Rep. Joe Pitts (D) House, District 67

State Rep. Joe Pitts, State House District 67, has been selected to participate in the 2009 Program for Emerging Political Leaders. The leadership training program is sponsored by the State Legislative Leadership Foundation (SLLF) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. The prestigious program is an annual event held on the campus the University of Virginia.

The selected participants are first nominated by the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate or Minority Leader from their state. Those state political leaders are asked to nominate one or more members “who by their actions have demonstrated those qualities we associate with leadership—integrity, compassion, intelligence, vision, and common sense.” The program aims to inspire these selected individuals to continue careers in public service. Representative Pitts is one of only fifty state legislators chosen from a nationwide pool of outstanding applicants.

The Rotunda at the University of Virginia

SLLF spokesperson Sharon Smith noted that class discussions will examine qualities and characteristics of leadership including: ethical leadership, the art of compromise and coalition building and the philosophical underpinnings of representative democracy. The discussions will be lead by Professor Ed Freeman, the Elis and Signe Olsson Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School and co-director of the Olsson Center for Applied Ethics. A distinguished UVA faculty along with Dr. Thomas Little, Curriculum Director of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, will join Dr. Freeman.

As Stephen G. Lakis, President of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, has noted “These legislators represent the best and the brightest, and are destined for future leadership roles in their state. After being with these people for several days, you can’t help but feel proud and more confident about our unique system of representative democracy. They are just that good!”

In a press statement, Pitts said, “Obviously I am quite pleased and honored to have been chosen for this program.”  He continued, saying, “I have an obligation to do anything that will ultimately help me serve my constituents, and the state of Tennessee, in the elected position they have entrusted to me.”

Two members of the Children's Choir

The South Korean Levite Choir, on a United States  tour in honor of Korean War veterans, came to Clarksville on February 12 with a stunning performance of music and dance  presented at the First Baptist Church on Madison Street.

The 2009 Winter Praise Concert, conducted by Lee YongHee, included choral work by the choir,  a tenor solo by Park SeongWon, and a haunting violin solo by Ane Hee Young. The Children’s Choir was a special delight as they combined their music with charming and meticulously studied dance movement taught and choreographed by Park Eun Suk.

Conductor Lee Hong Yeeand the choir salute the Korean veterans attending the performance

Garbed in elegant gowns for the first act, and brilliantly hued traditional Korean costumes for the second act, the group filled the church will their renditions of familiar Christian music, including Come Now Is The Time To Worship, Ancient of Days, This Is How It Feels To Be Free, For Such A Time As This, and First Time I Came To Grace.

In the words of conductor Lee YongHee, “I dedicate this concert to the Lord, to missionaries who were martyred in Korea, and to the soldiers who fell down in Korean battlefields. God Bless America.” He stated that the concert was a “way of paying our debt” to the American people. A half dozen Korean War veterans were in attendance at this event and honored by the choir. Musical accompaniment on piano was provided by Kim Ju Hee.

Pastor Tommy Vallejos, Senator Tim Barnes and Dr. Anderson Grant of the Human Relations Commission

Senator Tim Barnes presented the choir with an honorary certificate from the Tennessee State Senate and, on behalf of State Representative Joe Pitts, a similar certificate from the Tennessee House of representatives. A certificate from the office of Governor Phil Bredesen was also presented. A check was also presented to the group and certificates were awarded to each of the 26 members of the adult and children’s choirs, making them honorary citizens of the City of Clarksville.

Pastor Tommy Vallejos, who became a Christian in Korea,spoke about his experience in their country and of how he became a Christian more than 20 years earlier.

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The  Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, which has served the Middle Tennessee community for over 40 years, announced today a new partnership with a growing network of pharmacies and clinics to provide free prescription medicines to uninsured individuals in Montgomery County.

This network of care is powered by Nashville-based, Dispensary of Hope, a statewide and national network of dispensing sites, sourcing partners and financial partners that assist poor and underserved individuals in getting the medications they need for the short and long-term.

“The rising cost of medication and the current economic challenges have created hardships for many of our patients. The Dispensary of Hope gives us just that – hope for healthy patients, healthy communities.” ~~ Dr. Michelle Williams, Medical Director for Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center.

The Dispensary of Hope at the  Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center  is scheduled to be operational by February 2nd and will join 13 other pharmacies across Tennessee in providing this service.  The  dispensary will be located at 230 Dover Road.

