North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
May 21, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) Welcome North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Summer Intern 2) Save the Date – Next Town Hall Meeting, July 21, Bismarck 3) Press Release: North Dakota Department of Human Services Announces Workers With Disabilities Program 4) Press Release: North Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Planning Meeting, May 25, Fargo
Newspaper Articles 5) Associated Press, Top court rules in favor of disabled man 6) Grand Forks Herald, Viewpoint: Stop segregating people with disabilities in Grafton 7) The Forum (Fargo), F-M area short of women in leadership positions 8) Grand Forks Herald, Associated Press, Md. Gov. Defends Multiculturalism Remarks 9) The Forum (Fargo), More Liberians arrive: Biggest new group fled Africa for lives 10) The Forum (Fargo), Bosnian family dream fulfilled 11) Bismarck Tribune, Tribe says donated houses have lead, asbestos 12) Bismarck Tribune, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Abuses of the present recall atrocities of the past 13) Bismarck Tribune, A bridge over troubled…congregations 14) The Forum (Fargo), Forum editorial: New U.S. citizens get bouquets 15) Grand Forks Herald, Mailbag: Stop segregating elderly, people with disabilities in nursing homes
Events 16) 3rd Annual PEPP Fest—Voices of Freedom, June 12, Moorhead 17) Moorhead Area Housing Forum, May 27, Moorhead 18) Candidates Forum Increases Voter Participation, June 1, Fargo 19) ND Peace Coalition Rally for Empowerment, May 25, Bismarck
Reminders 20) Message from the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition 21) North Dakota Help America Vote Act 22) Reward for Information Concerning Russel Turcotte 23) Press Release: Fischer names UTTC Student of the Year 24) We need your help! North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Development Committee Seeks Volunteers 25) 2005 Reebok Human Rights 26) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck 27) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights
********************************************* Announcements *********************************************
1.) Welcome North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Summer Intern
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is pleased to welcome Michael W. Brown, Jr., our summer intern. He’s working in an office we're renting from the Mental Association in North Dakota in Fargo; his contact information is:
Michael Brown North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, ND 58107-1961 (701) 232-2554
Michael will be working with us full-time until about the end of July. He'll be doing interviews of people who have experienced discrimination with the goal of gathering more information on the need for a North Dakota Commission on Human Rights, for adding sexual orientation/gender identity to the ND Human Rights Act, and/or for the need for hate crimes legislation in North Dakota.
If you have experienced discrimination in North Dakota please contact Michael. If you know of someone who has experienced discrimination, please encourage him/her to contact Michael.
Please join us in welcoming Michael to the NDHRC!
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2.) Save the Date – Next Town Hall Meeting, July 21, Bismarck
From the Bismarck Mayor’s Committee on Human Relations:
The next Mayor's Town Hall Meeting (being sponsored by the Mayor's Human Relations Committee and the North Dakota Fair Housing Council) will held the evening of July 21st at the Best Western Doublewood Inn. Start time to be determined. Based upon the evaluations received previously, the meeting will again focus on race/national origin discrimination in the Bismarck community but will be a follow-up to the previous meeting. Initial plans include a limited number of panels and more audience interaction through discussion and small group break-outs to draft an Action Plan for eliminating discrimination in Bismarck and advancing diversity.
We will need strong community presence (again) and want attendees to be an active piece of the process. It is our community and we need to work together to effect change.
An agenda and registration flyer will be distributed in June...we will also be looking again for endorsers for the event as well.
We are also tentatively considering a Town Hall on disability issues this fall/winter (depending on funding) based upon evaluations received.
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3.) Press Release: North Dakota Department of Human Services Announces Workers With Disabilities Program
Workers With Disabilities Coverage Program Begins
Bismarck, N.D. – For years, people with disabilities have faced the choice of losing important Medicaid health coverage if they obtained employment or increased their work hours or rates of pay at existing jobs. A new Medicaid buy-in program will eliminate that decision for some North Dakotans beginning June 1, 2004.
Approved by the North Dakota Legislature during the 2003 session, the program enables people with disabilities who are between the ages of 18 and 65 to enroll in Medicaid if their net household incomes are at or below 225 percent of poverty. Monthly household incomes can be up to $1,745 for a single person or $2,341 for a household of two in order to qualify.
Economic Assistance Policy Division Director Blaine Nordwall said, “The Department of Human Services is implementing the program as directed by the legislature. We are estimating that the program may cover between 200 and 600 people.”
