ASHCROFT PRAISES GROUP; `GROW YOUR OWN' PROGRAM GIVEN ACCOLADES

AWARD RECIPIENTS: The Professional Black Men's Club of Southeast Missouri presented awards Wednesday night to, from left, seated: Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Nelson and Mrs. Carrie Warfield, in honor of her late husband, Henry Warfield; standing: Mrs. Susie Lewis, Kala Stroup, Mayor Gene Rhodes, and Judge Steven Limbaugh Jr. Not pictured is Mildred (Midge) Wilson.

Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft praised the objectives of the Professional Black Men's Club of Southeast Missouri Wednesday night, declaring that its leadership will help improve the quality of life of all citizens.

"You have a noble aspiration to serve your state and communities in a way that is sorely needed," said Ashcroft, in remarks to the group's second annual awards banquet. Because of the club's goals, the governor contended, "this is the best place in the state of Missouri to be tonight."

Ashcroft had special words of praise for the club's "Grow Your Own Teacher" program, which is designed to encourage talented black students to pursue a career in teaching in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools. He called the goal of getting more minority teachers in the classroom "a noble dream."

"Black people need black role models, but white young people need black role models as well," declared the governor. "I want to thank you for the nobility of that enterprise. ... I want to pursue that with you."

One of the best parts about the "Grow Your Own" program, Ashcroft said, is that it is telling young people to think about the long run. "Real maturity is to be able to defer gratification at the moment, to reap the benefits down the road tomorrow."

The governor added that he has not heard of any similar program anywhere. "This is an exemplary program; you are leading rather than following. Providing for more minorities in the classroom will benefit all areas of life."

The "Grow Your Own" program is being done in conjunction with the Cape Girardeau Public Schools and Southeast Missouri State.

The Professional Black Men's Club honored eight area residents at the event. All were cited for specific areas of service to other people.

Presented Community Service Awards were Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Nelson, who operated the People's Cafe on Good Hope Street for 50 years; Carrie Warfield, in honor of her late husband Henry Warfield, who was a businessman for many years and a charter member of the Cape Girardeau Chapter of the NAACP; and Mrs. Mildred (Midge) Wilson, who has been active in her church and other groups and is the mother of five college graduates.

Susie Lewis of Jackson was presented one of the Support Awards for her role in her church and other organizations. Six of her eight children are college graduates.

Also presented Support Awards were Southeast Missouri State University President Kala Stroup and Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes.

Cape County Circuit Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. was presented the "A Part of the Solution" Award.

Limbaugh has worked with the club in developing a tutoring program at the Civic Center for youths, who are under the supervision of the juvenile court.

Special recognition was also given to Larry Wade of Jackson, president of the organization, and Ed Spicer, chairman of the board of directors.

In his remarks, Ashcroft spoke briefly about the education-reform package that the General Assembly approved last week and which will be submitted to voters in November. One of the reform proposals in the legislation is alternative certification for teachers, which would enable school boards to use people who are qualified in certain areas to teach, even if they do not have degrees in education.

"I wanted to do it because we don't have enough math and science teachers who love math and science, and we don't have enough minority teachers," explained the governor.

He pointed out that New Jersey tried a similar program recently that increased its supply of math and science teachers, and minority teachers. In public schools where alternative certification has been tried, the number of minority teachers has doubled, he said.

Through this kind of a program, Ashcroft remarked, "we bring a richness to our education system where we previously had anemia."

Another big problem in education, Ashcroft said, is the school dropout rate, averaging 25 percent. For minorities, it is higher. In some urban areas, the rate is over 50 percent, he said.

Tackling this problem will require a long-term effort such as the tutoring and counseling program being used here, and greater commitment to families, Ashcroft said.

"We cannot ignore the time-honored principles of family and expect our society to survive," declared Ashcroft.

He added that groups like the Professional Black Men's Club are helping to shape tomorrow in a positive way.

Ashcroft said many times elected leaders are looked to for inspiration. But he said that as governor he has found inspiration from people and groups around the state.

"You are doing the kind of work that needs to be done," said Ashcroft. "You are an inspiration to me."

Among the activities sponsored by the club, besides the "Grow Your Own" and tutoring programs, are: A role-model program at Franklin School; annual awareness/diversity programs at Washington School for students and PTA members; an Easter egg hunt at Fort D; participation in the clean up of South Cape; establishing relations with the police departments in Cape Girardeau and Jackson; assisting selected businesses in the area in their efforts to racially balance their work forces; and helping with fund raising for the Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund.