*** Discussion - "The Political and Economic Impact of Immigration" ***

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 / 6:30 pm
   6:30 pm: Registration; 7pm - 9pm : Dinner and Program
USC Orange County Center - School of Social Work
2300 Michelson Drive, Irvine
Cost: $20
RSVP: to Danielle Nava, ADL Associate Director
       dnava@... / 714-979-4733

By: The Anti-Defamation League, Orange County/Long Beach and its
Jewish Latino Roundtable Committee.

The Jewish and Latino Business Roundtable's Discussion Series

Speaker: Dr. Frank Bean; Director, Center for Research on Immigration,
Population, and Public Policy Chancellor's Professor, School of Social Sciences,
University of California at Irvine.

Jewish Latino Roundtable Committee Members:
- Dr. Bruno Ledwin, ADL
- Lucy Santana, Girls Inc.
- Ken Sherman, ADL
- Dr. Juan Carlos Araque, Orange County United Way
- Zeke Hernandez, Santa Ana LULAC #147 - League of United Latin American
Citizens

Roundtable Mission: To create a private forum in Orange County and Long Beach
where members of the Latino and Jewish communities can conduct open discussions,
exchange ideas, identify problems, work towards solutions to our common
concerns, and strengthen the bonds of understanding and friendship.

===============================================

*** OBAMA Nos LLAMA a Nevada Caravanas - to Las Vegas; Lets Win Nevada! ***

The Barack Obama campaign is proud to continue focusing and expanding efforts to
increase the number and participation of LATINOS in the electoral process during
this most critical and historical presidential election!

THIS WEEK-END - Sept 26-28 the "Obama Nos Llama! Caravana a Nevada" will
comprise of a large group of LATINOS from Orange County (especially bilingual
and Spanish speakers) working specifically to register LATINOS in Nevada to
vote.

Let's be clear: LATINOS will win this election! You, and other California
LATINOS (especially from Orange County), are crucial to make this happen.

The Obama campaign will win because it is calling on LATINOS statewide and
helping LATINOS to organize strategically by having Southern California LATINOS
focus on the Las Vegas area; with Northern California LATINOS focusing on Reno
and its surrounding communities.

STEP #1: It's EZ - Go on-line and sign up at:
          http://my.barackobama.com/obamanosllama

STEP #2: You will receive information detailed information back from
          the OCLatinosforObama / Latinos for Obama.

          ADDITIONAL INFO (FAQ) IS AVAILABLE BELOW & ON WEBSITE.

Orange County LATINOS for Obama are getting together this Friday for a
Presidential Debate Watch Party .... then leave to Vegas from this same location
at 10 pm. Yes, you can leave your vehicle at this same place. So pack your
things ... and LET'S GO TO VEGAS ... FOR OBAMA!

It is good to know that we are not alone - there are other LATINOS throughout
California that are working hard to elect Our Candidate, Barack Obama, our next
President. The reality is this -- the Latino Vote will be the deciding factor in
this election.

The strategy is very simple -- California is already a win state for Obama, we
will continue to keep it this way. Nevada is the key for us here in California.
California LATINOS are helping our neighbors in Nevada to win on Election Day!

The Obama California Latino Outreach NEEDS and WILL HAVE MORE THAN 1,000
campaign volunteers helping in Nevada these last few weekends. We know this
because we invite you to be a part of history .... join us to help our vecinos
WIN - for Obama!

Add your name to the list - Sign up at:
http://my.barackobama.com/obamanosllama

Again, be prepared to leave after the Debate Watch Party. You are invited to
this gathering --

Friday, September 26, 2008 / 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
PLACE: The Classic Q, 4250 Martingale Way
        Newport Beach, CA 92660
        www.theclassicq.com / 949-261-9458
RSVP:  info@...

Visit http://www.OCLatinosForObama.com for a glimpse at those that have signed
on for the campaign.

==========================================

*** 38th Birthday Celebration for CA Assemblyman Jose Solorio ***

Assemblyman Jose Solorio cordially invites you to a cocktail reception in
celebration of his 38th Birthday!

Thursday, September 25, 2008 / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
The First American Corporation (Garden Room - Main Bldg)
One First American Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Contribution: $38 per person
RSVP: Denise Peralta, denise@... / 714-673-0005

By: Solorio for Assembly 2008, ID #1292964
P.O. Box 26063, Santa Ana, CA 92799

========================================

*** A Book-Signing and Fun Nite with Comedian Bill Santiago ***

Thursday, September 25, 2008 / 6:30 pm
Librería Martinez
1110 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
INFO: 714-973-7900
       http://www.latinobooks.com/events.html

It's time to get a good laugh with a live author who is actually presenting his
book.

Bill Santiago is a Latino comedian that has appeared on Comedy Central Presents,
Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Que Locos, American Latino and Comedy Central's
Premium Blend.

He became a standup after narrowly escaping a career in journalism, facing the
fact that as a comedian he was funny, but as a reporter he was a joke. Today he
charms audiences across the country with his quick, cogent style, and it
doesn’t hurt to be beautiful.

The book? Well, todo lo que you ever wanted to know about Spanglish, pero
estabas afraid to ask! It's divertidísimo, and goes way beyond the funny into
el nitty gritty de cómo el Spanglish actually works.

======================================

*** Anaheim Union High School District Agenda Item - Community Concern ***

Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, September 25, 2008 / 6 pm
Anaheim Union High School District Office - Board Room
501 Crescent Way, Anaheim, CA 92803

Could this be another attempt to keep students from participating in graduation
ceremony activities? The Board of Education voted on this issue in early 2008
and allowed participation. This Vote: Yes - Brandman, Piercy and O'Neal; No -
Holguin, Smith.

Busines Agenda Item: "Graduation Ceremonies and the California High School"
INFORMATION ITEM - Exit Examination.

The Board of Trustees previously directed that students could participate in
high school graduation ceremonies, if they met all graduation requirements.
Students passing the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) and
meeting Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) course requirements
participate as a graduate earning a diploma.

Students that successfully meet the goals of their IEP's participate in
graduation, and are awarded a certificate of completion. Students who meet AUHSD
course requirements, but do not pass the CAHSEE, are permitted to participate in
graduation ceremonies, and are issued a certificate of educational achievement.
The Board of Trustees requested that this item be placed on the agenda for
further discussion.

Recommendation to Board:
It is recommended that the Board of Trustees discuss the California High School
Exit Examination, the certificate of completion, and the certificate of
educational achievement.

===============================

*** Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by Focusing on Our Future ***

Congress has designated the middle of September to the middle of October as
Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and
contributions of Hispanics to the United States.

At MALDEF, every day is a day to protect and advance the legal rights of
Latinos; to help parents guide their children's education; and to develop public
policies and strategies that shape a future when Latinos will have greater
numbers and increase our presence in positions of authority in public, corporate
and community life. We need your help today!

This year marks MALDEF's 40th anniversary as the law firm for the Latino
community. Today, the challenges facing the community are as significant as they
have ever been. MALDEF attorneys are currently challenging anti-immigrant local
ordinances in four states. We have been successful in blocking their
implementation but the stakes are high. Beyond the current disruption and fear
these ordinances inflict on Latino communities, their aim is to remove Latino
school children from local public schools. Defeating these ordinances is our top
litigation priority.

Just last week, a California appellate court ruled that AB 540, the law authored
by the late Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh, conflicts with federal immigration
law and does not allow California to waive out of state tuition for students who
graduated from our high schools. While three quarters of the beneficiaries of AB
540 are United States citizens, the law is critically important for undocumented
students and the children of undocumented immigrants who have lived their lives
here and, with more education, can better contribute to California's economy and
future. We will go and continue this fight in the California Supreme Court.

In the meantime, our lawyers are reaching out to students and campus officials
to help educate them about the impact of the decision. AB 540 remains the law
and policy of California and no student's dreams or plans for a community
college, state college or University of California degree should waver. The
ruling is yet another reminder of the importance of Comprehensive Immigration
Reform at the federal level, where, as you know, MALDEF remains active.

This year, we also embark on a four-year effort that, together with your help,
will mean a record number of Latino Members of Congress and legislators elected
in the 2012 election. Right now, we are focused on three areas:

1) Working to protect the right to vote of Latino citizens by litigating against
unnecessary voter ID laws that create unacceptable hurdles for citizens to
register and vote;

2) Monitoring campaigns for deceptive or other tactics to intimidate Latino
voters; and

3) Being ready on Election Day to address complaints and go to court to keep the
polls open if delays or disruptions occur.

Next year, we begin education efforts to make sure our community is fully
counted in the 2010 Census. It will take a year to do so as community fears of
immigrant enforcement may jeopardize their willingness to fill out forms or
answer census enumerators' questions. We must be counted in the census in order
for MALDEF attorneys and the community to play an active part in redistricting
and reapportionment in 2011. If we do all that we are capable of, you will see
Latino legislative districts in states and areas not thought of ten years ago.

The demands on our excellent MALDEF staff are higher than they have ever been.
That is because we "all of us" have the capacity, desire and responsibility to
do as much as we can to shape a better future for Latinos and for all America.
MALDEF needs your support and the best way to honor our heritage and plan for
our future as a community is to support MALDEF by clicking here. Together, we
will shape the future.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nations leading Latino legal civil rights
organization, promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through litigation,
advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development and higher
education scholarships.

MALDEF NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL OFFICE
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Tel: 213.629.2512

==================================

*** Mujer de Hoy…Hazte Valer! ***

Saturday, September 27, 2008 / 1 pm - 5 pm
Santa Ana Senior Center
424 W. 3rd St, Santa Ana, 92701
RSVP: RSVP@... / 1-818 622-4097
Seating is Limited

By: The Telemundo Network, MANA, A National Latina Organization, and
City of Santa Ana - Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Program objective is to engage our viewers in an open dialogue and interact with
them around topics that really matter in their daily lives as Latina women.
Through MANA de Orange County, local goal is to create a landmark Orange County
Community Panel Forum facilitated by empowered Latina Leaders.

Theme: Latina Empowerment
- Focus Areas: * Self Esteem * Family Values and Education * Plastic Surgery –
pros and cons * Denigration / Objectification of women,
* Peer Pressure

========================================

*** Human Trafficking Awareness Event ***

Thursday, October 2, 2008 / 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Rose Center Theater
All American Way, Westminster, CA 92683
INFO: tammy.tran@...

By: Senator Lou Correa, Women’s Transitional Living Center, Inc.,
Vietnamese Alliance to Combat Trafficking.

The United Nations estimates that there are 12.3 million people living in
slavery. In every country in the world, women, men and children are being
deprived of their basic human rights. They are coerced or deceived into
conditions of slavery. Many are starving, live in unsanitary conditions, and
experience near constant fear for their safety and the safety of their families.

Learn more about this global and local problem and how to join in the fight
against human trafficking!

The program will include:
- An update on recent state and federal legislation and laws on human
trafficking from Senator Lou Correa.
- An exclusive preview screening of “Sands of Silence” a documentary
featuring human trafficking survivors building a new life in Orange County.
- Guest speakers working on fighting human trafficking including
Westminster Chief of Police Andy Hall and documentary filmmaker
Chelo Alvarez-Stehle.
- Special appearances by recent survivors of human trafficking.
- Presentations by Women's Transitional Living Center, Inc., Orange County Human
Trafficking Task Force, and VietACT.

===============================

*** City Council & School Boards Candidates' Forum for OC Asian and Pacific
Islander Community ***

Monday, October 6, 2008 / 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Rancho Santiago Community College - District Board Room
2323 North Broadway Ave. (at Santa Clara Ave.)
Santa Ana, CA 92706
INFO: Tanzila Ahmed, 714-636-9095

Question the Candidates of Westminster & Garden Grove

--end--

Boys Scouts Affiliate ConquistAmerica Accuses
Youth Soccer League of Terrorist Tactics;
and Fraud in Youth Registrations


August 15, 2008
For Immediate Release / For Immediate Release / For Immediate Release

Contact Person: Zeke Hernandez, President, Santa Ana LULAC #147
                 (League of United Latin American Citizens)
                 714-661-4428 / zekeher@...

NOTE: This Press Release is a direct response to August 15 E-Message by Bill
Cook, Chairman/CEO of ConquistAmerica, headquartered in Santa Ana, CA. Message
is part of this Press Release.


ConquistAmerica Chairman and CEO Bill Cook has today divulged that he has
information that the Orange County Boys Scouts of America  (OCBSA) through its
contract with the California Youth Soccer League (CYSL) may have committed fraud
in its efforts to outreach into the Latino community through its ScoutReach
program.

Earlier this year, OCBSA and CYSL ended their 17-year collaboration in a
soccer-scouting program. Through this program the Boys Scouts endeavored to
raise the numbers of its scout membership rolls by �added-on� scouting training
to youth soccer players. The ending of this agreement has resulted in a clash to
retain for each the prime location of Santa Ana Unified School District�s Carr
Intermediate School, which has six soccer playing fields while other district
schools generally have only two playing fields.

CYSL has received community support from Los Amigos of Orange County and Santa
Ana LULAC #147 to allow the group access to Carr Intermediate. This is based on
maximizing the utilization of such fields based on the number of teams and
players for each league requesting use of district fields. The Boys Scouts
acknowledge they have 20 teams (300 =/- players); the CYSL has 171 teams (3,000
+/- players).

In addition, ConquistAmerica cites that a 5-minute presentation by a CYSL youth
player during a 5-minute public comment at the August 12 SAUSD Board of
Education meeting equates to tactics by anti-democratic terrorist groups using
�women and kids as human shields�.

Zeke Hernandez, President of Santa Ana LULAC states, �I am outraged that the
Boys Scouts through its affiliate ConquistAmerica accuses a youngster of being
used by terrorists in his desire to speak to elected education officials,
district personnel and the general public. His comments were very heart-warming
and spoke to the reasons why soccer can be used to keep kids away from gangs, as
well as leading to provide support at the university level.�

The Boys Scouts have themselves tried their own devious methods to �break the
backs� of CYSL leaders, coaches, parents, and youth players by: a.) Mailing
letters to parents providing misleading information for new 2008-09
registrations and the ending of the OCBSA/CYSL collaboration; b.) Sending
representatives to the homes of parents and coaches, encouraging to defect from
CYSL; c.) use of unauthorized signatures in letters sent to families of
youngsters in soccer program; d.) Threats that CYSL will �never play at Carr
School� and they are not open to mediation in the assignment of playing fields.

�In spite of the guerilla methods being undertaken by the Boys Scouts of
America, it is my hope that the community, the interested parties, and the
School District will come to a mutual agreement based on practical reasoning
with respect to the assignment of playing fields at Carr Intermediate. I believe
the CYSL is open to the fair- sharing use of the playing fields and other fields
in the vicinity,� concluded Hernandez.

There is a meeting (with respective representatives) scheduled for Friday (3
pm), August 15 at District Office, 1601 East Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana to work on
a satisfactory and mutual agreement.

~ end~

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 26, 2008

HUNGER STRIKE BEGINS BECAUSE OF SAUSD EMPLOYEE CONTRACT CUTS

Hundreds of Santa Ana School District Employees Cut to Part-Time Employees -
HUNGER STRIKE STARTS TODAY (June 26)

CONTACT PERSONS:  John Palacio (cell) 714-856-5214
                	 Zeke Hernandez, (cell) 714-661-4428

Ramon Quintanilla, employee of Santa Ana Unified School District has started on
a hunger strike to do what he feels he has to do in order to get the attention
of school board members.

The school district has started the wheels rolling to cut the contracts of many
dedicated employees - there can only be outrage that ultimately those who will
suffer are the students of Santa Ana parents.

Quintanilla is holding his fast at the school district's office, located at 1601
East Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana.

Santa Ana LULAC Council #147 (League of United Latin American Citizens) urges
the public to support Mr. Quintanilla and others who are in solidarity.

Recognizing the urgency of this situation, John Palacio, School District Board
Trustee has will be on-site to make an assessment and have discussions with
teachers, employees and parents of school children.

Santa Ana Unified School District has cut more than $100 million from the budget
since 2004, after several consecutive years of declining enrollment. The
district has dropped from about 60,000 students in 2004 to about 54,000 this
current year.

Founded in 1929, the League of the United Latin American Citizen (LULAC)
advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence,
health and civil rights of American Latinos through community-based programs
operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. Santa Ana LULAC Council
#147 was established in 1946 and is the oldest LULAC chapter in California. It
sponsors a LULAC Youth council at Segerstrom High School (Santa Ana Unified
School District).

~end~

~~ CA Assemblyman Jose Solorio Schedules Public Meeting
with State Director for Gang and Youth Violence Policy
on April 4th ~~

Friday, April 4, 2008 / 9 am - 12 Noon
Santa Ana Police Dept. - Community Room
60 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
RSVP: Juan Carlos Flores, District Director
       juan.flores@... / 714-939-8469
* If unable to RSVP; please register on-site.

NOTE: THERE IS ROOM CAPACITY LIMITATION.

Join State Assemblyman Jose Solorio in an Orange
County Public Safety meeting with Paul Seave, the new
State Director for Gang and Youth Violence Policy.

Mr. Seave will share his vision and plans for his
office + hear from local law enforcement and community
leaders in Orange County.  There will be a limited
public comment time period for the public to ask
questions or make short remarks at the meeting.

============================

~~ Friday Night Film Series - "Maquilapolis" ~~

Friday, April 4, 2008 / 6:30 pm
Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
480 S. Batavia St., in Orange.
INFO: 714-633-8121 x7716 - Mar�a Elena Perales,
Justice Coordinator Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

Schedule:
6:30 - Gathering and Refreshments
7:00 - Film Showing
8:10 to 9  - Discussion

Screening of "Maquilapolis" (City of Factories),
winner of the 2007 Latin American Studies Association
CASA Award of Merit in Film.

This 2006 film is 68 minutes; in Spanish with English
subtitles. It was directed and produced by Vicky
Funari and Sergio De La Torre.

In the 1960s the U.S. and Mexican governments
initiated a trade agreement allowing components for
everything from batteries, IV tubes, toys to clothes
to be imported duty-free into Mexico, assembled there
and then exported back duty-free as finished consumer
goods for sale in the U.S. Tijuana became known as the
television capital of the world, "TV-juana."

Globalization promised jobs, and working class
Mexicans uprooted their lives to flock to the northern
frontier in search of better paying work. In 2001,
Tijuana suffered a recession as corporations chased
after even cheaper labor in Asia.

===============================

~~ Orange County LULAC District #2 Convention ~~

Saturday, April 5, 2008 / 11 am - 1:30 pm
Orange Coast Community College
2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, CA
Registration: $20; Students - $10 (includes lunch)
INFO: Larry Luera, 714-894-7018; Beth Martinez,
714-558-8181; Susie Flores, 714-914-5272

Theme: "Liberty & Justice for All"

District #2: Includes Councils Garden Grove #2001,
Costa Mesa #3126, and Nuestro Pueblo #3097

======================================

~~ " Remembering 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin
Luther King's Martyrdom" ~~

Sunday, April 6, 2008
Two Services - 8 am and 10:30 am
Christ Our  Redeemer AME Church
46 Maxwell, Irvine, CA 92618
INFO: Rev. Mark Whitlock
       949-955-0014 / MarkW@...

Two special worship services will be held in memory
of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was
assassinated on April 4, 1968.

Rev. King experienced visceral attacks from
conservative media commentators, religious leaders,
and hate groups which led to King's untimely death.

The morning sermon will shed light on prophetic
preaching,liberation theology, and civic engagement.

Christ Our  Redeemer AME Church is  the  largest
predominantly black church located in South Orange
County, with a membership of over 1,700 people
primarily under the age of forty.

=========================================

~~ Hoa Van Tran for O.C. Supervisor First District
Campaign Reception ~~

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 / 6 pm - 8 pm
Original Mike's Restaurant
100 So. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
RSVP: Misha Houser
714-775-8422; HoaVanTran2008@...

Platinum Sponsor $1,600
Gold Sponsor $1,000
Silver Sponsor $500
Bronze Supporter $250

Host Committee: Wylie Aitken, Chairman Democratic
Foundation of Orange County; Frank Barbaro, Chairman
Demoocratic party of Orange County; Larry Agran,
Irvine City Council; Phu Do Nguyen; Trung Ta,
President, Vietnamese American Democratic Club

Checks payable to:
Hoa Van Tran for Supervisor (ID#1303899)
9741 Bolsa Ave., #210
Garden Grove, CA 92683

===================================

~~ Grand Re-Opening of Mexican Cultural Institute Art
Gallery in Los Angeles ~~

Saturday, April 12, 2008 / 12 Noon - 4 pm
125 Paseo de La Plaza (Olvera Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP: Yucateca Sara Mijares
562-505-6023 / sara@...
INFO: www.galeriamijares.com and
Mexican Cultural Institute
mexicanculturalinstitute@... / 213-624-3660

By: Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, 14th
District in collaboration with Mexican Cultural
Institute & Mundo Maya Foundation

Plus Ribbon Cutting (12:15 pm) of Solo Exhibit
"Suenos y Realidades" by Zacatecano Juan Solis,
Artist/Muralist. Exhibit runs thru April 27
(Open: Tues-Sun; 11 am - 7 pm).

======================================

~~ Annual Pancake Breakfast & Silent/Live Auction
Fundraiser ~~

Saturday, April 12, 2008 / 7:30 am - 10:30 am

Delhi Community Center
505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707
Tickets: $6 - includes stack of pancakes, scrambled
eggs, coffee & orange juice.
INFO: Frank Dominguez, 714-564-7244
www.conquistamericaecucationfoundation.com

by ConquistAmerica Education Foundation

=================================

~~ Lu�vano Foundation 25th Annual Scholarship Awards
Dinner ~~

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Reception: 6 pm; Dinner: 7 pm
Hilton Anaheim Hotel
777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA.
INFO: Elva Rubalcava
elva.home@... / 949-553-4202 x28

The Lu�vano Foundation
c/o Orange County Community Foundation
30 Corporate Park, Suite 410
Irvine, CA. 92606

Honoree: The Most Reverend Tod D. Brown, D.D.

======================================

~~ Orange County LULAC District #1 58th Annual
District Convention on April 26 ~~

Saturday, April 26, 2008 / 8:30 am � 5 pm
Anaheim Downtown Community Center
250 Center St., (just east of Anaheim Blvd.)
Anaheim, CA
Registration: $20 (includes lunch)
RSVP: Tish Leon, 714-401-8312; TishLeon@...
Charlotte De Vaul, 714-284-0380; devaul_c@...

Theme: "Pilgrims of the Twenty-First Century"

General public is invited to the 58th annual LULAC
Orange County District #1 Convention.

Orange County District # 1 (Founded in 1950):
Includes Santa Ana #147, Placentia #174, Stanton #245,
Orange County #2841, Anaheim #2848, Irvine #2997,
and Westminster LULAC #3017

Additional INFO: Zeke Hernandez
LULAC District #1 Director
Orange County LULAC District #1
PO Box 4173
Santa Ana, CA
zekeher@...
714-486-5377

======================================

Orange County Council of Boys Scouts holds
"Men of Character" Dinner ~~

April 16, 2008 / 6 pm - 9 pm
Disneyland Hotel
1313 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802
RSVP & Ad INFO: Ana�s Goldberg
714-546-8558 x148; AnaisG@...

Annually the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts
of America conducts a county wide search for 8
extraordinary "Men of Character". They are chosen for
their remarkable contributions to the Orange County
community and because they demonstrate the very values
that Scouting strives to develop in young men.

Honoree: Alfredo Amezcua, 2008 Man of Character,
Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America.

========================================

~~ Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council To
Hold 8th Annual Visionary Luncheon ~~

Thursday, April 17, 2008 / 11:30 am
Hilton Anaheim Hotel
777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA.
INFO: Ana Lily Velasco, Outreach Director
714-546-4990 x129 / LilyY@...

Honorees:
Socorro Vasquez � Philanthropist
Marcos Nava � National Director of Hispanic
Initiatives

Event Co-chairs: Teresa Saldivar, John Palacio, Pat
Velasquez

======================================

~~ California Voter Results ~~

E-mail message from Assemblyman Joe Coto, Chairman
of the California Latino Legislative Caucus

Dear Voter:

We did it! California's Latino voters turned out to
vote in the presidential primary on Super Tuesday.

For the first time ever, voter turnout amongst Latinos
in California was equal to or greater than the turnout
of other demographic groups.

In fact, Latinos that voted in the Democratic primary
nearly doubled their percentage from the 2000 and 2004
primaries!  On the Republican side, Latino turnout was
also record breaking - 13% of Republican voters were
Latino in the February primary; in 2000 and 2004,
Latino voters represented 5% and 9% of the vote,
respectively.

Senator Hillary Clinton won 67% of the Latino vote in
California; Senator Barack Obama won 32%, according to
exit polls.

But most importantly, you took the time to vote -
regardless of whom you voted for. That tells all
political candidates and policymakers that Latino
voters are paying attention and that we will have a
role in determining our future.

Our ability to be "kingmakers," as one Stanford
University professor called Latino voters on election
night, will depend on our continued participation in
upcoming elections. We are on our way to proving to
politicians that they must listen to Latino voters'
concerns if they want to win elections - so it is
vitally important that each of us vote in every
election.

For detailed information by county about the outcome
of the presidential primary election, please visit
http://www.calvoter.org/voter/elections/2008/primary/returns.html.

The California Latino Legislative Caucus is comprised
of twenty-six members of 120 members of the
Legislature. It is one of the most influential
organizations within the State legislature. United
Latinos Vote, a public benefit corporation, is
committed to engaging and registering Latinos to vote.

Sincerely,
Assembly Member Joe Coto
Chairman
California Latino Legislative Caucus

========================================

~~ 8th Annual Latino Hero Community Celebration ~~

Saturday, April 12, 2008 / 1 pm - 4:30 pm
1900 block of West Myrtle St., Santa Ana, CA
INFO: Roman A. Reyna, President
Casa Bonita Neighborhood Association
roman_a_reyna@... / 714-865-9118

*** For organizations wishing to participate, contact
Reyna for Intent to Participate form, which must be
faxed in by March 28 to 714-541-9926.

Casa Bonita Neighborhood Association is hosting its
8th Annual Latino Hero Celebration. This event focuses
on inspiring youth and empowering local residents with
resources.

Past recognized heroes include Cesar Chavez, Guy
Gabaldon, Jaime Escalante and Lydia Romero-Cruz,
Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez.

Anticipating 1,000+ participants - offering
entertainment, youth and adult speakers, elected
officials, an essay contest award ceremony, variety of
service providers with program information, snow
cones, free popcorn, games and face painting.

=================================

~~ COSTCO Looking for Diversity in Business Vendors ~~

INFO: 425-313-8383; Lynn Cruz, Community Relations
Supervisor/ Supplier Diversity Manager

Costco Wholesale is interested in providing quality
business opportunities for certified, diverse
suppliers in the San Diego Region.

Needs 15-20 minority vendors from the San Diego Region
to meet for interviews next Monday, April 7 and
Tuesday, April 8 at at San Diego Regional office.

Looking for vendors in following areas:

* Products: Non-Food items for Roadshows (specialty
products); Ethnic or specialty food items (no salsa
vendors).

Services: General Contractors - Landscape,
Maintenance, Security Guards, Plumbing, Steam
Clean/Pressure Wash, Painting, Any Environmental
Sustainability Companies.

====END====

~~ Support Rally for Disneyland Hotel Workers ~~

Saturday March 1, 2008 / 4:30 pm
Rally Place: Paradise Pier Hotel, Anaheim, CA
Parking: FREE 3 hour parking at Downtown Disney
Parking.

Let's send Disney and Company a strong message that we
stand with the workers and will fight for a better
community.

The last few weeks have been quite challenging for
hotel workers at Disneyland�s three hotels -
Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian.

Workers are still working without a contract and
management has been unwilling to negotiate a fair
contract that includes a living wage, employer base
family health insurance, respect and dignity at the
workplace.

This fight is not just about a better wage, it�s about
Disneyland Hotel�s wanting to force their will upon
employees and the residents of Orange County.  This is
why it�s so critical that you stand hand in hand with
these workers and fight for what is right.

============================

~~ El Mariachi - Cantando Por Obama ~~

* Forwarded from Steve

"Que corre la voz"  ... let the voice run (in our
communities and all over the world). Obama fever hits
la Musica Latina...

Take a look and hear some great sounds ... GO TO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fd-MVU4vtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0dMxqgS1-8&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ky8Hvq-F0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd0QLNUug4I


==================================

~~ Sizzling 2-Hr Extravaganza by Teatro Actores de
Santa Ana ~~

Saturday, March 1, 2008 / 8 pm
Santa Ana College - Phillips Hall
17th & Bristol Sts., Santa Ana, CA
Tickets: $20 per person; Students - $12
INFO: lolivosjr@... / 714-534-5603

Written and Directed by Louie Olivos, Jr.

Teatro Actores de Santa Ana Present past, present and
future hit scenes from El Pachuco, 1943, El Corrido de
Juan Charrasqueado, Frida Kahlo y Maria Feliz, Dia de
los Muertos y Que, Who�s Afraid of Josie Montoya! And
Mount Rushmore ... LIVE!

Also featuring OC's Singing Attorney Jess Araujo,
Ballet Folklorico de Actores de Santa Ana, Mariachis
and other musical acts.

Actores de Santa Ana is beginning an exchange program
with Teatro La Tea in New York, and will be making its
own appearance in New York.

=============================

** CAIR-LA Condemns Anti-Semitic Attacks in Valley **

- Muslims urge community support for victims, welcome
law enforcement actions.

(Los Angeles, CA; 2/29/08) � The Greater Los Angeles
Area office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned a series of
anti-Semitic attacks in San Fernando Valley and
welcomed swift action by law enforcement to bring the
perpetrators to justice.

Earlier this month, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at
the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus. Shortly
thereafter, a home of a Jewish family was firebombed.
No injuries were reported. Both incidents are being
investigated as hate crimes, and the reward offer for
helping find the perpetrators has been increased.

SEE:
http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_8386090?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.da\
ilynews.com

"Those who target houses of worship, community
centers, homes or schools based on religious or ethnic
prejudice must be apprehended and prosecuted to the
full extent of the law," said CAIR-LA Executive
Director Hussam Ayloush. �We will not tolerate racism
and intimidation in our communities.�

Ayloush said Los Angeles is an inclusive place for
people from all religions and ethnicities, and
stressed that members of the interfaith communities
and civil rights groups must step forward to
collectively challenge and repudiate bigotry,
regardless of the victim or the perpetrator.

Ayloush noted a number of recent incidents across the
nation that targeted Muslim and Jewish people and
houses of worship, indicating a troubling rise in
religiously motivated hate crimes.

In Pennsylvania, a Jewish Penn State student was
victim of an assault. A few weeks ago, a Tennessee
mosque was burned and hate graffiti � including Nazi
swastikas � was scrawled on its walls. In January,
swastikas and other hateful graffiti were painted
along walls in the City of Tarzana. A New York man of
Pakistani descent was violently attacked by a mob of
teenagers in December, prompting police to refer to
the incident as a vicious hate crime.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group,
has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada.
Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam,
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower
American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote
justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: Munira Syeda at CAIR-LA, 714-776-1847 or
714-851-4851, E-Mail: socal@....

=====================================

~~ �Statewide Latino Leadership Summit on Latino Voter
Mobilization for the 2008 Presidential Elections� ~~

March 15, 2008 / 9:30 - 2 pm
9:30 - Registration
10 am - Summit
Central Labor Council
1074 E. La Cadena, Riverside, CA 92501

By: National Alliance for Human Rights (NAHR)
INFO: Armando Navarro, 951-827-1826 / 951-333-6819;
       Francisco Sola, 951-780-7206

�Make a Difference & Make Political History�

Program Agenda:

- Endorsement of Democrat Presidential Candidate
- Development of a Grass Roots Strategic Plan of
Action for Latino Voter Mobilization 2008 that
includes: Organization, Voter Education,
Voter Registration and Get-Out-the-Vote
- Formation of Latino Voter Mobilization Political
Action Committee (PAC)

=====================================

~~ Community Resource Kits: From Raids to Deportation
    in Spanish, French, English ~~

Courtesy: The National Immigration Project of the
National Lawyers Guild, Inc.

TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION PLEASE LINK TO:
  http://www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/
         commresourcekit.html

* Information on ICE Enforcement, Detention, and
Deportation *

Step-by-step information about what communities and
families can do when a loved one is detained,
especially within the first 24 hours. Also included is
how you can protect yourself from future raids, facts
about the ICE detention and deportation system as well
as flyers and other resources.

* For Individuals:
What to Do if You or a Loved One is Apprehended?
How Can You Protect Yourselves From Future Arrests?

* For Community Groups:
What to Do If You Get a Call About a Raid/Arrest?
How Can Your Local Organization Target the Federal
Agencies Responsible for Raids/Arrests?

How Can We Proactively Educate our Communities and the
Broader Public about Detentions and Deportations?

* Emergency Response to Raids: The First 72 hours *

This is a detailed explanation showing the steps to
take in case of a raid, with addresses and phone
numbers of government officials, human rights
organizations and legal and advocacy groups.

Appendices in English
Phone Questionnaire
Tips for Detained Persons Who Call
Document and Information Collection
Power of Attorney forms in English and Spanish

* DEPORTATION SYSTEM: RAIDS TO DEPORTATION *

A flow chart on ICE raids and sweeps, ICE deportation,
detention, Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration
Appeals, Federal Courts and more.

* RAIDS TO DEPORTATION: POLICY MAP *

(including selected proposals from last Congressional
session). A flow chart on the policy considerations of
the Deportation system.


* I AM IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION! WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? *

- Do I get a telephone call?
- What happens to my belongings?
- How does my family find out where I am detained?
- How do I obtain legal information?

These and many other questions are answered in this
document.

* PRE-RAID COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN: BUILDING CAPACITY
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY *

- Develop a Plan
- Suggested Implementation
- Educate the Community
- Gather Resources to use for Raids/Detention purposes

- Suggested Community Responses to a Raid

=====================================

~~ 8th Annual Santa Ana Cesar E. Chavez State Holiday
Rally and Celebration ~~

RALLY
Saturday, March 22, 2008 / 11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Cesar Chavez High School
2128 S. Cypress Ave., Santa Ana, CA

CELEBRATION (same day)
Saturday, March 22, 2008 / 1 pm - 5 pm
Delhi Park
2314 S. Halladay (at Warner), Santa Ana, CA
INFO: Seferino Garcia, 714-774-0015
       http://www.santa-ana.org

Join with local community folks in a march honoring
the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. This 1/2-mile march
will start at high school at 12:30 pm and end at Delhi
Park

Full program of speakers, entertainment, and family
fun.  A community resource fair will be held at Delhi
Park to help share important resources and information
with the over 800 expected event attendees.

The City of Santa Ana and the Cesar E. Chavez Steering
Committee takes great pride in hosting the only event
in Orange County that celebrates the legacy of the
Cesar E. Chavez.

As the co-founder and president of the United Farm
Workers (UFW), Cesar E. Chavez devoted his life to
raise awareness of the plight of farm workers in this
country. His lifelong struggle to eliminate the
unhealthy and intolerable working conditions that farm
workers endured is especially admired because of his
commitment to non-violence. March 31st is an official
California state holiday to honor Cesar E. Chavez.

=== end ===

November 12, 2007

====================================

~~~ Education Town Hall by California State
Assemblyman Jose Solorio ~~~

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 / 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Santa Ana City Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
* Parking Validated.
RSVP/INFO: 714-939-8469
           juan.flores@ asm.ca.gov

* The State of Education in California: Where are now?
Where do we need to go?

California State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (69 AD -
Anaheim) is hosting an Education Town Hall, bringing
together educators, school administrators, and
community leaders to discuss the results of recent
studies about California's educational system and ways
to finance, reform, and improve schools.

Presenter: Thomas Timar, Ph.D., Governor's Advisory
Committee on Education Excellence (Calif) and
Professor of Education, University of California,
Davis.

Panelists:
- Hon. David Barton, Ph.D., Santa Ana Educators
Association.
- Roberta Daetweiler, California School Employees
Association.
- Manuel Gomez, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, University of
California, Irvine.
- Jose Moreno, Ed.D., Board Member, Anaheim City
School District Board of Education.
- Kathryn Moffat, California State PTA.
- Kris Murray, Orange County Business Council.
- Jane Russo, Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School
District.
- Hon. Miguel Pulido, Mayor, City of Santa Ana

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is Chairman of the Assembly
Public Safety Committee and also serves on the
Assembly Education, Transportation, and Appropriations
committees of the California State Assembly. He
represents the 69th Assembly District, which includes
the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.assembly .ca.gov/solorio.

=======================================

~~ SA School Board Mtg: '08-'09 Proposed Budget
Reductions ~~

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 / 6 pm
Santa Ana Unified School District -
Administration Offices
1601 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA

The Santa Ana Unified School District Board of
Education to review and vote on proposed Budget
Reductions for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 -
Recommendations of nearly $16,000,000 in budget
reductions.

Over the past 4 years, SAUSD has experienced over
$100,000,000 in budget reductions.

For any questions or to provide input, contact
John Palacio at 714-542-0589
Trustee, Board of Education
Santa Ana Unified School District

================================

~~ Student Concert "Oaxaca, Tierra del Encanto" ~~

Saturday, November 17, 2007 / 7 pm
Santa Ana High School Auditorium
520 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cost: Adults - $15; Youth (under 12) - $10
Ticket INFO: www.rdcgf.org / 714-836-8715

Rel�mpago del Cielo Grupo Folkl�rico's presentation of
its annual student concert featuring Mariachi Voz de
America. Performances from Mexican state of Oaxaca,
Tierra del Encanto (land of the enchanted). Special
performance by Grupo Nueva Anteguera.

This concert is an opportunity for performers to share
the wealth of their study, and family, friends and
community members to reap the rewards of a unique and
outstanding concert.

========================================

~~ Play: "An Altar for Pancho Vila; An Altar for
Emiliano Zapata" ~~

Sunday, November 18, 2007 / 3 pm
* Box Office Opens at 2:30 pm
El Getsemani Methodist Church - Social Hall
701 South Parton St., Santa Ana, CA
TICKETS : $15 / $10 - Seniors & Students
* Limited Seating
INFO/RSVP: 714-534-5603
            lolivosjr@...

By: TEATRO ACTORES DE SANTA ANA

A bilingual play, written and directed by
Louis Olivos Jr. in a humble church presented by a
humble theatrical group, with great creative ideas. In
the church where the late Cesar Chavez began a
political voter registration drive in Orange County.

Contact lolivosjr@... for information on an
upcoming theater exchange program with a New York
theater company.

===============================

~~ Soroptimist Host Talk on Killings in Darfur ~~

Sunday, November 18, 2007 / 11:30 am
Congregational Church of Fullerton
United Church of Christ
845 N. Euclid St., Fullerton, CA
* light lunch will be served.
* Public Welcomed

Speaker: Catherine Standiford, Soroptimist
International.

Topic: "Genocide on Our Watch: What We Can Do to Stop
the Killing in Darfur"

Standiford visited Rwanda in 2006 and met with female
survivors of region's ongoing genocide as part of
Project Independence. She has spoken about the needs
of women survivors of war, in effort to draw attention
to realities women and young girls face in war-torn,
third world countries.

Kathy is the Assistant City Manager for City of Santa
Ana, she has BA from Whittier College and Masters in
Public Administration from UCI.

===================================

~~ Coalition Hosts 1st South Orange County Bilingual
Business Conference ~~

Saturday, November 17, 2007 / 8 am - 4 pm
Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA
* Free continental breakfast + lunch!
* Raffle -- Great Prizes!
INFO: 949-341- 8093
www.ocbusiness.info/currentevent-OCHispanicExpo.htm

On behalf of the South Orange County Hispanic Business
Expo Committee, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of
Orange County invites you to this event.

The conference will feature seminars for startups,
business owners and employees, plus keynote speakers
who will share their success stories to expected
300+ business owners, entrepreneurs and others.

- Great networking opportunity and to learn about
different resources available in South Orange County
for those thinking of starting or expanding a
business.

- Consultants from SCORE and the Small Business
Development Center will provide one-on-one business
advice at no cost.

- Agencies and private firms will have their products
and services on display.

------------

About 33% of Orange County residents are Hispanics,
the majority living in the central region; yet there
is also a growing Hispanic population in South Orange
County. San Juan Capistrano has the highest
concentration, followed by Mission Viejo, San
Clemente, Laguna Beach, and Irvine.

There are no studies showing how many of the 30,000
Hispanic-owned firms in Orange County are established
in the South, but the lack of research is also an
indicator that this market needs more attention from
private, government agencies and non-profit
organizations.

As a step in that direction, several agencies,
including the IRS, Small Business Administration,
Employment Development Dept., Hispanic Business
Consultants, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, OC
Business Center, One-Stop Center, OC United Way, and
Saddleback College, have joined forces to host the
first bilingual South OC Hispanic Conference and Expo.
------------------
Via: Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
888 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Ste. 150
Santa Ana, CA  92701
714-953-4289 (Fax) 714-953-0273

=================================

~~ Thinking Beyond Borders - Free Forum ~~

November 16-18, 2007
New York City
Events FREE
INFO: http://www.newhumanistforum.org/

North American New Humanist Forum

Forum dedicated to creating a regional movement for
non-violent social change in the U.S., Mexico and
Canada will include movies, speakers, performances,
working table workshops. All are welcome and
registration is free.

The opening event will take place at the Museo Del
Barrio while the rest will take place at the Hunter
School of Social Work.

Forum synopsis:
How do we map out a new direction for our region, one
that is guided by principles of non-violence with
respect for diversity and with real democracy? Can we
imagine a united North America that transcends
national boundaries by building upon the best
qualities of our peoples and cultures?

Together educational institutions, community-based
organizations, activists, students, teachers and
concerned citizens from Mexico, USA and Canada gather
to address the urgent issues facing our region, map
out a new regional direction based on non-violence,
and forge a progressive new regional consciousness.

Some highlights of the forum:

Ambassador Hugo Siles Alvarado, Permanent
Representative of Bolivia to the United Nations, will
attend the Tribute to Evo Morales during the
Closing Ceremonies on Sunday afternoon.

Among other things, the tribute will highlight
Bolivia's Constitutional rejection of War as a means
of solving conflicts.

On Sunday Nov 18, Anna Polo, representative for Europe
For Peace, will share her experiences with organizing
regional opposition to the establishment of US missile
bases in Eastern Europe, with an eye to organizing
regionally in North America as well.

Chief of the Pessamit Innu in northern Quebec, Raphael
Picard will be a Panel Speaker on Saturday 17 on the
"The Role of the Cultures in the Future of Our
Region."

Renowned Mexican filmmaker Luis Mandoki's documentary
on the turbulent 2006 election was dropped by Warner
Bros. Distribution who feared the controversy it would
create. The NANHF is honored to present the American
premiere of "Fraude" on Sunday, November 18.

A 3-day Non-Violence Forum concluded today at the
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), under
the auspices of the School of Social Work. The Forum
was opened by Carlos Arteaga, Director of the School,
and also featured US representatives of the NANHF
(Dennis Redmond and Nicole Myers).

American peace activist, poet, writer and priest
Daniel Berrigan has been engaged in numerous
non-violent actions against war over the past 40
years, perhaps most famously in leading protests
against the
Vietnam War in the 1960s and as co-founder of the
Plowshares Movement in the 1980s.

==========================================

~~ OC Democratic Party Club Leadership Training ~~

Saturday, December 1, 2007 / 8 am - 6 pm
Carpenter's Union Hall
1916 W. Chapman Ave., Orange CA
Cost: Suggested donation of $10.00 to help cover food
and materials
* Seating is limited.
RSVP: By 11/28 to training@...
       800-446-9709
By: Democratic Party of Orange County (CA)

* Lunch and refreshments will be provide. Please RSVP
guarantee adequate food and materials.

The Democratic Party of Orange County is growing like
never before! Currently there are 17 chartered
Democratic clubs in Orange County.

The Democratic Party of Orange County and the
California Democratic Council will be hosting a
training for activists that want to take leadership
roles in local clubs or who want to just get started!

Workshops on:

- How to run a meeting: Robert's Rules of Order
- Club Finances: How to stay out of jail
- Finding and keeping club members/volunteers
- Engaging/reaching out to young Democrats
- Using technology to grow your club
- Progressive Democrats: Top five issues

As the old saying goes, all politics is local. There
has never been a better time to get involved.

Melahat Rafiei, Executive Director
Democratic Party of Orange County
info@... / 714-835-5158
http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

=============================================

~~ CSU Sacramento: Tenure-Track Position in Chicano
Studies ~~

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
Announcement of Vacancy:

Tenure-Track Position in Chicano Studies
Department of Ethnic Studies
Beginning Fall Semester 2008

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Applicants with Ph.D., J.D., or appropriate
terminal degree preferred. Applicants completing
Ph.D., J.D. or appropriate terminal degree by August
1, 2008, may also apply.

Special Knowledge and Abilities: The person selected
for the position should have background knowledge of
disciplines comprising the social sciences, education,
public policy, or humanities.

Experience: Candidates with experience teaching on the
Chicana/Latina experience, U.S. Mexican Border
Relations, Central American, Caribbean--Latin American
diasporic studies, Chicano/Latino Politics and Public
Policy are strongly encouraged to apply. The person
hired will also be required to teach general Ethnic
Studies courses. Preference is towards applicants who
have a strong commitment to teaching and scholarly
productivity.  Applicants having experience working
effectively with diverse populations are highly
desired.

Review of applications begin on December 3, 2007, and
continue until filled.

* NOTE: ABBREVIATED ANNOUNCEMENT. Check for full and
additional information on qualifications, assignments,
appointment, application Procedure, etc. through CSU
Sacramento.

Send all application materials to:
Dr. David J. Len, Chair,
Department of Ethnic Studies
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA  95819-6013

================================

~~ Info Talk - "Changes in Medicare for 2008" ~~

Wednesday, November 28, 2007 / 10 am - 12 Noon
Teamsters Local 952 Hall
140 S. Mark Way, Orange, CA 92868
* Free; Public Welcomed; Free Parking
* Refreshments Provided
RSVP: 714-244-7776

Host: California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA)
Presented by: Council on Aging - Orange County

- Learn what Medicare will and will not be covering
for seniors in 2008.
- Insurance providers have ben invited to answer
questions from audience.

====end====

Apples & Oranges .... "con pico de gallo"
November 1, 2007

==================================

~~~ Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
14th Anniversary Apple of Gold Awards Gala Dinner ~~~

Friday, November 2, 2007
6 pm - Reception / 7 pm - Dinner & Awards
Anaheim Hilton
777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA
* Black Tie Optional
Cost: $125 per person
INFO: 949-553-4202 x28
       John Palacio; jpalacio@...

2007 APPLE OF GOLD RECIPIENTS:

- Sharon Jasso-Quirk, Richman Elementary School,
Fullerton School District.
- Susan Balas, Loara High School, Anaheim Union High
School District.
- Sharon Saxton, Santa Ana High School, Santa Ana
Unified School District.
- John Hernandez, PH.D., Santiago Canyon College,
Rancho Santiago Community College District.

HEEF -  The Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment
Fund is dedicated to improving educational
opportunities for Hispanic youth. HEEF set out in 1993
to establish an endowment to help ensure ongoing
support to students on their path to achieve a college
degree. As of June 2007, over 900 scholarships
have been awarded to dedicated young scholars as they
pursue their education. Our goal is to reach an
endowment fund balance of $3.0 million by the end of
next year. With your support we can reach this major
milestone that will allow us to expand our level of
support for Hispanic youth in Orange County.

Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
30 Corporate Park, Suite 410
Irvine, CA. 92606

====================================

~~ Dia de los Muertos with Justice for Janitors ~~

Friday November 2nd, 2007 / 4 pm - 7 pm
1516 North Sycamore St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
INFO: SEIU Local 1877 Justice for Janitors,
       714-245-9700
E-Add: Denise Velasco, seiulocal1877.org

Celebrate the day of the dead.  As you walk around -
act lively and buy some tasty and affordable food, and
take in a "howling" silent auction.

Feel welcomed ... don't be "afraid" to share your
music, poetry, and altars. If you and/or your
organization would like to enter the altar competition
-- contact Isabel Procopio
(714-425-7454).

Proceeds to benefit SEIU Justice for Janitors new
civic participation fund.

===============================

~~~ Theater: "An Altar for Pancho Villa; An Altar for
Emiliano Zapata" ~~~

Opens Sunday, November 4, 2007 / 3 pm
Continues: November 11 and 18 / 3 pm
El Gethsemani United Methodist Church
701 South Parton St., Santa Ana, CA
Cost: $15 per person / $10 - Seniors & Students
INFO: Louie Olivos Jr. 714-534-5603
       lolivosjr@...
       http://www.LouieOlivosJr.com

* A theatrical production about Dia de Los Muertos
* A Comedy by Louis Olivos Jr.

===============================

~~~ Spooky Sounds from Outer Space ~~~

From their solitary posts around the solar system,
NASA spacecraft record data that are converted into
sound files. These eerie thumps and bone-tingling
shrieks help scientists learn more about planets and
other cosmic phenomena.

Check it out ....

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/sounds2/

===============================

~~~ Elections '08 - Religion and Patriotism ~~~

Saturday November 3, 2007 / 4 pm - 6 pm
Islamic Institute of Orange County
1220 North State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA
INFO: Jihad Turk; 213-382-9200 / www.thecmcg.org

Join a panel of distinguished Christian and Muslim
leaders for this free community discussion of the
connections between faith and patriotism.
- what is the right relationship between the two?
- What are some of the dangers?

Shaykh Mohammed Faqih of The Islamic Institute of
Orange County will welcome and greet guests.

Panel:
- Dr. John Cobb, Co-Founder of PCU and Emeritus,
Professor from the Claremont School of Theology.
- Rev. Jerry Stinson, PCU Board Member Emeritus, First
Congregational Church, Long Beach.
- Dr. Amir Hussain, Associate Professor of Theological
Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
- Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area.
- Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Panel Moderator, Ecumenical
and Interfaith Relations at The Episcopal Church.

Sponsor:  Christian-Muslim Consultative Group of
Southern California

================================

~~~ Santa Ana International Film Festival ~~~

"Expresion Arte y Cultura -- Expression through
Art & Culture"

Friday, November 2, 2007 / 6 pm
Saturday, November 3, 2007 / 2 pm
Sunday, November 4, 2007 / 3 pm

Delhi Community Center
505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707
INFO: 714-481-9600

Fundraiser for the Orange County Renaissance Project
(SCRP), a non-profit organization to benefit the
county�s children Art and Technology-based Programs.

========================================

~~~ Noche de Altares En Santa Ana ~~~

Saturday, November 3, 2007 / 2 pm - 10 pm
Downtown Santa Ana Fiesta Marketplace
Santa Ana, CA

A family event! Enjoy the beautiful Mexican cultural
clelebration of LIFE ... see the many county
organizations coming out to build traditional style
altars.

* artist and food vendors / * entertainment throughout
the day, including ballets folklorico, aztec dancers,
and a play performed by "Son del Centro" through the
Mexican Consulate.

==================================

~~~ "A Celebration of Life!" ~~~

Sunday, November 4, 2007 / 11 am - 4 pm
Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
2002 North Main St.,
Santa Ana, CA 92706
No Cost / FREE

* A Mexican Day of the Dead Family Festival *

Enjoy the art and traditions of Mexico, view George
Newnam's fourth annual display of life-sized skeletons
in the casa de calaveras special exhibit in the Fluor
Gallery. This is a time to honor the memory and legacy
of departed family members as we welcome back their
spirits in a festive reunion with offerings of food,
music, and art.

