---President Obama’s statement on genocide in Rwanda---
Here is an excerpt from President Obama’s remarks in remembrance of the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda: “….The memory of these events also deepens our commitment to act when faced with genocide and to work with partners around the world to prevent future atrocities.   The figure of 800,000 is so enormous, so daunting, that it runs the risk of becoming a statistic.  Today, we must remember that each of the 800,000 individuals who died in 1994 had their own story, their own family, and their own dreams.  As we mourn their senseless passing, we must also acknowledge the courageous men and women who survived the genocide and have since demonstrated remarkable strength and generosity in forgiving those who committed these heinous acts.  These individuals inspire us daily by working to restore trust and rebuild hope in Rwanda.  The United States is committed to its partnership with Rwanda and will continue to support efforts to promote sustainable development, respect for human rights, and lasting peace in Rwanda.”

Nancy Pelosi

Cathy Simpson

Business World Index

---Remembering the genocide in Rwanda---
Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently commented on the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda: "Genocide anywhere is a challenge to the fundamental morality of all humanity. In Rwanda, we failed to meet that challenge.  All of us - the international community and the United States Government did not do enough to stop the genocide, to end the violence, and to save the lives of hundreds of thousands.  There were many heroes in those very dark days.  Brave Rwandans who saved the lives of friends and strangers; international aid workers and human rights organizations who faced terrible danger to save others; many who spoke truth to power. As we confront genocide even today, I light a candle in the hopes that we can say 'never again.'"  April 7, 2009 marked the start of the 15th anniversary of the genocide that occurred in Rwanda where an estimated 800,000 women, men and children were murdered.   

---ESSENCE features First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother---
ESSENCE's May issue celebrates Mother's Day in a special way -- with two of the most popular mothers in the world! In their first interview together, First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother, Marian Robinson, 71, did a sit down interview in the White House during their first photo shoot together to speak to ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray about retaining their family values, what it takes to raise good kids and being role models for the Black community. In the article, A Mother's Love, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Robinson also share their personal thoughts on some of the challenges facing families today and provide practical tips for parents everywhere. In addition, the issue features a special Mother's Day message from President Barack Obama on why he is thankful for his wife and mother-in-law.

---EBONY POWER 150 and MORE---
Ebony magazine presents its 46th annual list of “The Most Influential Black Americans.” This year’s “Power Behind the Power” list turns the spotlight on the top Blacks in President Barack Obama’s administration. Just to name a few, Attorney General Eric Holder, Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and White House social secretary Desirée Rogers are highlighted. This May issue hits stands nationwide on April 14.
 
---President Obama on Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record---
President Barack Obama, along with Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki, announced that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have taken the first step in creating a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record.  Currently, there is no comprehensive system in place that allows for a streamlined transition of health care records between DOD and the VA.  Both Departments will work together to define and build a system that will ultimately contain administrative and medical information from the day an individual enters military service throughout their military career, and after they leave the military. Access to electronic records is essential to modern health care delivery and the paperless administration of benefits. 

---Pew Hispanic Center on unauthorized immigrants---
On April 14, the Pew Hispanic Center will release a new report that provides a detailed portrait of the 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States. The report includes estimates of each state's unauthorized population and labor force, providing the first new estimates of these since 2005. The report also includes national estimates of the number and share of K-12 students with unauthorized-immigrant parents, and details on mixed-status families that include U.S. citizen children and undocumented parents. The report includes descriptions of the living circumstances, education levels, occupations, income, health insurance status and other indicators for the unauthorized population; it has many comparisons with legal immigrants and U.S.-born residents. The report also includes additional details about Mexican unauthorized immigrants, who are the majority of the undocumented population and differ in important ways from other national-origin groups.  For more information, go to www.pewhispanic.org.

---JET: Jamie Foxx Is Pushed To the Limit in “The Soloist”---
Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx is getting Oscar buzz yet again for his role in the upcoming film "The Soloist." As he portrays Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr., a real-life Julliard musical prodigy who also happens to be a paranoid schizophrenic, Foxx had to dig deep in order to bring this compelling story to life. “I had to try to submerge myself into the mind of a schizophrenic in order to really understand what Nathaniel¹s journey is all about,” Foxx said. “You have to kind of slip off the deep end a bit, and the biggest challenge was letting go.” After being in character for more than a year, Foxx admits that it took a few months to get back to normal mentally. The movie, he told JET magazine, has given him a new respect for the power of reasoning. “It made me appreciate the fact that you have a clear mind. During the taping of the movie, there were times where I got so deep into it that I started to question my own sanity.” This issue of Jet Magazine hits stand nationwide on Monday, April 13.