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Spelman Spotlight February 25, 1980 Page 3 Carter's State of the Union Address By Kiron Skinner According to Frank Reynolds of ABC news, the “State of the Union” address by President Car ter on January 23, 1980 was “almost devoted to foreign policy.” President Carter began his address by saying; “The state of our Union depends on the state of the world and the state of the world depends on the state of our Union.” Many political scientists and analysts reported after the speech that they considered Carter’s ad dress to be more of a United States foreign policy statement than a statement on the Union. In fact, Carter dedicated much of his address to explaining what the United States position will be on the two major international crisis; American hostages in Iran and Soviet troops in Afghanistan. In his discussion of the Iranian situation, to the Congressional plenum, Carter labeled the acts of the Iranian students as forms of “international terrorism.” He stated; “In response to the abhorrent act of Iran, our position is clear; the United States will not yield to black mail.” The President further warned that if the hostages are not released, a “severe price will be paid.” He did not state what that severe price will be, but he did add, “we will never rest until American hostages are released.” Concerning the Soviet Union’s troops in Afghanistan, the President informed that the Soviet invasion is evidence of military aggression. “The Soviet Union must pay a concrete price for their aggression....Verbal condemnation is not enough,” Carter emphasized. In light of what the Soviet Union has done, Carter stated, “The United States has imposed stiff economic penalties on the Soviet Union.” Aside from stating United States policy on the two major in ternational events, the President listed some of the major actions and policies of the United States in the last few decades. In the 1950s the United States employed a containment policy towards the Soviet Union when they in tervened in Korea and the Mid- Mayor Richard Arrington and Dr. Hugh Gloster Photo by William Ransom The Informer Rev. William Howard Addresses Special Morehouse Convocation Reverend William Howard, President of the National Council of Churches, and one of the ministers who conducted Christ mas services for the American hostages in Iran, returned to his alma mater to give members of the Morehouse family his first hand impression of the situation as it exists in Iran. Reverend Howard indicated that he went to Iran in his current position as President of the National Council of Churches, the largest ecumenical organization in the United States, with a membership of some forty million members. This address was the first Reverend Howard had given before a predominantly black audience since his return from Iran. Reverend Howard stated, “I have demonstrated my personal and pastorial concern and com passion for the hostages and their families, so there can be no doubt about my hope and prayer for their safe return.” He pointed out that one of the broader lessons the Iranian crisis has had toward United States foreign policy is to show that the fundamental ob jectives of United States foreign See HOWARD p. 7 die East. During the 1960s the United States involved itself in the Soviet threat in Berlin and the Cuban missile crisis. And during the past decade, Carter reminded the American people that three United States presidents have worked to halt the nuclear power race. In the 1980s, he added, the United States “effort to control nuclear power will not be aban doned.” Perhaps the most prominent statement in his address was the statement that the Persian Gulf is vital to the United States’ national interest, and that the Soviet Union must not dominate foreign oil fields. Domestic problems of the United States were discussed during the latter portion of the president's speech. First, Carter said that it is imperative that Congress approve the military budget for 1981. Also, he vehemently added, “The selec tive service system must be revitalized.” These are domestic chores that the U.S. must realize in light of international con ditions. When Carter began to discuss the need for energy conservation and alternatives, he reported that congress must work promptly on energy legislation. He suggested that Congress consider solar power, realistic prices, the development of synthetic fuels as imperative to this nations future. Carter not only called on Congress to aid him in this era of diminishing energy alternatives, he directly appealed to the American people; “Tonight I call on you, all the people of America, help our nation con serve energy, eliminate waste, make 1980 the year of energy conservation.” Discussing some governmental problems, the President stated that some of his goals are to reduce the government deficit and balance the budget, cut paper work and dismantle un necessary government regulations on businesses. Also, he wants to continue process in providing jobs and training for the unskilled worker, including youths and minorities. After Carter finished his State of the Union address, one jour nalist called him a “different man”. He said that this was not the same J immy Carter that came into office almost four years ago, and the reason for this change is largely due to international events that have permeated American life in recent months. Birmingham Mayor Keynotes Morehouse Convocation Richard Arrington, Jr., the newly elected Mayor of Bir mingham, Alabama, was the keynote speaker at a special con vocation held in his honor at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Chapel on the Morehouse College campus recently. In introducing Dr. Arrington to the convocation audience, Morehouse President Dr. Hugh M. Gloster stated, “Today I have a pleasure I never dreamed I would enjoy in this life. The pleasure of introducing a black man as the Mayor of Bir mingham, Alabama. I hope that everyone in this audience ap preciates the historical signifi cance of the election of Dr. Arrington in the upward movement in the American South.” Dr. Gloster added, “Dr. Arrington’s career shows that a black man who is well qualified and who will drive forward can rise from the depths of disad vantage and reach the heights of success^ even in Alabama.” Dr. Arrington challenged the audience to “teach against apathy and indifference. We must sup port black colleges, churches, and organizations such as the NAACP who have helped build bridges for us to cross.” He ad ded, “Many colleges have years of struggle ahead before we can gain vitality and stability that is needed. Black Colleges and chur ches have taught us the meaning of institutional strength. We as Black Americans do not have many institutions that we can draw from, however, we do have our colleges and churches. Your challenge is to move things along for the better as a dreamer and a doer. Adversities must become opportunities.” Dr. Arrington pointed out, “The black middle class has a responsibility to aid those who are shackled in the depths of poverty. We must see that organizations such as the NAACP are strengthened. We must take as our slogan—I want for my brother what I want for myself.” Turning his attention to his recent election as Mayor of Bir mingham, Dr. Arrington pointed out that there is a lot of similarity between leading a college and leading a city. He stated, “The success of our nation is based on a people who are willing to take on tough tasks...Currently there Despite strong lobbying from President J immy Carter, the Equal Rights Amendment was defeated in the Georgia State Senate Monday J anuary 21, 1980 by a vote of 32-against and 23-for. The amendment would have needed 29 votes for passage. A large majority of Georgia State senators voting “yes” for the ratification of the ERA were Democrats. Many felt the issue of the ERA was more a political party issue rather than one of public opinion. Of the 23 senators who voted “yes” for the ratification, only one, Paul Coverdell of Atlanta, was a Republican. Many Republicans and Democrates voting against ERA expressed suppport of the aims of the ERA, but were disap pointed with the wording. The Equal Rights Amendment for mally reads; Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied is a movement to rebuild the in ner cities. Now is a good time to be mayor if you have ideas, com mitment, and energy. Bir mingham people have made a lot of progress, but there is still a long way to go.” Dr. Arrington closed his remarks by stating, “Title III legislation is the greatest source of federal income for black colleges. We must be vitally con cerned about this legislation in 1980.” or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by ap propriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3. This Amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification. The overall objective of the amendment would be to forbid denial of equal rights on the sole basis of sex. A number of Senators, however, had changed their votes from the 1975 tally when the ERA was also defeated in the Senate. Both Senators Floyd Hudgins, D-Columbus, and Lee Robinson, D-Macon had swit ched their votes from “no” in 1975 to “yes” at the Monday voting. In spite of this, the final vote in the Senate Monday dif fered by. just one vote from the 33-22 vote in 1975. It takes one hour for Earth to turn 15 degrees on its axis. ERA Defeated By Cynthia Williams