* 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Make colorful art projects, decorate sugar skulls, and
enjoy a delicious tamale, pan de muerto and Mexican
hot chocolate, then have your face painted by famous
face painters!

* 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Enjoy Mesoamerican music with Martin Espino

* 12 Noon - 3:30 pm

Olga Ponce Furginson, world famous paper cutting
artist, demonstrates and teaches the art of Mexican
papel picado.

* 12:30 - 2:00 pm

Learn how to construct an ofrenda (memorial altar)

* 2:45 pm

Performance by Xipe Totec Danza Azteca

NOTE: Beginning November, admission to Bowers Museum
is FREE to Santa Ana residents on the the 1st Sunday
of each month (10 am - 4 pm). Required: Driver's
License or any picture ID card with Santa Ana
address.

======================================

~~~ Education Town Hall by California State
Assemblyman Jose Solorio ~~~

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 / 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Santa Ana City Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RSVP/INFO: 714-939-8469
            juan.flores@...

* The State of Education in California: Where are now?
Where do we need to go? *

California State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (69 AD -
Anaheim) is hosting an Education Town Hall, bringing
together educators, school administrators, and
community leaders to discuss the results of recent
studies about California's educational system and ways
to finance, reform, and improve schools.

Presenter: Thomas Timar, Ph.D., Governor's Advisory
Committee on Education Excellence (Calif) and
Professor of Education, University of California,
Davis.

Panelists:
- Hon. David Barton, Ph.D., Santa Ana Educators
Association.
- Roberta Daetweiler, California School Employees
Association.
- Jose Moreno, Ed.D., Board Member, Anaheim City
School District Board of Education.
- Kathryn Moffat, California State PTA.
- Kris Murray, Orange County Business Council.
- Jane Russo, Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School
District.
- Hon. Miguel Pulido, Mayor, City of Santa Ana.

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is Chairman of the Assembly
Public Safety Committee and also serves on the
Assembly Education, Transportation, and Appropriations
committees of the California State Assembly. He
represents the 69th Assembly District, which includes
the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.

===============================

~~~ A Celebration for Dr. Juan Francisco Lara (UCI)
~~~

Thursday, November 15, 2007 / 4 pm - 6:30 pm
UCI Student Center - Pacific Ballroom
University of California, Irvine
RSVP: By 11/2 at
http://www.cfep.uci.edu/jflara/rsvp/rsvp.php

Honorary Host Committee:
Chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D; Marian Bergeson,
Vicki Booth, Garrett Gin, Manuel N. G�mez, Shelley
Hoss, Sara Lundquist, Bobby McDonald, Hon. Frances
Mu�oz, Olga and Fernando Niebla, Frank Quevedo,
Teresa Saldivar, Socorro and Ernie Vasquez, and
Isabelle Villase�or.

* A Distinguished Career - Juan Francisco Lara *

Dr. Juan Francisco Lara has served at the University
of California in a variety of positions for over 35
years. In his most recent post as Assistant Vice
Chancellor for Enrollment Services at UC Irvine, he
oversaw unprecedented growth in student enrollment.

As the founding director of the UCI Center for
Educational Partnerships, he has positioned UCI as a
leader in establishing K-12 and community college
partnerships and faculty collaboratives.

He also served as statewide executive director for the
University of California-National Science Foundation
California Alliance for Minority Participation in
Science, Engineering and Mathematics (CAMP) and as a
member of the CA ARCHES-ENLACE Executive Committee.

Dr. Lara is a founding member and current chair of the
Hispanic Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) that provides
scholarships to hundreds of college-bound youth in
Orange County. The programs he has created and the
bridges he has built stand as testament to his
extraordinary contributions to the students of
California. Dr. Lara was also selected one of the
LATINO OC 100 in 2006.

===============================

*** Santa Ana owner of 4 O.C. hospitals wins auction
after an earlier sale was blocked by the state ***

The Orange County Register
BY COURTNEY PERKES and ANDREW GALVIN
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Anaheim Memorial Medical Center will be sold to
Integrated Healthcare Holdings Inc., three months
after state officials blocked a sale to Dr. Prem
Reddy, the controversial owner of three Orange County
hospitals.

If the $68 million deal, announced Wednesday, is
approved by the state, it will end uncertainty about
ownership of the 224-bed hospital.

In February, Memorial Health Services accepted a $55
million bid for Anaheim Memorial from Reddy's Prime
Healthcare Services. But in July, the state Attorney
General's office refused to allow the sale, citing
concerns that the bidding process was unfair.

After bidding was reopened, IHHI, which owns four
Orange County hospitals, made the highest of four
offers received.

"We welcome this sale to IHHI for many reasons," said
Dr. Mahaveer Khemka, an Anaheim Memorial cardiologist
and former chief of staff. "The way we practice
medicine in this hospital and the way they practice
medicine, it's the same culture. We hope it will work
out good for the community."

Larry Anderson, president of IHHI, said the
acquisition of Anaheim Memorial will enable the
company to achieve efficiencies by combining some
service offerings and consolidating back-office
operations.

The purchase will be financed by taking on new debt,
Anderson said. Santa Ana-based IHHI recently
refinanced its existing debt, saving $5 million a
year, he said.

"That puts us in a very strong position, and
specifically an acquisitive position," Anderson said.

IHHI recently added several new directors to its
board, ending a deadlock that had held up the
refinancing and put the company into default with its
lender.

Reddy said Wednesday he had again offered $55 million.

Reddy's purchase faced opposition from some residents,
union leaders and hospital staff. They criticized his
practice of canceling managed care contracts to turn a
better profit, though he had agreed to keep contracts
at Anaheim Memorial.

IHHI has agreed to invest nearly $29 million in
improvements to the nonprofit hospital.

IHHI owns Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, Western
Medical Center-Anaheim, Chapman Medical Center in
Orange and Coastal Communities Hospital in Santa Ana.

--------------------------
Contact the writer: 714-796-3686 or
cperkes@...
http://www.ocregister.com/news/ihhi-anaheim-memorial-1913791-hospital-million


===end===

*** Cynthia Guerra Funeral Services ***

NOTE: Cynthia is a member of Santa Ana LULAC Council #147; Vice President,
National Latino Peace Officers Association - Orange County Chapter; Hispanic
Arts Council of Bowers Museum, Santa Ana.)

~~ Santa Ana woman killed in motorcycle crash ~~

Driver ran off Ortega Highway

By KIMBERLY EDDS
The Orange County Register
October 31, 2006

A 38-year-old Santa Ana woman was killed Sunday
afternoon after she did not make a turn on the Ortega
Highway west of Lake Elsinore.

Cynthia Guerra-Payan was riding her motorcycle along
Ortega near Los Alamo Road three miles west of Lake
Elsinore about 3:11 p.m. when she lost control and
tumbled off the road, the Riverside County Coroner
said.

Guerra-Payan, who was riding alone, was pronounced
dead at the scene at 3:33 p.m.

   ----------------------------------------

In honor of Cynthia's memory, the school where she
worked will be having a "Farewell to Partner Service".

Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 11:30 an - 1:30 pm
Student Center Cafeteria & Student Lounge
Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
School office number: (949) 582-4500.

Please feel free to bring stories of Cynthia's
cookies, candy, jewelry, magazines, hearts, love and
laughter along with any photos you may have to share.

*The school will also be establishing a scholarship
foundation in her name for the children's education
and for worthy females with sole income that wish to
enter careers of Police, AOJ, Para Medic, Nursing
and such professions. The school will have more
details on how donations can be made to the fund.

   -------------------------------

VIEWING & ROSARY

Friday, November 3, 2006 / 7 PM
(Rosary - 7:30 pm)
St. Joseph Catholic Church (714) 542-4411
727 N Minter St, Santa Ana, CA 92701,

MASS

Saturday, November 4, 2006 / 9 am
St. Joseph 's Catholic Church

BURIAL

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery (714) 532-6551
7845 E Santiago Canyon Rd, Orange, CA 92869

Message on Behalf of Family:

It breaks my heart to have to write this about anyone
let a lone a friend. My heart and prayers are with the
family, along with my condolences.

The Guerra, Scott, Payan and Diaz families all thank
you for your condolences and everything everyone has
done for them in this time of need.

Heidi Koclanakis
hithok@...

====================================

*** Get Out and Vote: LULAC Urges Latinos to Vote on
Election Day ***

October 31, 2006

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) announced today that it has a new
Internet section on the homepage titled �Get Out The
Vote� to help Hispanics get the latest information on
the upcoming mid-term elections.

�This is an important step forward in pushing an even
greater voter turnout by Hispanics,� said LULAC
National President Rosa Rosales. �We want to make sure
that their voices are heard and their votes counted in
this important election. Yesterday we marched and
tomorrow we vote.�

The LULAC National President calls on all LULAC Vice
Presidents and State Directors to help in getting out
the vote by holding local press conferences and
disseminating local press releases in their
communities.

�We are tired of Hispanics being attacked on ads this
election season,� Rosales said. �When you attack one
Hispanic you are attacking all of us. We are sending a
message to elected officials that we are not going to
allow this to continue taking place and we will
educate voters on the facts through our web site.�

Please visit the LULAC web site www.lulac.org to
receive a tool kit of information on the elections
along with Welcome to LULAC Voter 2006. This site was
designed to assist you in organizing your voter
mobilization efforts. It provides basic information on
the rules of voter registration, important Latino
demographics, and a section of Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) about Voter Registration and Voting.
Its purpose is to serve as a primer, providing
practical advice for the Latino organizer and
volunteers who find themselves in the trenches of the
political process.

The 2006 electoral cycle is important to Latinos. The
role of the Hispanic vote will have a significant
impact on the outcome of these elections.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens, the
oldest and largest Latino organization in the country,
advances the economic conditions, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

   --------------------------

League of United Latin American Citizens
National Office 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 FAX (202) 833 6135
Contact:  Lizette Jenness Olmos
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16

========================================

*** A YES Vote on Measure O will support Santa Ana
College and Santiago Canyon College! ***

~ Greater opportunities to go to college.
~ Opportunities to produce a competitive workforce.
~ Opportunities for our students to receive a 21st
century education.
~ Greater opportunities for the colleges to serve the
needs of the community.
~ Opportunities foir adults to finish high school and
learn new skills.

Vote YES on Measure O ... our community and students
depend on it!

~ Measure O will funding to build a new professional
training facility for firefighters and paramedics.
~ Measure O is endorsed by Orange County Fire Chiefs
and Deputy Sheriffs.

By: Citizens for Better Community Colleges
ID #1290155

====================================

*** Volunteers for CA State Assembly 69th AD
Candidate Jose Solorio ***

ONE WEEK LEFT FOR ELECTION DAY !!

Phone Banking (calling) and precinct walking
(door-to-door) is continuing and going strong until
Election Day (November 7).

Help us spread the word - let's get the voters to
recognize that America is strong and united when
voters participate in the voting process.

Yes, We Need Your Help ...

PHONE BANKING
Wednesday & Thursday (5 PM TO 8 PM)
November 1 and 2

DOOR-TO-DOOR WALKING
Saturday (10 AM - 2 PM)
November 4

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW FOR THE
"The Get Out the Vote" on ELECTION DAY,
NOVEMBER 7TH.

Volunteer a few hours a week for the next few days.

Food & beverages will be provided!

Location for Calling & Walking:
SEIU Office
1651 East 4th Street, Ste. 120
Santa Ana, CA 92701

*** The ofice is located on 4th St - One block east of
the Santa Ana Freeway - at the corner of Lyon and 4th
Street. Signs will be posted in front of building -
the office is at the front of the building (4th St.
side).

We appreciate your volunteer help in this last phase
of efforts prior to Election Day on November 7th.

Thank You,
Zeke Hernandez
for Jose Solorio for State Assembly.
714-541-3459 or 714-835-9585
zeke@... / zekeher@...

===============================

*** Election Day Poll Observer - $50 Stipend ***

ORIENTATION to be a Poll Observer WILL BE HELD ON
Wednesday, November 1, 2006 / 6 pm
University of California, Riverside -
Chicano Student Programs

* Tuesday, November 7, 2006 is Election Day

By: SU VOTO ES SU VOZ

Volunteer to be a Poll Observer at a local voting site
here in Riverside. There will be a $50 stipend for
your help and support.

- Monitor the conditions of voting sites to better the
experience of a voter tomorrow.

Voting Polls Observer Schedule:
* 8 am - 12 Noon
* 4 pm - 8 pm

=====================================

*** Open House to Celebrate Grand Opening of
Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union ***

Friday, November 3, 2006 / 10 am - 12 Noon
1317 W. Warner Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
RSVP: by Nov. 1, 626-396-3071

Refreshments will be served.

Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union (CLFCU) is a
non-profit financial institution established by more
than 15 credit unions as a cooperative community
effort.

CLFCU is a federally insured institution owned by its
Members who live, work or worship in Santa Ana,
California. Each deposit in CLFCU is an investment in
the community. This credit union is federally insured
by the National Credit Union Administration.

======================================

*** Input Solicited for OC Great Park Center ***

Monday, November 6, 2006 / 4 pm
Lakeview Senior Center - Dining Room
Alton and Lake, Irvine, CA
Reservations are not required

O. C. Great Park Multicultural Center meeting If you
are interested in helping us organize the fast-growing
movement to build a huge Multicultural Center in the
Orange County Great Park, please come to the Steering
Committee meeting.

Please bring your ideas, and invite other interested
parties. We expect a group of 30 to 50 people. The
building of this Multicultural Center already has the
general approval of the Orange County Great Park Board
of Directors and the Irvine City Council.

We believe we will receive the land for this Center
free of charge. Also, the construction company Lennar
is committed to paying a large part of the cost of a
Multicultural Center in the Great Park. In other
words, we believe the construction of a huge
Multicultural Center -- planned to be the most
advanced multicultural building in the world -- is
going to happen right here in Orange County's Great
Park.

Don't doubt it: Orange County and Irvine are national
and global leaders of the worldwide multicultural
movement.

Hope to see you at 5pm on Monday, November 6th.

Best wishes,
George Faas, Multicultural Center Orange County Great
Park Steering Committee

=================================

~~ Hundreds of county staffers to patrol polls ~~

The district attorney adds workers to respond to problems on
Election Day.

By Peggy Lowe
The Orange County Register
November 1, 2006

SANTA ANA � Two hundred county staffers and law-enforcement quick-response teams
will patrol Orange County polls on Election Day.

Reacting to the Tan Nguyen controversy, the District Attorney's Office said
Tuesday that it will beef up the force of 200 Registrar of Voters Office workers
who will be out at the polling places.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told the Board of Supervisors that he will
have two attorneys and an investigator stationed at the Registrar of Voters
Office. They will listen to any problems called in on radio by the registrar's
workers.

Two-person teams of investigators in cars across the county will then react to
any problems at a moment's notice, Rackauckas said.

While their mission is to protect voters, Rackauckas said, his staffers will be
careful not to be heavy-handed and cause problems.

"We don't want our response to be an intimidating factor and actually be a
problem itself," he said.

The location, number and any other specifics of the teams was not released
because of "tactical reasons."

Rackauckas' support was sought by supervisors in the wake of community outrage
about letters sent to 14,000 registered voters with Hispanic surnames telling
them that immigrants can't vote. The letters, since connected to Nguyen's
congressional campaign, are the source of a state investigation.

Rackauckas said his staff members will be careful because they don't want to be
a "show of force that could be intimidating to some people."

=========================================

*** The Alliance for Retired Americans Endorses
Florice Hoffman for Congress ***

Florice Hoffman for U.S. Congress 40th District

(ORANGE, CA) - The Alliance for Retired Americans
endorsed Florice Orea Hoffman over Rep. Ed Royce in
the California 40th Congressional District election.

�I am proud to announce The Alliance for Retired
Americans, representing three million retirees, older
Americans, and community activists including more than
249,198 members in California, endorses Florice Orea
Hoffman for California�s 40th Congressional District,�
stated George J. Kourpias, National President of The
Alliance for Retired Americans.

When asked about the significance of this endorsement,
Florice Hoffman responded, �First, these are real
people with real issues.  These are not Washington
beltway types who are simply looking to see which way
the wind blows. I am honored to have their endorsement
because they represent a strong voter base, Seniors;
more importantly, American must refocus and rededicate
its energies and resources for American�s, especially
our Seniors who built modern America , and yet our
government is so eager to turn its back on them.�

According to Mr. Kourpias, the basis of the Alliance
for Retired Americans endorsement was �Florice�s
consistent and well thought positions to improve the
quality of life for older Americans. Florice
understands the need for a comprehensive prescription
drug benefit program under Medicare that benefits
seniors --not insurance and drug companies, as well
as, the importance of the financial stability of the
Social Security system."

Florice Hoffman is an attorney and she has her own
practice specializing in employment law, labor law and
in the representation of Taft Hartley benefit trust
funds.  Florice received her B.A. from Brandeis
University in 1980 and her Juris Doctorate from
Rutgers School of Law in 1984.  Florice lives in
Orange , California with her twin sons.

The 40th Congressional District is located in North
Central Orange County and is comprised of the
communities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress,
Fullerton, Garden Grove, LA Palma, Los Alamitos,
Orange, Placentia, Stanton, Westminster and Villa
Park.

=====================================

*** LULAC District #1 New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance ***

-- SAVE THE DATE --

Sunday, December 31, 2006
Clarion Hotel, Anaheim, CA
INFO: 714-638-1493 / crisv@...
Cris Villasenor, LULAC Orange County
District #1 Director

===================================

*** Educational Seminar Series by Orange County
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ***

Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / 6:30 pm
UBS Financial Services
888 San Clemente Drive, 3rd floor Conference Room,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
RSVP: 949-467-6057 or 949-717-5630

Presented by Roberto Roman & Neil Jaramillo, Financial
Advisors.

"Funding your child or grandchild's education: 529
College Savings"

- How to begin saving for your child's college
education.
- How 529 plans work and the advantages they offer.
- How the new tax law changes have made these plans
more attractive.

=======================================

*** 14th Annual California Policy Issues Conference,
"Elections 2006: Implications for Civic Engagement and
Infrastructure Development in California" ***

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 / 8 am - 3 pm
Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

By: The Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs
(PBI)

Join California's leading voices and opinion makers
for a timely discussion on Election 2006, one week
after, with commentaries on race results, public
spending on California's infrastructure and the role
of media in shaping election outcomes.

More on the conference: California faces daunting
challenges. For nearly half a century we've enjoyed
the fruits of former Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown's
investments in California's future. Leaders of both
major political parties, policy experts and many
others continue to marvel at Brown's accomplishments
in "building the modern California" (per Washington
Post columnist David Broder).  Yet recent studies and
reports repeatedly cite California as being modern no
more, suggesting the urgent need for new investments
in our State. With infrastructure bond measures on the

November 7th ballot, many leaders hope to reinvigorate
engagement and put an end to the worsening state of
our economic engine – the California
infrastructure.

We welcome you to become part of this dialogue and
debate on the implications of election results
nationally -- including a possible realignment of
power in Washington DC -- and in the Golden State.

================================

*** 10th Annual Veterans Day Celebration: A Tribute to
Mexican American Vietnam War Veterans ***

Veterans Day - Saturday, November 11, 2006 / 10 am
California State University, Fullerton -
Titan Student Union
FREE Admission and parking.

Hosts: Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. and
California State University Fullerton.

The public is invited to attend the formal ceremony
which will include posting of the colors, a bagpiper,
live singers, and the presentation of the honored
veterans.

139 Latino veterans of the Vietnam War era will also
be profiled in a book authored by Frederick P.
Aguirre, Linda M. Aguirre, Rogelio C. Rodriguez, and
Latino Advocates for Education, Inc.  The book
entitled Strength and Honor: Mexican Americans in the
Vietnam War will be presented at the event.

Among those honored will be Isaac Camacho, a Green
Beret from El Paso, Texas, one of the first prisoners
of war who was captured in 1963 and escaped in 1965;
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena of Calexico, California, who
later became a DEA agent and was killed by Mexican
narcotics traffickers;  USMC Col. John Telles, Jr.
(Ret.), a Los Angeles native who was a jet and
helicopter pilot and, after the war, piloted Marine
One, the personal helicopter of Presidents Nixon and
Ford; and Joseph A. Aguirre of Orange, who was awarded
the Silver Star for bravery and was killed in action
on January 26, 1969.

�Mexican Americans accounted for 7% of our nation�s
casualties at a time when Latinos constituted only
4.5% of the population in the United States,� stated
Frederick P. Aguirre, President of Latino Advocates
for Education, Inc.

�Moreover,� he added �15% of California�s casualties
were Latinos and at that time Latinos only represented
7% of California�s citizens.� He emphasized, �out of
the 321 Orange County servicemen that died, 27 were
Latinos (9%) at a time when Latinos comprised
approximately 5% of Orange County�s population.�

Preliminary research by Rogelio C. Rodriguez shows
that over 170,000 Latinos fought in the Vietnam War
and that 15 Latinos were awarded the Medal of Honor,
our country�s highest medal for bravery, 23 were
awarded the Navy Cross and 49 the Distinguished
Service Cross.  Official government records do not
state how many Latinos served in the Vietnam War but
identify Latinos as �White� or �Caucasian.� Therefore,
it is difficult to conduct the cutting edge research.


�Such patriotism and undaunted courage must be
acknowledged and documented,� stated Aguirre.  �The
patriotic contributions of Mexican Americans have not
been accurately portrayed in feature films,
documentaries, books or magazines,� added Aguirre.

Authors Lea Ybarra of Johns Hopkins University and
Edward Morin, a Vietnam War veteran, will also present
and sign their respective books Vietnam Veteranos:
Chicanos Recall the War and Valor and Discord �
Mexican Americans and the Vietnam War.

�We want to welcome home our Vietnam War veterans,
thank them for their patriotic service, and document
their valor,� concluded Aguirre.

   ----------------------------

Latino Advocates for Education, Inc.
P.O. Box 5846
Orange, CA 92863
http://www.latinoadvocates.org
Frederick P. Aguirre, 714-225-2499

=================================

~~ MALDEF, Civil Rights Organizations Demand Repeal
of Unconstitutional Ordinance ~~

OCTOBER 30, 2006 - A coalition of civil rights
organizations and law firms has filed an official
letter with the City of Escondido demanding that it
repeal an unconstitutional anti-immigrant ordinance.

The coalition, composed of the Mexican American Legal
Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), the American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Fair Housing Council
of San Diego and People For the American Way (PFAW),
is taking action against an ordinance passed by the
Escondido City Council on October 18 which would ban
renting an apartment to, or "harboring" any person not
lawfully present in the United States. The coalition
also includes the private law firms of Rosner &
Mansfield LLP and Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.

The organizations are preparing to file suit against
the city on the grounds that the ordinance is
unconstitutional and illegal under federal and state
law. It is preempted by federal law, which
exclusively regulates immigration issues, and violates
the property and contract rights of both landlords and
tenants. It puts landlords in an impossible position,
by requiring them to choose between violating the
ordinance and violating state and federal fair housing
and privacy laws.

The request to repeal the ordinance is the first step
by the civil rights coalition to overturn the measure
and avoid having taxpayer dollars spent on a lawsuit
defending an unconstitutional law.

"The new law prohibiting rental of dwelling units to
undocumented immigrants does nothing to actually
alleviate the problem it purports to address: poor
housing conditions," stated Kristina Campbell, MALDEF
Staff Attorney. "Instead, it encourages landlords and
residents in the City of Escondido to identify and
file complaints against individuals they believe to be
'illegal immigrants,' which will undoubtedly lead to
illegal discrimination against tenants based on
race, color, or national origin."

As a result of other MALDEF Litigation, the city of
Valley Park, MO has been barred from implementing a
similar local law. MALDEF has led and advised advocacy
efforts defeating similar bills in other cities.
MALDEF's resource kit against the ordinances is
available at
http://www.maldef.org/publications/index.cfm.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino
legal organization, promotes and protects the rights
of Latinos through advocacy, litigation, community
education and outreach, leadership development, and
higher education scholarships.

MALDEF NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL OFFICE
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Tel: 213.629.2512

===============================

*** Latinos Will Determine Outcome of Crucial Races
for Top Positions in 2006 Elections ***

Latinos expected to turnout in record numbers for
"off-year" Congressional elections.

(Los Angeles, CA) - �With the partisan balance of
power at stake in both the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives, Latinos are poised to determine the
outcome of key races on November 7, according to an
analysis conducted by the National Association of
Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
Educational Fund [Click here to download].

The NALEO Educational Fund also projects that 5.6
million Latinos will make their voices heard in the
election, the highest Latino turnout for any
Congressional election not held in conjunction with a
Presidential contest.

In races for the U.S. Senate, Latino voters will play
a crucial role in several contests that both parties
view as valuable political prizes:

In New Jersey, where Latinos are projected to comprise
at least 7% of the voters, incumbent U.S. Senator Bob
Menendez (D) is seeking to win election to his first
full-term in the Senate, and is locked in a tight race
with New Jersey State Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R),
son of former Governor Thomas H. Kean, Sr. (R).

In Arizona, where Latinos are projected to comprise at
least 13% of the voters, Democratic real estate
developer Jim Pederson has been gaining in the polls
in his contest to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator Jon
Kyl (R). The candidates' different perspectives on
immigration policy have become a key issue during the
campaign.

Latino voters will also have a significant impact on
several U.S. House races that political observers are
considering "toss-up" contests for Election 2006:

In New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, New Mexico
Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D) is attempting to
unseat U.S. Representative Heather Wilson (R). While
Wilson is a four-term incumbent, her district has a
significant Democratic voter base. In the 2004
Presidential election, U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D)
received 51% of the district's vote.

In Connecticut's 4th Congressional District, where
Latinos are nearly 11% of the potential electorate,
former Westport Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D) is
challenging incumbent U.S. Representative Christopher
Shays (R).  Both candidates are courting Latino
voters, with Shays sending out Spanish-language
mailers, and Farrell making campaign appearances with
Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo-Vila (D) and U.S.
Representative Xavier Becerra (D).

In Florida's 22nd Congressional District, where
Latinos are about 9% of the potential electorate,
Florida State Senator Ron Klein (D) is challenging
incumbent U.S. Representative Clay Shaw.  The 22nd
Congressional District also has a large number of
Democratic voters, with John Kerry having received 52%
of the vote during the 2004 election.

In the 6th Congressional District (Illinois), where
Latinos comprise nearly 9% of the potential
electorate, the retirement of 16-term incumbent U.S.
Representative Henry Hyde (R) has created an extremely
competitive open seat contest, with Illinois State
Senator Peter Roskam (R) battling Iraqi war veteran
Tammy Duckworth (D). The candidates' stances on
immigration reform have emerged as a campaign issue
during this race.

The battle for Colorado's 7th District also involves a
combative debate about immigration � this contest is
now an open seat race because of incumbent U.S.
Representative Bob Beauprez's (R) decision to run for
Colorado Governor.  The contenders for the seat are
attoney and former Colorado State Senator Ed
Perlmutter (D), and Rick O'Donnell (R), who has held
several state executive positions, including the head
of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

According to NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director
Arturo Vargas, "As Latino voters make their decisions
on Election Day, they will be looking at candidates'
positions on the same issues that all Americans care
about" education, health, and the economic
opportunities available for their families and
communities.  But Latinos also want to ensure that
their voices are heard during America's intense
national discussion about the future of our
immigration policy.  Latinos are deeply concerned
about the tone and tenor of campaign debates about
immigration, and they will not stand for candidates
who use the issue in a divisive or inflammatory
manner.

In gubernatorial races, Nevada's Latinos could decide
the outcome of the open seat contest between U.S.
Representative James Gibbons (R) and State Senator
Dina Titus (D).  Nevada is home to one of the nation's
fastest growing Latino populations "the Latino
population grew from 124,419 in 1990 to 563,999 in
2005, and the Latino share of the population increased
from 10% to 24% during the same period.  Latinos are
12.5% of the state's potential electorate."

Mr. Vargas concluded, "As November 7 draws near,
political observers view an increasing number of
formerly "safe" contests as competitive races.  In
these elections, where "all bets are off" Latino
voters could make the critical difference.

Ultimately, no candidate for top political office can
win without a viable strategy to reach the Latino
community.  These strategies must involve a commitment
to address the issues that are important to Latinos
and all of our nation's voters.  Latinos are listening
carefully to candidates and campaigns; what they hear
now will help determine the outcome on Election Day.

   --------------------------------
Contact: Olga Quinones (323) 286-9684
Rosalind Gold (213) 747-7606, ext. 120

=================================

~~ Immigration Crackdown Sends Hispanics Fleeing ~~

October 31, 2006

HAZLETON, Pa. -- Elvis Soto's variety store used to
make money. But few customers have been walking
through his door lately, and his merchandise - calling
cards, cell phones, car stereos, clothing - is
collecting dust on the shelves.

With bills mounting, Soto might have to take another
job to stay afloat financially, and may even close the
store.

On Wednesday, a tough, first-of-its-kind law targeting
illegal immigrants goes into effect in this small
hillside city in northeastern Pennsylvania. But the
evidence suggests many Hispanics - illegal or
otherwise - have already left.

That, in turn, has hobbled the city's Hispanic
business district, where some shops have closed and
others are struggling to stay open.

"Before, it was a nice place," said Soto, 27, who came
to the United States from the Dominican Republic a
decade ago. "Now, we have a war against us. I am legal
but I feel the pressure also."

The ordinance, approved by City Council in September,
imposes fines on landlords who rent to illegal
immigrants and denies business permits to companies
that give them jobs. The law empowers the city to
investigate written complaints about a person's
immigration status, using a federal database.

Mayor Lou Barletta, chief proponent of the new law,
contends illegal immigrants have brought drugs, crime
and gangs, overwhelming police and municipal budgets.
He announced the crackdown in June, a month after two
illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic were
charged in a fatal shooting.

At Isabel's Gifts, owner Isabel Rubio said business is
so bad that she and her husband have put their house
up for sale, moved into an apartment above their store
and started dipping into their savings.

"I am in a lot of stress right now," said Rubio, 50, a
Colombian who moved to Hazleton 24 years ago. "Every
day, we hope to have a good day."

Opponents sued on Monday to block the law and a
companion measure, saying they trample on the federal
government's exclusive power to regulate immigration.

"These ordinances are nothing more than an officially
sanctioned witch hunt," said Cesar Perales, president
of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund,
a group representing plaintiffs in the case. They
include the Hazleton Hispanic Business Association,
several illegal immigrants, landlords and a
restaurateur.

The mayor said he would fight all the way to the
Supreme Court if necessary, saying the ordinance is
"as bulletproof as we can get it."

Hispanics began settling in large numbers in Hazleton
several years ago, lured from New York, Philadelphia
and other cities by cheap housing, low crime and the
availability of work in nearby factories and farms.
The city, situated 80 miles from Philadelphia,
estimates its population has increased from 23,000 to
31,000 over the past six years, with Hispanics now
representing 30 percent of the population.

No one knows how many of the new arrivals came to the
United States illegally, but assimilating such a large
number of people, many of whom speak little English,
in such a short amount of time has been difficult.

Many white residents resent the newcomers, complaining
about rising crime and overburdened schools. Tensions
have flared over relatively minor annoyances such as
loud music and double parking.

"You don't like the big-city stuff coming here," said
insurance agent Vincent Santopoli, 49, a lifelong
resident. "We're not used to it."

Barletta, who has risen from political obscurity to
become a darling of anti-illegal immigration activists
nationwide, said he sympathizes with struggling
Hispanic business owners. But he said the fact their
revenues are down is proof the city had a problem with
illegal immigration.

"I've said from the beginning my goal was to make
Hazleton one of the toughest cities in America for
illegal aliens," he said. "Today, if I was an illegal
alien, I certainly wouldn't pick Hazleton as my home."

Police Chief Bob Ferdinand said his officers appear to
be responding to fewer calls. But on Oct. 20, a legal
immigrant from the Dominican Republic was accused of
shooting and killing two Hispanic men, one in the
country illegally.

Todd Betterly, 37, who was awakened by the gunshots,
said the killings are proof the crackdown is
necessary.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to find
out who belongs here and who doesn't," he said. "If we
could have stopped one murder by knowing where these
people are, isn't it worth it?"

A second ordinance going into effect Wednesday
requires tenants to register their name, address and
phone number at City Hall and pay $10 for a rental
permit. Landlords who fail to make sure their tenants
are registered can be fined $1,000, plus a penalty of
$250 per tenant per day. The goal is to discourage
illegal immigrants from even trying to rent in
Hazleton.

A 32-year-old Mexican who slipped into the United
States nine years ago to find work said he has no
intention of registering.

"What is the mayor gaining by this law? I'm not a drug
trafficker, I don't run around in gangs. I do my job
and I go home to my family," said the married father
of two, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of
his immigration status.

Pennsylvania native Kim Lopez and her husband, Rudy, a
Mexican immigrant, closed their grocery store Oct. 1
after business tailed off dramatically over the
summer. They lost more than $10,000 - their life
savings.

"Everyone was running scared and left town," said
Lopez, 39. "We had customers who came in who were
legal citizens and they didn't want the harassment and
hassle and told us they were leaving."
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

===end===

*** California Assembly Elections Committee Holds
Hearing on Latino Voter Intimidation ***

Monday, October 30, 2006 / 10 am - 12 Noon
Rancho Santiago Community College District
Board Meeting Room � 1st Floor, Room #107
2323 North Broadway Ave., Santa Ana, CA

- Informational Hearing Regarding Recent Letter
Received By Latino Voters In Orange County -

Informational Hearing By Assemblyman Umberg Will
Examine And Discuss The Issue and Explore Possible
Future Legislative Remedies To Prevent Future
Occurrences. Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Anaheim)
is the Chairman of the California Assembly Elections
& Redistricting Committee.

BACKGROUND: The Assembly Elections & Redistricting
Committee will examine and discuss the contents and
impact of the letters that were recently sent to
Latino voters in Orange County. The Committee will
also explore possible future legislative
remedies to prevent future occurrences of such an
action.

==================================

�Human Rights Activists Protest Mexican President
Vicente Fox�s Use of Force in Oaxaca�

Press Advisory By: National Alliance for Human Rights
(NAHR)

October 30, 2006

Contact Person: Armando Navarro, Ph.D.
NAHR Coordinator, (951) 333-6819

On Monday, October 30, the National Alliance for Human
Rights (NAHR), a human rights, social justice, and
political empowerment network of persons and
organizations is holding a protest /press conference
at �Noon� in front of the Mexican Consulate in San
Bernardino, located at 293 N. �D� Street, in protest
against Mexico�s President Vicente Fox�s decision use
of the federal police (PFP- la Policia Federal
Preventiva) in the storming of the city of Oaxaca, on
Sunday, October 29.

A delegation of the NAHR, while in Mexico attending
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador National Democratic
Convention in Mexico City on September 17, traveled to
the city of Oaxaca to lend support to the people�s
struggle to oust Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz and
effectuate needed social change among the state�s
impoverished masses.

NAHR joins in solidarity with scores of concerned
groups and persons from throughout California and the
country in protesting against the use of armed force
by President Vicente Fox to resolve the nearly
five-month old crisis.  Today�s protests at various
Mexican Consulates, seek to pressure President Fox to
recall-off the federal police, reject the use of
force, and resolve the escalating �Oaxacan Crisis� via
negotiations.

According to NAHR Coordinator Armando Navarro, �As a
result of the visit to Oaxaca, the NAHR has maintained
contact with APPO, la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos
de Oaxaca.  Impelled by a profound spirit of
solidarity with APPO, the teachers, and the people of
Oaxaca, NAHR emphatically denounces the armed
incursion by the federal police into Oaxaca.  We are
voicing a profound sense of urgency that President Fox
instead of resorting to a negotiated settlement is
opting for the use armed force, which now threatens
Mexico�s stability.�

Navarro added, �The rapidly escalating unrest in
Oaxaca has reached such a precarious level that it
could trigger a violent contagion throughout Mexico,
ultimately precipitating a violent and bloody
revolution.�

===============================

*** Westly to Host Lunch for Lou Correa ***

Monday, October 30, 2006 / 12:30 pm - 2 pm
Seafood World
15351 Brookhurst St. #101-106
Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: $250 person / Co-Host � $3,300 /
Friend � $1,000 / Supporter � $500
RSVP: 310-740-6866

California State Controller Steve Westly will be
hosting a luncheon for Lou Correa, candidate for State
Senate in the most competitive state legislative race
this year.

Lou Correa has served Orange County well as our 69th
District State Assemblyman and currently as Orange
County Supervisor. He faces a tough battle in the days
ahead. Please help Lou in this critical race!

If you can't attend the lunch, but would still like to
help Lou with a contribution, please do so. If you
would like to volunteer for the campaign, call (714)
972-9276 or email correaforsenate@....

================================

*** Sen. Joe Dunn Named CEO of California Medical
Association ***

October 27, 2006

"The Right Leader at the Right Time For The CMA"

SACRAMENTO - Joe Dunn, a state senator from Orange
County, has been appointed the new chief executive
officer of the California Medical Association.

Following a national search, Dunn was selected from a
"field of outstanding candidates as the right leader
at the right time for the CMA," said CMA President
Michael Sexton, M.D.

"Joe Dunn brings extraordinary talents and a wealth of
knowledge about California and politics in Sacramento
to CMA at a crucial moment in our 150-year history,"
said Sexton. "Joe has vision, intellect and passion.
He will greatly enhance our ability to advocate for
quality care for our patients, protect the profession,
improve the public health, expand access to care for
all, and maintain practice viability for the
physicians of California."

Dunn is an attorney and was first elected to the state
Senate in 1998. He was reelected in 2002. He replaces
Jack Lewin, M.D., who will become CEO of the American
College of Cardiology in Washington.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead
California's premiere advocacy organization on behalf
of physicians and their patients," said Dunn.

As an attorney, he was a key participant in the 1998
national tobacco litigation settlement that led to
$200 billion in payments from cigarette companies to
46 states, with more then $25 billion coming to the
State of California and its municipalities for health
care and other purposes.

The California Medical Association is the professional
organization of 35,000 physicians drawn from all
specialties and modes of practice. It is the largest
professional health care organization in the state and
is recognized as a national leader in physician and
medical issues.

The association, which was founded in Sacramento in
1856, is currently holding its annual House of
Delegates meeting in Sacramento. The policy-making
session this year will include a celebration on
Saturday of its sesquicentennial.

================================

~~ Sanchez finds self on terror-watch list ~~

Faulty information leads to a momentary airport
detention.

MARTIN WISCKOL
Orange County Register columnist
THE BUZZ
October 30, 2006

Rep. Loretta Sanchez has growing influence in
Washington, but is she even more dangerous than we
imagined?

The Garden Grove congresswoman, traveling the country
last week to campaign for fellow Democrats, got pulled
aside in the Boise, Idaho, airport when her name came
up on the terrorist watch list.

We keep hearing absurd stories about that list, but
the Transportation Security Administration might also
need a basic lesson in job politics: It's not a good
idea to detain the ranking Democrat � and possible
future chairwoman � of the House Homeland Security
subcommittee overseeing the TSA.

Sanchez has the luxury of campaigning for others
because she's expecting an effortless cruise to
re-election over long-shot Republican Tan Nguyen, best
known for his association with an intimidation mailer
sent to Latino voters earlier this month.

- Otto the Spoiler? -

If Nguyen, who ran as a Democrat two years ago, has
whetted your appetite for unusual candidates, consider
Republican Otto Bade. Bade qualified last week as a
write-in candidate in the super-close 34th state
Senate race between Democrat Lou Correa and Republican
Lynn Daucher.

Bade is considered a spoiler candidate who could
potentially hurt the bid of fellow Republican Daucher.
His own chance of winning is a mere technicality. It
remains unclear exactly who is behind Bade � signers
of his nominating papers are almost evenly divided
among Republicans, Democrats and independents, with no
obvious unifying thread beyond wanting Daucher to
lose.

The Democrats include two candidates for the Santa Ana
City Council, Nelida Yanez and Pablo David Benavides�
who happen to be vying for the same seat. Another
Democrat is activist Zeke Hernandez of the League of
United Latin American Citizens, which Correa has
generally been in step with on immigration issues.

Bade ran unsuccessfully for Assembly two years ago.
After initially gaining backing from some key
Republicans in that bid, he fell out of favor with the
GOP establishment. We hear that besides Democrats,
he's also getting help from independent-minded
Republicans who also have issues with their
establishment and with Daucher, a pro-abortion-rights
moderate not universally loved in the party.

With some $8 million expected to be poured into the
race, the Buzz wouldn't be surprised to see mail sent
out on Bade's behalf. And we're betting Daucher
backers are preparing mail to counter Bade should his
campaign gear up.

...

CONTACT US: Staff writers Dena Bunis, Peggy Lowe and
Ronald Campbell contributed to this column.

===============================

*** D�a de los Muertos: Recuerdos de nuestros
antepasados A celebration of life and death ***

D�a De Los Muertos or Day Of The Dead is a celebration
that captures the idea of unity between life and
death. As a spiritual and cultural tradition it is
recognized throughout Latin America and the
Southwestern United States.

Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 12 Noon - 2 pm
University of California, Riverside
- Bell tower area
INFO: 951-827-3821

Display of Altars - Come see themed altars presented
by student organizations or bring personal recuerdos
for the community altar

* Food (Carne Asada Tacos, Elote/Corn, Hotdogs wrapped
w/bacon, donuts, pan dulce and hot chocolate) support
our student groups.
* Entertainment (Teatro Quinto Sol & Teatro
Tatalejos)* Danza Azteca
*Music - Maya Azteca will also be selling D�a de los
Muertos & other cultural items

Procession to begin promptly at 12 pm from Chicano
Student Programs.

Co-Sponsors: Teatro Quinto Sol, Chicano Student
Programs and KUCR 88.3 FM

===============================

*** 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration
by Division 9 Gallery and the Riverside Metropolitan
Museum ***

Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 6 pm - 9 pm
Division 9 Gallery Life Arts Center
3485 University Avenue, Riverside
(Corner of Mission Inn Ave and Lemon St.)
INFO: Cosme Cordova, 951-682-5990;
cosme@...

A night of Mexican culture, art, installation of
altar, traditional dance, and family fun. The evening
will begin with a procession of Aztec Dancers down
Mission Inn Ave. and will include craft activities for
children, special musical guests, and performances by
Ballet Folklorico de Riverside.

   -------------------------

September 7 thru November 5, 2006

Dia de los Muertos Exhibit Riverside Metropolitan
Museum presents Ofrendas De Cultura / Cultural
Offerings -- A Prelude to Dia de los Muertos
3580 Mission Inn Ave. - Riverside

============================

~~ Critics attack proposed rules for citizenship ~~

Fee hikes, new tests, online filings called barriers
for poor.

By Teresa Watanabe
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 28, 2006

Immigrant advocacy groups are decrying an array of
proposed federal measures, including application fee
increases and online filing requirements, that they
fear will sharply reduce the ability of some legal
immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

As President Bush signed a controversial bill last
week authorizing 700 miles of new fencing along the
U.S.-Mexico border, immigrant rights groups charge
that the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration
Services is erecting a virtual "second wall" that
would disproportionately hurt Mexican immigrants, who
tend to be less educated and earn lower incomes than
others.

Last week, a coalition of more than 230 religious,
labor and immigrant rights groups delivered a letter
to citizenship bureau Director Emilio Gonzalez,
expressing strong concern about application fee
increases that could double to $800, a "digital
barrier" of a mandatory online filing system,
extensive new paperwork and a revised history and
civics test they fear could be more difficult.

"Together they appear to us a clear strategy pursued
through administrative fiat to make the dream of
American citizenship unattainable for many
lower-income, less-educated immigrants," said the
letter, which was initiated by the Chicago-based
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Some activists fear the Bush administration is seeking
to tighten access to citizenship to bar potential new
Democratic voters. But U.S. immigration officials
flatly deny any partisan motives.

They say they are merely aiming to make the system
more efficient, financially self-sustaining and better
able to ensure that new citizens understand
foundational American values and historical events.
Some of the initiatives, including the move to
automation and a revised test, were recommended in
1997 by the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform
under the Clinton administration. The final proposals
are expected to be announced in the next few months
and take 12 to 18 months to implement.

"There is no more priceless gift a person can receive
than American citizenship," said Christopher Bentley,
spokesman for the citizenship bureau in Washington.
"Our expectation is that people who have the
opportunity to become U.S. citizens realize that the
cost and sacrifice is worth the investment in their
future."

Some immigrants would seem to agree. At a recent
citizenship workshop in Los Angeles, where volunteers
served 2,000 people who lined up for hours to apply
for naturalization, machine operator Arturo Reyna said
he scrimped and saved for a year to pay the $400
application fee. The native of Mexico, whose wife,
Rosa, is a U.S. citizen, said the price was eminently
worth the right to vote and to live here with his
family.

"There are big groups trying to stop immigration,"
said Reyna, 30. "We don't like these things, but we
can't vote. As a citizen, you can take part in
decisions."

Victor Yebra, a 38-year-old silk screener who
illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border as a boy to
join his bracero father and subsequently won amnesty,
said some immigrants might find higher application
fees or online filing requirements onerous. But he
said they would not dissuade those determined to
become citizens.

"A lot of people here won't want to deal with these
things, but I think they'll find a way to do it,"
Yebra said. "It's all for your own good future."

The proposed changes have, however, alarmed many � and
not only in the Latino community. Koreans accounted
for about one-fourth of the organizations signing the
letter of protest to Gonzalez.

Koreans began naturalizing in greater numbers in the
mid-1990s, when the Los Angeles riot and welfare
cutbacks aimed at immigrants showed them the
importance of civic influence, said Eun Sook Lee,
executive director of the National Korean American
Service & Education Consortium in Koreatown. Still,
she said, about 300,000 Korean immigrants eligible to
become citizens have not yet done so.

"With these measures, the message they're sending is
that they want to delay full civic participation of
new citizens," Lee said.

According to scholars, the politics of naturalization
are nearly as old as citizenship rites themselves.

At the turn of the 20th century, urban political
machines trolling for voters in several states pushed
through so many fraudulent naturalizations that
Congress passed a landmark immigration reform bill in
1906, said Lorraine McDonnell, a UC Santa Barbara
political science professor. Among other things, she
said, the reform bill required for the first time that
applicants be able to speak English.

More recently, the Clinton administration was accused
of "importing votes" by relaxing normal immigration
procedures in its Citizenship USA campaign to register
1 million mostly Latino new voters before the 1996
elections. The charges by Republicans and other
critics sparked a three-year Justice Department
investigation, which ultimately rejected charges of
partisan motives but found slipshod management,
including lax background checks that allowed 6,000
possible criminals to become citizens.

To become citizens, legal permanent residents must
reside in the United States for five years � or three
years if they are married to a U.S. citizen or serve
in the military. They must also pass English and
civics tests, be of "good moral character" and take an
oath of allegiance.

Concern about the civics test dates back to 1997, when
the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform criticized
it for relying on "memorization of discrete facts
rather than on substantive understanding of the basic
concepts of civic participation."

Under the Bush administration, activists feared that
the tests would become more difficult and the format
changed to multiple choice, which some immigrants are
unfamiliar with, said Fred Tsao of the Illinois
immigration coalition, which has closely tracked the
issue.

Tsao and others said their anxiety mounted after the
Senate passed Republican-sponsored legislation this
year setting as goals for the revised test
understanding of major documents, such as the
Federalist Papers and Emancipation Proclamation, and
important historical events, such as major court
decisions and key figures in U.S. politics, science,
business and art.

Those concerns, however, have abated somewhat.
Immigration officials began meeting regularly with
adult educators and immigrant advocates, and assured
them the test's format and degree of difficulty would
not change.

"We want to add meaning to the process, not make it
harder, so we have assurances that this exercise
empowers [new citizens] to take their rightful place
in society," the citizenship bureau's Bentley said.

As one example, he said, questions about the American
flag's colors might be jettisoned in favor of those
about key rights, such as voting.

Activists are more concerned about proposed fee
increases and mandatory online filing. The fees have
increased to $400 from $95 since 1998 and are set to
possibly double after immigration officials complete a
fee survey later this year.

Marcelo Gaete of the Los Angeles-based National Assn.
of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational
Fund said that hundreds of immigrants in two recent
citizenship workshops could not afford to pay the
current fees and would suffer if they were increased.

But Bentley said the fee hikes were inevitable because
the citizenship bureau receives no regular budget
appropriation and must be self-sustaining. A special
five-year budget appropriation of $440 million that
reduced the application backlog from 3.8 million cases
in January 2004 to 120,000 as of August is set to run
out, requiring new revenue to sustain the progress, he
said.

To promote efficiency, Bentley said the agency also
aims to eliminate paper filing and transform to an
all-electronic system in the next five years. "The
infrastructure we have now is broken," he said. "We
have to come into the 21st century."

Activists, however, say an online filing requirement
will shut out many immigrants without access to
computers and open the door to abuse from unscrupulous
immigration businesses.

By requiring a 19-page form simply to register for an
online account, the new system will all but eliminate
the ability to offer mass citizenship application
workshops, said Laura Burdick deputy director for
national programs at the Catholic Legal Immigration
Network in Washington.

"This is not a Democratic or Republican issue,"
Burdick said. "Citizenship is in everyone's interest."

   -------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-citizen29oct29,0,6744666,full.story?coll\
=la-home-headlines

============================

LULAC "In-News" is a service of
Apples & Oranges .... "con pico de gallo"

FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS -- To subscribe to this group,
click & reply (no message needed) to:
LULAC147InfoNet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Thank You,
Santa Ana LULAC Council #147
PO Box 1810
Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-835-9585 / zekeher@...

===================================

~~ Latino immigrants are rethinking their role in U.S. ~~

Many were once reluctant to get involved with local
issues. A coalition is now helping them find a voice
in their new communities.

By Sam Quinones
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 27, 2006

For years, Santa Ana resident Guadalupe Gomez, an
immigrant from Zacatecas, Mexico, and now a U.S.
citizen, has been urging immigrant groups from his
home state to get more involved in issues affecting
their lives in Southern California.

But many thought they would eventually return to
Mexico, he said. They didn't buy homes here and lived
in enclaves that kept them apart from the larger
population. Hometown clubs raised money for
public-works projects in their villages.

"I said, 'What about here? We have all kinds of issues
here: education, drugs, children in gangs, health,' "
said Gomez, an accountant who later served as
president of the Southern California Federation of
Zacatecan Clubs from 2001 to 2004. "They seemed to
think I was crazy."

But things are different now.

Mexico hasn't made the economic changes necessary to
keep people from leaving or persuade those living
abroad to return. Many immigrants have become U.S.
citizens or legal residents and have families here.
And a growing number have bought houses for the first
time.

"We all may think we're going to return, but time
shows us that we're not," said Salvador Garcia, a
former president of the federation from the state of
Jalisco.

Now the federation that Gomez and Garcia helped
establish hopes to start positioning itself this week
as a new kind of Latino political force, one with
broad immigrant membership and an agenda on both sides
of the border.

The Council of Mexican Federations of North America �
made up of hundreds of hometown clubs � will hold its
first national conference at the Los Angeles
Convention Center today and Saturday with the primary
goal of educating immigrants about civic
participation.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is among
several U.S. dignitaries scheduled to attend. Mexican
officials � including governors, congressmen and a
representative of President-elect Felipe Calderon �
also are expected to participate.

The event underscores a change in how Mexican
immigrants view their place in American society,
organizers said.

Gomez exemplifies that change. After he arrived in
1973, he also thought he would return to Mexico one
day.

But as he married and had children, that idea began to
fade.

"You set roots here and establish yourself," Gomez
said. "You go back to Mexico and there's no money when
you work. It took a long time for me to find myself.
But I've come to realize that I'm from both places."

Garcia, Gomez and some others formed the federation in
2002 as an umbrella organization for the growing
number of hometown clubs. The federation now includes
about 450 Mexican clubs from 14 Mexican states.

The Mexican federations council conducted a series of
polls among immigrants and found that many were going
through a similar recognition, though slowly, leaders
said.

When Mexican immigrants joined mass marches across the
U.S. last spring to push for comprehensive immigration
reform, officials decided to tap into this new wave of
activism.

They were convinced that immigrant communities
provided "the foundation to develop a national
network," said Arturo Carmona, the federation's
executive director.

With that in mind, the federation has sought to
broaden its members' focus beyond the needs of their
Mexican villages to more pressing issues that legal
and illegal immigrants face here, such as healthcare,
education, financial planning, small business
development and legal residency.

In August, federation leaders made their first
lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., to talk to
legislators about immigration reform and binational
economic development.

The federation also has professionalized its
operations, courting � and being courted by � large
corporations such as Anheuser Busch and Bancomer, a
Mexican bank, which offers its members discounts and
special services.

The federation has learned to petition U.S.
foundations for funds. Its sponsors now include the
James Irvine, Margaret E. Casey and Johnson & Johnson
foundations.

The group is ensconced in gleaming new offices in
downtown Los Angeles owned by the California
Endowment. It has a paid executive director �
Carmona � and a staff of four.

The group has also eased the petty jealousies that are
notorious for dividing villages in Mexico and clubs
and federations in the U.S.

When competing federations emerged here from the state
of Puebla, for example, the Mexican federations
council conducted some shuttle diplomacy between the
leaders of the two groups until they settled their
differences and merged this summer.

Still, the federations council runs a risk that too
much sophistication and reliance on foundation grants
may distance it from its grass-roots base, its leaders
say.

They point to the Latino advocacy organizations born
of the 1960s: the Mexican American Legal Defense and
Educational Fund, Coalition for Humane Immigrant
Rights of Los Angeles, National Assn. of Latino
Elected and Appointed Officials and League of United
Latin American Citizens.

Through the years, those groups learned to use
foundation grants, the courts and lobbying to work
within the Democratic Party. But their membership is
slim, Carmona said, and their leaders, who often speak
spotty Spanish, don't have much in common with Mexican
immigrants.

They "played a very important role in Latino
advancement," he said. "But there's a definite
disconnect with them and the immigrant community,
which is the great majority of the Latino community in
the United States."

Many Mexican federations' council leaders were miffed
when these groups held a National Latino Congreso in
downtown Los Angeles last month without the
participation of Mexican immigrant clubs from Southern
California.

"That just goes to show how disconnected these
organizations are" from common immigrants, Gomez said.

On the eve of its convention, the federation faces
another tricky task, its leaders say. It must find a
way of involving its members in U.S. political issues
while remaining nonpartisan. Most of its members come
from Mexico's ranching states � Jalisco, Zacatecas,
Michoacan, Guanajuato, Sinaloa � and are famously
independent, bridling at political control.

Beyond that, though, lies the federation's even larger
job: helping Mexican immigrants move beyond the
enclave that has isolated them from their adopted
country.

"Our challenge is getting these members who are not
connected [to the U.S.] to be fully integrated,"
Carmona said. "We have a lot of work to be done in
that area."

   -------------------------------------
INFOBOX - Conference
The Council of Mexican Federations of North America
has scheduled its national conference today and
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles
Convention Center, West Hall.

================================

~~ STATEMENT BY LULAC ON THE SECURE FENCE ACT ~~

Ooctober 26, 2006

Washington, DC � The League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) National LULAC President Rosa Rosales
issued the following statement today in response to
President Bush�s signing of the Secure Fence Act:

We are very disappointed with the President�s decision
to sign the Secure Border Fence Act into law. Earlier
this year, President Bush laid out a strategy for
comprehensive immigration reform and instead we are
left with enforcement- only legislation.

We believe that enforcement- only measures alone, like
the construction of a border fence, will do nothing to
fix our broken immigration system and that a
comprehensive approach to immigration reform is the
only practical solution. The Department of Homeland
Security prefers a virtual fence coupled with an
increase in work-related immigration visas.

The President also called on Congress to pass
legislation that would secure our borders, enhance
worksite enforcement, create a temporary worker
program, resolve the status of illegal immigrants
already here, and promote assimilation into our
society, including by learning English. With no
comprehensive immigration reform legislation implies
that they favor the status quo which the American
people have rejected.

The American people expected Congress to enact
feasible and humane immigration policies that would
restore the rule of law and enhance security, reunite
families, protect workers, promote citizenship and
civic participation, and help local communities. The
fact that Congress failed to enact such legislation
implies that they favor the status quo which the
American people have rejected.

This mid-term election season, we urge voters to
consider voting for candidates that support
comprehensive immigration reform. We will continue to
urge the President to work with Congress to finish the
job and pass the remaining elements of this much
needed comprehensive approach. The American people
deserve better.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens, the
oldest and largest Latino organization in the country,
advances the economic conditions, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

------------ --------

National LULAC
Lizette Jenness Olmos
Communications Director
2000 L Street, NW
Washington , DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16
(202) 833-6135 fax
(202) 365-4553 cell

================================

~~ CNN host stirs pot on migration in S.A. visit ~~

By Hern�n Rozemberg
Express-News Immigration Writer
October 26, 2006

Proving San Antonio is no monolith on the divisive
issue of illegal immigration, CNN host Lou Dobbs got a
fair share of applause and heckling Wednesday night
when he led a live "town hall meeting" on one of the
major issues in the upcoming election.

But it wasn't always easy to discern the dialogue amid
the war of words.

Dobbs, 61, a veteran 30-year journalist nationally
recognized for his past reporting on business issues,
dramatically changed focus after the 9-11 attacks,
leading him to become a quasi-deified symbol for the
national anti-illegal-immigration movement.

His shift from stocks and bonds to immigration and the
border has been dramatic and relentless, with his
nightly "Broken Borders" segment repeatedly pointing
out what he sees as the negative impact undocumented
immigrants have on the U.S. economy and society.

The San Antonio gathering was no different. Dobbs,
born in the Texas Panhandle, said his choice of the
Alamo City for the discussion was no coincidence.

" San Antonio is a city at the center of our illegal
immigration crisis," he said, telling his national
audience of more than 600,000 that, at less than three
hours from the Mexico border, "the city's booming
economy is a huge magnet, of course, for illegal
immigration."

Only those with invitations to the Charline McCombs
Empire Theatre witnessed the hourlong session up
close. The crowd included guests from out of town and
representatives from local political, civic and
educational groups.

Panelists represented a mix of voices advocating for
immigrant rights and those lobbying for restricting
immigration.

Nearly the first half of the show was eerily quiet as
Dobbs, a self-described "advocacy journalist,"
bantered with like-minded folks calling for a stronger
governmental crackdown of border security, such as
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, author of a recent
report exposing the border's lingering vulnerabilities
to terrorist intrusion.

The expected sparks and barbs came soon after Dobbs
introduced Rosa Rosales, the San Antonio-based
president of the League of United Latin American
Citizens, and John Trasvi�a, interim president of the
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Typically having no hesitation in cutting off guests
on his show, Dobbs found in Rosales a forceful
adversary.

Most of the heated exchanges centered on Dobbs' fiery
and determinate use of language, leaving the substance
of the discussion mostly on the side.

"Objectivity is a trap that I have no interest in,"
Dobbs said before the show. "I think of neutrality ...
as something I certainly could not achieve."

Dobbs persistently uses phrases such as "illegal
aliens" � the original government designation � and
talks of an "invasion" across the border. Use of any
other terms would be pandering to special-interest
groups that thrive on political correctness, Dobbs
said.

Hence it was no surprise that Rosales chastised Dobbs
for his linguistic choices.

"They're not from outer space. They're human beings.
Call them undocumented," Rosales snapped.

Unfazed by the sudden applause for Rosales, Dobbs
proved quick at the trigger himself.

He met her demand for "documentation" proving his
assertion that illegal immigration hurts the U.S.
middle class with: "I thought we didn't need
documentation, Rosa . Now you want documentation?"

He later turned the microphone to a Pennsylvania mayor
who led a successful push for an ordinance levying
fines up to $1,000 on landlords who provide housing
for undocumented immigrants and to employers who give
them work.

"Illegal immigration is destroying small-town America
," said Lou Barletta, mayor of Hazleton , Pa. "We are
buckling under the strain of the costs."

Activist David Ramos, invited as a member of the Texas
Toll Party, also sided with Dobbs on the economic
impact of illegal immigration.

He said his wife recently had a $40,000 hospital
procedure that he thinks was jacked up by the hit
local hospitals take from treating uninsured migrants.

Others were disappointed at how Dobbs structured the
program, calling it a prefabricated session that
didn't give viewers a true taste of San Antonio .

Yesenia Monsour of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce cornered Dobbs after the show and hammered
him for not calling on local employers whose
livelihood long has been juxtaposed with immigration.

"He invited the town to a forum, yet he didn't let the
town speak," she said.

Daniel Reyes, a teacher in the San Antonio Independent
School District , said he regretted that the
discussion focused on rhetoric and failed to expose
solutions to the dilemma.

On that point, Dobbs agreed.

"It's only a beginning," he said after the show as his
assistants shuffled him into an elevator.

   ------------------
hrozemberg@...

==================================

~~ Metrocities Mortgage Named a Partner in the
California Latino Homeownership Initiative ~~

Business Wire
Thursday October 26, 2006

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. - Metrocities Mortgage, a leader
in the national residential mortgage lending market,
has been selected to join with the California
Association of Realtors�, Freddie Mac, the National
Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
(NAHREP), the League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC), First American Title Insurance Company, the
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and others,
in its California Latino Homeownership Initiative.

The initiative is designed to educate real estate
professionals on how to serve Latino home buyers and
significantly expand homeownership opportunities for
Latino families.

"We are very honored to be selected as a mortgage
partner in this important initiative," explained
Virginia Martinez, Senior Vice President, Southern
California Region, Metrocities Mortgage. "We have long
been committed to addressing the needs of 'expanding
markets' via our MetroAmerica Division. This
partnership is acknowledgement of the work we have
done in serving underserved, Latino populations."

One component of the California Latino Homeownership
Initiative is a course entitled, "Tapping New Markets:
The Latino Homebuyer," which has been approved by the
California Department of Real Estate (DRE) for two
units of continuing education credit. The course
provides facts on Latinos, strategies for reaching and
communicating with home buyers, information on
homeownership assistance programs available in
California, and a detailed presentation on flexible
"emerging markets" mortgages available through the
participating lenders.

Other elements include outreach such as home buyer
fairs/workshops, promotion of affordable mortgage
programs and facilitating access to public agency
assistance for income-qualified borrowers from the
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).

For additional information on Metrocities Mortgage,
