Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr., Congressional Candidate for District 23 (FL), Discusses HBCU Lineage

Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 02, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr., Congressional Candidate for District 23 in Florida, emphasizes the important contribution of Republican donors and GOP philanthropists towards the founding and growth of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dr. Thorpe specifically lists Henry L. Morehouse and Laura Spelman as two Republican Americans who made significant contributions to ensure the existence of Morehouse College in 1867 and Spelman College in 1881, respectively. "Morehouse and Spelman, both located in Atlanta, are beacons of excellence in preparing young people for adult life as illustrated by Alumni that include Former HHS Secretary Dr. Louis Sullivan, Filmmaker Spike Lee, and Access Hollywood anchor Shaun Robinson," states Dr. Thorpe. The Thorpe 08 campaign readily points out the tremendous void that would exist in African-American educational opportunities had it not been for the kind efforts of caring Republicans.

"My Congressional opponent, Alcee Hastings, is a graduate of Nashville's Fisk University, which was founded in 1866 by Republican Erastus M. Cravath; thus, Hastings sounds disingenuous when he questions the positive impact that the GOP has had on the broader African-American community," explains Dr. Thorpe. It is Dr. Thorpe's stance that history has been distorted in an effort to paint the GOP into a racist corner, when in fact the Republican Party was formed by Northern abolitionists who yearned to halt the South's abysmal practice of human enslavement. "It is completely beyond me how Alcee Hastings can bite the very hand that led his ancestors from the Middle Passage to freedom, to educational opportunity, and to the right to vote as a full human being," proclaims Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr.

The Thorpe 08 campaign emphasizes the important role of Laura Spelman's husband, John Rockefeller, and son, John Rockefeller, Jr., in establishing the General Education Board to assist Southern Black Schools. It should be noted that this Republican Board donated more than $33 Million for African-American education goals by the year 1910. "Of course, here in Florida we are tremendously indebted to Republican Mary McLeod Bethune for the formation of Bethune-Cookman College, states Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr. Dr. Thorpe also emphasizes the important roles of Republican President Ronald Reagan and African-American Republican Dr. Frank Royal in making certain that HBCU Meharry Medical College continues its noble mission of educating minority Physicians to serve in medically underserved areas of Tennessee and of this Nation. "Dr. Royal is also quite instrumental in steering a positive course for Richmond's Virginia Union University," explains Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr.

Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr. is a Congressional Candidate for Florida's 23rd District. Categorically, Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr. is the right man at the right time as people yearn for positive change in Florida's 23rd Congressional District. Dr. Thorpe's candidacy is anchored by the basic tenets of compassion, respect, and honesty. Dr. Thorpe encourages you to support his P.E.A.C.E. platform. The election of Dr. Marion D. Thorpe, Jr. to Congress will signal "A New Day, A New Way" for the people of Congressional District 23 (FL).

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