From the Office of the United States Trade Representative “Thank you all for having me here today. Thank you to Michael Sorrell for that introduction and for his work at Paul Quinn College, and my thanks as well to Michael Lomax for his incredible dedication as President of the UNCF. As United States Trade Representative, I spend my time working to tear down barriers to trade and open new markets to American goods, services, and intellectual property. Just last week I traveled to Singapore for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and then to Beijing for meetings with Chinese leaders. I joined the President in pursuing increased economic engagement across the Pacific, creating new opportunities for Americans to do business with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Because we know that when Americans do business with the world, that can generate jobs here at home. We are laying a strong foundation for trade, but the world is changing rapidly, and the expertise necessary to succeed is changing with it. For America to compete in the global economy, American workers need to have the skills to meet the ever-changing needs of the world’s population. Whether it’s developing new energy resources or marketing new ...

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today: “Today’s release of General Motors’ financial results is further proof that President Obama’s economic experiments are wrong for America. Sadly, GM has not only failed to turn a profit since the president poured $50 billion of the taxpayers’ dollars into GM’s bankruptcy restructuring, but it has actually lost $1.2 billion. As the “Cash for Clunkers” program clearly demonstrated, government interference in private industry doesn’t help the companies involved and ends up greatly costing the American taxpayer. And now the president, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid are trying to do the same thing to our health care system, which would put the government in charge of 1/6 of our economy. President Obama and Congressional Democrats believe increased spending and massive government regulation in private enterprise are best for the economy. Clearly they’re wrong.”

By Shawn Williams – Dallas South News Editor In a community meeting at the atrium of Southwest Center Mall on Monday night, the public was informed that after months in foreclosure, Southwest Center Mall has a new owner.  When Councilman Tennell Atkins and Mayor Tom Leppert opened the meeting of 150 plus citizens, they did so knowing that there would be blowback from the deal that they were about to announce. A representative from Madison Realty Capital, who had held the mall since it went into foreclosure, announced that they had formed a partnership with City View Commercial, who bought the inline properties at Southwest Center last Friday.  That means they have control of all the non big box stores (stores inside the mall that are not Sears, JC Penny, Burlington, Dillards, or Macy’s). SWC Mall Store Display Jack Friedler was there representing City View but the name that was on everyone’s lips was Jimmy Jazz.  City View is the real estate arm for the more than 80 U.S. retail stores that sell the Jimmy Jazz lines. About a month ago, word surfaced that an “urban retailer” had gotten in line to purchase the mall formally known as Red Bird.  Ms. Edna Pemberton and other ...

From DallasSouthNews.org Last night I moderated a Town Hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at Dallas City Hall regarding an Area Mail Processing (AMP) Feasibility Study conducted by the United States Post Office.  AMP Studies are taking place all across the country. Tim Vierling, Dallas Sr. Plant Manager, gave a presentation, and then took questions from the audience as well as myself.  Also involved in the conversation were Mayor Tom Leppert and State Senator Royce West. Senator West had some very pointed comments for Mr. Vierling and the Post Office, including the fact that his office had contacted USPS about this matter at least twice without a response.  He also referenced a previous AMP study done either late ‘06 or early ‘07. This latest AMP study apparently concludes that the Post Office will save $9.2 million annually by consolidating mail processing operations in Dallas with those at the North Texas facility located in Coppell.  I say apparently because no one outside of the Postal Service has seen this study.  Most of the savings will come from eliminating 117 jobs. The first document on the USPS website regarding the AMP is a brief dated March 24, 2009 which says the following regarding the study: If ...

This was an enjoyable interview with Mr. Earl Lucas, Dallas native and manager of the design team for the new Ford Taurus.   Earl talks about what went into the design of the Taurus as well as who and what helped him to get to where he is today.

On Saturday morning I was driving about town and by reflex, flipped the tuner over to Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket.  I was listening to the conclusion of the weekend show "The Ender" and noticed that Danny Balis had The Great Robert Wilonsky filling in for his normal partner Dave Lane. As the show was coming to a close, the subject turned to politics and the name Laura Miller came up.  Danny made the comment that Laura Miller's lasting legacy is allowing Cowboys Stadium to get away from Fair Park and be built in Arlington. Big Bob Wilonsky  immediately stopped Dan Paul in has tracks and uncomfortably (just as it is for me) defended Miller, or at least the perception that the Cowboys are in Arlington because of her.  Wilonsky said he felt the Cowboys had no real thoughts of moving to Dallas and gave the city and county an unrealistic deadline to decide on what would eventually be a $1.15 billion stadium. Two and a half years ago I wrote a post titled Blame Lincoln (not Miller) for Cotton Bowl Move.  In the post, I detailed why I felt that Laura Miller got a bad rap for the fact that the Cowboys ...

Here are the contents of a letter written by U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson to David C. Williams, Inspector General, United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General.  I actually retyped it (tech issues on my part), so any typos or mistakes are mine. The letter is dated July 23, 2009 and expresses Congresswoman Johnson's concern about reports that all or part of mail operations at Dallas' Main Post Office will be transferred to Coppell. Dear Mr. Williams: My constituents have serious concerns about the proposed changes to the Dallas, TX Processing and Distribution Center.  The recommendations in the recently conducted Area Mail Processing study would transfer outgoing mail and processing operations and approximately 117 employees from Dallas to the North Texas P&DC in Coppell.  These changes have the potential to significantly affect both postal employees and local customer service.  As such, I am formally requesting that the Office of the Inspector General perform an independent review of the postal service's plan to consolidate these operations. The Office of Inspector General is pivotal in maintaining the accountability and integrity of post office operations.  An independent review by your office will ensure  that postal employees are not unnecessarily transferred and that service is not ...

I've been asked to serve as an official host* for Ford Executive Earl Lucas, exterior design manager for the 2010 Ford Taurus, when he's in Dallas this Thursday July 23. EARL LUCAS Lucas grew up in Dallas, attending Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet High School that also launched recording artists Erykah Badu and Norah Jones.  This is part of an effort by Ford Executives to hit the road this summer to introduce people around the country to the new 2010 Taurus and its story. While in town, Lucas will drive the Taurus to various locations around Dallas, some of which will be suggested by Dallas South and the Dallas South Family.  So here are a few places I think Mr. Lucas should visit while in town.  Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comment section. SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER -  3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. DALLAS There's no doubt the Taurus should make it's way to South Dallas, home of historic Fair Park.  The South Dallas Cultural Center is an Afro-centric venue that provides instruction and enrichment in the performing, literary, media, and visual arts.  Auto design has a component of visuals arts to it. The center’s activities spotlight works that explore contemporary issues facing ...

Late Friday afternoon I received a letter that supposedly went out from the American Postal Workers Union.  This letter was on American Postal Workers Union letterhead, and signed by President Larry Crawford and Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer D. Fulbright.  I was not able to call and very this information at (214)631-3162.  But here is the first 2/3 of the letter. On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Mountain View College, the U S Postal Service held a Public Forum regarding the closing of the Main Post Office.  There was only one problem, the public wasn't there. They (the USPS) said they notified you.  They said they sent out notices and posted the meeting time and place, but you chose not to come, because you just don't care.  Funny, the Mayor and the City Council didn't know, until we notified them.  The media didn't know until we told them, so we can only deduce from all that you now know because we are telling you.  We need you to SAVE OUR LOCAL POSTAL SERVICE. The Postal Service's plan to shift mail processing operations from the Dallas Main Post Office at 401 D/FW Turnpike to 951 Bethel RD in Coppell, TX possess a serious threat to prompt ...

American’s Employees Build on Graves’ Legacy Of Diversity and Inclusion as a Business Imperative FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines employees Gary Kennedy, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Frank Stanton, Tower Manager-Chicago, were awarded the first Earl G. Graves Award for Leadership to recognize their work in advancing diversity and inclusion within the company and in their communities in a ceremony Wednesday at American’s headquarters. The award was established in honor of Earl G. Graves, Sr., founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, who influenced many of American’s diversity initiatives during his tenure on AMR’s Board of Directors. Graves helped American establish its practical, business-minded approach to diversity and worked to demonstrate that American’s diversity efforts are integral to its business goals. Graves served on AMR’s Board of Directors for many years and chaired the AMR Board Diversity Committee from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. Graves attended the event and personally recognized the honorees along with American Airlines Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey, Roger Staubach, Chairman – AMR Board of Directors Diversity Committee, and a number of American Airlines and American Eagle employees. “At American Airlines, we have always taken very seriously our responsibility to promote diversity and inclusion,” ...