Al,
Thanks so much for the statement. I have reached almost 35 years of membership in ASMC and witnessed the many contributions made by the African-American community side-by-side with others in all aspects of Financial Management in the federal government, private industry and other non-federal entities. In return, ASMC has been very supportive and recognized those contributions. Your actions are much appreciated.
The death and brutality of George Floyd witnessed along with many other African-Americans under these circumstances has caused me to have many restless nights and days for many years. Over these years, I have participated in many social action activities to support solutions to so many of these issues.
I am the parent of an African-American son and grandmother to his son. They are both very bright, caring and loving individuals. I have to give a shout out to my grandson that just graduated from high school as an honor student who also made a perfect score of 800 on the SAT math test with an overall score of 1540 out of 1600. Therefore, it always makes me wonder “what if this happened to one of them? - Would I even be able to bare it?” All of my dreams of their future never to unfold. I also think of my 3 granddaughters, my nephews and nieces and other family members, friends, church members, past and present co-workers, neighbors, advocates, those I admire or aspire to, and complete strangers to me out there.
Justice must be blind and prevail to protect and defend all lives. I will certainly do my part as a citizen to uphold the constitution and the values of ASMC.
Regards,
Thelma Boggan Harrington, CDFM
Sent from my iPhone
Original Message:
Sent: 6/5/2020 3:36:00 PM
From: Al Runnels, CDFM-A
Subject: ASMC Statement Regarding the Death of George Floyd
All,
Statement by the Executive Director of ASMC on the Death of George Floyd
For the past 75 years, the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) has been bringing people together toward our purpose of promoting education, training, and professional development in all aspects of defense financial management. We are the voice of the professionals that comprise the defense financial management community, and it would be unworthy of our membership not to exercise that voice at this point in time. Most of the 15,000 members of our Society are currently serving our nation or have served in the past, having taken the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Our Constitution provides all citizens equal protection under the law. And yet, last week on Memorial Day, George Floyd was denied equal protection under the law. Rather, his life was taken violently and without any justification by members of our nation's law enforcement.
ASMC grieves over the death of George Floyd. We stand up for his family and for all of the African-Americans in our Society, in recognition of this horrible example of the continuing unfair treatment, inequality, and racism in our nation.
We are all indebted to the members of our nation's police forces who serve honorably in protecting all people (regardless of their color) equally under the law, however it is clear that we must call upon the mayors and chiefs of police of every municipality to review their policies, procedures, training, culture, and leadership climate, to end racial discrimination. Our justice system must deliver equal protection, freedom, inalienable rights, and justice guaranteed by our Constitution to all.
We must be as committed to social justice, inclusivity and leadership as we are to the professional development and advancement of our members. We welcome and encourage your input, and encourage all of our members to engage with each other openly and honestly to ensure that Americans participate in and contribute to a world free of prejudice and racism.
Al Runnels
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Al Runnels CDFM-A
runnels@asmconline.org
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