please call (800) 215-7138. For more information on
the California Latino Homeownership Initiative, please
contact Adriana Guerrero at (213) 739-8297, or via
e-mail at adrianag@....

Metrocities Mortgage, LLC

Established in 1989, Metrocities Mortgage is ranked in
the top 1 percent of residential mortgage lenders
nationwide for closed loan volume. Headquartered in
Sherman Oaks, California, Metrocities Mortgage has
become a leading nationwide lender based on unique
loan programs and successful joint ventures
(affiliated business arrangements) with key real
estate companies, credit unions, financial
advisor/business management companies, builders and
other affinity groups. Loan Officers have access to
over 7,000 loan programs and proprietary search engine
technology enabling them to find the best loan
products for their clients. As America's Best
Relationship Lender(SM). Metrocities Mortgage is
renowned for its in-house lending expertise, wide
selection of loan programs and Heroic Customer
Service(SM). For additional information, please
contact (800) 215-7138 or visit
www.metrocitiesmtg.com.

Contact:
Metrocities Mortgage
Manny Padilla Jr., 818-742-3017
MPadillaJr@...

===============================

~~ Anchor bringing 'Broken Borders' to S.A. ~~

By: Hern�n Rozemberg
Express-News Immigration Writer
October 24, 2006

The popular "Broken Borders" show is going from your
TV set to the stage of the Charline McCombs Empire
Theatre.

Lou Dobbs, the veteran CNN anchor who focused on
financial matters before taking up the immigration
issue, will lead a live, hour long "town hall meeting"
at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Dobbs will moderate a panel on the impact of illegal
immigration and its role in the upcoming election.

Panelists will be Rosa Rosales, the San Antonio-based
president of the League of United Latin American
Citizens, John Trasvi�a of the Mexican American Legal
Defense and Educational Fund and U.S. Rep. James
Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wisc.

Sensenbrenner is an outspoken critic of illegal
immigration who authored the Border Protection,
Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act,
passed by the U.S. House in December. It triggered an
unprecedented series of pro-immigration demonstrations
across the country.

Rosales and Trasvi�a represent well-known national
organizations � both with roots in the Alamo City �
that advocate for immigrant rights.

The audience will be by invitation only and their
questions will be pre-screened by show producers.

============================

~~ HPD procedure shift draws concern among immigrants ~~

Officers now must ask anyone arrested for proof of
citizenship

By CYNTHIA LEONOR GARZA
Houston Chronicle
October 23, 2006

A change earlier this month in the Houston Police
Department's policy requiring officers to ask anyone
arrested for a misdemeanor whether they are a U.S.
citizen has Houston immigrants on edge as they seek to
understand what the change means for them.

"The climate today is one of terror in the community.
You can feel the tension," said Teodoro Aguiluz,
executive director of CRECEN, or Central American
Resource Center, which hosted a forum Sunday to
clarify the policy changes and give an update on
pending comprehensive immigration reform. More than
200 members of Houston's Latino immigrant community
attended.

"The change that our department has done is not a new
law and not a new ordinance. It's just a change in the
normal procedure," Houston Police Department spokesman
Gabriel Ortiz told the group, which met at Social Club
Amazonia. "None of our officers are going to detain
someone because they believe that person is here
illegally. If you are ever in that situation report
it, because the police are not supposed to do that."

Aguiluz said CRECEN is working with the police
department on how to present complaints of improper
procedures so that they will be investigated.

Ortiz also answered questions, many of which had to do
with what type of identification was acceptable. Ortiz
said accepting the presented form of identification �
whether it's a driver's license, passport or other
valid ID � as legitimate will be up to each officer.

HPD announced last week that they had turned over
three people to immigration authorities. The three
were among 229 people picked up for minor infractions,
such as traffic offenses. Because of the change in
procedure, they were processed through a national
crime database. The background checks indicated the
three had re-entered the country after being deported,
which is a felony.

Ortiz urged the group to not be afraid to talk to
police.

"I know a lot of people are victims of crime or
witnesses of crime. Don't stop reporting it. Don't
think police are going to ask for your status," Ortiz
said.

Lucio Lorenzana, who is in the country illegally, said
since the new policy went into effect he's been afraid
to drive or run errands. He plans to get a Matricula
Consular card, issued by the Consulate General of
Mexico. HPD had previously told the Houston-area
League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC,
that the Matricula Consular is an acceptable form of
identification.

Houston immigrants-rights activist Mar�a Jimenez said
since immigration reform became a polarizing national
issue, Houston's Latinos have "had to continue to
contend with anti-immigrant sentiments," including
verbal abuse.

- 'Hostile environment'-

"Add to that the changes within the police department
and I think the people are feeling an onslaught in
terms of a very hostile environment," Jimenez said.

The vitriolic sentiments have impacted both citizen
and undocumented Latinos, she said.

"We're painted with the same brush," said Jimenez, who
was a key organizer last spring in the protests
against the original House proposal, which would have
made it a felony to be in the country illegally. At
Sunday's event, she updated the crowd on pending
reform.

"Everything is stalled on immigration reform," she
said, but she nonetheless urged those who are eligible
to vote, or who have family members who are, to cast
their ballots in the upcoming election.

cynthia.garza@...

===============================

~~ LULAC National Board issues statement of support
for Cuban democracy and human rights ~~

October 20, 2006

Washington, DC � The National Board of the League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) voted to adopt
a statement of support calling for a peaceful
transition to democracy in Cuba.

The Cuban government regime has continued to repress
all attempts by the Cuban people to bring a democratic
change to Cuba and denies universally recognized
liberties and human rights, including freedom of
speech, association, movement and the press.
Thousands of political prisoners are currently
imprisoned by the Cuban government�s totalitarian
regime.

In March 2003, the Cuban government carried out a
massive island-wide crackdown on members of Cuba�s
pro-democracy movement, during which pro-democracy
activists were arbitrarily arrested, summarily tried,
and sentenced to up to 28 years for their non-violent
pro-democracy activities.

The U.S. Department of State�s 2004 Country Reports on
Human Rights, refers to Cuba , stating, �Members of
the security forces and prison officials continued to
beat and abuse detainee and prisoners. Prison
conditions remained harsh and life threatening and the
government restricted medical care to some prisoners
as a method of control. Prisoners died as a result.

Therefore, LULAC supports the following:

- Urges the international community, human rights
organizations and religious organizations to support
the Assembly�s mission to bring a peaceful transition
to democracy in Cuba.

- Urges the U.S. government and the International
community to actively oppose any attempts by the Cuban
government to repress or punish the organizers and
participants of the Assembly.

- Promotes and defends human rights and shares the
pro-democracy ideals that will hasten the return of
freedom and democracy for the people of Cuba.

- Calls for the immediate release of all political
prisoners and prisoners of conscience from Cuban
jails and prisons.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens, the
oldest and largest Latino membership organization in
the country, advances the economic conditions,
educational attainment, political influence, health
and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs operating at more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide.

   ----------------------

League of United Latin American Citizens
National Office 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 / FAX (202) 833-6135

Contact:  Lizette Jenness Olmos
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16

===============================

~~ United Farm Workers president addresses Latino
teens at conference ~~

By Vanessa Delgado
Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colorado)
October 22, 2006

In a crowded campus event room, several Latino youths
in Weld County listened and watched speakers tell them
how they are going to change the future.

"You're an eagle and your destiny is to fly," said
Tom Duran, the state director of the League of United
Latin American Citizens. "Education is your future,
education is a key to your success. Be successful."

High school and middle school student members of LULAC
were present Saturday at the University of Northern
Colorado for the annual LULAC Leadership Conference,
"Preserving our past, promoting our future." The
conference teaches students leadership skills,
cultural pride and about education.

As the opening speeches began, seven Greeley West High
School students marched alongside the audience and
presented the Mexican flag.

This year Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United
Farm Workers of America, was asked to speak to
students. He talked about what it means to be a leader
by citing the struggles farm workers faced when they
overcame the oppressions of working in the fields.

"We need to make sure that all the work of Cesar
Chavez, Dolores Huerta and the farm workers continues
on," Rodriguez said. "Whatever you want to do in life,
go out and do it."

The conference is broken up into three sections by age
group.

"I think that the main reason we focus on the youth is
because we want to make sure they are taught the
leadership skills and given the tools that will help
them better their future," said the council's youth
coordinator, Nicole Cordova, in an earlier interview.
"We focus on Latino students and we don't ask if they
are documented or not."

There are several schools in Weld County with LULAC
organizations on campus, however, there are only 20
active councils.

"You are going to be the people that we write about
and take us in a generation that we cannot even
imagine," said Rodriguez.

=================================

~~ Tejano Talent: From different walks of business,
life, LULAC No. 12 rewards leaders ~~

By Scott Shaffer
Laredo Morning Times (Texas)
October 20, 2006

The League of United Latin American Citizens Council
No. 12 celebrated 12 special Hispanic leaders during
its 12th annual Tejano Achiever awards banquet
Thursday.

The 2006 Tejano Achievers are Dr. Francisco G.
Cigarroa, Sonia E. Medina, Paul Young Jr., state Rep.
Richard Noriega, Tom Castro, Salvador Rosas Q., Diana
Fuentes, Larry Dovalina, �Little Joe� Hernandez,
Miguel A. Conchas, Javier Elizondo and the Princess
Pocahontas Council.

A happy gathering estimated at more than 320 friends,
family and LULAC members honored the 12 at the Laredo
Country Club for their contributions and leadership in
medicine, national leadership, entertainment, federal
law enforcement, communications, international trade,
business, community leadership, print media, business
entrepreneurship, civic involvement and community
service.

�We are indeed thrilled to have this caliber of
individual recognized for the award. They are truly
outstanding people,� said event chairman Ed Bueno.

The annual LULAC event funds student scholarships and
promotes equality for all Americans. Bueno illustrated
LULAC�s focus on education by recalling remarks made
by Hispanic role model and nationally recognized math
teacher Jaime Escalante of Los Angeles.

�The day someone quits school, he is condemning
himself to a future of poverty,� Bueno said, quoting
Escalante.

The 2006 honorees are models of commitment to
education and hard work, said the chapter�s president,
Amando Chapa.

�The people we have honored tonight set examples for
our youth,� Chapa said. �They have come from humble
beginnings, gotten an education and made a name for
themselves. They have shown that if you try hard and
work hard, you can be successful.�

Top Hispanic Businessman Paul Young Jr., owner of Paul
Young Auto Group, has worked hard to make his
dealership successful, but he didn�t want all the
attention Thursday evening.

�I asked my sales staff, who are the people who really
pull the wagon, to join us tonight,� Young said.

�They told me, �It�s not that we don�t love you, but
we�re in the middle of a big sale! Go on and have a
good time,�� he said.

Honoree �Little Joe� Hernandez of Little Joe y La
Familia intended to follow the advice of Young�s sales
staff.

�It was a great party,� Hernandez said as he greeted
friends and fans. �I�m really honored. I don�t know if
I deserve this, but I will certainly accept it.�

(Scott Shaffer may be reached at (956) 728-2547 or by
e-mail at sshaffer@...)

===================================

~~ Swain celebrates cultures as Hispanic month wraps ~~

By Alsy Acevedo
Ashville Citizen-Times (North Carolina)
October 14, 2006

When tropical rhythms from the Caribbean,
pre-Columbian Andean tunes, African beats and North
American jazz combine, the result is a complex sound
that explains, without words, the meaning of Hispanic
heritage.

�The fusion of Latin music, reggae and blues reflects
the varieties of cultures we come from,� said Marco
Jer�nimo, manager of the local music group Fusi�n
Latitud.

The group will perform Sunday at the Hispanic Heritage
Month closing celebration at the Swain County Center
for the Arts.

�We usually have a Native American heritage
celebration in November and a black heritage
celebration in February. This is our first time
celebrating Hispanic heritage, and it�s very
exciting,� said Eugene Johnson, director of the Swain
County Center for the Arts, headquartered at Swain
County High School.

Coming from Texas, Adrian Rodriguez, southwest region
vice president of the League of United Latin American
Citizens, will be the keynote speaker.

Rodriguez�s speech will focus on the importance of
parents reassuring their children, by letting them
know they believe in them.

�Given this time in the United States when there is
so much anti-immigrant sentiment � which also becomes
anti-Hispanic sentiment � we have to do more as
parents or teachers of minorities students to help
them succeed,� said Rodriguez, who completed a
master�s in social work from the University of Texas
in Arlington.

Formed in the late 1920s, LULAC is the country�s
largest Hispanic organization.

In 1945, a California LULAC council successfully sued
to integrate the Orange County school system, which
had been segregated on the grounds that Mexican
children were �more poorly clothed and mentally
inferior to white children.�

Nowadays, LULAC advocates for all Hispanic groups that
have come to the United States.

Rodriguez said ethnic groups that share a territory
have to learn about each other to coexist.

Gwen Bushyhead, director of the Swain County Chamber
of Commerce, appreciates the opportunity to be friends
with people of different ethnicities.

�I think that we are all richer when we can experience
diversity,� said Bushyhead, a Scots-Irish descendant
married to a Cherokee.

Since Sept. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month events have
served as a forum for Western North Carolinians to
discuss issues, learn about cultures and taste foods
of Latin America.

The closing ceremony is free and will feature dancers
from Mexico, Chile and local group Flamenco Asheville.
Attendees will enjoy a Mexican buffet provided by
Guayabitos Mexican Restaurant, while listening to
Fusi�n Latitud tunes.

�I believe everyone in the community, especially
teachers and parents who want to expose their children
to new experiences, can take advantage of this event,�
Bushyhead said.

- Closing celebration -

What: Hispanic Heritage Month closing celebration.
When: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Swain County Center for the Arts, 1415 Fontana
Road, Bryson City.
Keynote speaker: Adrian Rodriguez, vice president of
the League of United Latin American Citizens.

==================================

~~ California's Ethnic Leaders Actively Support
Proposition 86 ~~

Financial News
October 13, 2006

(Sacramento, CA) - Citing concern over the high
prevalence of smoking among their constituents,
California's leading ethnic organizations are actively
supporting Proposition 86 and disputing distortions
being made by tobacco company-funded groups about the
impacts of cigarette taxes on ethnic and lower income
communities.

"The argument that this will hurt low income and
minority communities should be seen for what it really
is; a smokescreen designed to keep smoking levels up
and protect the cigarette companies' profits," said
Denise Adams-Simms, M.P.H., executive director of the
California Black Health Network, Inc.
"African-Americans continue to have one of the highest
smoking prevalence rates of any ethnic group.
Moreover, smoking-related illnesses are the primary
cause of death in the African-American community. The
general consensus is that for every 10-cent increase
in the price of cigarettes, smoking decreases by three
to five percent. In the African-American and
low-income population, the decrease is even greater."

"Groups that are funded by tobacco companies that take
a position in the opposite interest of their
constituencies do a serious disservice to their
communities and to the public health," said Dr. Mark
Alexander, chair of the African American Task Force
for the American Heart Association, Western States
Affiliate.

That's why dozens of California's ethnic community
leaders are actively engaging their members to support
Proposition 86, including the following (partial
list):

United Farm Workers
California Latino Legislative Caucus
National African American Tobacco Education Network
AltaMed Health Services Corporation
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc.
Clinica Monsenor Oscar A. Romero
El Concilio del Coronado de Ventura
El Proyecto Del Barrio
La Clinica de La Raza
Salud Para La Gente Inc.
Watts Healthcare Corporation
Asian Business Association, San Diego
Intercultural Cancer Council
Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus
100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc
Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center -
    Orange County
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
Asian Health Services
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Asian Pacific Partners For Empowerment, Advocacy &
Leadership (APPEAL)
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health
Organizations
California Black Health Network
California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
CAPITAL (Council of Asian Pacific Islanders Together
for Advocacy & Leadership)
Filipinos for Affirmative Action
La Raza Network, Inc.
Latino Coalition for a Healthy California
Latino Issues Forum
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Los Angeles Urban League
MAAP, Inc (formerly the Mexican American Alcoholism
Program)
National Latino Congreso
National Latino Council on Alcohol & Tobacco
Prevention
NICOS Chinese Health Coalition
Orange County Korean American Health Information and
Education Center
Orange County Korean U.S. Citizen League
PowerPAC.org
San Fernando Valley Mexican American Political
Association
Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation - Orange County
Vietnamese REACH for Health Initiative Coalition
Urban Latino African American Cancer (ULAAC)
Disparities Project

Yes on Proposition 86 -- A coalition of health
organizations promoting disease research, tobacco
control, emergency care and children's health
services. Major funding by California Hospitals
Committee on Issues, sponsored by California
Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and the
American Cancer Society, California Division Inc.

555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1425, Sacramento, CA 95814

Contact: Yes on Proposition 86
Kris Deutschman, 916-444-8801
----------
Source: Yes on Proposition 86

====================================

~~ Conference Encourages Latino Student Leadership ~~

By Danielle Smith/Staff Writer
Hollister Free Lance (CA)
October 18, 2006

Hollister - Educators, elected officials and other
community role models will be focusing on Latino
students this weekend at the 10th Annual Latino
Student Leadership Conference, a yearly event designed
to encourage students to stay in school and pursue
their dreams.

"It's all about education," said Mickie Luna,
president of the local League of United Latin American
Citizens chapter. "It's about letting them know that
they can accomplish something with their life."

The conference was born 10 years ago, when LULAC youth
members were asked who their local role models and
heroes were.

"The question they asked us was, 'OK, but how are we
actually going to talk with them? How are we going to
know what they're feeling so we'll know when we get to
where they're at?'" Luna said.

That first year, 25 local residents identified by the
youth club were invited to a special lunch, along with
50 students.

"We had 187 students show up," Luna said. "That just
showed what a real need there was in this community.
And ever since then it's grown."

Today the conference, which costs roughly $14,000 for
LULAC to put on, is part motivational seminar, part
career fair and part pep rally. More than 300 students
come to San Benito High School to meet with local
professionals, participate in workshops and grab a
free meal.

"It's perfect exposure for Latino students, for any
students, who are interested in a certain career
field," said Rachel Flores-Zepeda, a SBHS teacher who
has been involved with the event for several years.

The conference begins at 9am with a light breakfast
and career fair where students can pick up information
and speak to representatives about different
businesses and universities, followed by a general
assembly featuring keynote speaker Jimmy Cabrera.

"This man is fantastic," Luna said. "Every time he
comes to Hollister audiences really enjoy him, and he
told me that he's going to be tackling gangs with this
speech."

After the assembly, students can choose to attend one
of several workshops, each focused on a specific
career field. Industry representatives will be on hand
to discuss business development, education,
firefighting, law enforcement, Latinos in the medical
field and Latino radio.

"These workshops are really valuable because they let
the kids speak with these professionals honestly,"
Flores-Zepeda said. "They can ask how much they make,
what they do and don't like about the job, and what
they have to do to get a career in the field."

In the afternoon, parents, young men and young women
are split up into three groups. Each group will
discuss issues unique to their situation - for
example, parents will focus on what they can do to
ensure their children's success. Afterwards students
fill out conference evaluations and can participate in
a raffle for prizes like books or a computer.

"We break them up because we want them to be honest -
sometimes it can be hard to talk openly if your
parents are in the room," Luna said. "And there are
some things young women will not discuss in front of
boys."

Luna says the event is one that LULAC is very proud
of, and attributes its success to community support.

"People know that this is a good thing," she said.
"Since we started in the '90s we have kids who have
grown up and come back to work with the students. That
makes this really special."

Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance.
Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
dsmith@....

=====================================

~~ Hispanic Families Hit Hard With Soaring Tuition
Costs Far Outpacing Inflation, Wages ~~

U.S. Newswire
October 12, 2006

(Washington, DC) College is getting priced out of the
reach of more Latino students, according to a new
report released by the Campaign for America's Future
today. The full cost of college for one year at a
public university now consumes one third of the annual
median household income for Hispanics compared to
one-quarter of annual median household income for a
non-Hispanic, white family.


Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Hilda L. Solis
(D- Calif.) joined Campaign for America's
Future co-director Robert Borosage and League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Executive
Director Brent Wilkes on a conference call with
reporters today to release the new report and to call
on Congress to take steps to make college affordable
and ensure that deserving Hispanic students are not
priced out of college.

The report details how rising costs, stagnant incomes
and flagging public assistance are pricing college out
of the reach of more Latino students. And that is why
it is particularly unconscionable that the Congress,
in this year's budget, slashed $12 billion out of the
student loan program, even while interest rates on
student and parent loans were hiked, and the level of
Pell grants remained frozen for the fifth straight
year. College costs are soaring out of reach -- and
Congress acted to make things worse.

The average cost of attending a public four-year
college has increased 42 percent nationwide since
2000, sticking students with a $2,786 hike in costs.
Over the same period, the latest Census data show that
median family income has fallen 4 percent for
Hispanics and 2 percent overall.

The new report finds that with tuition costs rising
far faster than inflation, real wages still
stagnating, federal assistance shrinking and states
cutting back institutional support, millions of
students are therefore foregoing college, dropping
out, or incurring serious debt.

"The cuts in student loan programs aren't an
accident," said Robert Borosage, co-director of the
Campaign for America's Future. "They are a direct
expression of the conservative commitment to
dismantling government. From college to health care,
conservatives argue that 'You are on your own,' but
for Latino students without the good fortune of being
born to privilege, this is shutting the door on
opportunity, at great cost to this country."

"Education is the key to a better life and success,"
said Solis on the call. "For most Latino students
college affordability and financial aid are the
determining factors when making decisions about their
college education. Therefore, it is disgraceful that
the Republican leadership slashed federal student aid
by $12 billion while college costs keep skyrocketing.
At a time when our Latino students are being left
behind, we need to work harder to make higher
education more affordable and maintain programs that
help students pay for college."

"As Hispanic students try to cope with soaring college
costs, the president and Congress have cut federal
assistance for higher education," said LULAC Executive
Director Brent Wilkes, who joined Borosage and Solis
on today's call. "These increasing costs are
increasingly putting higher education out of reach for
hard working Latinos."

Pell Grants have stagnated for four years, and the
president's current proposal before the House of
Representatives fails to raise meaningfully the
federal awards, putting the maximum Pell Grant at $800
less in constant dollars than it was 30 years ago.

Grijalva noted that across the country, the rising
costs of attending a four-year public college coupled
with the diminished value of the maximum Pell Grant
have limited the college opportunities for many low
income and Latino students.

"Rather than helping the 1.8 million Latino students
at degree-granting institutions, Republicans have made
it harder to pay for college by cutting billions from
federal student aid programs," said Grijalva.
"Congress must restore the real value of federal aid
by cutting the student loan interest rate in half and
re-investing in the Pell Grant Program. Only then, can
we begin to help students overcome debt burden and
realize their dreams of going to college."

The new report documenting the rising financial
barriers to higher education includes a record of key
college affordability votes along with a letter grade
for each member of Congress based on their voting
record. The report also documents campaign
contributions made by the student loan industry giants
Sallie Mae and Nelnet to each member of Congress.

=======================================

~~ Campas challenge hearing is Friday ~~

By Gentry Braswell
Sierra Vista Herald/Review (Arizona)
October 12, 2006

SIERRA VISTA � A statement-of-contest hearing is set
for 1:30 p.m. Friday at Cochise County Superior Court
Division 3 in Bisbee, the first hearing docketed in
Sierra Vista City Council candidate Chris Campas�
challenge of last month�s city primary election
results.

Sept. 28 the council canvassed the vote tallies which
determined Campas, 18, to have been defeated by former
Councilman Bob Blanchard after a primary election
recount, by six votes.

Last week, Sierra Vista law firm Cardinal and Stachel,
representing Campas, filed the complaint with the
Cochise County Clerk of the Court.

State League of United Latin American Citizens, local
LULAC council 1080 and the LULAC legal arm,
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund are
supporting Campas in the challenge, Council 1080
President Ruben Ortega said last week.

Wednesday he commented on LULAC�s involvement with
this case, and explained how council 1080 is helping
prepare for the case.

�LULAC is not a party in the case; we�re helping Chris
along,� Ortega said.

Local LULAC is seeking volunteers to help gather
information from those who were involved with the
Sept. 12 polling, as it seeks to ask those volunteers
whether they observed anything unusual or problematic
during the primary vote at city precinct polling
places.

Campas� challenge cites the outcome of the primary
election is flawed, considering the six-vote
determining margin as it compares to a known 28 city
ballots cast by non-city residents.

These known 28 balloting mistakes occurred at the Fry
and Avenida del Sol precincts, which both comprise
city as well as county constituents.

The complaint filed last week asks the court to
declare Blanchard�s election invalid, order a run-off
election or special election, and order the county
election department to, �establish a procedure to
ensure only qualified and eligible city voters are
permitted to vote in city elections.�

Campas said Wednesday he is concerned a special
election would cost the city money which might be
better spent on something more beneficial, such as a
new teen recreation center.

Judge Wallace Hoggatt will not preside at Friday�s
hearing. Instead, Santa Cruz County Judge James Soto
will do so, according to court staff.

It is not ideal that voters from both the county and
city, in some local precincts, vote at the same
polling stations, City Clerk Jack Cooke said last
week.

Those circumstances provide for the possibility of
polling confusion, like what happened here Sept. 12.

The overlapping of precincts stems from an alignment
about three years ago, of city district lines and
county precinct lines, in response to voters�
complaints of multiple polling stations for the same
voters in different elections, Cooke explained. He
said in May 2003, school district polling locations
were different than city election locations, and in
some cases voters were required to go to a third
location for county polling.

That caused voter confusion, and had a negative effect
on voter turnout, Cooke said, and the realignment soon
came.

City Manager Chuck Potucek said last month during a
regular council meeting that the system has its flaws
but as it currently exists is cheaper for the city,
and is the result of the 2003 realignment remedy, he
reiterated.

Concern has been raised that the same problems will
continue, during the Nov. 7 general election and
henceforth, until the precincts are made uniform.

County Elections Director Tom Schelling said uniform
precincts could be obtained either by city annexation
of unincorporated county enclaves and border city
limit areas on the slightly sprawling west side � or
by reverting to the old springtime city election
cycle.

The city clerk said it is not that simple � county
constituents must vote for their own incorporation,
and it must be remembered that voters� voice led to
the realigning of city district lines to coincide with
the county precinct lines.

While the lines are uniform, the constituencies are
not, and differences in mapping technology between the
Cochise County and Sierra Vista systems remain as
well.

Local geographical information system consultant Ron
Long, who previously contracted with the Cochise
County to implement the its current mapping program
�used to determine voter precinct by address � said
the county�s new system easily identifies a voter�s
precinct based on geographic data.

The city�s data is based on tabular data, he said, not
the geographic grid, so the city�s data doesn�t
translate to the county�s system thus is not shared
back with the county.

�This presents a problem for the (Cochise County)
Recorder�s Office since they can�t match city
addresses in the mapping system. Unlike the addressing
authority, the recorders work both county and city
voter registration records,� the consultant said.

Long said his services are now pending a contract with
Sierra Vista, however; and he expects the city to
begin implementation of a �geo-referenced base map,�
which will be uniform with that of the county. He
anticipates the system switch to be underway by the
New Year.

While such uniform mapping will make it easier to
determine people�s location, hence making it simpler
to determine the appropriate ballot, it will not
eliminate human error.

Deputy City Clerk Jill Adams said human error was the
cause of the 28 known incidences of city ballots
wrongly handed to county voters Sept. 12. As city
clerk staff was made aware such faulty balloting was
taking place, Adams said she arrived at the precincts
to find the ballots specifically made for out-of-city
voters to have been merely forgotten or overlooked by
precinct volunteers, the packages of which had
remained unopened and sitting on the shelf.

Administrators at both the city clerk and county
elections office have said they aim for more
supervisory staff on Nov. 7, as well better efforts
and oversight to prevent precinct volunteer confusion.

Fry precinct volunteer Barbara Garcia said part of the
problem is, many people don�t know whether they live
in the county or in the city, especially in the
unincorporated county enclaves such as Fry Townsite.

The city clerk said the job of precinct polling
volunteers Sept. 12 was also complicated by the new
voter identification laws approved by the Arizona
electorate in 2004.

Incidentally, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
issued last Thursday an injunction, barring the state
from on enforcing those voter identification laws
which have been in place since their implementation
two years ago. The state Attorney General�s Office on
Friday asked the court to reconsider its injunction,
but the court rejected the request Monday.

State Attorney General Terry Goddard said Tuesday he
would file an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme
Court in an effort to reinstate the voter
identification requirement at the polls. But he said
the odds are against the high court reversing the
injunction.

If the Supreme Court refuses to hear the appeal,
voters will not have to show identification to cast
ballots, Goddard said.

Secretary of State Jan Brewer last week expressed
concern about what confusion such an injunction might
cause in next month�s general election.

The Cochise County Recorders Office has asked the
County Attorney�s Office to clarify how best to handle
registrations for which identification compliance on
Nov. 7 hinges the opinion of the high court, and hopes
for a speedy decision either way, that the office may
proceed with election preparation.

The city clerk also said ever-changing rules, a
shortage of elections volunteer staff and aging
volunteers staff make the management and oversight of
precinct polls even more difficult.

herald/review reporter Gentry Braswell can be reached
at 515-4680 or by e-mail at
gentry.braswell@.... The Associated Press
contributed to this report.

==================================

~~ LULAC to Work With TASER International on Best
Practice Use-of-Force Guidelines for TASER Systems ~~

Financial News
Thursday October 12, 2006

(Scottsdale, AZ) - TASER International, Inc.
(NASDAQ:TASR - News), a market leader in advanced
electronic control devices, today announced that the
National Board of Directors of the League of United
Latin American Citizens (LULAC) unanimously passed a
motion last Friday stating that LULAC should continue
to work with TASER International to establish best
practice guidelines for the proper use of TASER(r)
systems.

The motion also states that LULAC aims to serve as a
facilitator for proper training and use-of-force
guidelines in communities throughout the country.

``TASER technology is redefining how law enforcement
officials best protect the communities they serve and
themselves,'' said Tom Smith, president of TASER
International, Inc. ``We are dedicated to working with
civil rights organizations such as LULAC to
communicate the valuable role that TASER technology
can bring to law enforcement departments when those
agencies provide extensive training and clear
use-of-force policies.''

Over the past two years, TASER International has
engaged LULAC leaders at the national and state level
to educate members about the TASER technology and its
impact in local communities across the country in the
reduction of lethal force, excessive use-of-force
complaints, and police officer and suspect injuries.

TASER devices are now used by more than 9,500 law
enforcement agencies nationwide and are largely
responsible for a trend of decreasing citizen
complaints and excessive use-of-force complaints as
well as declines in both officer and suspect injuries.

``TASER International's commitment to convening
community groups to advance policies and oversight of
TASER stun guns is an effort that we fully support,''
said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales.
``Use-of-force policy is a part of every community
throughout the country and we look forward to taking a
leadership role in encouraging a dialogue in our local
communities and beyond.''

   -----------

About the League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC)

LULAC is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights
membership organization in the United States. LULAC
advances the economic condition, educational
attainment, political influence, health, and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
logo is available at
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2932

About TASER International, Inc.

TASER International provides advanced electronic
control devices for use in the law enforcement,
military, private security and personal defense
markets. TASER(r) devices use proprietary technology
in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer
alternative to other uses of force to incapacitate
dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a
risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or
themselves. TASER technology saves lives every day,
and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces
injury rates for police officers and suspects. For
more information on TASER lifesaving technology,
please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or
visit our Web site at http://www.TASER.com.

The TASER International logo is available at
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931

Contact:
           TASER International, Inc.
           Steve Tuttle
           Media ONLY Hotline: (480) 444-4000

           LULAC
           Lizette Jenness Olmos
           Cell: (202) 365-4553

---------------------------
Source: TASER International, Inc.

=======================================

~~ Somerton's 'activista' ~~

BY SARAH REYNOLDS,
Yuma Sun Writer
Oct 8, 2006

Miguel Zazueta dreams of one day becoming the first
Hispanic president of the United States, and the
20-year-old migrant worker's son from Somerton is well
on his way to accomplishing that goal.

"They classified me as the activist. The activista,"
Zazueta said. "That's really my passion. Going out
there, in the rallies, and educating the people about
what's going on."

Zazueta was recognized in the October issue of
Reader's Digest's Spanish-language edition,
Selecciones.

He was chosen as one of six exceptional Hispanic
youths in the United States for the magazine's
"Generation Latino" feature. This is the first year
the magazine has given out these awards, and
spokeswoman Laura Kuschner said they hope to make it
an annual event.

The young people selected were honored for their
contributions in certain categories: the healer, the
innovator, the forecaster, the storyteller and the
contender.

Zazueta was chosen � as the activist.

"I feel real, real honored to be chosen as one of the
first recipients of this award," he said.

He was honored because of his work with the League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Formed in
1929, it is the oldest Hispanic civil rights
organization in the country.

"It believes a lot in community involvement, always
helping out the needy people," Zazueta said.

Zazueta is working to keep LULAC active and growing in
the Yuma area. He first became involved in the group
when he was a student at his charter high school, Jose
Yepez PPEP TEC Learning Center in Somerton.

He recruited 15 of his friends and created a LULAC
youth council in Somerton. It is still active today,
though Zazueta has graduated and gone one to study at
Pima Community College's Desert Vista Campus in
Tucson.

Zazueta has remained engaged in LULAC. Last year, he
served as president of its youth organization. He
lobbied both both local and federal officials,
organized rallies and recruited volunteers.

"I was really involved in it, bringing up the young
community leaders and helping them out in whatever
they need," he said.

Zazueta grew up in the Yuma area. He was born in the
city and spent his childhood moving back and forth
from Yuma to Somerton. His parents had farmland in the
Somerton area.

He said his life changed at age 14 when his parents
divorced. His mother had been a homemaker, but after
that she was forced to take jobs as a migrant worker
to support Zazueta, his three brothers and two
sisters.

"My mother had to work in the fields because she
didn't have an education," he said. "She graduated
from fifth grade and that was it. And she'd be going
up to California every summer, picking lettuce. That
made me be more aggressive, pursuing my career and
what I wanted to become."

Both of Zazueta's parents immigrated to the United
States from Mexico. His father came over legally in
the 1970s. His mother was an undocumented immigrant.
She was able to stay in the country due to the legal
amnesty program of the 1986 Immigration Reform and
Control Act.

"Education would be the key element," he realized. "If
we were able to have easier access to education for
everyone, we would have a better economy, and
eventually less wars and less poverty. ... Education
plays a big role in this country, I believe."

He is studying for his associate's degree in business
administration at Pima. After he earns that, he plans
to go on to study political science and law. He said
the University of Arizona has a good law program, but
ideally he'd like to attend Harvard or Yale.

He is a full-time student, taking 12 credit hours this
semester. He also works full-time in the
administration office of his old charter high school,
dealing with English Language Learning (ELL) issues.

"I'm the assistant director of the ELL program. Each
year we get new laws that are being passed through the
Senate that make the ELL program stricter. Rules have
to be enforced, and I keep them updated with all
that."

Zazueta traveled to Miami Oct. 4, along with the other
"Generation Latino" award recipients, to be honored by
the magazine.

He met Miami Mayor Carlos Alvarez and received a
$2,500 scholarship from McDonald's to continue his
education.

"That was quite an honor for me," he said.

Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@...
or 539-6847.

==================================

~~ Uncommon Knowledge ~~

By Hillary S. Meeks
Killeen Daily Herald (Tx)
October 6, 2006


"Why is it not in our history books?" said Joe Landez
in regard to the lack of Hispanic contributions
recorded in school curricula.

Landez, president of Killeen's League of Latin
American Citizens, was joined by two other speakers in
addressing an audience at the University of
Mary-Hardin Baylor Thursday afternoon for a Hispanic
Heritage Month presentation.

All three of the men were overflowing with knowledge
of Tejano, Mexican and other Hispanic cultures, but
are discouraged by the fact that most of it never
makes it into textbooks.

"I didn't know any of that," said Jaci Armadillo, a
UMHB freshman, after exiting the presentation.

Her friend Erica Arizmendi concurred.

"If it's a part of what the United States is founded
on, then it should be put in textbooks," she said.

Landez said one of the reasons why Hispanic children
have the highest dropout rate is because they have no
example to look up to for inspiration. That, combined
with non-Hispanics having a general attitude of low
expectations toward Hispanics, is a result of not
telling the whole story, he said.

UMHB professor of sociology Juan Martinez listed a
handful of Hispanics who were not only leaders in
their own right, but also played a positive role in
American history.

Included on this list was scientist Mario Molina, who
won a Nobel Prize for discovering chemicals that harm
the ozone layer. Also on the list was Ellen Ochoa, who
became the first Hispanic female astronaut.

"One thing you don't hear about often is Hispanics in
science," Martinez said.

He also made sure to note other Hispanics who
contribute to America are those who serve in the
United States military, some of whom are still
undergoing a U.S. citizenship process.

The third speaker, who calls himself a
"self-proclaimed historian for Tejano history in this
area," was Art Resa, current member and former
president of the Temple-Belton LULAC.

Resa said he became interested in the history of his
family after discovering his ancestors once owned a
ranch in Lampasas, and his grandmother owned plots of
land in the Temple and Belton area. Soon, it became
full-fledged studies and today he has a wealth of
knowledge about Tejano culture in Central Texas.

"I hear a lot of folks here calling themselves
Mexican-American. I think we all get lumped together
as Hispanic," he said, explaining that Tejano is a
term for those people who lived in Texas long before
it became a Republic.

His current project is to record the history of sheep
shearing in Texas, which was a large part of Tejano
culture until the 1980s, when the industry died.

"It's a part of the Tejano community that has never
been documented," he said.

All three of the men said in their presentations that
they could talk for hours about different aspects of
Hispanic heritage, but they only had a few minutes.
They admitted their frustration with this knowledge
not being common.

"What I preach is that we change that, and make it
common knowledge to society as a whole. And it will
have a positive impact on America," Landez said.

Prior to the speakers, Ruby Williams of Killeen's
Multi-Ethnic Cultural and Arts Association regaled the
audience with two traditional dances from the Jalisco
region of Mexico. Background on the dances and
information about MECA was provided by its director,
Daniel Kott.

----------------------------------
Contact Hillary S. Meeks at hmeeks@...

================================

~~ North Texas police may tackle immigration
enforcement ~~

Initiative trains officers to process, detain
criminals

By ERIC AASEN and DIANE JENNINGS
The Dallas Morning News (Tx)
October 7, 2006

On top of working the streets, chasing the bad guys
and hauling criminals to jail, North Texas police
agencies could soon add another job to the mix:
immigration officer.

Irving and Farmers Branch officials are studying a
federal initiative that trains law enforcement to
process and detain illegal immigrants.

And Houston police announced this week � after an
illegal immigrant was arrested in the fatal shooting
of a police officer � that they would work more
closely with federal officials to identify illegal
immigrants under arrest.

The federal initiative that Irving and Farmers Branch
are studying � the 287(g) immigration enforcement
program � would allow police departments to determine
whether illegal immigrants who have committed crimes
are eligible for immigration removal proceedings. The
agencies also could access immigration databases to
determine a person's identity and immigration status,
and begin processing immigrants' removal from the
country.

First, the agencies would be trained by Immigration
and Customs Enforcement on immigration law, civil
rights and issues surrounding racial profiling.

Local officials considering joining the program say
they may opt in over safety concerns and because
Congress has failed to enact significant immigration
reform. Critics say the efforts are politically driven
and could lead to intimidation and racism.

ICE has received 10 queries from Texas entities about
the initiative, although no Texas law enforcement
agencies have undergone training. ICE has received
about 200 inquiries from various agencies nationwide,
and there's been an upswing in interest in the last
year, said Robert J. Hines, who coordinates the
Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiative.

In North Texas, Farmers Branch is expecting a briefing
this month about the 287(g) program, said City Council
member Tim O'Hare, who has received widespread
attention for proposing an ordinance that would limit
where illegal immigrants live and work in his city.

"A city ought to take care of its citizens," he said.
"We owe it to our community to look at it and explore
it and see if it's a good idea."

The Irving City Council is scheduled for a program
briefing Wednesday, Mayor Herbert Gears said. He said
he's "open to any measure that removes criminals from
our society."

Mr. Gears said federal officials take criminals out of
the city jail each week. But he said he would make up
his mind on the federal initiative based on feedback
from Irving police.

Mr. Hines said: "It's hard to point a finger to say
it's a bad thing when you're moving criminal aliens
out of the country."

Some agencies say they're already working with federal
officials to hunt down illegal immigrants with
criminal backgrounds. Others wonder whether they have
enough manpower to expand such efforts.

And others question whether cities, counties and
states should tackle immigration policy, long
considered a federal issue.

"The issue is that if people who are here, whether
illegally or legally, are afraid of the police,
they're not only afraid of the police, they're afraid
of all government officials," said Maida Asofsky,
Houston regional director for the American Civil
Liberties Union. "So what happens is that people are
hesitant to get the services they need," such as
education and health care.

- Irving petition -

In Irving, immigrants made up one-third of the city's
population in 2005, the largest percentage among North
Texas' biggest cities, according to U.S. Census Bureau
data.

Irving resident Sue Richardson is circulating a
petition that urges the City Council to enroll Irving
in the 287(g) effort. She said she isn't "going after
any race or any culture." She's concerned about the
effects of illegal immigration on the country,
especially the financial costs.

Carlos Quintanilla, a Dallas member of the League of
United Latin American Citizens, understands the desire
to apprehend violent criminals. But he worries that
increased immigration enforcement by local police is a
waste of money and could lead to racial profiling.

"You don't deport people for simply running a red
light," he said. "You deport people for killing and
raping and committing armed robberies."

Other cities are taking different steps. After an
illegal immigrant was charged with killing Houston
police officer Rodney Johnson last month during a
traffic stop, that city's police department announced
it would work more closely with federal officials to
identify illegal immigrants involved in crimes by
asking people under arrest about their place of birth.


The announcement brings Houston in line with most of
the rest of Texas, state law enforcement officials
said, and Houston-area LULAC officials applauded the
move.

"It's going to be fair and equal treatment for
everyone," said Jose L. Jimenez, deputy director for
LULAC in Houston.

All Houston arrestees will be subjected to an
automatic fingerprint identity system. Individuals who
are wanted by immigration officials will be held for
federal officials, who will have "full access" to the
city jail.

Mr. Jimenez said LULAC helped craft the policy because
"if they're a criminal, we want to get them off the
street, whether they're Hispanic or not."

Alvin Wright, public information officer for the
Houston Police Department, said innocent immigrants
don't need to worry.

"We're not going to go out and pick up people because
they're just standing around," he said. "We're not
going to stop people and say 'Hey, you look Hispanic;
let me see your ID.' That's not how it operates."

- Standard procedures -

Asking questions about place of birth during the
booking process and running background checks is
largely standard operating procedure, said Adan Mu�oz,
executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail
Standards and former sheriff of Kleberg County.

Access to jails by federal authorities also isn't
unusual. In some counties, particularly in South
Texas, federal officials check county jails daily for
illegal immigrants. They also check the Tarrant County
jail regularly, a county official said.

In Plano, questions about citizenship come up after an
arrest is made. The information allows officials to
determine how many offenses and what types of crimes
are being committed by non-U.S. citizens, compared
with citizens, Officer David Tilley said. After
performing a criminal background check, Plano officers
use their own discretion on how to proceed.

"Personally, if I get back a criminal history on them
that's relatively extensive or violent in nature, I'll
go ahead and notify Immigration," Officer Tilley said.
"If they don't have a criminal history, I don't
usually notify Immigration."

Dallas officers don't ask arrestees about their
citizenship, but jail book-in sheets ask arrestees
where they were born, said Lt. Rick Watson, Dallas
police spokesman.

"It's never been our policy" to ask about immigration
status, he said. "We want people to contact the police
if they need assistance. If we start asking people
what their citizenship is, this will basically
discourage people regarding crimes."

It's up to federal officials to pursue immigration
violations, said Sigifredo Gonzalez, Zapata County
sheriff. He isn't enthused about federal programs that
would allow local law enforcement to take on more
immigration responsibilities.

"If we start enforcing law, we're going to have to put
them in our local jails," he said. "This is a burden
that local taxpayers have to come up with."

Terry Grisham, executive administrator for the Tarrant
County sheriff's office, questions whether the
department should take on additional missions that
traditionally rest with the federal government.

"We could not operate a jail effectively and conduct
our primary mission if we became overrun with federal
prisoners," Mr. Grisham said. "No one's going to
investigate a burglary ... or maintain prisoners in
our jail if we don't do it."

-------------------------------
Staff writer Tiara M. Ellis contributed to this
report.
E-mail eaasen@... and
djennings@...

==================================

~~ Bayou Vista wades into immigration debate ~~

By TJ Aulds
The Galveston County Daily News (Tx)
October 7, 2006

BAYOU VISTA � This bayfront community is not at the
forefront of the national illegal immigration debate,
but a resolution adopted by its city council aims to
put the White House and Congress on notice.

A statement demanding tougher enforcement of
immigration laws and for the federal government to
close the country�s �open borders� not only passed
unanimously, it prompted another official to seek a
similar resolution for his city.

Bayou Vista Mayor William Jackson said the resolution
is meant to put the city on record about its stance on
the illegal immigration debate that has raged most of
the summer. At the request of city alderman Ross
Leago, the resolution is pretty straightforward.

In it, the city is �imploring and urging President
George W. Bush and the executive branch of the United
States government and the UnitedStates Senate and
House of Representatives to strongly enforce the
United States Immigration and Nationality Act.�

Jackson said the resolution, which is to be copied to
the White House and Congress, includes a demand to
�close the open borders� of the country. The statement
is meant to send a message that the issue of illegal
immigration is squarely a federal issue, said Jackson.

Bayou Vista�s action is the first of its kind in
Galveston County.

A top area official with The League of United Latin
American Citizens said such resolutions add little to
the debate about how the country deals with illegal
immigration.

�The fact is, it�s an election year, and we have a lot
of local politicians jumping on the bandwagon,� said
Jose Luis Jimenez, the deputy district director for
the District 8 office of LULAC.

While not focusing on the resolution adopted by Bayou
Vista, he said the concern comes if city officials
decide to take further action in making immigration
enforcement a local issue.

�All we are asking is people to pay attention to the
laws.�

As such, such resolutions may just be adding more fuel
to an already hot political fire.

�That�s all it really is. There is no solution offered
by any of these letters,� he said.

Actually, supporters say the solution is to push for
tougher enforcement of current laws.

To that end, Bayou Vista found support a few miles
north in Friendswood, where the city�s mayor pro tem
plans to offer a similar resolution for his council to
consider.

Chris Peden gave Jackson and his council credit for
showing �great leadership� in adopting the resolution.
As a result, Peden said, he would push for adoption of
Friendswood�s own resolution on illegal immigration to
be considered in an upcoming council meeting.

===end===

~~ LAPD officer's home is searched over voter letter
to O.C. Latinos ~~

Authorities believe the man, described as a friend of
congressional candidate Tan Nguyen, had a role in the
incident.

By Christine Hanley and Christian Berthelsen
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 26, 2006

State investigators have searched the home of a Los
Angeles Police Department officer they believe played
a key role in mailing out thousands of racially
charged letters to Latino voters in an Orange County
congressional district this month.

The officer has been identified as Mark Nhan Nguyen,
32, a three-year veteran of the force who works as a
collision investigator in South Los Angeles, according
to sources familiar with an ongoing investigation by
the state attorney general into the letter and whether
the mailing violated any laws.

Mark Nguyen lives in the same house as a campaign
staffer for Republican congressional candidate Tan
Nguyen, who is running an underdog effort to unseat
Democratic incumbent Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana).

Tan Nguyen, who is not related to the officer, has
acknowledged that the campaign worker was involved in
sending out the controversial letters. He said he
fired her but has since offered to rehire her, saying
he now believes the letter was accurate and legal.

Investigators have also identified the person believed
to have written the letter, sources said.

The letter has been criticized by politicians across
the country who called it an incendiary attempt to
scare Latinos from the polls in next month's
elections. Nguyen has rejected calls that he quit the
race and, on Wednesday, appeared on conservative talk
radio to tout his campaign.

The search of Mark Nguyen's home is another piece in
the puzzle of a fast-unfolding investigation into who
was responsible for the mailing. Investigators
searched Tan Nguyen's campaign office and home last
week, hauling away computers and documents.

The letter falsely warned that immigrants could be
jailed or deported for voting and claimed the state
had developed a tracking system to turn over the names
of Latino voters to anti-illegal immigrant groups. The
letter was printed on what appeared to be the
letterhead of a Huntington Beach-based group that
favors tightening the border. The group said it had no
involvement in the letter.

The voter list used to send the mailer contained the
names of 14,000 registered Democrats with Latino
surnames born outside of the United States. On
Wednesday, the secretary of state's office sent a
corrective letter written in English and Spanish to
those same voters, saying it contained "false and
misleading information about your right to vote in
California" and that it should be ignored.

Tan Nguyen said the letter was mailed without his
knowledge. But others contend he was directly involved
at various stages, including buying the list of voters
to whom the mailer was sent and calling the mail house
that printed it to speed up its production.

Mark and Tan Nguyen are described by people familiar
with details of the investigation as close friends who
met in college in 1992 at UCLA. Sources said Mark
Nguyen contracted with a Huntington Beach mail house
under an alias to produce the letter and then paid
$4,000 for it on his credit card.

Mark Nguyen also contributed $2,100 to Tan Nguyen's
campaign. On federal contribution reports, he listed
his occupation as a community service provider for the
city of Los Angeles.

Mark Nguyen could not be reached for comment at his
home or work telephone numbers, and a person at his
home address said she had not seen him or the campaign
staffer in a week.

"Mr. Nguyen will not comment publicly on this matter
at this time," said Wendy Sugg, his lawyer.

"We will provide all pertinent information to the
appropriate authorities at such time it becomes
necessary."

Agents from the state attorney general's office
searched Mark Nguyen's Anaheim home Friday afternoon,
as search warrants were also being served at the
candidate's home and campaign headquarters.

The attorney general's office has said it seized five
computers from Nguyen's campaign headquarters and
other computers and documents in various searches.

The search warrant affidavits, filed in Orange County
Superior Court, have been sealed. A computer and
documents were taken in the search of Mark Nguyen's
home, a source said.

Though his home was searched, Mark Nguyen has not been
interviewed by the attorney general's investigators,
sources said.

Officials from the LAPD's internal affairs division
were present, according to one source. The LAPD has
not taken any action against Nguyen, and Capt. William
Sutton, Nguyen's commanding officer in the South
Traffic division, said he could not comment.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Tan Nguyen declined to
comment on Mark Nguyen, saying he had already
discussed details of the case "far and beyond" his
lawyers' recommendation.

   -----------------
Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this
report.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-nguyen26oct26,1,2442317.story?col\
l=la-editions-orange

====================================

~~ Closer look at illegal voting ~~

Holes in law allow some non-citizens to register, but
most don't cast ballots, expert says.

By MARTIN WISCKOL
The Orange County Register
October 26, 2006

California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson sent a
letter Wednesday to foreign-born registered voters who
had earlier received an intimidating mailer from a
congressional campaign.

The mailer, which has been traced to U.S. House
candidate Tan Nguyen's campaign, sparked a state
investigation and bipartisan condemnation. McPherson's
letter assures recipients that they can vote despite
warnings in the earlier mailer.

Outrage over the Nguyen mailer � sent to 14,000 voters
in central Orange County � has been focused primarily
on the assumption that most recipients are U.S.
citizens legally registered to vote.

But it is not a fail-safe assumption. In 1996, some
743 non-citizens were found to have voted in the
controversial congressional race in which Loretta
Sanchez upset Bob Dornan � the same seat for which
Sanchez and Nguyen are now vying. Since then, only a
few safeguards have been put in place to prevent
non-citizens from registering and voting.

"The (non-citizen) registrations are more likely to
happen than (non-citizen) voting," said Richard Hasen,
an elections-law expert at Loyola Marymount Law
School. "Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck get registered
to vote because of the bounty hunters."

"Bounty hunters" are people hired to register voters
outside supermarkets or malls or other public places
and are paid for each new voter they register. Some
bounty hunters are under investigation on suspicion of
wrongly changing hundreds of county Democrats to
Republican registration this year.

The letters sent last week by Nguyen's campaign warned
immigrants not to vote. The message has been widely
attacked as an unsavory effort to suppress the Latino
vote.

Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley believes the 14,000
recipients of the Nguyen campaign letter were U.S.
citizens.

"More than likely, they're all legally registered,"
Kelley said. "The people that fill out registrations
are generally following the law."

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 put a few safeguards
in place to prevent non-citizens from registering and
voting. New registrants are now required to provide a
driver's license, California ID or the last four
numbers of their Social Security number before they
vote. When they show up at the polls, first-time
voters who register by mail or with a bounty hunter
must provide a photo ID or other documents that show
their name and address.

Stricter identification requirements have been
rejected out of concerns that further measures would
deter legitimate voters, particularly foreign-born
U.S. citizens.

The non-citizens voting in the 1996 congressional race
resulted in part from an aggressive voter registration
drive in which dozens of immigrants who were waiting
to be sworn in as citizens registered to vote
prematurely.

Hasen said that even if non-citizens are registered to
vote by bounty hunters, they are unlikely to vote
because they may not be motivated and because they may
be aware that they would be voting illegally.

Arizona, with a law upheld by the Supreme Court last
week, now requires all voters to show identification
before receiving a ballot at the polling place.
Barbara Coe, chairwoman of the California Coalition
for Immigration Reform, would like to take it a step
farther and have a birth certificate required for
voter registration.

"This is a major issue for every candidate who has the
guts to come out and speak out on the illegal-alien
invasion," she said.

Reports of voting by non-citizens point to O.C. in
1997 race and Utah in 2005:

1997:After losing his Orange County congressional seat
to Democrat Loretta Sanchez by fewer than 1,000 votes,
Republican Bob Dornan said votes cast by immigrants
who registered to vote before becoming citizens cost
him the election. A yearlong investigation found that
743 such ballots were cast, but this would not have
been enough to give Dornan the victory.

2005: During discussion of legislation on drivers'
licenses for undocumented workers, Utah Legislative
Auditor General John Schaff said more than 58,000
illegal immigrants had Utah driver's licenses, nearly
400 of them used their licenses to register to vote in
Utah, and a sampling revealed at least 14 voted in an
election. The Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office began
investigating in August of that year.

In some other states, laws seeking to keep
non-citizens and illegal immigrants from voting have
been challenged in court recently:

- ARIZONA -

Controversy surrounds the voter-approved Proposition
200, which mandates that proof of citizenship be shown
when registering to vote. Critics said the law would
disenfranchise citizens who lacked the time, money and
mobility to obtain such documentation, most notably
minorities and the oldest voters. This month, the 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked it from taking
effect for the November election. The state attorney
general appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and last
week justices issued an order allowing Arizona to
require photo IDs next month pending their review of
the law's constitutionality.

- GEORGIA -

Confusion is expected among voters and poll workers
over a new voter identification law recently struck
down as unconstitutional by a state judge. After that,
the Georgia election board mailed 20,000 letters
telling voters they had to bring a government-issued
photo ID in order to cast their ballots.

- MISSOURI -

On Monday, the state Supreme Court struck down a state
law requiring voters to present government-issued
photo identification. Election officials worried
voters would be confused. This year also marks the
first for many counties to use electronic voting.

Compiled by news researcher Michael Doss
CONTACT US: mwisckol@... or 714-285-2867
Register staff writer Ron Campbell contributed to this
story. Register staff writer Ron Campbell contributed
to this story.

   ---------------------------

The Help America Vote Act

Passed in 2002 to make it harder for non-citizens to
register or vote.

New registrants must provide a driver's license,
California ID, or the last four digits of their Social
Security number before voting.

First-time voters who registered through the mail or
with a bounty hunter must provide a photo ID or other
document showing their name and address at the poll
before casting a ballot.

To read the text of the act go to:
www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm

   --------------------------

- Letter responds to disputed campaign mail -

Below is the text of the letter sent to 14,000 voters
by the California secretary of state, the
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the
National Council of La Raza and the National
Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Dear Sir/Madam:

You may have recently received a letter with false and
misleading information about your right to vote in
California.

We are writing to inform you that the Secretary of
State's Office and Latino civil rights organizations
agree: You should ignore that letter. It was
unauthorized and inaccurate.

An investigation is going on now to determine who sent
the letter.

Voting is one of the most important rights and duties
of American citizenship. You are encouraged to
participate and vote in the upcoming November 7, 2006
General Election!

The purpose of this notice is to inform you of the
official state requirements to register and vote.

Immigrants who become naturalized United States
citizens are eligible to register and vote in
elections in California. The other requirements to
register to vote are to be 18 years old on or before
Election Day, a resident of California, a United
States citizen (including a naturalized citizen), not
in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony, and
not judicially determined to be mentally incompetent.

Because of a new federal law, if you are a first-time
voter who registered to vote by mail you may have to
show a form of identification when you vote, such as
your utility bill or bank statement that includes your
name and address.

There is still time to vote absentee. The last day an
application to vote absentee can be received by your
county elections office for the November 7, 2006
General Election is October 31st. There is an
application to vote by mail contained in your sample
ballot.

For more information, or for any questions, you can
call the Secretary Of State's office at 1-800-345-VOTE
(8683) or 1-800-232-VOTA (8682) or you can visit
www.ss.ca.gov.

   ------------------------------

Who is registered to vote?

There were 297,192 foreign-born registered voters in
Orange County as of March. Below are the top five
countries of origin for such voters:

Vietnam:73,083/ 24.6 percent *
Mexico: 54,763/ 18.4 percent
Philippines: 20,116/ 6.8 percent
Korea: 18,828/ 6.3 percent
China: 15,732/ 5.3 percent

*percentage of foreign born voters

Source: California Secretary of State

====================================

~~ Letter promises immigrants that voting won't lead
to arrests ~~

Miami Herald, Florida
Associated Press
October 26, 2006

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - The California secretary of
state mailed letters Wednesday to counteract an
intimidating flier linked to a Republican
congressional candidate's campaign that warned
immigrants they could go to jail if they vote.

The bilingual letter, endorsed by several Hispanic
civil rights groups, encourages U.S. citizens to vote
Nov. 7, informs them of the official state
requirements to register and tells them to ignore the
''false and misleading'' information in the earlier
flier.

The letter went out to all 14,000 Hispanic voters who
