On this date in ...
1919: A two-year resident of Albany when he served as the 33rd governor of New York from 1899-1900, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, 60, died in his sleep from a pulmonary embolism at his home Sagamore Hill, near Oyster Bay on Long Island. As the nation mourned the famed progressive statesman, many Capital Region citizens also remembered his time here as a state assemblyman from 1882-1884.
1969: Hospital rates for patient care would climb to $100 a day next year unless the legislature adopted a universal hospital insurance plan for all residents and put measures in place to encourage better cost control formulas for the hospitals, warned the Department of Health. “Solving Problems of Health Care,” a booklet released by the governor’s office, attributed rising health costs to a shortage of up-to-date hospitals and nursing homes, a rise in hospital operating costs, the advance of modern medical care techniques
1994: Jude Clemente, who as Republican chairman in Troy led his party from a lost cause to a majority victory this year, resigned from his political post effective immediately. Clemente sent letters to Republican committee members announcing his decision to resign as chairman after four years. “I believe in term limitations for all, even party leaders,” he said. “It seems to me I’ve crammed in 10 years’ worth of work into four years.” Clemente took over the city party in 1990 after losing a race for City Council. A bluntspeaking man with a distaste for political game-playing, he was open about the lack of support the GOP received in those early years.
Want to read more about the Capital Region’s past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today’s events? See http://blog. timesunion.com/history/
Albany-tula Alliance seeking entries
ALBANY — The Albanytula Alliance is seeking Capital Region students from high school to firstyear college to research and write an essay expanding on an important philosophical quote by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The political leader said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
Students are being asked to expand on how this quote is significant, specifically in the U.S. and Russia, when it comes to culture, language, travel, jobs, tourism and other areas, organizers said.
Essays must contain at least 1,500 words and include a bibliography.
The deadline for registration and essay submission is Feb. 28. First prize is $1,000, second prize is $500 and third prize is $250.
For complete rules and details, visit www.albanytula.org/essay.
Empowerment conference planned
ALBANY — The Women’s Empowerment Conference and March, in partnership with the Healthcare Education Project and a coalition of sponsors, hosts its first conference from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Empire State Plaza.
The group, billing itself as “WE,” takes inspiration from historic women’s marches and its vision is to strengthen the coalition between a diverse intersectional community members .
The day includes a performance by lead singer Warren Mackey backed up by Pearl Frazier, Stella Frazier and Maddie Roberts. For details, see https://www.weconferenceandmarch.com/
Trivia night benefit set for Jan. 17
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Academy for Lifelong Learning presents a trivia night from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Saratoga Tap Room (R.J. Taylor & Sons) 26A
Schuyler Heights district organizes
WATERVLIET — The Schuyler Heights Fire District’s organizational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fire Commissioners’ Board Room, 900 First St., Watervliet.
Program looks at farmers, slavery
COLONIE — The American Revolution Round Table: Hudson/ Mohawk Valleys and Siena College’s Mccormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution presents, “Slavery and Dutch-palatine Farmers: How did middle class farmers in New York interact with slavery?” by Travis M. Bowman on Jan. 10. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. with time for socializing, followed by the 7 p.m. program at the college’s Roger Bacon Building, Room 202. Parking is free and please park in Lots L, F or G. Light refreshments will be served.