On Wednesday, the Memphis Daily News reported how the historic Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis will become the city's first African American museum in June of 2007."The museum's presence in Memphis would serve two key purposes," said Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who has been supporting the idea for the museum. "First, it would complement the awesome work, programs and service provided by the National Civil Rights Museum. And it would enhance the city as a destination for important scholarship on matters that redress human rights and dignity violations in America and around the world."
Congressman Ford's dedication and excitement about getting this museum built is evident. However, it seems some people just do not see the extreme importance of a museum such as this.
Case in point, U.S. Senate candidate Van Hilleary.
Back in the early 90's, Van attacked Anna Belle Clement O'Brien for her support of $4,500,000 that was to be used for the National Civil Rights Museum.
Van thought the money for the museum was an example of wasteful spending: "Wasteful Spending: $4,500,000 for the "Nat’l Civil Rights Museum" (Hilleary attack ad against Anna Belle Clement O'Brien, Cumberland Times, 09/30/92)
Unlike Congressman Harold Ford Jr, Van Hilleary just doesn't understand how important a museum like this can be to a city like Memphis. (Evidentially, he also doesn't understand the importance of civil rights as is the case with Ed Bryant)
However, we should not be surprised as it seems Van Hilleary doesn't understand that much at any given time.
So once again, what does Van Hilleary have against civil rights museums?
120 Days
Days of Congressional Inaction on Ethics
Above is the number of days that have passed since Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to bribing Congressman.
It is also the number of days in which Congress has failed to pass an ethics reform bill that would limit private travel, ski and golf junkets, and would call for a full disclosure of expenses by lobbyists on members of Congress.
It is time for Congress to step up and pass an ethics reform bill that would do all of the above. In addition, it is time to end the pork barrel spending system as we know it and establish an independent ethics commission that would review ethics complaints against members of Congress.
I am proud Congressman Harold Ford Jr. is fighting for that reform!
Read Congressman Ford's call for reform of the House rules here!
