Congressmen Pledge Support for Death Row Inmate

After meeting for nearly two hours with death row inmate Troy Davis on Friday, two Georgia congressmen and the president of the NAACP say they are convinced of his innocence and committed to saving his life. Congressmen John Lewis and Hank Johnson say they plan to pursue other legal means to resolving Davis' case, which is in the U.S. Supreme Court on appeal. NAACP President Ben Jealous says the case is now a national priority for his organization. Davis was convicted in the 1989 killing of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail. His guilt was put in question after several witnesses from his trial changed their testimony. Supporters are calling for a new trial. Lewis says he has considered asking for a presidential pardon for Davis, but has not yet spoken to President Barack Obama about intervening in the case.

(Associated Press)

Former Mexico President Speaks At Emory Graduation

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is set to speak at graduation ceremonies of Emory University this morning in Atlanta. He will also receive an honorary doctor-of-laws degree from the university. Fox was elected president of Mexico in 2000. Following the end of his term in 2006, he founded Centro Fox—a presidential library and museum modeled loosely on the humanitarian work of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Fox also became president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Internet Sensation Receives Full Scholarship to Georgia University

A Pahokee, Fla., boy who became an Internet sensation during the presidential campaign has received a full scholarship to a Georgia university. Damon Weaver says he plans to accept the offer to attend Albany State University. In a press release, Weaver called the full ride a "big relief to my mother and my family." Beverly Robinson, the university's vice president for student affairs, said the school will officially present Weaver's scholarship at a national alumni convention in June in Miami. Weaver created a buzz last year when he landed an interview with Vice President Joe Biden. Closing the bit, Weaver quipped: "Senator Biden is now my homeboy."

(Associated Press)

Perdue asks for federal declaration aid

Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked for a presidential disaster declaration covering 33 Georgia counties struck by severe weather and floods. Perdue also issued an executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency in 17 additional counties affected by heavy rains and storms that have passed through Georgia since March 27. Previously, 16 counties were included in the governor's order because of damage to a large number of roads, bridges, drainage systems, waste treatment facilities and other infrastructure. Initial damage assessments by local, state and federal teamsalso revealed that more than 600 homes were damaged over widespread areas of the state. A presidential declaration would provide assistance to public programs in 30 counties, and individual assistance in 18.

(Associated Press)

Governor Perdue Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

Governor Sonny Perdue today requested a Presidential disaster declaration which would lead to federal aid for severe weather and flood damages in 33 Georgia counties.

“The recent floods in south Georgia have adversely impacted the lives of many Georgians,” said Governor Perdue. “The requested disaster funding will help residents, businesses and local governments recover from this disaster and rebuild their lives.”

Governor Perdue also issued an Executive Order today declaring a state of emergency in 17 additional counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that have passed through Georgia since March 27. The counties are: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Clinch, Dodge, Dougherty, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs, Upson, Ware, Wheeler and Wilcox.

Previously, 16 counties were included in the State of Emergency orders, including Atkinson, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Tift, Turner and Worth. When joint state-federal damage assessments began on April 7, officials determined that more counties needed to be added emergency declaration. The additional counties reported disruptions to a large number of roads, bridges, drainage systems, waste treatment facilities and other crucial infrastructure.

Some examples of the impact of the severe weather and flooding on these counties include: 36 local road closures; 16 federal and state route closures; five damaged wastewater treatment facilities; five damaged neighborhood or community sanitary sewer lift stations; three damaged public drinking water systems; six damaged bridges; and 20 reported school system closures.

Governor Perdue's request follows joint surveys conducted over the past several days by local, state and federal damage assessment teams, which is a requirement of the disaster declaration process. Initial damage assessments conducted over a widespread area revealed that more than 600 homes were damaged.

Governor Perdue requested Public Assistance (PA) programs for 30 of the counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Dodge, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Tift, Toombs, Turner, Upson, Ware, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth. PA programs provide funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

In addition, the Governor requested Individual Assistance (IA) programs for 18 of the counties: Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth. IA programs include funding for the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

“Damage assessments completed to date confirm that damage from the flooding left hundreds of Georgians in need of assistance,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Charley English. “Our agency will continue working with local emergency officials to provide needed state resources and pursue available federal assistance.”

Joint state and federal damage assessment teams will continue to work to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, residences and public facilities in all counties reporting damage to ensure that all who qualify for assistance will be included.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more emergency information, visit GEMA's Web site at www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov . For more information on federal assistance programs please go to www.fema.gov.

(Governor's Office News Release)

Newt Gingrich Predicts Judicial Battle

Newt Gingrich says that a major battle is brewing over judicial power. The former House speaker and Georgian - speaking at the University of Georgia's law school on Tuesday - says he was astonished by a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage in that heartland state. Gingrich calls the decision "outrageously wrong" and says it demonstrated "judicial arrogance." Gingrich is mentioned as a possible Republican presidential contender in 2012.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Jobs Cut with F-22 Raptor Jet

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Pentagon will end the F-22 fighter jet and presidential helicopter programs run by Lockheed Martin Corp. 2,000 workers in Cobb County currently assemble parts of the jets. The Pentagon has contracted to buy 183 F-22 from Lockheed Martin. More than 140 have been built. Current orders would keep the Marietta assembly line open until late 2011.

(Associated Press)

'Brothers at War' Filmmaker, Producer at Columbus Opening

In this 2008 photo provided by Samuel Goldwyn Films, brothers, from left, Isaac, Jake and Joe Rademacher pose in Decatur, Ill. Jake followed his two younger brothers to Iraq, filming them and their comrades for a film "Brothers at War," that will open in military towns in North Carolina and Georgia. (AP Photo/Samuel Goldwyn Films, Amy Denney) - AP

Jake Rademacher finally got to go to war.

It wasn't the way he had hoped – his childhood dream to attend West Point was dashed when poor eyesight kept him out. Instead, he followed two younger brothers to Iraq, filming them and their comrades for a film "Brothers at War," that opens this weekend in military towns in North Carolina and Georgia.

"My curiosity was more than intellectual," Jake said. "I had a personal reason to know what my brothers were going through..." Another filmmaker who hadn't wanted to go to West Point might not have been as interested in going to a war zone.

"Wanting to be a soldier played into my willingness to go to the edge of the fight and be there when the bullets were flying by my camera. ... and bring the audience with me."

The movie intertwines the story of the three brothers and other family members, along with soldiers at war and families at home. The film's inside, personal look at the battlefield and the homefront attracted the attention of actor Gary Sinise, who helped find distribution for the movie and eventually became its executive producer.

"This is a brother who wants to know about his own brothers. That gives it a heart," said Sinise, who last year received the Presidential Citizens Medal. The medal recognizes U.S. citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation. He was recognized for his work with the USO and with a group he co-founded, Operation Iraqi Children.

"You watch this young filmmaker go from somebody who doesn't know what he's getting himself into into someone who learns a helluva lot about his brothers, who gets to know them better than he did before and by doing that, gets to know a lot about himself."

Jake, 33, is the oldest of five brothers and two sisters who grew up in Decatur, Ill. He went to Iraq in 2005 and 2006, before the surge and, over time, embedded with four combat units.

One revealing scene occurs between U.S. snipers as they wait for insurgents to emerge. The two men talk about whether flowers are an appropriate Christmas gift for a girlfriend – one says yes, one says no – and a teddy bear that one bought for his girl, with her name on the front and soccer number on the back.

On his first visit, he was stationed with his brother, now-Maj. Isaac Rademacher. But that assignment, which consisted of hanging out for days with reconnaissance troops near the Syrian border, drew the disdain of his other brother, Staff Sgt. Joe Rademacher, a sniper who didn't think Jake had experienced the realities of war.

Joe so repudiated Jake's experience that he declined to hug Jake when Jake returned from his first trip to Iraq. It's one of the more excruciating scenes in "Brothers at War," when Jake jumps on Joe, and Joe backs away.

So Jake took up his brother's challenge and returned to Iraq, this time to the Sunni Triangle, at one point being shot at as he filmed and narrowly avoiding a roadside bomb that injured two Iraqi officers.

Joe, 23, "felt like I hadn't gone deep enough into the experience," Jake said. "I hadn't been in a sniper hide site ... things so important to his experience. It was a surprise to me that my little brother rejected my experience when I came home."

Isaac supported his brother's endeavor from the start, knowing how badly Jake had wanted to be a soldier.

"It did hurt his ego when I got in" West Point, said Isaac, 32, who recently was promoted to major and now is the operations officer for an armored cavalry squadron at Fort Bragg. "At the same time, he was happy for me. It's got to be hard to watch your younger brother succeed at something you tried to and it just didn't happen."

While he made the movie to teach civilians about war, Jake said soldiers and their families tell him it's helped them as well because it's allowed the troops to open up about their experiences.

