Contributions of African American pioneers in medicine and healthcare is the focus of the 2011 African American History Essay Contest. Students from the Pittsburgh Area from the ages of 6 to 18 are invited to submit an essay for a chance to win $500.
Russell Bynum, spokesman for the contest, says students do not need to be African Americans to enter their essay. He says that along with essays, students can submit poetry, videos, music and artwork. "We had one young lady. She won first prize in her category, but she also did a song. And we actually created some CD's and that kind of thing for her."
Bynum says once essays are submitted they are divided into age groups and then go to a panel of judges provided by the contest's sponsors. He says the judges and participation levels changes every year with the subject of the essay.
Essays are due by March 31st to the question "What African American healthcare worker, or supporter, do you admire, and why? How has that person impacted society?" Entry forms can be found online.
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thousands To Lose Health Insurance in PA
A state-run health insurance program for 40,000 low-income Pennsylvanians will expire Monday, but the Corbett Administration won’t step in to extend adultBasic.
Republican Governor Tom Corbett blames his Democratic predecessor for adultBasic’s demise.
Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says Governor Rendell shouldn’t have extended the program’s rolls, knowing its funding agreement was expiring.
"It’s unfortunate that Governor Rendell never lived up to his commitment. But the fact is, it’s unsustainable, and there’s no money in the budget for it."
Republican Governor Tom Corbett blames his Democratic predecessor for adultBasic’s demise.
Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says Governor Rendell shouldn’t have extended the program’s rolls, knowing its funding agreement was expiring.
"It’s unfortunate that Governor Rendell never lived up to his commitment. But the fact is, it’s unsustainable, and there’s no money in the budget for it."
adultBasic supporters aren’t giving up hope. At a Capitol rally, Reverend Amy Reumann of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry urged Corbett to step in and save the program.
"We don’t accept it at this point. We still think there is room. And if he could simply function in the role to bring all the players to the table, where there could be some negotiation around, how can we continue it? Do the blues still have a charitable obligation, and if so, what form is that going to take? What could be the role of other insurance agencies out there?
I think there are still solutions and possibilities out there, if there’s a will. And we look to him to give that moral leadership."
Philadelphia-based Community Legal Services has threatened to sue over Corbett’s decision to end the program. Harley brushed off the threat, saying, “the state gets sued about 70 times a week.”
I think there are still solutions and possibilities out there, if there’s a will. And we look to him to give that moral leadership."
Philadelphia-based Community Legal Services has threatened to sue over Corbett’s decision to end the program. Harley brushed off the threat, saying, “the state gets sued about 70 times a week.”
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Fort Pitt Museum to Stay Open
The Fort Pitt Museum will remain open. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) Board today voted unanimously to keep the museum open and to seek a contract with the Heinz Regional History Center to operate the facility.
With state budget cuts, the commission had earlier decided to close Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and the Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County. Fort Pitt was built in 1754 when General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington led British troops that chased the French from the region during the French and Indian War.
Several organizations submitted proposals to keep Ft. Pitt Museum open including the group, Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum. Commission Board member State Senator Jim Ferlo says the "Friends" group would still be encouraged to play a role and that would be defined as a contract is drafted with the Heinz Regional History Center. The Center's President, Andy Masich, says he's delighted by the PHMC decision and it's "natural" because the Center was founded 130 years ago in time for the 125th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
Masich says their goal is to make Ft. Pitt Museum bigger and better and attract more people, especially students...."including some of the 50,000 students that visit the Heinz History Center each year."
Masich says he'd like to see ongoing archaeological work at the site because "there's still a lot of history underfoot" and an archaeology lab on the first floor of the museum in cooperation with a regional university.
Masich is hoping to erect a 36-foot tall garrison flag to fly over the fort and be lit 24 hours a day so it's the first thing motorists see coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. He says some parts of their 5 year plan can be done in time for the new school year and the G-20 Summit in September.
With state budget cuts, the commission had earlier decided to close Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and the Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County. Fort Pitt was built in 1754 when General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington led British troops that chased the French from the region during the French and Indian War.
Several organizations submitted proposals to keep Ft. Pitt Museum open including the group, Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum. Commission Board member State Senator Jim Ferlo says the "Friends" group would still be encouraged to play a role and that would be defined as a contract is drafted with the Heinz Regional History Center. The Center's President, Andy Masich, says he's delighted by the PHMC decision and it's "natural" because the Center was founded 130 years ago in time for the 125th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
Masich says their goal is to make Ft. Pitt Museum bigger and better and attract more people, especially students...."including some of the 50,000 students that visit the Heinz History Center each year."
Masich says he'd like to see ongoing archaeological work at the site because "there's still a lot of history underfoot" and an archaeology lab on the first floor of the museum in cooperation with a regional university.
Masich is hoping to erect a 36-foot tall garrison flag to fly over the fort and be lit 24 hours a day so it's the first thing motorists see coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. He says some parts of their 5 year plan can be done in time for the new school year and the G-20 Summit in September.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fort Pitt's Fate to be Decided Shortly
Three non-profit organizations have been bidding for management of the Fort Pitt Museum after the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) deemed it fit for closure this spring. Senator John Heinz History Center, the Friends of Fort Pitt Museum (FFPM), and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum all expressed interest in overseeing the beleaguered museum at previous PHMC meetings in Pittsburgh.
Now, the FFPM and the History Center have submitted formal proposals to the PHMC before the commission’s quarterly meeting on June 17th. Soldiers and Sailors has not done so, says PHMC Executive Director Barbara Franco.
Franco says the commission will look over the proposals, as well as the minutes from previous public meetings, in order to decide which direction in which to go. From there, says Franco, the PHMC will negotiate with the non-profit organization to work out the details of their management. Franco says the commission is looking mostly for long-term sustainability when choosing a management staff.
President Donn Neal of the FFPM says his group’s plan is best because it combines new ideas with an already experienced staff. He says his plan would market the museum aggressively and allow for private investment as well.
The History Center declined comment; Soldiers and Sailors could not be reached.
Now, the FFPM and the History Center have submitted formal proposals to the PHMC before the commission’s quarterly meeting on June 17th. Soldiers and Sailors has not done so, says PHMC Executive Director Barbara Franco.
Franco says the commission will look over the proposals, as well as the minutes from previous public meetings, in order to decide which direction in which to go. From there, says Franco, the PHMC will negotiate with the non-profit organization to work out the details of their management. Franco says the commission is looking mostly for long-term sustainability when choosing a management staff.
President Donn Neal of the FFPM says his group’s plan is best because it combines new ideas with an already experienced staff. He says his plan would market the museum aggressively and allow for private investment as well.
The History Center declined comment; Soldiers and Sailors could not be reached.
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