Qualifying individuals will pay a one-time $100 enrollment fee and then will be responsible for a monthly premium equal to 5 percent of the disabled individual’s monthly income.
The legislation was championed by Minot State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities, which has a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help states address employment barriers for people with disabilities. Legislative sponsors include Senator Judy Lee of Fargo and Representative Clara Sue Price of Minot.
Individuals apply for the coverage through their county social service office using the standard Medicaid application. Individuals already covered by Medicaid who have high cost-sharing requirements, also known as recipient liabilities, may be able to switch to the new coverage group.
The Workers With Disabilities Coverage Program will expire in June 2005 unless reauthorized during the 2005 legislative session.
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4.) Press Release: North Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Planning Meeting, May 25, Fargo
The North Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will conduct a planning meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel, 201 Fifth Street, North, Fargo, ND 58102. The purpose of the planning meeting with briefing will be to discuss the proposal for a regional project on discrimination against Native Americans in reservation border towns. The Committee will also be briefed on civil rights issues in the state. The general public is invited to attend.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan, fact-finding agency of the Federal government. Its members are appointed by the President and the Congress.
The Commission has appointed Advisory Committees in the 50 States and District of Columbia to assist it in its efforts. The chairperson of the North Dakota Advisory Committee is Carole Barrett of Bismarck. Other members of the Committee are: John M. Olson of Bismarck; David A. Meier of Dickinson; Audrey J. Henderson-Nocho of Emerado; Crystal Dueker, Dr. Won W. Koo, Refugio "Pete" Padilla, Kristen S. Rohde, Mark G. Schneider, and Jeannette L. Stanton of Fargo; Erich S. Longie of Fort Totten; Holly A. Marion of Grand Forks; Harold Iron Shield of Mandan; and Marc S. Bluestone of New Town. The work of the North Dakota Advisory Committee is supervised by John F. Dulles, Regional Director of the Rocky Mountain Regional Office.
For further information, please contact Carole A. Barrett, Chair (701) 255-7500 or Malee V. Craft, Civil Rights Analyst (303) 866-1040.
********************************************* Newspaper Articles ********************************************* 5.) Associated Press, Top court rules in favor of disabled man Top Court Rules in Favor of Disabled Man By Anne Gearan Associated Press – 5/17/2004 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court upheld the rights of disabled people under a national law meant to protect them, ruling Monday that a paraplegic who crawled up the steps of a small-town courthouse can sue over the lack of an elevator. The 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act properly gives private citizens such as George Lane the right to seek money in court if a state fails to live up to the law's requirements, a 5-to-4 majority ruled. In previous cases, the high court has repeatedly limited the effect of the ADA, so Monday's outcome was unexpected. At issue in Lane's case was the right of private citizens to try to pursue alleged violations of the ADA in federal courts. Advocates for the disabled claimed that the fear of hefty damage awards was a powerful tool to force state governments to follow the requirements of the ADA. "The unequal treatment of disabled persons in the administration of judicial services has a long history" that has persisted despite anti-discrimination laws, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for himself and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. The case began when Lane tried to sue the state of Tennessee for up to $100,000 for what he claimed was humiliating treatment that violated the ADA. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 6.) Grand Forks Herald, Viewpoint: Stop segregating people with disabilities in Grafton VIEWPOINT: Stop segregating people with disabilities in Grafton
GRAND FORKS - The Arc is an advocacy organization on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. We read with interest the recent articles regarding the historical changes at the State Developmental Center in Grafton, N.D.. The institution was established 100 years ago. There can be little doubt that massive changes have been made at the center, many of which were required by the landmark class action lawsuit initiated in 1980 by The Arc. The progress that has been made at the center is dramatic and remarkable, and credit should be given to the staff at the institution and others responsible for those changes. The articles, however, neglect to address the most important issue facing the people who are forced to reside at the center today. That issue is whether an institution that is fully segregated ever can meet the rights and needs of the people who reside there. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 7.) The Forum (Fargo), F-M area short of women in leadership positions F-M area short of women in
leadership positions Minnesota and North Dakota have among the highest percentage of working women in the nation, but face inequalities in leadership and wages, according to research presented Friday by an area women's advocacy group. Minnesota sees 70 percent of its women in the work force while North Dakota sees 67 percent, said Liz Anne Conmy, manager of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation's Women's Fund, speaking at a meeting of the League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley. Still, Conmy said, women do not hold as many leadership positions or earn as much money as men. Susan Rae Helgeland, who attended the meeting, said, "The research puts it in your face. We must do better than this. We must step up to the plate. We must be counted." The Women's Fund, designed to create opportunities for women and girls through community projects, formed a research committee in 2000 to gather information about females, raise awareness about women's issues and foster change. "Education is the first part of change," said Stacey Tronson, the foundation's donor services director. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 8). Grand Forks Herald, Associated Press, Md. Gov. Defends Multiculturalism Remarks
