b"ScripturesPOLITICSfor Thought A Force AheBy Rev. Paul Lewis ismyof ProgressPsalmofDavid.1TheLord shepherd;Ishallnotwant.2He makethmetoliedowningreenpas-tures:leadethmebesidethestill waters. 3He restoreth my soul: he lead-eth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Yea, though I walk throughthevalleyoftheshadowof death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they com-fort me. 5Thou preparest a table beforePaul Lewismeinthepresenceofmineenemies: thouanointestmyheadwithoil;mymy life: and I will dwell in the house of cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness andthe Lord for ever.mercy shall follow me all the days of For I know the plans I have forlege,andsomeonewhohopesto you, declares the LORD, plans toserve our great state in the United prosperyouandnottoharmyou,States Senate. plans to give you hope and a future. My campaign recently announcedJeremiah 29:11 ourEquityforAllplatforma plan developed in conversation with peopleofcolorabouthowwecan By Sen. John Hickenlooper addressthesystematicinequali-ties plaguing our nation in five key areas:universalaccesstohealth T hispastmonth,Coloradoandcare, closing economic gaps, secur-our nation have seen brave pro- inglegalequalityacrossracial testorsstandinguptofightbackdivides,expandingenvironmental againstthesystemicracismthatjustice,andprotectingdemocratic pervades every aspect of our societyinclusion. Though we clearly must but was especially laid bare in thereformthepolice,wealsomust killingsofGeorgeFloyd,Ahmaudtackletheunderlyingissuesthat Arbery,BreonnaTaylor,RayshardleadtoBlackpatientsbeingmore Brooks, and too many others. WevelikelytodieofCOVID-19,Black alreadyseensomereformsstartworkersearninglessthantheir tobeimplementedinresponsetowhitecounterparts,Blackfamilies this outcry for justice, but its clearlivinginareaswithdirtyairand wehavefarmoreworkaheadofwater, and Black voters facing voter us.Thismomentinhistoryhassuppression to prevent their voices revealed the power of people com- from being heard in our democracy.mitted to justice in every form butWhether in health care, the econ-also the long and treacherous roadomy,thelegalsystem,theenvi-ahead.ronment, or our democracy, great-Black Lives Matter. And its longerequityisnotoptionalitis pasttimeforourcountrytostartrequired. We have a moral impera-acting like it.tivetodofarbetterthanweever In recent weeks, Ive taken somehave before, and I am committed to time to listen to and reflect on thebeing a fierce advocate in this fight.role I can play in this movement asSinceourcountrysfounding, afather,acommunitymember,acommitmenttoequalityandjus-white man who recognizes my privi- ticehasremainedaspirational groundedmoreindelusionthan reality.Todayourpublicrepre-sentativesaremetwithamoral I pledge to listenimperativetodobetter.Unlike SenatorGardnerwhohasfailed and advocate fortotakemeaningfulactionduring countlessattacksonBlackand LGBTQ Americans, I pledge to lis-social justice andten and advocate for social justice. MyEquityforAllPlatformand I am committedLGBTQEqualityAgendaareonly the beginning. Colorado proves time to being anandtimeagainthatwecanbea leader of change. While other public independent voiceleaders and the Washington estab-lishmentofferemptyprayersand for Colorado andpromises, I am committed to being an independent voice for Colorado a fervent forceand a fervent force of progress. All YoucanreadmyEquityforof progress. platform and plan for LGBTQ equal-ityatwww.hickenlooper.com-Be well and THRIVE!10 JULY 2020 BOCNEWS.com"