Missouri passes eightweek abortion ban
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St. LouiS AmericAn The
91 years of serving the St. Louis community
CAC Audited MAY 23 – 29, 2019
Vol. 91 No. 9 COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
ESL is home to Vietnam Veterans Memorial ‘Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice’ By Rebecca Rivas Of The St. Louis American Le Roy Gee had a beautiful voice, and he was always singing. His family can still remember Gee trying to imitate the Temptations’ dance moves and sing at the same time – and doing an “okay” job of it. He was also good at making connections with people, particularly at his alma mater, Lincoln Senior High School in East St. Louis. “If you say his name, most of my class looks up,” said Vietnam Veteran Henry Ballard, who graduated from Lincoln Senior High around the same time. “He was just a really good guy.” Gee graduated from Lincoln Senior High
in 1967 and enrolled in the U.S. Marines – while most of his friends were being drafted for the Vietnam War. At 18, Gee started his tour in Vietnam as a rifleman on June 20, 1968, according to records on the Wall of Faces website. Ten days later, on July 9, he was killed in action. “Most of my friends were shook up that he was killed on his first trip into combat,” Ballard said. “He never even fired his gun.” His family was equally shaken, said his niece Cheryl Gee. Le Roy was the baby of a big family and the youngest of four close brothers. “It was a devastating time, and I can recall my grandmother actually had a stroke
Le Roy Gee is among 59 men from East St. Louis who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located at 1601 Piggott Ave. in East St. Louis’ Lincoln Park.
See MEMORIAL, A10
Photo by Wiley Price
Carr Lane VPA on parade
Why I am resigning as state rep I will continue to do the work of the people State Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. For The St. Louis American It is with sadness that I announce this will be my last session in the Missouri House of Representatives. This was a difficult decision that I have made for the sake of my health, particularly mental. The past three years have been both incredibly rewarding and unexpectedly depleting. From winning an election that nobody thought I could win to being a young black man from an economically distressed community sitting here in this legislative body, this has been an essential step for me and for the people I represent, who too rarely see someone who looks like them serving in government. However, I would be lying if I didn’t also acknowledge the enormous toll the past three years have taken on my physical health and my mental health. This past year has been marked by deep personal trauma, from the loss Bruce Franks of my best friend and godson to gun violence to the strain that comes from trying to support a family on the salary of an elected official with no financial safety net. I’ve fought many battles, but none greater than my ongoing struggle with anxiety and depression. This year, for the first time in my life, I decided to get help. After much reflection, I decided n I’ve fought many to prioritize my health battles, but none and my family above greater than my my political ambition. ongoing struggle Further, the changing dynamics with anxiety and in the legislative depression. This body made it clear year, for the first that there is little time in my life, I room for the kind of decided to get help. bipartisanship that allowed me to effect meaningful change for my constituents in the past three years. Time is our most valuable resource, and my community doesn’t have the privilege to wait for change. I am incredibly proud of some of the work that my colleagues and I have been able to accomplish these past three years. Passing HCR-70, which declared youth violence a public health epidemic, putting millions of dollars into the budget for youth jobs, and creating a Veterans’ Bill of Rights are just some of the highlights. I am just as proud of my communities and those across Missouri that took matters in their own hands and engaged civically to put help pass bills and create laws that benefit people, not parties or
Cheerleaders from Carr Lane VPA Middle School made their way down the parade route of the 109th Annie Malone May Day Parade in downtown St. Louis on Sunday, May 19.
See FRANKS, A9
‘Saint Shirley’ LeFlore laid to rest Poet laureate emeritus honored with music and poetry at homegoing By Kenya Vaughn Of The St. Louis American The homegoing service for Shirley Bradley LeFlore stretched nearly four hours on Friday, May 17 at Christ Church Cathedral. It was the type of funeral her life warranted – filled with poetic interludes infused with music, gospel selections, and remarks from civic leaders. Through an abundance of profound words from those whose life she touched, the service reflected her contributions to the region and beyond both as an artist and a human being. Author and cultural critic Kevin Powell referred to her as “Saint Shirley” in a poem he wrote to express what she meant to him and the other young writers she influenced. “She believed in us more than we believed in ourselves,” Powell said. “And there is
n “She believed in us more than we believed in ourselves.”
The life of St. Louis Poet Laureate Emeritus Shirley LeFlore was celebrated Friday, May 17 at Christ Church Cathedral, with her daughters Hope PriceLindsay and Lyah Beth LeFlore sitting in the front row. She passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday, May 12.
– Kevin Powell
no way I would be standing up here as the author of 13 books if it wasn’t for people like Shirley LeFlore. She never stopped celebrating younger writers.” The church was just about at capacity as guests from all walks of life and generations sat in the audience and addressed those in attendance. There was sadness, but more celebration and recognition of a life well-
See LeFLORE, A9 Photo by Maurice Meredith