March 1, 2005 Program

Our guest speaker today was Clarence Harrison, An Innocent Man Freed After 17 Years Wrongfully Convicted. In sharing with us about his background and ordeal, Mr. Harrison's remarks included the following points:

  1. As a native Atlantan, he grew up in the most undesirable social environment which influenced him to drink, smoke, gamble, and fight.
  2. During his elementary and high school years, his advancement from one grade to another until graduation was mainly due to social promotion rather than academic achievement because of his bad conduct.
  3. Apparently, Mr. Harrison showed himself to be a fast learner on the jobs held as reflected by being rewarded with raises and promotions.
  4. A major passion of his was card playing.
  5. He had a criminal record of having been arrested and sentenced for robbery.
  6. Later when the crime of robbery, kidnapping, and rape occurred, a series of investigations led to his being arrested, charged, found guilty, and sentenced to serve 20 years on the chain gang on October 25, 1986.
  7. His case was taken up by the Georgia Innocence Project which is dedicated to assisting individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The Project works to secure DNA testing for inmates where DNA analysis would be dispositive of guilt or innocence.
  8. The DNA testing of Mr. Harrison established his innocence which led to his release on August 31, 2004.
  9. Mr. Harrison is happy to be free in spite of the difficulty he has experienced in finding steady, gainful, fulltime employment.
  10. Support is solicited for the Georgia Innocence Project which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 730 Peachtree Street, Suite 705, Atlanta 30308 (404-872-8236).

Visitor

We were delighted to have visiting with us Ms. Aimee Maxwell and Ms. Yvonne Harrison, Tom Perkins (Billy), and Downtown Interclubbers Laura McCarty, Hank Fellows, and Jack McFarland.

Future Speaker

March 8th   Dr. Barbara Rothbaum, Director of Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program at Emory University's Medical School
March 15th   Joshua H. Batchelder, Graphoanalyst

Recognition

President Ray recognized the following members:

  1. Sandy who told about the successful interclub held with Northside. In attendance were President Ray, Bill, Bob B., Sandy, and Bob T.
  2. Al who updated us on Circle K Club of Morehouse College:
    1. The presence of Dr. Craig and President Pollard at our meeting on March 8th.
    2. The meeting of Circle K at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9th, in the same area where the chartering program was held.

Pin Violation

Our Compassionate Mel was most pleased to find everyone in proper attire.

Kiwanis Education

Peachtree-Atlanta, Georgia Kiwanians demonstrated a concern for persons who have disabilities by encouraging athletes at a Special Olympics event during 1989-90. (KIWANIS, FEBRUARY 2005, PAGE 31)

President Ray's Quote

"The surest way to lose democracy is to take it for granted. Every citizen must contribute to its advancement in some way. No nation or culture can long survive the absence of transcendent values and absolutes."
-- Carl F.H. Henry

Announcements

  1. President Ray, Ronni, George, and Sandy invite us to join them at the Mid Winter Conference on Saturday, March 5th, at Wesleyan College.
  2. Antje, Sherry, and Kathy invite us to attend the Rising Leaders program on March 8th as they tour the Federal Reserve Bank.
  3. Our International President and his wife will honor the Georgia Key Club at its 60th Annual Convention at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1st, at the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place Hotel (1775 Pleasant Hill Road.)
  4. Please put on your calendar the Division Rally scheduled for April 28th.


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