NAACP RECEIVES STATE HONOR

The Cape Girardeau chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People recently was cited as the "most active" reactivated NAACP branch in Missouri.

Michael Sterling, president of the local branch, accepted the award. Sterling said the chapter here was reactivated in July 1991.

"The officers, executive committee and members are carrying out the message of the NAACP since its reactivation here in July 1991," he said. "I'm very proud and honored to receive such an award and recognition."

Three members of the local branch attended the Missouri NAACP conference, held Sept. 25-27 at Columbia. They included Sterling; Bernice Coar-Cobb, vice president; and Debra Willis, executive board member.

The meeting focused on efforts to increase voter registration and participation, something the local branch also has promoted, Sterling said.

"We have had a concerted effort underway to register eligible voters in Cape Girardeau, and we've had voter registration drives at Del-Farm National," he said. "We're encouraging voters to get out there and vote in this year's election."

The conference culminated with a workshop on employment and the presentation of the Good Faith Fund award by Sterling and Mark Miller, director of minority business development in Gov. John Ashcroft's administration.

Guest speaker at the conference was the Rev. Jerry Guess of Baltimore, Md., deputy director of the national NAACP.