What an amazing experience this has been! Tuesday was the never-ending day as we wearily trudged back to the hotel after the balls at 2 a.m.! Indeed, below is a picture of my uncle IP, who was my escort for the night taking a quick nap on the Metro.
But what an experience! First Lady Michelle Obama looked exhausted by the time she and the president reached the Southern Ball around midnight. But the diverse crowd of over 4,000 was enthralled, and so was I.
We also got to hear Vice President Biden graciously thank everyone for their support. Even after returning back to the hotel, I could not help but watch the television coverage. I have never seen so many people come together in such a positive and remarkable way. During this trip, we have met and seen countless Americans who are so hopeful about our future. We saw friends who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina but were determined to share this moment in history and drove here 22 hours almost non-stop.
At the inauguration, I sat next to Palestinian-Americans who, despite the continued tormoil in the Middle East, remain optimistic. And so I leave Washington, D.C., feeling renewed. I thank the Star-Telegram for this opportunity to share this remarkable journey through this forum. I look forward to continuing to work with many other folks to bring positive and lasting change to our community. As President Obama urged us last night "let's go change America!"
Headed out to the We the People Ball and Southern Ball, I thought there was something really wrong with wearing a sleeveless floor-length dress in 25-degree weather AND riding the subway!
There are 100 members of our Fort Worth Police Department here, led by Deputy Chief Ramirez and Captain Salinas. Indeed, while I was complaining about getting up at 5.30 a.m., they were out at 3.30 a.m., working a full day at the inauguration, parade and balls. Law enforcement helped out from across the country, and I know FWPD was honored to be a part of this historic chapter in our nation's history. And, yes, guys, I got you lots of souvenirs!
It's quickly becoming a family and Fort Worth friends reunion here! Had dinner Sunday night with lots of family and friends. The buzzing excitement can be felt everywhere we go!
This morning, my aunt, Deborah, braved the long lines to wait for our inauguration tickets. I joined her, and together we saw lots of Fort Worth residents also lining up for tickets. Eastside activist Regina Blair was there with her mother and sister. We also saw City of Fort Worth Economic Development director Jay Chapa with his wife. (See photo)
Also here is an old family friend, Travis Parmer, who reported that he drove the whole way here on his own!
Special thanks to members of Congress Dr. Michael Burgess, Kay Granger and Kevin Brady for our inauguration tickets. We also received the programs, which are absolutely amazing! My mum and I started crying again when we looked at them.The fact that an African-American will soon take the oath of office for the highest office in the land is still too awesome to comprehend.
(Photo of Regina Blair, Kathleen Hicks, Maryellen Hicks at office of Rep. Michael Burgess.)
Just joined my mother for her weekly radio show, and many generations joined us. We were all crying as we contemplated what will occur in just over 48 hours.
Last night, we arrived at our hotel about 7 p.m. in Arlington, Va.
We had traveled through six states until finally hitting a blue state: North Carolina.
On Friday night, we stayed in Atlanta with my cousin Whitney, who is working on a doctorate in African-American Women's studies at Emory University. It was great to share this time with her. Whitney represents what's so great about this county: the ability to succeed through education - she is truly living the dream.
We got a late start on Saturday-- just exhausted from the long journey. However, as we drove farther north, we started to see more and more Obama signs, including an "Obama, here we come!" sign. Our excitement continued to build.
I have heard from so many old friends along the way, including a friend whom I rode my bicycle with in Ryan Place as a child. He had read about our journey and wanted to wish us the best.
We are now headed to the mall with my uncle and a friend from New York to hear the concert. We hope to see the President-Elect!
Well, isn’t it only fitting that I would start my blog in the heart of the American south?Indeed, our journey started well before dawn when a Star Telegram photographer came to my mothers, Judge Maryellen Hicks’ home to commemorate what I hope will be a very excellent adventure!
Now I will not lie. I was rather underwhelmed to be driving to Washington, DC.My mother and I had shared a rather unpleasant plane trip to Africa a few years ago.She has not been on a plane since.Swept up in a moment of election night euphoria, my best friend Dr. Camille Rodriguez and I promised my dear mother that we would drive her to Washington, DC if Barack Obama won.
And so I find myself in Meridian.Nevertheless, it is a very small price to pay to be a very small piece of history.This past summer I had driven this very same route with my mother on yet another car trip.I remember fretting about whether this country could indeed elect an African-American president.Not even six months later, I find myself on my way to being apart of something I never thought possible – at least not in my lifetime.
Over the past week, I have talked to many Fort Worth residents who are making the same journey.One lady told me she would be leaving by bus at 1 am in the morning.Another was driving with friends.We all shared the same excitement, the same hope – that despite the economicwoes that plague this country, the uncertainty of the future, we remained optimisticand, yes, we wanted to share in a new day for our country.
On Thursday, January 8th I was honored to address the East Fort Worth Business Association at the Trinity Hotel in Council District 8.
Longtime District 8 activist and resident Ms. Sarah Walker gave me a wonderful introduction. Ms. Walker has been a wonderful mentor to me. She has worked tirelessly preserving the history of South-East Fort Worth.
The Association has long promoted positive economic development in our community. I was pleased to see Council Member Frank Moss, long time friends, Attorneys Jesse Gaines & Gwinda Burns, Jim Austin, and of course President of the association Norm Bernes.
My message to the association was simple: We don’t have to re-invent the wheel in East Fort Worth; we must utilize economic tools that have worked elsewhere in our city, state, and country. One such tool is the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone which I talked about in an earlier blog.The city received a federal grant which we leveraged with private funds to revitalize the store fronts across from Texas Wesleyan University.
Also, we are well on our way to revitalizing the east side with the Gateway Park Riverside Oxbow improvements. The area will see millions of dollars of improvements in the coming years thanks to local, state, and federal dollars.
Of course crime remains a great concern to all of us across our city, especially in these rough economic times.The past week has been especially challenging. The police will have a long term presence in East Fort Worth. Indeed, the council has already approved funding for the NEW CRIME LAB that will occupy the old Stripling and Cox Building on East Lancaster. Also, a new POLICE STOREFRONT will be built near I-35 and East Lancaster.
We must continue to be vigilant and not accept anything that goes in our community. We must spread the word about the positive development. Why must we always stereotype East and Southeast Fort Worth?
I was very pleased to learn that Star Telegram columnist Bud Kennedy will be a speaker at the Association meeting in March. A few weeks ago, he wrote an awesome column about how the media loves to focus on the Negative in East Fort Worth, but rarely the positive.
With organizations such as the East Fort Worth Business Association, we will continue to revitalize our community!
This week’s council meeting was another milestone for Council District 8. The Council unanimously passed the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) district for the Oakland Corners area along east Lancaster. Long-time activists were present at the council meeting, including West Meadowbrook Neighborhood President, Don Boren and Wanda Conlin.
The NEZ designation is especially important as it is a vital tool to attract positive Economic Development. Moreover, this NEZ is especially important because the Neighborhood Association was able to craft the NEZ.Applicants will have to adhere to the strict rules upon which businesses are eligible for tax abatements in the area. This will ensure positive development for years to come.More to come later on my remarks to the East Fort Worth Business Association this past week!
Onward and Upward District 8!
-Kathleen
Friday, January 9, 2009
Please come out and join me at my campaign fundraiser:
2008 was another exciting year for our district.Indeed, George Bernard Shaw once stated that “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”Change was a crucial theme this past year as we elected a new president in a historic election.Locally, positive change continued to ring throughout our district.
The last quarter of 2008 saw many more groundbreakings across the district.Mayor Moncrief, numerous city staff and community advocates joined me on a crisp October day to break ground on the new HazelHarveyPeaceCenter for Neighborhoods on the corner of Terrell and I-35.
In November, I joined federal and state officials to break ground for the new multi-million dollar VeteransHospital.The facility near Campus and 8-20 will serve veterans from across north Texas.A few weeks days later we celebrated more positive change with the opening of the newly renovated BakerBuilding on the campus of TexasWesleyanUniversity.The renovation reflects the significant progress in the PolytechnicUrbanVillage.Thanks to public and private partnerships, the area is coming alive with the TWU bookstore, and other commercial development to come in 2009 in buildings along East Rosedale that have stood empty for far too long.
November also saw the Go Gateway! Celebration as hundreds of residents came out to enjoy this great east side park which soon will boast numerous new improvements for all of Fort Worth to enjoy.Also the FW City Council recently approved the Neighborhood Empowerment Zone for West Meadowbrook.This important milestone will encourage re-investment in East Fort Worth.
Finally, I was delighted to take part in the ceremony in which All Church Home for Children celebrated their move to the old Masonic Home Campus at MLK Freeway and East Berry.As a proud board member of ACH, I can tell you that this organization is setting the bar for quality programs in child welfare that is dramatically strengthening families and reducing child abuse.ACH will invest well over 10 million dollars to improve the campus and will be a vital anchor in district 8 community.We welcome them!
I could go on and on about all the positive change occurring through-out our wonderful district.I thank you for going on this positive journey with me as we continue to make important and lasting strides!
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