received the flier sent this month.

The flier was linked to the campaign of Tan Nguyen,
who is running for Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez's
seat in Orange County. Written in Spanish, it warned:
``You are advised that if your residence in this
country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in
a federal election is a crime that could result in
jail time.''

In fact, naturalized U.S. citizens have the right to
vote.

State and federal investigators are looking into a
possible voting rights violation; Nguyen's campaign
office was raided last week.

Nguyen has denied approving or having any advance
knowledge of the letter and has resisted calls by
Republicans and Democrats to give up his underdog
campaign.

Nguyen said last week that he fired an employee in his
office that he believed might have used his campaign's
voter database to send the letter without his
knowledge.

But on Tuesday he said neither he nor any of his paid
campaign staffers wrote or funded the mailing, and his
attorney said campaign volunteers did much of the
work. Nguyen said, however, that his office manager
had forwarded the database to a third party.

=================================

~~ O.C. supervisors decline to send letter reassuring
Latino voters ~~

Instead, they adopt a resolution condemning the
mailing, sent by a GOP campaign, that warned
immigrants about voting.

By Christian Berthelsen
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 25, 2006

Orange County supervisors on Tuesday refused to send a
clarification letter to 14,000 Latino Democrats who
received a mailing linked to a Republican
congressional candidate warning immigrants they could
be jailed and deported if they vote in next month's
election.

The four Republican supervisors overrode the request
of the lone Democrat, Lou Correa, that the letter be
sent out and instead passed a resolution condemning
the campaign mailer. The California secretary of
state's office has already said it will send a
corrective notice to recipients of the original
letter.

The state attorney general's office has traced the
mailer to the campaign of Tan Nguyen, who is running
in an underdog bid to unseat Rep Loretta Sanchez
(D-Santa Ana) in the 47th District. Nguyen has said
his office manager was involved in sending the mailer
but denied any knowledge of it.

The Republicans, led by board Chairman Bill Campbell,
said they did not want to set a precedent and allow
the county registrar of voters to become the arbiter
of campaign disputes. They also raised concerns about
the cost to taxpayers, even though the largest county
employees union and the campaigns of state Senate
candidates Correa and Lynn Daucher, who are running
for the seat that overlaps the congressional district
where the letter was sent, offered to reimburse the
county.

Ashley Giovannettone, a spokeswoman for the secretary
of state's office, said the state's correction letter,
which will be in Spanish and English, was being
finalized and might be sent out as early as today to
the people who received the initial campaign mailing.

Republican political operatives have criticized
government correction letters as being
taxpayer-funded, get-out-the-vote advertisements for
district Democrats. Democrats say it is the
registrar's job to counter efforts to disenfranchise
voters.

Among those urging the county to send the letter were
the mayors pro tem of Garden Grove and Anaheim, where
many residents received the mailer, as well as
Daucher.

Although many speakers applauded the board's
resolution, several said the county needed to go
further.

"This might be Southern California, but it's not the
deep South," said Patrick D. Kelly, the
secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 952.

"It needs to come from the person who says, 'You can
vote here in this county,' " said Ruben Alvarez, a
Santa Ana resident and community activist who received
the mailer.

Although the board was scheduled to discuss and vote
on Correa's request for a correction letter, Campbell
and board member Chris Norby pushed a superseding
motion to adopt the resolution condemning the mailer.
As a result, the board never voted on Correa's
original proposal.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-ocsupes25oct25,1,3971521.story?co\
ll=la-editions-orange

====================================

~~ O.C. board won't correct letter sent to immigrants ~~

County supervisors instead pass a resolution
condemning voter intimidation.

By PEGGY LOWE
The Orange County Register
October 25, 2006

Republican Orange County supervisors on Tuesday
rejected a plan by the board's only Democrat to send
an official letter correcting misinformation aimed at
immigrants and spread by GOP candidate Tan Nguyen.

But the 14,000 registered voters who were targeted by
Nguyen's campaign will soon be receiving a letter from
the California secretary of state. Those letters � in
both English and Spanish � could be sent as early as
today.

The state letter was one of the reasons the four GOP
supervisors said there was no need to send anything
from the county Registrar of Voters, despite the
"serious transgressions" in Nguyen's mailer.

During a meeting with so many twists that even
longtime board watchers were confused, supervisors did
little more than discuss the scandal that has garnered
national headlines for a week. Ultimately, the board
passed a resolution, merely an official statement,
condemning voter intimidation.

Democrat Lou Correa lost on his request for a letter
from the county and for a backup plan that called for
a law enforcement task force to watch polls on
Election Day. Correa, who wanted the county statement
to cite Nguyen's letter as "illegal," voted against
the resolution, calling it a "limbo" that didn't do
enough to stem the problems brought on by Nguyen's
mailing.

Hispanics, union representatives and even Correa's
challenger for a state Senate seat urged the board to
direct Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley to send an
official letter giving the targeted registered voters
the correct information and urging them to vote.

"This may be Southern California, but it's not the
Deep South," said Patrick Kelly, a Teamsters
spokesman.

Nguyen is challenging Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez
in the 47th Congressional District. State and federal
authorities last week launched separate probes into
letters sent by Nguyen's campaign, which advised
immigrants against voting and told them to ignore
politicians who told them they could.

Supervisor Bill Campbell said he felt the letters were
a "serious transgression" but that it is not the
registrar's job to fix those problems at taxpayer
expense.

"Our Registrar of Voters' role is not to be the
arbiter of truth," Campbell said. "The Registrar of
Voters' role is to conduct open, honest, accurately
tallied elections."

Supervisors also argued that if a letter was sent in
this instance, it would open the floodgates to all
campaigns, with those seeking office demanding letters
correcting anything they felt had been unfair.

Lynn Daucher, locked in a tight race against Correa
for the 34th state Senate seat, supported sending the
official letter and offered to pay for it or split the
cost with Correa. Nguyen's letter was obviously done
to discourage voters, she said.

"That damage should be undone," Daucher said.

The 34th state Senate District and the 47th
Congressional District overlap, so voters in the race
between Daucher and Correa also received the Nguyen
campaign's letter.

Union leader Nick Berardino also offered to pay the
costs of a county mailing. But by Tuesday evening,
there were no plans for letters sent by county
officials and paid with private funds.

The secretary of state's letter will outline laws on
voting participation and will encourage eligible
voters to vote, said Ashley Giovannettone, a
spokeswoman.

"The goal is to set the record straight and clear up
any confusion from the earlier letter," she said.

=============================

~~ Campaign scandal peeves Little Saigon ~~

Congressional candidate's letter warning Latino
immigrants not to vote brings publicity that's
embarrassing to many Vietnamese Americans.

By Mai Tran, Kelly-Anne Suarez and Christopher Goffard
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 25, 2006

For years, the periodic eruptions of controversy in
Little Saigon have played out as mostly insular
affairs, however raucous � family tiffs in a community
that prefers to keep its arguments in-house.

Now, as if to signify a final rite of passage into
U.S. political power, the immigrant community here
faces an unwelcome national spotlight with a
full-fledged, old-fashioned American scandal centering
on a congressional candidate's alleged dirty trick.

Mostly, people in Little Saigon � an immigrant
community that includes parts of Westminster, Garden
Grove and Santa Ana � are embarrassed by Tan Nguyen, a
Republican who acknowledges that his campaign sent out
a letter to thousands of registered Democrats with
Latino surnames. It warned in Spanish that immigrants
might be jailed or deported if they were to vote.
Nguyen says the letter, which has sparked national
condemnation, was the work of a campaign staffer and
an innocent mistake, though he calls its message
accurate and legal.

In front of the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster on
Tuesday, clusters of men gathered under umbrellas with
cigarettes and Vietnamese-language newspapers, trading
opinions. Many were anxious to learn whether Nguyen �
who is being investigated by the state attorney
general's office over the letter � will be charged
with a crime.

"If he really did it, it's an embarrassment for the
Vietnamese community," said White Dao, a retired golf
club worker from Westminster. But Dao added that he
would vote for Nguyen anyway "because he's Vietnamese
and he's always going to help the Vietnamese
community."

Last week, before Nguyen's office was linked to the
letter, Vietnamese-language media, including an
alternative newspaper, Viet Weekly, were touting him
as a strong candidate against Democratic incumbent
Loretta Sanchez in the 47th District, even though he
is otherwise viewed as having little chance.

When the scandal broke, candidates running for other
offices were swift in their denunciation of Nguyen,
and the Vietnamese American media started running
translated articles from mainstream newspapers.

"There's been a lot of interest in this story," said
Le Vu, publisher of Viet Weekly. "We get calls from
all over the place asking what's going on with Tan
Nguyen." Vu said Thursday's issue will be entirely
about Nguyen.

Tony Vo, a 22-year-old Anaheim man who manages an ice
cream shop, said the letter was a disappointment.
"He's just trying to get ahead," Vo said. "It just
shows that he's got no integrity."

Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Garden Grove), whose rise to
office has reflected the dramatic ascent of the
Vietnamese American political voice, said Nguyen alone
was responsible for his actions.

"The Vietnamese community is troubled by what has
happened and feels a lot of regret for the entire
scandal," Tran said. "You cannot indict the entire
community, which has very good relations with the
Hispanic community in the past, on the action of one
individual."

Phu Nguyen, vice president of the Vietnamese American
Community of Southern California and no relation to
Tan Nguyen, said many people were hoping the candidate
wasn't behind the letter.

While Tan Nguyen made stemming illegal immigration the
centerpiece of his candidacy for Congress, Phu Nguyen
said that among Vietnamese Americans, immigration was
not a predominant concern.

"We're here legally and we've gone through great
hardships, but I don't think all that gives us any
right to look down upon those who got here illegally,"
Phu Nguyen said. "Whether we're here legally or
illegally, we all strive for the same thing. We come
here for the opportunity."

Jeffrey Brody, a professor at Cal State Fullerton and
expert on the Vietnamese American experience, said
that although anticommunist sentiment has
traditionally drawn Vietnamese immigrants to the
Republican Party, Democrats' emphasis on social
services has for some years been winning over many of
them.

In 1975, when the fall of Saigon generated the first
great wave of Vietnamese refugees, the feeling in
Congress and among the American public was against
their settling in the United States. A push from
President Ford made it possible.

"Maybe Nguyen has forgotten his history," Brody said.
"It took the president of the United States to get the
country behind the resettlement of the Vietnamese�. It
would seem to me that if you're refugees, you'd have
sympathy for fellow immigrants."

Daniel Do-Khanh, an Irvine lawyer active in the
Vietnamese community, said that in many cases, votes
are cast not along party lines but over issues or
candidates. "I would say the issues that affect
Vietnamese Americans are the same that affect the
general community," Do-Khanh said. "Healthcare.
Crime."

He described Nguyen as "just a flash-in-the-pan, rogue
politician" whose behavior "undermines the work of so
many people that have spent time building bridges
among communities."

Do-Khanh added: "He stands no chance against Loretta
Sanchez. He's not even a blip on the radar."

Little Saigon, home to the largest Vietnamese
community outside Vietnam, has seen its share of
drama, but nothing of this particular stripe. In 1999,
after a merchant posted a Communist flag and a
photograph of the late Ho Chi Minh in his Westminster
video store, outraged crowds staged a 53-day protest
on Bolsa Avenue.

In 2004, Little Saigon roundly criticized the former
premier of South Vietnam, a California resident, when
he decided to visit that now-Communist country. In
2005, threats of protest thwarted a Little Saigon
visit by the Vietnamese prime minister.

   --------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-nguyen25oct25,1,1983563.story?col\
l=la-editions-orange

===================================

~~ SoCal Vietnamese React to Congressman Investigation ~~

KNX 1070 News
October 25, 2006

WESTMINSTER, CA (AP) - Members of Southern
California's Vietnamese community are reacting to news
that one of their own is being investigated for
possible campaign law violations.

The campaign of Republican congressional candidate Tan
Nguyen sent an intimidating and possibly illegal
letter to Hispanic voters.

Republican Assemblyman Van Tran says the Vietnamese
community is troubled by the scandal that some see as
pitting Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrants against one
another.

But he says Southern California's Vietnamese and
Hispanics have good relations, and the Vietnamese
community can't be condemned based on Nguyen's
actions.

White Dao of Manchester says" it's an embarrassment
for the Vietnamese community" if Nguyen is charged
with a crime.

But he says he'd still vote for the candidate "because
he's Vietnamese and he's always going to help the
Vietnamese community."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.

==================================

~~ Supervisors Approve Resolution Condemning Voter
Intimidating Letter ~~

SANTA ANA, October 24, 2006 - The Orange County Board
of Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday condemning
a campaign letter sent to Hispanics to discourage
immigrant voting, but refused to authorize a
reciprocal mailing assuring voting rights.

The resolution, which passed on a 4-1 vote, states
that a letter sent to some 14,000 registered voters
contained at least two false statements.

The resolution, authored by board Chair William
Campbell, assures recipients that immigrants who have
become citizens have the right to vote, and that the
United States has not developed a tracking system that
allows the names of newly registered voters to be
collected and made available to anti- immigrant
groups.

"That's as straightforward as can be," Campbell said
after introducing the resolution.

Tan Nguyen, who is challenging Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove, in the 47th Congressional District,
has admitted the letter came from his campaign. But he
maintains that no laws were broken, and has rejected
calls by both parties to abort his campaign.

His campaign headquarters was raided last week, and
the state attorney general has launched an
investigation.

Supervisor Lou Correa, who is running against
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher, R-Brea, in the 34th Senate
District -- where some voters received the letters --
said Campbell's resolution merely shows that the
county is "in limbo" over the issue.

"We want to do something, but we're not quite sure
what," said Correa, who cast the lone dissenting vote.
"I don't believe this resolution is enough."

Correa had asked the board to consider ordering Neal
Kelley, the county registrar, to prepare a letter to
go out to the recipients.

"I'm asking for an affirmative action (by the Board of
Supervisors) to counter what is clearly a desperate
act by a desperate candidate," Correa said.

He said intimidated recipients would rely more on a
letter by local voting officials reassuring them of
their right to vote than one coming from a state
official.

His stance was supported by most speakers during the
public comment period.

Ruben Alvarez, a member of a city of Santa Ana board
who said he and his wife got one of the letters, said
one of the duties of the registrar is to protect the
integrity of the voting process.

Richard Chavez, mayor pro tem of the city of Anaheim,
said action by the registrar "is not only logical and
appropriate but very necessary."

But Campbell insisted that it would not be appropriate
-- and would set a bad precedent -- for the Registrar
of Voters to undertake a mailing, at taxpayer expense,
to send the resolution or any other response to the
recipients.

"I don't see a slippery slope; I see an avalanche," he
said.

Once the precedent is set, others may demand that the
registrar correct false information in campaigns, then
could demand that the registrar look at every piece of
campaign mail and seek pre-approval for campaign
statements.

"That's not what the registrar of voters is about," he
said.

Campbell said the resolution and an accompanying
letter could be sent to the affected voters by the
candidates themselves or by other organized groups.

Opponents of Campbell's resolution reminded the board
that the sender of the original letter -- who signed
his name as Sergio Ramirez -- warned recipients not to
listen to politicians who try to tell immigrants who
are not yet naturalized that they do have the right to
vote.

"They only want to win elections without any regard to
what happens to you," the letter states.

After public comment, Correa made a motion to get law
enforcement involved by creating a task force of
officials to take a proactive stance in looking for
signs of intimidation and to be prepared to go into
court to get restraining orders if necessary.

He suggested the possibility of having plainclothes
officers monitor polling places.

Campbell said he would be willing to consider creating
a task force, but said that "one person's protector
can be another person's intimidator."

Nguyen, who trails Sanchez in the polls, said earlier
that the problem occurred because the letter was
written in English and when translated into Spanish
gave the impression that all immigrants, not just
those who are not naturalized citizens, are ineligible
to vote.

The letter also said in part that "if your residence
in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant,
voting in a federal election is a crime that could
result in jail time, and you will be deported for
voting without having a right to do so."

On Monday, gubernatorial hopeful Phil Angelides joined
with other Democratic candidates for several statewide
and local offices in calling for prosecution of
everyone responsible for the letter. He also called
for action by Kelley.


Copyright � 2006 KABC-TV and The Associated Press. All
rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

==============================

~~ Resolution Condemning Intimidating Letter Approved ~~

cbs2.com
October 24, 2006

(CBS) SANTA ANA The Orange County Board of Supervisors
passed a resolution Tuesday condemning a campaign
letter sent to Hispanics to discourage immigrant
voting, but refused to authorize a reciprocal mailing
assuring voting rights.

The resolution, which passed on a 4-1 vote, states
that a letter sent to some 14,000 registered voters
contained at least two false statements.

The resolution, authored by board Chair William
Campbell, assures recipients that immigrants who have
become citizens have the right to vote, and that the
United States has not developed a tracking system that
allows the names of newly registered voters to be
collected and made available to anti-immigrant groups.


"That's as straightforward as can be," Campbell said
after introducing the resolution.

Tan Nguyen, who is challenging Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove, in the 47th Congressional District,
has admitted the letter came from his campaign. But he
maintains that no laws were broken, and has rejected
calls by both parties to abort his campaign.

His campaign headquarters was raided last week, and
the state attorney general has launched an
investigation.

Supervisor Lou Correa, who is running against
Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher, R-Brea, in the 34th Senate
District, where some voters received the letters, said
Campbell's resolution merely shows that the county is
"in limbo" over the issue.

"We want to do something, but we're not quite sure
what," Correa, who cast the lone dissenting vote said.
"I don't believe this resolution is enough."

Correa had asked the board to consider ordering Neal
Kelley, the county registrar, to prepare a letter to
go out to the recipients.

"I'm asking for an affirmative action (by the Board of
Supervisors) to counter what is clearly a desperate
act by a desperate candidate," Correa said.

He said intimidated recipients would rely more on a
letter by local voting officials reassuring them of
their right to vote than one coming from a state
official.

His stance was supported by most speakers during the
public comment period.

Ruben Alvarez, a member of a city of Santa Ana board
who said he and his wife got one of the letters, said
one of the duties of the registrar is to protect the
integrity of the voting process.

Richard Chavez, mayor pro tem of the city of Anaheim,
said action by the registrar "is not only logical and
appropriate but very necessary."

But Campbell insisted that it would not be appropriate
-- and would set a bad precedent -- for the Registrar
of Voters to undertake a mailing, at taxpayer expense,
to send the resolution or any other response to the
recipients.

"I don't see a slippery slope; I see an avalanche," he
said. Once the precedent is set, others may demand
that the registrar correct false information in
campaigns, then could demand that the registrar look
at every piece of campaign mail and seek pre-approval
for campaign statements.

"That's not what the registrar of voters is about," he
said. Campbell said the resolution and an accompanying
letter could be sent to the affected voters by the
candidates themselves or by other organized groups.

Opponents of Campbell's resolution reminded the board
that the sender of the original letter, who signed his
name as Sergio Ramirez, warned recipients not to
listen to politicians who try to tell immigrants who
are not yet naturalized that they do have the right to
vote.

"They only want to win elections without any regard to
what happens to you," the letter states.

After public comment, Correa made a motion to get law
enforcement involved by creating a task force of
officials to take a proactive stance in looking for
signs of intimidation and to be prepared to go into
court to get restraining orders if necessary.

He suggested the possibility of having plainclothes
officers monitor polling places.

Campbell said he would be willing to consider creating
a task force, but said that "one person's protector
can be another person's intimidator."

Nguyen, who trails Sanchez in the polls, said earlier
that the problem occurred because the letter was
written in English and when translated into Spanish
gave the impression that all immigrants, not just
those who are not naturalized citizens, are ineligible
to vote.

The letter also said in part that "if your residence
in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant,
voting in a federal election is a crime that could
result in jail time, and you will be deported for
voting without having a right to do so."

Monday, gubernatorial hopeful Phil Angelides joined
with other Democratic candidates for several statewide
and local offices in calling for prosecution of
everyone responsible for the letter. He also called
for action by Kelley.

(� 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press
contributed to this report.

===================================

~~ OC Supervisors to Consier Corrective to Threatening Letter ~~

knx1070.com
October 24, 2006

SANTA ANA, CA (AP)  -- Orange County supervisors will
try to decide whose job it is to send out letters
telling Hispanics who had received threatening
messages not to be afraid to cast ballots.

County Registrar Neal Kelley had planned to have his
office work with California's Secretary of State to
send out mailings reassuring legal immigrants that
they can vote.

But officials pulled Kelley out of the process,
warning that it would set a bad precedent for
candidates who feel they've been wronged in the
future.

Supervisor Lou Correa says he disagrees and is asking
the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the issue.

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson says his office
will send out its own letters this week to the 14,000
voters who received the letters linked to Republican
congressional candidate Tan Nguyen.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.

================================

~~ Candidate Blames Opponent For Hate Letter Scrutiny ~~

CBS2 News
October 23, 2006

(AP) GARDEN GROVE, Calif. A Republican congressional
candidate whose campaign is being investigated for
sending intimidating letters to Hispanic voters lashed
out at his Democratic rival, saying she was fueling
the uproar over the mailings.

Tan Nguyen on Sunday rejected calls to drop out of the
race to unseat longtime Rep. Loretta Sanchez, and
implied the popular congresswoman was behind the
probes into the letters warning immigrants they could
be deported or jailed for voting in next month's
election.

"There has been no crime committed so why is there a
criminal investigation three weeks prior to a very
important election?" Nguyen asked. "What is going on?
Who is fueling this investigation?"

Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant who has made illegal
immigration a centerpiece of his campaign, said he
would stay in the race despite calls from the state
GOP and others to quit.

"I'm innocent," Nguyen said. "I'm not going to quit
this race; I'm going to win this race."

Nguyen said Sunday he did not authorize or approve the
letters, which warn in Spanish: "You are advised that
if your residence in this country is illegal or you
are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a
crime that could result in jail time."

In reality, immigrants who have become naturalized
U.S. citizens are eligible to vote.

California Department of Justice investigators
searched Nguyen's campaign headquarters on Friday, as
well as his residence and a home listed as belonging
to one of his staffers. Investigators are looking into
possible voting rights violations.

Nguyen also said he regretted firing his office
manager who sent the mailings and publicly invited her
to return.

Nguyen said Sanchez was "fueling this hysteria" and
investigators were "terrorizing my family and
volunteers" and violating his right to free speech.
Sanchez spokeswoman Paula Negrete said Monday the
congresswoman declined comment until the investigation
was concluded.

William Braniff, a spokesman for the Nguyen campaign
and a former U.S. Attorney, blamed the controversy on
the media, whom he said had mistranslated the word
"emigrado," which appeared in the Spanish-language
letter.

The word "emigrado" refers to someone who has
emigrated and has no specific legal connotation.

Braniff said, however, the word refers specifically to
legal residents, but not naturalized citizens. He said
when the letter was translated into English, the word
"emigrado" became "immigrant" and didn't distinguish
between those immigrants who were U.S. citizens and
U.S. residents.

Braniff did acknowledge that the letter originated in
Nguyen's office. He declined to give further details,
citing the ongoing state and federal probes.


(� 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten, or redistributed.)

===============================

~~ Candidate reportedly bought voter list for
controversial letter ~~

Tan Nguyen, seeking an O.C. congressional seat, denies
using the list for that purpose.

By Christian Berthelsen, Jennifer Delson and Christine
Hanley
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 24, 2006

Congressional candidate Tan Nguyen personally bought
the list of voters to whom a racially charged letter
was mailed, warning that immigrants could be jailed or
deported for voting, according to the president of the
company that sold the list and sources familiar with
the still-unfolding investigation.

Nguyen requested information on registered Democrats
in the central Orange County Congressional district
with Spanish surnames who were born outside the United
States, according to people familiar with a state
investigation into the letter. Nguyen, a Republican,
is running an underdog campaign against Democratic
incumbent Loretta Sanchez.

"The only thing I can really say is, the candidate
purchased the data, which he had a legal right to do,
and if he went and did something illegal with it, he's
going to have to answer for it," said Jim Hayes,
president of Burbank-based Political Data Inc., the
largest voter information broker in the state. Hayes
met with investigators and provided them with the same
information last week, sources said.

Nguyen, who has drawn national scorn for his
campaign's role in the mailing, maintains that he had
nothing to do with the letter's production or
distribution, saying a campaign office manager
misappropriated the list. Nguyen fired the worker last
week but said Sunday that he had offered to rehire her
because he came to believe that the letter was
accurate and did not violate the law.

Separately, sources have told The Times that a Los
Angeles Police Department officer who is close to
Nguyen used an alias to order the letter produced and
then paid $4,000 for it on his credit card.

Appearing at a news conference Sunday, a defiant
Nguyen defended the letter and rejected his party's
calls for him to quit the race.

On Monday, Nguyen's lawyer, William Braniff, did not
dispute that Nguyen bought the list but said it was
bought for legitimate purposes and used to send three
or four other campaign mailers, including one in both
Spanish and English accusing Sanchez of insufficient
support for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One piece quoted a Sgt. Salvador Lujan as saying:
"Hispanics are sacrificing themselves for our country
in disproportionate numbers�. It is shocking that Rep.
Sanchez refuses to support our troops and instead
accepts the support of the Arabs."

Braniff said the purpose of requesting a list of
voters born outside the United States was merely to
identify Spanish-speaking voters and not necessarily
to target immigrants.

Others say Nguyen knew of the letter in question.
Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh
has said Nguyen was directly involved with the
mailing, calling the mail house that produced the
piece and asking that its handling be expedited.

The data firm's assertion that Nguyen bought the
mailing list himself raises further questions about
his explanation and the extent of his involvement.
Gary W. Schons, who is overseeing the probe by the
state attorney general's office, declined to respond
to questions about the purchase of the mailing list.

"Arrests are not imminent," he said. "There's still
quite a bit of investigative activity that must be
completed."

Nguyen has also contested the interpretation of the
Spanish-language letter, asserting that it did not
wrongfully tell recipients that immigrants cannot
vote.

The letter, which may have been sent to as many as
14,000 voters, warned in Spanish: "You are advised
that if your residence in this country is illegal or
if you are an immigrant, to vote in a federal election
is a crime that can result in imprisonment or you will
be deported for voting without the right to do so."

Braniff said the controversy over the letter stemmed
from an inaccurate translation by news media inferring
that the word emigrado, or "immigrant," included
naturalized U.S. citizens.

The word, Braniff said, referred to immigrants with
legal status but not citizenship. Nguyen said the term
is used by U.S. immigration agents to ask someone
crossing the border whether they are a citizen or "a
person who is here legally but with only a green
card."

But several people contacted by The Times, including
Border Patrol officials and Spanish-language experts,
questioned that explanation.

The word "means anyone who comes from elsewhere," said
Octavio Pescador, a visiting social science professor
at UCLA who is an expert on Latino culture. "It
doesn't mean that a person only possesses legal
residency. It has no legal connotation."

Border Patrol spokesman James Jacques said he was
unaware of the word being used frequently by agents.

"I've never used that word, and I've worked here 10
years," he said. "It's not part of any syllabus I know
of. It's not part of any terminology we have."

The letter went on to falsely claim that the state had
developed a tracking system that would allow the names
of Latino voters to be given to anti-immigrant groups.

Democrats have seized on the incident, and on Monday
gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides and others
staged a rally in Santa Ana to decry a "culture of
intimidation" in the Republican Party.

Angelides, standing on the steps of the old Orange
County courthouse, said the letter appeared to take a
page from national Republican strategy, and he accused
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of supporting the Minuteman
Project border enforcement activists.

"There is a culture of intimidation in the Republican
Party," Angelides said, citing voting scandals in
Florida and Ohio. "That is why Bush is president
today. They do this time after time after time."

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has said he will
notify recipients of the letter, saying it does not
accurately reflect their voting rights.

   ----------------------------

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/socal/la-me-letter24oct24,0,2703369.s\
tory?coll=la-home-headlines
===end===
_______________________________________

~~ STATEMENT BY LULAC ON THE SECURE FENCE ACT ~~

Ooctober 26, 2006

Washington, DC � The League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) National LULAC President Rosa Rosales
issued the following statement today in response to
President Bush�s signing of the Secure Fence Act:

We are very disappointed with the President�s decision
to sign the Secure Border Fence Act into law. Earlier
this year, President Bush laid out a strategy for
comprehensive immigration reform and instead we are
left with enforcement-only legislation.

We believe that enforcement-only measures alone, like
the construction of a border fence, will do nothing to
fix our broken immigration system and that a
comprehensive approach to immigration reform is the
only practical solution. The Department of Homeland
Security prefers a virtual fence coupled with an
increase in work-related immigration visas.

The President also called on Congress to pass
legislation that would secure our borders, enhance
worksite enforcement, create a temporary worker
program, resolve the status of illegal immigrants
already here, and promote assimilation into our
society, including by learning English. With no
comprehensive immigration reform legislation implies
that they favor the status quo which the American
people have rejected.

The American people expected Congress to enact
feasible and humane immigration policies that would
restore the rule of law and enhance security, reunite
families, protect workers, promote citizenship and
civic participation, and help local communities. The
fact that Congress failed to enact such legislation
implies that they favor the status quo which the
American people have rejected.

This mid-term election season, we urge voters to
consider voting for candidates that support
comprehensive immigration reform. We will continue to
urge the President to work with Congress to finish the
job and pass the remaining elements of this much
needed comprehensive approach. The American people
deserve better.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens, the
oldest and largest Latino organization in the country,
advances the economic conditions, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

   --------------------

National LULAC
Lizette Jenness Olmos
Communications Director
2000 L Street, NW
Washington , DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16
(202) 833-6135 fax
(202) 365-4553 cell

==============================

~~ Voter Fraud Arrests Statement by Democratic Party
of Orange County, CA ~~

(Note: The Orange County District Attorney's Office
does not comment on any on-going investigations. -
LULAC147InfoNet.)

October 26, 2006

Today, Orange County Democratic Chairman, Frank
Barbaro, commended Orange County District Attorney
Tony Rackauckas for making several arrests relating to
the more than 500 verified complaints of voter
registration fraud filed in the last seven months by
the Democratic Party.

These arrests come after hundreds of Orange County
registered voters, without their consent, had their
party affiliations illegally changed from Democrat to
Republican in a voter registration drive sponsored by
the Republican Party.

�We are hopeful that these arrests, as well as the
recent response by local Republican Party Chairman
Scott Baugh to the Tan Nguyen scandal, are indicative
of a new effort by local Republican Party leaders to
protect the rights of all Orange County voters,�
Barbaro said.

�The basic problem is that for years, certainly going
back to the posting of uniformed guards at polling
places to discourage Hispanic voters in 1988, the
Republican Party has perpetuated a permissive
political culture in which political candidates and
their operatives think that they can act to suppress
the democratic process without fear of repercussion.

The unscrupulous letter of Republican congressional
candidate Tan Nguyen did not happen in a vacuum. I
have no doubt that the unfortunate history of
Republican campaigns, including the voter registration
fraud just now being addressed by the District
Attorney, provided a context for his actions.�

�Hopefully, these arrests are a good first step
towards discouraging those who would wish to suppress
the democratic process, and we are hopeful that more
preemptive action will be taken in the future.
Specifically, we support the efforts of Supervisor Lou
Correa to bring together law enforcement leaders in an
Orange County Election Task Force that will monitor
and quickly respond to all efforts to undermine a full
and fair voting process.�


Frank Barbaro, Chairman
Democratic Party of Orange County
info@...; 714-835-2122
http://www.ocdemocrats.org

Contact: Mike Levin, Executive Director
714-835-2122; mike@...

===============================

*** Pre-Election Fundraiser for State Assembly
Candidate Jose Solorio ***

Wylie Aitken, Jess Araujo, Frank Barbaro,
John Montevideo, Luis Sierra and Ray Verches

Santa Ana Councilman Jose Solorio for State Assembly,
69th Assembly District

Thursday, October 26, 2006 / 5:30 pm - 8 pm
El Zocalo Mexican Steak House & Cantina
301 N. Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana, CA
Cost: $50 per person
Bronze Sponsor - $500 / Silver Sponsor - $1,000 /
Gold Sponsor - $2,000 / Platinum Sponsor - $3,300
INFO: 714-541-3459 / Jose@...

* Great appetizers & drinks at popular new restaurant!

Checks can be made out and sent to:
Solorio for Assembly
P.O. Box 26063
Santa Ana, CA 92799

FPPC ID # is 1279122.

=================================

*** Congressman Joe Baca's Community Leadership Awards
Dinner ***

Friday, October 27, 2006 / 6 pm - 8 pm
San Bernardino Hilton
285 E. Hospitality Ln., San Bernardino, CA
Cost: $100 per person
INFO: Natalie or Jeremy, 909-889-8888;
       friendsjbsb@...

Congressman Joe Baca's Community Leadership Awards
Dinner

Invited guests expected to attend:
Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, candidate for California
Insurance Commissioner; Insurance Commissioner John
Garamendi, candidate for Caliornia Lieutenant
Governor; California Board of Equalization Chairman
John Chiang, candidate for California Controller.

Honoring:

~ Glen Anderson, Rialto Police Officers Association
~ Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr., 62nd Assembly District
~ Bishop Gerald Barnes, Diocese of San Bernardino
~ Reverend Reginald Beamon, Living By Faith
~ Fran Givens, Community Advocate
~ Deborah Inge-Pinkham, Rialto Black History Committee
~ Armando Navarro, Professor, University of
California, Riverside
~ Edward J. Rendon, Teamsters Joint Council 42
~ Frank Williams, Building Industry Association

By: Friends of Joe Baca ID#C00325449

================================

*** Reception with Mt. Diablo School Board Member ***

Friday, October 27, 2006 / 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ygnacio Valley Public Library
2661 Oak Grove Rd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94518
Donations Accepted: Paul Strange for School Board
INFO: Jerry Okendo, okendojerry@...; 925-210-9215
or 925-768-2829

Mt. Diablo School Board Member Paul Strange -
Appointed to the Mt. Diablo School District in
March, 2006, Paul, is an Attorney-at-Law
Past President, Mt. Diablo Alternative Education.
Voted to restore the Fourth Grade Music Program.

Backed by the Mt. Diablo Education Association
LULAC Members, Professionals, Administrators,
Education Committee, State Senator Tom Torlakson,
and Contra Costa Board of Supervisor Mark Desaulnier.

* Food and Refreshments

====================================

*** Special OC Board of Supervisors Meeting on
Change of Ownership of Three Hospitals in Orange County ***

Monday, October 30, 2006 / 9 am
County of Orange Hall of Administration
Board Hearing Room, First floor
10 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(Public Parking located at the corner of Santa Ana
Blvd & Ross St.)

The Board of Supervisors has received concerns from
the public regarding the transfer of three hospitals
in Orange County (La Palma Intercommunity, Huntington
Beach, and West Anaheim Medical Center) from Vanguard
Health Systems to Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.

The County Board will be holding a Special Board
Meeting, designed to gain a better understanding of
the new management practices at these local hospitals,
and provide the public an opportunity to make
presentations.

Anyone wishing to participate in this meeting or would
like additional information may contact Supervisor Lou
Correa�s office at 714-834-3110, or by emailing:
Thuy.Vu-Le@...

======================================

*** Latino Families Needed for TV Reality Show ***

Mr. Barcenas said they are looking for a professional
family with quality and charisma.  He said, they've
had the crazy, wild, etc. and now that they are
bringing in a Hispanic family, they want refinement
and class.

Casting will be going on for another month and a half.
They have not decided on the number of Hispanic
families yet.

Rocket Science Laboratories is behind reality shows
such as Joe Millionaire, Temptation Island, and My Big
Fat Obnoxious Fiance. In 2003 the company entered a
multi-year overall production deal with the FOX
Broadcasting Company. Rocket Science Laboratories was
founded by partners Jean-Michel Michenaud and Chris
Cowan.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=+Rocket+Science+Laboratories&\
btnG=Google+Search

   --------------------------

My name is James Barcenas and I'm a Casting Director
for a television network and I need some help.

I'm casting the fourth season of Trading Spouses, and
I was assigned to find a few Amazing Hispanic Families
with Children ages 6 and above, that break the
stereotypes of Hispanic Families. We're looking for
energetic, amazing, interesting families that can help
change the perception of the Hispanic Community! I am
Hispanic and I know that there is a stereotype and I
hope that you could help me in my search for Hispanic
Families that are strong willed, passionate and proud
of the culture!

It is required that each family consist of children
above the age of 6 and have two Married parents within
the same home. Families chosen for the 7-day shoot
receive a compensation of $50,000. If this is an
experience that you might be interested in, or know a
family that would be great for our show, please
contact me immediately. If you have any questions
regarding the nature of our show, please call me.

We have a deadline approaching, and I would love to
extend this opportunity to as many families as
possible.

Thank you,

James Barcenas
Casting Director
Rocket Science Laboratories
(323) 802-0620
JamesB@...

================================

~~ Applicants are sought for 2007-08 Grand Jury ~~

October 26, 2006

Orange County Superior Court is seeking people
interested in serving on the 2007-08 grand jury,
officials said Wednesday.

Comprising 19 members, the jury reviews and evaluates
government agencies, schools and special districts,
and hands up criminal indictments.

Applications may be obtained by calling the grand jury
hotline at (714) 834-6747, at the jury commissioner's
office, 700 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, or at
http://www.ocgrandjury.org .

A mandatory orientation program for prospective grand
jurors will be held Jan. 25.

- Los Angeles Times

=================================

*** "Thank You" Reception by Senator Joe Dunn ***

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 / 4 pm - 6 pm
District Office of Senator Joe Dunn
12397 Lewis St., Ste. 103, Garden Grove, CA
RSVP: by 11/10 to 714-705-1580

Senator Joe Dunn and his District Office staff invite
you to a "Thank You" reception - Join friends and
celebrate eight years of service to the 34th Senate
District & community as Joe's term of office comes to
a close.

Catering provided by La Chiquita Restaurant and La
Casa Garcia Restaurant.

==============================

*** La Opini�n Newspaper Endorses Phil Angelides for
Governor ***

La Opini�n
October 22, 2006

An election is usually a referendum on the performance
of the candidate seeking reelection, in addition to a
competition between candidates looking to gain the
voters approval with their  proposals and experience.
That is the case this year, when the main alternatives
for governor are diametrically opposed. In this
comparison, we have state treasurer Phil Angelides,
who shows a more suitable vision for the future of
California. If Arnold Schwarzenegger had been in
previous years the way he appears to be in 2006, it
would be possible to argue in favor of a second term.
But he was not. This year the governor turned 180
degrees in subjects such as  increasing the minimum
wage, by endorsing what he had previously vetoed. This
is not an isolated case of a conversion; it is for
this reason that it is difficult to believe that his
movement to the political center is not related to the
November election.

On the other hand, it is regrettable that he has not
contributed to the improvement of  the social
environment in California. On the contrary, some of
Schwarzenegger�s actions, such as his endorsement of
the minutemen, helped to foster resentment against
undocumented immigrants, feeding negative passions. We
think that the head of the Executive branch must
unite, instead of dividing Californians.

Without doubt the California economy has improved, but
during the difficult times, the sacrifices were made
by the students of California, from kindergarten to
the university. Schwarzenegger�s decision not to
increase taxes unjustly benefited some and not others,
since the price of the recovery was not paid by all.
The strategy didn�t solve the budget�s structural
deficit either.

In that sense, we think Angelides is more in line with
California�s needs, when proposing a tax increase that
corrects chronic budgetary imbalances. It is possible
to disagree with the numbers  presented by the
democrat, and even argue how difficult it will be to
reach that goal under the present legislative
structure. However, his desire to face fiscal
difficulties in a pragmatic way is a fundamental
difference with Schwarzenegger.

Angelides has also shown, during his long public
career, exemplary consistency. As state legislator and
treasurer, he demonstrated ample knowledge of the
state�s finances and the sensitivity to apply it to
benefit the middle-class and the poor.

It shouldn�t be difficult to choose between these two
very different candidates with opposite ideas, if the
superfluous, such as charisma and looks, is
eliminated. What is complicated is to determine if
Schwarzenegger�s change is a lesson of the 2005
failure that will extend to the future or only a
re-election plan. What is certain is that the past
years should not be repeated and that the risk is too
great to take.

On the other hand, there are no surprises with
Angelides; his proposals are progressive and more
equitable for all Californians. Vote for Phil
Angelides for governor!

===================================

*** Hispanic Scholarship Fund and Procter & Gamble�s
Avanzando con tu Familia Continue Partnership to
Provide the Gift of Education to Deserving Hispanic
students ***

Scholarship deadline is Dec. 15 for graduating high
school senior students.

October 23, 2006

Cincinnati, OH - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF),
the nation�s leading organization supporting Hispanic
higher education, has joined forces with Procter and
Gamble�s (P&G) Avanzando con tu Familia for the fifth
consecutive year to provide scholarships to Hispanic
students throughout the U.S. as well as educational
and community support to promote higher education
among Hispanics.

According to recent information released by the U.S.
Census Bureau, workers 18 and over with a bachelor�s
degree earn an average annual salary of $51,206 when
compared to those with only a high school diploma, who
earn $27,915. Yet despite the statistics reinforcing
the value of a college education, the Hispanic
community continues to lag behind in educational
training when compared to other ethnic groups. The
statistical breakdown of those 25 or older with a
bachelor�s degree or higher show Hispanics
with only 12.1 percent, compared to Asians who had the
highest proportion(49.4 percent), followed by
Non-Hispanic whites (30.6 percent) and
African-Americans (17.6 percent).

�Investing in the education of the growing Latino
workforce is key to our nation�s future,� said
GuidoMinaya, HSF Vice President of Programs.
�Our partnership with Procter and Gamble will help HSF
provide students and their parents with financial
resources and the information and tools necessary to
navigate the college enrollment process. We are
determined to provide the support students need in
order to double the rate of Hispanics earning
college degrees.�

The HSF and Avanzando con tu Familia partnership has
provided more than 100 one-year scholarships to Latino
students and has funded Town Hall meetings in nine
cities that have helped to educate over 3,500 Latino
students and their families about the college
application process and financial aid options.

�The Hispanic Scholarship Fund was a tremendous source
of support for me while I was in college. With
financial support from scholarships like the HSF, I
was able to fulfill my dreams of obtaining a college
degree,� explains Victoria Reyes, a 2001-2002 HSF
scholar who now works as a Human Resources Manager for
P&G Beauty Care and who best exemplifies the
impact a scholarship from HSF can have in a student�s
life.

P&G has partnered with HSF for the last 31 years,
contributing more than $1.8 million in support of its
commitment to help educate future Hispanic leaders.
This year P&G will once again contribute 10 cents to
HSF, up to $115,000, with each purchase of select P&G
products, which include Tide(R), Dawn(R), Gain(R),
Charmin(R), Bounty(R), Downy(R), Duracell(R) and
Febreze(R). The promotion will run from Oct. 1, 2006
through April 30, 2007.

�The data from the Census backs up the fact that a
college education is a key element in the success and
prosperity of Hispanics,� said Graciela Eleta, vice
president and general manager of P&G�s multicultural
business development organization. �Together with the
HSF we hope to empower Hispanic youth with the tools
to achieve their dreams and improve their lives and
that of their families.�

For more information on how to apply for these
scholarships, please visit http://www.hsf.net

- About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund -

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation�s
leading organization supporting Hispanic higher
education. Founded in 1975, HSF�s vision is
to strengthen the country by advancing college
education among Hispanic Americans, the largest
minority segment of the U.S. population. In support of
its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning
college degrees, HSF, a 501(c) (3) not-for profit
organization, provides the Latino community
more college scholarships and educational outreach
support than any other organization in the country.
Headquartered in San Francisco, HSF has opened
regional offices in Southern California, the
Northeast, the Southeast, Midwest and Texas. In
addition, HSF launched the Washington, D.C.-based
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute to generate public
partnerships in support of its work. In its 31 years
of existence, HSF has awarded more than 78,000
scholarships totaling $195 million to Latinos from all
50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands an!
d Guam. For more information on the
HispanicScholarship Fund, visit http://www.hsf.net

- About Procter & Gamble -

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives
of people around the world. The company has one of the
strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership
brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R),
Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R),
Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R),
Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R),
Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head &
Shoulders(R), Wella(R),
Gillette(R), and Braun(R). The P&G community consists
of over 135,000 employees working in over 80 countries
worldwide.

Since the early 1960s, P&G has developed and supported
programs to enrich the lives of Hispanics in the U.S.
Local P&G programs and partnerships have had a
positive impact � fulfilling aspirations, providing
opportunity, and preserving the rich culture of
Hispanics. For more information on P&G's longstanding
and committed relationship to the Hispanic community
and for the latest news and in-depth information about
P&G and its brands, please visit
http://www.pg.com/diversity.

CONTACT:
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Jesus Mena
415-808-2350
or
P&G�s Avanzando Con Tu Familia
Felisa Insignares
513-983-1761
or
Fleishman-Hillard International Communications
Ivy Rueda Diederichs
305-520-9025

===================================

*** Group of Seven to Have Exhibit in Baja California ***

November 4, 2006 / 12 Noon - 9 pm
Municipal Center for The Arts (CEMAC)
Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

The Group of Seven was born from seeing the necessity
of representation for the art and the artist.

The art is a mixture of young Chicano Artist and The
Maestros. Following the footsteps of the exhibits of
Cheech Marin. That is taking his collection to the
best museums in the nation.

Guevara has put together this fine group of Seven
Chicano Artist, to continue the Latino Art Movement
that he has pursue for a long time.

The Capistrano Art Club is a non profit
organization that will be displaying their art work
throuhout the city, and also will be exchanging
with artists from other countries.

Must see this artist at the Library in San Juan
Capistrano October 28 from 2:PM to 9:30 PM
Second Annual Art Exhibit and festival
Celebrating the Day of The Dead
Art, Music, Folkloric Dancers, Food, Arts and Crafts
A documentary from last year exhibit will be shown
from 7:PM to 8:45PM The event is free to the public
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano Ca. 92675
(949)493 1752

Group of Seven: Art Guevara, Ernesto de la Loza,
Greeg Stone, Jesus Arturo Guevara, Juliana Martinez,
Ricardo Rodriguez Duffy, and Steve Moreno.

The Capistrano Art Club
(949)248-3324 / (949)636-2750
guevarasart@...

=================================

~~ Report Warns of Potential Voting Problems in 10 States ~~

By Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Two weeks before the midterm elections, at least 10
states, including Maryland, remain ripe for voting
problems, according to a study released yesterday by a
nonpartisan clearinghouse that tracks electoral
reforms across the United States.

The report by Electionline.org says those states, and
possibly others, could encounter trouble on Election
Day because they have a combustible mix of fledgling
voting-machine technology, confusion over voting
procedures or recent litigation over election rules --
and close races.

The report cautions that the Nov. 7 elections, which
will determine which political party controls the
House and Senate, promise "to bring more of what
voters have come to expect since the 2000 elections --
a divided body politic, an election system in flux and
the possibility -- if not certainty -- of problems at
polls nationwide."

In a state-by-state canvass, the 75-page report
singles out places, such as Indiana and Arizona, where
courts have upheld stringent new laws requiring voters
to show poll workers specific forms of identification.
It cites states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, which
have switched to electronic voting machines whose
accuracy has been challenged. And it points to states
such as Colorado and Washington, which have departed
from the tradition of polling sites in neighborhood
precincts.

The report of the clearinghouse, sponsored by the Pew
Charitable Trusts, is the latest of several warnings
in recent weeks and months by organizations and
scholars who say that electoral problems persist in
spite of six years of efforts by the federal
government and states to correct voting flaws. The
flaws gripped the public's attention after the close
2000 presidential election, which led to recounts in
Florida and the intervention of the Supreme Court.

The election shambles of 2000 prompted Congress to
pass in 2002 legislation intended to help states make
significant election changes, such as by replacing
outdated voting equipment. Some of the changes,
including making sure that databases of registered
voters are accurate, were required to be in effect by
this year.

Doug Chapin, director of Electionline.org, said
"things are getting better over time." But he said
many of the changes in recent years have led to new
problems and disputes. For instance, the decisions by
many states to convert to electronic voting machines
have yielded new concerns about whether they are
secure and accurate, about paper records as backup
proof and -- this year -- about whether the electronic
or paper record should be considered the official
tally if a candidate demands a recount.

The report cites Maryland for what it calls a "dismal
primary" in September that "included human and machine
failures galore," in part because Montgomery County
election officials forgot to distribute to polling
places the access cards needed for its electronic
machines to work. The study raises questions about
whether Montgomery officials are prepared for the
bigger crowds in the general election and whether
large numbers of mistrustful voters will resort to
absentee ballots.

===end===

~~ LATINO ORGANIZATIONS EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT THAT
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS THE SECURE FENCE ACT ~~

Brent A. Wilkes
National Executive Director
League of United Latin American Citizens
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-6130
FAX (202) 833-6135
www.LULAC.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2006


Washington, DC � The National Council of La Raza
(NCLR), The Mexican American Legal Defense and
Educational Fund (MALDEF), the National Association of
Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and
the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
expressed their disappointment that President Bush
signed the Secure Fence Act into law today.

Noting that the construction of 700 miles of fencing
along the U.S.-Mexico border will do little to fix our
broken immigration system or deal with the 12 million
undocumented immigrants who live and work in this
country, the leaders of the nation�s leading Latino
organizations made the following comments:


* Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, LULAC -

�The Latino community expected Congress to enact
feasible and humane immigration policies that would
restore the rule of law and enhance security, reunite
families, protect workers, promote citizenship and
civic participation, and help local communities.
Instead, the House  leadership played politics with
the issue and ended up with this meaningless
gesture.�


* Janet Murguia, President and CEO, NCLR -

�This law doesn�t solve the immigration issue, it
makes it worse. By authorizing 700 miles of fencing
along the U.S.-Mexico border without appropriating any
funding, this law reflects everything that is wrong
with the immigration debate.  It is a symbol of
Congress�s and the Administration�s failure to achieve
meaningful immigration reform.�


* John Trasvi�a, Interim President and General
Counsel, MALDEF -

�The Secure Fence Act should be called the Secure
Election Act. It is a travesty that Congress utterly
failed in achieving comprehensive immigration reform
and could only pass in its waning days a bill for a
fence that will take years to complete and does
nothing to address America�s immigration or labor
needs.  The President�s signing into law of this bill
simply reiterates that failure.�


* Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO -

�The President committed himself to passing a fair and
complete  immigration package, but the border fence
bill takes us farther away from achieving that goal.
By signing the bill into law, he has clearly taken a
step back from his commitment.  We will continue to
work with Congress and the President for effective
immigration reform that recognizes the valuable
contributions newcomers make to our nation�s economic
and civic life.�

========================================

~~ Bush signs U.S.-Mexico border fence bill ~~

By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer
October 26, 2006

President Bush signed a bill Thursday authorizing 700
miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border,
hoping to give Republican candidates a pre-election
platform for asserting they're tough on illegal
immigration.

"Unfortunately the United States has not been in
complete control of its borders for decades and
therefore illegal immigration has been on the rise,"
Bush said at a signing ceremony.

"We have a responsibility to enforce our laws," he
said. "We have a responsibility to secure our borders.
We take this responsibility serious."

He called the fence bill "an important step in our
nation's efforts to secure our borders."

The centerpiece of Bush's immigration policy, a guest
worker program, remains stalled in Congress.

And a handful of House Republican are at the brakes,
blocking negotiations with the Senate for a bill that
includes the president's proposal.

Still, Bush argues that it would be easier to get his
guest worker program passed if Republicans keep their
majorities in the House and Senate after the Nov. 7
elections. His proposal would allow legal employment
for foreigners and give some of the estimated 11
million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United
States a shot at becoming American citizens.

The measure Bush put into law Thursday before heading
for campaign stops in Iowa and Michigan offers no
money for the fence project covering one-third of the
2,100-mile border.

Its cost is not known, although a homeland security
spending measure the president signed earlier this
month makes a $1.2 billion down payment on the
project. The money also can be used for access roads,
vehicle barriers, lighting, high-tech equipment and
other tools to secure the border.

Mexican officials have criticized the fence. Outgoing
Mexican President Vicente Fox, who has spent much of
his six years in office lobbying for a new guest
worker program and a chance at citizenship for the
millions of Mexicans working illegally in the U.S.,
calls the fence "shameful" and compares it to the
Berlin Wall.

Others have doubts about its effectiveness.

"A fence will slow people down by a minute or two, but
if you don't have the agents to stop them it does no
good. We're not talking about some impenetrable
barrier," T.J. Bonner, president of the National
Border Patrol Council, a union representing Border
Patrol agents, said Wednesday.

Customs and Border Protection statistics show that
apprehensions at border crossings are down 8 percent
nationally for the budget year that just ended, Bonner
said. Apprehensions were up in the San Diego sector,
he said, an area of the nearly 2,000-mile border that
has the most fencing.

A spokesman for Customs and Border Protection would
not confirm the statistics or discuss reasons for the
increase in the San Diego sector.

Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, both Texas
Republicans, had wanted to amend the fence bill to
give local governments more say about where fencing is
erected. They lost that battle, but Republican leaders
assured them the Homeland Security Department would
have flexibility to choose other options instead of
fencing, if needed.

Cornyn said he voted for the fence because he wanted
to help demonstrate that Congress was serious about
border security.

"The choice we were presented was: Are we going to
vote to enhance border security, or against it?"
Cornyn said. "I think that's how the vote was viewed."

   ------------------
Associated Press Writer Suzanne Gamboa contributed to
this report.

On the Net: Information on the bill, H.R. 6061, can
be found at http://thomas.loc.gov

===================================

~~ U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Issues the
Following Statement in Response to President Bush�s
Planned Signing of the U.S.-Mexico Border Legislation
into Law ~~

Hispanic PR Wire
October 26, 2006

Washington, DC - The United States Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce (USHCC), the largest and most influential
advocate for the nation�s two million Hispanic-owned
businesses in the U.S. issues the following statement
regarding the planned signing by President Bush of the
U.S. Mexico Border Bill that will put in place a
700-mile long fence along the southern border.

�On behalf of our USHCC Board of Directors, we are
extremely disappointed by the President�s decision to
sign the U.S.-Mexico Border Bill into law and do it
during a nationally-televised White House ceremony.
Rather than cheering and applauding the President and
our Congressional leaders for a law that promotes
misguided enforcement- only legislation that builds
fences between allies, hurts small businesses and
pushes 12 million people further into the shadows, we
should be demanding that our national leadership seek
comprehensive solutions to this complex issue.

We further call on the President and
thoseCongressional leaders that originally promised to
seek true comprehensive reform to live up to their
commitments.� said David C. Liz�rraga, USHCC, Chairman
of the Board of Directors.

By choosing to forego a realistic, comprehensive,
common sense approach that would bring national
security and continued economic prosperity for our
nation, the President, joined by some members of
Congress, has chosen to adopt a short-term, band-aid
approach that fails to tackle immigration reform at
its core. This law provides absolutely no solution
for the millions of people already living here in
hopes of finding a better life for themselves and for
their families.

�The USHCC is a business organization, but we are an
organization with a Hispanic heart; and we understand
the invaluable contributions made by hard-working
immigrants, small business owners and entrepreneurs
that have played a major role in fueling the growth
and economic prosperity of this great nation for
generations. As business owners, we want strong
homeland security but we object to the continued
�demonization� of immigrants and the business
community by many members of Congress.
Immigrants fulfill an enormous gap in the U.S. labor
force by serving in jobs that Americans simply don�t
want to take or perform. We should be seeking real
solutions rather than celebrating laws that polarize
and divide for the sake of political expediency,� said
Michael L. Barrera, President & CEO, USHCC.

The U.S. recently commemorated a national population
milestone by surpassing the 300 million mark. We
understand that a growing economy needs a growing
population. Any immigration solution that ignores the
needs of our economy will only delay reform and
promote further illegal immigration, not end it.

The President obviously recognized this when he
rightfully stated this past May during a
nationally-televised address to the nation from the
Oval office: �An immigration reform bill needs to be
comprehensive, because all elements of this problem
must be addressed together or none will be solved at
all ... We cannot build a unified country by inciting
people to anger, or playing on anyone�s fears, or
exploiting the issue of immigration for political
gain. We must always remember that real lives will be
affected by our debates and decisions.�
[White House Transcript, May 2006]

The USHCC couldn�t agree more.

   ------------------------------

CONTACT: USHCC Communications
Guillermo Meneses
202/842.1212 ext 492

======================================

NOTE: COPY OF LETTER IN ATTACHMENT - LULAC147InfoNet

MALDEF
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Office: 213-629-2512


NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
October 25, 2006

Contact:
Laura Rodriguez: 310-999-6764
Cynthia Valenzuela: 213-629-2512

MALDEF, CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE AND LATINO
ORGANIZATIONS UNITE AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION

Joint letter sent to 14,000 Latino voters in Orange
County

LOS ANGELES - Today, the Mexican American Legal
Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) issued a letter
in cooperation with California Secretary of State
Bruce McPherson, National Association of Latino
Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and National
Council of La Raza (NCLR) encouraging citizens to vote
and informing them of the official state requirements
to register and the absentee voting deadline.

The bilingual joint letter, sent to 14,000 Latino
voters in Orange County, is in response to an earlier
Spanish-language letter to the same voters threatening
immigrants with jail and deportation if they voted.
All naturalized citizens are immigrants and have the
right to vote.

The earlier letter also threatened voters with
scrutiny by immigration restriction organizations with
access to a federal computer database of properly
registered voters. On October 19, Tan Nguyen, the
Republican nominee challenging U.S. Representative
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), announced that a member of his
campaign staff may have been responsible for the
original mailing.

"We applaud the Secretary of State's action to inform
voters they should not be intimidated to give up their
precious right to vote.  Frankly, this should have
been done by county officials.  The Secretary of
State's letter helps to excise a racially tinged
cancer from the body politic of Orange County," said
John Trasvi�a, MALDEF Interim President and General
Counsel.

"Voter intimidation in any form is completely
unacceptable," said Secretary McPherson.  "Voters who
received the intimidation letter should ignore it and
cast their ballot on Election Day.  As Chief Elections
Officer, it is my job to ensure our elections are
conducted with the utmost honesty and integrity,
reaching out to new voters and encouraging every
eligible Californian to participate in our democratic
process."

Upon learning of the voter intimidation letter,
MALDEF, joined by 21 Latino and Asian American
national and local civil rights organizations, wrote
to the state and federal departments of justice for an
immediate investigation of Voting Rights Act and other
legal violations.  Following the commencement of the
investigations, MALDEF also sought corrective action
by the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino
legal organization, promotes and protects the rights
of Latinos through advocacy, litigation, community
education and outreach, leadership development, and
higher education scholarships.

===end===



__________________________________________________
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Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
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*** "Protect the Vote" Rally in Santa Ana (CA) ***

Monday Morning, October 23, 2006 / 10 am