The movie "illustrates and captures what it's like to be a soldier in Iraq," Isaac said. "A guy can sit there with his family and point at the screen and say there, that's almost exactly what I did over there. It gives you a start point to open that conversation."

On the 'Net: http://www.brothersatwarmovie.com/

Former Mexico Prez To Speak At Emory Graduation

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox is scheduled to speak at Emory University’s spring commencement May 11th. The Atlanta school will also give Fox an honorary degree.

Fox was elected Mexico’s president in 2000. Following the end of his term in ’06, Fox founded Centro Fox. The presidential library and museum is loosely modeled on the humanitarian work of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at Atlanta’s Carter Center.

Fox earned an MBA from Harvard University and also held the post of president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Boeing Jobs Safe For Now in Macon

(Courtesy Boeing)

A United States Air Force contract means job security for 500 Boeing employees in Macon.

Workers at the Macon plant make part of the fuselage for the C-17 aircraft. The components are then shipped to Boeing's Long Beach, California facility where they are assembled. The 2.9 billion dollar contract is to purchase 15 planes.

The giant transport plane is used to carry equipment, supplies and personnel. The contract will keep the production line moving until August of 2010. During the presidential campaign President Barack Obama expressed his support for the aircraft.

The additional planes should also create more work for Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins where the C-17 is maintained.

Governor Perdue Attends Inauguration

Georgia governor Sonny Perdue attended Tuesday's presidential swearing-in in Washington, D.C. In a statement, Perdue said, "Mary and I were honored to attend today’s ceremony and our prayers are with President and Mrs. Obama as they take on this awesome responsibility. Georgia looks forward to continuing to work closely with the incoming administration as we address our softening economy and the impact it is having on our citizens. I also want to thank President Bush for his service to our country and for his support and friendship during his time in the White House.”

Lowry Blesses Obama Inauguration

The man who gave the benediction at Tuesday's presidential inauguration of Barack Obama is a Georgian. The Reverend Joseph Lowry said Obama takes office at a "low moment" in the nation's and the world's economic health. The 87-year-old Methodist prayed for an end to "exploitation" of the weak and poor, and what he called "favoritism toward the rich."

Lowry added some humor to his blessing, ending with a rhyme familiar to black church-goers: "We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around...When yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."
The crowd thundered, "Amen!"

(with help from the Associated Press)

Charity Battling Donor Fatigue, Obama Inauguration

A 38-year-old charity that supplies food to Atlanta's poorest residents has decided to go forward with an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day dinner despite lowered donations and many volunteers leaving town for the presidential inauguration.

Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless organizers told The Associated Press Wednesday that a lack of donations - including corporate gifts of hams and turkeys - meant the dinner wouldn't take place. Spokeswoman Dee Dee Cocheta later got word that a donation of hams would come through after all. Combined with a modest gift of 216 turkeys Tuesday, it's enough to let the dinner go on.

But the group still faces a struggle. Organizers say many of the staff who would have worked at the dinner will be in Washington for the inauguration.

In related news, President-elect Barack Obama says the inauguration is about more than him, and that it should be about getting all Americans involved in community service.

Obama said Wednesday that his Jan. 20 inauguration should bring the country together to volunteer. He says if everyone rolls up their sleeves, the county will improve. Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will volunteer in the Washington area
Jan. 19.

Obama's aides have posted thousands of volunteer opportunities on a Web site, USAService.org.

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News reports about homelessness and hunger issues in Georgia.

Dire economy led Georgia news in '08

The vast economic crisis has left scores of Georgia's houses empty, its banks shuttered and sent thousands of its residents searching for jobs even as its unemployment rate balloons to heights not seen since Ronald Reagan was president.

The nationwide recession was the top Georgia news story of 2008, according to state editors and news directors voting in The Associated Press' annual survey.

Other stories high on most lists included an energy crisis that sent gas prices on a roller-coaster ride, the U.S. Senate runoff that thwarted Democratic plans for a super-majority in the Senate and the months-long trial of courthouse gunman Brian Nichols.

Yet the economic doldrums was the top choice for seven of 12 Georgia AP members participating in the news cooperative's survey.

Georgia residents began feeling the economic fallout early this year as a growing number of homes remained unsold and credit grew tighter. Firms fired workers, governments furloughed staffers, foreclosures spiked and the state unemployment rate soared to 7.5 percent - the highest in 25 years.

The bleak economy forced regulators to close down five state banks, and led Gov. Sonny Perdue to order spending cuts of at least 6 percent to narrow a deficit that could top $2 billion in 2009.

The new year is unlikely to bring much relief. State economists warn unemployment will climb higher and housing prices will continue to plummet through the first half of 2009.

Volatile energy prices were the No. 2 story of the year. The topsy-turvy fuel market sent the price of crude soaring to as high as $150 a barrel in July before crashing to $33 this month.

The jump in prices, which soared after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike shuttered Gulf Coast refineries, sparked panic among Georgia drivers. Gas stations advertised fuel at $8 a gallon, while some drivers camped out at gas stations to be first in line for new deliveries.

Georgia's seemingly endless U.S. Senate campaign notched the No. 3 spot.

Residents headed to the polls four times to vote on the Senate contest, beginning with the July primaries and ending with a Dec. 2 runoff when Saxby Chambliss was elected to a second Senate term. The Republican's victory over Jim Martin deprived Democrats of a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority.

The conviction and sentencing of Brian Nichols for a deadly shooting spree that began in the Fulton County Courthouse was the year's No. 4 story.

After more than three years and a tangled trail of legal delays, a jury found Nichols guilty of murder. But it deadlocked over whether he deserves the death penalty, forcing a judge to sentence him to life in prison without parole. Now some legislators are intent on changing the state's death penalty rules.

The stubborn drought still squeezing parts of the state emerged as the No. 5 story of the year. While a soggy December helped elevate most of the region from the epic conditions, much of north Georgia - including devastated Lake Lanier - remains in a "severe" drought.

The No. 6 story was the deadly explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in February near Savannah that killed 14 workers and injured dozens more. Investigators determined the blast was caused by sugar dust that ignited like gunpowder in the plant's storage silos.

The presidential election, which dominated national headlines, was voted the No. 7 story in Georgia. Democrat Barack Obama's campaign recruited thousands of volunteers focused on turning the state blue, but Republican John McCain managed to claim Georgia's 15 electoral votes.

The No. 8 story of the year broke just hours after New Year's Day.

Meredith Emerson was abducted while walking with her dog that day in the north Georgia mountains, and police later found her body. Authorities soon arrested Gary Michael Hilton, who is now serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to her murder.

The Delta Air Lines merger with Northwest Airlines took the No. 9 slot, as the combination made the Atlanta-based carrier the world's largest airline. It completed a remarkable turnaround for Delta, which had filed for bankruptcy in 2005.

Clayton County's education woes was the year's tenth-ranked story. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the county's accreditation after it failed to meet a range of recommendations. More than 3,200 students have since bolted.

Stories close to making the list included convicted murderer Troy Davis' efforts to get a new trial and avoid execution, a legislative session that again ended in gridlock and an explosion at a Dalton law firm that killed the person responsible and injured four others.

(AP)

Rev. Jeremiah Wright set for Macon revival

President-elect Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is expected to preach at a Macon revival this coming week.

Wright will preach Monday through Wednesday at St. Paul AME Church. It will be his second visit to the Georgia city. Wright also spoke at St. Paul last year.

The Chicago minister drew headlines in the presidential campaign for remarks on racial injustice, conduct of the American government and U.S. foreign policy.

Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ during the campaign after inflammatory comments by Wright from the pulpit became a campaign issue.

St. Paul's pastor, the Rev. Ronald Slaughter, defends Wright, pointing to his longtime community activism.
---
Information from: The Macon Telegraph,
http://www.macontelegraph.com

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage about Rev. Wright.

Local school band picked for inauguration

Cogdill (top right) with some of the band members. (Dave Bender)

An Atlanta-area high school band has been picked to perform at the presidential inauguration.

Austell’s South Cobb High School marching band will represent Georgia in the parade from the Capitol to the White House following President-elect Barack Obama's swearing in ceremony on January 20.

Band Director Zachary Cogdill made the surprise announcement on Sunday at an awards banquet for the band members:

"They just went nuts! Jumping up and down, hugging, crying..."

Senior Dana Scherer is a drum major with the band, and was stunned by the news:

“I was just so in shock, I was just so overwhelmed - I began to cry. Mr. Cogdill’s announcement was so amazing - I didn’t know whether he was going to tell us yes or no, and it was so overwhelming. It was so cool.”

Sherer’s one of the 95 band members who’ll perform Georgia On My Mind, and Summon The Heroes, which was composed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Letter of acceptance from the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Click image for larger version. (Dave Bender)

The Presidential Inaugural Committee chose the 2,200-student school from nearly 1,400 applicants.

