US Rep. Corrine Brown, Rev. Terrence Gray, Mrs. Delia Covington photo: Nancy Brown / 106foto.com, West Orlando News
by Nancy Brown
As 2008 began, a long time tradition, the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation was held at the St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church on Bruton Boulevard.
The January 1st community wide Emancipation Proclamation service lead by Sr. Pastor, Rev. Terrence Gray,was a call to action. The spirit of renewal and celebration was in the air as area elected officials, worship leaders and the choir shared personal reflections, scriptures and songs of praise.
The reading of the Emancipation Proclamation which documented freedom for all slaves effective January 1, 1863 was read by, Honorable Geraldine F. Thompson, Florida State House of Representatives District 39. The Honorable Corrine Brown, U.S. Congresswoman District III was introduced by her FAMU alum and good friend Rev. Randolph Bracy, President of the Orange County Branch of the NAACP.
Congresswoman Brown stated that “America is a work in progress”. She indicated that it is a great to talk about how we got freed, but we must examine wherewe are as a people and where we are going.
Congresswoman Brown enlisted the help of pastors in attendance to ensure their congregations are registered to vote and we all must make sure our votes count. Her immediate call to action was for everyone to show up and defeat initiatives on the ballot in the January 29th state primary that poses a threat to education and healthcare. Having just returned from Haiti, Brown also asked everyone to help the people of Haiti.
In closing, Congresswoman Brown brought the church to their feet withher plea, “Give me some help and I can do better!” It takes a whole team to work together to make a difference. Elected officials can only do what we can do together. We cannot do it without your support. We got to have a change in this country, we’ve got to move forward!!!! Together we can make 2008 the best year yet.
