Black Democrats Setting the Standard

The Black El Paso Democrats (BEPD.ORG) is holding true to our motto: “Promoting a Better Response to Public Needs.” The BEPD has become the catalyst in promoting a united Democratic organization. A committee has been established to perform a feasibility study as to the needs of a new Democratic organization in El Paso. The need stems from the confusion at local precinct conventions as well as the city convention.

 

Several Democrats in the area (Obama and Clinton supporters) were dismayed at how issues were handled during this election process. The BEPD hopes to provide Democrats of all races and gender with a better place to promote unity. This organization will be set apart from but joining together with other local organizations.

 

Stay tuned for what will become the Political History in El Paso.

Precinct Conventions

The El Paso County Democratic Party has decided to have 7 more trainings on how to conduct your precinct convention.  We have included some information on what to bring to your precinct convention.  BE THERE NO LATER THAN 7PM to participate in this important event.

Upcoming trainings for precinct chairs and others who are interested in conducting the precinct convention.

Saturday

March 1st @ 1pm and 3pm

Sunday

March 2nd @ 4pm

Monday

March 4th @ 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Trainings will be held at the El Paso County Democratic Party Headquarters

located at 1401 Montana. 

Please contact the El Paso Democratic Party office

at 533-2141

For more information about the “Texas Two Step” Process, please

visit www.elpasodemocrats.org

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Key steps you should take on March 4th

PRIMARY VOTING

• Bring your driver’s license and/or voter registration card
  

• If you did not participate in early voting, do so on March 4th anytime from 7am until 7pm (Remember: you MUST BALLOT VOTE to participate in the caucus vote)
  

• Make sure you explain that you are voting DEMOCRAT
  

• Make sure they stamp your voter registration card.  If you do not have your card, make sure they give you a stamped receipt that says DEMOCRAT and that you did vote in the primary.
  

CAUCUS VOTING

• Bring your driver’s license and/or STAMPED voter registration card
  

• Get there early!
  

• Make sure you sign the list with the candidate of your choice or choose undeclared 
  

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The El Paso Democratic Party Headquarters

has provided this information for the public to be informed

Democratic and Republican

Primary Elections

March 4, 2008

Ambassador Delano Lewis Sr.: Guest Speaker for BEPD 25th Annual Banquet

Delano E. Lewis, Sr, a native Kansan, received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Kansas in 1960 and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Washburn University School of Law, Topeka Kansas, in 1963

Mr. Lewis served ten years in the Federal Government from 1963 until 1973.  He served as an attorney with the Dept. of Justice; as an attorney in the Office of Compliance in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Associate Director of the US Peace Corps in Nigeria and Country Director of US Peace Corps in Uganda; Legislative Assistant to US Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts and Chief of Staff for Delegate Walter Fauntroy of the District of Columbia.

    From 1973 until 1984, Delano Lewis was an executive with the C& P Telephone Company in Washington DC, a subsidiary of AT&T.  From 1984 until 1994, he was an Officer of Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) retiring in 1994 as President and CEO of the District of Columbia operations.  In 1994, Mr. Lewis was named President and CEO of National Public Radio in Washington, DC.  

    In June 1999, President Clinton nominated Delano Lewis as US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa.  The United States Senate confirmed him on November 10th 1999.  He assumed his Ambassadorship in Pretoria, South Africa on December 22, 1999 and served until his retirement from Diplomatic Service on July 13, 2001. 

    Mr. Lewis has been a recipient of many awards and honorary degrees, most notably, Washingtonian of the Year in 1978.  He received a distinguished Alumni Citation from his alma mater, The University of Kansas, in 1994.  There are numerous honorary degrees from such institutions as Barry University, Bowie State University, Washburn University, George Washington University, Kent State University, NOVA Southeastern University, Southern Illinois University and Lafayette College.  Presently, he serves on the boards of Colgate Palmolive, Eastman Kodak, Pro-Chef Culinary Concepts, Inc. and Chalk Media Corp.

In September, 2007, he assumed the position of Senior Fellow at New Mexico State University, with the responsibility of establishing an Institute for International Relations on campus.

Delano Lewis and his wife Gayle reside in Las Cruces, NM. The Lewis’ have four adult sons and eleven grandchildren.

25 Years: Black El Paso Democrats

The Black El Paso Democrats (BEPD) will celebrate 25 years of “Providing A Better Response To Public Needs” on Saturday, February 9, 2008.  The Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel will be the place to be on February 9th.  Black Democratic citizens of El Paso will be in attendance to hopefully meet some of the local candidates running for office.  For information, make sure you logon to www.bepd.org.  Sign the Guest Book while you’re there!

BEPD to host Candidates Night

February 11, 2008 will be an important day for local black voters. The Black El Paso Democrats will host a candidates night for the community to meet some…or all…of the local Democratic Candidates campaigning.  All eyes will be on those candidates in attendance and possibly even “bigger” eyes on those who are not in attendance. More information is coming soon so stay tuned in to http://www.bepd.org/ for official Democratic updates in El Paso.  It’s not too late to register to vote. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml