PROGRAM SUCCESS – JANUARY 2009
PERKINS
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and CBS Channel 47. One participant, who rushed to the event from work, was excited to learn
that his name was on the list. He commented that he felt great about now being able to vote.
This project restores more than just rights, it also restores confidence.
The D.W. Perkins Bar has held additional drives teaming up with City Council Woman Mia
Jones and State Representative Audrey Gibson and others. For example, on October 4, 2008,
more than 1100 people were registered to vote and more than 30 learned of their rights restoration. A total of approximately 150 people have had their rights restored through our service and
thousands have been registered to vote.
The local branch of the NAACP presented the bar association with its President’s Award for this
work. As well, Kappa Alpha Psi and 100 Black Men have also recognized the Association for
this work in the community. Of course, this restoration project is ongoing with more drives to
continue. Interested persons may now complete the application online at www.fpc.state.fl.us.
(Florida Parole Commission).
The D. W. Perkins Bar has also held four candidate forums, during this political season, to
assist our community with candidate information. Forums were held for the Public Defender,
State Attorney, City Council, and judicial races. These forums were co-sponsored by the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Additionally, this association recently contributed a tremendous amount of legal service as
Election Protection Attorneys in Duval County. More than 20 Perkins members volunteered
their time during early voting and Election Day. All attorneys were trained on Florida Election
laws and assigned as poll watchers. More than 100 hours were contributed to
this effort. Attorneys worked inside and outside the polls. All attorneys had to
complete incident reports. Student members
from Florida Coastal School of Law passed
out water and snacks to voters. Perkins Bar
members contributed greatly to political history made in this area.
Attorney Rhonda Peoples-Waters is the
current president of the Perkins Bar. Attorney Peoples-Waters has been practicing law
for over nine years and specializes in criminal law and personal injury. She has lead the
bar during a very busy period. The bar
recently made history by hosting the Chief
Justice of the Florida Supreme Court –
Peggy Quince. It also hosted its First Holiday Gala event on December 13, 2008. This
event was sponsored with the Jacksonville
Brotherhood of Police, Jacksonville Brotherhood of Firefighters, and the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP. The
proceeds benefitted Mad Dads and Mothers of Slain Children. For more information regarding the Perkins Bar, please
email to [email protected].
Attorney
Rhonda Peoples-Waters