|
|
Tags for This Article:
2008 Elections (2424) Rights (1479) Community (344) Peace Advocacy Activism (310) 2008 Election Congressional (231) Community (201) Heroes (69) 2008 Election Local Primary (58) Heros Journey (12)
|
Add to My Group
Michael McCray, Esq., co-chair of the International Association of Whistleblowers (IAW), is being awarded today the Arkansas Peace & Justice Award. Mike, a native of Arkansas, has never forgotten his roots, and has tirelessly campaigned for strong civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights' enforcements both at the national as well as global level. He has remained active in Arkansas. Marcel Reid, President of Washington DC ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), nominated Mr. McCray for the award stating: "A champion for grassroots and community advocacy, Attorney McCray believes in the philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the struggle for social and economic justice as essential human rights concerns. . Michael's community advocacy is broadly categorized in the following areas: social justice for federal workers; whistleblower rights; social justice in the area of judicial accountability and reform; economic policies that stop Mortgage Fraud and Predatory Lending; encouraging community empowerment and reinvestment activism." . ACORN members add: "As a civil rights lawyer and federal whistleblower, Michael McCray became known as the "$40,000,000 Whistleblower" when he reported over $40 million in government waste, fraud and abuse at the United States Department of Agriculture. Michael added to his advocacy the title of "judicial reform activist" when he reported significant judicial misconduct against Microsoft Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson and the Ashcroft Justice Department in "U.S. v. Jackson". Michael's judicial complaint contributed to Judge Jackson's early retirement. . Zena Crenshaw, Treasurer of IAW and Mr. McCray's close associate on many of these issues has called McCray "A 'fearless' whistleblower and judicial reform advocate. Mike is a member of the No FEAR Coalition, which is responsible for passing the Notification of Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002." . Betsy Combier, Secretary of the IAW, says "Mike showed great skill at the IAW this year when he debated the issue of judicial accountability, and I think the award is well-deserved." . Notably, McCray also fights for full implementation of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" which was first adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. . Dr. James Murtagh, co-chair of the IAW, states "Mike McCray is a tenacious advocate and champion for the underdog, and for the watchdogs. Our nation is stronger because of Mike McCray's dogged advocacy." . The Arkansas Peace and Justice Awards will be made today, June 14, 2008 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 224 N East Ave. Fayetteville AR. For more information, see: http://www.internationalassociationofwhistleblowers.net/
From Marcel Reid, President of ACORN by
James Murtagh (34 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments)
on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 3:01:41 PM
Janet Chandler congratulates Mike " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead Mike McCray has the courage to speak the unspeakable, raise consciousness and be a catalyst for needed change. I am proud to part of his group of thoughtful committed citizens. - Janet Chandler, PhD by
James Murtagh (34 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments)
on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 10:56:32 PM
Zena Crenshaw also supports award to McCray by
James Murtagh (34 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 88 comments)
on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 3:50:16 PM
Here Is Michael's Acceptance Speech Be the Rock!!! By Michael R. McCray, Esq. - What I learned through this experience is best summed up by the biblical story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor, came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelites to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath. - One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?" - And so David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, sling shot and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults. - David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." - As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and then cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. So the Israelites pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp. - When I was young, fresh out of law school, and more than a bit naïve; I thought the story meant that our justice system is fair and if you did the right thing, that God would guide the stone and smite Goliath for you … so I threw myself on the mercy of the court because I had faith in God and our legal system. - After a rude awaking, I soon learned otherwise, and decided to re-read the scripter. And I realized that God guided the stone to hit its mark, but that David actually slew Goliath with the sword. And so I thought, that if I trust in God, he will present me with an opportunity for victory, but that I must be prepared to take advantage of the right opportunity. I no longer trusted the system, but I relied on lawyers and judges. - After further setbacks, I committed myself to helping other victims and whistleblowers. I read Rick Warren best seller "A Purpose Driven Life" and I revaluated the scriptures. I realized that God is using me, and my life experiences, to help others. It's not about me, its about God and helping my fellow man. I'm not David … I'm the rock. My life, and my experiences, will provide God with the opportunity to bless others. We the People are David, the system is Goliath – I am just the rock. God is in control. - The funny thing is; I discovered that it is only through helping others that I can actually save myself. And so I became committed to human rights advocacy, and the social and economic justice movement. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi … "Be the change you desire to see in the world". - Or more simply stated … "Be the rock!". Grassroots advocates fight the system from the bottom to the top; while whistleblower's fight the system from the inside out. Together, these movements, including the Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology form the hands which bend history into justice. I thank you for this award on behalf of my friends, family and the advocacy movements which have supported me. by
Zena Crenshaw (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments)
on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 12:30:10 PM
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael R. McCray – Peace Hero 2008
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
