www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 3 NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2017 50¢ ACA enrollment Senator Kirksey Memorial surging, even though it ends Highway Dedication Ceremony By Janice K. Neal-Vincent Dec. 15 Contributing Writer Clinton Boulevard North to Med- By Cash Michaels gar Evers Boulevard on I-220 was Contributing writer designated as Senator Henry J. Kirk- sey Memorial Highway at Kirk- The enrollment period to be covered by the sey Middle School (5677 Highland federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) began Drive) November 1. The celebratory Nov.1, and is scheduled to end Dec. 15, for those moment became possible because of hoping to qualify for health care coverage begin- the passing of House Bill 907 during ning January 1, 2018. the 2017 Session of the Mississippi The Trump Administration, which has made Legislature. The occasion marked no secret of its wish to “repeal and replace” notable contributions former Sena- President Barack Obama’s signature legislative tor Kirksey made for the good of hu- achievement, has done everything it can to force manity. The Kirksey family, platform the ACA to whither on the vine by cutting the en- guests, school offi cials and commu- rollment period from the previous three months, nity friends were in attendance. to just 45 days. And it has also cut the $100 mil- Dick Hall, chairman, Mississippi Karen Kirksey Zander (center) surrounded by offi cials and family of former Senator Kirksey. PHOTO BY JANICE K. NEAL-VINCENT lion Obama Administration budget to both ad- Transportation Commission, presided vertise the open enrollment period, and slashed and recalled serving in the Legisla- propriate way to honor him other than address. grant funding efforts for state and community ture with Kirksey. “We didn’t always naming Kirksey Middle School after “I was honored to work with for- Kirksey organizations across the nation that reach those agree but I can’t think of a more ap- him,” Hall said during his welcome mer Senator Kirksey in his offi ce Continued on page 3 in dire need of all that the ACA offers through education and mobilization, by an estimated 90 percent to just $10 million for the entire nation. COMMENTARY And yet, according to recent published re- Senator Harden Memorial ports, President Trump’s efforts to strangle the ACA to discourage participation are coming up short. In fact, based on available numbers, people are enrolling at a higher, faster pace than Highway Dedication Ceremony last year at this time, and there’s every reason to believe that pace will continue the closer Dec. 15 comes. By Janice K. Neal-Vincent While no offi cial numbers have been released Contributing Writer by the administration yet, The Washington Post Resulting from the Mississippi (citing sources) reports that, “More than 200,000 Legislature’s passing of House Bill Americans chose a plan on Nov. 1 (fi rst day of 907, an unveiling dedication ceremo- open enrollment). That’s more than double the ny was held at the State Capitol that number of consumers who signed up on the fi rst designated the Senator Alice Varnado day of enrollment last year. More than 1 million Harden Memorial Highway Wednes- people visited HeathCare.gov, the offi cial fed- day, November 1. The unveiling re- eral website, the offi cial said, which amounts vealed a segment of Interstate 220 in to roughly a 33 percent increase in traffi c com- Hinds County beginning at the inter- pared with 2016.” section of Interstate 220 and Interstate This doesn’t account for over a dozen states 20, north to Clinton Boulevard. that have their own health insurance exchanges. Referenced as a progressive and However, several states, like California, New stern leader throughout the occasion, York and Connecticut, all say they are seeing Harden was the fi rst African-Ameri- more signups over last year as well. can woman to serve in the Mississippi Indeed, those wishing to enroll should go to Senate while representing District 28 Harden family and guests unveiled the Senator Alice Varnado Harden Memorial Highway sign. PHOTO BY JANICE K. NEAL-VINCENT www.healthcare.gov to qualify for federal tax in Hinds County. Harden’s constituents gave their member that she was a warrior. She needed,” claimed Alyce Clarke, Dis- ACA opinions of her leadership abilities. worked hard and wanted to make sure trict 69 – Mississippi House of Rep- Harden Continued on page 3 “Alice was always letting us re- Washington Addition got what they resentatives. Continued on page 3 Arise, Shine: Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer By Jackie Hampton was a ‘glorious experience,” said Malena Church gave the invocation and Eunice Publisher Dow, chair of the Baptist World Day of Smith of Mt. Helm read the scripture. The Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer for the Baptist State Convention Special greetings were extended by C. Prayer is an annual ‘experience’ which of Mississippi, Inc. Dow said women Edward Rhodes, pastor of Mt. Helm. He takes place world-wide each fi rst Mon- of all denominations all over the world welcomed everyone to the church and day in November. This year marks the share the same problems and have the thanked the many participants for being a 67th year anniversary. Prayer concerns same visions. Dow, speaking to women part of the service. Isiac Jackson Jr., pres- come from the different continental and men of various denominations, said, ident of the General Missionary Baptist unions, and involve diverse needs: spiri- “this is a world movement and we invite Convention of Mississippi, also brought tual strength, hope, physical health, polit- you to use this day and every day to pray greetings. Jackson said there is so much ical stability, safety, fi nancial welfare and for the needs of the world.” going on for which prayer is needed. “I various social justice issues. The theme Emma Hurly of Mt. Helm was the pre- am so glad that God has this mess in his for 2017 is “Arise and Shine through sider of the 11 a.m. spiritual event which hands so let us go to God in prayer for Transformation.” included scripture, hymns of praise, bible help,” he said. The event in Jackson was hosted by Mt. study and prayers. Ninety-six year old Helm Baptist Church November 6. “It Maudine Taylor of Progressive Baptist Mt. Helm Jackson Metropolitan Retired Community Chorale PHOTO BY JAY JOHNSON Continued on page 3 Homecoming Book Review: Share this issue with a friend Disappointment Keep Your by mailing it to: or Acceptance? Airspeed Up Inside Page 16 Page 18 IN MEMORIAM 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK NOVEMBER 9 - 15, 2017 www.mississippilink.com Velma Rosetta Sims Hardwick Theresa Ann Willis March 25, 1942 - November 1, 2017 May 4, 1948 - November 1, 2017 Velma Rosetta Sims Hardwick, 75, passed away “I’m overworked, underpaid but I’m November 1, 2017, at Merit Health-Central, Jackson, still pretty,” were the signature words of Miss., with family at her bedside. Theresa Ann Willis, who was born May She was born March 25, 1942 to Martha Slaughter 4, 1948 to the late Phillip and Pernola Sims and David Sims in Vicksburg, Miss. From the Sandifer Willis. She was the third of union of Martha and David Sims, Velma has two sur- nine children with one brother, Walter viving sisters and a brother: Thelma Sims Dukes (her Lee Willis Sr., preceding her in death. twin), Gladys Mae Sims Cross and Henry Price. Theresa accepted Christ during her Velma’s remaining siblings include McKinley early teenage years and was baptized Williams (deceased), Clara Delores Sims Smith (de- at College Hill M.B. Church. She was ceased) and Floyd Sims (deceased). educated in the Jackson Public School On her father’s side, Velma had three brothers – Al- system and after graduation traveled to bert Sims (deceased), Leroy Sims (deceased) and Fred Los Angeles, Calif. where she worked Sims (deceased) as well as two sisters Blanche Sims and attended Los Angeles City College. Williams (deceased) and Willie Bell Sims Woods (de- Inspired by her uncle and aunt, Henry ceased).Velma’s step-father was Shelly Price Sr. (de- and Julia Sandifer, to better herself, she ceased). pursued employment opportunities in Velma married Anderson “Andy” Hardwick, and Chicago. She was employed by Illinois this year, they celebrated 53 years of marriage. To- Bell where she excelled to a supervisory gether, she and Andy raised three children: Kevin position. Hardwick (m. Carol-Jean Parke Hardwick), Rene’ As fate would have it, the company Hardwick and June Hardwick. Grandchildren in- downsized and she was re-assigned to Theresa will also be fondly remem- clude: Janah Hardwick Hemphill (m. Lemarcus Ameritech Mobile. After this company bered by her brothers and sisters: Mag- Hemphill), Joi Hardwick and Jenae Hardwick (twins), dissolved, Theresa decided to move nolia Osborne (Emeryville Calif.); Justin Hefner, Jaela Hefner and Raha Maxwell. back home. Phillip Jr. (Dr. Darlene) of Rancho Great-grandchildren include: Ayden McCoy Hard- She was employed by the U.S. De- Pensaquito Calif.; Spencer Sr. (Ruthie) wick, Levi and Kiro Hemphill (twins), Jera Hemphill partment of Housing and Urban Devel- of Walls Miss.; Leroy and Willie both and Cali Samuels. opment (HUD). Once again employ- of Jackson, Miss.; Beverly (Eddie) of Velma is survived by numerous friends, many be- ment opportunities led her to move to Monroe La. and Tony (DeVicki) of loved nieces and nephews, as well as countless stu- in the public school systems of Bolivar, Hinds and Belleville, Ill., where she worked as a Grayson Ga. Theresa will be greatly dents over the years through her vocation in public and Rankin Counties, the Catholic Diocese of Jackson and project manager for HUD.