Old Orange County Courthouse - Front Lawn
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Public Welcomed
INFO: Mike Levin, 310-740-6866
       714-835-5158 / info@...
       http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

In response to the illegal activities of Republican
Congressional candidate Tan Nguyen to suppress Latino
voters on Election Day, the California Democratic
Party and Democratic Party of Orange County are
hosting an unprecedented Protect the Vote Rally.

Featured Speakers (partial list):
- Ca Treasurer Phil Angelides
- US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
- California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez
- Debra Bowen
- John Chiang
- OC Supervisor Lou Correa
- State Assemblyman Tom Umberg
- Santa Ana City Councilmember Jose Solorio

============================

*** Volunteer Opportunities for CA State Assembly
Candidate Jose Solorio ***

THREE WEEKS LEFT FOR ELECTION DAY !!

We started our phone banking (calling) and precinct
walking (door-to-door) for our good friend, Santa Ana
City Councilmember Jose Solorio and are getting
positive responses from voters.

Help us spread the word that voters should indeed vote
on election day - We have identified a specific list
of certain precincts to focus on as we gear up for
these last days of the campaign. For us to complete
this list ...

We Need Your Help ...

Volunteer a few hours a week for the next two weeks.
Food & beverages will be provided!

Call for directions campaign sites ...

INFO: Zeke Hernandez, for Jose Solorio for State
Assembly. 714-541-3459 or 714-835-9585
zeke@... / zekeher@...

   ----------------------

Jose Solorio for Assembly - Volunteer Activities

PHONE BANKING
Wednesdays & Thursdays (5 PM TO 8 PM)
October 25 through November 2

DOOR-TO-DOOR WALKING
Saturdays (10 AM - 2 PM)
October 28 and November 4

=====================================

*** OC Hispanic Chamber Mixer ***

Thursday, October 26, 2006
Cask & Cleaver Restaurant
186 Atchison, Orange, CA
Cost: Members-$10; Non Members-$20

Co-Mixer with Orange Chamber of Commerce
Lots of neat prizes.

==============================

*** Immigrant Rights Activists Stand Up! ***

Thursday, October 26, 2006 / 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
MALDEF
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Sponsorship Levels: $1,500 / $1,000 / $500 / $200
(Contributions ARE NOT tax deductible)

Hosted by: Monica Guizar, Esq.; Victor Narro, Board,
National Lawyers Guild - LA Chapter; Eun Sook Lee,
Korean Alliance for Peace & Justice; Javier Gonzalez,
SEIU Local 1877, Political Director. (Partial Host
List - Organizations for Identification Purposes Only)

In support of: A community campaign to oust Costa Mesa
Mayor Alan Mansoor for his attacks on immigrant
workers, children, and families.

Help support a comprehensive and grass roots campaign
led by hotel and health care workers, janitors and
community leaders at a special Downtown-Countdown
After Work Buffet Dinner Fundraiser:

Please make checks payable to:
Strengthening Our Lives (SOL)
ID # 128074, A Political Action Committee. 1510 N.
Sycamore St. Santa Ana, CA 92710
Phone: (714) 564-9974, Fax: (714) 564-9877

=================================

*** Latina Style Names Verizon One of the Top
Companies for Latinas ***

Latina Style Magazine has named Verizon Communications
as one of its "Top13 Companies" for Verizon's
"dedication and extraordinary efforts
in providing career advancement opportunities and
diversity policies for all employees." Each year, the
magazine selects the top 50 companies for Latinas to
work for in the U.S. This year, the criteria also
included the relationship that companies have with
Latina business owners.

After selecting the Latina Style Top 50, the magazine
highlighted 13 of those companies, including Verizon,
as the very best.

==============================

*** 12th Annual Quest Banquet by Asian Business
Association Orange County ***

Saturday, October 28, 2006 / 6 pm
Grand Californian Hotel - Brisa Courtyard
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, CA

Cost: Non-Member - $100 Per Guest
       Member: $90 Per Guest

Where can you attend an event that may have shaped and
altered your life? Perhaps even molded the way you
think? It would be ABAOC's Twelfth Annual Recognition
Awards Banquet 'Quest' Falls Best Gala Event.

This annual gala event is not only guaranteed to have
a grandeur presentation but an element of nostalgic
surprise to all who attend. ABAOC brings you back to
the 1920's and celebrates the milestones of life with
the growth and success of their Corporate Sponsors and
Honorees. As you re-enter history, you will see the
decades of years past and how your ancestors helped to
develop the lifestyle and career you have today.

=====================================

*** What's the Truth about Wal-Mart? ***

Sunday Oct 29, 2006 / 5:30 pm
St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Church
13091 Galway St., Garden Grove, CA 92844
* Free Pizza and Salad / Childcare Provided.
INFO: Wendy, wendy.clue@... / 626-506-0825

By: Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice,
St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal, Garden Grove
United Methodist Church, Main Street Coalition

Garden Grove Residents will have to decide soon
whether they want a Supercenter. Learn more about how
this development will affect Garden Grove.

Meeting Agenda:
~ Expert Panel Discussion
~ Brief Documentary Film
~ Community Dialogue
~ Opportunity for Action

=================================

*** "A ROSE, BY ANY OTHER NAME ..." ***

Continues Through October 29, 2006

~ English Performances: October 29.
~ Spanish Performances: October 27 and 28.
(Fridays and Saturdays - 8 pm; Sundays -  6 pm)

FRIDA KAHLO THEATER
2332 West Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA 90057

Cost: $12 general; $10 Seniors and Student with
Current ID.
INFO: 213-382-8133 (1 pm - 6 pm, Tuesday through
Sunday); http://www.fridakahlotheater.org

Starring Ingrid Marquez and Ludo Vika. Written by
Emilio Carballido and directed by Ruben Amavizca.

A hilarious comedy about two totally opposite women
realize they share the same man and the same fate...

   -------------------------------------
Coming November 6 thru December 6, 2006
THE RIFLES OF CARRAR
Producer and Director: PEDRO J. ORTIZ
   -------------------------------------

Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA and FRIDA KAHLO Theater
also offer Workshops for Children and Adults.

The SONY Media Arts Program
ANIMATION  -  FREE!
For Children 10 � 14
Saturdays 11 AM � 2 PM Wednesdays 4 � 7 PM
Instructors: CAL ARTS

THEATER FOR CHILDREN
$48 / 3 months
Children 8 years and older
Saturdays 10 AM � 12 PM
Instructor: RUBEN GARFIAS

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR CHILDREN
Contact Instructor: RICO OBUSAN
213-639-1572

THEATER FOR ADULTS (In Spanish)
$100 / 3 months
Tuesdays 7 - 9 PM
Instructor: PEDRO J. ORTIZ

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ADULTS
Contact Instructor: RICO OBUSAN
213-639-1572

ADVANCED SCENE WORKSHOP
Sundays 11 AM � 2 PM
Instructor: FRANCISCO CALI

=====================================

*** Congressional Open House - Hon. Loretta Sanchez ***

Monday, October 30, 2006 / 5 pm - 7 pm
District Office of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
12397 Lewis Street, Ste. 101
Garden Grove, CA 92840
RSVP: Cathy Curtis, 714-621-0102

The Office of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
invites you to attend

Come meet congressional staff and learn about other
local agencies serving the 47th Congressional District
of California.

==============================

*** Earned Income Tax Credit Community Breakfast Launch ***

Wednesday, November 1, 2006 / 7:30 am - 9:30 am
The Orange County Register Hoiles Auditorium
625 N. Grand Ave. Santa Ana, CA
RSVP/INFO: Jeanette Valencia, 714-571-5269;
            jvalencia@...

By: Orange County United Way and Somos Familia, in
collaboration with The Legal Aid Society of Orange
County and The City of Santa Ana.

To launch efforts to promote economic self-sufficiency
in our community through Earned Income Tax Credit.

~ Help bring benefits to clients, employees and
working families at no cost to you.

~ Help establish self-sufficiency and build a stronger
community through your participation in this anti-
poverty effort.

=================================

*** MWD - "Public Sector Contract Opportunites" ***

Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 7:30 am - 11 am
Tustin Banquet Center
721 West First St., Tustin, CA
RSVP: Peggy Vogt, 213-217-7444, mvogt@...

By: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Have you ever wanted to find out how a small business
can tap into over $1 billion in government contracts?

Learn how your business can be awarded contracts as
small as $500 from Metropolitan Water District and the
Municipal Water District of Orange County for goods
and services. Plus -- learn about access to capital
and honing your business skills from our resource
partners.

Schdeule:

7:30  Registration
thru
8:00: Continental Breakfast/Networking

8:00: Program
11 - 11:30: Networking and Resources

==================================

*** Dia de los Muertos  - Noche of Music & Cinema ***

Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 / 7:30 pm
El Festival Hall, 220 E. 3rd St., Santa Ana, CA
Admission: $10. 21 and Up.
INFO: 714-417-0073 / http://www.aztecgoldtv.com

Concert featuring acclaimed Chicana singer-songwriter LYSA FLORES ("Star Maps,"
"The Making of a Trophy Grrrl!"), GO BETTY GO, LAS 15 LETRAS, TERREMOTO and an
afterparty with THE
ROLLING BLACKOUTS.

Includes a screening of films celebrating the dead and the living.
Portion of proceeds to benefit EL FESTIVAL's annual Holiday Toy and Book
Giveaway & Community Breakfast in Santa Ana. Plenty of parking.

==============================

*** NHBWA Office "Grand Opening" ***

  National Hispanic Business Women Association

Thursday, November 2, 2006 / 5:30 pm - -7:30 pm
1913 E. 17th Street, Ste. 210, Santa Ana, CA
(Parking available in rear)
RSVP: by 10/31 to 714-564-9320

Visit National Hispanic Business Women Association's
new home; learn more about NHBWA's new programs and
member benefits!

* Great Networking
* Hors d'ocuvres / Refreshments
* Opportunity Drawings

================================

*** Dia de Los Muertos Celebration ***

Saturday, November 4, 2006 / 5 pm - 11:30 pm
* Film screening at 6:30 pm.
* Screening at 9 pm; live performances follow.
Cultural Stage of Art
410-B W. 4th St, Ste. 4, Santa Ana, CA
Donation: $5 suggested
INFO: 714-543-1370 / Ask about exhibiting artwork,
creating an altar or performing.
http://www.culturalstageofart.org

By: Cultural Stage of Art and El Sap Cancionero

Inaugural Day of the Dead Celebration -
guests of all ages are welcomed to enjoy a Day of the
Dead Celebration in its intimate Spanish gypsy
-inspired space. Featuring a showcase of dance, altar
exhibits, music, workshops and a film screening.

Cultural Stage of the Art is a non-profit organization
founded in 2000 by Claudia de la Cruz to provide
quality flamenco dance training in the Santa Ana
Artists Village Community. Today the CSA welcomes over
140 students from 12 communities each week and
produces several public events annually for community
members and local public schools.

El Sapo Cancionero is an organization dedicated to
celebrating and promoting Latin American music in
Southern California. For over 5 years, El Sapo
Cancionero has brought diverse singers and groups such
as Alfonso Maya, Viola Trigo, Fernando Delgadillo,
Mexicanto, MamaCoatl, Luis Jahn, Leon Teixeiro, Gabino
Palomares, Tere Estrada and Alejandro Santiago to
Orange County and Los Angeles.
INFO: http://www.myspace.com/sapocancionero

===============================

*** Tribute to Mexican American Veterans of the
Vietnam War ***

Saturday, November 11, 2006 /
California State University, Fullerton -
   Titan Student Union
FREE - Open to the public

10th Annual Veterans Day Celebration "A Tribute to
Mexican American Veterans of the Vietnam War".
Vietnam War veterans will be profiled in a book for
educational purposes.

Sponsors: Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. & Cal
State University, Fullerton.

====================================

*** GUEVARA'S Exhibit 2006 ***

Ongoing - to October 30, 2006
ICBC Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico

Tributo al Maestro Raul Anguiano,

~ Santora's for The Art's Building
205 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA

~ Camino Play House, San Juan Capistrano
The Capistrano Art Club 911 Memorial

October to October 2007
Second Day of The Dead Celebration
The Library of San Juan Capistrano Presents:
A Chicano Exhibit curated by Mexican Artist

Special Movie Presentation
Day Of The Dead 2005
Paintings And Festivities
Opening 2 pm - 9 pm
You can Participate - There will be Ballet Folklorico,
Altares, Stories DE Meets, Arts and crafts, Comida
Mexicana, Pan de Muerto y Atole

CEMAC Of Rosarito Presents
First Chicano Exhibit - Celebrating Day of The Dead
October 28 2006 / Reception: 6 pm - 10 pm
Join in to celebrate one of the most colorful
art exhibits ever shown in Rosarito Beach, Baja
California, Mexico.

Enjoy the Folkloric Dancers Mexican Food Bu�uelos
Atole, Calaveras de Dulce, Tamales and more.

INFO: 949 248 3324 / 949 636 2750
        guevarasart@...

========================================

*** IMMIGRATION REFORM: Hard Choices Facing America ***

By: Anti-Defamation League and Chapman School of Law

Cost: $20 per debate / $50 for the series.
Chapman students: Free Admission with registration
RSVP: Susan Molk, 714-979-4733; smolk@...
INFO: Kevin O'Grady, 714-979-4733; kogrady@...
(MCLE Credit available; Two credits per debate)

December 14, 2006 / 7 pm
Chapman University Law School, Orange, CA

Debate One: A Debate between Two National Experts.
The Immigration Debate: Can America Find an Effective
and Fair Immigration Policy?

The Immigrant Numbers ...
The Impact on our National Identity
The Impact on Jobs and the Economy
The Fence or the Statue of Liberty
Is Mexico a Special Case?

~ Governor Richard Lamm, Former Governor of Colorado,
Co-Director of the Institute for Public Policy
Studies, University of Denver.
~ Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow, President of the
Institute of the Americas and Former Ambassador to
Mexico.

   ------------------------

February 13, 2007 / 7 pm
Chapman University Law School, Orange, CA

Debate Two: Enforcement: Should Local Police Enforce
Federal Law?

Orange County's Sheriff debates the leading police
chief in the county on the issue of enforcement of
federal immigration law.  Should local law enforcement
enforce federal law?  Does enforcement affect
relationships with immigrant communities?  Some police
chiefs believe this goes beyond the bounds of local
policing, others believe it is an important tool to
fight crime.  This is the first time these law
enforcement officials have debated the issue.

~ Sheriff Michael Carona, County of Orange (CA)
~ Chief Joseph Polisar, Garden Grove Police Department

   ----------------------------

Debate Three: Solutions: Where Do We Go From Here?

March 15, 2007 / 7 pm
Chapman University Law School
Speakers in Formation

=====================================

~~ Board candidate endorsement questioned ~~

A union is checking claims that Joseph
Turner is linked to radical groups.

By CADONNA PEYTON
The Press-Enterprise (San Bernardino, CA)
October 20, 2006

The leadership of the classified employees union for
the San Bernardino City Unified School District is
looking into claims that one of the candidates
endorsed for the Board of Education may be involved in
radical groups, officials said Friday.

Last week, Chapter 183 of the California School
Employees Association endorsed Teresa Parra, and
Rhonda Early, Amanda Jacobs and Joseph Turner.

Steve Holt, 1st vice president-elect and chief job
steward, said that since the endorsement, the union
has heard numerous concerns regarding Turner's alleged
involvement in radical organizations.

"There has been a flood of e-mails involving him and
radical groups, and we are looking into it," he said.

Holt said the union has not rescinded its endorsement.

Turner said he is not involved in any radical or
racist organizations. As of early Friday afternoon, he
had not received any calls from the union regarding
the endorsement.

The candidate is the executive director of Save Our
State, which he describes as an "aggressive
anti-illegal immigration organization."

He led a petition drive for a San Bernardino city
ordinance that would have barred public funding of
day-laborer centers, and would have required the city
to revoke licenses of businesses that employ illegal
immigrants, and fine landlords who rent to them. A
judge ruled that not enough signatures were collected
to place the measure on the ballot.

Turner said he has been open about his position
regarding illegal immigration with the public as well
as the union.

"The topic was discussed during the (candidate)
interview," he said.

Holt said the union membership has been disappointed
with the district for some time now, particularly
regarding the process of hiring employees.

Members have complained about rampant nepotism and
favoritism in the district's hiring process, officials
have said.

In response, Holt said, it is clear the members wanted
a change in the system and that is why the union
endorsed the three newcomers instead of incumbents
Antonio Dupré, Lynda Savage and Elsa Valdez.

He said the selection committee endorsed incumbent
Parra because she demonstrates fairness.

"Although she doesn't agree with us on all the issues,
she has always been willing to meet with us and is
open to communication," Holt said.

Last month, the San Bernardino Teachers Association
endorsed the four incumbents because they were the
best candidates "to keep our school district moving
forward and in the right direction," President Linda
Whitaker said.

Reach Cadonna Peyton at 909-806-3053 or cpeyton@...

=======================================

~~ Looking Over the Wall ~~

The New York Times - Editorial
October 9, 2006

Congress has adjourned to plead for its re-election,
having bequeathed to the nation a giant fence-building
project as its official strategy for fixing the
immigration problem.

No doubt some voters will be reassured by the idea
that covering 700 miles of the 2,000-mile southwestern
border with razor wire and floodlights will solve this
thing once and for all. But many others will continue
to suspect that it is more complicated than that.

With a better start, this election year could have
featured a rational debate about immigration policy
that went beyond xenophobia and the fear of disorder
caused by the presence of immigrant day laborers on
suburban street corners. Americans � particularly
those struggling to find decent jobs themselves � have
a reasonable concern about what effect the presence of
so many unplanned-for workers has had on the economy.
They deserved to hear that talked about in a realistic
way.

Last month the Center for Immigration Studies, a group
that wants to reduce immigration, released a study
that found that a sharp immigration increase in the
last five years corresponded with a steep decline in
the employment of young native-born Americans,
particularly black men without high school diplomas.
Last week in The Times, Rachel Swarns reported on the
ways the booming population of Latinos in the Deep
South � particularly Georgia � had left many black
Americans resentful of the immigrants� comparative
success.

But there is compelling evidence that instead of
harming the economy, unskilled immigrants prop it up,
filling jobs that better-educated Americans do not
want and giving everyone access to cheaper goods and
services. The case made by the Center for Immigration
Studies is rebutted by other studies that have found
that there is no nationwide pattern of job
displacement by illegal immigrants, and that
immigration has broadly been a net plus to the nation.
In Georgia, immigrant labor has kept textile mills,
farms and service industries humming.

Right now across America, fruit is rotting on the
ground because the crackdown along the border has
created a shortage of immigrant workers needed for the
harvest. Nevertheless, it is impossible to ignore
stories of poor American workers who believe that
their livelihoods were undermined by immigrants
willing to work for below-subsistence wages, and of
honest employers who could not compete with
unscrupulous competitors using undocumented workers.

These serious problems will not be solved at the
border with Mexico. Setting things right means
adopting policies that fence-obsessed members of
Congress have not exactly championed, like raising the
minimum wage, improving public education, having a
progressive income tax and making sure that workers�
rights are protected.

These are only a few reasonable solutions. A host of
others is offered in a new report by the Migration
Policy Institute, in which Lee Hamilton, the former
congressman, and Spencer Abraham, the former senator
and energy secretary, argue that immigration needs to
be seen as an integral element of a national economic
policy. It is a resource to be embraced and managed,
with a lawful, orderly flow of workers governed by
flexible quotas set by a national commission advising
Congress.

It�s a comprehensive approach and then some. It offers
a new way of framing a stalled debate. The wall
builders have made their point, and it�s a lousy one.
Now it is time for those who want serious immigration
reform to look beyond them.

======================================

~~ Hill Salary Site Proves Too Big a Hit ~~

By Zachary A. Goldfarb
Special to The Washington Post
Wednesday, September 27, 2006; A25


A Web site documenting the salaries of the roughly
20,000 Capitol Hill employees went live last week --
and almost as soon came crashing down.

No, it didn't get shut down by a judge's order
claiming that private information had been leaked. By
law, the salaries of Hill staffers have long been
available in thick books in the offices of the House
and Senate clerks. The site came down because of the
rush of traffic from computers housed in Congress --
and elsewhere.

It was a sign of the intense interest percolating on
Capitol Hill and political blogs about the
just-launched LegiStorm ( http://www.legistorm.com ).
The site quickly went back online, offering a window
for Hill staff and strangers alike into what everyone
-- from senior senators' chiefs of staff to the House
barber -- earns per year. It's popular trivia that the
president earns $400,000 per year and representatives
and senators earn about $160,000 per year, but the
information on staff salaries hasn't been so publicly
available before.

"These kinds of records . . . were the bread and
butter of reporting on the Hill for me," said Jock
Friedly, a former Capitol Hill reporter who is behind
LegiStorm. "I thought it was about time it was put on
the Web."

Friedly said information kept in obscure House and
Senate offices wasn't helpful to citizens or reporters
doing research on Congress from outside Washington.
"The goal is simply to make Congress a little more
transparent." he said. Friedly, who runs a business
selling government documents, said the site has only a
few text advertisements so far.

The LegiStorm data show that slightly more than 200
Senate staffers earn $150,000 per year. Close to 300
House staffers make that amount, many of them on the
House Appropriations Committee. Most employees seem to
make about $50,000 to $60,000 per year. Many paid
interns -- which Hill aides often start their careers
as -- take home barely $200 per month.

"I've heard some people say they're gong to use this
information as leverage," said a House staffer who has
worked on the Hill for six years. "There's no
uniformity to what people make."

Another House aide said he wished the site was
available when he was negotiating his job three years
ago. "Negotiating a salary for a new job is never a
totally comfortable process, and this information
would certainly give you a leg up as a job candidate,"
the aide said.

Some Hill staffers expressed gripes about LegiStorm.
Because salaries are reported in quarterly increments,
they might contain a year-end bonus that would
overstate the aide's regular income.

Some staff members who work in district offices
outside Washington were worried that their neighbors
would take a look at their salaries, a piece of
information not publicly available for most of the
nation's workers, said Rick Shapiro, executive
director of the Congressional Management Foundation,
which consults with House and Senate offices on
effective management strategies.

"I was concerned that having the American public
having ready access to what everybody in Congress
would make would lead to bashing people when you don't
understand what the cost of living in Washington,
D.C., is," Shapiro said. "If you're from North Dakota
or other areas where the cost of living is much
smaller, you might look at salaries and say this is
outrageous."

====end====

~~ GOP: Nguyen Knew ~~

While candidate denies a role in a flier to Hispanics,
a party leader disagrees.

The Orange County Register
October 20, 2006

U.S. House candidate Tan Nguyen said Thursday that one
of his campaign workers was involved in a mailing
designed to intimidate immigrant voters, but he denied
he had been involved.

But county GOP Chairman Scott Baugh continued to call
on the Republican to drop out of the race and said he
had information directly linking Nguyen to the mailer.

Nguyen is running against Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove, who is favored in the county's sole
congressional district where voter registration favors
Democrats.

The letters went to 14,000 foreign-born Hispanics,
inaccurately warning that it was a crime for
immigrants to vote.

State and federal investigators are investigating the
matter. Voter intimidation with the intent to suppress
turnout is a federal crime.

(full story below)

=======================================

*** PRESS CONFERENCE - Latino, Vietnamese and Other
Leaders Unite to Oppose Anti-Immigrant Campaign Letter
***

Friday, October 20, 2006 / 9 am
Librer�a Mart�nez Books and Art Gallery
110 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

By: OUR CHILDREN-OUR VOTE COALITION: United to ensure
educational quality, equity and accountability for all
our children in the Westminster School District

October 19, 2006
Press Advisory - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daniel Do-Khanh / (949)852-7328
Daniel@...

Latino, Vietnamese, Asian American and other
community-based organizations and leaders will hold a
press conference to express continued unity and oppose
an anti-immigrant campaign letter that was mailed to
14,000 foreign-born registered voters in Orange County
to intimidate them from exercising their
constitutional right to vote.

Political intimidation runs rampant in dictatorial and
oppressive regimes, but must not be condoned in a free
and democratic society. The Our Children-Our Vote
Coalition (Coalition) and its partners seek to ensure
that such a reprehensible act will not discourage and
intimidate immigrants and all other Americans from
participating in the democratic process.

The Coalition and its partners are also determined
that this attempt will not undermine our communities�
shared goals and experiences, and deter us from
building bridges between and among our communities.

The Our Children-Our Vote Coalition, a grassroots
organization of Vietnamese and Latino community
members working to improve education in Westminster,
is the sponsor of this press conference.

The press conference�s co-sponsors to be present
include:
~ Los Amigos of Orange County
~ League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
~ Orange County Asian & Pacific Islander Community
Alliance
~ Vietnamese American Public Affairs Committee
~ Vietnamese Professionals Society
~ Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
~ Asian Pacific American Legal Center

============================================


~~ Arrests pledged over Nguyen mailer ~~

GOP congressional candidate is the center of state and
federal probes over potential voter intimidation.

By MARTIN WISCKOL and DENA BUNIS
The Orange County Register
Friday, October 20, 2006


Condemnation of an intimidating mailer from
congressional candidate Tan Nguyen's campaign swelled
Thursday, as state investigators continued interviews
in the county and the U.S. Justice Department joined
the probe.

State Attorney General Bill Lockyer told Nguyen's
opponent, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, that
details should become clearer in the next few days and
that his office "would be making arrests," Sanchez
said.

Nguyen, a Republican, said Thursday that a campaign
worker helped put out the letter without his knowledge
and that she had been fired. He called the letter,
which targeted immigrant voters, "flawed and
ill-conceived."

But Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott
Baugh didn't believe Nguyen's denial and continued to
call for him to bow out of the race.

"I've learned that Mr. Nguyen was involved in
expediting that mailer," Baugh said. "I've had
conversations with the attorney general and folks
involved with the mail house. He called the mail house
himself and told them to expedite the mailing."

Nguyen, who said Thursday morning that he was
scheduled to meet with investigators later in the day,
did not return subsequent calls seeking response to
Baugh. Lockyer's office declined to discuss further
specifics of the case Thursday.

The letter, written in Spanish and sent to about
14,000 foreign-born Hispanic voters, said that
immigrants voting in an election are committing a
crime that "could result in jail time, and you will be
deported for voting without a right to do so."

Immigrants who become U.S. citizens have the same
voting rights as native-born citizens.

"If it is determined that this letter was directed to
prevent a certain population from voting, then
potentially there could have been a criminal act and
there could be criminal charges," said Cynthia
Magnuson of the U.S. Justice Department.

The letter also said a new federal computer system
could verify the names of newly registered voters and
that anti-immigration groups could access the
information. Magnuson said there is no such system and
no plans for one.

The mailer carried the letterhead of the Huntington
Beach-based California Coalition for Immigration
Reform. CCIR founder Barbara Coe condemned the letter
and said her group had no part in it.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the letter "a
despicable act of political intimidation." Sen.
Barbara Boxer called it "outrageous and
reprehensible." Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Westminster,
also condemned it.

Throughout the Vietnamese community, there was
criticism of the campaign tactic. A coalition of
Hispanic, Asian-American and Muslim groups will hold a
joint news conference today to denounce the letter.

Nguyen said he would hold a news conference today to
discuss whether he will remain in the race. If he
pulls out, his name would remain on the ballot.

Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Barbaro
praised Baugh for calling on Nguyen to bow out.
Barbaro also called on Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley
to write voters who received the letter and encourage
them to vote. Kelley said Thursday that he is not
planning such a mailing.

Like Baugh, Barbaro doesn't believe Nguyen's denial of
involvement with the controversy.

"All roads lead to Tan Nguyen," he said.

But Barbaro said that rather than hurt Democratic and
Hispanic turnout, it could provide a boost. While
Sanchez was already predicted to win easily, turnout
will play a key role in the competitive match for
state Senate between Democrat Lou Correa and
Republican Lynn Daucher.

"The anger here is amazing," Barbaro said. "People are
mobilizing. This is going to help elect Lou Correa."

Correa wasn't so sure.

"I'm getting phone calls from voters saying they're
afraid to vote," he said.

   ------------------------

Orange County Register - View the letter:
http://www.ocregister.com/newsimages/news/2006/10/20document.pdf

(PDF: Adobe Acrobat required to view) All personal
information has been redacted, and an English
translation is on the second page.

VIEW THE LETTER

This is the letter that was sent earlier this week to
Latino voters telling them that if they are an
immigrant, voting could result in jail time.
Foreign-born U.S. citizens have the same voting rights
as native born citizens.

Although the letterhead says it was sent by a
Huntington Beach anti-illegal immigration group, the
founder of that organization says it is not her
group's letter head and that they did not send the
letter. State and federal investigations instead are
focusing on the Tan D. Nguyen, Republican candidate in
the 47th Congressional District. Thursday Nguyen said
a campaign worker sent the letter without his
knowledge and that the worker had been fired. Orange
County Republican leaders called for Nguyen to step
down.

   ---------------------------------

- Other voting shenanigans in O.C. -

1988: Local GOP posts uniformed guards on Assembly
candidate Curt Pringle's behalf at polls in Hispanic
precincts to intimidate voters. The party paid a
$400,000 settlement for the action.

1997: After losing his congressional seat to Democrat
Loretta Sanchez by fewer than 1,000 votes, Republican
Bob Dornan charges that votes cast by immigrants who
registered before becoming citizens cost him the
election. An investigation finds 743 such ballots.

2006: County election officials investigate complaints
from hundreds of Democratic voters whose registrations
were changed to Republican by workers paid up to $7
for each GOP registration.

� Michael Doss,The Register

========================================

~~ Scare-Letter Tactic Leads to Call for Withdrawal ~~

By Christian Berthelsen, Mai Tran and Christopher
Goffard
Lus Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 19, 2006

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Orange County Republican leaders
urged their own congressional candidate to withdraw
from the race Thursday after he acknowledged his
campaign was involved in sending out a letter intended
to scare off Hispanic voters.

Tan Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant facing an uphill
battle against a longtime Democratic incumbent in
central Orange County, faced a battery of questions
from state attorney general investigators and
potential civil and criminal liability for voting
rights violations.

With a political firestorm growing just weeks before
the Nov. 7 election, Nguyen said Thursday that he had
fired the campaign's office manager he claimed
produced the letter, but that he had no prior
knowledge of it.

But his comments were contradicted by the chairman of
Orange County's Republican Party, who said he had been
told by the mail house that sent the letter that
Nguyen was personally involved in its development.

To some, the episode seemed a jarring reminder of what
they call Orange County's history of xenophobia and
voter intimidation, an ugly distinction that
Republican leaders say they've tried hard to bury.

Just days ago, Nguyen had been viewed as a quixotic
but ultimately hopeless challenger to U.S. Rep.
Loretta Sanchez, running a largely self-funded
campaign that had little support from the Republican
Party apparatus.

But the racially charged letter sent to an estimated
14,000 registered voters in Santa Ana, Garden Grove
and Anaheim brought sweeping, national condemnation
from both political parties.

Written in Spanish, one paragraph of the missive read:
"You are advised that if your residence in this
country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in
a federal election is a crime that could result in
jail time."

The letter awoke memories of the 1988 race for the
71st Assembly District in Orange County, when the
local GOP hired uniformed guards to stand in Latino
neighborhoods with signs that said, "Non-Citizens
Can't Vote." Even when it paid to settle a lawsuit for
an undisclosed sum, the GOP doggedly denied
wrongdoing.

That is not the case here, as Republicans rush to
condemn the letter. With the election just 19 days
away, politicians from the U.S. Senate to the state
Senate on both sides of the aisle emerged to denounce
the mailing, and several advocacy groups said they
would hold rallies Friday and Saturday urging
authorities to fully investigate the matter and
prosecute anyone involved.

At the same time, Republican officials on Thursday
quickly sought to distance themselves from Nguyen,
with several calling for him to bow out of his
underdog campaign to unseat Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove. Nguyen has hired a lawyer and met with
investigators from the state Attorney General's office
Thursday.

Addressing questions about the letter for the first
time, Nguyen said his office manager "took it upon
herself to allow our database to be used to send out
the letter. It was disseminated without my
authorization or approval."

The office manager, whose name was not made public,
had been working for Nguyen since he opened his
campaign office. He said the employee had access to a
database of Democrat voters, which he purchased to
send mailers to 73,000 households.

"People are pointing fingers saying that I did it and
that's going to get cleared," he said. "I want to get
the truth out so people can vote for candidates for
the right reasons."

The office manager could not be reached for comment.

   ------------------------
Times staff writer Jennifer Delson contributed to this
report.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/socal/la-me-letter20oct20,0,868353.st\
ory?coll=la-home-headlines

================================











__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

~~ Calif. candidate urged to exit race ~~

By PETER PRENGAMAN,
Associated Press Writer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061019/ap_on_re_us/
immigration_voting_threat

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. - Orange County Republican
leaders on Thursday called for the withdrawal of a GOP
congressional candidate they believe sent a
letter threatening Hispanic immigrant voters with
arrest.

Tan D. Nguyen denied knowing anything about the letter
in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press but
said he fired a campaign staffer who may have been
responsible for it.

County Republican Chairman Scott Baugh, however, said
that after speaking with state investigators and the
company that distributed the mailer, he believes
Nguyen had direct knowledge of "obnoxious and
reprehensible" letter. He told the AP that the party's
executive committee voted unanimously to urge Nguyen
to drop out of the race against Democratic
U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez.

"I learned information that allows me to draw the
conclusion that not only was Mr. Nguyen's campaign
involved in this, but that Mr. Nguyen was personally
involved in expediting the mailer," Baugh said in a
telephone interview.

State and federal officials were investigating the
letter, which was written in Spanish and mailed to an
estimated 14,000 Democratic voters in central Orange
County. It warns, "You are advised that if your
residence in this country is illegal or you are an
immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime
that could result in jail time."

Immigrants who are adult naturalized citizens are
eligible to vote.

Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant whose opposition to
illegal immigration has figured heavily in his
underdog campaign, was not immediately available
to react to the committee's vote. A staffer at his
campaign headquarters said he was meeting with
investigators.

Earlier Thursday, he said in an interview, "I did not
do this. I did not approve of any letter."

Nguyen said he has fired an employee in his office who
he believes might have used his campaign's voter data
base to send the letter without his knowledge. He said
he was cooperating with authorities and planned to
continue his campaign.

"I will do whatever I can do to encourage all citizens
in this district to vote," he said.

Orange County is an immigration battleground. One
founder of the Minuteman civilian border patrol group
ran for Congress here and cities have debated issues
such as the value of public centers for day laborers
and the use of local police to arrest illegal
immigrants.

Complaints about the letters this week prompted a
state probe, and a spokesman for California's attorney
general said investigators had been questioning people
in Orange County. U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman
Cynthia Magnuson said the department's civil rights
division was investigating in coordination with the
state attorney general's office.

Numerous political leaders denounced the letter,
including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "If it is proven
that a candidate was responsible for this action, that
candidate is clearly not fit to serve the people of
California and should withdraw immediately from his or
her race," California GOP Chairman Duf Sundheim said
in a statement.

In an interview Thursday morning, Sanchez said she had
never spoken to Nguyen because her campaign didn't see
him as a threat to her re-election.

"If it is in fact this guy (who sent the letter), the
most disgusting and saddest thing about it is that it
comes from another immigrant," said Sanchez, a
congresswoman born in the U.S. to Mexican parents
whose 1996 election signaled Orange County's
increasing diversification. "These communities have
spent years trying to get naturalized immigrants to
vote."

Nguyen's campaign Web site says he was born in 1973 in
Vietnam, where his family fled the communist regime.

In 2004, he unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic
primary to challenge GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (news,
bio, voting record) in a heavily Republican coastal
district. He later changed his party affiliation and
declared his bid to upset Sanchez.

State attorney general spokesman Nathan Barankin said
he did not know how long the investigation would take,
but did say that investigators "have identified where
we believe the mailing list was obtained."

The owner of Huntington Beach-based Mailing Pros,
Christopher West, said he did not know any laws were
being broken when his company sent the mailer.

"It was in Spanish, and I don't read Spanish," he
said.

West said he gave investigators the name of the person
who hired him, but declined to provide that name in an
interview.

The letterhead of the mailing resembles that of an
anti-illegal immigration group, the Huntington
Beach-based California Coalition for Immigration
Reform. The group's leader, Barbara Coe, said she told
investigators Wednesday that her group didn't
authorize the letter and that she didn't know who sent
it.

"The letterhead was altered, and I've never head of
any Sergio Ramirez," the name signed to the letter,
Coe said.

This is not the county's first dispute over alleged
intimidation of Hispanic voters. In 1988, Republican
Assembly candidate Curt Pringle posted uniformed
"security guards" at 20 predominantly Hispanic voting
places in Orange County.

Republicans said the guards were stationed to prevent
noncitizens from casting ballots. Pringle and the
county GOP paid $400,000 to settle a civil rights
lawsuit alleging intimidation of Hispanic voters.
   ------------------
Associated Press writers Michael R. Blood in Los
Angeles and Michael J. Sniffen in Washington
contributed to this report.

====================================

League of United Latin American Citizens
National Office 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 � FAX (202) 833-6135

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release
Contact:  Lizette Jenness Olmos
October 18, 2006
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16

~ LULAC Asks attorney general to investigate voter
intimidation incidents nationwide

~ Voters should not be afraid to go to the polls this
midterm election season

Washington, DC � The League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) in conjunction with 21 other Latino
and Asian American organizations submitted a letter
Tuesday (see below) requesting that the U.S. Attorney
General conduct a federal investigation into the most
recent scare tactics being used to intimidate voters
in Orange County , California . LULAC is seeking an
investigation into widespread reports of voter
intimidation across the country.

The FBI has already begun an investigation into the
matter and state Attorney General Bill Lockyer has
been urged by California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger to prosecute those responsible to the
fullest extent of the law.

The letter disseminated by the California Coalition
for Immigration Reform targeted immigrant voters with
Latino surnames warning them that it is a crime for
immigrants to vote in the elections.

�This letter is clearly aimed at keeping eligible
Latinos from exercising their right to vote in this
country. It is a violation of the Voting Rights Act
and the California Elections Code and we will not
stand for it,� said National LULAC President Rosa
Rosales. �They have violated the law in an attempt to
intimidate voters. LULAC will fight to preserve
everyone�s right to vote. Our attorneys are ready to
take action against voter intimidation wherever it may
occur.�

�The entire Southwest including portions of California
has a history of voter intimidation by those who use
fear, hatred and physical attacks to stop people from
voting. State and federal law prohibit this kind of
activity,� said National LULAC General Counsel Luis
Vera.

This type of voter intimidation tactic is not new to
Southern California or Barbara Coe and the California
Coalition for Immigration Reform. The same letters
circulated are similar to the ones sent out in 1990.

The League of the United Latin American Citizens, the
oldest and largest Latino membership organization in
the country, advances the economic conditions,
educational attainment, political influence, health
and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs operating at more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide.

   ----  Letter to Attorney General ----

October 17, 2006

The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales
Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington , D.C.   20530

Dear Attorney General Gonzales:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we write
to strongly request an immediate investigation by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation of Barbara Coe, the
California Coalition for Immigration Reform, Sergio
Ramirez and/or persons acting or purporting to act on
their behalf for potential violations of the voter
intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act and
other federal election-related statutes (42 U.S.C. �
1973(i)). Section 1973(i) specifically prohibits
intimidation, threats, or coercion for voting or
attempting to vote.

The basis of our request for an investigation is a
Spanish-language letter received by Latino voters in
Orange County, California that, among other things,
purports to warn them that only United States citizens
are permitted to vote; that voting by non-citizens is
a crime and a deportable offense; and that a host of
immigration restriction organizations has access to a
federal computer database of properly registered
voters. Attached is a copy of the letter with an
English translation.

The letter is a naked attempt to intimidate duly
registered Latino citizens from exercising their right
to vote.  It is our understanding that the letter is
targeted to Spanish-surnamed naturalized United States
citizens born in Latin American countries who are
registered voters.  It does not appear to be limited
to new registrants nor sent to voters of other
ancestries. Nonetheless, any effort to coerce,
threaten or intimidate voters is an offense to the
democratic system and deserves your full investigative
and prosecutorial authority. While the letter is
ostensibly designed to deter fraud, the real purpose
and effect is to discourage eligible Latino voters
from exercising their right to cast a ballot. In so
doing, the letter also contains false information and
misleading legal advice. For example, the letter
states that voting by immigrants is illegal when, in
fact, all naturalized United States citizens are
immigrants.

As you may know, the appearance of these letters
follows a sporadic pattern of attempts at voter
intimidation and suppression in recent years in Orange
County. Past incidents investigated by the U.S.
Department of Justice involved the stationing of
uniformed security guards, posing as FBI special
agents, at polling places to intimidate Latino voters.
After the 1996 general election, Barbara Coe and the
California Coalition for Immigration Reform began
circulating letters similar to the one at issue here
in subsequent elections.

We urge the Civil Rights Division to open an
investigation and to take other appropriate steps
including assigning federal observers or attorney
coverage to monitor polling places during the November
election in Orange County.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
If you need additional information, please contact
Cynthia Valenzuela, MALDEF's Litigation Director, at
213-629-2512.

Sincerely,

American Latino Voter Education Fund
Art Montez, President, Centralia School Board
Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern
California (APALC)
Benny Diaz (recipient of letter)
California Utilities Diversity Council
Latino Health Access
Latino Journal
League of United Latin American Citizens, California
Council
League of United Latin American Citizens, California
District 7
League of United Latin American Citizens Foundation,
Orange County
League of United Latin American Citizens, Garden Grove
Council
League of United Latin American Citizens, Orange
County , District 2
League of United Latin American Citizens, San Benito
County Council #2890
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
(MALDEF)
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed
Officials (NALEO)
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
National League of United Latin American Citizens
Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community
Alliance (OCAPICA)
People for the American Way Foundation
Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project
(SVREP)
U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez

========================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2006

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIALS CALL FOR FURTHER ACTION
AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION EFFORTS

Contact: Mike Levin, Executive Director,
(714) 835-2122, mike@...

Today, the Democratic Party of Orange County calls for
the immediate withdrawal of Republican candidate Tan
Nguyen from the race in the 47th Congressional
District. We applaud Republican Party Chairman Scott
Baugh for joining this call for withdrawal, and urge
him to follow through with his Central Committee to
assure this action is taken. As the investigations by
Attorney General Bill Lockyer and District Attorney
Tony Rackauckas continue, we expect the leadership of
the Republican Party to support prosecution of any
other Republican candidates or political operatives
who are deemed to be involved in this illegal effort
to suppress the Hispanic American vote.

The Republican Party of Orange County, and their
candidates and operatives, have an unfortunate and
long history of using fear and division for political
gain. In 1988, the Republican Party of Orange County
was responsible for funding and placing uniformed
guards at Hispanic polling places in Santa Ana in an
attempt to suppress minority votes. More recently:

In September of this year, former State Republican
Party Chair Shawn Steel characterized Republican
candidate for Anaheim City Council Bill Dalati as an
Islamic extremist because he is an Arab of Syrian
birth and a Muslim.

Earlier this year, bounty hunters paid for by the
Orange County Republican Party switched the
registrations of hundreds of individuals from
Democratic or declined to state to Republican without
their knowledge or authorization.

In the past year, more than 500 verified complaints of
voter registration fraud have been filed with the
California Secretary of State, the District Attorney,
and the Registrar of Voters. Each of these Republican
officials has promised a swift investigation and
prosecution of these recent acts of fraud. Months
after these initial complaints were filed and the
offenders identified, no charges have been filed.

Until the Republican Central Committee clearly
distances their party from these despicable tactics,
their claims to be a party of inclusion will remain
laughable. Until the Republican District Attorney,
Tony Rackauckas, moves to arrest all of those who have
perpetrated this pattern of criminal attack against
the democratic process, the integrity of our elections
in Orange County will remain questionable.

We will be conducting a PROTECT THE VOTE 2006 training
this Saturday, October 21, at 3:30, 200 N. Main St.,
Santa Ana. Please call Mike Levin at (714) 835-2122 or
click here for more information.

Frank Barbaro and Rima Nashashibi
Chair and Vice Chair

-----------------------------
email: info@...
phone: (714) 835-2122
web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

=======================================

~~ State probe looks into Nguyen ~~

Investigators focus on the House hopeful after
Hispanics get a scare-tactic flier.

By NORBERTO SANTANA Jr., TONY SAAVEDRA and MARTIN
WISCKOL
The ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
October 19, 2006

A state probe into who sent an intimidating mailer to
foreign-born Hispanics in Orange County is focusing on
Republican congressional candidate Tan D. Nguyen's
campaign.

Nguyen, who is challenging Rep. Loretta Sanchez,
D-Garden Grove, in November's election, did not return
a call seeking comment.

An Orange County Register investigation into the
mailer found several connections to Nguyen's campaign:

The bulk-mail permit used to send out the letter was
that of a Huntington Beach-based company named Mailing
Pros. Nguyen's campaign used the company for five
mailers this year, with several highlighting
immigration issues, according to campaign finance
disclosures.

Christopher West, who owns the company, said
investigators from the state Attorney General's Office
interviewed him for two hours.

He would not publicly disclose who hired him, although
he gave the information to investigators.

West said he did not know laws were being broken when
the mailer was sent.

"I'm the one that processed it, and I don't read
Spanish. Until the investigator read it to me, I
didn't know the content," West said.

West said his company sends out many mailers in at
least a dozen languages that he does not speak.

"The thing that steams me out about this is I know � I
didn't do anything wrong," he said. "You're dependent
on the integrity of the candidates."

According to campaign finance disclosures, Nguyen's
campaign has contracted with the Burbank-based
Political Data Inc. for data sorts from the registrar
of voters' database.

Records show the company bought an Orange County voter
database in September, which could show addresses of
every foreign-born voter in the county, the target
group of the mailer. Company officials couldn't be
reached for comment.

Neal Kelley, the Orange County registrar of voters,
confirmed that investigators visited his office.

The mailer, which warns immigrants that voting in a
federal election is a crime, started arriving at homes
across central Orange County this week.

"When we were reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act just
a few months ago, this is what some of us were saying
�that this still happens in places," Sanchez said.

Sanchez, who has asked for a federal probe, said state
investigators had not contacted her.

Sanchez is no stranger to the issue of immigrants and
voting.

Her first election was challenged by then Rep. Robert
K. Dornan, who said the election was tainted because
of noncitizen voting.

After a 13-month investigation the House dismissed
Dornan's claim, although GOP leaders said they found
evidence of noncitizen voting.

This week's mailer bore the letterhead of the
Huntington Beach-based California Coalition for
Immigration Reform. That group denied connection to
the effort.

Barbara Coe, group founder, said Wednesday that she
met with state investigators and gave them copies of
her group's letterhead, which she said differs
substantially from the one on the mailer.

Coe said her group doesn't use bulk mail, but sends
its literature first-class.

Although Coe says her group was hurt by the suspect
mailer, she said she can't fault with a message that
only citizens can vote.

She said she received at least three violent death
threats on the group's answering machine since news
broke of the suspicious mailer.

She also said the group's computer system had been
hacked.

Penalties for sending the mailer could be stiff. In
addition to violating federal laws such as the Voting
Rights Act, the state has enacted laws aimed at such
tactics based on a widely publicized instance in
Orange County in the late 1980s. The Republican Party
hired uniformed security guards to stand outside
polling stations; Democrats protested those actions,
which included informing voters that noncitizens were
ineligible to vote.

A state Attorney General's Office spokesman said
violations under state law could be treated as
felonies.

Frank Barbaro, chairman of the Orange County
Democratic Party, said he has asked the registrar of
voters to send letters to all of those who received
the mailing, correcting the record and encouraging
them to vote.

Nguyen is far from a typical candidate. Two years ago,
the Vietnamese immigrant ran as a Democrat in Rep.
Dana Rohrabacher's heavily Republican coastal district
and failed to make it out of the primary. He changed
his affiliation to Republican and declared his bid to
upset Sanchez.

It's not unusual for either party to run candidates in
districts where they have little chance of winning,
which is the case with Nguyen's battle against Sanchez
� she won 60 percent of the vote in 2004. What is
unusual is when a candidate throws $427,000 of his own
money into a long-shot bid, which is what Nguyen, 32,
has done with his almost entirely self-funded
campaign.

The Santa Ana resident is a stark contrast to Sanchez,
particularly with his strict views on immigration.

He has praised the Minuteman Project of civilians who
patrol the border. He opposes President Bush's
guest-worker program and any form of what he calls
immigration amnesty.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, amid last
week's furor over criticism of an Arab-American City
Council candidate in Anaheim, brought Nguyen into the
mix. In a news release, the American-Islamic council
said, "Tan Nguyen has angered local Muslims with his
offensive and inflammatory use of a photograph of a
Middle Eastern terrorist to link the hot-button issues
of illegal immigration and terrorism."

   ------------------------

Register staff writers Dena Bunis, Marla Jo Fisher and
David Lettis contributed to this report.

==================================

ORANGE COUNTY ELECTIONS

~~ Investigation Into O.C. Letter Focuses on
Congressional Candidate ~~

Tan Nguyen, who is running against Loretta Sanchez, is
questioned about mailer seen as intimidating to
Latinos.

By Christian Berthelsen and Jennifer Delson,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 19, 2006


A state attorney general's investigation into letters
apparently designed to suppress Latino voter turnout
in Orange County for the upcoming election is focusing
on the campaign of Republican congressional candidate
Tan Nguyen, according to people familiar with the
inquiry.

Nguyen, who has made halting illegal immigration part
of his platform, is running an underdog campaign to
unseat Rep. Loretta Sanchez, who represents Santa Ana
and is Orange County's only Democratic member of
Congress.

In a fast-moving examination that began just days
after the letters were mailed, sources said
investigators tracked down the location where they
were printed and mailed to an estimated 14,000
Democratic voters in central Orange County.

Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, appearing Wednesday on the
Patt Morrison show on 89.3 KPCC FM, said his office
believes it knows who financed the letters, but said
interviews were still being conducted and declined to
provide further detail.

"That's the preliminary assessment, that there were
one or more Republican candidates for office that were
associated with this effort," Lockyer said.

A spokesman for Lockyer declined to elaborate. But two
sources with direct knowledge of the inquiry said
investigators were focusing on Nguyen's campaign, and
a third said agents had interviewed Nguyen at his
office.

Separately, County Registrar Neal Kelley sent a memo
to Orange County supervisors informing them that the
investigation is "now focusing on a congressional
candidate." He declined to elaborate beyond the memo.

Nguyen did not return requests for comment left on his
cellphone and campaign voicemails, and there was no
response to an e-mail sent to his campaign. There was
no response to messages left for campaign workers at
their homes, and his campaign office was closed
Wednesday evening.

Sanchez's office also did not return telephone calls
seeking comment.

The letter, which purports to be from a Huntington
Beach-based group, warns that immigrants will not be
permitted to vote in the election. It also warns that
the state has developed a tracking system that will
allow the names of Latino voters to be handed over to
anti-immigrant groups.

"You are advised that if your residence in this
country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in
a federal election is a crime that could result in
jail time," the letter, written in Spanish, says.

Nguyen has made cracking down on illegal immigration a
centerpiece of his race, and his campaign materials
feature a picture of him putting up a sign that says
"Stop illegal immigration."

Until now, the campaign for the 47th Congressional
District had generated little notice, and though it
has historically been a competitive seat, Sanchez is
expected to cruise to reelection. Democrats hold a
5-percentage point voter registration advantage,
though there are a large number of decline-to-state
voters.

Latinos make up 35% of registered voters in the
district, Asians make up 18%.

"He's not popular with the Republican Party down
there," said Allan Hoffenblum, a longtime Republican
consultant and publisher of the California Target
Book, an insiders' guide to handicapping political
races. "Nobody seems to be paying any attention to
it."

The district partly overlaps with the 34th state
Senate District, where Supervisor Lou Correa, a
Democrat, is locked in a tough election battle with
former Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher, a Republican.

The letterhead resembles that of California Coalition
for Immigration Reform, a group that advocates
tightening the border, among other things. But the
group's founder, Barbara Coe, said she did not know
the person who signed the letter � "Sergio Ramirez" �
and that she did not authorize it and was unaware of
anyone in her group who might have.

Coe said she was questioned Wednesday for several
hours by two investigators from the attorney general's
office.

Investigators "asked if I knew Loretta Sanchez," Coe
said. "I said I know of her. I told them it's been a
tried and failed relationship."

The letter's assertion that immigrants can't vote is
untrue, because immigrants who become naturalized
citizens can register to vote. An undocumented
immigrant who voted could be subject to deportation
and jail, but the letter's assertion that the state
had developed a computer system that would make it
easy to track down immigrants and illegal residents is
also false.

A wide swath of public officials have decried the
letter. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called them "a
despicable act of political intimidation and a hate
crime." Scott Baugh, chairman of the Orange County
Republican Party, said: "The letter was grotesque and
obnoxious, and, if it's a crime, the offender should
be prosecuted."

Frank Barbaro, chairman of the Orange County
Democratic Party, said Wednesday he had asked Kelley
to send a letter to the original recipients telling
them to disregard the previous one. "I have never seen
such a backlash," Barbaro said. "This is the stupidest
thing I have ever seen."

   ---------------------------
christian.berthelsen
@latimes.com, jennifer.deslon@...
Times staff writer Mai Tran contributed to this
report.

====================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2006

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIALS CALL FOR FURTHER ACTION
AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION EFFORTS

Contact: Mike Levin, Executive Director, (714)
835-2122, mike@...


Today, the Democratic Party of Orange County calls for
the immediate withdrawal of Republican candidate Tan
Nguyen from the race in the 47th Congressional
District. We applaud Republican Party Chairman Scott
Baugh for joining this call for withdrawal, and urge
him to follow through with his Central Committee to
assure this action is taken. As the investigations by
Attorney General Bill Lockyer and District Attorney
Tony Rackauckas continue, we expect the leadership of
the Republican Party to support prosecution of any
other Republican candidates or political operatives
who are deemed to be involved in this illegal effort
to suppress the Hispanic American vote.

The Republican Party of Orange County, and their
candidates and operatives, have an unfortunate and
long history of using fear and division for political
gain. In 1988, the Republican Party of Orange County
was responsible for funding and placing uniformed
guards at Hispanic polling places in Santa Ana in an
attempt to suppress minority votes. More recently:

In September of this year, former State Republican
Party Chair Shawn Steel characterized Republican
candidate for Anaheim City Council Bill Dalati as an
Islamic extremist because he is an Arab of Syrian
birth and a Muslim.

Earlier this year, bounty hunters paid for by the
Orange County Republican Party switched the
registrations of hundreds of individuals from
Democratic or declined to state to Republican without
their knowledge or authorization.

In the past year, more than 500 verified complaints of
voter registration fraud have been filed with the
California Secretary of State, the District Attorney,
and the Registrar of Voters. Each of these Republican
officials has promised a swift investigation and
prosecution of these recent acts of fraud. Months
after these initial complaints were filed and the
offenders identified, no charges have been filed.

Until the Republican Central Committee clearly
distances their party from these despicable tactics,
their claims to be a party of inclusion will remain
laughable. Until the Republican District Attorney,
Tony Rackauckas, moves to arrest all of those who have
perpetrated this pattern of criminal attack against
the democratic process, the integrity of our elections
in Orange County will remain questionable.

We will be conducting a PROTECT THE VOTE 2006 training
this Saturday, October 21, at 3:30, 200 N. Main St.,
Santa Ana. Please call Mike Levin at (714) 835-2122 or
click here for more information.

Frank Barbaro and Rima Nashashibi
Chair and Vice Chair

-----------------------------
email: info@...
phone: (714) 835-2122
web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

LATINO COALITION MEETING  /  Sat 1:30 PM

Dear Friends in the Latino Leadership Coalition:

On behalf of Frank Barbaro, I would like to invite you
to join us this SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, at 1:30 PM to
discuss our reaction to the hate mail recently sent
out to thousands of Latinos in Orange County. Now is
the time to act and mobilize Latino voters. We must
not miss out on this opportunity, and we must ensure
that those potentially disenfranchised by the letter
feel comfortable about their right to vote as a U.S.
citizen.

Join us at the headquarters of the Democratic Party of
Orange County, 200 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA. Feel
free to forward to other interested community members.
  Please RSVP by responding to this email or calling me
at (714) 835-2122.

Also, please see attached a letter to Registrar Neal
Kelley asking for a second letter to be sent to all
Latino voters potentially affected, as well as a press
release asking the Republican Party to demand that any
candidate involved withdraw immediately.

Together, we will stop those who wish to suppress
voter turnout.

Sincerely,

Mike Levin
Executive Director
Democratic Party of Orange County

================================

October 18, 2006

Neal Kelley
Registrar of Voters
PO Box 11298
Santa Ana, CA 92711

Dear Mr. Kelley,

Recently, a Spanish-language letter from the
�California Coalition for Immigration Reform� was
received by Latino voters in Orange County, warning
them that only United States citizens are permitted to
vote, that voting by non-citizens is a deportable
offense, and that immigration restriction
organizations have access to a federal computer
database of properly registered voters. Worse, when
translated, it is clear that the letter advises that
all �immigrants� cannot vote, whether they be
naturalized citizens or not.

We believe the letter to be violative of both the
Voting Rights Act and the California Elections Code.
As you know, Attorney General Bill Lockyer and several
others have ordered a full investigation into this
matter, and arrests may be imminent.

To help combat the negative effects of the letter, we
are formally requesting that your office send out a
new letter, written in both Spanish and English, to
all Democrats with Latino surnames in Orange County.
This letter should be sent to households by Friday,
October 23, and should do the following:

� Explain in plain words who is eligible to vote.
� Reaffirm that voting is an important part of the
democratic process.
� Encourage everyone eligible to vote.
� Describe in specific detail the letter sent out
previously containing false information.
� Provide the name, phone number, and email address
for a point person in your office who will handle all
questions regarding these matters.

We also have reason to believe that there are those
who desire to further suppress voter turnout this
November 7.  We will have many trained poll observers
throughout Orange County, including many attorneys,
dedicated to eliminating voter intimidation or
suppression.  We expect a full and fair vote and look
forward to working together to achieve this goal.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact us.

Frank Barbaro
Chairman
Mike Levin
Executive Director

=========================================

TITLE: DEMOCRATIC PARTY CALLS ON REGISTRAR AND
REPUBLICAN PARTY TO TAKE ACTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2006

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ORANGE COUNTY REQUESTS REGISTRAR
TO MAIL NEW LETTER TO LATINOS CLARIFYING THEIR RIGHT
TO VOTE; CALLS ON REPUBLICAN PARTY TO DEMAND THAT ANY
CANDIDATE INVOLVED WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY

Recently, a Spanish-language letter from the
�California Coalition for Immigration Reform� was
received by Latino voters in Orange County, warning
them that only United States citizens are permitted to
vote, that voting by non-citizens is a deportable
offense, and that immigration restriction
organizations have access to a federal computer
database of properly registered voters.  Worse, when
translated, it is clear that the letter advises that
all �immigrants� cannot vote, whether they be
naturalized citizens or not.

Today, to help combat the disenfranchising effects of
this letter, we are formally requesting that your
office send out a new letter, written in both Spanish
and English, to all Democrats with Latino surnames in
Orange County.  This letter should be sent to
households by Wednesday, October 25, and should do the
following:

� Explain in plain words who is eligible to vote.
� Reaffirm that voting is an important part of the
democratic process.
� Encourage everyone eligible to vote.
� Describe in specific detail the letter sent out
previously containing false information.
� Provide the name, phone number, and email address
for a point person in your office who will handle all
questions regarding these matters.

Moreover, if the evidence suggests that a Republican
candidate for office sent out this letter, we call on
the Republican Central Committee and Republican Party
leadership will exercise their responsibility and
insist that this candidate withdraw from the race
immediately.

We are going to be conducting a training session this
Saturday, October 21, from 3:30-5:30, at the
Democratic Party headquarters, 200 N. Main Street in
Santa Ana, to educate attorneys and other interested
individuals who want to work to monitor polling places
and protect the vote.  If you are interested in
attending, please click here or call Mike Levin at
(714) 835-2122.

Finally, we also have reason to believe that there are
those who desire to further suppress voter turnout
this November 7.  We will have many trained poll
observers throughout Orange County, including many
attorneys, dedicated to eliminating voter intimidation
or suppression.  We expect a full and fair vote and
look forward to working with the Registrar�s Office
and the Republican Party to achieve this goal.

=================================

GAAS:762:06  -  For Immediate Release
Contact:  Margita Thompson
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Francisco Castillo, 916-445-4571

Gov. Schwarzenegger Calls Letters to Hispanic Voters
Despicable, Urges Attorney General to Prosecute as a
Hate Crime

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent the following