This out-of-state article is a good example of attitudes that impede diversity. Md. Gov. Defends Multiculturalism Remarks Grand Forks Herald – 5/13/2004 ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Gov. Robert Ehrlich is standing by his dismissal of multiculturalism as "bunk," a statement that angered immigration advocates and prompted a county council to demand an apology. On a conservative radio talk show last week, the Republican governor said he "rejects the idea of multiculturalism" and that young immigrants should learn English and assimilate into American culture. That prompted a Montgomery County Council resolution asking Ehrlich to apologize, saying the comments may contribute to "a climate of intolerance." Ehrlich has since tried to clarify his position. "We celebrate our ethnicities," Ehrlich said after a bill signing ceremony Tuesday, but Americans share a "singular culture." "The last message we want to send out is to separate ourselves in different cultures," the governor said. "This is a melting pot." <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 9.) The Forum (Fargo), More Liberians arrive: Biggest new group fled Africa for livesMore Liberians arrive: Biggest
new group fled Africa for lives In one spring week, God showered Roosevelt and Gladys Gaylah with blessings beyond their imagination. Their daughter, Joyce, was born March 3. Less than one week later, Roosevelt's brother, Alfred, and his family joined them in Fargo. After years of fleeing for their lives during Liberia's civil rebellion and living in refugee camps in Africa's Ivory Coast, the family's feelings are summed up by Alfred: "All the family is now happy." When former Liberian President Charles Taylor stepped down from power in August last year, Fargo was home to few Liberians. Those who lived here moved from another part of the United States in search of employment or education. But in the past year, Liberians have been the largest refugee group to resettle in North Dakota. Twenty-five arrived in September 2003, accounting for one-fifth of the refugees resettled. Another 40 Liberians have been resettled in either Fargo or West Fargo since then – accounting for more than half the refugees resettled this year through Fargo's Center for New Americans. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 10.) The Forum (Fargo), Bosnian family dream fulfilled Bosnian family dream fulfilled A lot of Americans dream of big cars, big houses and big paychecks. For Zuhra and Predrag Vukomanovic, the big dream was simply to become Americans. On Friday, that dream came true for the former Bosnians. "For me, it's a very big day. I'm feeling happy, good. That was my dream coming true," said Predrag, sporting a new T-shirt emblazoned with an American flag. "I am so happy today! I'm an American citizen today!" chimed in Zuhra, with a smile lighting up her face. "God bless America. God bless my friends in Elim Nursing Home. … I am so happy." The Vukomanovics and 23 others took their oaths of citizenship in Fargo's federal district court. The homelands of the new citizens included Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran, India, Croatia, Bosnia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sudan and Somalia, reflecting a rich cultural mix of people who have come to the area, often as refugees. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 11.) Bismarck Tribune, Tribe says donated houses have lead, asbestos
Tribe says donated houses have lead, asbestos By Curt Woodward, Associated Press Writer Bismarck Tribune – 5/8/2004 Tribal officials
trying to cure a housing crunch worry about health risks and the cost of
cleaning up donated Air Force houses laced with asbestos and lead. <snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 12.) Bismarck Tribune, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Abuses of the present recall atrocities of the past DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Abuses of the present
recall atrocities of the past As pictures of the Iraqi prisoners unfolded across the nation like some salacious sex or sadomasochism magazine, the public is appalled and dumbfounded. Not in America or by Americans, people say. But that's not true. We, in this country, have a history of killing for selfish and misguided reasons. A few days ago in heated conversation about the Iraqi prisoner abuses, I couldn't help but drift to an image of the massacre at Sand Creek on Nov. 29, 1864. Five hundred to 600 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed by U.S. soldiers. Many of the victims were children or women. The soldiers scalped some of the victims. The men knocked the brains out of babies, and many women were cut into pieces and their bodies mutilated. Correspondence from the massacre report that women's private parts were taken from dead bodies and carried into Denver for a gory "show and tell." The trophies were greeted with cheers and praise by the community. Col. John M. Chivington, commander of the unit that attacked the Cheyenne and Arapaho, said this was an act of duty to themselves and to civilization. Chivington and his troops felt justified in killing innocent woman and children because the community thought of Native people as savages - people who stood in the way of their way of life. So renegade warriors in that region retaliated by attacking settlers, killing and scalping them. From reports, we now know the Native people at Sand Creek were innocent. They were living where the military told them they should live. John Smith, a U.S. Indian interpreter and special Indian agent, also lived with them. His testimony before Congress gave a vivid account of the massacre. <snip> View full article here ********************************************* 13.) Bismarck Tribune, A bridge over troubled…congregations
A bridge over troubled ... congregations By Virginia Grantier, Bismarck Tribune
Bismarck Tribune –
5/9/2004
<snip>
View full article here ********************************************* 14.) The Forum (Fargo), Forum editorial: New U.S. citizens get bouquets Forum editorial: New U.S.
citizens get bouquets (snip) PRAIRIE ROSES: To Zuhra and Predrag Vukomanovic and 51 others who are among the newest American after recently taking their oaths of citizenship in federal district court in Fargo. The Vukomanovics are Bosnian, but the new Americans came from countries as diverse as Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Iran, India, Croatia, Singapore, Switzerland, Sudan and Somalia. Another naturalization ceremony later in the day added 28 more new Americans from another dozen countries. Sons Miroslav (17) and Mirodrag (15) Vukomanovic taped the event and automatically became U.S. citizens with their parents. Their parents came to the United States in 1998 and have worked hard, buying a home in West Fargo three years ago. Predrag says becoming a citizen of this great country is his dream come true. "God bless America," he said after taking the oath. America is very fortunate indeed to have the Vukomanovics – as well as all the others – as new citizens. We wish them a successful future. Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board View online article here ********************************************* 15.) Grand Forks Herald, Mailbag: Stop segregating elderly, people with disabilities in nursing homes
MAILBAG: Stop segregating elderly, people with disabilities in nursing homes Grand Forks Herald – 5/19/2004 EAST GRAND FORKS - Kudos to Jim Berglie and Dianne Sheppard, representing The Arc, for their May 14 Viewpoint column. As they mentioned, The Arc is an advocacy organization on behalf of those with developmental disabilities. But people with other disabilities as well as the frail elderly also are institutionalized in nursing homes throughout North Dakota, because adequate home and community-based services are not appropriately funded in the state. According to the latest statistics provided by the federal Center for Medicaid Services, among the approximately 6,000 North Dakotans in nursing homes, there are more than 900 who want to return to their homes. Some of them are younger than 65. Likewise, North Dakota ranks sixth in the United States in per capita spending for nursing homes, ranking right up there with New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts (none of which have much in common with North Dakota), and near the bottom in spending for home and community-based services. <snip>
View full article here
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events is available on the NDHRC web site at http://ndhrc.org/Events/Calendar/April.htm. ********************************************* 16.) Candidates Forum Increases Voter Participation, June 1, Fargo
Fargo, ND - Uniting for Equality and
Fargo Progressives invites you to do your part for democracy and join us in our
Fargo City Commission Candidates Forum. ********************************************* 17.) Moorhead Area Housing Forum, May 27, Moorhead
The Moorhead Area Housing Forum is 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 27 in the Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead. Local elected officials, business leaders, service providers, and community members are invited to attend this important discussion on the current status of housing in the Moorhead and Clay County area. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about local impacts from funding cuts, affordable and workforce housing issues, and plans for replacement and supportive housing in the city of Moorhead. State Senator Keith Langseth and Representatives Morrie Lanning and Paul Marquart will comment on housing legislation initiated during the 2004 session, provided that the current stalemate at the Capitol is resolved and other legislative obligations do not preclude their attending. Other confirmed speakers include Gary Groberg of Churches United, Barbara Sipson, board member of the Clay County HRA, Joe Pederson of Lakes and Prairies CAP Agency, and Mike Pehler, board chair of the Moorhead Public Housing Authority. Housing Minnesota staff will provide an update on housing legislation under consideration during the 2004 session. This moderated event will also include a question and answer period following the individual presentations. Please visit www.housingminnesota.org for information on HousingMinnesota’s 2004 Legislative Priorities and to view the affordable housing profile for your county. To ensure that there will be sufficient space for all attendees, please pre-register for this forum by clicking on the “Events” link at the top of the web page, then selecting the Moorhead/Clay County area forum. For more details, please contact Tom Goldstein, organizer for HousingMinnesota, at 1-800-728-8916 x106, or tgoldstein@mhponline.org. ********************************************* 18.) 3rd Annual PEPP Fest—Voices of Freedom, June 12, Moorhead
Attending the event! Selling
tickets! Asking people to attend! Sponsoring a child! Volunteering at the
event! Post Fliers! ********************************************* 19.) ND Peace Coalition Rally for Empowerment, May 25, Bismarck
The ND Peace Coalition will host a Rally for Empowerment meeting on May 25 at 7 pm at Sertoma Park, Bismarck.
