www.mississippilink.com Vol. 21, No. 14 JaNuary 29 - February 4, 2015 50¢ Stokes back in Longtime labor and union organizer Jackson City Council Charlie Horhn honored by city council regaining Ward 3 seat in special election By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor In 2011, upon Kenneth I. Stokes being elected to serve on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for District 5, the City Council issued a resolu- tion honoring him for his ser- vice as a city councilman. The city council resolution iterated the following about Stokes: • His perseverance, inspi- ration and uncompromis- ing dedication to the citizens Stokes of Jackson during his many PHOTO BY AYESHA MUSTAFAA years of service; • His 20 years of tireless ac- streets, bridges and parks in tivism both in private pursuits honor of outstanding mem- and public service; bers of the community. • As the longest serving Tuesday, January 27, 2015, African American in Jackson Stokes was re-elected in a city government, being the special election to fill the City first elected to the Jackson Council Ward 3 seat vacated State Senator Sollie B. Norwood, Senator John Horhn, Charlie Horhn, Ward 6 Councilman Tyronne Hendrix with the Horhn Family City Council in 1989; by his wife, La-Rita Cooper- By Stephanie R. Jones • With his long-time assis- Stokes. She was recently tion honoring and thanking in Mississippi. Horhn, who served as local Contributing Writer tant Ethel Mangum, coordi- elected to be a Hinds County Horhn, a longtime labor and The resolution states that union president at Presto Man- nating the city’s annual Mar- judge serving a 4-year term Charlie Horhn was quite sur- union organizer for his service Horhn is a “dedicated public ufacturing Co., is known for tin Luther King Jr. celebration 2015-2019. Cooper-Stokes prised when he learned why he to the city of Jackson. servant who organized in a his savvy in union organization and parade; and gained the City Council seat was asked to be at Tuesday’s Hendrix described Horhn way that transcends political and arbitration. • Working to resolve drain- City Council meeting. as the godfather of political boundaries. He is a labor union age issues and paving streets Stokes City Councilman Tyrone C. grassroots organizing in the advocate, premiere negotiator Horhn in Ward 3 and renaming of Continued on page 6 Hendrix read a special resolu- African American community and staunch politico.” Continued on page 2 Photo of the W e e K Sen. Kenneth Wayne Jones Students gain honored experience as pages in State Senate State Senator Hillman Terome Frazier sponsor of state senate pages Kortland Jordan, Michayla Mack, Asiah Harvey, joined by Lt. Governor Tate Reeves The Mississippi Link Newswire chele Spurlock and Ricky D. page has been a great experi- Kortland R. Jordan and Jordan and attends Jim Hill ence. We appreciate Senator Asiah M. Harvey, both of High School. Asiah is the Frazier’s generosity for allow- Jackson, along with Michayla daughter of Ida and Kenneth ing us to page for him. We en- D. Mack of Clinton, served as Clency. Michayla is the daugh- joyed the senators because they pages for the Mississippi Sen- ter of Nitika Hill-Mack. Both are people who help make laws The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Senator Kenneth Wayne Jones was honored ate this January. Pages general- attend Clinton High School. for our everyday lives. recently by Mayor Pro Tempore Joyce A. Mathis of Natchez, Miss., for his continued service to ly run errands for officials and When asked about the week “This was an educational the Mississippi Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. Senate staff. in which they served as pages, experience that we will never Kortland is the son of Mi- their consensus was: “Being a forget.” Jackson City Resolution Sen. David Blount Canton among Share this issue with a friend recognizes UN Report: Bills filed 22 communities by mailing it to: International Decade In 2015 legislative selected nationally Inside for People of African session; I-55 to receive EPA Descent update Assistance Page 2 Page 3 Page 3 LOCAL 2 • the mississippi link January 29 - February 4, 2015 www.mississippilink.com horhn Continued from page 1 Jackson City Resolution “This political acumen was culti- vated at the A. Phil- recognizes UN lip Randolph In- stitute, recognized for its pivotal role International Decade for in determining out- comes of elections with grassroots can- People of African Descent didates,” the resolu- By Ayesha K. Mustafaa tion states. Editor Horhn went on long designation is “to to serve as presi- The city of Jackson passed a promote respect, pro- dent of APRI Cen- resolution at the beginning of tection and fulfillment tral Mississippi and 2015 showing that it will “recog- of all human rights then as president of nize and support