“No one should be deprived of medications because of an inability to pay for them.  The Dispensary of Hope is proud to partner with Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center to compliment the excellent service they already provide to the community.”

“To date, we’ve helped tens of thousands Tennesseans, in 6 counties, get the medications they need to live a healthy life, and we are pleased to initiate our services in Clarksville , Tennessee.  It’s one way we are chipping away at covering the 1 million uninsured individuals across Tennessee .” ~~  Scott Cornwell, Managing Director of The Dispensary of Hope.

There are approximately 17,192 uninsured people currently living in Montgomery County.

“I am pleased to welcome the Dispensary of Hope to our community,” said State Representative Joe Pitts of Clarksville , Tennessee .  “The Dispensary of Hope will have a tremendous impact on the lives of many and we are fortunate to offer their services to our most needy residents.”

For more information about the Dispensary of Hope, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center call 931-920-5000 or visit www.dispensaryofhope.org.

About Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center

Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (MWCHC), established in 1968, serves Middle Tennessee residents who are medically underserved and underinsured.  MWCHC is a medical, dental and diagnostic facility with its administrative office located at 1035 14th Avenue North in Nashville , and a second clinic site in Clarksville , Tennessee at 230 Dover Road . For more information call 615-327-9400.

About the Dispensary of Hope

Founded in 2003, the Dispensary of Hope is the leading provider of pharmaceuticals to uninsured patients through a growing network of dispensing sites across the country sustained by local partnerships.  The Dispensary has collected more than $15 million in pharmaceuticals and filled more than 104,000 prescriptions for patients who otherwise couldn’t afford them.  Current partnerships include Schering Plough, Ozburn-Hessey Logistics and UPS.  For more information visit www.dispensaryofhope.org.

Amid a multitude of signs for city council seats, state legislature seats and presidential candidates, Veterans Plaza was a beehive of activity Saturday morning. The crisp autumn air did not deter voters from turning out for the Early Voting Rally. The line was already out the door at the Election Commission by 10 a.m., yet people continued filling the parking lot to take their places in line and wait their turn at the ballot machines inside.

The Early Voting Rally was sponsored by the Montgomery County Democratic Party. MCDP chairman Gene Lewis greeted the assembly and thanked them for coming out to the rally and to vote. He led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance,  then introduced State Rep. Joe Pitts, who also commended the crowd for coming out and thanked the voters for supporting him in his past election effort. He urged voters to take this election seriously and encourage everyone they know to vote. He then introduced Senator Thelma Harper.

Harper thanked the crowd for coming out and urged them to support candidates who value their word, who are committed to the promises and pledges they make. She said her support for Tim Barnes was not about one man not getting to keep a title in the Senate. She told them that the state Democratic Party had a plan of action which would benefit the working class citizens of this state but had been blocked from implementing it because one member had comprised her party integrity and supported the opposing party. She urged the crowd to keep that in mind when they vote. Personal integrity is important in the Tennessee Senate, she said,  urging voters to give Tim Barnes their support and move Tennessee forward in these troubled times.

Senator Beverly Marrero, of Memphis, also stumped the crowd for Tim Barnes. She spoke to the matter of personal integrity in a state senator’s commitment to keep their word. She reiterated that because of a single vote change the state Democratic Party program of legislation in the Senate had ground to a halt. All efforts were blocked by the opposing party with the support of that one party vote and that had hurt the working class people of Tennessee. She asked that voters give their support to Tim Barnes so that the party could once again, go to work for the people of Tennessee.

Introduced by Rep. Pitts as “The Man of the Hour,” Tim Barnes addressed the rally. Signs and cheers erupted as he took the stage. He thanked the crowd for their enthusiastic welcome and said he was both grateful for and humbled by it. He stated that his was not a campaign of dirty tricks, deception, misinformation nor lies. His desire to serve the people of the 22nd District was an honest one, without an agenda of higher office. He told his listeners he would be proud to be “Your Senator.”

“The people of District 22 need someone who will fight for them, their concerns and their party.”Barnes  pledged to work in a bi-partisan spirit but that does not mean betraying the party of the people who elected him.

MCDP chairman Lewis encouraged voters to support the Democratic Party ticket, vote for City Council candidates, vote for Joe Pitts, State Representative District 67; Tim Barnes for State Senate District 22; Randy Morris for US House District 7; Bob Tuke for US Senate and Barack Obama for President of the United States. Asking the crowd if they were ready to vote, he  received a strong response: “Ready to Go!”

With that, the crowd proceeded to the Election Commission and joined the line snaking around the plaza. Through out the rally members of the Women Veterans Association served refreshments to the crowd. In less than twenty-five minutes, a line of voters that had stretched past the Veterans Service Office, on towards the County Trustee’s Office, had been processed and new arrivals had taken their place. The voting process itself is fairly quick and the waiting period goes swiftly. Many rally attendants, after having voted, took up signs, gave cheers and beat the Caribbean drums set up to encourage campaign workers and the waiting crowd.

Early voting continues til October 30, including next weekend as well. All registered voters are encouraged to exercise this most special of American rights. Vote. Early Vote.

It’s what REAL patriots do.

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Clarksville Women for Obama will mark the 88th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave American women the right to vote , with a commemoration program on Friday, September 26, at 7 PM at the Montgomery County Democratic Party headquarters, 534 Madison Street. The program features a roster of local women speakers.

Terry McMoore chats with Cindy Pitts at a recent meeting

Cindy Pitts, motivational speaker and wife of State Representative Joe Pitts, will headline the anniversary commemoration. Other esteemed speakers joining this event are LaVerne Walker, Equal Opportunity Activist and Elizabeth Adamski of H.O.P.E. (Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education).

The commemoration anniversary is open to the public. This event is the forerunner to the University of Mississippi Presidential Debate Watch Party. For more information, call 931-552-9076 or visit the website at: <www.ClarksvilleForObama.com> Refreshments will be served. Volunteer food and soft drink donations will be appreciated.

Special guests include Kim McMillan, Former Majority Leader, Tennessee House of Representatives; Joe Pitts, Tennessee State Representative (District 67); Jerry Martin, State Campaign Director for Barack Obama; Wade Mundy, Communications Director, Tennessee State Democratic Party; and Jerry Lee, Tennessee AFL-CIO Union President.

The MCDP and Clarksville for Obama will serve food and refreshments. the event is open to the public and a $10.00 or higher donation is requested. For additional Information, call 931-378-1999

With former Lt. Governor as guest speaker, Tim Barnes launched his campaign for the Tennessee State Senate District 22 seat with enthusiasm and high energy. The Machinists Union Hall was filled with over 130 enthusiastic supporters. Wilder spoke the need for a person committed to being a statesman, being true to the interests of the people. He told the supporters that Tim Barnes is that person. He further stated that there is a strong need for Tim’s integrity and commitment in the Senate. He reminded the audience that there is a time for bi-partisanship and a time to stand with the party. Ending with his standard rally call, “Let the Senate Be the Senate!” he urged the crowd, “Put this young man in the Senate!”

State Rep. Joe Pitts introduced former Lt. Governor Wilder. Following Wilder, Kim Smith, Barnes’ campaign manager, acknowledged the support of the Machinist Union to the campaign.

Machinist Union representatives and AFL-CIO officials presented campaign donation checks. Barnes thanked the union officials for their support but told the gathering that he is in this fight for them.

“This senate seat is not the exclusive property of any one individual. It doesn’t belong to any particular person. It belongs to you, the people of District 22!”

He told of several instances where people told him of incumbent Senator Kurita warning that she had accumulated a massive war chest and that should he challenge her, he would be in for a beating. Barnes characterizes this kind of talk as arrogance, an attempt at intimidation and responded, “Bring it on!” In response, the crowd erupted in cheers of “Time for Tim! Time for Tim!”

Barnes told the group that people will be hearing similar claims from both candidates of concern for the people’s issues. He pointed that while Senator Kurita boasts about the passage of the HOPE Scholarship Retention Reform legislation, she voted against its passage in the Senate. She boasts about passage of Home Health Care Reform, but she failed to vote for it in the Senate. Barnes pledged to remain true to his commitment to pursue the electorate’s issues, not his own personal agenda.

Refreshments included barbecue pulled pork, baked beans, sweet vinegar coleslaw and assorted soft drinks. Supporters found volunteer sign-up sheets, T-shirts, lawn signs on hand, and cash donations were briskly exchanged.

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