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From the Office of the Press Secretary My Administration is dedicated to ensuring that federal agencies treat all our citizens fairly, and the settlement in the Pigford case reflects that commitment. I applaud Secretary Vilsack for his efforts to modernize operations at the USDA, as well as the work of the Justice Department in bringing these long-ignored claims of African American farmers to a rightful conclusion. I look forward to a swift resolution to this issue, so that the families affected can move on with their lives. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA The settlement agreement reached today, which is contingent on appropriation by Congress, will provide a total of $1.25 billion to African American farmers who alleged that they suffered racial discrimination in USDA farm loan programs.  The settlement sets up a non-judicial claims process through which individual farmers may demonstrate their entitlement to cash damages awards and debt relief.

From the Dallas South News Wire (Methodist Health System) The Methodist Health System Joint Academy offers vital help in preparing both mentally and physically for joint replacement surgery while offering some of the latest minimally invasive techniques to restore mobility and quality of life with less pain and faster recovery time. Reports indicate that pre-surgical education directly involving patients and answering their questions helps speed recovery and achieves enhanced outcomes. After scheduling hip or knee replacement surgery with an independently practicing orthopedic surgeon on the Methodist medical staff, joint replacement patients are invited to participate in the free Methodist Joint Academy. In the Academy, patients receive a two-hour course from caring, expert Methodist staff members who give them a preview and overview of what to expect – step-by-step – before, during, and after surgery. Patients are invited to bring along a family member or friend. “This works just like a seminar or workshop that allows our patients to gain a real feeling of comfort up front about the joint replacement process before it happens,” says Jennifer Tullis, orthopedic coordinator at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “It gives us a chance to prepare our patients in every way possible so they feel at ease ...

From the Office of the White House On January 12, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, causing catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince.  President Obama has said, “at this moment, we are moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in our history -- to save lives and to deliver relief that averts an even larger catastrophe.  In these difficult hours, America stands united.  We stand united with the people of Haiti, who have shown such incredible resilience, and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.” The United States Government has mobilized resources and people to aid in the relief effort.  At the direction of President Obama, this is a whole-of-government effort, and USAID has the lead in this swift, aggressive and coordinated response.  Military personnel are playing an indispensable role in supporting this humanitarian effort, including making the logistics chain possible and distributing life-saving assistance.  Aid workers are working around the clock to deliver more aid more quickly and more effectively to more people in need. Below, please find some key facts and examples of government actions to date.  All numbers below are accurate as of 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 20. INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION At the ...

By Lorrie Irby Jackson - Dallas South News Contributor With our nation’s first African-American president now in the White House, as well as the never-ending drama of black and white issues in popular culture, I figured it was a good time to revisit one of the most honest and insightful books on race relations that I’ve ever read, Rajen Persaud’s Why Black Men Love White Women. Don’t let the incendiary title fool you: instead of it being an instruction manual on how to diss the sisters or giving credence to often-circulated and tired stereotypes, 2007’s Why…. intertwines the author’s own personal observations and experience with facts, percentages and thoroughly researched explanations behind the mindset and motivations of brothers who seem to trip over the sisters in the pursuit of non-blacks for love and companionship. From his home in New York City, the day trader, filmmaker and lecturer peppered our chat with his explosive views on the recent Essence and Vanity Fair magazine cover controversies, his take on the Tiger Woods debacle and our duties to the young people in our lives to keep them from making some of the same racially-centered errors in life. Lorrie Irby Jackson: A lot of subscribers were upset by ...

From the Dallas South News Wire (Office of the Press Secretary) WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow in Baltimore, Maryland, President Obama will announce details of the Small Business Jobs and Wages Tax Cut, one of his new proposals to create good jobs in America.  In last night’s State of the Union Address, President Obama outlined a series of ways he will fight to create good paying jobs and continue our economic recovery. One of these proposals, the Small Business Jobs and Wages Tax Cut, will put more Americans back to work by giving businesses – particularly small business – a tax cut for new hiring.  The new proposal will also provide tax incentives for businesses to expand wages for their employees. Through the Small Business Jobs and Wages Tax Cut: ·         Businesses will receive a $5,000 tax credit for every net new employee that they employ in 2010.  The total amount of the credit for any one firm will be capped at $500,000, to ensure that the majority of the benefit is targeted at small businesses.  Start –ups will be eligible for half of the tax credit. ·         Small businesses that increase wages or hours for their existing employees will be reimbursed for the Social Security ...

(Office of the Press Secretary) Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, where they will lay out key investments for middle class families.  Today’s discussion will preview one of the key themes of the President’s State of the Union address, which include creating good jobs, addressing the deficit, changing Washington, and fighting for middle class families. President Obama said, “We are fighting every single day to put Americans back to work, create good jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term. The additional steps laid out today focus on easing the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and providing the help they need to get ahead.” “Every day, middle class families go to work and help make this country great.  For a year, our Task Force has been hearing that they are struggling with soaring costs and squeezed family budgets.  These common sense initiatives will help these families cope with these challenges,” said Vice President Biden. After traveling across the country the past year talking with families, ...

From Dallas Hyperlocal News Site DallasSouthNews.org By Me A talented cast brings Alice Walker's classic The Color Purple to life on the stage of The Music Hall at Fair Park. Many felt that Steven Spielberg's adaptation for the screen was as good as it gets, but since opening on Broadway in December of 2005, the play has proved otherwise. The Color Purple is billed as "The Musical about Love" but I think it's more of "A Musical about Survival." From the moment I saw Celie and Nettie appear at stage right clapping hands, I leaned over to my wife and said "I'm already sad." But there wasn't enough time for me to dwell on the Hell that Celie was about to endure, because immediately my spirit was lifted by the company performance of "Mysterious Ways." For a moment I thought I was in church and it took everything in me not to stand up and start clapping my hands. The play stands on its own, and I rarely found myself comparing it to the movie. But it was comforting to hear many of the famous lines that have been repeated over and over through the years: You told Harpo to beat ...