Vincent Fort
Template:TOCnestleft Vincent D. Fort is a Georgia State Senator. Senator Fort currently is a professorn of history and political science at a local college in Atlanta.
Education
Fort received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from American History at Central Connecticut State College and his Masters Degree in African-American History from Atlanta University.
He also has continued his education at Emory University, where he is researching the post-World War II Civil Rights Movement. He also served as assistant director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project.[1]
Political career
Vincent D. Fort was first elected to the State Senate from the 39th District in 1996, representing part of Fulton County. Sen. Fort serves on the Appropriations, Education and Youth, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Retirement and Special Judiciary committees.
In 1998, Senator Fort chaired the Senate Study Committee on Public Education Disciplinary Reform. Moreover, he is the chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Committee on Education.[2]
"Hate crimes" legislation
Senator Fort continues to be a highly active member of the General Assembly, pursuing and successfully achieving a number of legislative objectives, most notably the passage of what is commonly known as the Georgia Hate Crimes Law. This legislation is designed to provide for enhanced penalties for defendants who intentionally select their victim due to bias or prejudice such as crimes based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability,and sexual orientation.[3]
Other legislation
The senator is the fi rst author of Georgia’s predatory lending law, which, until recently, was the strongest law in the country. He has been on the forefront for providing a safer Georgia, sponsoring and co-sponsoring bills against prostitution, drug-related nuisances, discrimination against citizens with disabilities, and racial profiling.[4]
Recognition
Senator Fort’s "unwavering commitment to making Georgia a better place to live" has been recognized by several organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Georgia Council on Aging; The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust; the American Association of Retired Persons; the National Association of Consumer Advocates; and the Anti-Defamation League.[5]
DSA connections
On November 28, 2008, Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America held its second annual Douglass-Debs at the IBEW Hall.The event included the presentation of the Douglass-Debs award to Nan Grogan- Orrock by Richard Ray, Georgia State AFL-CIO, to Vincent Fort by Walter Andrews, President, Communication Workers of America 3204 and to Helen Butler by Charlie Flemming, President, Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council AFL-CIO.[6]
On November 7 2009. Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America SA hosted its Third Annual Douglass-Debs Dinner at Paschal's Restaurant. Awards were presented to Bill Brennan and Rev. Tim McDonald. State Senator Vincent Fort listed Bill Brennan's many accomplishments as an advocate for the rights of poor and minority consumers and as a national authority on the sub-prime meltdown and its impact on African American and elderly homeowners.[7]
"Foreclosure Five"
The Foreclosure Five were arrested on August 31 for refusing to leave a Wells Fargo branch office in East Point until a bank official would meet and hear the demands of the Atlanta Fighting Foreclosure Coalition. Those arrested included: Reginald Eaves, Charlie Flemming, State Senator Vincent Fort, Dianne Mathiowetz and Milt Tambor. The case of criminal trespass was moved from East Point to Fulton County after the five defendants continued to enter a "not guilty" plea rather than plead guilty to a lesser charge. The monies raised will go toward the defense provided by "Peoples' Attorney" Brian Spears at the hearing and a possible trial [8]
Atlanta Fighting Foreclosure Coalition
Formed in April 2009 following a community forum at the First Iconium Baptist Church, By late 2010 the Atlanta Fighting Foreclosure Coalition represented 41 member organizations: labor unions; civil rights, civil liberties, human rights and peace and justice groups; homeless shelters; and faith-based organizations.
In late 2010, the Coalition co-chairs were:
- Charlie Flemming (Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council)
- Vincent Fort (State Senator),
- Barbara Joye (Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America)
- Dianne Mathiowetz (International Action Center)
- Rev Tim McDonald (First Iconium Baptist Church)
- Larry Pellegrini (Georgia Rural Urban Summit)
- Eric Richardson (Communication Workers of America Local 3204)
- Milt Tambor (Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America).
References
Template:Reflist Democratic Socialists of America
- ↑ Douglass-Debs Dinner 2008 program, accessed Dec. 25, 2010
- ↑ Douglass-Debs Dinner 2008 program, accessed Dec. 25, 2010
- ↑ Douglass-Debs Dinner 2008 program, accessed Dec. 25, 2010
- ↑ Douglass-Debs Dinner 2008 program, accessed Dec. 25, 2010
- ↑ Douglass-Debs Dinner 2008 program, accessed Dec. 25, 2010
- ↑ http://www.dsa-atlanta.org/pdf_docs/DDprogram08.pdf Douglass-Debs 2008 dinner program, accessed Dec. 25, 2008]
- ↑ Atlanta DSA newsletter, Jan. 2010
- ↑ Atlanta DSA newsletter, Jan. 2010