Congressman Rush Convenes Leaders in Historic "Working Group on Hope and Healing in Englewood"

Congressman Rush Convenes Leaders in Historic "Working Group on Hope and Healing in Englewood"

Gov. Blagojevich, U.S. Atty. Fitzgerald, and others commit to short- and long-term projects

Chicago, IL. ---- Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush convened a historic meeting of the state's top business, civic, law, government, rreligious, media/entertainment and community leaders to address the systemic problems facing a community where two girls were killed by stray bullets within a week of each other.

Under the banner of the "Working Group on Hope and Healing in Englewood," the leaders met at the Beloved Community Christian Church, 6440 S. Harvard, where Rep. Rush is pastor. It was the first time that many of these high profile and influential individuals united under such a banner. Cong. Rush convened the meeting in the wake of the murders of 14-year-old Starkeisa Reed and 10-year-old Siretha Woods. Both Englewood/West Englewood girls were killed in their homes by stray bullets fired from semi-automatic assault weapons. The murders led to widespread outrage across the city and has spawned several marches, rallies and news articles.

"Tragedy and pain brought us together," Rep. Rush said. "The promise of Englewood will bring us back tomorrow. We are not here to reinvent the wheel, but to channel our energies, pool our resources and develop creative vision to move this community forward. We must focus on the fact that crime is not an Englewood problem. Crime is an American problem.

"We are here to ensure the deaths of Starkesia and Siretha are not repeated, but instead serve as a beginning of the end of rampant violence in this community," he said. "We must stop hating and disrespecting each other and begin the process of helping and healing each other. We are all stakeholders in this process, and we all can contribute something substantive right now."

Participants included Governor Rod Blagojevich, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Pastor Stephen J. Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention, Cardinal Francis George, Bill Daley, director of Midwest Operations for JP Morgan Chase, Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Carol Adams, Illinois Department of Public Health Secretary Dr. Eric Whitaker, Dr. Wayne Watson, chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago, AT&T Illinois President Carrie Hightman, ABLE Executive Director Wendell O'Neil, Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools, Sister Elizabeth, president of St. Bernard Hospital, Chicago Police Department Chief Phil Cline, WLS-TV President and General Manager, Emily Barr, WTTW President and General Manager Dan Schmidt, Chicago Sun Times Publisher John Cruickshank, Clear Channel Regional Vice President Mark Allen, Chicago Defender Publisher Thomas Picou, Riteway Construction President Larry Huggins, Chicago Housing Authority Chairman Terry Peterson, community activists Hal Baskin, Eddie Read, Denise Dixon, Wanda White and Wallace "Gator" Bradley, as well as Chicago city council members Arenda Troutman, Fredrenna Lyles and LaTasha Thomas.

In addition representatives from the Bureau of Firearms and Tobacco, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Team Englewood, Sony Music, Chicago White Sox/Chicago Bulls, Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation, Advocate Healthcare, area churches, schools and businesses were also in attendance.

The "Working Group on Hope and Healing in Englewood" will serve as a clearinghouse for resources, jobs and information for residents. Working groups, comprised of the various leaders in attendance, will develop both short-term and long-term solutions to address ongoing socioeconomic problems that lead to violence. In addition the panel of experts will identify local, state and federal resources available to support the on the group efforts of community-based organizations and institutions already at work in the neighborhoods.

At the conclusion of the hour and thirty minute meeting, leaders agreed to Rep. Rush request to establish targeted sub committees to develop a meaningful action plan that will tackle the communities gang and drug problems; unemployment, health care and social service needs

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/il01_rush/englewood.html