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######## surrounding the article denotes it is a press release, it was not written by Leasing News nor has the information been verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a byline. It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.

Federal Court Upholds DFPI Protections for Small Businesses
By Kenneth C. Greene, Leasing News Emeritus

The recent developments in the legal landscape surrounding the California Commercial Finance Disclosure Laws (CFDL) have been significant. On December 4, 2023, a noteworthy case from the California Central District put these laws to the test. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) emerged as the prevailing party in this lodestar case, as detailed in the accompanying press release.

In this pivotal case, the plaintiff, the Small Business Finance Association, challenged the CFDL on several grounds. They argued that the DFPI lacked standing, that the CFDL infringed upon First Amendment rights and that it was superseded by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). While the DFPI's stance on the issue of standing did not find favor with the court, it succeeded in defending the CFDL against the First Amendment and preemption challenges.

The court's decision resulted in a summary judgment favoring the DFPI, thus affirming the validity of the CFDL under the current legal framework. Although the decision is still open to appeal, it stands as the governing law in California, marking a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding commercial finance regulations.

Here is the press release:

Federal Court Upholds DFPI Protections for Small Businesses

SACRAMENTO — On December 4, 2023, Judge R. Gary Klausner granted the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s Motion for Summary Judgment in the case Small Business Finance Association v. DFPI.

Judge Klausner’s order upholds the Department’s recently adopted commercial financing disclosure regulations related to the implementation of SB 1235 (Glazer) that require providers to disclose key metrics to small businesses to help them understand potential financing options, including the amount of funding provided, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), finance charge, and payment amounts. Judge Klausner’s order concluded that the disclosures required under the Department’s regulations were lawful under the First Amendment and were not preempted by federal law.

Statement from DFPI Commissioner Clothilde Hewlett:

“Judge Klausner’s order represents a significant victory for small business owners and consumer protection in the State of California. SB 1235, and the accompanying DFPI regulations, ensure that more than four million California small businesses have protections like those enjoyed by consumers under the Truth in Lending Act for more than 50 years.

These regulations empower small businesses to make informed credit decisions and better understand the cost of small business financing products, including merchant cash advances. The DFPI is committed to advancing opportunities for small business owners to achieve the California dream by ensuring a fair financial marketplace.”

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Navigating the Complexities of a California DFPI Audit:
A Comprehensive Guide for Financial Entities
By Kenneth C. Greene, Leasing News Emeritus

If you are a California Finance Law (“CFL”) licensee, there is a reasonable probability that you will be audited by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”). Generally, a regular examination of a licensee occurs every three years. If you pass an audit, there is a good chance you will not be audited again for quite a while. On the other hand, failing an audit probably places you on the path to more frequent examinations. Finally, “special audits” may be conducted when the DFPI discovers an issue that needs immediate clarification and resolution.

Unfortunately, audits are a necessity. The DFPI plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of financial services and products, ensuring strict adherence to state laws and regulations, and maintaining public confidence in the industry. Still, audits are no fun and can be worrisome. This article is meant to demystify the audit process and guide those facing a DFPI examination.

The audit journey typically commences with a preparatory phase, where the DFPI notifies the concerned entity well in advance. This phase is critical for gathering vital documents and financial records, from loan files and advertising materials to compliance reports and internal policies. This preemptive step is foundational for a smooth audit process.

If the production of documents satisfactorily addresses the DFPI’s concerns that may well end the audit. Otherwise, an initial meeting may constitute the next step of the audit, bringing together the DFPI auditors and the entity’s top brass. This interaction is more than a mere formality; it is an avenue to discuss the audit’s breadth, timelines, and specific focus areas, setting a clear roadmap for the ensuing proceedings.

In the investigative phase, auditors meticulously scrutinize the amassed documents and data, evaluating compliance with the law. This exhaustive examination covers aspects from lending practices and advertising standards to borrower protection protocols and a lender's financial health.

The human element in an audit is omissible. Auditors often engage with staff members through interviews, aiming to unravel the nuances of operational procedures and compliance strategies. On-site evaluations may complement these discussions, offering auditors a firsthand view of business practices and protocols.

Post-review, the DFPI assembles its observations into a comprehensive report. This document, crucial for the audited entity, outlines areas of non-compliance, improvement suggestions, and mandatory corrective actions.

Entities are typically mandated to address these findings within a set timeframe. Responses can vary from outlining corrective plans to contesting specific observations, requiring a delicate balance of compliance and advocacy.

Depending on the audit outcomes, the DFPI might mandate subsequent actions or continuous monitoring to guarantee adherence to regulations. Significant deviations can even lead to penalties or legal repercussions.

For an equipment finance attorney like me, comprehending the depths of a DFPI audit is not just about legal conformity; it intertwines with aspects of financial operations, borrower/lessee protection, and ethical financial practices. Entities facing such audits are well-advised to collaborate closely with legal and compliance experts, ensuring proficient navigation through this complex regulatory maze.

In the dynamic landscape of financial regulations, a DFPI audit represents both a challenge and an opportunity to reaffirm one’s commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

Ken Greene
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
Tel: 818.575.9095
ken@kengreenelaw.com
www.kengreenelaw.com

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Andrew R. Baccaro, CLFP, was hired as Vice President, Relationship Manager, Verdant Commercial Capital, Cincinnati, Ohio. He is located in Manhattan Beach, California. Previously, he was Vice President, Sales, Ascentium Capital (May, 2018 - December, 2023). He joined UMB Bank September, 2015, Credit Analyst, promoted July, 2016, Commercial Portfolio Manager, promoted July, 2017, Commercial Banking Officer. Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbaccaro/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbaccaro/

Rob Ceribelli was hired as Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, Channel, formerly Channel Partners, Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is located in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was at DLL, starting as Vice President, Sales, Financial Institutions Group, November, 2003, promoted February, 2005, VP, Business Development, Financial Institutions Group, promoted January, 2006, VP Sales, Technology Finance, promoted September, 2008, Country Manager, promoted September 2014, SVP Operational Excellence, promoted February, 2016, VP, Global Asset Manager, promoted USCOO, Healthcare, Office Equipment and Technology Finance (April, 2019 - December, 2023).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ceribelli-60570569/

