 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 15 * August 9, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story King III promotes gun buy–back programs By Jim Staebler
The Reverend Martin Luther King III spoke to a hushed audience at the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) business meeting on Sunday, July 18. The silent crowd listened as Rev. King, executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, spoke of the needless tragedies that are caused by gun violence. Also addressing the LUCC meeting was Jefferson County, Colo. Sheriff Jack Stone, who spoke of the recent tragic killings in his county at the Columbine High School. Rev. King was promoting the gun buy back programs, attempting to revive those programs across the country after the recent catastrophe at Columbine school. Rev. King was introduced by Commissioner Michael Hightower, former NACo president, who served on the Fulton County, Ga, Board of Commissioners with Rev. King and recently instituted a gun buy back program in the county. Also addressing LUCC members was Wellington Webb, president of the U. S. Conference of Mayors and Mayor of the City/County of Denver, Colo. He urged solidarity among local governments in order for them to become more effective in lobbying the federal government. Sustainable solutions to metropolitan area problems – solutions that can be duplicated over and over and throughout the country – was the focus of Wayne County, Mich. Commissioner Edna Bell's remarks. Bringing the message of work yet to be done, from President Clinton, was Special Assistant to the President Barbara Bostic Hunt. Mecklenburg County, N.C., Commissioner and LUCC Vice-chair Becky Carney promised cool weather and a race car to everyone who attends next year's annual conference in Mecklenburg County, N.C.. LUCC Chair Peter McLaughlin, commissioner, Hennepin County, Minn., closed the meeting because time was running out as a spirited discussion developed about a resolution on telecommunications. Carol Roberts, Palm Beach, Fla., Marilyn Praisner, Montgomery County, Md, Tom Rutherford, Bernalillo County N.M., Pat O'Bannon, Henrico County, Va., Bob Janiszewski, Hudson County, N.J. and Rene Mansho, Honolulu County, Hawaii took part in the discussion. |
