Advancing Civil Rights Through Advocacy 9th Annual West Virginia Civil Rights Day Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 11:00 AM Norman L. Fagan West Virginia State Theater The WV Division of Cultural and History State Capitol Complex 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E. Charleston, WV 25305 Sponsored by: State of West Virginia Office of the Governor WV Division of Culture and History WV State University WV Human Rights Commission 2 Master of Ceremonies The Honorable Terry Walker, The Occasion Commissioner WV Human Rights Commission HONOREES’ ENTRANCE Greetings on behalf of Karl Gattlieb, Commissioner the Commission: WV Human Rights Commission Musical Selection: Randall Reid-Smith, Commissioner WV Department of Culture and History Invocation: Bishop David Stockton West Virginia State University Introduction of Governor: Rev. Wesley Dobbs, Commissioner WV Human Rights Commission Presentation of Proclamation, The Honorable Earl Ray Tomblin, Remarks & Honoree Photos Governor Presentation of Honoree Awards Michael J. Lewis, M.D., Ph.D Cabinet Secretary, DHHR Musical Selection: Randall Reid-Smith, Commissioner WV Department of Culture and History Presentation of Special Awards & Phyllis H. Carter, Sponsor Certificates: Acting Executive Director WV Human Rights Commission **Special Closing Musical Selection** LUNCHEON 12:00 NOON—1:30 PM 3 Advancing Civil Rights Through Advocacy West Virginia Civil Rights Day February 28, 2012 Governor Earl Ray Tomblin 4 PROCLAMATION by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin Whereas, equal rights and opportunities for all West Virginians are fundamental to our well being, and these rights and opportunities are protected in our Declaration of Independence and in our state’s Constitution; and, Whereas, equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations and housing are public policy in West Virginia; and, Whereas, the West Virginia Legislature created the Human Rights Act prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing and in places of public accommodations based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age or disability, and familial status; and, Whereas, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission encourages mutual respect among all racial, religious and ethnic groups within the state; and, Whereas, the WV Human Rights Commission works cooperatively with government agencies, community and civic organizations and representatives of minority groups to promote programs and campaigns devoted to the achievement of toler ance, understanding and equal protection of the law; Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Earl Ray Tomblin Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim February 28, 2012, as: Civil Rights Day in the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to join me in this observance. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of West Virginia to be affixed. Done at the Capitol, City of Charleston, State of West Virginia, this 20th day of February, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Twelve and in the One Hundred Forty-Ninth year of the State. 5 STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Earl Ray Tomblin 1321 Plaza East, Room 108 A Michael J. Lewis, M.D., Ph.D. Governor Charleston, WV 25301 Cabinet Secretary Phyllis H. Carter Acting Executive Director February 28, 2012 As Chair of the West Virginia Human Rights Commissioners, it is truly an honor to be part of the Governor’s 9th Annual Civil Rights Day Celebration. My congratulations go out to each of the honorees and the contributions they have made to the civil and humanitarian benefits of all West Virginians. Each individual, regardless of race, creed, color or culture background have proven their strength and capability to rise to the many challenges that face us as a people. They continue to take a stand and let their voices be heard in the face of opposition which attest to the validity of their being honored on today. These and individuals like them have given us a firm foundation on which we continue to build a better place for our continuing genera- tions and the protection of those who follow in their footsteps. Again my personal congratulations go out to Judge Phyllis H. Carter, Acting Execu- tive Director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, my follow Commissioners and the Commission staff for the work they continue to do to eliminate discrimination for all West Virginians. Truly yours, Darrell Cummings Rev. Dr. Darrell Cummings Chair, WV Human Rights Commission 6 STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Earl Ray Tomblin 1321 Plaza East, Room 108 A Michael J. Lewis, M.D., Ph.D. Governor Charleston, WV 25301 Cabinet Secretary Phyllis H. Carter Acting Executive Director February 21, 2012 On behalf of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, I welcome you to the Ninth Annual Governor’s Civil Rights Day Recognition. On this occasion, the Governor and the Commission recognizes those persons who dedicate themselves to