Kathrine Converse was hired as Vice President. Equipment Finance, First Commonwealth Bank, Berwyn, Pennsylvania. She is located in Bordentown, New Jersey. Previously, she was Partner Success Manager, PEAC Solutions (December, 2020 - December, 2023); Portfolio Management, Canon Financial Services (June, 2019 - December, 2020); Contract Management Specialist, Marlin Capital Solutions (June, 2017 - June, 2019); Portfolio Management, Canon Financial Services (April, 2010 - March, 2016).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-converse-118553257/

Dominic Knight, CLFP, was hired as Senior Account Manager, Amur Finance, Grand Island, Nebraska. He is located in the Greater Phoenix Area. Previously, he was Vice President, Sales, Ascentium
Capital (July, 2018 - December, 2013); Regional Sales Manager, Balboa Capital (February, 2018 - July, 2018); Senior Finance and Sales Manager, Beacon Funding (May, 2017 - December, 2017).
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-knight-clfp-3823b650/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-knight-clfp-3823b650/

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Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted

Next Level of Success
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP, Wheeler Business Consulting

Strong originators in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry often ask how they can reach the next level of personal success. There are unlimited opportunities for professionals who are constantly enhancing their personal credentials.

Strong originators leverage their current relationships by asking for and promoting testimonials.
Strong originators continue to educate themselves through classes, certifications, and new degrees.
Strong originators don't only attend association meetings; they volunteer their time and energy to fully participate in associations.
Strong originators mentor younger professionals
Strong originators assume leadership responsibilities and provide meaningful solutions for their companies.
Strong originators identify "blue oceans" and pursue new opportunities with determination.
Strong originators are forward thinkers who are able to execute bold new plans.

The disparity between the strongest originators and average originators continues to widen. The strongest originators in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry are providing additional value in the market. They are growing as professionals; they are leading by example. The strongest originators are constantly moving to the next level of professional success by focusing on career enhancement opportunities.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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Electric vs. Gas Cars: Is It Cheaper
to Drive and Operate an EV?
By Matthew W. Daus, Esq.

There are plenty of climate and air quality reasons to buy an electric vehicle (EV), but is it cheaper to drive? While this is a complicated question that has befuddled car shoppers for years, in most cases, an EV will indeed be cheaper in the long run. And with automakers slashing prices for EVs in the past year on top of federal incentives for eligible buyers, you may even be able to score a bargain up front. Let’s sort out the details.

Sticker prices for electric vs. gas cars

According to data from Cox Automotive (parent company of Kelley Blue Book), the average price paid for a new EV has fallen significantly—in September 2023, it came down by $14,300 over the prior year. This amounted to a cost of just $2,800 more than the average paid for a new gas-powered vehicle. And with the EV market growing rapidly, the price margin is expected to shrink even more in the coming years as manufacturers produce more affordable models and improve battery technology, the most expensive part of an EV.

You can mitigate some of that cost by making use of tax incentives, which can shave thousands off an EV’s price tag. The federal EV tax credit offers up to $7,500 for new EVs and, for the first time, $4,000 for used EVs, too, for eligible buyers and EVs.

In addition, new rules from U.S. Department of the Treasury will soon allow participating auto dealers to provide the tax credit directly to consumers at the point of sale, making savings more immediate.

One asterisk: Automakers must now meet new EV manufacturing requirements for their vehicles to qualify for those federal incentives, which will likely temporarily impact the availability of eligible EVs while supply chains catch up.

Many states offer their own tax incentives, too, so take the time to search for what’s available for the model you’re interested in buying.

Matthew W. Daus, Esq.
Contact: mdaus@windelsmarx.com
156 West 56th Street | New York, NY 10019
T. 212.237.1106 | F. 212.262.1215

Note:
Why Repairing Your EV Is So Expensive
---longer wait times and bigger repair bills
https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/ev-repair-expensive-eecf09fd?mod=business_lead_pos2

Source: Clean Technica
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/11/23/electric-vs-gas-cars-is-it-cheaper-to-drive-an-ev

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Channel Hires Robert Ceribelli as
Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer

Robert Ceribelli
Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer

Minnetonka, MN –. Channel is pleased to announce Robert Ceribelli has joined the organization, stepping into the role of Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, effective November 30, 2023. In this role, Ceribelli will drive end-to-end strategies across revenue growth, operational efficiency, product innovation, and market leadership to achieve Channel's ambitious vision. Collaborating across business units, he will craft and execute transformational goals that enhance business and service performance today and competitiveness for the future.

Brad Peterson, Chief Executive Officer at Channel, said, "We welcome Rob for the deep expertise he adds to our executive leadership team, His versatility in finance and operations will push us and strengthen how we leverage data, run our business, and create and sell product offerings that further enhance the way we serve our partners.

“Rob thinks big on innovation and cares lot abbot real outcomes. I look forward to having his fresh eyes to help us identify new ways to grow and stay ahead."

Mr. Ceribelli brings over 34 years of financial services leadership experience to this position with an extensive background that spans finance, sales, marketing, operations, and general management. His career started at GE Capital, followed by twenty years with De Lage Landen (DLL) where he spearheaded operational excellence initiatives
and delivered sales growth through strong team collaboration, including six years leading DLL’s business across the UK & Ireland. His background further complements the Channel leadership team’s diverse experience with organizations like CAN Capital, CIT, GreatAmerica Financial Services, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Huntington, Marlin, among others.

As a leader, Mr. Ceribelli describes his approach as "energetic, results-oriented, and people-first." His balance of strategic vision and on-the-ground execution will be an immediate asset to Channel’s management capabilities.

Hei has been a longstanding advocate and contributor to the advancement of the equipment finance industry, currently serving as Chair of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee.