the International and fundamental free- the state chapter. Decade for People of African De- doms for people of He also has been scent.” African descent, as district director for In announcing the resolu- recognized in the Uni- U.S. Congressman tion, City Council President versal Declaration of Bennie G. Thomp- De’Keither Stamps said, “We will Human Rights.” son for 20 years. be engaging institutions around Throughout the de- Horhn, the father the community to research and cade, significant con- of Mississippi State implement policy changes [to tributions made by Sen. John Horhn, combat racism and racial discrim- people of African de- said the gesture was ination]. scent to societies will Ward 6 Councilman Tyronne Hendrix with honoree Charlie Horhn Tuesday night, indeed a surprise “The City Council is at the be featured as well as January 27, 2015, during City Council meeting PHOTOS BY JAY JOHNSON and that he was hon- forefront of initiatives that show proposed “concrete a true commitment in improving measures to combat ored by the recogni- Councilman Charles Tillman great political work, you have the quality of life for Jacksoni- all forms of racism, tion, especially as it was initi- said Horhn has been a real spe- to put people like Charlie Ho- ans.” Jackson’s population is 70 racial discrimination, ated by Hendrix, who he called cial servant to the people and rhn right at the top, and people percent African American. xenophobia and re- “one of my trainees.” deserving of the award. like Bill Griffin,” Priester said. The UN General Assembly lated intolerance.” “My life had been about help- “Mr. Horhn is a man of true These are people committed proclaimed January 1, 2015 The outcome ing others over the years and honesty when it comes to serv- to teaching the new generation, Stamps through December 31, 2024 the sought will be to gain our greatest challenge is to ask ing the people and true honesty he said. International Decade for People a greater knowledge of tional, regional and international the question ‘what have I done when it comes to politics,” Till- City Administrator Gus Mc- of African Descent. The designa- and respect for the diverse heri- legal frameworks in accordance for someone lately?’” Horhn man said. “He’s going to tell Coy said Horhn is one of the tion promotes the theme: “People tage, culture and contribution of with the Durban Declaration and said. “It’s about service.” you exactly what you need to few people WHO have set an of African Descent: recognition, people of African descent to the Programme of Action and the Hendrix said Horhn’s impact do and should do and how to example and taken time to justice and development.” development of societies. International Convention on the on politics in Mississippi can- do it. If you model him, you’ll reach the new generation. According to the UN website, The UN also proposes further Elimination of All forms of Racial not be overstated. He recalled come out OK.” Council President De’Keither the main objective of this decade adopting and strengthening of na- Discrimination. in 2009 when Horhn was “get- Councilman Melvin Priester Stamps said the state of Missis- ting at me real good.” said it was special for him to be sippi has more Democratic and “He said to me ‘Tyrone, you a part of the day honoring Ho- black elected officials than any side and labor side and in the Stamps thanked Horhn for never ceases to amaze me with know, sometimes you have to rhn. other state in the nation. “It’s black community, Mr. Horhn his mentorship and for “stabi- his ability to discern people, burn the midnight oil. If you re- “There are many great orga- not because we have more vot- played a hand in doing that. So, lizing politics in Mississippi places, moments, and events.” ally want things done right, you nizers in the history of Missis- ers,” Stamps said. “It’s because that’s the end product.” over the last 50 years.” Stephanie R. Jones can be have had to burn the midnight sippi politics. When someone we are a more organized people. Getting the right to vote is Said Sen. Horne: “My dad is reached at srjones13@gmail. oil.’ That’s something that has writes the political science text Mr. Horhn is the reason for that. one thing, Stamps said, but one of the most humble people I com or (601) 260-4232. always stayed with me since book about how to organize “In circles amongst our com- organizing people to vote is a know and, yet, he is among the that day,” Hendrix said. people and change and really do munity, especially on the union whole other issue. wisest people I’ve ever met. He STATE | BuSiness www.mississippilink.com January 29 - FEbruary 4, 2015 THE mississippi link • 3 BP executive takes stand Canton among 22 communities in Gulf oil spill penalty trial selected nationally to receive The Associated Press Morrison de- nEW ORLEAnS, La.