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20.) Message from the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
We were recently notified of a form letter from Focus on the Family that we posted in our April 28, 2004 PAUR report (Published 4/18/2004 in the Bismarck Tribune by Rachel Haidle of Bismarck).
The Focus on the Family is an anti-GLBT rights organization. More information about the Focus on the Family can be found on their web site at www.family.org.
The NDHRC is committed to addressing the human rights of all people in our state, including the GLBT residents of the state. The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. We in no way approve of all the information printed in the articles/letters. ********************************************* 21.) North Dakota Help America Vote Act The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), Public Law 107-252, 42 U.S.C. 15301-15545, was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 29, 2002. The purpose of HAVA is to significantly improve the administration of elections throughout the United States. To accomplish this, Congress allocated nearly $3.5 billion dollars to fund the requirements of HAVA. To date, Congress has appropriated $1.5 billion. Because every state has different needs, HAVA requires each state to create and implement its own plan for compliance and submit it to the newly created federal agency, the Election Administration Commission, by September 30, 2003. The primary deadline for states to comply with HAVA is January 1, 2006. What does HAVA mean for North Dakota? HAVA is designed to ensure equal and "fail-safe" voting opportunities for all eligible voting citizens. Major priorities of HAVA include:
More about ND HAVA is available on their web site at http://www.state.nd.us/hava/news/. ********************************************* 22.) Reward for Information Concerning Russel Turcotte The North Dakota Attorney General’s office has posted a link for a reward for information concerning Russel Turcotte on their web site at http://www.ag.state.nd.us/index.htm. ********************************************* 23.) Press Release: Fischer names UTTC Student of the Year
United Tribes Technical College News <snip>
View full press release here ********************************************* 24.) We need your help! North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Development Committee Seeks Volunteers NDHRC development committee volunteers will provide support for activities which promote the financial stability for the Coalition, and support the mission of the NDHRC by working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights. Volunteers may choose to assist in fundraising and event support activities and/or community outreach and donor/member solicitation activities. For more information, view the development committee and volunteer description here. If you are interesting in serving as a development committee volunteer for the NDHRC, please contact Andrea Warren-Deegan at andreadeegan@ndhrc.org or at (701) 793-1134. ********************************************* 25.) 2005 Reebok Human Rights The Reebok Human Rights Award Program seeks nominations of
young human rights activists. Members of the international community of human
rights and non-governmental organizations are urged to nominate young men and
women to honor for their courage and contributions to further human rights. The
Reebok Human Rights Award was established in 1988, and has since then, provided
76 young activists from 35 countries support and encouragement at a critical
time in their advocacy work. The award, which seeks to shine a positive,
international light on the awardees and to support their work in human rights,
provides recipients with a $50,000 grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation
for the human rights organization of their choice. Human rights and
non-governmental organizations are urged to nominate young men and women to
receive the award. ********************************************* 26.) SAVE THE DATE, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Conference, November 5 & 6, 2004, Bismarck !!! SAVE THE DATE !!! Friday, November 5 & Saturday, November 6, 2004
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition 2nd Annual Conference“Human Rights: The Economic Impact of Discrimination”
Location: Best Western Ramkota Hotel 800 South Third Street Bismarck, ND 58504
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27.) Knowing & Understanding Your Rights is the First Step in Receiving Equal Rights
Learn how to attain your rights
1st Thursday of
Each month 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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Grand
Forks Herald – 5/14/2004