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Triangle Equipment Finance Goes Live
with LTi’s ASPIRE Express

LTi Technology Solutions (LTi), providing a lease and loan cloud platform to equipment finance companies, is excited to announce that Triangle Equipment Finance is live on LTi’s ASPIRE Express platform. Triangle was in the search of a software provider that would add value as a business partner and had a good understanding of their business bringing a consultative approach to achieving their goals and solving technology issues.

Triangle Equipment Finance identified the need of moving to an industry leading software and quickly determined that LTi’s ASPIRE Express platform was the solution for them. With a quick deployment, ASPIRE Express will help Triangle scale their business to hit their goals and beyond. With this partnership, LTi’s ASPIRE Express will provide efficient tracking of equipment as well as easily and productively allow them to manage the servicing of their portfolio.

This includes customized invoice templates which will ultimately eliminate manual work. With ASPIRE Express allowing them to grow, Triangle will be able to push additional volume without adding additional headcount.

Michael Gallina, President of Triangle Equipment Finance, said "Our conversion required us to migrate data from 3 separate systems. The LTi team dove in and managed the process extremely thoroughly and professionally. We're extremely excited to see how using ASPIRE is going to help take our company to the next level".

Randy Haug, EVP and Co-Founder at LTi, said “It has been a pleasure to work with everyone at Triangle Equipment Finance. We have added functionality that was required and will continue to provide more automation and features as needed as Triangle grows. Overall, ASPIRE provides a technology platform for Triangle’s current needs and future growth”.

About Triangle Equipment Finance, LLC
Triangle Equipment Finance, LLC. is a specialist in truck, trailer, and transportation equipment financing. We are not a broker - we are a direct funding source. We specialize in financing for companies who have difficulty obtaining credit from banks or traditional financing sources, are start-up businesses or are a short time business, have less than perfect credit history, flexible solutions, and structured deals are our specialty!

Website: https://triangleequipmentfinance.autopal.info/apps/projects/autopal/userSite

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Mitsubishi HC Capital America Highlights 2024 Trends for Equipment Finance Industry
Equipment-as-a-service and sharing models to accelerate in 2024

NORWALK, Conn.,– On the close of a year filled with economic recovery, fluctuation and uncertainty, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, the largest non-bank, non-captive finance provider in North America, is identifying five trends that are likely to play a significant role in shaping the equipment finance industry in 2024.

Chuck McKay,Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Mitsubishi HC Capital America, stated, “Talk of recession, inflation and interest rates have largely replaced conversations filled with worries about the supply chain,” says. “We may be turning the corner in 2024, with a year of rebalancing before a substantial growth period returns in the following years.”

More cash buyers. As supply-chain stress has eased, commercial vehicle dealerships are seeing more cash buyers and a shortened sales cycle. As a result, dealers will need more floor plan financing to make sure they can keep the right inventory on the floor at the right times. OEMs, looking for ways to support their dealers, will increasingly turn to floor plan financing as one effective way to do so.

Growth in cross-border deals. Coming out of the pandemic, business between Canada and the United States continues to ramp up. Lenders that offer strong cross-border financing – beyond having sales offices in each country – should do well in 2024.

Continued increase in as-a-service financing. Companies in a wide array of industries are understanding the benefits of the as-a-service business model, and will continue to figure out how to implement it. “Instead of financing a single product or a product for a specific use, the as-a-service model effectively allows a company to finance its entire balance sheet,” says McKay.

The challenge, he says, will be in the definition and implementation of services to add to a product offering. For example, a trucking company looking to become an as-a-service provider must do much more than just offer lease and sales options. They’ll also need to provide tracking, roadside service, and other support logistics to get vehicles in the right place at the right time.

“Becoming a true as-a-service provider involves well-thought-out strategic and tactical decision-making,” explains McKay. He expects the industry to see more joint ventures, coop agreements and other teaming arrangements. “As-a-service is in the early stages of the growth S curve – and we expect the steepness of the curve to continue through 2024.”

Rise of asset sharing. Asset sharing is a strategic agreement among businesses to share an asset for the benefit of both organizations. By pooling ownership across multiple users, companies can save money by upping the utilization of devices. Typically, the needed number of assets required decreases, which generally means the overall cost of ownership decreases. Asset sharing, which is more asset-efficient than as-a-service, is already prominent in the healthcare field, particularly with certain imaging and surgery-related machines.

McKay explains that asset sharing requires tracking, maintenance and other support logistics – the same basic core services associated with as-a-service models. “The difference is in the ownership. As-a-service ownership is within a defined entity whereas asset sharing is a network.”

The two models will blur and merge in 2024, he says, and as the equipment becomes more specialized, the more the models look alike. “Key to remember is that you can do as-a-service without sharing, but you can’t do asset sharing without as-a-service.”

Interest rate worries and impacts. Many companies are concerned about the possibility of further interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve, and the likelihood of a recession. “With strong positive indicators – including robust GDP and slowing inflation – it’s looking very possible that we could be in for the mythical soft landing,” says McKay. Interest rates, he thinks, will probably remain at current levels, and may decrease somewhat. “The beginning of 2024 should continue to be a rebalancing period, with the economy growing at potential again in 2025-2026.”

About Mitsubishi HC Capital America

Mitsubishi HC Capital America is a specialty finance company that has extensive capabilities throughout North America with its affiliate, Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada, combining a consultative approach and expansive digital platform to help organizations of all sizes accelerate growth. With $7.5 billion in assets and more than 800 employees, the company is the largest non-captive, non-bank commercial finance company in North America. Mitsubishi HC Capital America partners with equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors, as well as end customers directly, in providing customized financial solutions, including transportation and commercial finance. Dedicated to improving the communities where it operates, the company is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Visit https://www.mhccna.com/en-us

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ELFF Elects Officers, Welcomes New Trustees, and
Presents Research Award During Annual Meeting

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (Foundation) announced the 2024 officers of its Board of Trustees (Board). Board Officers serving are Zack Marsh, CLFP, SVP, Accounting and Analysis, AP Equipment Financing as Chair; Miles Herman, CEO, LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. as Vice Chair; Peter Bullen, Group Head, Key Equipment Finance as Secretary/Treasurer; and Leigh Lytle, President and CEO, Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) as President. Nancy Pistorio, CLFP, President, Madison Capital LLC is Immediate Past Chair. The officer elections were held during the Board‘s annual meeting.

