THE VILLAGER Page 4 ~ August 3, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com City ~ State ~ National News Gregory H. Lee Jr. Becomes Texas Veterans Commission State Strike Executive Sports Editor of the Force Teams Help in Processing Over 68,000 Backlogged Disability Claims South Florida Sun Sentinel AUSTIN – Today the eled after the successful Houston. There will also be responsible for designing the Texas Veterans Commission Claims Processing Assis- “Fully Developed Claims” sports section and running (TVC) announced that the tance Teams that the state Teams with eight new the sports desk. “State Strike Force Teams,” piloted in 2009. As a result claims counselors in Dallas, Throughout his college directed by Gov. Rick Perry, of the Strike Force Teams’ Fort Worth, Temple, Aus- years, Lee had worked as an Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and efforts, more than 17,000 tin, Houston, San Antonio editorial assistant in the Speaker of the House Joe Texas Veterans and their and McAllen to improve sports department for the Straus, are being assembled families will receive their Vet- access and assist Veterans Times-Picayune. Lee is a to assist in reducing the fed- eran disability compensation in filing and fully develop- 1996 graduate of Xavier eral backlog of over 68,000 and pension payments ear- ing claims. Staff from these University in New Orleans. disability claims at the U.S. lier than expected. teams will also be located “As a friend and col- Department of Veterans Af- “By creating the State at each regional office to league, I have been so proud fairs (VA) Houston and Strike Force Teams, Gov. expedite fully developed to watch Greg’s career con- Waco Regional Offices. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, claims, and work on claims tinue to progress. He has During a hearing of the and Speaker Straus have for Veterans and family proven himself as a newsroom Texas Senate Committee on taken one of the boldest and members with unique chal- leader at the Washington Post Veteran Affairs and Military most meaningful actions to lenges. and the Boston Globe and is Installations, chaired by Sen. help Texas Veterans and their “Now more than ever, ready to lead sports coverage Leticia Van de Putte, TVC families in the history of the our Veterans need our sup- NABJ President Gregory H. Lee Jr. at the South Florida Sun Sen- officials testified that since state,” said Thomas port and we want to make The National Associa- assistant sports editor, man- tinel,” said Errin Haines, January 2010, the total Palladino, Executive Direc- sure that Texas Veterans tion of Black Journalists aging reporters and leading NABJ’s Vice President of pending caseload in Texas tor of the Texas Veterans receive their hard earned (NABJ) congratulates the section’s daily coverage. Print and a newswoman at has more than doubled from Commission. “This action benefits,” said James NABJ President Gregory H. In 2008, Lee led the The Associated Press’ Atlanta over 50,934 claims and should serve as a model to Richman, TVC Director of Lee Jr. on his new role as section’s coverage of the bureau covering race and 15,644 appeals to 107,279 other states and a call to the Claims Representation and executive sports editor of the Boston Celtics’ champion- Southern politics. “Greg rep- claims and 28,183 appeals VA to increase the level of Counseling. “Over 68,000 Florida Sun Sentinel. Lee ship run and its first NBA title resents the best of what hap- as of July 2012, with 68,612 support to its regional offices in backlogged claims is a begins the new post at the in 20 years and served the pens when the industry invests claims pending over 125 in Texas.” loss of millions of federal end of August, becoming one Globe as its lead on-site edi- in developing a talented and days. Two State Strike Force dollars due to Veterans and of three black journalists cur- tor at the Summer Olympic diverse workforce.” The State of Texas is Teams, each consisting of their families that will not rently leading the sports de- Games in Beijing. Before In his new role, Lee committing $1.5 million for eight claims counselors, will only benefit them but will partments at major daily heading to the Globe, Lee will lead coverage of four the State Strike Force be located at the VA Re- ultimately strengthen our newspapers. He joins Lisa was an editor at the Wash- professional teams in South Teams, which will be mod- gional Offices in Waco and Texas economy.” Bell Wilson of the Buffalo ington Post where he held a Florida, including the reign- News and Larry Graham of number of positions during ing NBA champions the Olympic Pioneer Douglas Returns to London theSan Diego Union- Tri- his five-year tenure. Prior to Miami Heat. He will also by Donald Hunt bune who are already in the working at the Post Lee lead coverage of the state’s Special to the NNPA from father, who was blind and had a The Philadelphia Tribune parking garage business in Pitts- editor ranks. worked at the Times-Pica- college programs, more burgh. Right after World War II in than 300 high schools and Herb Douglas, one of eight Lee is leaving the Bos- yune in New Orleans as a African Americans on the 1948 1945, he went back to college. He ton Globe after eight years. copy editor, later advancing the paper’s digital efforts in Olympic track team, discusses decided to attend the University of He currently serves as senior to slot editor, where he was sports. his career in track and field. The Pittsburgh. He played football and 90-year-old attended this year’s set a school record in the long jump 27th Annual Ronald McNair Golf Tourney Set Olympics on August 1 in London (24-4.88), which lasted 23 years. When the XXX Summer “I’ve been very fortunate,” The 27th Annual the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, breakfast wraps and lunch, Olympics began on Friday in Lon- Douglas said. “I graduated from the Ronald McMair Golf Tour- which awards annual schol- beverages, hole contests, gift don this was a special time for University of Pittsburgh (in 1948). I nament will