Remarks by Vice President Harris in Highland Park on July 4th Shooting

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Highland Park, Illinois after the tragic July 4th shooting. Read her full remarks to the people of Highland Park below:

Well, to the community of Highland Park: I bring you condolences from President Joe Biden and from our country. I’m so sorry for what you all have experienced and the pain, the suffering. This should never have happened. We talk about it being senseless; it is senseless. It is absolutely senseless.

I want for you that you hold each other tight as a community, that you know that you have a whole nation who cares deeply about you and stands with you. This is a — an incredibly tight community. I know that. And this person will be brought to justice, but it’s not going to undo what happened.

And we — we’re here for you, and we stand with you. And of course, as we always say — because it is true — our prayers are with you.

The President and I and our administration have put all of the resources and will continue to put all of the resources that the Mayor and the Chief and others need in terms of the federal assistance. So the FBI and the ATF are here.

There’s a lot of healing that’s going to have to happen that is both physical and emotional. There is no question that this experience is something that is going to linger in terms of the trauma. And so, I’d like to urge all the families and all the individuals to do seek the support that you so rightly deserve.

And — and we’ll deal with what we need to deal with in terms of also, as we move forward, all agreeing that we’ve got to be smarter as a country in terms of who has access to what and, in particular, assault weapons. And we got to take this stuff seriously, as seriously as you are — because you have been forced to have to take it seriously.

The whole nation should understand and have a level of empathy to understand that this can happen anywhere, in any peace-loving community. And we should stand together and speak out about why it’s got to stop.

Thank you.

Congressional Black Caucus statement on the killing of Jayland Walker

Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty released the following statement on the police shooting of Jayland Walker:

"On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jayland Walker. From every account, he was a family man loved by many. He should still be alive today.

The body camera footage is gut-wrenching and leaves us with far more questions than answers. The conduct of the officers and all involved must be investigated without delay.

The Akron Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and provide regular updates to the community.

Jayland’s family, the Akron community, and all of us deserve to know what happened and what the department will change to ensure routine traffic stops do not lead to more unnecessary deaths.

Far too many Black people in America are killed at the hands of police during alleged traffic violations, and we cannot remain silent. This is not an acceptable outcome, and we can no longer afford to be merely outraged and heartbroken.

While we have seen action on police reform in recent months, it is clear there is more work to do." - Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty.

White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Names 2022 HBCU Scholars

The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced its ninth cohort of HBCU Scholars, recognizing 86 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement and much more.

Currently enrolled at 56 of our nations HBCU's, the scholars were selected from a competitive pool of over 350 students. Applications also required the signature of their HBCU president or designated HBCU faculty, adding a level of prestige to this application process.

"The HBCU Scholars announced today have dedicated themselves to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting these leaders and I cannot wait to learn from them while they serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative and their institutions."

Over the course of an academic school year, HBCU Scholars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. They will be offered training and cross-university networking opportunities. Scholars will also have an opportunity to work on issues specifically related to the HBCU community and participate in national and regional events with professionals from a wide range of disciplines.

A key feature of the HBCU Scholar Program is a partnership with NASA to foster innovation and opportunity for the cohorts. This partnership with NASA makes the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), “Mini MITTIC” part of the HBCU Scholar Program. Through the Mini MITTIC program students will partner in developing ideas to commercialize technology derived from NASA intellectual property. Scholars will have the opportunity to present their IP ideas during the National HBCU Week Conference in September.

“The goal with Mini MITTIC is to provide the HBCU Scholars with an authentic experience while ensuring they leave with the foundational tools to utilize NASA intellectual property to create their own business concept and participate in the full MITTIC competition,” said Misti Moore, NASA’s Johnson Space Center MUREP Lead & MITTIC Activity Manager.

HBCU Scholars will also be invited to the 2022 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, on September 20-23 in Washington, D.C. During the conference, they will participate in sessions designed to engage a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal and professional development. Most importantly, scholars will have opportunities to engage with one another and showcase their individual and collective talent.

2022 HBCU SCHOLAR COHORT

ALABAMA

Huntsville-Asia Jefferson attends Drake State Community and Technical College, Huntsville, AL
Montgomery- Aylon Gipson attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Montgomery- Da’Jon Stoudemire attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa- Chase Cameron attends Lane College, Jackson, TN

ARKANSAS

Conway- Marla McGhee attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Little Rock- Jason Muka attends Philander Smith College, Little Rock, AR

BAHAMAS

Nassau- Jameliah Pinder attends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

CALIFORNIA

Bellflower- Nahiem Banks attends Howard University, Washington, DC
San Bernardino- Jordan Holt attends Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

DELAWARE

Dover- Jessica Simmons attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA

FLORIDA

Miami- Myra Saunders attends Florida Memorial University, Miami, FL
Orlando- Makira Burns attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Pompano Beach- Ayana Emmanuel attends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Tallahassee- Khya Nelson attends Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL

GEORGIA

Athens- Malaya Moon attends Howard University, Washington, DC
Atlanta- Nina Giddens attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Austell- Jennifer Vasquez attends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Byron- Miykael Stith attends Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Glenwood- Andrea Holloway attends Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Loganville- Pariyah E. Evans attends Albany State University, Albany, GA
Macon- Almario Duehart attends Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
Moreland- Sarita Smith attends Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
Stockbridge- Jayden Williams attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

INDIANA

Lowell- Cedric Caschetta attends West Virginia State University, Institute, WV
South Bend- Bashar Saleh attends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA

ILLINOIS

Chicago- Brice Dean attends Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
Chicago- Diamond Williams attends Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
Chicago- Sullivan Anderson attends North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
Chicago Heights- Shanelle Staten attends Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Chicago- Steven McCollough attends Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Homewood- Lauren Proby attends Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Plainfield- Britnee McCauley attends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

JAMAICA

Kingston- Daniel Jathan attends LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN

LOUISIANA

Baton Rouge- Kelsei Scott attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Baton Rouge- Kennedy Paul attends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Monroe- Brandon Horne attends Southern A&M University, Baton Rouge, LA

MARYLAND

Baltimore- D’Aria Couther attends Bennett College, Greensboro, NC Baltimore- Oladayo Akinpelu attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore- Stephanie Leggette attends Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
Brandywine- Jamie Reed attends Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
Brandywine- Nyah Christen attends University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Clinton- Sydney Carr attends University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Hyattsville- Chaylah Francis attends Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Odenton- Drake Smith attends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA
Temple Hills - Nina Rutherford attends Benedict College, Columbia, SC

MICHIGAN

Belleville- Jiyahna Price attends Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona, FL
Detroit- McKinley Lowery attends Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

MISSISSIPPI

Clarksdale- Christopher Murphy attends Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, MS
Cleveland- Kendrick Walker attends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
Collins- Ronnie Davis attends Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
Columbus- Zachary Wilson attends Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
Horn Lake- Cristina Calhoun attends Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
Jackson- Brikala Roach attends Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
Jackson- Lauren Kelli Gatlin attends Hinds Community College Utica, MS
Waynesboro- Elizabeth Moss attends Hinds Community College, Utica, MS

MISSOURI

Lake Ozark- Johnny Myers attends Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO

NEVADA

Las Vegas- Kailyn Haye attends Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte- Paige Davis attends Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
Durham- Phineas Nyang’oro attends North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Greensboro- Tiera Henderson attends North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, Greensboro, NC
Wilmington- Antonio Ashley attends Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC
Winston-Salem - Trajan Baker attends Hampton University, Hampton, VA

NEW JERSEY

Cherry Hill- Pujan Patel attends Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, PA

NEW YORK

Staten Island- Maryam Mumuni attends Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

NIGERIA

Abia- Godwin Eke attends Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Lagos- Oluwapelumi Shodubi attends Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS

OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma City- Nakya Carter attends Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

PENNSYLVANIA

Drexel Hill - Bralyn Page attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Harrisburg- Jordan Spencer attends Delaware State University, Dover, DE
Philadelphia- Horace Ryans III attends Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA

SOUTH CAROLINA

Charleston- Kierra Wellington attends Allen University, Columbia, SC
Newberry- Subrina Davis attends Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC
Sherrills Ford- Gavin Gabriel attends Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC

TENNESSEE

Chattanooga- Lauren Tolbert attends Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
Memphis- Jaylynn Lanier attends LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN
Nashville- M. Javari Henderson attends Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX

TEXAS

Dallas- Donnesha Williams attends Langston University, Langston, OK
Dallas- Kalaya Sibley attends Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Galveston- Kemryn Lawrence attends Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Houston- Nicholas McDermott attends Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
Houston- Taylor Ann Mitchell attends Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
San Antonio- Brittney Carson attends St. Phillip’s College, San Antonio, TX

VIRGINIA

Hampton- Shelita Hall attends Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Richmond- Michael Kevin Crossley Sr. attends Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA

WEST AFRICA

Ghana- Obadiah Amponsah attends Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO

WISCONSIN

Milwaukee - Anyiah Chambers attends Kentucky State University, Frankfurt, KY

Mike Grier become the first Black general manager in NHL history

Mike Grier became the first Black general manager in NHL history when he was hired by the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old replaces Doug Wilson, who stepped down April 7 after 19 seasons to focus on his health. Assistant GM Joe Will held the position while San Jose conducted its search.

Grier played for the Sharks from 2006-09.

"Really excited to work and to be back in the Bay Area," he said. "I know there's been lots of ups and downs but I'm ready to work hard and get at it and get this thing back on the tracks. We're going to start winning some games in the "Shark Tank" and get it going again. See you soon."

Grier worked last season as hockey operations adviser for the New York Rangers, assisting them with hockey-related decisions and off-ice player and prospect development. He also helped with on-ice player development with Hartford, their American Hockey League affiliate.

"I have had the privilege of knowing Mike for nearly three decades and I have always had the utmost respect for him as a person, player and executive," Rangers president and GM Chris Drury said. "I am proud to call him a friend and I look forward to see what he'll do with the Sharks. We will miss him in New York, but we wish him and his family all the best with this new opportunity."

Prior to joining the Rangers, Grier was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils for two seasons (2018-20) and a professional scout for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2014-18.

A former forward, Grier played 14 NHL seasons after being selected by the St. Louis Blues in the ninth round (No. 219) of the 1993 NHL Draft. He had 383 points (162 goals, 221 assists) in 1,060 regular-season games for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks, and 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 101 playoff games.

"While we were intrigued and appreciative of many candidates, especially those that ended up being the finalists, Mike separated himself from the pack by his continued commitment to culture," Sharks president Jonathan Becher said. "Culture, not just on the ice, but off the ice as well. Mike is a true testament to one of our organization's principles, and that is say what you mean, and then do what you say."

Grier's older brother Chris is GM of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.

"I am incredibly proud of Mike," Chris Grier said. "The San Jose Sharks organization is getting a man of high character and integrity. He has always been respected on and off the ice by his peers.

"Mike will bring his work ethic and passion every day to the job. Mike understands the game, with intelligence, experience and knowledge to succeed as a GM. Our parents deserve all the credit for how they raised us. We were very fortunate to be able to observe and learn from our father, Bobby, while growing up. Congratulations to Mike and the San Jose Sharks on a great hire!"

Louisiana Army base named after confederate general could be renamed after African American soldier

During the Jim Crow era, nine Southern Army bases were named for treasonous Confederate generals who fought to preserve slavery and white supremacy. Now a commission established by Congress has suggested new names for the bases that “embody the best of the United States Army and America.”

Fort Polk in Louisiana would be renamed Fort Johnson after Harlem hellfighter, Sgt. Henry Johnson if the recommendations are approved by Congress.

Pvt. Henry Johnson deployed to Europe during World War I in a storied Black regiment known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The U.S. armed forces were segregated, and the Hellfighters were not allowed to fight on the front lines with other U.S. troops. Instead, the Black soldiers fought under the command of their French allies.

That put Johnson and his unit at the front lines, “against all odds — Black Americans wearing French uniforms,” in the predawn hours of May 15, 1918, as German troops swarmed his sentry post at the edge of the Argonne Forest, according to a biography provided by the naming commission.

Johnson threw grenades until he had no more left to throw. Then he fired his rifle until it jammed. Then he clubbed enemy soldiers with the butt of his rifle until it split apart. Then he hacked away at the enemy with his bolo knife.

After the Germans retreated, daylight revealed that Johnson had killed four enemy soldiers and wounded an estimated 10 to 20. He suffered 21 wounds in combat.

For their actions, Johnson and his sentrymate on duty that night were the first Americans to be awarded the Croix du Guerre, one of France’s highest military honors. Almost a century later, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Johnson the Medal of Honor.