New members appointed to the Foundation Board of Trustees include Jim DeFrank, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Isuzu Finance of America, Inc.; Jeffrey Dicosola, Sales Manager, Great American Insurance Group; Martin Klotzman, Director of Marketing and Operations, Ivory Consulting Corporation; and Brittany Ogden, Attorney, Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP.

“The Foundation’s 2024 Board brings a wealth of leadership and industry experience to their roles as Trustees,” said Zack Marsh. “We are privileged to have such talent, commitment and expertise serving the Foundation and its mission for the advancement of the equipment finance industry.”

Trustees continuing on the Board for 2024 are:

Andrew Blacklock, Vice President, Strategy and Business Operations, Cisco Systems Capital Corporation
Cindy Fleck, Senior Vice President and General Manager Equipment Finance, Channel
Valerie Gerard, Co-Chief Executive Officer, The Alta Group LLC
Shari Lipski, CLFP, Principal, ECS Financial Services, Inc.
Mark Loken, Vice President, Credit, Farm Credit Leasing
David Normandin, CLFP, President and CEO, Wintrust Specialty Finance
Ricardo E. Rios, CLFP, COO, Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc.
Nancy Robles, President, Eastern Funding LLC
William Tefft, SVP Equipment Management, Banc of California
Donna Yanuzzi, SVP Director, 1st Equipment Finance, Inc. (FNCB Bank)

Kelli Nienaber will continue to serve as Executive Director.

Steven R. LeBarron Award
Research Committee Chair Thomas Ware honored Valerie Gerard with the Steven R. LeBarron Award for Principled Research. A member of the Foundation Research Committee (FRC) and a Foundation Trustee since 2018, Gerard also serves on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Equipment Lease Financing (JELF) and the Nominating Committee. She is being recognized for her work on content development for the Foundation podcast, which is growing as a channel to share Foundation content, including hosting study researchers as guests to share their expertise and insights. Gerard will take the lead as Chair of the FRC in 2024. This award is presented annually in memory of Steven LeBarron to the FRC member who demonstrates the insight, fortitude, and dedication he exemplified.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that propels the equipment finance sector—and its people—forward through industry-specific knowledge, intelligence, and student talent development programs that contribute to industry innovation, individual careers, and the advancement of the equipment leasing and finance industry. The Foundation is funded through charitable individual and corporate donations. Learn more at www.leasefoundation.org.

