Nevada Governor Speaks Out Against Darfur at 100 Black Men Conference
- By News Hound
- Published 06/11/2007
- Politics
- Unrated
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View all articles by News HoundNevada Governor Speaks Out Against Darfur at 100 Black Men Conference
LAS VEGAS, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Jim Gibbons made a public announcement against the Genocide in Darfur during the Opening Session of 100 Black Men of America's opening conference in Las Vegas. The Governor was one of many public officials and prominent leaders scheduled to speak throughout the conference, which aims to promote a national dialogue on the conference theme, Taking Control of Our Future. The conference runs through June 10.
"We strongly urge the Nevada Public Employee Retirement System to do its part in ending the atrocities in the Sudan," Gov. Gibbons told the more 2,000 conference attendees present for the session. "The divestment effort has been a bipartisan effort across the country, our participation in divestment will add to the momentum and, ultimately, help end the genocide in Darfur."
Gibbons continued, "These economic benefits helped fund the very militias responsible for the rape, torture, murder and mayhem in the Darfur region. Without question, these economic benefits help fund the genocide in Africa."
"We welcome the call by Governor Gibbons to divest Nevada's public funds from those companies that are known to be the worst offenders for their economic support of the ruling government of Sudan," said Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Esq, Chairman of the Board of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. "The 100 Black Men of America encourages other states to do the same and for Governor Gibbons and others to continue to advocate for the end of this unspeakable tragedy."
Nevada's public employee retirement fund had $54 million invested in the French company Schlumberger, $3 million in Rolls Royce, $1.1 million in Alstom, and $214,000 in Lundin Petroleum. These investments represented less than one-quarter of 1 percent of Nevada's public employee retirement fund portfolio. Since that time, Rolls Royce has pulled out of Sudan and is no longer helping fund their militias. The company cited pressures from various divestment efforts around the globe as a major reason for their decision to pull out. More recently, Schlumberger has been removed from the "worst offenders" list because the economic pressures have led them to take a stronger humanitarian role in the region.
About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., began with 10 chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, industry, public affairs and government.
Today, under the direction of Albert E. Dotson, Jr., the organization has 106 chapters, and growing, in the United States, England, and the Caribbean. There are members from a myriad of professions, including corporate executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, entertainers, elected officials, professional athletes, educators and men from numerous other professions.
The 100, as it is widely known, has created programs which provide an environment where young people are encouraged and motivated to learn and achieve. Each member serves as a strong Black role model for our youth in today's society. Four For The Future(TM), and Leadership Development are the strategic areas of focus that supports the mission of the organization. Subject areas encompass Mentoring, Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellness, and the development of leaders around the world. All of the signature programs of the 100 are contained in one of these content areas. The accomplishments made through these programs have allowed the 100 to gain notable prominence internationally as one of the world's leading organizations for mentoring African American youth.
With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of the 100 serve as a strong force overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of African American youth, particularly young African American males. The organization has made outstanding progress, proving that Blacks can, and do, excel in corporate and community leadership.
Contact:
Jason C. Williams Addis T. Huyler
BusinessLore Group, Inc. BusinessLore Group, Inc.
For 100 Black Men of America, Inc. For 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
(404) 543-3900 (404)822-3223
jwilliams@bizloregroup.com ahuyler@bizloregroup.com
ONSITE PRESS ROOM: (702) 946-2021 and (702) 946-2022
Website: http://www.100blackmen.org/
"We strongly urge the Nevada Public Employee Retirement System to do its part in ending the atrocities in the Sudan," Gov. Gibbons told the more 2,000 conference attendees present for the session. "The divestment effort has been a bipartisan effort across the country, our participation in divestment will add to the momentum and, ultimately, help end the genocide in Darfur."
Gibbons continued, "These economic benefits helped fund the very militias responsible for the rape, torture, murder and mayhem in the Darfur region. Without question, these economic benefits help fund the genocide in Africa."
"We welcome the call by Governor Gibbons to divest Nevada's public funds from those companies that are known to be the worst offenders for their economic support of the ruling government of Sudan," said Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Esq, Chairman of the Board of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. "The 100 Black Men of America encourages other states to do the same and for Governor Gibbons and others to continue to advocate for the end of this unspeakable tragedy."
Nevada's public employee retirement fund had $54 million invested in the French company Schlumberger, $3 million in Rolls Royce, $1.1 million in Alstom, and $214,000 in Lundin Petroleum. These investments represented less than one-quarter of 1 percent of Nevada's public employee retirement fund portfolio. Since that time, Rolls Royce has pulled out of Sudan and is no longer helping fund their militias. The company cited pressures from various divestment efforts around the globe as a major reason for their decision to pull out. More recently, Schlumberger has been removed from the "worst offenders" list because the economic pressures have led them to take a stronger humanitarian role in the region.
About 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
100 Black Men was founded as an organization in New York City in 1963. The national organization, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., began with 10 chapters in 1986 as a national alliance of leading African American men of business, industry, public affairs and government.
Today, under the direction of Albert E. Dotson, Jr., the organization has 106 chapters, and growing, in the United States, England, and the Caribbean. There are members from a myriad of professions, including corporate executives, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, entertainers, elected officials, professional athletes, educators and men from numerous other professions.
The 100, as it is widely known, has created programs which provide an environment where young people are encouraged and motivated to learn and achieve. Each member serves as a strong Black role model for our youth in today's society. Four For The Future(TM), and Leadership Development are the strategic areas of focus that supports the mission of the organization. Subject areas encompass Mentoring, Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellness, and the development of leaders around the world. All of the signature programs of the 100 are contained in one of these content areas. The accomplishments made through these programs have allowed the 100 to gain notable prominence internationally as one of the world's leading organizations for mentoring African American youth.
With a mission to improve the quality of life and enhance educational opportunities for African Americans, members of the 100 serve as a strong force overcoming the cultural and financial obstacles that have limited the achievements of African American youth, particularly young African American males. The organization has made outstanding progress, proving that Blacks can, and do, excel in corporate and community leadership.
Contact:
Jason C. Williams Addis T. Huyler
BusinessLore Group, Inc. BusinessLore Group, Inc.
For 100 Black Men of America, Inc. For 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
(404) 543-3900 (404)822-3223
jwilliams@bizloregroup.com ahuyler@bizloregroup.com
ONSITE PRESS ROOM: (702) 946-2021 and (702) 946-2022
Website: http://www.100blackmen.org/
