The City University of New York
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Office of Public Information

From: John P. Shanley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ct. 8, 19/1

ASSEMBLYMAN BREWER URGES LEADERS OF BLACK COMMUNITY TO
MAKE SURVEY OF RESOURCES

Legislator Discusses Plans for Training Program to be Conducted
by York College and South Jamaica Steering Committee

Assemblyman Guy R. Brewer of Jamaica, Queens, today urged potential leaders of
black communities "to make a complete and honest survey of their occa: and how best to
utilize them."

Mr. Brewer made the statement as he prepared to present a lecture series in effective
political action as part of a new urban studies training program which began last month at
York College of the City University of New York, 150-14 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica. The
eight-session workshop conducted by Mr. Brewer will be held on Saturdays from 1 to 4 P.M.
beginning Oct. 16. The public is invited to attend.

The courses, sponsored by the college and the South Jamaica Steering Committee, are
uci to train residents of the Jamaica area to become more knowledgeable about urban
problems and more effective in dealing with them.

Prominent guests who have been invited to speak at the sessions include Borough
Presidents Donald Manes of Queens and Percy Sutton of Manhattan; Representatives Charles
Rangel and Shirley Chisholm; Mayors Kenneth Gibson of Newark, N.J., and Richard Hatcher

of Gary, Ind., Basil Patterson and Julian Bond.
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anblyman Brewer Urges Leaders of Black
community to Make Survey of Resources

In his statement, Assemblyman Brewer said that leaders should learn how the actual
strength of their communities can be "catalogued, cross-filed and mobilized when need be
in a way that will guarantee their maximum ‘clout! on the political power structure."

He declared that "those who run government and the political apparatus which
effectuates their control may be callous, indifferent and obdurate, but rarely are they fools.

"For spokesmen (real or self-appointed) of these groups to shoot off their mouths about
the 'x' number of black citizens in a borough by using a figure conjured out of clear air and
devoid of any factual basis does not impress those who control the political apparatus, " he
said.

"More often it reinforces the secret opinion held by some of the political leaders and

.
governmental officials that black leaders are more wind than substance.

"The Caucasian power brokers also know that even if 75 percent of the claimed
number of black citizens in a borough or city is accurate, the number of registered voters
is tragically low in proportion thereto.

"One thing is incontrovertible: census figures may not be accurate but voter
registration lists are," Assemblyman Brewer added.

Two hundred persons are taking the courses, which are being given in three 12~week
te with the same courses being given in each cycle. Besides the community residents,
personnel from appropriate New York City agencies will receive the training. -

The training program is funded by a $42,500 grant from the Federal Department of
Housing and Urban Development through the City's Housing and Development Administration.
York's contribution, including services, supplies and facilities, are estimated at $25,375.

The Jamaica Steering Committee is composed of more than 130 organizations pledged
to the physical, social and economic development of the Jamaica community .

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