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    1492 - Christopher Columbus lands on the island of Santo Domingo in search of gold. He finds a lot of natives that he makes slaves and brings back to Spain, reporting that he has found a route to India. Later he is to bring tobacco back to Europe, which becomes a big rage to chew and smoke.
    1628 - Thomas Beard began manufacturing shoes. He came over on the Mayflower. Prior to that date, shoes were imported from England. The colonists also learned from the Native Americans how to make moccasins, which were so well liked that as early as 1650, they were exported to England.
    1732 – The first play in the American colonies acted by professional players occurred in New York.
1776 - Phi Beta Kappa, the first scholastic fraternity, is founded at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.
    1787 - Delaware became the first state to ratify the federal Constitution by unanimous vote. It was signed on December 7 by all 30 members of the Constitutional Convention. Thomas Collins, who was president of Delaware at that time, automatically became the first state governor.
    1790 - Congress moved from New York City to Philadelphia.
    1820 - James Monroe was re-elected president of the United Sates. Daniel D. Tompkins was re-elected vice-president. The electoral vote was Monroe, 231; John Quincy Adams, a Federalist and Monroe’s secretary of state, 1 electoral vote. The panic of 1819 had wrought great changes in people’s economic status. A period of wild speculation had ended with wholesale foreclosures by banks, and much property in the South and West reverted to the national bank. To add to this, at the end of 1818, the Union consisted of 11 free and 11 slave states. Ready to be a state, Maine would be a free state, but it would be offset by creating the state of Missouri from Louisiana, otherwise known as the Missouri Compromise. The fourth U.S. Census recorded a population of 9,638,453. The center of population was 16 miles east of Moorefield, W.Va.
    1849 – Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in Maryland for the second and final time. Slowly, one group at a time, she brought relatives with her out of the state and eventually guided dozens of other enslaved people to freedom. Traveling by night and in extreme secrecy, Tubman "never lost a passenger." After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed, she helped guide fugitives farther north into British North America (Canada) and helped newly freed enslaved people find work. Tubman met John Brown in 1858 and helped him plan and recruit supporters for his 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry. When the Civil War began, Tubman worked for the Union Army, first as a cook and nurse, and then as an armed scout and spy. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, she guided the raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated more than 700 enslaved people. After the war, she retired to the family home on property she had purchased in 1859 in Auburn, NY, where she cared for her aging parents. She was active in the women's suffrage movement until illness overtook her, and she had to be admitted to a home for elderly African Americans that she had helped to establish years earlier.
1862 - President Lincoln ordered the hanging of 39 of the 303 convicted Indians who participated in the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota. They were to be hanged on Dec. 26. The Dakota Indians were going hungry when food and money from the federal government was not distributed as promised. They led a massacre that left over 400 white people dead. The uprising was put down and 300 Indians were sentenced to death. Pres. Lincoln reduced the number to 39, who were hanged. The government then nullified the 1851 treaty.
    1864 - Abraham Lincoln appointed Ohio Senator Salmon P. Chase to be Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, a strong advocate of African-American rights.
( lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec06.htm
http://www.abbess.demon.co.uk/brubeck/discog/ )
    1865 - The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, abolishing slavery in the US. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, save as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." In 1860, the US Census recorded a population of 31,443,321. There were 448,070 free blacks and 3,953,760 slaves in the country, the overwhelming majority were black.
    1884 - Washington Monument is “topped.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec06.html
    1865 - Eight months after the end of the Civil War, Georgia became the last state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery in the United States. With it, the single greatest change wrought by the Civil War was officially noted in the U.S. Constitution.
    1876 – The presidential election held on November 7 had given Governor of New York Samuel J. Tilden, the Democratic candidate, a popular vote plurality of 250,000, but Republicans refused to concede on the grounds that returns from Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon were in dispute and thus their 19 electoral votes. Rutherford B. Hayes needed the electoral votes of those states to win. On December 6, two different sets of electoral returns were reported from the four states. The electoral vote ultimately was to be determined by a special 15-members electoral commission with five members from each house of Congress and five members from the Supreme Court, made up of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. On March 2, Congress adopted the commission’s decision, Rutherford B. Hayes received 185 electoral votes and Tilden 184. The Republicans were accused of offering southern Democrats economic favors for their region if they supported Hayes’s claim. In any event, the new president showed a conciliatory attitude toward the South: the last federal troops were withdrawn and there was no further effort to protect the rights of blacks. All government programs for equality were ended. Reconstruction was over.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rh19.html
http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/rbhayes.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/side/tilden.html
http://gi.grolier.com/presidents/ea/side/elecollg.html
    1876 - Jack McCall is convicted for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok and sentenced to hang. He was acquitted at an “illegal” trial but held again for trial in South Dakota, where he was convicted, then became the first person hanged in South Dakota. Wild Bill Hickok’s card hand held an ace of spades, ace of clubs, two black eights - clubs and spades - and the jack of diamonds. This became known as aces and eights - the dead man's hand.
http://www.adamsmuseumandhouse.org/answers/jackmccall.html
    1877 - Washington Post publishes first edition
    1877 - First sound recording made (Thomas Edison)
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/
Edison did not build the first sound recording machine, but made his first phonograph design and gave a sketch of the machine to his mechanic, former Swiss clock maker John Kruesi, to build. Thirty hours later the machine was finished, but Kruesi bet the inventor $2 that it would not work. Edison immediately tested the machine by speaking a nursery rhyme into the mouthpiece, "Mary had a little lamb." To his amazement, the machine played his words back to him. Kruesi would go on be involved in many of Edison's key inventions, including the quadruplex telegraph, the carbon microphone, the phonograph, and the incandescent light bulb and system of electric lighting.
    1886 - Birthday of Alfred Joyce Kilmer (d. 1918), at New Brunswick, NJ. American poet most famous for his poem “Trees,” which was published in 1913. Killed in action near Ourcy, France, in World War I, July 30, 1918. Camp Kilmer was named for him.
    1886 - A great snowstorm hit the southern Appalachian Mountains. The three-day storm produced 25 inches at Rome, GA, 33 inches at Asheville, NC, and 42 inches in the mountains. Montgomery, AL received a record eleven inches of snow. Columbia, SC received one to two inches of sleet. (4th-6th)