the elimination of discriminatory practices against all citizens within the Great State of West Virginia. Thank you Governor Tomblin and Secretary Lewis for your continued support of the Commission and its work. Without your support, this recognition would not be possible. Congratulations to our honorees who continue each day to make life better for all West Virginians. Your work is a testament to the principles of freedom and equality. Sincerely, Phyllis H. Carter Acting Executive Director WV Human Rights Commission 7 Meet Our Honorees For dedicated service to the people of West Virginia and their constant struggle for civil rights for all, we honor: Robert S. Baker, Esq. The Honorable Bonnie Brown Marion J. Capehart * Dr. Hazo W. Carter, Jr. Earl Eugene “Gene” Corum * Rev. Dr. Darrell Cummings Elmer H. Day, Jr. James Lonnie Hagood * Lt. Col. Kenneth Hale Richard J. “Dick” Henderson * Allan N. Karlin, Esq. Rev. Jim Lewis The Honorable Darrell W. McGraw Jane Moran, Esq. Charles G. Peters, Jr. Paul R. Sheridan, Esq. Jean E. Simpson Randall Reid Smith Richard F. “Dick” Smith Carolyn Elizabeth Smoot * Dallas S. Staples Dwight J. Staples, Esq. Gail Henderson-Staples, Esq. Milford Ziegler *honored posthumously 8 Robert S. Baker, Esq. Baker, came to the Beckley Commission with years of experience working in the legal field, including representing employees in employment discrimination cases and tenants in housing matters. He was appointed to the Beckley Human Rights Commission on January 28, 2003, to fill an unexpired term. He was the last Director of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, and retired in 2010 from Legal Aid of West Virginia. Baker is a practicing attorney with the Commission and is for- merly an attorney with Legal Aid of WV, Inc., where he served a three county area from January, 2002, until July, 2010. Baker, received an A.B. degree from Oberlin College in 1968, his J.D. Degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in 1976, and an M.B.A. from West Virginia Graduate College (now Marshall University Graduate Col- lege) in 1995. From 1968 to 1971, as a Peace Corp Volunteer, Baker taught sec- ondary school mathematics at the Holy Ghost Secondary School in Segbwema, Sierra Leone, West Africa. Baker formerly served as Legal Director for Appalachian Legal Services; and as Deputy Directing Attorney, Directing Attorney and Director of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund. Baker presently is the Chair of the Access To Justice Commission of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Baker is also a member of many boards and commissions including the West Virginia State Bar Standing Committee on Legal Services for the Poor; the WV Legislative Task Force on Social Security Disability; and West Virginia State Bar Commission on Children and the Law. Baker is married to Ruth Baker, they have three children: Kevin Baker, Jacob Yarrow and Jessica Yarrow. Kevin is an attorney in Charleston, WV; Jacob is the program director for the arts program at the University of Iowa; and Jessica has been involved in human rights work in Guatemala. Baker practiced law for about 35 years, in San Francisco, has practiced in Fayetteville, and Beckley, West Virginia. 9 The Honorable Bonnie Brown Delegate Bonnie Brown, 30th District, Kanawha County first became politically involved in the 1970's, working in the Women’s Rights Movement. She was a political organizer for the ERA in many states, as well as in Washington. Her work for women’s rights and civil rights led to her appointment as Chair of the South Charleston Human Rights Commission. She lobbied the state legislature on those issues, including the Martin Luther King Holiday bill. She decided to run for office in 1982, won her first election by twelve votes. Delegate Brown chairs the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee in her 11th term in the WV House of Delegates and currently serves on the Judiciary and Constitutional Revision Committees. She also chairs the bi-partisan Women’s Caucus. Delegate Brown is a 2005 graduate of the Foreign Policy Institute at the Center for Women’s Policy Studies and serves on the National Conference of State Legislatures Committee on Human Services and Welfare, and on the Environment and Energy Com- mittee of the Southern Legislative Conference. She was recently appointed to represent the Southern region on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the Council of State Governments. She has been featured in the book, Talent and Courage: Outstanding WV Women in the 1990's, by Ethel Davies. Her recent honors and awards include: Chuck Chambers Public Service Award WV Environmental Council Mountains of Gratitude Award WV Division of Rehabilitation Services Pace Setter Award Women in Legislatures Lobby Roger Baldwin Award American Civil Liberties Union Kentucky Colonel - Governor Steven Beshear, Kentucky Other honors and awards include: Legislator of the Year The National Child Support Enforcement Association Guardian Angel Award West Virginia Women’s Commission Susan B.