The U.S.'s Next Aircraft Carrier Named After African American Sailor Doris Miller

On Jan. 20, 2020 —the holiday marking the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.— the U.S. Navy officially named its newest aircraft carrier, the future USS Doris Miller (CVN 81).

Doris “Dorie” Miller saved the lives of his shipmates and then valiantly fought attacking Japanese forces during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, bravery for which he was awarded the Navy Cross—the first African American to receive this honor. Almost two years after his valor at Pearl Harbor, Miller gave his life for his country when his ship was sunk during battle.

USS Doris Miller (CVN 81) will be the first aircraft carrier named for an enlisted Sailor and the first named for an African American.

Learn more about Doris Miller by watching the video below:

The Story Behind an American Hero, Ship's Mess Attendant Doris Miller

Va. senate votes to end holiday honoring two confederate generals

Virginia’s state Senate on Tuesday voted to eliminate the Lee-Jackson Day holiday, commemorating Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and make Election Day a state holiday.

The two provisions passed as part of a single bill, SB 601, which passed the Senate 22-18 after being introduced by state Sen. Louise Lucas (D). It will now head to the state’s House of Delegates. Both chambers are majority Democratic.

Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has said he supports the bill, saying earlier in January, “I don’t think there’s any secret that it’s in honor of two individuals who fought to prolong slavery, which is not a proud aspect of Virginia’s history.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Rep. Payne, Jr. Rated New Jersey’s Most Popular House Member

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. was rated New Jersey’s most popular member of the U.S. House of Representatives in a recent study by the website, 24/7 Wall Street. The study reviewed approval ratings and election results for Senators and Representatives from all 50 states to determine the most popular, and least popular, elected officials.

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. was delighted to hear of the study’s results.

“I really want to thank the great people of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District for this honor,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “They are the ones who elect me and inspire me to fight to better their lives every day. I am proud of the work we have been doing together to benefit the district. I am grateful to be their representative in Congress and hope to continue those efforts in the future.”

The website, 24/7 Wall Street, is an international news and features service that focuses primarily on national and international economic issues. The site contains reports on specific business concerns, such as the energy and health sectors, as well as insightful analysis and commentary for global investors. Stories from the website are syndicated around the world. The study was one of the site’s special reports and released January 18, 2020.

Northrop Grumman Names Next Spacecraft After First African-American Astronaut

It is traditional for Northrop Grumman to name its Cygnus spacecraft after people who played significant roles in the history of human spaceflight. For its upcoming Cygnus spacecraft set to launch next month, Northrop Grumman is honoring Major Robert H. Lawrence, the very first African American Astronaut. “Northrop Grumman is proud to name the NG-13 Cygnus spacecraft after former astronaut Robert Henry Lawrence Jr.,” Northrop Grumman said. “Major Lawrence was selected in honor of his prominent place in history as the first African-American astronaut.”

The launch for NG-13 is targeted for Feb. 9, 2020.

Maj. Robert H. Lawrence Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 2, 1935. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Bradley University at age 20. He soon became a highly accomplished pilot and Air Force officer, accumulating 2,500 flight hours including 2,000 in jets. He also earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from Ohio University in 1965, which made him the only selected Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) astronaut with a doctorate degree.

MOL was a joint program between the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office that envisioned a series of mini space stations in low polar Earth orbit.

Unfortunately, while serving as an instructor for another pilot practicing techniques that were later used in the Space Shuttle program, Lawrence died in an F-104 Starfighter supersonic jet crash on Dec. 8, 1967.

The MOL program was, eventually, canceled by the Nixon Administration in 1969, and seven of the younger pilots under the MOL program were transferred to NASA where all of them flew on the Space Shuttle in the 1980s. Had Lawrence survived the crash, he certainly would have been transferred to NASA as well.

However, due to the secrecy of the MOL program, Lawrence remained largely unknown for many years until the 1990s when the barriers over the definition of the word “astronaut” were overcome and Lawrence finally received the recognition he deserves.

[SOURCE: IBTIMES]

Baltimore courthouse to be named after late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings

The city of Baltimore will formally name a courthouse after the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings in the first half of 2020.

Democratic Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young unveiled renderings Friday of bronze plaques that will be affixed to the exterior of Courthouse East of the Baltimore Circuit Court. One includes an image and biography of the congressman, and the other reads “Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse.”

"Elijah was a son of Baltimore. He was proud of Baltimore," his widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, said during the unveiling ceremony. "His career as a legal professional started in this courthouse."

Young spokesman James Bentley said the plaques will be installed in the spring or early summer after the city receives approval from the U.S. Department of Interior because the courthouse is a federal building. It was originally a federal courthouse, and still contains a post office.

[SOURCE: Baltimore Sun]