    1892 - Birthday of Theodore Lawless (d. 1971), African-American medicine pioneer, born Thibodeaux, Louisiana. He was a dermatologist who became a millionaire form his studies, practice and development of medicines. He also contributed to the better understanding of syphilis, a venereal disease; and leprosy, a disease which wastes away the muscles of the body. Setting up his offices in the heart of Chicago's Black community, he established one of the largest and best-known skin clinics in the city. For many years, men and women and children, both black and white, crowded his waiting room from morning until night. But he still found time to teach at Northwestern University, work with the staff of Chicago's Provident Hospital, and share his knowledge with other doctors. In 1954, he was awarded the NAACP's Springarn Medal. In 1970 at his seventy-eighth birthday celebration on Dillard University's campus, Lawless shared the philosophy that directed his life:
“I sought my soul,
But my soul I could not see,
I sought my God, but my God eluded me,
I sought my neighbor, and I found all there.”
http://www.africanpubs.com/Apps/bios/1057LawlessT.asp?pic=none
    1896 - Birthday of Ira Gershwin, born Israel Gershowitz (d. 1983), NYC. Pulitzer Prize-winning American lyricist and author who collaborated with his brother, George, and with many other composers.
Among his Broadway successes: “Lady Be Good,” “Funny Face,” “Strike
Up the Band,” and such songs as “The Man I Love,” “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
    1898 - Birthday of American photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt (d. 1995), Dirschau, Prussia. One of the greatest photojournalists in US history, he is best known for his 86 photos that were used on covers of Life magazine, including the photo of the sailor kissing a nurse in New York’s Times Square at the end of World War II.
    1920 - Pianist/composer Dave Brubeck (d. 2012) birthday, Concord, CA.
http://www.schirmer.com/composers/brubeck_bio.html
http://www.brubeckmusic.com/dave.html
http://www.downbeat.com/artists/window.asp?aid=143&aname=Dave+Brubeck
    1921 - Otto Graham (d. 2003) was born in Waukegan, IL. The Hall of Fame quarterback ran and passed the Cleveland Browns to seven league championships in 10 seasons (1946-55). With Graham at quarterback, the Browns posted a record of 57 wins, 13 losses, and one tie, including a 9–3 record in the playoffs. He holds the NFL record for career average yards gained per pass attempt, with 8.63. He also holds the record for the highest career winning percentage (.810) for an NFL starting quarterback.
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/1206.jpg
    1922 - William P. McGivern (d. 1982) was born in Chicago. American novelist, screenplay writer, who published over 20 novels covering the wide genre of thrillers — homicide detection, espionage, political corruption, the world of psychopath, & the crooked cop.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/mcgivern.htm
    1922 - The first electric commercial power line was placed in operation by Utica Gas and Electric Company, Utica, NY. The plant was built by the General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY, and consisted of the transmitters, the power lines, and the associated receives. The transmission lines carried both voices and power. A single power line could carry several different carrier frequencies simultaneously, making possible distant supervisory control of various types of electric equipment. This opened the United States, and the world to cheap electrical power, transmission, and changed lifestyles. The first hydrogen-cooled turbine generator for cities was built by GE, who lead the field in innovation and relatively low cost for consumers
    1925 - Tenor sax and flute player Bob Cooper (d. 1993) born, Pittsburgh, PA.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?p=amg&sql=B6335
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927005436&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1928 - Birthday of drummer Frank Dunlop (d. 2014), Buffalo, NY
http://www.audiophilia.com/software/ac2.htm
    1937 - Birthday of drummer Eddie Gladden (d. 2003), Newark, NJ
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=1927063655
    1940 - Birthday of bass player Jay Leonhart, Baltimore, MD
    1940 - Nat King Cole Trio cuts first Decca recordings.
    1941 - President Roosevelt, convinced on the basis of intelligence reports that the Japanese fleet is headed for Thailand, not the United States, telegrams Emperor Hirohito with the request that "for the sake of humanity," the emperor intervene "to prevent further death and destruction in the world." The Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese escorts, cruisers, and destroyers on patrol near the Malayan coast, south of Cape Cambodia. An Aussie pilot managed to radio that it looked as if the Japanese warships were headed for Thailand just before he was shot down by the Japanese. Back in England, Prime Minister Churchill called a meeting of his chiefs of staff to discuss the crisis. While reports were coming in describing Thailand as the Japanese destination, they began to question whether it could have been a diversion. British intelligence had intercepted the Japanese code "Raffles," a warning to the Japanese fleet to be on alert-but for what? Britain was already preparing Operation Matador, the launching of their 11th Indian Division into Thailand to meet the presumed Japanese invasion force. But at the last minute, Air Marshall Brooke-Popham received word not to cross the Thai border for fear that it would provoke a Japanese attack if, in fact, the warship movement was merely a bluff. Meanwhile, 600 miles northwest of Hawaii, Admiral Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese fleet, announced to his men: "The rise or fall of the empire depends upon this battle. Everyone will do his duty with utmost efforts." Thailand was, in fact, a bluff. Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii was confirmed for Yamamoto as the Japanese target after the Japanese consul in Hawaii had reported to Tokyo that a significant portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet would be anchored in the harbor.
    1944 - The Count Basie Orchestra records "Red Bank Boogie."
    1947 - Stan Kenton cuts “Peanut Vendor.”
http://www.mamajazz.org/pages/biokenton.html
http://business.baylor.edu/Phil_VanAuken/kenton.html
http://music.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--5209,
prod_id--1007232,name--The%20Best%20Of%20Stan%20Kenton%20%28
Blue%20Note%29.html
    1947 - Everglades National Park was established. Part of vast marshland area on southern Florida peninsula, originally authorized May 30,1934.
    1950 - Duluth, MN had their greatest 24 hour snowfall when 25.4 inches fell
    1951 - Top Hits
“Sin (It’s No)” - Eddy Howard
“Because of You” - Tony Bennett
“Down Yonder” - Del Wood
“Slow Poke” - Pee Wee King
    1952 - The Mills Brothers' "The Glow-Worm" hits #1
    1954 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Mr. Sandman," The Chordettes.
    1957 - Mercury Records releases the Diamonds' cover of the Chuck Willis dance tune "The Stroll." It peaks at #8 on the pop chart and sparks a fad for the dance of the same name.
    1957 - Elvis visits radio station WDIA in Memphis and meets two of his idols, Little Junior Parker and Bobby Bland.
    1959 - Top Hits
“Mack the Knife” - Bobby Darin
“Don’t You Know” - Della Reese
“In the Mood” - Ernie Field’s Orch.
“Country Girl” - Faron Young
    1960 - Gene Autry was attending the 1960 baseball winter meetings hoping to secure a broadcasting contract for KMPC, his Los Angeles radio station. The ‘Singing Cowboy’ wound up as the owner of the expansion Los Angeles Angels (when no one came forward to bid for the team, Autry made a bid of his own). The team became the showpiece for KMPC. The Angels played their first season in Wrigley Field (capacity 22,000) in Los Angeles, then rented Dodger Stadium and later moved to Anaheim.
In 2002, they won the World Series, beating the San Francisco Giants.
    1960 - 500 store owners in Tucson, Arizona sign pledges of non-discrimination. In 1994, a black chamber of commerce was formed in Tucson, the 33rd largest city in the United States. One of the “hold out” states, it was not until 1993 that Arizona observed its first statewide Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. June 7, 1993, Governor Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire signed the King Holiday legislation into law, completing enactment of holiday in all states.
