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Features
Accident Referral Service Celebrates 20 Years Of Service
BISHOP MICHELLE B. PATTY
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Bishop Michelle B. Patty grew up in the Hyde Park area of Tampa, and at- tended public schools in Hills- borough County. She’s one of a few people around who at- tended Dobyville Elementary School.
After graduating from Blake High School, Bishop Patty worked an array of jobs and in the early 1990s, was very active in community af- fairs. It was also during that time she was involved in an ac- cident.
“I hired an attorney I saw on a television commercial, and discovered later I hadn’t been compensated properly. That left me very upset and angry.
“I asked God what I could do to prevent this from hap- pening to someone else, and He gave me the vision to start the Michelle B. Patty Acci- dent Referral Service.”
Bishop Patty said she’s constantly reminded of her ac- cident by the pain she contin- ues to endure.
“I knew I wanted to find a way to help other people with- out having them worry about money, so I offer my service free of charge. So far, I’ve been able to help thousands of peo- ple who in turn have given me some great referrals.
“Because I wear so many different hats in the commu- nity, I find myself involved in other business ventures as well as promoting religious concerts with my son, King Cobra.”
Bishop Patty said when people call her referral service they talk directly to her. It’s that personal touch, and 7- days-a-week service that sepa- rates her from the referral services who’ve popped up years after she started.
“The other referral services want to impress you with their fancy ads on television instead of quality service.
“I feel blessed to have peo- ple I’ve helped send others to me. We’re in the community, and give back in every way we can. My advice to people out there is to not get caught up in the hype of the commercials. The people in my commercials, whether they’re family mem- bers or clients, have been in ac- cidents and are real clients. All of them give real testimony about their experience.”
Bishop Patty said her re- ferral service will last as long as there are people in need of help, both professionally and spiritually.
“I’m happy to announce that for the third time, because of the confidence people have bestowed on me, we’re able to be the led sponsor of the leg- endry Blake-Middleton High School football game.”
50th Anniversary Of Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson is shown signing the 1965 Voting Rights Bill into law as Rev. Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr., looks on.
On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. The purpose of the law was to eliminate legal bar- riers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from voting. The Voting Rights Act is considered among the most far- reaching pieces of Civil Rights legislation in United States history.
Several acts and events involving Blacks and their right to vote took place, primarily in the South. Many Civil Rights activists were beaten, jailed, and even killed in attempts to get Black citizens registered or to the polls.
One incident that preceded the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, took place in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. During a peaceful
demonstration participants in a voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery were attacked by Alabama State Troopers on the Edmund Pettis Bridge.
The marchers were beaten with nightsticks, tear gas and whips after they refused to turn back. The incident, which was captured by cam- eras and shown on national television, has be- come known as “Bloody Sunday.”
In the wake of that incident, President Johnson called for comprehensive voting rights legislation.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed in the U. S. Senate 77-19 on May 26, 1965. The U. S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a margin of 333-85 on July 9, 1965.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A