Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  Dively, Emory K.
CANDIDATE DETAILS
AffiliationRepublican  
 
NameEmory K. Dively
Address532 Snelling Ave S
St Paul, Minnesota , United States
EmailEKDively@aol.com
Website [Link]
Born 00, 1956 (68 years)
ContributorThe Oncoming Storm
Last ModifedRBH
Jun 23, 2016 03:30am
Tags
InfoBiography of Emory Dively:
Emory K. Dively was born in 1956 in Flint, Michigan. He was born profoundly Deaf to hearing parents. He also has a deaf sibling and two hearing siblings. He attended and graduated from the Michigan School for the Deaf in 1974. He felt very fortunate to have his Deaf sister around since his parents were very strongly encouraged to only communicate orally with their Deaf children by the "authorities in deafness" who warned them that if they used sign language their children would never learn to speak or learn to lip read. This lasted until he was ten years old. Finally, they realized this was not appropriate advice for their family and sign language has no bearing on speech ability. They realized how much they missed being able to communicate comfortably and clearly. It was harming their family relationship and inhibiting the educational progress of their children. So they started to learn sign language immediately.

While a student at Michigan School for the Deaf he experienced his first political campaign—running for Student Council. He won by a landslide. His teacher's campaign tool was emery boards on which the words, "Vote For" were written. This obvious relationship to his
name brought about enough attention to easily win the race. It also added a sense of humor to the campaign.

Emory went on to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the world’s largest technological college program for Deaf students, affiliated with the famous Rochester Institute of Technology. This college now enrolls approximately 1,100 Deaf students. While attending NTID, he met his future wife, Cynthia. They have now been married for 26 years. In 1980, Emory graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. He eventually became a minister to the Deaf at the Assembly of God Deaf Church of Rochester, New York. He also led a college ministry program for the Deaf students at NTID.

After both Cynthia and Emory graduated from NTID, he went on to Central Bible College and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. His graduate studies were funded by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation of New York. This support helped him earn his Master's Degree in Intercultural Studies. In 1982, Emory graduated from the Seminary as the first Deaf student to complete the program.

After he received his Ordination from the New York District Council of the Assemblies of God, he and his wife returned to Rochester, NY, to resume their campus ministry with Deaf students. During the six years they ministered in Rochester, they added two hearing children to their family, Erica and Emory David. Their children are now grown.

After completing their time of ministry in Rochester, NY, Deaf International Bible College (now Carlstrom Deaf Studies) of North Central University, located in Minneapolis, MN, asked Emory and his family to relocate to Minnesota to become the director and department chair of the program. The goal of the program was to train Deaf individuals to become ministers to the Deaf all over the world. So, Emory and his family moved to Eagan, MN where they lived for many years. Many Deaf students, including some from several different countries, attended, and graduated from DIBC, and are now serving as ministers to the Deaf in different states, as well as
international locations such as Australia and Singapore.

During his time at DIBC, Emory traveled extensively to many different nations. From his travels, he learned eight different sign languages. His purpose was to teach the Deaf people about Jesus Christ as their Savior, in their own native sign languages. Emory understands that it is frustrating for hearing students to learn American Sign Language (ASL). He encourages them by letting them know he has had to learn different sign languages in order to communicate with the people that he ministers to. The most recent sign languages he has learned are Mongolian and Venezuelan. Emory traveled to those countries in 2005, providing support and training in ministerial programs for Deaf people.

After his term at North Central University, Emory and Cindy were asked to begin ministering to the Highland Park Deaf Church, now Twin Cities Deaf Assembly of God. They are now celebrating their tenth year as co-pastors. Emory feels honored that he has had the opportunity to lead opening prayers in the Senate Chamber and most recently at House of Representatives. He has witnessed openness to the Deaf community by the State which recently honored Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing people. Emory believes these experiences impacted him positively. They also provided a remarkable opportunity to provide exposure to the legislative body.

Emory has also been involved in the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC) for the past nine years. The purpose of this organization is to fight for civil rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults and children. A recent issue has been providing adequate interpreting services in different educational programs. Progress was made by passing legislation that required certification of educational interpreters. Also, Emory currently represents the MADC on their Hospital Access Task Force which works in tandem with State and federal agencies. Today, he is currently serving a section of MADC called “DEAF-MADC.” Their goal is to oversee the programs for the Deaf community such as TCDEAF.COM, a website that provides information to the Deaf community, as well as Deaf Hospice Education Programs, and other Deaf programs.

Recently, Emory was just re-elected to another 4-year term with National Deaf Culture Fellowship of the Assemblies of God. This position, as an overseer, provides empowerment to over 80 Deaf churches across the country. He was elected at the Fellowship’s biennial convention that recently took place in Seattle, Washington.

Emory’s political involvement began as a Republican delegate from Eagan at the request of his then state legislator, Tim Pawlenty. He was involved in the Governor’s race in 2002. Since then Emory has also been involved in the local Republican District 64B, as well as acting as a delegate to the Republican State Convention last month.

On Wednesday July 12, 2006, Emory Dively formally announced his candidacy for State Legislator on behalf of District 64B and Deaf Minnesotans. His announcement is taking place at Charles Thompson Hall, in St. Paul, a recognized historical landmark, which is priceless to the Deaf community of Minnesota. If he wins the election this fall, he will become the first Deaf Legislator in our state’s and nation’s history.

Emory and Cynthia are currently residing at 532 Snelling Ave. S., Saint Paul, Minnesota.


[Link]

JOB APPROVAL POLLS

BOOKS
Title Purchase Contributor

EVENTS
Start Date End Date Type Title Contributor

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor

DISCUSSION
Importance? 0.00000 Average

FAMILY

INFORMATION LINKS
RACES
  11/08/2016 MN House Seat 64B Lost 25.02% (-49.76%)
  11/04/2008 MN House Seat 64B Lost 27.97% (-43.88%)
  11/07/2006 MN House Seat 64B Lost 28.86% (-42.20%)
ENDORSEMENTS