    1965 - Motown Records releases Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Going to a Go-Go." The song is later covered by the Rolling Stones. The Miracles' version will reach #11 on the pop chart.
    1966 - The Beatles record "When I'm Sixty-Four"
    1967 - Top Hits
“Daydream Believer” - The Monkees
“The Rain, the Park & Other Things” - The Cowsills
“I Say a Little Prayer” - Dionne Warwick
“It’s the Little Things” - Sonny James
    1967 - The first heart transplant in the United States was performed at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, New York City. Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz was the surgeon and the patient was a two-week-old baby boy who lived for 6.5 hours after the operation. The transplant took place three days after Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant in history in Cape Town, South Africa. The first heart transplant performed on an adult in the United States took place on January 6, 1968, at the Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA. The patient was Mike Kasperak and the surgeon was Dr. Norman Shumway.
    1967 - LITEKY, ANGELO J., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Chaplain (Capt.), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 199th Infantry Brigade. place and date: Near Phuoc-Lac, Bien Hoa province, Republic of Vietnam, 6 December 1967. Entered service at: Fort Hamilton, N.Y. Born: 14 February 1931, Washington, D.C. Citation: Chaplain Liteky distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving with Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. He was participating in a search and destroy operation when Company A came under intense fire from a battalion size enemy force. Momentarily stunned from the immediate encounter that ensued, the men hugged the ground for cover. Observing 2 wounded men, Chaplain Liteky moved to within 15 meters of an enemy machine gun position to reach them, placing himself between the enemy and the wounded men. When there was a brief respite in the fighting, he managed to drag them to the relative safety of the landing zone. Inspired by his courageous actions, the company rallied and began placing a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy's positions. In a magnificent display of courage and leadership, Chaplain Liteky began moving upright through the enemy fire, administering last rites to the dying and evacuating the wounded. Noticing another trapped and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid. Realizing that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back, placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along. pausing for breath momentarily, he returned to the action and came upon a man entangled in the dense, thorny underbrush. Once more intense enemy fire was directed at him, but Chaplain Liteky stood his ground and calmly broke the vines and carried the man to the landing zone for evacuation. On several occasions when the landing zone was under small arms and rocket fire, Chaplain Liteky stood up in the face of hostile fire and personally directed the medivac helicopters into and out of the area. With the wounded safely evacuated, Chaplain Liteky returned to the perimeter, constantly encouraging and inspiring the men. Upon the unit's relief on the morning of 7 December 1967, it was discovered that despite painful wounds in the neck and foot, Chaplain Liteky had personally carried over 20 men to the landing zone for evacuation during the savage fighting. Through his indomitable inspiration and heroic actions, Chaplain Liteky saved the lives of a number of his comrades and enabled the company to repulse the enemy. Chaplain Liteky's actions reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
    1969 - Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, at Altamont Speedway in Livermore, a free concert featuring performance by the Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplanes, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and the Flying Burrito Brothers turned into tragedy. The "thank you" concert for 300,000 fans was marred by overcrowding, drug overdoses and the fatal stabbing of a spectator by a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, who had been hired as security guards for the event. The murder is filmed and included in the film "Gimme Shelter" which premieres exactly one year later.
http://www.echoes.com/rememberaday/altamont.html
    1969 - Musician Cab Calloway turned actor as he was seen in the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation of "The Littlest Angel" on NBC. The big band singer, known for such classics as "Minnie the Moocher", became a movie star in "The Blues Brothers" (1980) with John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.
    1969 - "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," by Steam, reached the #1 spot on the top 40. It stayed at the top for two weeks and was the only major hit for the group that later ran out of ... steam.
    1970 - "Gimme Shelter," the documentary film about the Rolling Stones' 1969 tour of the U.S. debuts on the anniversary of the Altamont concert.
    1970 - A windstorm toppled the National Christmas Tree at the White House.
    1971 - It was payday for Jack Nicklaus. He received $30,000 for capturing the first Disney World golf tournament. His earnings for the season totaled $244,490.
    1971 - Ryan Wayne White (d. 1990) born with hemophilia, Kokomo, IN, later to contract AIDS from blood-clotting products.
http://teenink.com/Past/1999/10658.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451173228/inktomi-bkasin-20/
103-8044451-6791041
    1973 - Gerald Ford was sworn in as vice-president under Richard Nixon, following the resignation of Spiro Agnew who pled no contest to a charge of income tax evasion. Ford became the first vice president chosen under the 25th amendment when he was sworn into office as President Richard Milhous Nixon’s vice president. The 25th amendment, ratified on February 10, 1967, enables the president to appoint a vice president in the event that the office becomes vacant. On October 10, 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned to face charges of income tax evasion, leaving the vice presidency open for the first time since the passage of the amendment. When President Nixon resigned, Gerald Ford became the first president of the United States never elected to the office. He later pardoned Nixon after his resignation as president. Some say it was this act that elected Jimmy Carter president of the United States in 1976. The electoral vote was Carter, 297; Pres. Ford, 240. the popular vote was Carter, 40,828,929; Ford 38,148,940. In congressional elections, the Democrats kept a 2-Senate majority, 61-38, with one seat going to an impendent, and a House Majority o4 2192-143. Yet Carter was considered by historians as a very ineffectual president and leader. Some say it was the challenging of his chief campaign manager who became director of the Officer of Management and budget, Bert Lance. Nevertheless, in the first months of Pres. Jimmy Carter’s administration, most Vietnam-era draft resisters were pardoned, the planned pullout of U.S. forces from South Korea was announced, and administration officials spoke out against human rights violations worldwide. Vernon Jordon of the National Urban League charged the administration with not doing enough to reduce unemployment among blacks. In his second year, national unemployment reached 7% and the Dow Jones declined, while the U.S. faced a high trade deficit, primarily because of oil imports and the falling value of the dollar.
    1973 - Steve Miller who'd been laying low for most of last year and this year, gets a gold record for "The Joker," his most successful LP to date. The title track becomes Miller's first chart-topping hit and gives cameo roles to some of his previous in-song personas, like "Maurice" and "The Gangster of Love."
    1975 - Paul Simon’s album, "Still Crazy After All These Years," was number one in the U.S. It was Simon’s first #1 solo album and it contained his first recording with Art Garfunkel since their 1969 breakup ("My Little Town," which was also included on Garfunkel’s "Breakaway" album).
