?Friday, July 17, 2009 Volume 125, No. 71 Price 75¢ Across America Commentary Op-Ed City & Region Action Line

BLACK PHILA.

POLICE OFFICERS FILE SUIT AGAINST DEPARTMENT,

2A

President Barack Obama speaks during the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP on Thursday in New York. ? AP PHOTO/HARAZ N. GHANBAR

Obama shows his thanks to NAACP

At 100, he praises group for its accomplishments, cites work still to do

INSIDE

3-A 4-A 5-A 1-4B 5-B Philip Elliott NEW YORK ? President Barack Obama on Thursday traced his historic rise to power to the vigor and valor of Black civil rights leaders, telling a prominent Black organization that the sacrifice of others ?began the journey that has led me here.? The nation?s first Black president bluntly warned, though, that racial barriers persist. ?Make no mistake: The pain of discrimination is still felt in America,? the president said in honoring the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?s 100th convention. Painting himself as the beneficiary of the NAACP?s work, Obama cited historical figures from W.E.B. Du Bois to Thurgood Marshall to explain how the path to the presidency was cleared by visionaries. Obama?s remarks, steeped in his Obama ? Page 6A

Senate plans August vote for Sotomayor

David Espo and Julie Hirschfeld Davis WASHINGTON ? Republicans cleared the way Thursday for a Senate vote next month to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, placing her firmly in line to become the first Hispanic justice. ?I look forward to you getting that vote before we recess in August,? said Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, not long before Sotomayor

Private pool faces a second lawsuit

Eric Mayes Tribune Staff Writer A second lawsuit against The Valley Club, a private swim club in Montgomery County accused of discriminating against a group of Black and Hispanic children, is gathering steam. The state Human Relations Sports Obituaries Lifestyles Classified Religion 1-3C 6-C 1-3D 4-D 6-D Today Partly Cloudy high: 90º low: 69º

IN LIFESTYLES,

TALKING

TO

CHILDREN

ABOUT

RACISM

SOME

TIPS FOR PARENTS,

D1

THE VINCENT FUMO SENTENCING

Is This Justice?

Former state Sen. Vincent Fumo?s sentence of four years and seven months has left some critics and onlookers wondering if he got what he deserved. ? PHOTO BY HIROKO TANAKA/TRIBUNE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Edward Rendell concluded four grueling days in the panel?s witness chair. If confirmed, she would become the first justice appointed by a Democratic president in 15 years, and one lawmaker prodded her to use her skills to challenge the court?s conservative wing in the years ahead. ?It is my hope that ... you?ll use some of those characteristics of your litigation experience to battle out the ideas that you believe in,? said Sotomayor ? Page 6A Commission has issued subpoenas and is gathering evidence against The Valley Club in preparation for a federal discrimination lawsuit, said attorney Carolyn Nichols, who represents Creative Steps Inc., the day camp caring for the children, who were thrown out of the club?s pool on June 29. ?We are intending to file a federal Tomorrow Early Showers high: 81º low: 65º Sylvester Johnson Larry Miller Tribune Staff Writer Before federal Judge Ronald Buckwalter sentenced Vince Fumo to four years and change in federal prison, he received hundreds of letters, many asking for leniency. Among those who came forward in support for the once Sunday Partly Cloudy high: 83º low: 64º W. Wilson Goode

Hearings draw to a close with strong support

Officials? support may have helped

Robert Brady powerful state senator were Gov. Ed Rendell, former Mayor W. Wilson Goode, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, prominent defense attorney Jimmy Binns, City Councilman Frank DiCicco and even the former director of the Philly Pops Peter Nero. U.S. Rep. Robert A. Brady lawsuit shortly,? Nichols said. ?They?re gathering evidence and conducting their investigation.? She declined to be more specific, saying the suit would be filed ?when the time is appropriate.? One suit has already been filed. On July 10, a parent of one of the students allegedly discriminated against filed a private suit. Frank DiCicco also asked for mercy for his old friend, calling Fumo ?honest and forthright? in his letter to Buckwalter. Former Pennsylvania Supre-me Court Chief Justice Stephen A. Zappala expressed his support for Fumo, too. Brady said Buck-walter rec- Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor responds to a question from Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Jon Kyl, R- Ariz., on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday as she appeared before the committee on the fourth day of her confirmation hearing. ? AP PHOTO/ J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE A federal suit would be filed in Philadelphia federal court, Nichols said. Determining how long such a suit might take to be resolved is nearly impossible. Nichols said an optimistic prediction would be about a year. The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley has drawn accusations of Pool ? Page 5C SPORTS

Northeast High QB Nationally Ranked

Malik Stokes, NCAA I prospect, recently played at Nike Camp. 1C

Imhotep Charter Star Heads to La Salle

Basketball star Parrish Grant keeping his game local. 1C

INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT

CHARLIE WILSON

ON NEW ALBUM, CANCER AWARENESS,

6E

COMING SUNDAY Critics pounce on MLK children licensing father?s works for memorial

Don?t miss a single issue of The Philadelphia T ribune. Subscribe by calling (215) 893-4611

Peter Nero Friends ? Page 5C

Term given to Pa. senator viewed unfair

Larry Miller Tribune Staff Writer Justice is symbolized by the image of a blindfolded woman holding a pair of balanced scales ? an image indicating the fairness and impartiality of a system where a defendant is supposedly innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On Tuesday, federal Judge Ronald Buckwalter dispensed justice to former state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, sentencing him to 55 months in prison, a downward departure from the recommended 11 to 14 years and a fraction of the original 20 to 27 years set by federal guidelines. In addition, Fumo will have three years supervised release and will have to make financial restitution totaling $1,970,446 to the Pennsylvania Senate and Citizens Alliance and pay a fine of $411,000. That sentence, essentially four years and seven months, has left some critics and onlookers wondering if Fumo got what he deserved while others say the sentence was fair. Others believe the sentence, when compared to what other public officials received, was blatantly biased. ?In light of other cases like this, it?s difficult to look at the verdict and fully understand the rationale behind the length of the sentence and designated restitution amounts,? Mayor Michael Nutter said. ?Nevertheless, a simple, yet important message was reinforced today: Those who abuse the trust of the public, especially elected officials, will be caught and punished.? Guilty, guilty, guilty In March, after a lengthy trial that exposed the inner workings of his office, Fumo was found guilty of 137 counts of obstruction of justice, conspiracy, fraud and tax offenses. He is the latest public figure brought to trial, fol- Justice ? Page 4C

Pa. budget talks stuck

New proposals on taxes, spending split House

Eric Mayes Tribune Staff Writer State lawmakers remain locked in a budget standoff that seems unlikely to end soon. Some predictions suggest August at the earliest. The standoff is particularly important and frustrating to Philadelphians this year because the city?s budget relies on state approval for two initiatives needed to close the city?s budget gap ? a temporary sales tax increase and changes to the pension fund rules. Already, the effects of the impasse are rolling across the state. State employees are getting only part of their pay and that is expected to stop entirely over the next several weeks. And, subsidies to hospitals, nursing homes and community centers are uncertain, as is the state?s ability to pay its Budget ? Page 6A Inside: Workers affected by state budget stall rally for health-care reform in South Philadelphia. Page 1B The Philadelphia Tribune, a reflection of you. The Philadelphia Tribune

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

You need to upgrade the version of your Flash Player to version 9 minimum.

Click here

Adobe Flash Player Download Center