letter to Attorney General Lockyer:

October 17, 2006

The Honorable Bill Lockyer
Attorney General
State of California
1300 I Street
Suite 17400
Sacramento , California 95814

Dear Mr. Attorney General,

The reports of letters being sent to Hispanic voters
in California warning them that it is a crime for
immigrants to vote in an election is extremely
alarming.  Whoever sent these letters committed both a
despicable act of political intimidation and a hate
crime, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent
of the law.

Nothing is more un-American than the kind of political
intimidation represented by these acts.  Further,
targeting voters of Hispanic descent is racist and
constitutes a hate crime under California law.  I
strongly encourage you to do whatever it takes to find
the people who sent these letters and prosecute them.

I stand ready to assist you in any way.

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

======================================

~~ State Investigating Intimidating Letter Sent to
O.C. Latinos ~~

Anti-illegal immigrant group disavows the letter,
which focuses on voting issues.

By Jennifer Delson
Times Staff Writer
October 17, 2006

The state attorney general is investigating a
Spanish-language letter warning some Orange County
Latinos that they could be jailed or deported if they
vote in the November election.

The letter, which purports to be from a Huntington
Beach-based group, also warns that the state has
developed a tracking system that will allow the names
of Latino voters to be handed over to anti-immigrant
groups.

"You are advised that if your residence in this
country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in
a federal election is a crime that could result in
jail time �," the letter says.

The letterhead resembles that of the California
Coalition for Immigration Reform, a group that
advocates tightening the border, among other things.
But the group's founder, Barbara Coe, said she
believed it was fraudulent. She said she did not know
the person who signed the letter, "Sergio Ramirez,"
that she did not authorize it and was unaware of
anyone in her group who did.

Nonetheless, it has riled Latino leaders and voters.

One person who received the letter is the wife of a
Garden Grove City Council candidate. She said her
husband, Benny Diaz, called friends after the letter
arrived and found five others with Latino surnames who
had received the note.

"It's a very malicious and degrading letter. It's to
pull Latinos down and make them afraid," said Diaz,
who is president of the Garden Grove chapter of the
League of United Latin American Citizens.

"Of course it's going to affect me and any other
Latino candidate in Orange County," he added.

John Trasvi�a, interim president and general counsel
for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational
Fund, said he had asked the U.S. Department of Justice
to investigate the letter.

Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), who called on
California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson and
state Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer to investigate, believes
the letter is an effort to scare Latinos from voting
in Orange County.

"You can't help but feel disgusted with the contents
of this letter�. I'm not just going to sit silent,"
said Romero, who is up for reelection in November.

Lockyer spokesman Nathan Barankin said the letter was
"something we are investigating aggressively right
now," he said.

The sender could be charged with a felony and receive
up to three years in state prison, he said.

Trasvi�a wants an investigation of a "potential
violation" of federal election law, which prohibits
intimidation, threats or coercion.

He said he was aware of six people who received the
letter, all of whom "appear to be naturalized citizen
voters from Latin American countries." Voters'
birthplaces are available from voter registration
records.

Coe said that in the last four days she had taken
dozens of calls from irate Orange County Latinos who
received the letters, which does not have the group's
logo � an outline of the state of California � but has
a variation of an eagle logo used on the group's
website.

The letter "puts a shadow on our credibility, that we
would target certain people who might be citizens of
our country," Coe added.

She said her group was investigated by the FBI in 1996
and 1998 because members held signs near polls stating
that only citizens can vote.

The letter's assertion that immigrants can't vote is
untrue, because immigrants who become naturalized
citizens can register to vote. Trasvi�a said that an
undocumented immigrant who voted could be subject to
deportation and jail.

The letter's assertion that the state has developed a
computer system that will make it easy to track down
immigrants and illegal residents, however, is false,
he said.

Amin David, who leads the civic group Los Amigos of
Orange County, said the Spanish used in the letter is
very formal, perhaps suggesting it was written by a
non-native speaker. The Spanish includes grammatical
errors.

-------------------
jennifer.delson@...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-scare17oct17,1,4919981.story?coll\
=la-editions-orange

====end====

~~ The Comcast Foundation Supports LULAC's Education
of Latino Youth ~~

Literacy Program to Launch in Targeted Communities

PRNewswire
October 5, 2006

(Washington) - The Comcast Foundation announced a
$50,000 grant for a literacy program to LULAC National
Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC). The LNESC
is a national, non-profit, community-based
organization established by the League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC), whose mission is to educate
and prepare America's future workforce through
intensive educational programming and leadership
development training. Support of LNESC's "Accelerated
Program" reinforces Comcast's continued commitment to
improving educational opportunities for the Hispanic
community.

Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgibin/prnh/20061005/PHTH037

The project will be implemented in three Comcast
markets; the La Villita neighborhood in Chicago, IL;
Balboa Park in San Francisco, CA; and Pueblo, CO.

The "Accelerated Reader" program will serve
approximately 180 participants, 90 elementary school
children and 90 parents. LNESC's supplementary
services are considered an integral part of the
education system in these neighborhoods because they
face high rates for poverty, school drop out, and
unemployment.

"Comcast is proud to support this important program,
which provides essential literacy tools to individuals
furthering their education," said David L. Cohen,
executive vice president for Comcast and chairman of
the Comcast Foundation. "Ultimately, providing support
to organizations such as LNESC will expand the
opportunities available to the Hispanic community and
contribute to the success of those who participate in
their programs."

"As the educational arm of LULAC, the country's oldest
and largest Latino membership organization, LNESC is
uniquely prepared to serve the educational needs of
its target communities," said Rosa Rosales, LULAC
National President.

"Given recent federal government budgetary cuts,
Comcast's support comes at an integral time, enabling
LULAC to continue providing our services to the
Hispanic community," said Roman Palomares, Chairman of
the Board, LNESC.

The "Accelerated Reader" program will be open to all
elementary age students and their parents and will
seek to accomplish the following three things:
increase and sharpen basic computer skills and
technological literacy of both parents and students
through the use of specialized software and the
Internet; improve reading skills, especially
comprehension and retention; and develop and
strengthen the educational partnership between
students, parents, and schools.

- About LULAC -

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
is the nation's oldest and largest direct-membership
Hispanic advocacy organization. The LNESC, a
separately incorporated entity established by LULAC,
has a mission to assist academically gifted,
low-income youth in their college pursuits.

Over the past 32 years, LNESC has grown to encompass a
national network of eighteen physical offices,
twenty-one satellite programs and seventy-five local
LULAC Councils. The councils participate in a wide
array of education and scholarship programs that have
been developed by LNESC specifically for these
community groups. LNESC's far-reaching network allows
it to make a greater impact on educational attainment
within the Latino community in the United States.
LNESC contributes to the success of over 15,000
students nationally every year by providing college
admissions information and support, financial aid
counseling, academic enrichment, SAT and ACT
registration, application workshops, and general
student advocacy through eliminating the obstacles
that may impede their success. To date, LNESC has
helped over 400,000 disadvantaged, minority students
to complete high school and pursue a post-secondary
degree.

- About Comcast -

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News, CMCSK -
News; http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading
provider of cable, entertainment and communications
products and services. With 23.3 million cable
customers, 10 million high-speed Internet customers,
and 1.6 million voice customers, Comcast is
principally involved in the development, management
and operation of broadband cable systems and in the
delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E!
Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf
Channel, Versus, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout,
TV One and four regional Comcast SportsNets. Comcast
also has a majority ownership in Comcast Spectacor,
whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers
NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball
team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelph.

====================================

~~ Campas, with group's help, is challenging SV
primary election result ~~

By Gentry Braswell
Sierra Visat Herald/Review (Arizona)
October 5, 2006

SIERRA VISTA � A complaint regarding the Sept. 12
primary election balloting and results was filed
Wednesday in Cochise County Superior Court on behalf
of Sierra Vista City Council candidate Chris Campas.

Ruben Ortega, president of League of United Latin
American Citizens local council 1080, said that with
Sierra Vista law firm Cardinal & Stachel having filed
the complaint, his intention is to now contact LULAC
organizational officials at the state level to
intervene in the case.

If need be, LULAC�s legal arm, Mexican-American Legal
Defense and Education Fund, may lend legal assistance.

�We�ll ask state LULAC to intervene on behalf of the
plaintiff, Chris (Campas), because there were enough
discrepancies perhaps to make a difference in the
election,� Ortega said. �The reason LULAC is getting
involved with this is because the system broke down.
It is LULAC�s intention to make sure the system is
cleaned up in the future so this doesn�t happen again.�

The local LULAC group will ask state LULAC to file a
friend-of-the-court document with regard to Campas�
complaint suggesting there should be another election
between Campas and former councilman Bob Blanchard.

�This is the perfect example of the county not doing
its job,� Ortega said.

Four council candidates ran for three positions, and
Blanchard in the primary was thought to have defeated
Campas by four votes. The slim deciding margin by
state law required a recount of Blanchard�s and
Campas� ballots, which on Sept. 22 determined Campas
lost by six votes.

But there 31 known instances of non-city residents
having erroneously been given municipal ballots that
included the mayoral and council race during occurred
election day primary polling, according to the Sierra
Vista city clerk�s staff.

Ten such mix-ups with ballots occurred in the Fry
precinct, which includes the Fry Townsite county
enclave, and 21 such mix-ups occurred at the Avenida
del Sol precinct, which includes residents on both
sides of the city limit, Deputy City Clerk Jill Adams
said.

Of those 31, only three voters brought the error to
the attention of city clerk�s staff, after the fact.
After being cast, None of these votes could be
differentiated from the rest of the ballots, Adams
said.

Frank Zizza, who is a University of Arizona South
mathematics faculty member, said comparing the results
between Campas and Blanchard throughout the city, as
well as at just the Avenida del Sol and Fry precincts,
amounted to the same, nearly �dead heat� that occurred
in the primary between the two candidates.

The statistical probable result of any possible
recount or re-vote, if the voting trends were to
continue as they were during the primary election
process, would tend toward the same outcome, the
professor said.

- �Not a Blanchard-versus-Campas thing� -

Former councilman Tomas Gallegos, who according to
Ortega paid the initial legal fees for the complaint
on behalf of Campas, said the democratic ideals at
stake are more important than the outcome of an
election.

Campas has made that same statement several times
since the election.

�This isn�t a Blanchard-versus-Campas thing. This is
the system that failed, the process itself allowed 31
illegal votes,� Gallegos said.

Considering that any other candidate would likely file
such a complaint, Campas� relatively non-traditional
status as a candidate should not prevent such a
complaint from being filed on his behalf, Gallegos
said.

Campas, 18, is a University of Arizona freshman and
graduated last spring from Buena High School.

�I�m completely in support of LULAC here,� Campas said.

The complaint filed at the Superior Court office in
Sierra Vista asks the court to declare Blanchard�s
election invalid, order a run-off election or special
election, and order the Cochise County election
department to �establish a procedure to ensure only
qualified and eligible city voters are permitted to
vote in city elections.�

The official grounds of the complaint are that county
voters were issued city election ballots, which was
caused by �misconduct on the part of election
officials in distributing ballots to ineligible
voters, resulting in an inaccurate tally and
election,� according to the complaint.

Immediately after the announcement of the recount
results, Blanchard asked Campas to be his
representative on the Sierra Vista Citizens Advisory
Commission, at such time Blanchard is seated again on
the council.

Campas heartily accepted Blanchard�s offer that day.

The college student said Wednesday that �regardless of
what happens after this, I hope that his offer still
stands because I�d be more than honored to accept.�

Blanchard said the offer absolutely does remain,
though he expressed surprise at the challenge.

�My offer still stands, and will stand as long as he
wants it. I don�t blame Chris for doing what he�s
doing,� Blanchard said. �I�m kind of surprised that
they want to do that. I�m just surprised they want to
drag this out.�

- Looking at the next vote -

Sierra Vista City Clerk Jack Cooke called these
circumstances to be the consequences of �a very
difficult situation.�

�Ideally we wouldn�t have a mix between city and
county (voters within a single precinct),� Cooke said.
But such is the case at several Sierra Vista
precincts. �Unfortunately because we have these
�islands� (unincorporated county) enclaves in the
city, it�s almost impossible to draw lines to sort out
or remove county-from-city or city-from-county.�

The county and city jurisdictions overlap because,
originally, the county precinct lines were aligned
with city district lines in response to voter�s
complaints of multiple polling stations for the same
voters in different elections, Cooke said.

In May 2003, he said, the school district polling
became confusing because people had to vote at a
different poll location than that at which they voted
in city elections, then again a third location for the
same voter for county elections.

�The people were angry and rightly so,� Cooke said.

This kind of confusing situation affected voter
turnout in a negative fashion as well, Cooke said.

�I think the thing that really complicated it this
time is, we had Proposition 200 (as approved to change
voters� polling requirements in the 2004 election) in
there, and most of the volunteers were concentrating
on Proposition 200 issues,� Cooke said.

Adding further to the recipe for problems at the polls
is the ongoing lack of elections volunteer staff, for
whom the rules always seem to be changing. The
volunteers are often the same individuals as election
years come and go. They are always understaffed and,
frankly, aging, Cooke said.

Cooke said elections volunteering is a �thankless job�
that can be quite exhausting and complicated, and a
job that has always been difficult to find volunteers
for.

Philosophically speaking, the city clerk said Campas
has done the right thing if he wished to push the
issue further.

�As the city clerk, I cannot solve this, and the
courts are the proper place to do it. So I support
that, in that respect,� he said.

Regardless of what results from the complaint filed at
county court at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Cooke said the
city clerk�s office intends to make every effort to
prevent the recurrence of erroneously disbursed
ballots on Nov. 7 through a more proactive policy and
by having more city clerk staff on hand to mitigate
any confusion.

Cochise County Elections Director Tom Schelling did
not speculate on what the court�s reaction to the
complaint might be, but he said, in his opinion, the
only way to prevent balloting confusion is either the
city annex precincts, which would result in a uniform
voter constituency, or the city return to its own
election cycle apart from the county�s.

Self-professed political curmudgeon and longtime
Cochise County resident O.O. Leininger said the
current circumstance doesn�t surprise him.

�It�s not going away because the general mayoral is
confronted with the same issue. Determining which
votes are in the city and which votes are in the
county is a tough nut to crack,� Leininger said. �The
only way you can really do this is a physical site
survey by the county Recorder�s Office and the city
clerk.� He said such a survey has been done in the
past, but not recently.

�This is all the more reason to have a universal early
ballot by mail,� Leininger said. �It�s been so long
since we�ve had such a competitive City Council race
to expose the problem. The problem has always been
here in the last 25 or 30 years.�

================================

~~ The bumps in the road that fuel you ~~

By D. Craig MacCormack/ Staff Writer
TownOnline - Massachusetts
Friday, September 29, 2006

Barbieri Elementary School Principal Minerva Gonzalez
says raising the bar of expectations is a key to
ensuring students� success

If they could see her now.

Barbieri Elementary School Principal Minerva Gonzalez
will never forget when her high school guidance
counselor told her not to bother pursuing a teaching
career because it wasn�t one that would welcome many
Latinos.

Many years later, Gonzalez - a Hudson resident for
about 35 years - was the first recipient of the League
of United Latin American Citizens� Distinguished
Educator Award, the first time any such honor was
bestowed.

Thanks to her nomination by School Committee member
Cesar Monzon, Gonzalez spent two days in Milwaukee at
the end of June for the annual LULAC convention, where
she picked up the heavy glass award she proudly
displays in her office.

Gonzalez called her nomination and recognition "quite
a surprise," seeming humbled by the fact her work was
worth such an honor.

But in her 17 years at Barbieri, Gonzalez started a
two-way bilingual education program in which English
and Spanish speakers share their native tongues and
teachers fluent in both flip between teaching in each
language.

The classes are traditionally split in half as far as
students whose first language is English and those who
are more proficient in Spanish. Classes include
students from Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador,
Guatemala and other countries, said Gonzalez.

That approach replaced the transitional bilingual
education, where students were taught English as well
as the traditional content aimed at youngsters in
kindergarten through fifth grade.

The two-way offering, which has a waiting list, was
given a Portrait of Success award by the Center for
Applied Linguistics in 2001 and the school was named
as a Commonwealth Compass by the state Department of
Education in 2004 for its unique approach to promoting
student achievement.

"I believe in using diversity as a resource and not a
problem," said Gonzalez. "I look at this school as a
microcosm of society in terms of the various
socioeconomic backgrounds and the cultures of the
children here."

"We can prepare kids here to survive in our society.
The more they can deal with diversity and people who
are different than them, the better their chance of
success. Language is a big part of that," she said.

And, while the students are learning a second
language, they�re also staying with or ahead of their
peers, said Gonzalez. Students at Barbieri routinely
outscore students in other districts on the
Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment, she
said.

Gonzalez�s love of learning has long been part of her
life, so it�s not a big surprise to see her so
invested in the lives of the 600 students she works
with at Barbieri.

Growing up in Spanish Harlem, Gonzalez didn�t speak
any English when she started school so she was
relegated to the lower-level classes, but took an IQ
test after second-grade and was quickly shifted to
honors classes.

Because of her guidance counselor�s snub when she
asked for a four-year college recommendation, Gonzalez
entered a two-year college after high school but
transferred to the City College of New York before her
sophomore year.

She looks back now at her experience in school as one
that serves her well, and tries to pass the lessons
she learned on to her students and teachers.

"If you don�t expect much, you�re not going to get
much," she said. "Those bumps in the road can fuel
you. Raising the bar of expectations is a key to
ensuring students� success."

Craig MacCormack can be reached at 508-626-4429 or
cmaccorm@....

=================================

~~ Immigrants find military a faster path to
citizenship ~~

By James Pinkerton
2006 Houston Chronicle
September 14, 2006

SAN JUAN, TEXAS - A record number of immigrants are
becoming U.S. citizens by serving in the armed forces.
Some are granted citizenship posthumously after they
are killed in battle. But most survive the perils of
war and soon pledge allegiance to the red, white and
blue.

More than 25,000 immigrants have become citizens and
another 40,000 have become eligible for citizenship
through the military since President Bush signed an
executive order in July 2002 speeding the process.

"We've had a record surge of applications," said Dan
Kane, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services in Washington. Immigrants "can apply for
citizenship immediately, the day they are sworn in as
members of the military."

The 40,000 immigrants in the U.S. military can become
citizens after only a year of active duty instead of
the previous three years, Kane said.

Only legal residents � or immigrants who entered the
country illegally and then applied for residency � can
enter the armed forces. And while the fast track to
citizenship is a strong lure for some, it's not the
main reason many Latino immigrants sign up, say
military recruiters in the Rio Grande Valley.

"I'd put No. 1, the educational benefits," said U.S.
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Levi Garcia, a Brownsville
recruiter and himself an immigrant from Nicaragua.
"No. 2, work experience, and three would be serving
their country, or patriotism."

Citizenship benefits are a distant fourth, he said.

Kane agreed, rejecting the idea that immigrants join
to become citizens.

"Immigrants who come into the military are doing it
because of a strong sense of patriotism. They are
embracing their adoptive country," he said. "When I
hear people saying they are signing up to be citizens,
it denigrates their service."

"They're there because they want to make a
contribution. ... They want to give back to America."

- Fast-track perk -

Typical is the case of Delia Gutierrez, 18, an
immigrant from San Luis Potosi state in Mexico. She
said she didn't join the Marines for citizenship. She
signed up out of gratitude to the United States.

But she'll also apply for citizenship, taking
advantage of the fast-track perk.

Citizenship comes posthumously for some immigrants.

Since the 9/11 attacks, at least 80 immigrant troops
have been declared U.S. citizens after being killed in
Iraq or Afghanistan, U.S. officials say.

Julio Cisneros Alvarez, 22, a native of Reynosa,
Mexico, had joined the Marine Corps and hoped that the
U.S. government would help him pay for medical school.

But his plans were cut short in January 2005, a little
more than a year after he enlisted. A machine gunner,
he was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his
Humvee during a nighttime patrol in Iraq.

A month later, in a somber ceremony at the U.S.
immigration offices in Harlingen, his mother accepted
a certificate granting him U.S. citizenship.

"Julio went because he wanted to be a doctor," said
his mother, Senobia "Marta" Alvarez, 40, a South Texas
cantina owner.

He also wanted to fight terrorism, she said, so that
his mother and his two brothers, Marcos and Santos,
would have a secure future.

A 3-foot-tall poster of the slain Marine in his
uniform is taped to a long mirror behind the bar at
the family's cantina.

"Hopefully, this county will recognize the sacrifice
he and all the others made over there � and that
people never forget them," said Alvarez, as she wiped
tears from her eyes.

- 'I'm here for your security' -

Laws passed in 2003 and 2004 grant citizenship to
immigrants killed in combat, give priority status to
surviving spouses and children, and waive processing
fees.

The provisions have allowed about 1,000 service
members to become citizens while serving at overseas
military bases in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, at
U.S. Embassies, and even aboard warships.

The citizenship ceremonies are sometimes held close to
the battlefield. In July, for instance, 69 active duty
service members took the oath of allegiance at a
military camp in Balad, Iraq.

Leaders of some Hispanic groups say immigrants'
sacrifices in war aren't always acknowledged,
especially by those pushing to seal the U.S.-Mexico
border.

"How can we tell our young men and women to fight
overseas to defend our nation ... when Congress is
falling over itself to punish their families,
neighbors and friends by deporting them?" said Brent
Wilkes, director of the League of United Latin
American Citizens in Washington.

At least 18 troops from the Rio Grande Valley have
been killed in Iraq , according to the Defense
Department.

That's "way more" than the area's "fair share,"
Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa said.

The poverty plaguing South Texas, he contends, drives
many Latinos to sign up.

Not long after Sept. 11, 2001, Alvarez, then 17, tried
to join the military. But he couldn't because he was
not yet a legal resident, his mother said.

After finally making it into the Marines and reaching
Iraq, he called home and told his mother that he was
there for her and the family.

"I'm here for your security, and for Marcos and
Santos," she recalled him saying.

james.pinkerton@...

===================================

~~ Search for superintendent will be kept confidential ~~

Candidates won't meet community groups

By CLARISSA ALJENTERA
Monterey Herald Staff Writer
Monterey, CA
September 19, 2006

Undergoing their second superintendent search in less
than a year, trustees of the Monterey Peninsula
Unified School District are switching their tactics
and will keep the process out of public view.

Unlike previous searches, only the board's seven
members will know who the candidates are. In previous
years, community members have been asked to sit on
various interview committees and meet candidates.

After a failed attempt last spring with the California
School Boards Association to find a superintendent,
trustees voted in July to go with the Mission Viejo
consulting firm Leadership Associates.

With Leadership Associates, the only time community
members will be asked to give input is during the
beginning of the search when a list of qualifications
is being compiled.

After publicly announcing the process at a board
meeting on Monday, trustees were asked by the public
why they were being excluded during the interview
process.

"Just because the contracting agency has one way of
doing it, that doesn't mean the board has to accept
it," said Maria Buell, a member of the Monterey
Council of the League of United Latin American
Citizens.

Buell said in years past, LULAC has participated in
the process and met candidates face-to-face.

Trustee Helen Rucker said the procedure was clarified
for trustees during a closed session.

"It is a confidential search because of things that
happened last time," Rucker said.

Last spring trustees embarked on a search that ended
in disappointment when their final candidate withdrew
late in the process, citing family issues with the
move.

Having cut down the candidates to finalist Laura
Alvarenga, who worked as superintendent in San Rafael,
trustees traveled to her current district to conduct
interviews. Days after the trip, trustees were told
Alvarenga wanted out.

In the past two searches school district officials
invited community members to sit on interview
committees, which didn't work, said Carlos Noriega,
board president.

"This is the way we should approach it this time,"
Noriega said. "We are not excluding community input."

Noriega said the board has information left over from
the last search and that Leadership Associates will be
sitting with community members to get more
information.

Noriega said the confidentiality issue was a factor
when it came time to choose the search firm.

He said a good candidate might not interview with the
school district in the off chance an interview
committee member may make his own inquiries, such as
calling the person's current district.

"Their anonymity gets released, therefore jeopardizing
their status," Noriega said.

Without a leader in place, trustees renewed interim
Superintendent John Lamb's contract until March 2007.
The district hasn't had a permanent superintendent
since Daniel Callahan's contract wasn't renewed in
mid-2005.

Search-firm representatives complimented the board for
its high level of expectations and focus on academics.

"They are very focused," said Walter Buster, a
representative of Leadership Associates.

In the next few weeks a refined timeline will be
established for the application deadlines and
interview dates. The district hopes to have a new
leader hired by January.

Although a search midway through the school year isn't
the norm, it isn't uncommon.

"It isn't impossible," said Larry Aceves, an associate
for Leadership Associates.

Board members established some of their wants and
needs during the closed session Monday.

"We want to be clear with their expectations," said
Buster. "We know a lot about what the board wants."

A brochure along with a job description will be
prepared in coming weeks.

   ------------------

What's next? Timeline: District administrators will
finalize a timeline for the superintendent search and
arrange for the public to tell consultants what
qualities they are seeking in a new leader for the
school district.

=========================================

~~ Vigil: Celebrando Fiestas 2006 is a day of
remembrance, celebration ~~

By Heather Parker
Carlsbad Current-Argus (New Mexico)
September 17, 2006

CARLSBAD � Secretary of the State of New Mexico,
Rebecca Vigil-Giron, smiled and waved for parade
on-lookers Saturday during The League of United Latin
American Citizens parade, which was part of the
"Celbrando Fiestas 2006" festivities.

Following the parade, Vigil-Grion stepped up to the
podium as the official keynote speaker. Vigil-Giron
delivered a powerful speech to the special guests,
students and parents.

"Today is not just a day of celebration, but of
remembrance. It is a special day for Latinos and it
fills our hearts with pride and joy. Mexico fought
over the colonial ambitions of Spain, fighting for
liberty and freedom, the same values we celebrate
now," Vigil-Giron said.

She went on to commend the 40 million Latinos living
in the United States who have made great contributions
in all aspects of American lives in the areas of art,
public service, sports and others.

Vigil-Giron also spoke about the Latin Americans who
have fought in our nation's wars. She also asked the
listners not to forget the troops now in Iraq and
Afghanistan who are fighting for freedom much like
their ancestors of 200 years ago.

"This celebration reminds us that our nation was built
by people from many nations and cultures who are
willing to fight and die for freedom," Vigil said
"Today is also a special day for 24 gifted students
from Carlsbad and Loving. I want to commend them for
their hard work and determination."

Vigil-Giron recognized the LULAC Scholarship winners
and presented to those Scholars winners, a
certificates and a Blue Book, compiled by Rebecca
Vigil-Giron, which includes historical information
about the state, as well as a directory of public
officials, agencies and interesting trivia.

Those winners are: Breakout: LULAC Council 206
Scholarship Recipients 2006

Kyrie Baca, Elaine Barreda, Alexander Bustos, Honesty
Carrasco, Sonya Carillo, Alyssa Chacon, Xavier Chavez,
Jordan Clark, Juan Dorado, Brissa Farrell, Jairus
Florez, Jimmy Foster, Ricardo Gonzales, Savannah
Hernandez, Sinjin Leyva, Leonora Matta, Jessica
Pangle, Amber Ramirez, Jessi Rodriguez, Clarissa
Samaneigo, Christopher Sanchez, Joel Stanley, Veronica
Valdez andAracely Vera.

Vigil-Giron thanked all of Eddy County for being good
to her and accepting her as part of the community.

Prior to Vigil-Giron's speech, Ray Anaya, Grito de
Hildago, read a Spoem in honor of Mexico while the
Mexican flag was raised. He then waved his own flag
high, proudly shouting, "Viva Mexico," to the cheering
crowd.

Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Ned Elkins also addressed the
audience.

"I disagree with Bob (Mayor Bob Forrest) when he says
the greatest thing about Carlsbad is the river because
I say it is the people," Elkins said "It's a great
time to celebrate in this community, and the great
thing about our community is our diversity and the
ability to come together. Carlsbad has fierce sense of
independence, pride and freedom and I have seen that
today."

Once the opening ceremony was over the public enjoyed
the entertainment, presentations and the local
vendors.

=====================================

~~ Dancing to an old beat ~~

Troupe performs traditional Mexican dances at fiesta

By TOM LOEWY
The Register-Mail (Illinois)
September 16, 2006

GALESBURG - Joan Smith looked a tad bewildered Friday
as she stood in the short hallway leading to Cooke
Elementary School's crowded gymnasium.

Just when the two lines of brightly clad dancers
looked like they might dissolve into chaos, Smith was
saved by Cooke Principal Dr. Jean Brown's words.

"Let's bring out the next set of dancers."

The boys dressed in white button-up shirts and bandana
ties and the girls in Jalisco dresses favored for
traditional Mexican dancers are members of the New
Generation Dancers. They, along with Cooke School
parents and onlookers gathered in the gym for an
evening of dancing, a few short history lessons and
plenty of food.

It was all part of the school's Mexican Fiesta
Celebration.

"It's hard keeping track of all these kids," Smith
said. "But they are a good bunch. We have 20 kids here
tonight - and they are all, or were once, Cooke
students."

Smith, who is a member of League of United Latin
American Citizens, said the dance troupe is a far cry
from its humble beginnings "three or four years ago."

"My sister (Margie Vasquez) and I wanted to do some of
the traditional Mexican dances for our grandma's
birthday a couple of years back," Smith said. "We
taught our kids the dances and we decided we wanted to
teach other kids the dances.

"It's a great way for kids to learn about their
heritage."

And the New Generation Dancers were born.

"At first, we had less than 10 kids in the group. That
was like two or three years ago," Smith said. "Lately
we've had 25 to 30 kids take lessons."
And not all of the kids are of Hispanic descent.

"We have a number of non-Hispanic kids," Smith said.
"They want to learn the dances or they want to have
fun with friends."

The growth of the New Generation Dancers mirrors that
of LULAC, which helped out with Cooke's event.

LULAC was founded in 1958 and has seen membership rise
and dwindle.

"When I started in LULAC in April of last year, there
were just eight members," Smith said. "Now we have
about 50 members. I think word has gotten out in the
community and we are really involved with the
community."

Dr. Brown said the Mexican Fiesta was part of Cooke
School's recognition of Mexico's Independence Day.

"The kids do the program. They just don't come in and
eat," Brown said. "The children give some history
lessons tonight and we really try to recognize
Hispanic heritage."

LULAC's Mexican Family Fiesta will start at 11 a.m.
today at 1045 W. Second St. A kids carnival will be
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food will be served from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. and a dance will be from 9 p.m. to 1
a.m.

=======================================

~~ Summit suggests gang-plan options ~~

Injunctions such as West Sacramento 's divide
community, activists argue.

by Ryan Lillis
Sacramento Bee Staff Writer
September 10, 2006

The injunctions that police use to deal with gangs
ignore the root causes of crime, violate civil rights
and break up communities, according to activists who
gathered Saturday at Sacramento State .

Using West Sacramento's gang injunction as their focal
point, about 200 activists and community members
debated alternatives to the police crackdown that has
divided many in that city.

Organizers of the Statewide Summit on Gang Injunctions
discussed proposing legislation to limit injunctions,
mobilizing community groups and increasing dialogue
between police and the people they serve.

Organizers said representatives from West Sacramento
's city government and its Police Department were
invited but did not attend the summit.

"These injunctions are just another tool to use
against the people," said Phil Barros, the summit's
chair and former president of La Raza Network, an
umbrella group of several Latino organizations.

Barros, a former correctional officer, taught gang
classes to fellow officers during his 30-year career.
He said the West Sacramento injunction is too broad
and falsely labels many law-abiding citizens as gang
members.

"After someone is branded a gang member, it's on their
rap sheet, and it's impossible for them to get a job,"
Barros said.

He charged that authorities have mislabeled the
Broderick Boys a street gang, saying they are simply a
group of men from West Sacramento 's Broderick
neighborhood.

West Sacramento's gang injunction began in February
2005 to counter what police said was a gang population
of 350 in the city.

The injunction includes a curfew and restricts gang
members from associating with each other.

Opponents said the injunction makes some people guilty
by association.

"All they are doing is placing a prior restraint on
the associational rights of the individuals," said
Luisa Menchaca, the summit's co-chair and a member of
the League of United Latin American Citizens, a civil
rights group.

"We should be looking at alternatives that look at
youth community development and gang-prevention
issues. We need to be investing in our communities."

Barros said many people believe the gang injunction's
aim is to displace longtime West Sacramento residents
to make room for development.

The result, others said, is that families get spread
out and the community develops animosity toward the
police.

"I love my town, but everyone feels afraid of the
police," said Martha Garcia of Americans for Freedom
in West Sacramento , a community group.

"It becomes a violation of a person's freedoms. The
people have no freedoms, and this is all done to
collect more surveillance."

West Sacramento police have credited the injunction
with helping to reduce crime in the city.

A Police Department spokesman could not be reached for
comment Saturday.

There are more than 50 gang injunctions in California
, said Francisco Romero, an activist and City Council
candidate from Ventura County 's Oxnard , many parts
of which are under an injunction.

"Studies have shown there are immediate short-term
benefits to the injunctions," he said.

"But after that chill factor period wears off, you
actually see more or the same amount of gang activity.
They're not addressing the root causes behind crime."

=========================================

~~ OBITUARY - James deAnda, 81; Worked to Establish
Mexican Americans' Constitutional Rights ~~

By Elaine Woo
Times Staff Writer
September 14, 2006

James deAnda, a retired federal judge who as a lawyer
on a pivotal 1950s case established that Mexican
Americans were entitled to the same constitutional
protections as other minorities, died of prostate
cancer Sept. 7 at his vacation home in Traverse City,
Mich. The longtime Houston resident was 81.

DeAnda was the last surviving member of the four-man
legal team behind Hernandez vs. Texas, decided by the
U.S. Supreme Court on May 3, 1954. The Hernandez
decision, which overturned a murder conviction by an
all-white jury, for the first time gave Mexican
Americans status as a distinct legal classification
entitled to special protection under the Constitution.

The youngest member of the team, deAnda researched and
wrote the briefs for the case, the first tried by
Mexican Americans before the nation's highest court.

He went on to wage successful legal battles
challenging substandard schooling for Mexican American
children in Texas and helped found a leading Latino
civil rights organization: the Mexican American Legal
Defense and Educational Fund. He became a federal
judge in 1979.

"He was our Thurgood Marshall," Michael A. Olivas, a
University of Houston law professor and the editor of
a recent book about the Hernandez case, said in
comparing deAnda with the first African American
Supreme Court justice.

The Hernandez case was eclipsed by Marshall's triumph
as lead attorney in Brown vs. Board of Education, the
landmark school desegregation ruling handed down two
weeks later, May 17, 1954. Yet the Hernandez case
represented a watershed moment in Latinos' struggle
for equal rights � one that has influenced other high
court decisions, including the Bakke affirmative
action case in 1978.

"I can't think of another case as important for the
Hispanic community as Hernandez," said Norma Cantu, a
former assistant secretary for civil rights in the
Clinton administration's Education Department who now
teaches law at the University of Texas in Austin.

"The legacy of the Hernandez case includes voting
rights, education and employment cases. All of these
efforts to work within the system to secure a place at
the table resulted from Judge deAnda's work" in that
case, Cantu said.

Described as modest and unassuming, deAnda often
failed to received credit for his contributions to the
Hernandez victory. "He has flown under the radar" of
history, Olivas said, "but he was right in the thick
of it. He was an equal partner to all the others."

Born in Houston, deAnda was the son of Mexican
immigrants. He attended Texas A&M University and
served in the Marines during World War II, before
receiving a law degree from the University of Texas in
1950.

He passed the bar that year, but white firms would not
hire him, especially after they learned that his
heritage was Mexican. He knocked on doors looking for
work but did not succeed until 1951, when attorney
John J. Herrera offered him a chair in his Houston
office and $25 a week.

One of the new lawyer's first assignments was to
prepare a challenge of a grand jury indictment in Fort
Bend County based on the exclusion of Latinos from
juries. DeAnda found that no Latino had ever served on
a grand jury there, despite a sizable Latino
population.

He believed he had solid grounds for a motion to quash
the murder indictment against Aniceto Sanchez, but the
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals disagreed. It
maintained that Mexican Americans were white and that
because the jury was white, there had been no
discrimination.

DeAnda was incensed. "I wanted to take the case to the
U.S. Supreme Court, but neither my client nor I had
the money," he told Olivas in an interview many years
later.

The opportunity he sought came two years later, when
Herrera asked a junior associate to help him defend a
migrant cotton picker named Pete Hernandez, who had
been accused of fatally stabbing another man during a
bar fight in the east Texas town of Edna.

When Hernandez was found guilty by an all-white jury
in Jackson County, the attorneys appealed on the
grounds that no citizen of Mexican descent had served
on a jury there in 25 years. Once again, the Texas
Court of Criminal Appeals could not be swayed.

The court relied on the same reasoning it had used in
the Sanchez case: that Mexican Americans were not a
separate classification from whites and therefore were
not entitled to special consideration under the equal
protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The
constitutional amendment, passed after the Civil War
and the end of slavery, had been used chiefly to
uphold the rights of African Americans.

This time, deAnda and Herrera had the resources to
continue the legal battle. Two civil rights groups �
the League of United Latin American Citizens and the
American GI Forum � stepped forward with enough money
to take the case to the Supreme Court. Herrera invited
two seasoned civil rights lawyers, Gustavo C. Garcia
and Carlos Cadena, to join the case and present the
oral arguments.

The high court, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren,
"looked beyond the surface into the heart of Jim Crow
Texas," Olivas said. Warren was especially struck by
the signage cited as evidence by the Hernandez team,
including one from a local restaurant that read "No
Mexicans Served."

Another such nugget was discovered by deAnda after he
had gone in search of the men's room in the Jackson
County Courthouse. A Spanish-speaking janitor told him
the only lavatory he could use was in the basement.
There he found the facility posted with a sign that
read "Colored Men" and "Hombres Aqu�" (Spanish for men
here).

"It was devastating," deAnda said of the impact of
that sign � an irrefutable symbol of the perceived
inferiority of Mexicans that clashed with the Jackson
County judges' pronouncements that they were the same
as whites. Warren cited the signs in the written
opinion as evidence that Mexican Americans occupied a
classification of people distinct from whites in east
Texas society.

He further noted that "it taxes our credulity to say
that mere chance resulted in there being no members of
this class among the over six thousand jurors called
in the past 25 years. The result bespeaks
discrimination."

The court unanimously overturned Hernandez's
conviction. He was retried and convicted again, but
this time the jury included two Mexican Americans.

The second conviction was considered "a triumph,"
Olivas said. "The point is: All Mexicans ever wanted
was to be part of the process."

DeAnda went on to handle a series of important school
desegregation cases, among them Hernandez vs. Driscoll
Independent School District in 1956.

It challenged a school system that required children
from Spanish-speaking families to spend three years in
the first grade because of a presumed need to learn
English. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a Latino
child whose parents had deliberately taught her only
English but who had been denied entry to the white
school. DeAnda won the case, and the school district
abandoned its two-track system.

In 1979 deAnda was appointed by President Carter to
the federal bench in the Southern District of Texas.
He was the nation's second Mexican American federal
judge and served for 13 years, including four as chief
judge.

DeAnda is survived by his wife, Joyce, and four
children. He practiced law with Solar and Associates
in Houston until late last year, when he was diagnosed
with cancer.

According to Olivas, deAnda was delighted by the
Supreme Court's action in June striking down a Texas
redistricting plan that discriminated against Latino
voters. The victory depended on deAnda's work half a
century earlier that gave Latinos visibility in the
eyes of the court.

It also brought another milestone.

"For the first time, both sides in a Supreme Court
case were argued by Latino lawyers," said Olivas, who
spoke to deAnda shortly before he died. "He took such
enormous pleasure out of that."

   --------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-deanda14sep14,0,1376395.story?coll=\
la-home-obituaries
(elaine.woo@...)

=======================================

~~ Arena camps vie for funds ~~

Advocates both for and against sales tax claim grass
roots are greener on their side.

By Dorothy Korber
Sacramento Bee Staff Writer
September 20, 2006
METRO section, Page B1


In this political town, everyone wants to be the
underdog. Then an empty campaign chest can be a badge
of honor -- and a win from behind seems even more
impressive.

So it's probably not surprising that both sides in the
feisty battle over a new Sacramento basketball arena
are proclaiming they truly represent the community's
grass roots.

In a letter over his signature last weekend, local
Assemblyman Dave Jones asked anti-arena voters to dig
into their pockets: "We can only stop the arena tax if
we run a strong grass-roots campaign funded with small
contributions from ordinary Sacramentans."

And at a news conference Tuesday, several leaders from
Sacramento's black and Latino communities spoke out
strongly against the proposed quarter-cent sales tax
to finance construction of a new basketball arena in
the downtown railyard. The matter will go before
Sacramento County voters on Nov. 7.

"You're asking people who could never afford to go to
a game -- people who can't even afford to go to the
parking lot -- to subsidize a new arena for the
Sacramento Kings," said Betty Williams, president of
the Sacramento branch of the NAACP. "Yet every time
they go to the grocery store and buy a light bulb,
they'll be helping to pay for that arena."

Doug Elmets, spokesman for the pro-arena campaign,
dismissed Williams' comments as misguided and Jones'
appeal as disingenuous.

"Their press conference was as slick as their
message," Elmets said. "Nobody should be fooled by
their so-called grass-roots effort. The reality is
that they will have the necessary money to be able to
wage a spirited campaign."

Elmets said his opponents are shortsighted.
"We're talking about a cost to taxpayers equal to
about the cost of a cup of coffee a month," he said.
"Everyone should benefit from a revitalized downtown.
But their vision is to take Sacramento backward."

Elmets said his campaign is the one with roots in the
community. He acknowledged that those roots are
especially important since million-dollar campaign
contributions have not yet materialized from either
the owners of the Kings or the developer of the
railyard project.

"We have six weeks until the election," Elmets said.
"We'll wage an aggressive grass-roots campaign that
will reach voters through direct mail, print and
electronic media."

Tuesday, the Yes on Q & R Campaign released a 10-page
list of endorsements, including chambers of commerce,
business CEOs, elected officials and dozens of
individuals.

Elmets also took a swipe at Jones' motivation: "This
campaign effort waged by Dave Jones and his merry band
of naysayers is really nothing more than a personal
political campaign to advance his career."

Told of this comment, it was Jones' turn to dismiss
Elmets.

"I think it's unfortunate that the supporters of the
tax are now attacking the messenger," he said. "It's a
sign of desperation. They can't sell this faulty
product -- so now they'll attack the grass-roots
groups that are speaking the truth."

At Tuesday's anti-arena news conference downtown, the
half-dozen speakers emphasized a single message: Money
raised by such a tax hike could be better spent on
schools, crime, flood protection, health care and
other social needs.

Under the arena proposal -- on the ballot as Measures
Q and R -- half of the $1.2 billion in tax proceeds
would be spent on building a new home for the
Sacramento Kings. The rest would be earmarked for
community projects across Sacramento County.

But the $600 million for the community would not be
available for at least seven years, pointed out
Rebecca Sandoval of the local council of the League of
United Latin American Citizens.

"With the serious issues facing this town, seven years
is a long time to wait," Sandoval said.

Elmets says that cities would not have to wait till
the arena is completed to spend their share of the tax
revenues. "That money would be available the very
first year," Elmets said, "if a city decided to borrow
against its future revenue."

The tax opponents also said local taxpayers should not
shoulder this expense on behalf of a private
enterprise: the Sacramento Kings and the team's
owners, the Maloof family.

"At the end of the day, this is not about a building,
it is about enriching a sports franchise," said
Grantland Johnson, a lobbyist for the Sacramento
Central Labor Council.

Supporters of the tax say that a new Kings arena would
be the linchpin in revitalizing downtown Sacramento,
turning the mostly vacant railyard into a lively
entertainment complex.

"This investment will bring jobs, additional sales tax
and 2 million visitors a year to Sacramento," Elmets
said. "I think that's well worth it."

====end====

NATIONAL CALL-IN :

Oppose New Wave of Anti-Immigrant Legislation

On September 14, the House of Representatives passed
the Secure Fence Act, H.R. 6061, which calls for 700
miles of fence on the U.S./Mexico border and requires
the Department of Homeland Security to achieve
"operational control" of the rest of the U.S./Mexico
border through a "virtual fence."

The Senate may debate and vote on this legislation
shortly. Also, this week the House will vote on three
new enforcement bills introduced by Representative
Sensenbrenner (R-WI) that incorporate pieces of H.R.
4437.

This is a fast-moving legislative attack on immigrants
that needs our immediate response. There will be a
national call-in day on Wednesday, September 20 to
oppose this new wave of enforcement legislation and
support comprehensive immigration reform.

It is very important to make three calls on Wednesday
(your two Senators and one Representative), even if
you know he/she already supports comprehensive
immigration reform.

Here is a suggested script:

"Congress should stop the piecemeal, enforcement-only
approach to immigration reform. I support a
comprehensive bill that reunites families, legalizes
the undocumented population, and provides future
immigrants with a safe and legal way to live and work
in the U.S."

Find your Senators and Representative and their phone
numbers at
http://www.facts-online.org/naoc_/leg-lookup/search.tcl

You can also call the Congressional switchboard to be
connected to their offices: (202) 224-3121.

Below are couple of articles detailing situation.

=====================================

~~ Border Bills Come Down to Last Minute ~~

There is bipartisan resistance to the House
legislation before the Senate. Much of it may die as
Congress prepares for a recess in a week.

By Nicole Gaouette, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Times
September 25, 2006

WASHINGTON � The Senate will begin considering a
series of House bills this week aimed at strengthening
border security and toughening enforcement of
immigration laws, but given the cool reception the
measures are getting from many senators, it appears
unlikely that much of the legislation will pass.

The bills, which include proposals to fence a third of
the U.S.-Mexico border and allow state and local
police to enforce immigration law, have raised hackles
in the Senate for both political and policy reasons,
and senior Republicans, as well as Democrats, have
indicated they are not likely to support them.

With one week left before Congress adjourns, time is
short to pass any immigration bills. The outcome will
rest in part on closed-door decisions that committee
chairs and Senate leaders make early this week. The
fate of some of the legislation could be decided as
early as today.

House Republicans have promoted their legislation as a
necessary step before other immigration issues, such
as establishing a guest worker program, can be
addressed.

But with elections in November, many in the Senate see
the House effort as little more than a campaign ploy.

One Republican Senate staffer pointed out that the
House had not set aside money to fund its fence
legislation. Approving the fence "just provides them
with the 30-second ad they need" to show voters they
have been tough about border security, said the
staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because
he was not authorized to comment on the matter.

Lawmakers who support the broader immigration overhaul
passed by the Senate and backed by President Bush �
which includes enforcement, a guest worker plan and a
program to deal with illegal immigrants � say the
House emphasis on enforcement alone will do nothing to
deal with the difficulties that illegal immigration
creates.

"You build a fence 10 feet high, 20 feet high, 100
feet high, it won't solve our problems," said Senate
Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Both chambers have passed separate immigration bills
that the House has refused to negotiate with the
Senate, leaving the bills languishing. The House
instead held national hearings in the summer to
win public support for its enforcement-only approach.

When Congress reconvened this month, House leaders
took parts of their original legislation, which had
triggered huge street protests, and repackaged them
into the smaller bills that are before the Senate now.

One of the House measures, criminalizing border tunnel
construction, has a good chance of passing. But stiff
challenges confront the others, including the proposed
700 miles of border fencing and two bills that would
circumvent Supreme Court decisions preventing the
indefinite detention of immigrants and would expand
the ability of low-level immigration officials to
quickly deport people without a court hearing.

Bush said last week that he would sign fence
legislation into law, but many observers doubt Senate
Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has enough
support to end debate on the bill and bring it to a
vote. Frist did not take an important procedural step
Friday toward that end � a sign many took to mean that
he lacked the backing to do so.

If Frist cannot persuade enough senators to agree to
vote on the measure, the legislation will die.

On Sunday, he said he hoped to get a vote on border
security legislation this week, but he did not sound
optimistic.

"We can't have 2 million people coming to this country
illegally this year. We've got to secure our borders�.
Right now I've got a feeling the Democrats may
obstruct it," Frist said on ABC's "This Week."

Twenty-three Republicans and most Democrats backed the
Senate bill, and many of them oppose not only a border
barrier, but the House's move to push their
enforcement-first agenda in bits and pieces.

What's more, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and
Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho) want to add an agricultural
guest worker program to the fence bill to help farmers
in need of workers. "There is simply no reason
AgJOBS has not been enacted, and no reason it could
not be passed now," they wrote Frist on Friday.
"Farmers across this country have every reason to be
angry and frustrated."

House leaders are pushing to have their other
immigration bills added to spending legislation for
the Department of Homeland Security, which
must be passed, at a stage when the Senate would be
unable to debate or change them.

That tactic has angered senators who support broad
immigration overhaul. Senior senators from both
parties, including Reid and Republican Arlen Specter
of Pennsylvania, have indicated their opposition to
attachment of House bills to funding legislation.

"I don't see how we can deal with immigration on a
piecemeal basis," Specter said last week.

The chairman of the House Homeland Security
Appropriations Committee, Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.),
has said he expects such opposition to keep some House
bills from going forward.

Although the decision to attach the bills rests
largely with Rogers' Senate counterpart, Sen. Judd
Gregg (R-N.H.), there probably will be strong debate
when the committee meets to decide the issue today.

   -----------------------------
* Times staff writer Jim Puzzanghera contributed to
this report.

=====================================

~~ Vote nears on 700-mile border fence ~~

The Senate this week takes up a bill that would erect
a security fence along one-third of the US-Mexico
border.

By Gail Russell Chaddock, Staff writer
The Christian Science Monitor
September 25, 2006


(WASHINGTON) -  Azul-Cristian Caravaggio made it to
Washington from her home in Chattanooga, Tenn., about
sundown on Friday - too late to see any senators. But
by Monday, when the Senate returns, she says that she
and other protesters will be on a hunger strike and
chained to a half-ton, 28-foot wall they set up in a
Senate park.

This will be the last week of votes on Capitol Hill
before November elections, and one will be whether to
build a 700-mile fence along the 1,920-mile US border
with Mexico. She wants senators to vote no.

"Whatever is done, people will find a way to knock it
down, go under or around it. There will be thousands
more deaths on the border," she says.

It's a prelude to the final moves on immigration in
the 109th Congress. Since last spring, the House and
Senate have gridlocked over competing versions of
immigration reform: The Senate and the Bush White
House, backed by many business groups and
service-industry unions, favor an approach that
includes more guest workers and a path to citizenship
for at least 11 million now in the country illegally.
The House, claiming the support of an angry public,
aims to secure borders first.

For now, the House approach is winning. But both sides
hope to move elements of their agenda in some form
this week - either as stand-alone bills, or attached
to other legislation.

Facing a standoff with the Senate - and a restive base
- House Republicans repackaged popular border-security
provisions into a new bill, the Secure Fence Act of
2006, which the Senate takes up again Monday.

The bill authorizes construction of almost 700 miles
of double-layered fencing along the Southern border.
It also directs the Department of Homeland Security to
achieve operational control over all international
land and maritime borders within 18 months of
enactment, including surveillance using unmanned
aerial vehicles. The bill passed the House on Sept. 14
with the support of 64 Democrats, and all but six
Republicans.

The White House says that border security is a crucial
part of the president's plan, but that "in no way does
the passage of [a] border-security-only bill take the
place of what he has called for, which is a
comprehensive immigration reform bill." The president
has not threatened to veto the bill.

In separate votes last week, the House also opted to
encourage state and local police to enforce federal
immigration laws, including checking papers at the
workplace. In a near party-line vote, the House
also required all voters in federal elections to have
photo identification, beginning in 2008.

"The border-security crisis in America is one that we
will continue to address. It's a matter of homeland,
national, and economic security for all Americans,"
said Speaker Dennis Hastert on Thursday.

Polls show that some 2 in 3 Americans favor the House
approach, even though immigration ranks well behind
war and the economy as concerns in the midterm
elections. Primary election results in states like
Arizona and Nebraska signaled that voters will punish
candidates seen as too lenient on illegal immigrants.

But business groups and others favoring a more
comprehensive approach say they're not giving up on
the 109th Congress - and that more negotiations are
likely after midterm elections.

"We're disappointed that the Senate isn't taking up
comprehensive reform, but even with the passage of the
fence bill, there are plenty of issues outstanding to
bring people to the table in the lame duck or next
year," says Randel Johnson, vice president for labor,
immigration, and employee benefits at the US Chamber
of Commerce.

Business groups are especially worried that the new
focus on enforcement will deprive many sectors of
essential workers. "We are very nervous that any type
of new enforcement in the US would hinder the ability
of employers to find anybody to do the work out in the

fields," says John Farner, director of legislative
relations of the American Nursery and Landscape
Association.

In upstate New York, Maureen Torrey says that worries
about greater immigration enforcement have cut her
mainly immigrant workforce in half this year,
threatening crops that are ready to pick. "I've got
food rotting in the field ... cucumbers, yellow
squash, zucchini squash, pumpkins," she says in a
phone interview. While she is paying $16 to $17 an
hour, she says that she is still short 100 workers and

has to make triage decisions daily about what will be
the most profitable crop to pick.

In the Senate, Sens. Larry Craig (R) of Idaho and
Dianne Feinstein (D) of California want to amend the
fence bill to allow faster certification for migrant
farmworkers. Meanwhile, business groups are urging the
Senate to not take up the House bill that would permit

local police to enforce national immigration laws.

Last week, the Homeland Security Department announced
a $67 million federal contract for Boeing Co. to
install a "virtual fence" along the Southern border in
Arizona. It's the first phase of a federal contract
that industry analysts expect will exceed $2 billion
and will eventually include the Northern border with
Canada.

"We're disappointed that the 700-mile fence has become
the centerpiece of reform, becaus fences don't stop
people," says T.J. Bonner, president of the National
Border Patrol Council, the union that represents
border-patrol agents. "As long as the employment
magnet is turned on full force, people will continue
to come across our borders in 125 degree heat."

   ---------------------------

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0925/p01s04-uspo.html
HTML version of this story which may include photos,
graphics, and related links.

==========================================

~~ Pickers Are Few, and Growers Blame Congress ~~

By Julia Preston
The New York Times
September 22, 2006

(LAKEPORT, Calif.) � The pear growers here in Lake
County waited decades for a crop of shapely fruit like
the one that adorned their orchards last month.

�I felt like I went to heaven,� said Nick Ivicevich,
recalling the perfection of his most abundant crop in
45 years of tending trees.

Now harvest time has passed and tons of pears have
ripened to mush on their branches, while the ground of
Mr. Ivicevich�s orchard reeks with rotting fruit. He
and other growers in Lake County, about 90 miles north
of San Francisco, could not find enough pickers.

Stepped-up border enforcement kept many illegal
Mexican migrant workers out of California this year,
farmers and labor contractors said, putting new
strains on the state�s shrinking seasonal farm labor
force.

Labor shortages have also been reported by apple
growers in Washington and upstate New York. Growers
have gone from frustrated to furious with Congress,
which has all but given up on passing legislation this
year to create an agricultural guest-worker program.

Last week, 300 growers representing every major
agricultural state rallied on the front lawn of the
Capitol carrying baskets of fruit to express their
ire.

This year�s shortages are compounding a flight from
the fields by Mexican workers already in the United
States. As it has become harder to get into this
country, many illegal immigrants have been reluctant
to return to Mexico in the off-season. Remaining here
year-round, they have gravitated toward more stable
jobs.

�When you�re having to pay housing costs, it�s very
difficult to survive and wait for the next
agricultural season to come around,� said Jack King,
head of national affairs for the California Farm
Bureau Federation.

California farms employ at least 450,000 people at the
peak of the harvest, with farm workers progressing
from one crop to the next, stringing together as much
as seven months of work. Growers estimate the state
fell short this harvest season by 70,000 workers. Joe
Bautista, a labor contractor from Stockton who brings
crews to Lake County, said about one-third of his
regular workers stayed home in Mexico this year, while
others were caught by the Border Patrol trying to
enter the United States.

With fewer workers, Mr. Bautista fell behind in
harvests near Sacramento and arrived weeks late in
Lake County. �There was a lot of pressure on the
contractors,� he said. �But there is only so much we
can do. There wasn�t enough labor.�

For years, economists say, California farmers have
been losing their pickers to less strenuous, more
stable and sometimes higher-paying jobs in
construction, landscaping and tourism.

�If you want another low-wage job, you can work in a
hotel and not die in the heat,� said Marc Grossman,
the spokesman for the United Farm Workers of America.
The union calculates that up to 15 percent of
California�s farm labor force leaves agriculture each
year.

As they sum up this season�s losses, estimated to be
at least $10 million for California pear farmers
alone, growers in the state mainly blame Republican
lawmakers in Washington for stalling immigration
legislation that would have addressed the shortage by
authorizing a guest-worker program for agriculture.
Many growers, a dependably Republican group, said they
felt betrayed.

�After a while, you get done being sad and start being
really angry,� said Toni Scully, a lifelong Republican
whose family owns a pear-packing operation in Lake
County. �The Republicans have given us a lot of lip
service, and our crops are hanging on the trees
rotting.�

Tons more pears that were harvested were rejected by
Mrs. Scully�s packing plant because they were picked
too late. The rejects were dumped in a farm lot,
mounds of pungent fruit swarming with bees, left to be
eaten by deer. �The anthem about the fruited plain,�
Mrs. Scully said sadly, �I don�t think this is what
they had in mind.�

Some economists and advocates for farm workers say the
labor shortages would ease if farmers would pay more.
Lake County growers said that pickers� pay was not low
� up to $150 a day � and that they had been ready to
pay even more to save their crops. �I would have
raised my wages,� said Steve Winant, a pear grower
whose 14-acre orchard is still laden with overripe
fruit. �But there weren�t any people to pay.�

The tightening of the border with Mexico, begun more
than a decade ago but reinforced since May with the
deployment of 6,000 National Guard troops, has forced
California growers to acknowledge that most of their
workers are illegal Mexican migrants. The U.F.W.
estimates that more than 90 percent of the state�s
farm workers are illegal.

Most California growers gave up years ago on
recruiting workers through the seasonal guest-worker
program currently in place. Known as H-2A, the program
requires employers to prove they tried to find
American workers and to apply well in advance for
relatively small contingents of foreign workers for
fixed time periods.

�Our experience with the current H-2A program has been
a nightmare,� said Luawanna Hallstrom, general manager
of Harry Singh & Sons, a vine-ripe tomato grower based
in Oceanside, near San Diego.

Ms. Hallstrom said her company tried to use the
program in the months after the Sept. 11 attacks, when
security checks forced it to fire illegal migrant
employees who were working in tomato fields on a
military base. Her company lost $2.5 million on that
2001 crop, she said.

Over the years, occasional programs to draw American
workers to the harvests have failed. �Americans do not
raise their children to be farm workers,� Ms.
Hallstrom said.

The failure of Congress to approve a new guest-worker
program surprised California growers because a
proposal that the Senate passed stemmed from a rare
agreement between growers� organizations, the U.F.W.
and other advocates for farm workers, and legislators
ranging from conservative Republicans to liberal
Democrats.

Known as AgJobs, the proposal would create a new
temporary-resident status for seasonal farm workers
and give them the chance to become permanent residents
if they work intensively in agriculture for at least
three years. It was included in a bill that passed the
Senate in May. The House has passed several bills
focused on border security, and has avoided
negotiations with the Senate on a broader immigration
overhaul. [Three of the House bills were passed
Thursday.]

Mr. Ivicevich, a 69-year-old family farmer, is not
given to displays of emotion. But he paused for a
moment, overwhelmed, as he stood among trees sagging
with pears that oozed when he squeezed them. His
nighttime sleep, in his cottage among his 122 acres of
orchards, is disrupted by the thud of dropping fruit