    1975 - Senator Robert Dole & Elizabeth Hanford marry.
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/candidates/republican/dole/timeline/index.shtml
    1975 - Top Hits
“Fly, Robin, Fly” - Silver Convention
“Sky High” - Jigsaw
“Let’s Do It Again” - The Staple Singers
“Secret Love” - Freddy Fender
    1975 - Soul singer Tyrone Davis enters the R&B chart with "Turning Point," which -- though it will never enter the pop chart -- will hit Number One early next year.
    1979 - AC/DC's big breakthrough comes with his fifth U.S. album, "Highway to Hell." It turns gold and happens to be the last album recorded with original vocalist Bon Scott, who dies two months later.
    1983 - Top Hits
“All Night Long (All Night)” - Lionel Richie
“Say Say Say” - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
“Uptown Girl” - Billy Joel
“A Little Good News” - Anne Murray
    1984 - The longest winning streak in the history of women’s tennis came to an end when Helena Kuova defeated Martina Navatilova, who had won 74 matches in a row, starting January 15, 1974.
    1986 - University of Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy.
    1987 - Another in a series of storms brought high winds and heavy rain to the northwestern U.S., with heavy snow in some of the higher elevations. In northern California, Crescent City was drenched with 2.58 inches of rain, and winds gusted to 90 mph. Up to fourteen inches of snow blanketed the mountains of northern California, and snow and high winds created blizzard conditions around Lake Tahoe, NV.
    1989 - Heavy snow blanketed the Central Rocky Mountain Region. Totals in the southern foothills of Colorado ranged up to 17 inches at Rye. Arctic air invaded the north central U.S. Lincoln, NE, which reported a record high of 69 degrees the previous afternoon, was 35 degrees colder. International Falls, MN was the cold spot in the nation with a morning low of 9 degrees below zero, and temperatures in northern Minnesota hovered near zero through the daylight hours.
    1991 - Top Hits
“Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” - PM Dawn
“Black or White” - Michael Jackson
“Blowing Kisses in the Wind” - Paula Abdul
“Forever Together” - Randy Travis
    1994 - Financial disaster hit Orange County on December 6, 1994, as a dalliance with high-risk investing forced the affluent California community to file for bankruptcy. The move, which marked the single biggest bankruptcy filing by a municipality, capped off a disastrous run for Orange County and its multi-billion-dollar investment fund.
    1998 - Astronauts on the U.S. space shuttle "Endeavour" completed the most difficult task of their 12-day mission, mating modules from Russia and the United States to create the first two building blocks of International Space Station. “We have capture of Zarya,” Commander Robert Cabana announced when the two pieces came together at approximately 9:07 p.m. EST. “Congratulations to the crew of the good ship Endeavour,” replied Mission Control. “That's terrific.”
    1999 - The U.S. airline maintenance company SabreTech was cleared of conspiracy charges in the crash of a plane belonging to cut-rate carrier ValuJet, which killed 110 people. The company was convicted on a series of less serious charges, including the improper packaging of the oxygen canisters thought to be responsible for the crash. The case involved 144 oxygen generators removed by SabreTech from other ValuJet planes and delivered to the ill-fated flight without the required safety caps or any markings indicating the canisters were hazardous. Investigators blamed the generators for starting a 2,200-degree cargo fire that brought down the DC-9 on May 11, 1996.
    1998 - Comedian and actor Bill Cosby receives the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. Cosby was born in Philadelphia in 1937. He dropped out of high school and joined the Navy in 1956, later getting his high school degree by correspondence. In 1960, he entered Temple University on a football scholarship, but by the following year he had become more interested in comedy and began performing regularly in a Greenwich Village nightclub. He went on to pursue a career in show business and was cast in 1965 as the partner of a white undercover agent in “I Spy,” which ran until 1968. The first network TV show to portray a natural working relationship between white and black colleagues, “I Spy” co-starred Robert Culp. (The first black-white TV show was “Harlem Detective” written-produced-directed by my father in the early 1950’s in New York.) Cosby starred in numerous other TV shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including “The Bill Cosby Show,” from 1969 to 1971, a situation comedy in which Cosby played a high school coach, and “The New Bill Cosby Show,” a variety show that lasted only one season (1972-73). Meanwhile, Cosby released a series of hit comedy recordings, winning eight Grammys, and earned a doctorate in education. In 1972, he launched an animated cartoon series called “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” which ran until 1984. In the 1970s and '80s, he made many appearances on children's TV shows, including “The Electric Company” and “Sesame Street.” In 1984, “The Cosby Show” debuted, a series featuring obstetrician Cliff Huxtable, his attorney wife, and their houseful of children. Rejected by ABC and NBC when Cosby pitched a similar concept based on a blue-collar family, NBC agreed to try the show once Cosby made the main characters an affluent family. The show, which ran until 1992, became one of the most popular programs on television. From 1994 to 1995, Cosby starred in “The Cosby Mysteries,” playing a forensic expert, and launched Cosby, about downsized airline worker Clinton Lucas, in 1996. Cosby also starred in several movies, including “Leonard, Part 6” (1987), which he produced, and “Ghost Dad” (1990), but his movies generally failed to make a splash at the box office. He is later to be charged by many women for rape. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Costand. He was imprisoned until the conviction was vacated in 2021 by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for violations of Cosby's 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment due process rights.
http://www.delafont.com/comedians/Bill-Cosby.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-649/
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-14611/
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/C/htmlC/cosbyshowt/cosbyshowt.htm
    2005 - At the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays continue to keep their wallets open as the team agrees to a five-year, $55 million deal with A.J. Burnett ( 12-12, 3.44 ). The signing of the Marlin free agent who many consider the best starter available on the market, comes on the heels of Toronto giving B.J. Ryan $47 million over five-years making it the richest contract in baseball history.
    2006 - NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars.
2007 - Billy Joel released a new Pop single called "Christmas in Fallujah," which featured the vocals of 21-year-old singer Cass Dillon. At 58, Joel said he felt he was too old to sing the song, which was inspired by letters he received from soldiers in Iraq.
    2010 – US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks revealed a cable from Hillary Clinton accusing Saudi Arabia’s wealthy of being the largest source of funding for Sunni terrorist groups.
    2014 – NASA awakened the New Horizons spacecraft from hibernation for the last time. The vessel was launched in 2005 to travel over 3 billion miles to Pluto and will be within range to begin data collection on the planet by January, 2015.
2017 - "Supermassive" became the most distant black hole discovery, announced by astronomers in journal "Nature", 13 billion light-years away, 800 x bigger than the Sun.
2018 - Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry explodes for franchise-record 238 yards and 4 touchdowns in 30-9 win vs Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville; 99-yard TD run ties Dallas Cowboys HOF RB Tony Dorsett's longest run in NFL history.

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