U.S. Senate candidates' final push today

It is the final push for the Georgia U.S. Senate candidates, with the runoff election ahead tomorrow. Democratic challenger Jim Martin spent weekend time in Macon, Savannah and Columbus. While in Columbus, Martin appealed to veterans who live in the area. Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss attended the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game Saturday in Athens--on Sunday, he appeared on Fox News Sunday to make his national case.

Last night, Chambliss welcomed Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to Georgia with private fundraisers in Atlanta. Today, Chambliss and the former vice presidential candidate will hit four cities in Georgia, starting with Augusta this morning. They'll move to Savannah, Perry, and metro Atlanta afterward. For Martin, he’ll campaign with civil rights leaders in two statewide stops today--Augusta and Macon, and then return to Atlanta with a State Capitol rally alongside hip-hop star Ludacris.

Get all the latest with Georgia election news by going to our website: gpb.org/election

Final day for advance voting ahead of runoff

Today is the final day for advance voting in the state for the runoff election. Races to be decided at the polls include the U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission, and Court of Appeals. On Tuesday, yet another high-profile name dropped into Georgia for support of a Senate candidate. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani threw his public support behind Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. Also announced yesterday, the Chambliss campaign will get a visit from former vice presidential candidate and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She’ll be in Georgia Monday.

Giuliani's turn to stump for Chambliss

Giuliani and Chambliss. (Carl Zornes)

Incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss today welcomed the support of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani is just the latest in a series of national political figures coming to Georgia to support their party this run-off season.

Flanked by police officers and other first responders, Giuliani said Chambliss’ experience is needed back in the Senate:

"His understanding of our intelligence services, his understanding of terrorism, is really surpassed by no one in Washington. And we need people like Saxby Chambliss who has that experience. Having been a first responder himself, having been someone who, from the beginning of his career in Washington, took a great interest in intelligence and improving it."

For his part, Democrat Jim Martin began sending out robo-calls featuring president-elect Barack Obama.

A new poll released by Insider Advantage puts Chambliss ahead of Martin by three percentage points – still within the margin of error.

Sarah Palin is expected to come to Georgia next week to stump for Chambliss. The former vice presidential candidate will travel across Georgia with Chambliss just one day before the election.

Romney ties Martin, Democrats to socialism

Senate candidate Jim Martin with former President Bill Clinton at Clark Atlanta University on Thursday; former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with Republican incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss at a rally in Atlanta on Friday. (Photos: John Bazemore /AP)

Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney lent his support to Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Friday, warning that a victory by the Democratic challenger in next month’s hotly contested runoff could be the first step toward a European brand of socialism.

Romney is the latest in a parade of GOP bigwigs who have flocked to the state in the weeks before the Dec. 2 runoff between Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. Romney’s criticism is not unlike the line of attack Sen. John McCain used unsuccessfully against Democrat Barack Obama in the campaign for president.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, told a crowd of about 200 cheering supporters that the general election showed that people wanted change in Washington. But the Georgia runoff, he said, could alter the very nature of the country.

"This election is about whether we want to change America. And I want to keep America America," he said to applause.

"I think in this race you have two different men who have two different views. One would take America down the course of becoming like Europe, big taxes and big government," said Romney. Chambliss, he said, "fundamentally believes in keeping America strong and safe and free."

In a brief news conference after the speech, Romney added: "I want to make sure we don’t take a left turn toward Europe."

Martin, a former state legislator, dismissed the ideological labels and stressed his record of bipartisan cooperation.

"I was one of the most effective members of the state House. I worked across party lines, and I’m going to continue to do that in Washington," he said after appearing at a campaign office in Decatur. "I’ve been a person who has always worked to try to solve the problems people face."

The Georgia race, one of two unresolved Senate races, has taken on national significance. The other is in Minnesota, where a re-count will help determine whether Republican Sen. Norm Coleman or Democrat Al Franken is the winner.

Victories in both races would give Democrats the 60 seats needed to fend off Republican filibusters.

The stakes are high, and both parties have rolled out their political heavyweights. McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee both stumped for Chambliss last week, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to appear next week.

Former President Bill Clinton led a rally for Martin on Thursday and Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore, is set to appear Sunday. About 100 Obama field operatives have been helping boost turnout, and the president-elect recently recorded a radio ad supporting Martin’s campaign.

The national focus has helped the candidates fill their campaign coffers.

Chambliss raised about $1.9 million between Oct. 16 and Nov. 12, and has $1.4 million cash on hand remaining. Martin raised $2.4 million over the same time period, and has more than $600,000 left in the campaign bank.

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

(AP)