be held August arships to local high school bags, mulligans and prizes. Herb Douglas, a real pioneer in played football there. I was on the Herb Douglas, one of track team. I sat on the board of 18, 2012 at Shadow Glen and college students. For information and Olympic track and field competi- tion. Douglas, 90, was one of eight African Americans on trustees for several years. It’s a great Golf Club. There will be a shotgun reservations contact Greg eight African Americans on the the 1948 Olympic track team. school. Proceeds from the start at 8 am and the tourna- Warren at 512-922-1911 or 1948 Olympic track team that com- with them meeting President “I started my career at Xavier tournement will benefit tyhe ment package will include go on line to www.austin peted in London. Obama. This was a great moment University, a predominant African- Epsilon Iota Foundation the green fees, range balls, ques.com At the time, he was a 26- for Douglas, who has now met American school. We ran in the year-old track and field standout six presidents in his lifetime. Penn Relays. Our 4×100 meter relay who placed third in the long jump, “The Wish of a Lifetime team was the first Black college to winning a bronze medal. Dou- was a chance that I got to meet win the Championship of America. glas, who grew up in Pittsburgh the president,” Douglas said. Ralph Metcalfe was our coach. That and now lives in Wynnefield, has “Barack Obama is the sixth presi- was 70 years ago and 69 years later vivid memories of the summer dent that I met. It meant a lot to I received an honorary doctor (de- games 64 years ago. me. It was also the wish of gree). That meant a lot to me.” “I was fortunate enough to Harrison Dillard. I had met five Jesse Owens was someone stand on the podium and win a presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald who was very close to Douglas. bronze medal,” said Douglas, who Reagan, Bill Clinton, George Bush Owens won four gold medals at jumped 24’9” in the long jump (Sr.) and Nelson Mandela. the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He won competition. “That’s always “I’ve met the first African gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, unique. That’s somewhat the ic- president of South Africa and 400 meter relay and the long ing. When you make the trip, President Obama who is the first jump. that’s excellent, but the icing is African-American president. It “Harrison Dillard went to the standing up on the podium and was great meeting President same high school as Jesse Owens,” representing your country. There Obama. He shook my hand and he said. “They were very friendly. I were only eight of us of color.” said to me, “I’m standing on your got to know Jesse the last 20 years During that time, Jackie shoulder.” of his life. We used to have the Jesse Robinson had just broken the Douglas is truly a living Owens (Global) Award (for Peace). color line in major league base- legend. He holds a special place We had the Arco Games in Phila- ball a year prior. Harry S. Truman in the world of sports. delphia. I remember introducing was the country’s president. Dou- “As you know, I’m the old- Jesse Owens to Eddie Bell (former glas will have a chance to go back est African-American Olympic Penn football great). That’s how the to London in a different era to medalist,” Douglas said. “Alice games got started. The award lasted watch the Olympics with some of Coachman (high jumper) is the nearly 50 years.” his colleagues from the ‘48 team. oldest African-American gold Douglas wasn’t just a trail- Needless to say he’s looking for- medalist (88 years old). Harrison blazer in track and field. He was one ward to the trip. Dillard (100 meters) is 89. Mal of the early African Americans to “I leave on August 1st and Whitfield (400 and 800 meters) is work for a major corporation. In 1963, arrive on August 2nd,” Douglas 87.” When it comes to track and he joined Schieffelin & Company said. “It’s really interesting the field, Douglas had a good foun- (now Moet/Hennessy USA) where University of Pittsburgh is send- dation. He started his college ca- he became the third African Ameri- ing me over there to be their am- reer at Xavier University in New can to reach the level of vice presi- bassador. Joining me will be three Orleans. He ran track for legend- dent of a national company. other ’48 Olympians Mal ary coach Ralph Metcalfe. “I worked for them for 30 Whitfield (400 and 800 meters), Dr. In 1941, Douglas long years,” Douglas said. “I really liked Sammy Lee (diver) and Harrison jumped 23’ 11” setting a South- them. You know, it wasn’t easy for Dillard (100 meters). It’s going to ern Intercollegiate Athletic Con- Blacks to get jobs in major compa- be all of us. It’s going to be excit- ference championship meet nies. We start out at the post office ing.” record. In 1942, he joined William and worked our way up.” The last weeks have been Morton, Clarence Doak and “In the late teens to 1920, we real exciting for Douglas as well. Howard Mitchell to help Xavier’s had Jack Johnson (heavyweight He had a chance to make a trip to 440-yard relay team become the fighter),” Douglas said. “In the Denver to meet President Barack first Black college to win the Cham- 1930s, we had Joe Louis (heavy- Obama. This was arranged by the pionship of America at the Penn weight champion) and Jesse Wish of a Lifetime Foundation, Relays. The team clocked a win- Owens. In the 1940s, we had Jackie which provides over 400 wishes ning time of 41.7. The Penn Re- Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers). In to seniors. Jeremy Bloom, a former lays honored Xavier University the 1950s, we had Wilt Chamberlain Olympian, organized the event and Douglas at Franklin Field (basketball legend) and in the ’60s, through his foundation. Bloom three years ago for this great ac- we have Muhammad Ali. They’re and his organization honored the complishment. our icons.” 1948 Olympic team. Douglas and After two years at Xavier, Herb Douglas is in a special Dillard had their wishes granted Douglas returned home to help his category, too.