and as the manager of Double-A Tulsa (2009-10). In 2014, as the Double-A supervisor of development, Gideon was named the winner of the P.J. Carey Player Development Award, given to the top player development coach in the Rockies system. During his tenure with the Rockies, Gideon has also managed Double-A Carolina (2000-01), High-A Salem (1999), Low-A Asheville (1997-98) and Short-Season Portland (1996). Prior to joining the Rockies, Gideon spent 10 years in the New York Mets organization, five as a player, including coaching stints with Double-A Binghamton and High-A St. Lucie.
Salazar, 36, will join his first Major League coaching staff after serving as the hitting coach with Double-A Hartford for the past two seasons, his first coaching stint with a Major League organization. Originally drafted by the Rockies in the eighth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma State University, Salazar was named the Rockies Organizational Player of the Year in 2003 and made his Major League debut for the Rockies on Sept. 7, 2006. In his Major League career, Salazar played a total of 168 games in parts of four Major League seasons with Colorado (2006), Arizona (2007-08) and Pittsburgh (2009). The outfielder’s last Minor League season came in 2012 with Triple-A Durham in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
Cole, 50, will return as the Rockies third base coach, his fifth season in that position and his 22nd season overall in the Rockies organization. Prior to joining the Major League staff, Cole was the manager at Triple-A Colorado Springs (2009-12), Double-A Tulsa (2006-09), High-A Salem/Visalia/Modesto (2002-05) and Short-Season Tri-City (2001).
Foster, 50, will return as the Rockies pitching coach. In 2016, the Rockies pitching staff recorded 1,223 strikeouts, the second-most in franchise history, to go along with a 2.19 strikeout-to-walk ratio, the best mark in franchise history. The 2017 season will be his third with Colorado and his ninth on a Major League coaching staff after serving as the bullpen coach for the Kansas City Royals (2010-12) and the Miami Marlins (2007-09).
Holmes, 50, will return for this third season as the Rockies bullpen coach. Prior to joining the Rockies, he spent the 2014 season as the Atlanta Braves’ biomechanics pitching consultant. Holmes was drafted by the Rockies from the Brewers in the fifth round of the 1992 expansion draft and was a member of the Rockies inaugural Opening Day roster in 1993. His 46 saves rank sixth in franchise history.
Redmond, 45, was named as the Rockies bench coach Nov. 16 after previously serving as the manager for the Miami Marlins from 2013 to 2015. The Spokane, Wash., native began his managerial career in 2011 as the manager of Low-A Lansing (Toronto Blue Jays affiliate) in his first season following his retirement as a player. Redmond played parts of 13 Major League seasons with the Marlins (1998-2004), Twins (2005-09) and Indians (2010) and won a World Series with the Marlins in 2003.
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Gov. Hickenlooper orders flags lowered in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper has ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and as proclaimed by President Barack Obama.
The full text of the today’s presidential proclamation follows:
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATIONSeventy-five years ago, Japanese fighter planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, destroying much of our Pacific Fleet and killing more than 2,400 Americans. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on the Congress to declare war and “make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.” In that spirit, Americans came together to pay tribute to the victims, support the survivors, and shed the comforts of civilian life to serve in our military and fight for our Union. Each year on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor those whose lives were forever changed that December morning and resolve to uphold the legacy of all who stepped forward in our time of need.
From the docks of Pearl Harbor to the beaches of Normandy and far around the world, brave patriots served their country and defended the values that have sustained our Nation since its founding. They went to war for liberty and sacrificed more than most of us will ever know; they chased victory and defeated fascism, turning adversaries into allies and writing a new chapter in our history. Through their service and unparalleled devotion, they inspired a generation with their refusal to give in despite overwhelming odds. And as we reflect on the profound debt of gratitude we owe them for the freedoms we cherish, we are reminded of the everlasting responsibilities we have to one another and to our country.
In memory of all who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 — and those who responded by leaving their homes for the battlefields — we must ensure the sacrifices they made in the name of liberty and democracy were not made in vain. On this solemn anniversary, there can be no higher tribute to these American patriots than forging a united commitment to honor our troops and veterans, give them the support and care they deserve, and carry on their work of keeping our country strong and free.
The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2016, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.
BARACK OBAMA
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USDA plans forum on rural heroin use
BRIGHTON — As part of the Obama Administration’s effort to address the country’s opioid epidemic, an interagency effort focused on heroin and prescription drug abuse in rural areas.
As a result, U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives, key stakeholders, and community leaders on the front lines of the opioid crisis in rural Colorado will participate in a roundtable starting at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Adams County Government Conference Center, 4430 S. Adams Parkway, Brighton.
Discussion will include the impacts of opioids on their communities; programs, practices and projects to assist individuals and families; and the challenges that remain.
The USDA has been convening a series of regional roundtables to raise awareness about the opioid issue and the special challenges facing rural communities and their needs to provide effective prevention, treatment and outreach.
Roundtable participants will be available for interviews from 12:15 p.m. until 12:45 p.m., and immediately following the event.
