TEXAS’ Widest Circulated and Read Newspaper with a Black Perspective

Click here to join our mailing list and to receive late-breaking news

Community News

TwiliteZone.com—Is the IRS unconstitutional? It was when Pres. Lincoln and Congress, in 1862, enacted a payroll tax to fight a war. The income tax act was repealed 10 years later and when Congress revived it in 1894, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. In 1913, the states ratified the 16th Amendment, which gave Congress the authority to enact an income tax. Hello Form 1040. Congress levied a 1% tax on net personal incomes above $3,000 with 6% surtax on incomes of more than $500,000. However, World War I jacked income taxes up to 77% in 1918. After the war, taxes dropped to 24% by 1929 (contributing to The Great Depression), but World War II revived high taxes. In the 1950s, the IRS changed the patronage system (Political appointees), with career bureaucrats Even so, wars (e.g., war on terrorism) have historically checkmated tax reforms, in spite of constitutional challenges. -Bud Johnson.

LostInSpace—Although African American News & Issues’ article, “Just Say YES!” was lauded, we regret that the photo of the Jesse Jackson Academy boy’s basketball team was Lost In Space and didn’t get their props. The Jaguars, coached by K. Jones and Gregory Grant advanced to the UIL State Basketball 2A play-offs and just keeps getting better. Congrats young warriors. Stay strong….
We also found space to memorialize Bobby Ray Benjamin, whose relative brief, but very productive life was celebrated at New Fellowship MBC, 8321 Jensen Dr., with Pastor L. D. Fedrick officiating.
Pastor Emmitt Welch Sr. and Ms. Kajuana Miller, of The Cornerstone of Faith Community Church; Robbin Bell, Rev. C. Alexander, Reneka Williams and Rev. Marc Watson, of New Bethel BC, participated in the order of service. Active pallbearers were: Robert Harris, Jarvis Trusscott, Aaron Miller, Nakka Watts, Samuel Miller, Lavell Jones Jr., Robert Johnson, Tommy Jones and Wendell Nelson Jr. Bobby Hamilton, Robert Johnson, Vincent Johnson, Charlie, R. C., Willie, George, Robby, Henry and Sandy Benjamin were honorary pallbearers for Bobby Ray, who was a twin born on Sept. 8, 1961, to Henry and Lois Benjamin in Shreveport, La. He was educated in HISD schools. He married Jacqueline Johnson and enjoyed a wonderful life until he was called home on Sept. 16, 2004.
Bobby was preceded in death by his father and two brothers: John and Lionell Benjamin. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, a devoted wife and mother; four children: Lil Bobby, Reneka, Peaches, and Robin. He also leaves one grandchild, Bobby; eight brothers, twin Robby, Henry, George, R.L., Gerald, Willie, Charlie, and Sandy Benjamin; three sisters, Bessie, Alice and Shelly Benjamin; six brothers-in-law, Karl, Robert, Maceo, and Vincent Johnson, Charles Crenshaw and David Sylvester, Sr.; three sisters-in-law, Francis Johnson, Leila Ann Johnson and Claudia Jones Sylvester; three god-children, Denvoris McMiller, Robert (Keg) Johnson Jr., and Samantha Mayo; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Well done Bobby Ray Benjamin, you will be greatly missed.

GoodNeighbor—On behalf of the Acres Home community and surrounding areas, African American News & Issues is offering a complimentary memoriam and very special, posthumous Good Neighbor tribute to Frank Joseph Montabano Jr., whose long and very fruitful Christian life was celebrated on Oct. 4, 2004 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., with the Most Rev. Joseph A. Fiorenza, D. D. officiating. Mark Boyes, Pete Chiara, C. J. Danna, Robert Hawthorne, George Holewyne, Carl Mataliano III, and John, Michael and Phillip Montalbano were pallbearers for Frank, who was the oldest son born to Sadie Buteria and Joseph Frank Montalbano Sr., in Houston, Texas on Oct. 10, 1932. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1951, where he was a mem-ber of the band and a yearbook pho-tographer. He attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Frank devoted most of his life to working in the family business, Montalbano Lumber Company. He taught his four daughters what it meant to be hard working, responsible, and loyal individuals. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church for over 30 years, and had recently found his second home working with Kitty and Dorothy in the front office. Over the past year, Frank and Mary Anna have been active members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. A devoted father and husband who always put his family before himself, Frank shared his passion of photography with his family and friends. He was often seen with multiple cameras hanging from his neck, keeping family, and community events alive through photos. Frank was a longtime member of the 1st Ward Old Timers, the Houston Lumbermen's Association, and the Photographic Collectors of Houston.
At age 71, he went to be with our Lord in Heaven on Friday, October 1, 2004 surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his father and by his cousin, Carl Mattaliano, Jr. He is survived by his be-loved wife of 48 years, MaryAnna Todaro; his mother Sadie; and his loving daughters Anna Danna and husband C. J., Janet Pavlovsky, Frances Holewyne and husband George, and Patricia Boyes and husband Mark. A proud, loving grandfather, Frank ("Paw Paw") is also survived by the lights of his life, his grandchildren, Christina and Kathryn Pavlovsky; Brandon and Rachel Danna, Megan and Kari Holewyne; and Emily, Madeline and William Boyes. His brothers and sisters-in-law Michael J. and Vita Montalbano, and John J. and Angela Montalbano also survive him. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Dr. Clement DeFelice for his special touch of kindness and care, as well as to all of his special friends in the Fifty Club. Well-done Good Neighbor Frank Joseph Montalbano Jr.

M’StonesInDaHood—Belated kudos are due the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Ladies Aid Society (The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League), that saluted “Today’s Women: Making A Difference,” on Sept. 26, 2004, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 1055 W. Tidwell Rd. President Jessie Smith, had nothing but accolades for the ladies who helped make the event a great success, which included: Ella Murphy, Lydell Cosby, Rosie Harrison, Peggy Sims. Special thanks also are due Pastor Samuel Cosby. Honorees were: State Rep. Alma Allen; Deena Buford, MD; entrepreneurs Cynthia Barnes-Dandy (CPA), Annie Livingston (Hair Design Finesse: The Technique) & Shirley Ann Malonson (Shirley Ann Black Arts & Kollectibles) and Stephanie Marie Trouillier-Johnson, administrator at Riverside Hospital, Congrats Super Sisters.
If your child needs tutoring from a master teacher, you need to call Barbara Jefferson Cashier, the Turner Elementary School legend, who will be offering classes in reading, writing, language, and math. For info, call (281) 610-6485…. Kudos to Bevyline M. Dodson who is spreading the word through her Poetic Ministries. Several of her religious poets have been published and she has spoke at many workshops and public functions. Although Bevyline is a HCC trained nurse and medical assistant, an 1999 encounter with what she described as a “satanic force, “ she begin to put more emphasis on her ministry and was been nominated as “Poet of the Year” in 2002 and 2003. She also received a “Community Achievement Award” on August 23, 2003. To learn more about her ministry please call (713) 738-7290, or (281) 455-5876.
It was great hearing from Billy Gene Adams, a well known fomer BTW football star, who married into the Carl Barnes Funeral Home family. Billy, the older brother of Roy Adams, who was an outstanding student/athlete (known for his public speaking and debating skills at Aldine Carver), is living in Fort Worth, Texas, where he is currently recovering from triple-by-pass heart surgery, but says he’s feeling fine. Billy, a super salesman, is best known for introducing the Black Business Pages.