The Austin Peay College Democrats have been awarded a national health care reform grant by the College Democrats of America Alumni Association (CDAAA). Over a dozen school chapters submitted proposals to advocate health care reform in a national application process, resulting in the selection of four College Democrat chapters for the honor. Choosing to submit their proposal around APSU’s annual Greater Halloween Options for Safe Trick-or-Treating (G.H.O.S.T.) event, the student organization won a national runoff vote held to determine the final grant winner.

“After tallying the votes – and weeding out some less-than-scrupulous individuals who tried to vote early and often – one school emerged as the clear winner: Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.” Alex Cornell du Houx, a Maine state representative and member of the CDAAA Board of Directors, said in announcing the winner of the runoff vote. “In addition to Austin Peay, we couldn’t be more excited to award health care action grants to College Dems chapters at Florida International University, Georgetown University and the University of Wyoming. The grant applications we received show just how excited College Dems across the country are to organize for health care reform.”

Andrew Lewis, President of the Austin Peay College Democrats, had this to say upon being notified of the award: “To be selected for this grant by national election is truly an honor, not just for our chapter, but for Austin Peay State University and the great state of Tennessee. As college students, we look to build on this accolade by continuing to lead the charge for progressive health care reform.”

Echoing the sentiment was Adam Haynes, President of the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats, saying: “The state federation is very proud of the work of all of our chapters in working on healthcare reform. APSU winning this grant shows that this chapter is setting itself to be a leader on this and many issues. I am glad that CDAAA recognized the potential that Austin Peay and the TFCD has to be true leaders on a range of issues.”

About Austin Peay College Democrats

Through promoting the ideals and beliefs of the Democratic Party, the mission of the Austin Peay College Democrats is to unite progressive students on the Austin Peay State University campus to encourage activism and foster interest in government and politics.

“I think loyalty, honesty and integrity are still important in politics today.”

– Attorney Tim Barnes

With those words, Clarksville attorney Tim Barnes is gearing up for a run for Senator Rosalind Kurita’s District 22 seat. The August primary will likely see a lively campaign season. District 22 includes Montgomery, Houston and Cheatham counties. This covers Clarksville, Erin and Ashland City.

Barnes says that he “thinks honesty, loyalty and integrity are still important in politics today.” The role of the people’s representative should responding to and advocating those issues and concerns in which your constituents have expressed interest.

“Public service should be about serving the public, not about promoting your own self-interests.”

Barnes intends to hold to that principle when he is elected.

Recently, the APSU College Democrats President Adam Haynes announced the organization membership’s “overwhelming” support for Tim Barnes for State Senate. “There comes a time that when you have to choose who you want standing beside you and we stand beside Tim Barnes.”

As Barnes gears up his campaign, the district’s voters should expect to see him making his candidacy known in all areas. He believes there is a real desire for change in District 22. For more info contact him at either 931.648.9400 or go to <www.myspace.com/timbarnes4senate>.

“There comes a time that when you have to choose who you want standing beside you and we stand beside Tim Barnes” said Haynes, “Tim, you have our full faith and support.”

Haynes said this was “a difficult decision”; initially the APSU College Democrats said that they would not be making any endorsements in partisan primary races. However it became clear that the active membership of the organization supported Barnes because of his stances on the issues and his eagerness to do the work of and to be the representative of the citizens of the 22nd Senatorial district, Haynes stated.

The actions of Sen.Rosalind Kurita also played a pivotal role in the decisions of the members, Haynes indicated.

“Since her vote for Ron Ramsey that cost the Democratic Party the leadership, we feel that she no longer shares the values and philosophies of her constituency.” — Adam Haynes

The decision of the APSU College Democrats was done without the knowledge of the faculty advisor, Dr. Linda Barnes.