and the cracking of branches.

For decades, Mr. Ivicevich said, migrant pickers would
knock on his door asking for work climbing his picking
ladders. Then about five years ago they stopped
knocking, and he turned to a labor contractor to
muster harvest crews. This year, elated, he called the
contractor in early August. Pears must be picked green
and quickly packed and chilled, or they go soft in
shipping.

�Then I called and I called and I called,� Mr.
Ivicevich said.

The picking crew, which he needed on Aug. 12, arrived
two weeks late and 15 workers short. He lost about 1.8
million pounds of pears.

His neighbor, Mr. Winant, standing in his drooping
orchard with his hands sunk in his jeans pockets, said
he would rather bulldoze the pear trees than start
preparing them for a new season.

�It�s like a death, like a son died,� said Mr. Winant,
45, who cares for the small orchard himself during the
winter. �You work all year and then see your work go
to ground. I want to pull them out becauseof the
agony. It�s just too hard to take.�

   --------------------------

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/22/washington/22growers.html?th&emc=th

Stop Anti-Immigrant Legislation.

House to Vote on Controversial Immigration Enforcement
Bills, Don't Let Congress Roll Back Your Civil Rights!

September 21, 2006

From: National LULAC, Washington, DC
Contact; Javier Dominguez
202-833-6130 /   http://www.LULAC.org


On Thursday, September 21, 2006, the House of
Representatives will vote on three anti-immigrant
bills that will go beyond the scope of setting new
funding for border enforcement equipment or barriers,
but instead, will focus on taking away inalienable
immigrant legal rights, particularly their civil
rights of due process, habeas corpus, and checks and
balances. Additionally, the House is set to vote on a
bill that will give state and local law enforcement
the jurisdiction to enforce immigration laws.

Call Your Representatives Now!

Bills are Likely to Pass in the House BUT We Can
Speak Up and Try to Stop It!

Harmful Bills that will be Voted On:

* H.R. 6095, Immigration Law Enforcement Act

- The first part of HR 6095 seeks to grant local and
state law enforcement agencies the authority to
enforce civil immigration law violations. This law
does not require state or local police to enforce
immigration laws therefore; local jurisdictions could
still intercede and rule in such cases. If passed,
this law could create distrust within the Latino
immigrant community as well as produce a public
mistrust with local law enforcement and an overall
reduction in public safety.

- The third part of HR 6095 is called "Ending Catch
and Release Act." Ironically, this section of the bill
has nothing to do with "Catch and Release," or the act
of releasing an apprehended undocumented immigrant for
a future court date, but rather, gives DHS unchecked
powers by shielding the government from accountability
for the misdeeds or misapplication of the law by
federal agents. This provision makes it nearly
impossible for an immigrant who is a victim of an
infringement of his/her civil rights, to gain a remedy
from the judge.

* H.R. 6094, Community Protection Act

- The first section of HR 6094, or the "Dangerous
Alien Detention Act," reverses two Supreme Court
decisions that held that government cannot detain an
immigrant that has already completed a sentence for a
crime any longer, if there is no realistic prospect of
deporting him/her back. The Supreme Court has already
ruled that if a person has finished serving their
sentence, the immigration service does not have the
authority to detain the immigrant for a life sentence,
if the government is unwilling or incapable of
deporting him/her back.

- The second questionable provision is the "Criminal
Alien Removal Act," which would expedite removal to
certain non-citizens located anywhere in the United
States, rather than normally applied to the border.
This too would deny the immigrant the ability to
appear in court and argue before a judge. DHS would
make the decisions now.

- The last part of the bill, or the "Alien Gang
Removal Act," also grants the federal government
broad, unchecked powers. The Attorney General would be
given the ability to define any group as a "gang",
thereby allowing the Attorney General to punish the
individual for pertaining to that group, regardless of
whether he or she has committed a crime. Currently,
gang members who commit "aggravated felonies" are
deportable, the House however would add that someone
could be guilty based upon their connection with the
group that the government suspects is a gang,
regardless whether they committed a crime or not.

* H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act

---------------------------------

Call Your Representatives -

These bills will erode immigrant civil rights, bring
more of them into the shadows, exacerbate the already
growing immigration backlog, and implant more
immigration enforcement responsibilities on state and
local law officers. It does not make any sense!

Please call your Members of Congress as soon as
possible. Let them know that you are strongly opposed,
and urge them to vote for COMPREHENSIVE Immigration
Reform bill that would bring a workable and practical
solution to our broken immigration system.

Tell them to vote for a bill that:

1) Keeps families together and treat immigrants with
respect.

2) Rejects proposals that criminalize immigrants and
their families, and the people and organizations that
come in contact with them.

3) Provides a reasonable, realistic and legal path to
earned permanent residence and citizenship for those
already within the United States.

4) Creates an effective entry avenue for future
immigrants with labor protections that are fully
enforceable.

LULAC urges you to contact your elected
representatives today by visiting the following link:

http://www.LULAC.org

The League of United Latin American Citizen (LULAC)
advances the economic conditions, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

===================================

MALDEF ---  FEDERAL ACTION ALERT

CONTACT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
TO OPPOSE  ENFORCEMENT-ONLY IMMIGRATION BILLS

H.R. 6095 would make Latinos less safe and hamper
police-community relations

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational
Fund (MALDEF) joins local law enforcement officials,
mayors and civil rights leaders to oppose a series of
enforcement-only bills, including H.R. 6095 that would
allow state and local police to enforce federal civil
immigration law.   House of Representatives action is
expected today and MALDEF encourages you to call your
Congressional Representatives today and ask them to
vote against H.R. 6095, H.R. 6094, and H.R. 4830.

Giving local police the authority to enforce federal
immigration laws conflicts with the Constitution which
places this authority only in the hands of the federal
government;

Under H.R. 6095, local police are provided no training
in immigration law despite being given this new
authority;

In 1996, Congress authorized the Department of Justice
to enter into agreements with local governments for
limited immigration enforcement authority.  No local
government has entered into such an agreement;
Local police oppose granting this authority because it
will make their jobs to promote public safety and
obtain community cooperation much more difficult.

H.R. 6095 and the companion bills are a last-minute
Election season ploy to look tough on immigration
enforcement.  A similar provision was defeated in the
House earlier in this Congress and House leaders have
done nothing to enact comprehensive immigration
reform. H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement
Act, would give state and local police the authority
to enforce civil immigration law violations.

H.R. 6094, the Community Protection Act, and H.R.
4830, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act, will also be
considered tomorrow.

To reach your Member of Congress, you may call the
Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

For more information contact: Eric M. Guti�rrez,
Legislative Staff Attorney at (202) 293-2828.




__________________________________________________
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~~ Immigrants Prepare for Next Step ~~

Citizenship, Voting Take Priority After Marches
Disappoint

By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
September 14, 2006

Advocates working on behalf of illegal immigrants said
they learned a lesson from the immigrant rights
marches that fizzled over the Labor Day holiday: It's
time to start driving.

During the recently concluded National Latino Congreso
in Los Angeles, organizers decided to focus on voter
registration drives for documented immigrants and
citizenship drives for immigrants who qualify.

Antonio Gonz�lez, president of the Los Angeles-based
Southwest Voter Registration Project, said 50 voter
registration drives will be launched in California,
Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, states with large
Latino populations. In addition, 100 voter
registration and get-out-the-vote drives will kick off
in October, he said.

"The message from the community was to switch gears,"
Gonz�lez said. "Now is not the time for mass
mobilization of immigrants who don't have the right to
vote. There has been a massive amount of intimidation,
and immigrants aren't stupid. They're trying to
protect themselves as best they can. It's time to get
the vote out."

But opponents of illegal immigration said voter and
citizenship registration drives will not reignite a
movement that has stalled.

Labor Day week demonstrations that were supposed to
draw hundreds of thousands of marchers in six cities
drew fewer than 25,000 total. The number paled in
comparison with the millions of illegal immigrants and
supporters who came out in the spring for huge
protests in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix and
Washington.

With little political follow-up in the months after
the big marches, immigrant organizers could only watch
as legislation stalled in Congress to give illegal
immigrants a chance to work legally and start on a
path to citizenship. Meanwhile, state and city
governments enacted laws targeting illegal immigrants.

Organizations working to stop illegal immigration said
the big marches succeeded only in reminding U.S.
citizens that the situation is out of control.

"The momentum is on the enforcement side," said
Rosemary Jenks, director of government relations for
NumbersUSA, a group that wants to decrease
immigration. "I don't think the marches generated the
spirit they were meant to generate. I think they
scared Americans. It was an in-your-face reminder that
we have a problem with illegal immigration. In my
view, the marches were great."

At the Latino Congreso, or congress, Gonz�lez and
other leaders said the marches touched off the largest
Latin movement in decades. In May, applications for
citizenship were up by 42 percent from that time last
year, and approvals rose by 21 percent, according to
the Web site of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services.

But the leaders acknowledged that they failed to
dissuade Congress from pushing forward with proposals
that would make life harder for illegal immigrants.
They also said the Labor Day marches fared poorly
because potential marchers felt intimidated because of
a government and law enforcement backlash against
illegal immigrants.

The timing of the marches -- several of which happened
in the middle of the week at a time when families were
returning from vacation, children were back at school
and the nation was remembering the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks -- was poor, several organizers
acknowledged.

"The plan of action is to play strong defense and
adamantly oppose with a variety of tactics the
proposals that are coming out of Congress through
November," Gonzalez said. "We will take our chances
with a new Congress."

Gonz�lez said activists hope to increase the number of
registered Latino voters from about 8 million to 10
million.

Baldemar Velasquez, founder and president of the Farm
Labor Organizing Committee, who once worked beside
farmworker organizer Cesar Chavez, said Latino
representatives in Washington are failing to tell
Americans the story of why there are so many
undocumented Mexican immigrants.

"The North American Free Trade Agreement opened up the
market and put 1.3 million Mexican corn farmers out of
work," he said. "Where do you think those corn farmers
are now? Some of them are in Mexican slums, but a lot
of them are in the United States."

The president of the Migration Policy Institute, an
organization that studies immigration patterns,
disagreed.

"The first part of the statement is true: Mexican
farmers have lost their farms," Demetrios
Papademetriou said. "But to say that those people are
releasing into the United States, I think it's a
gigantic leap. I certainly would not make that
suggestion."

====================================

*** LULAC President Condemns Latest anti-immigrant
Onslaught in Georgia ***

Georgia Towns Left Abandoned After Comments Made by GA
Governor

September 19, 2006

Washington, DC � The League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) is saddened and outraged by the
escalating immigration raids that have left towns in
Georgia homogenized and abandoned after federal agents
began rounding up undocumented workers the past
several weeks.

News accounts have estimated that over 120
undocumented workers have been arrested and taken into
custody while more Latinos are being targeted around
Forsyth County . In Stillmore alone, a town of over
1000 people, homes have been left abandoned, streets
emptied, and stores closed, as raids and arrests have
left Latino immigrants and citizens frightened and
families separated.

The Georgia raids come as a result of critical
comments made by Gov. Sonny Perdue when he
irrationally accused all illegal immigrants as
�heading to the welfare office on Monday and casting a
vote on Tuesday,� as well as proceeding to defend the
Georgia SecureID cards by evoking fear in his linking
of undocumented workers to terrorists.  "Fraudulent
IDs are a serious threat to homeland security. At
least seven of the 9/11 highjackers obtained genuine
Virginia identity documents through fraud."

LULAC National President Rosa Rosales has sent a
letter to the Governor�s office expressing LULAC�s
displeasure and disappointment, as well as requesting
an apology to the Georgian Latino community.

�Governor Perdue�s shameful comparisons to the attacks
of 9/11 with the Georgia Latino immigrant community
are completely appalling and unacceptable,� said Rosa
Rosales.  �Immigrant bashing should not be used to
divide communities or used as a political tool to win
over the electorate.  We can clearly see the effects
of what deporting illegal immigrants would look like,
as is the case in Stillmore.  We ask that the Governor
retract his comments immediately.�

The League of the United Latin American Citizen
(www.lulac.org) is the oldest and largest Latino
membership based civil rights organization in the
United States . It advances the economic conditions,
educational attainment, political influence, health
and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs operating at more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide.

   -------------------------------

League of United Latin American Citizens
National Office 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-6130 � FAX (202) 833-6135

Contact:  Javier Dominguez
(202) 833-6130 ext. 17

==========================================

~~ Immigration raids make a ghost town in Georgia ~~

CNN.com
September 15, 2006

STILLMORE, Georgia (AP) -- Trailer parks lie
abandoned. The poultry plant is scrambling to replace
more than half its workforce. Business has dried up at
stores where Mexican laborers once lined up to buy
food, beer and cigarettes just weeks ago.

This Georgia community of about 1,000 people has
become little more than a ghost town since September
1, when federal agents began rounding up illegal
immigrants.

The sweep has had the unintended effect of
underscoring just how vital the illegal immigrants
were to the local economy.

More than 120 illegal immigrants have been loaded onto
buses bound for immigration courts in Atlanta, 189
miles away. Hundreds more fled Emanuel County.
Residents say many scattered into the woods, camping
out for days. They worry some are still hiding without
food.

At least one child, born a U.S. citizen, was left
behind by his Mexican parents: 2-year-old Victor
Perez-Lopez. The toddler's mother, Rosa Lopez, left
her son with Julie Rodas when the raids began and fled
the state. The boy's father was deported to Mexico.

"When his momma brought this baby here and left him,
tears rolled down her face and mine too," Rodas said.
"She said, `Julie, will you please take care of my son
because I have no money, no way of paying rent?"'

For five years, Rodas has made a living watching the
children of workers at the Crider Inc. poultry plant,
where the vast majority of employees were Mexican
immigrants. She learned Spanish, and considered many
immigrants among her closest friends. She threw
parties for their children's birthdays and baptisms.

The only child in Rodas' care now, besides her own
son, is Victor. Her customers have disappeared.

Federal agents also swarmed into a trailer park
operated by David Robinson. Illegal immigrants were
handcuffed and taken away. Almost none have returned.
Robinson bought an American flag and posted it by the
pond out front -- upside down, in protest.

"These people might not have American rights, but
they've damn sure got human rights," Robinson said.
"There ain't no reason to treat them like animals."

The raids came during a fall election season in which
immigration is a top issue.

- Illegal immigrant population doubles -

Last month, the federal government reported that
Georgia had the fastest-growing illegal immigrant
population in the country. The number more than
doubled from an estimated 220,000 in 2000 to 470,000
last year. This year, state lawmakers passed some of
the nation's toughest measures targeting illegal
immigrants, and Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue last week
vowed a statewide crackdown on document fraud.

Other than the Crider plant, there isn't much in
Stillmore. Four small stores, a coin laundry and a
Baptist church share downtown with City Hall, the fire
department and a post office. "We're poor but proud,"
Mayor Marilyn Slater said, as if that is the town
motto.

The 2000 Census put Stillmore's population at 730, but
Slater said uncounted immigrants probably made it more
than 1,000. Not anymore, with so many homes abandoned
and the streets practically empty.

"This reminds me of what I read about Nazi Germany,
the Gestapo coming in and yanking people up," Slater
said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Marc
Raimondi would not discuss details of the raids. "We
can't lose sight of the fact that these people were
here illegally," Raimondi said.

- Businesses may have to close -

At Sucursal Salina No. 2, a store stocked with Mexican
fruit sodas and snacks, cashier Alberto Gonzalez said
Wednesday that the owner may shutter the place. By
midday, Gonzalez has had only six customers. Normally,
he would see 100.

The B&S convenience store, owned by Keith and Regan
Slater, the mayor's son and grandson, has lost about
80 percent of its business.

"These people come over here to make a better way of
life, not to blow us up," complained Keith Slater, who
keeps a portrait of Ronald Reagan on the wall. "I'm a
die-hard Republican, but I think we missed the boat
with this one."

Since the mid-1990s, Stillmore has grown dependent on
the paychecks of Mexican workers who originally came
for seasonal farm labor, picking the area's famous
Vidalia onions. Many then took year-round jobs at the
Crider plant, with a workforce of about 900.

Crider President David Purtle said the agents began
inspecting the company's employment records in May.
They found 700 suspected illegal immigrants, and
supervisors handed out letters over the summer
ordering them to prove they came to the U.S. legally
or be fired. Only about 100 kept their jobs.

The arrests started at the plant September 1. During
the Labor Day weekend, agents with guns and
bulletproof vests converged on workers' homes after
getting the addresses from Crider's files.

- No people, no work -

Antonio Lopez, who came here two years ago from
Chiapas, Mexico, and worked at the Crider plant, said
agents kicked in his front door. Lopez, 32, and his
15-year-old son were handcuffed and taken by bus to
Atlanta with 30 others. Because of the boy, Lopez
said, both were allowed to return. In his back pocket,
he carries an order to return to Atlanta for a court
hearing February 2.

But now, "there's no people here and I don't have any
work," he said.

The poultry plant has limped along with half its
normal workforce. Crider increased its starting wages
by $1 an hour to help recruit new workers.

Stacie Bell, 23, started work canning chicken at
Crider a week ago. She said the pay, $7.75 an hour,
led her to leave her $5.60-an-hour job as a Wal-Mart
cashier in nearby Statesboro. Still, Bell said she
felt bad about the raids.

"If they knew eventually that they were going to have
to do that, they should have never let them come over
here," she said.

=================================

~~ Keep the Immigration Debate Civil ~~

Gov. Schwarzenegger: Congress refuses to talk
seriously about immigration, so the rest of us have to
pick up the slack.

By Arnold Schwarzenegger (Governor of California)
September 12, 2006

BY NOT FINISHING comprehensive immigration reform this
year, Congress left behind a poisoned debate that will
continue to fuel a growing anger in our country.

Latino leaders, meeting in Los Angeles last week, were
already debating whether they should continue marching
in the streets, disrupt the economy or register
voters. At the same time, people who are angry about
the federal government's failure to stop illegal
immigration have introduced local measures to take
away housing, jobs and even medical assistance from
noncitizens in their communities. On both sides,
people are demanding to be heard.

Now Congress has walked away from the debate, at least
for this year. So it's up to the rest of us to tone
down our rhetoric and listen to the voices on all
sides. As both an immigrant to this country and a
proud American citizen, I have a unique perspective on
this debate. I also have some advice.

To the immigrant rights activists I say: Change your
message. When I came to America , I wrapped myself in
the flag because I wanted to be a part of the American
dream. I worked hard, learned English and followed the
laws. I learned the customs and culture of my new
country. I spent time with English-speakers just so I
could hear them talk and learn the language from them.

Being an immigrant is like being a guest in someone's
house. Your hosts go about their daily routine. You
can sit on the couch and do your own thing, or you can
ask, "What can I do to help? How can I be a part of
this household?"

What people see today when immigrant rights activists
march in the streets carrying Mexican flags and angry
signs is that you do not want to join America 's
house. The message that sends is that you do not want
to learn our language or our culture. Unlike the
message sent by the masses of Irish, Italian, German
and Asian immigrants, whom Americans now proudly call
our "melting pot," these images suggest that Mexican
immigrants do not want to make that effort.

I do not believe that this is the message most Mexican
immigrants � legal or illegal � wish to send. I
believe that most Mexican immigrants are as proud to
be part of America as I was. They are some of the
hardest working and strongest believers in the
American dream. So my message to you is: Carry your
home country in your heart, but carry the American
flag in our streets.

To those who believe illegal immigration is reaching a
crisis level in this country I say: Tone down the
rhetoric. I myself have said things that caused
division even when that was not my intent. Words can
be weapons. We must be careful to distinguish between
legal and illegal immigration, between those who break
our laws to do us harm and those who break our laws to
find freedom and prosperity in the greatest nation on
Earth. It is hypocritical for Congress to condemn
people for coming here illegally when the federal
government has been unwilling to do what it takes to
stop them from coming in the first place.

Now that they are here, what do we do? Amnesty is not
the answer. Congress granted amnesty in 1986 and
promised it would end the problem. It didn't. Amnesty
only made it worse. You don't reward people for
breaking the law. And you don't grant someone the
rights of citizenship simply by virtue of how long
they have been in this country illegally � that makes
a mockery of the law and penalizes those who waited
years and followed the rules.

But it is not realistic either to round up 12 million
people and send them home. Many have families here
now, children and grandchildren who are citizens.
Splitting them up would be inhumane. Some say it would
cost as much as $250 billion to even try. Who would
pay for that? It is simply not realistic.

The answer, as I have repeatedly said, is, first, to
secure the border to stop the problem from getting
worse. Second, we must create a temporary-worker
program so people can come here legally to work. We
should also lift the cap on work visas for industries
such as technology, engineering and agriculture so
immigrants can be hired when there are not enough U.S.
workers. And we must create a path to legal status for
those living in the shadows illegally. They must pay a
fine for breaking our laws. They must learn English
and become part of our culture. They must pay back
taxes and pay for healthcare and education rather than
expect American taxpayers to pay extra when some
cannot even afford healthcare or college for their own
children.

Unfortunately, we must wait for Congress to return
next year to take up the critical issue of
comprehensive immigration reform. Meanwhile, we must
do all we can to stop the problem from getting worse
and to maintain a civil debate about illegal
immigration.

====================================

~~ Immigration Class Action Lawsuit Filed against Caf�
Express, Wendy�s ~~

Hispanic PR Wire
September 19, 2006


(Dallas, TX)- A class action immigration lawsuit has
been filed against Caf� Express, its parent company
Wendy�s International, Inc and its former law firm on
behalf of nearly 100 undocumented employees who were
fired last week.

According to the lawsuit, the restaurant defendants
and the Houston-based law firm missed a 2001 deadline
to file paperwork that could have allowed the
employees to become permanent U.S. residents. The
employees then were fired because they lacked resident
status.

�What am I supposed to tell my family?� says Jaime
Chavez, one of the former employees who filed the
suit. �The company said they could help me become a
resident. Instead, I get punished because they messed
up.�

Under the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act of
2000, undocumented immigrant workers were allowed to
file for permanent residency status.

The one-time opportunity was dependent upon their
Alien Labor Certification Application being on file
April 30, 2001.

Caf� Express developed a program in which the
restaurant defendants and the  law firm would complete
and file the applications for the employees, and the
company would deduct $25 from the employee�s weekly
paychecks to cover the legal fees.

However, plaintiffs allege that the law firm missed
the 2001 application deadline. The employees were not
notified of the mistake at the time, and the weekly
deductions continued from May 2001 through December
2005.

�What happened here is unbelievable, and it was
entirely avoidable,� says Stan Broome, an attorney
with Dallas� Howie, Broome & Bobo, LLP, who is
representing the fired employees. �These hard working
people had a chance to become residents, but Caf�
Express and their lawyers threw their best chance
away.�

The employees were informed of the missed deadline on
July 7, 2006, when Caf� Express sent a letter
informing them that their applications could not be
successfully completed. The employees were also told
that unless they could prove that their applications
were filed on time, independent of the law firm, they
would be fired on Sept. 15, 2006.

For more information, contact Stan Broome or Matthew
Bobo at 214-574-7500 or Mike Androvett at 800-559-4534
or mike@....

INFO: Stan Broome or Matthew Bobo
214-574-7500, or Mike Androvett 800-559-4534
mike@...

=========================================

~~ Some say voting law being used to scare
minorities ~~

Planned lawsuit to argue Texas AG is trying to dilute
their poll strength

By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
September 19, 2006

AUSTIN � Willie Ray, 69, said she thought she was
teaching her granddaughter civic lessons in democracy,
but instead the two black women in Texarkana ended up
with criminal records for voter fraud.

Gloria Meeks of Fort Worth, also 69, said she stepped
out of her morning bath last month and screamed.

Two voter fraud investigators from Attorney General
Greg Abbott's office were peeking in her bathroom
window, Meeks said in a sworn statement. Abbott's
office declined to discuss specifics but said its
investigation of Meeks has been "conducted
professionally and properly, to the full extent
allowed by law."

At issue for the women and others investigated by
Abbott is a 2003 Texas law that makes it a crime to
put other voters' absentee ballots in the mail or
deliver them to election officials.

Backers of the law say it's needed to prevent election
fraud by paid political operatives who take advantage
of the elderly or even steal their votes. Detractors
say the law is overly broad, goes too far in
criminalizing legitimate political activity and
infringes on voters' rights to assistance.

- Suit alleges intimidation -

This week a Washington-based voting rights attorney
aligned with Texas Democrats plans to challenge the
state law in federal court, arguing it violates the
Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution's
guarantees of free speech, free association and equal
protection.

Democrats complain, and the suit will argue, that
Abbott is selectively enforcing the law against
Hispanics and blacks to intimidate minority voters and
dilute their strength at the polls.

Abbott, a Republican, said he's enforcing state law to
root out an "epidemic" of fraud and to prevent
"cheaters" from abusing or intimidating the elderly or
disabled. For too long, he argues, Texas
officials have failed to hold accountable those who
undermine the electoral process.

"This has to do with breaking state law, falsifying
state documents, registering illegal people to vote,
casting votes for people who are dead, casting votes
for other people," he said.

Abbott announced in August the indictment of a
Hispanic Port Lavaca city councilwoman on allegations
she falsely registered and encouraged noncitizens to
vote and told one voter how to mark a ballot. Last
month a Corpus Christi woman pleaded guilty to marking
ballots for other voters without their consent, a
third-degree felony. And, in July 2005, another woman
pleaded guilty to mailing in a ballot for her dead
mother.

- Legal until 2003 law -

Yet, of the 13 individuals indicted on charges of
voter fraud by Abbott, 10 are accused of simply
possessing another's absentee ballot for delivery to
election officials or to a mailbox, Democrats say.
Such activities had been legal until the 2003 law
turned them into crimes.

Both Democratic and Republican political activists
have traditionally assisted elderly or home-bound
voters who need help in voting, said attorney J.
Gerald Hebert, executive director of the
Washington-based Campaign Legal Center, who plans to
file the lawsuit on behalf of Democrats.

"Now, merely possessing the mail-in ballot of another
person is a misdemeanor. If you do it for several
voters, it becomes a felony. It is my view that this
is unconstitutional," said Hebert, who headed the
U.S. Justice Department's voting section of the civil
rights division until 1994.

Democrats also complain that of the 13 individuals
indicted by Abbott for voter fraud, 12 are minority
women while one is a white male. Moreover, Abbott's
voter fraud indictments include no Republicans.

"I think it's evident that Abbott's practice of
singling out minorities and seniors is a shallow
political effort to suppress the votes," said Texas
Democratic Party spokeswoman Amber Moon. "It's
being done disingenuously. The majority of these cases
are well-meaning folks who are simply trying to help
their neighbors to vote."

- Stop underhanded tactics -

Former state Rep. Steve Wolens, a Democrat from
Dallas, authored the 2003 law creating criminal
penalties for individuals who knowingly possess or
transport another voter's ballot.

It is an affirmative defense to prosecution, however,
if the person assisting the voter is a relative, a
registered voter living at the same address or if the
individual provides his or her printed name,
signature and address on the outside of the envelope
carrying the ballot.

Wolens said he wrote the law to stop underhanded
tactics used against him and against his wife in her
first Dallas mayoral race.

"The problem I had seen was where these vote
harvesters would go to old folks homes and bring empty
ballots � and vote for the actual voter � and then
deliver them in these sacks just like piles of stolen
money," he said.

Lawyers from the Texas NAACP and the Mexican American
Legal Defense and Educational Fund testified against
the law.

Nina Perales, an attorney for MALDEF, said many
elderly Latinos vote absentee because they fear
intimidation at the polls. It is common, she said, for
trusted women in the community known as politiqueras
(political women) or comadres (co-mothers) to help the
elderly apply for absentee ballots and return to pick
them up. The women sometimes are paid by campaigns,
but Perales said she sees nothing wrong with helping
homebound people vote.

State Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, said blacks and
Hispanics could fear voting in the future, especially
if investigators visit their homes and ask questions
about how they cast their ballots.

"You're sending a bad message to people who have
already had to go through quite a bit as far as their
voting rights are concerned," he said.

- Agreed to plead -

Abbott's PowerPoint primer on voter fraud,
"Investigating Election Code Violations," illustrates
the discriminatory nature of his
enforcement, Hebert argues, because it cues law
enforcement to link voter fraud with black voters.

One slide alerts authorities to look for evidence of
fraud on documents, especially specialty stamps. It
depicts a sickle cell anemia stamp of a black woman
holding a black baby, a stamp often used by blacks.

Another slide shows five black people in line for
early voting, noting "all laws apply," while no white
or Caucasian people are shown voting in the 71-slide
presentation.

Abbot spokesman Tom Kelley said the stamp depicted was
among evidence gathered in one investigation, but
there was "absolutely no reason whatsoever" that the
presentation only portrays blacks voting.

Willie Ray, a Texarkana city councilwoman, said she
had hoped during the general election of 2004 to teach
her granddaughter, Jamillah Johnson, 30, how to help
the homebound.

The two agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges
of handling absentee ballots, but Ray wonders what
effect Abbott's prosecutions will have on absentee
voting this fall.

"A lot of blood has been shed for the rights of people
to vote," she said. "I just hope those rights are not
taken away or people are frightened so bad they won't
vote."

========================================

~~ House Passes Voter ID Bill ~~

By JIM ABRAMS
The Associated Press
September 20, 2006

WASHINGTON -- The House voted Wednesday to require
Americans to show proof of citizenship in order to
vote, and the Senate moved to build a 700-mile fence
along the Mexican border as Republicans sharpened
attacks on illegal immigration before the midterm
elections.

The 228-196 House vote on a new photo ID plan and the
Senate's consideration of the fence were both part of
a get-tough policy on illegal immigrants that
Republicans have embraced after Congress' failure to
agree on broader legislation that would set a path for
undocumented workers to attain citizenship.

House GOP leaders have insisted that tighter borders
and tougher laws must precede more comprehensive
immigration changes. The House passed the fence bill
last week and plans votes Thursday on other
enforcement measures: to increase penalties for people
building tunnels under the border, make it easier to
detain and deport immigrant gang members and criminals
and clarify the ability of state and local authorities
to detain illegal immigrants.

Republican sponsors of the voter identification bill
said it was a commonsense way to stop fraud at the
polls. People need photo IDs to board planes, buy
alcohol or cash checks, said Rep. Vernon Ehlers,
R-Mich., chairman of the House Administration
Committee. "This is not a new concept."

"This is what Americans want," said Rep. John Mica,
R-Fla., "They want safe borders and they want safe
ballots."

But Democrats assailed the legislation, saying it
could hurt minorities, the poor and the elderly _
groups that tend to vote Democratic _ who might have
trouble producing a photo identification.

"This bill is tantamount to a 21st century poll tax,"
said Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. "It will
disenfranchise large number of legal voters."

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said he was initially denied
a voter ID required under a Missouri state law because
he doesn't have a driver's license and couldn't
immediately produce a passport or birth certificate.
His congressional ID card was not accepted.

A Missouri court earlier this month struck down the
state law, and on Tuesday a state superior court judge
in Georgia ruled that that state's law requiring a
photo ID was an unconstitutional condition for voting.

The bill would require everyone to present a photo ID
before voting in federal elections by 2008. By 2010
voters would have to have photo IDs that certified
they were citizens. In response to criticism that this
would be a burden for the poor, the bill stipulates
that states must provide the identification cards free
of charge to those who can't afford them.

The Senate, meanwhile, voted Wednesday to take up a
bill to build a 700-mile fence along one-third of the
U.S.-Mexico border.

Action on the fence, which could cost billions of
dollars, comes four months after the Senate approved
legislation that, along with tightening border
security, created a guest worker program and outlined
how people in the country illegally could work toward
legal status and eventual citizenship.

President Bush has supported this broader approach,
but it has met strong resistance in the House, where
opponents have said it was tantamount to amnesty for
illegal immigrants.

Bush, in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, said he
would sign a fencebuilding bill as part of efforts to
strengthen the border. But he added, "I would view
this as an interim step. I don't view this as the
final product. And I will keep urging people to have a
comprehensive reform."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said,
"While I've made it clear that I prefer a
comprehensive solution, I have always said we need an
enforcement-first approach to immigration reform."

Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada countered, "We
can build the tallest fence in the world and it won't
fix our broken immigration system." To do that, he
said, "we need the kind of comprehensive reform that
the Senate passed earlier this year."

The current bill wouldn't provide funding to cover
costs of the fencing and other barriers aimed at
preventing illegal entry. About $1 billion for the
fencing is likely to be included in a bill for the
Department of Homeland Security that Congress is
expected to approve before its scheduled adjournment
next week for the elections.

Also on Wednesday, a bipartisan task force recommended
that Congress provide a path to legal status for
immigrants who can demonstrate steady employment,
knowledge of English and payment of taxes and who pass
a background security check.

The panel, chaired by Spencer Abraham, former
Republican senator from Michigan and energy secretary,
and Lee Hamilton, former Democratic representative
from Indiana and chair of the 9/11 Commission, also
urged new verification mechanisms to assist employers
in hiring only authorized workers.

   -----------------------------

The voter ID bill is H.R. 4844.
The fence bill is H.R. 6061.

================================================

~~ Boeing Wins Deal For Border Security ~~

By Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writer
September 20, 2006

Aerospace and defense giant Boeing Co. has won a
multibillion-dollar contract to revamp how the
United States guards about 6,000 miles of border in
an attempt to curb illegal immigration, congressional
sources said yesterday.

Boeing's proposal relied heavily on a network of 1,800
towers, most of which would need to be erected along
the borders with Mexico and Canada. Each tower would
be equipped with a variety of sensors, including
cameras and heat and motion detectors.

The company's efforts would be the basis of the
government's latest attempt to control U.S. borders
after a series of failures. The contract, part of the
Secure Border Initiative and known as SBInet, will
again test the ability of technology to solve a
problem that lawmakers have called a critical national
security concern. This time, the private sector is
being given an unusually large say in how to do it.

Boeing sold its plan to the Homeland Security
Department as less risky and less expensive than
competing proposals that would have relied heavily on
drones for routine surveillance work. Boeing plans
only limited use of small unmanned aerial vehicles
that could be launched from the backs of Border Patrol
trucks when needed to help pursue suspects.

The system is to be installed first along the Mexican
border in an area south of Tucson known to be a key
crossing point for illegal immigrants. The company has
said it can deploy the system along both borders
within three years.

The public announcement of the award is planned for
tomorrow. Several congressional and industry sources
yesterday confirmed that Boeing had defeated four
other companies in one of the most closely watched and
intensely fought contract competitions this year. The
sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because of
the sensitivity of the competition. Homeland Security
spokesman Larry Orluskie said the department was
"really close" to making an award.

Boeing officials declined to comment, pending official
notification. In an interview this month, Boeing
executive Wayne Esser said that despite the company's
aviation experience, it wanted to keep its border
surveillance systems on the ground. "The aerial
platform just goes off the map from a cost
standpoint," he said.

Homeland Security has been criticized harshly in
recent years for initiatives that have either failed
or far exceeded their budgets. In one case, cameras
that the department installed on the borders broke
down in bad weather.

"The administration has spent $429 million of the
taxpayer's money to try and secure our borders with
two already-abandoned border security programs," said
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss). He expressed concern
that the same thing will happen to SBInet.

Mindful of that record, Boeing emphasized that all its
technology has been proven to work. "The low-risk
approach is probably going to carry weight here,"
Esser said.

From the beginning, department officials told industry
leaders that they wanted immediate results. The
contract proposed giving the private sector wide
latitude in helping U.S. Customs and Border Protection
figure out the right combination of technology,
infrastructure and personnel needed to stop
immigrants, terrorists and criminals from illegally
crossing into the United States.

Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Michael P. Jackson
said this year that he wanted the companies "to come
back and tell us how to do our business."

SBInet has been regarded all year by many industry
executives as a critical prize, since the Homeland
Security Department's budget continues to boom and no
single company has emerged to dominate the market.

As a result, there was pitched competition among
defense companies for a contract that is estimated to
be worth about $2.5 billion over the next four years.
The contest included five prime contractors --
Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp.,
Raytheon Co., Ericsson Inc. and Boeing. Each rounded
up dozens of subcontractors, bringing a wide variety
of defense and technology firms into the competition.

Boeing's subcontractors include a Washington division
of L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. and a Reston
division of information technology firm Unisys Corp.

Boeing has been one of the Defense Department's
largest contractors for decades, and has been trying
to win Homeland Security awards since the department
was created.

In pursuing this contract, Boeing pointed to its work
installing explosive-detection systems at more than
400 airports in less than six months following the
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But that contract
was criticized by the Homeland Security's inspector
general's office, which found that Boeing received $49
million in excess profit on a deal that was supposed
to be worth $508 million but ballooned to $1.2
billion. Investigators also found that Boeing had
subcontracted 92 percent of the work, and that the
machines had high false-alarm rates. The company
disputed those findings.

Winning SBInet is considered an important victory for
Boeing as it seeks to overcome a number of recent
setbacks, including a scandal in which a Pentagon
official admitted favoring the company in exchange for
a job, and the loss this summer in the competition to
build the next U.S. manned spacecraft.

====end====

~~ LULAC Bids Farewell to Dr. Gabriela Lemus, its
Director of Policy and Legislation ~~

Washington, DC � After six years and ten months of
devotion and dedicated service to the League of United
Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the LULAC National
Staff, its National Board, and Members and colleagues
nationwide, wish to congratulate Dr. Gabriela Lemus on
her newest endeavor as the Executive Director of The
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).


�Gabi�s history of advocacy work in the grassroots and
the community is unmatched at LULAC,� said LULAC
National President Rosa Rosales. �We are sad to see
her go but we are delighted that she will continue to
work closely with us and in the same capacity to
promote and advance the attainment of Latino political
influence and civil rights. She will do an exceptional
job at LCLAA.�

�Gabi will be sorely missed. I appreciate the time and
work that we spent together, and I wish her the best
at LCLAA,� said Executive Director Brent Wilkes.

As Director of Policy and Legislation, Dr. Lemus led
LULAC�s Hispanic civic participation campaign focused
on voter education, registration, and GOTV. She
spearheaded Latinos for a Secure Retirement, a
nationwide grassroots effort to improve the lives of
Latino retirees, and created Proyecto La Luz, a
program to end domestic violence.

Dr. Lemus also helped advocate and promote policy that
benefited the Latino community including US-Latin
American relations, immigration, Medicare reform,
fairness for Latino youth in the justice system, and
ending border militarization and vigilantism among
others.

�It has been an honor and a privilege serving as
LULAC�s Director of Policy and Legislation for the
past seven years,� said Dr. Gabriela Lemus.  �I thank
our wonderful director, board, and staff for their
love, confidence, patience, and support.�

The League of the United Latin American Citizen
(www.lulac.org) is the oldest and largest Latino
membership based civil rights organization in the
United States . It advances the economic conditions,
educational attainment, political influence, health
and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs operating at more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide.

==========================================

*** Santa Ana City Council Candidates' Forum by
Orange County Community Forum ***

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 / 12 Noon - 1:30 pm
Rancho Santiago Community College District -
Board Room
2323 No. Broadway St., Santa Ana, CA
Optional: Catered Lunch at $5 per person
RSVP: Mario, 714-835-6990
       occf@...

Candidates' Forum for Santa Ana City Council
Candidates --

The Orange County Community Forum has conducted
monthly forums since 1996 dealing with the most
significant issues that impact our community.

During lections, OCCF provides certain candidates an
opportunity to address the audience and to present
their ideas, plans and/or platform in an informal
meeting.

At the conclusion of the candidates presentations, the
audience is given an opportunity to ask the candidates
theier questions. In view of the upcoming elections,
this meeting is especially significant and important.

======================================

*** Student Civic Forum by Orange County DREAM Team
Coalition ***

Saturday, October 7, 2006 / 10 am - 12 Noon
Titan Student Union, Alvarado AB Meeting Room
Cal State Fullerton
800 North State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA
FREE EVENT! FREE PARKING!
Students and Community Supporters Invited
INFO:

Online Registration:
http://www.istillhaveadream.org

�Left Out!� ....
... FROM THE LARGER IMMIGRATION DEBATE
... AMONG OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
... AMONG SOCIAL WORKER PROVIDERS
... AMONG SCHOLARS

Because YOU can make a difference, the Orange County
DREAM Team Coalition (OCDT) invites you to an
civic forum to address issues which affect talented
students but ignored resources.

Keynote Speaker: Roberto G. Gonzales, M.A. University
of Chicago; Ph.D. Candidate, UC Irvine.

=========================================

*** 1st Annual Northeast College Fair by Barrio
Action Youth & Family Center ***

Saturday, September 23, 2006 / 10 am - 2 pm
El Sereno Recreation Center
4721 Klamath Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90032
INFO/Registartion: Patricia Alarcon, 323-810-8659

Features informational exhibits from colleges,
universities, non-profit organizations, and financial
aid information. Excellent opportunity for high school
and community college students to learn of exciting
opportunities in higher education!

========================================

*** Mobilize the Immigrant Vote - 2006 Campaign
Electoral Training ***

Training is open to organizations that have signed
onto the MIV 2006 campaign.

INFO: http://www.immigrantrights.org/miv2006

- Learn new tips and lessons for running an effective
electoral campaign;
- Meet other organizations doing similar work in the
Bay Area;
- Find out how best to use the MIV Toolkit for your
organization.

Co-hosts: Partnership for Immigrant Leadership &
Action (PILA), California Partnership & Librer�a del
Pueblo

From: Alicia Lepe, alepe@...
California Partnership/
Center for Community Change
2533 W. 3rd. Street, Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Tel: -213-385-8010 Fax: 866-337-7909
Mobile: 626-224-8189

======================================

*** 2006 National Grassroots Mobilization Training ***

Thursday, September 21, 2006,

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
in partnership with the CPL Action Network and other
grassroots organizations from all over the country are
organizing a nation-wide event to promote leadership
in the Hispanic community and to develop the tools to
build a more powerful and connected Latino electorate.

The 2006 National Grassroots Mobilization Training is
taking place in house parties all over the country on
Thursday, September 21st. CPL will give you everything
you need to run the training ... and you can either
host your own or show up at one in your community!

With the help of CPL Action Network and other
grassroots groups like America Votes, Wellstone
Action, Latinos for America, MoveOn.org Political
Action, Sierra Club, Progressive Democrats of America,
True Majority Action and others, hundreds of
passionate progressives from different organizations
are coming together for this special event.

The evening will not only be a chance to learn the
fundamental tools of grassroots mobilizing, but it
will also be a unique opportunity to connect with
local organizers from a wide variety of communities
who have one thing in common ... the desire to
mobilize and become engaged as a voter.

The two-hour training will focus on:

- What grassroots organizing is and why it is
important;
- How we can effectively engage people to drive our
campaigns, issues, and efforts;
- Effective tools for recruiting volunteers and
talking to voters;
- Connecting progressive organizers from different
communities.

After the training, every participant will be invited
to join an online community where you can participate
in discussion boards, access more in-depth training
resources, connect with other participants, and get
linked to progressive campaigns and organizations.

This is a tremendous opportunity to join progressives
everywhere in building our local communities and
political infrastructure. Now is the time to become
involved!

The League of the United Latin American Citizen
advances the economic conditions, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide.

=====================================

*** Fundraiser for Santa Ana City Council Candidate
Michele Martinez ***

Thursday, September 21, 2006 / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Home of Ralph & Joyce Allen
1002 River Lane, Santa Ana, CA
$50 per person/ $75 per couple
RSVP: 714-704-9254 / 714-835-5623

* Appetizers & Refreshments

For: Michele Martinez, candidate for Santa Ana City
Council, Ward #4.

=======================================

*** "United In Our Independence: Mexico & Central
America" University Celebration ***

Saturday, September 23, 2006 / 5 pm - 10 pm
California State University, Fullerton
800 No. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA
No Charge ... FREE FOOD TO 1ST 250 GUESTS!
INFO: 714-278-3846
       http://www.mechacsuf.com

By: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan -
MEChA de Cal State University, Fullerton;
Association for Inter-Cultural Awareness (AICA).

With the accomplishment of independence there must
also be a celebration. Join us as we celebrate Central
American countries and Mexico's independence!

Frienda and family are invited to an evening of live
music, cultural dancers, guest speakers, university
information for high school students, and FREE FOOD!

========================================

*** Santa Ana Civic Leadership Initiative Recruitment
for 10th Year Anniversary Class ... 2006-2007 Program ***

The 2006-2007 Santa Ana Civic Leadership Initiative
(SACLI - formerly the PEW Civic Entrepreneur
Initiative) will equip 20 Santa Ana residents to play
a greater role in decision-making in their community.

SACLI is a year-long leadership experience which
consists of monthly seminars and two retreats that
focus on practical strategies to solve local and
complex community problems. Program participants will
design and implement a project that addresses a local
community need. Individuals selected to participate
must commit to a full year of involvement and must be
nominated by a local organization or individual.

INFO: 714-564-6211

Benefits for Participants:
~ Personal and professional development Develop and
strengthen your leadership skills;
~ Learn more about your city and community;
~ Build community and family pride.

Participant Expectations:
~ Commitment to stay in the program for one year;
~ Participate in all seminars/retreats;
~ Work on a community/youth-focused project;
~ Work with a community organization.

PROGRAM DATES:

October 27, 2006
- Opening Program Orientation & Team Building Retreat
November 17, 2006
- Seminar: Santa Ana, History and Youth
December 15, 2006
- Seminar: Working with Diverse Communities
January 19, 2007
- Seminar: Higher Education
February 23, 2007
- Seminar: Educating our Children
March 16, 2007
- Seminar: Principles of Leadership
April 20, 2007
- Seminar: Community&Local Government
May 18, 2007
- Sustainability Retreat
June 15, 2007
- Seminar: Governmental Community Relations
June 21, 2007
- Closing Graduation

Seminar hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Times and dates are subject to change.)

program participants should have business/community
organizational support that will assist them
throughout their year of involvement in the Santa Ana
Civic Leadership Initiative (SACLI).  The nominator
may be an employer/supervisor, or a community
member/organization.

Please submit the application and Nomination Form no
later than October 19, 2006.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE
THROUGH SANTA ANA COLLEGE, KEY SANTA ANA BUSINESSES
AND LOCAL CITY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SANTA
ANA LULAC COUNCIL #147 (714-835-9585 /
zekeher@...).

There is a three step application process:
1) Written application and nomination form;
2) Letter of recommendation by nominator;
3) Final selection of participants by Steering
Committee.

All participants will be notified by October 20, 2006.

================================

*** "Let the Eagle Fly" - Musical Play of Cesar Chavez
and UFW ***

Continues through october 8, 2006
* Fridays & Saturdays: 8 pm
Sundays: 2 pm
The California Stage
1723 25th Street, Sacramento, CA

The Western States Premiere of "Let the Eagle Fly," a
musical play chronicling the rise of Cesar Chavez and
the United Farm Worker's (UFW). "Let the Eagle Fly"
continues for four consecutive weekends

"Let the Eagle Fly" is a  new musical on the life of
Cesar Chavez written by Julie Shannon with help from
Chavez� granddaughter, Julie Chavez Rodriguez. This
musical is not a cheery love letter to a guy who did
well. The play dramatizes exactly what made Cesar
Chavez so successful. It answers part of the question
of how an unassuming labor activist who might have
only become a footnote in the annals of local labor
history became an American hero.

How do we best insure that the legacy of Cesar Chavez
and the UFW lives on?  How do we ensure that the young
people, particularly the children and grandchildren of
"baby boomers" continue to appreciate the struggle
that improved the lives of so many farm workers, and
consequently so many of us.

Your attendance is very important to the success of
the play because of your past involvement (directly or
indirectly) with the United Farm Worker's movement and
your present involvement in the community.  All we�re
asking is that you take your youth to the play and
invite their friends.  Or you can coordinate a group
event with all the children in the family.

========================================

*** Police/Community Forum by OC Human Relations
Commission ***

Wednesday, September 27, 2006 / 6 pm - 8 pm
Garden Grove Community Meeting Center
11300 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840
INFO: James Armendaris, 714-567-5117
       james@...
       Dave Southern 714-567-7543
       dave@...

"Working Together to Create Safer Communities"

Hear local law enforcement and community groups share
successful community policing initiatives. Have an
opportunity to voice your concerns and ask questions
about community policing in your neighborhood .

By: Orange County Human Relations Commission.
Refreshments Provided by: Local Restaurants
& Garden Grove Police Department.

Community Panelists:
Betty Chu, Golden Remco Inc.; Nora Mendez, OCCHC;
Madres Unidas; Joseph Pak, Community Liaison

Law Enforcement Panelists:
Lt. Travis Whitman, Garden Grove Police Dept; Acting
Police Chief Mitch Waller, Westminster Police Dept;
Police Chief Rick Hicks, Cypress Police Dept;

Moderator:
Ken Inouye, Chair, OC Human Relations Commission

Opening Remarks:
Chief David Maggard, Irvine Police Dept.

================================

*** California Mental Health Services Oversight
& Accountability Commission Meeting ***

Thursday September 28, 2006 / 2 pm - 5 pm
Friday September 29, 2006 / 9 am - 4 pm
Anaheim Crown Plaza, (714) 867-555
12021 Harbor Ave., Anaheim, CA 92810
INFO/RSVP: Karla Amezquita 714-834-2907

By: The Health Care Agency, Behavioral Health
Services, and Mental Health Services Act Office.

The role of the Mental Health Services Oversight and
Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) is to ensure that
services provided pursuant to the Mental Health
Services Act (MHSA) are cost effective and provided in
accordance with recommended best practices subject to
local and state oversight. The MHSOAC will ensure
accountability to taxpayers and to the public.

All Orange County Stakeholders interested in improving
our Public Mental Health System are encouraged to
attend this important meeting.

From: Marco A. Anzar
Mental Health Services Act
County of Orange Health Care Agency
405 W. 5th Ave., Suite 502, Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-834-3142 / manzar@... or prop63@...

=========================================

*** U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer Endorses Florice
Hoffman for 40th Congressional District ***

September 8, 2006

(Orange, CA) - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer has
announced her endorsement of Florice Hoffman for the
40th Congressional District.

"Florice has a long record of fighting for working
families. From Healthcare to Housing to Transportation
and Education, Florice understands the needs and
challenges of her neighbors and she will represent
them well in the U.S. House of Representatives" said
Senator Boxer.

When asked the significance of Senator Boxer's
endorsement, Florice stated, "I am proud to be
endorsed by Senator Boxer. Her record of leadership on
behalf of all Californians is an example I hope to
follow in the Congress." Florice added, "As a three
term Senator from California , Senator Boxer
understands full well the need to address important
issues my community faces daily. We must address the
escalating costs of healthcare; ensuring access to
quality public education; alleviating traffic
congestion which is a drain on our economy as well as
our environment; finally, the need to create housing
opportunities for working families."

Senator Boxer urges contributions to be made at
https://etribute.durkeeandassociates.com/c.php?c=fHoffman

Florice Hoffman is an attorney and she has her own
practice specializing in employment law, labor law and
in the representation of Taft Hartley benefit trust
funds. Florice received her B.A. from Brandeis
University in 1980 and her Juris Doctorate from
Rutgers School of Law in 1984. Florice lives in
Orange, California with her twin sons.

California 's 40th Congressional District is located
in North Central Orange County and is comprised of the
communities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress,
Fullerton, Garden Grove, LA Palma, Los Alamitos,
Orange, Placentia, Stanton, Westminster and Villa
Park.

===================================

~~ Public Hearing on Media Ownership in Austin ~~

Tuesday, September 19, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
University of Texas � Jester Auditorium (A121A)
201 East 21st St., Austin, Texas
* The forum is free and open to the public.

Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Jonathan
Adelstein will visit Austin on Tuesday to listen to
local citizens� concerns about localism and diversity
in the media as part of a series of hearings organized
by the National Latino Media Council.

This Public Hearing on media ownership is a rare
opportunity for the public to voice their opinions on
media consolidation directly to the FCC Commissioner.

Marcelo Tafoya, LULAC Texas District 7 Director will
be opening the hearing and moderating the panel.

Join Rosa Rosales, LULAC National President and other
local leaders, concerned residents and students in
this very important hearing.

The panel includes:
- Ann Toback, Assistant Executive Director, Writers
Guild of America, East;
- Professor Federico Subervi, Professor at the School
of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State
University-San Marcos;
- Mariana Pineda, Reporter, Univision 62 Austin;
- Leonard Davila, Tejano musician.

After the panel, public comments will be received and
recorded for submission to the full FCC Commission.

   --------------------

National Latino Media Council Member Organizations:
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Cuban
American National Council, Latino Literacy Now,
League Of United Latin American Citizens, Mexican
American Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Mexican
American Opportunity Foundation, National Association
of Hispanic Publications, National Association of
Latino Elected Officials, National Association of
Latino Independent Producers, National Council of la
Raza, National Hispanic Media Coalition, National
Institute for Latino Policy * National Puerto Rican
Coalition, Nosotros, Puerto Rican Legal Defense &
Education Fund.

League of United Latin American Citizens.
http://www.LULAC.org

=====================================

*** New COPS Grants for California Schools ***

From: Barbara Boxer, United States Senator
September 18, 2006

The Department of Justice�s Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recently announced
nearly $15 million in school safety resource grants to
assist 174 local law enforcement agencies nationwide
to improve school safety. These grants will help
support efforts to improve safety and security at
schools making our children safer.

The grants will provide up to 50 percent of the total
cost for municipalities to install metal detectors,
locks, lighting, and other equipment that can help
deter crime. The grants can also be used to cover 50
percent of the cost of security assessments and
training.

The Santa Ana Unified School District Police
Department will be receiving a grant under this
program of $302,683 to improve school safety in
the Santa Ana area.  This needed funding will help
make Santa Ana schools and their staff and students
safer and more secure.

The COPS program is an effective effort by the
Department of Justice to improve community safety and
security through innovative area-specific solutions
that combine both federal and local government
resources. As a long-time supporter of this program, I
am pleased that the Santa Ana Unified School District
Police Department will be able to take advantage of
this funding to improve the safety of students and
faculty in area schools.

======================================

Verizon Named Among Top Companies For Hispanics

Verizon Communications ranks No. 7 on Hispanic
Business' list of Top 50 Companies for Hispanics.
The magazine's second annual Top 50 Companies survey
reveals the growing strength of Hispanics in
influencing American corporate culture. Noting that
diversity is smart for business, the magazine reports,
"Like the early adopters of Web marketing and
outreach in the late '90s, these companies are
investing in new avenues to attract consumers."

To see the Top 50 Companies list and the story about
it, "Diversity: A Smart Business Decision," go to
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/magazine.

====================================

*** 2006 6th Annual National Association of Latino
Arts and Culture Conference ***

October 11-15, 2006
El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel
San Antonio, Texas
INFO: elisa@... / 210-432-3982
       http://www.nalac.org

The NALAC National Conference is the only national
gathering of the not-for-profit Latino arts and
cultural field providing a unique opportunity for
engaging in dialogue, networking, collaboration
building and professional development. The conference
presents a broad, national perspective on the state of
Latino artistic and cultural expression influenced by
a combination of transnational identities, cultural
values and social justice.

The four-day event features three keynote speakers who
will inspire you, as well as 22 panels and workshop
sessions on topics such as fundraising, leadership
transition, definition of the aesthetic, cultural
policy, art as identity and resistance, and arts and
technology.  In addition, there will be roundtable
discussions and discipline-specific workshops for peer
exchange of common challenges, ideas and technique.

Conference performers include Marga Gomez, Paul
Flores, Merian Soto & Elio Villafranca, Universes and
Los Tres Acordiones - Grammy winners Sonny Sauceda and
Joel Guzman and Flaco Jimenez - among many others.

MORE INFO:
http://www.nalac.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=index.index&page=2006%20National%20Con\
\
ference&CFID=102250&CFTOKEN=18617334

To view the conference agenda, please visit:
http://www.nalac.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=index.index&page=ConferenceAgenda

==========================================

*** Availablity of Scholarships ***

The following is a list of scholarships and
fellowships with upcoming deadlines.

~ For more information:
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/
scholarships/scholarships.asp

~ To receive a monthly update of scholarships, send an
email to: tma-scholarship-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~ To find internship opportunities for undergrads and
grads, go to:
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/
internships/internships.asp

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

~ Bay Area Black Journalists Association Luci S.
Williams Houston Memorial Scholarship
~ American Political Science Association Minority
Fellows Program
~ Hispanic Scholarship Fund Graduate and Professional
Degree Scholarship Program
~ Marshall Scholarships For Graduate Study in The UK
~ Association for Asian Studies/Japan-US Friendship
Commission Japan Studies Grants
~ Bay Area Black Journalists Association Young
Journalists Scholarship
~ Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Law School Scholarship Program
~ National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage
Fellowships in the Folk and Traditional Arts
~ The Northeast Asia Council of the Association for
Asian Studies and Korea Foundation Grants
~ Citizens for Global Solutions Virtual Poetry Slam
Scholarship Contest
~ State Farm Insurance Hispanic Scholarship
~ The Special Libraries Association Affirmative Action
Scholarship

   ----------------------------------

Click on the link provided to get the details.
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/scholarships/scholarships.asp
To receive a monthly update of scholarships, send an
email to:
tma-scholarship-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

   ----------------------------------

~ American Dental Association Minority Dental Student
Scholarship
~ Fulbright European Union Scholar-in-Residence
Program
~ Hispanic Scholarship Fund National College
Scholarship Program for Undergraduates
~ La Unidad Latina Foundation Educational Scholarships
~ Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Fellowships
~ Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford
~ The McCormick Tribune Fellowship Program
~ Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships in the
Humanities
~ Worldwide Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program
~ National Physical Science Consortium Graduate
Fellowships
~ Hispanic Scholarship Fund Marathon Oil Corporation
College Scholarship Program
~ American Library Association Spectrum Doctoral
Fellowship
~ Foundation for the Advancement of MesoAmerican
Studies General Research Grants
~ CampusRN/AACN Nursing Scholarship Fund
~ Social Science Research Council Abe Fellowship
~ Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP Diversity
Scholarship Program
~ Straight Forward Media Minority Scholarships
~ National Institute of General Medical Sciences
(NIGMS)/National Institutes of Health Post-doctoral
Fellowship Awards for Minority Students
~ Catching the Dream Math Engineering Science Business
Education and Computers Native American Program
~ National Institute of General Medical Sciences NIH
Postdoctoral Doctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority
Students
~ Robert M. Takasugi Public Interest Law Fellowship

   ----------------------------------

Click on the link provided to get the details.
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/scholarships/scholarships.asp
To receive a monthly update of scholarships, send an
email to:
tma-scholarship-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

   ----------------------------------

~ Anheuser-Busch National Asian Pacific American Bar
Association Law Foundation Presidential Scholarships
~ Social Science Research Council Abe Fellowship
Program
~ American Council of Learned Societies Digital
Innovation Fellowships
~ 2007 Equal Justice Works Legal Fellowship
~ Texas Alliance for Minority Participation
Scholarship
~ Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Intellectual
Disabilities/ Special Education Public Policy
Fellowship
~ Catching the Dream Tribal Business Management
Program
~ Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Ann Newman
Scholarship Fund
~ Soros Justice Fellowships
~ Asian American Journalists Association Poynter
Leadership For New Managers Fellowship
~ Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists
Scholarships
~ Catching the Dream Native American Leadership
Education Program
~ Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Fund
~ Elder & Leemaur Publishers University Writing
Scholarship
~ The Tylenol Scholarship
~ Draper Richards Foundation Fellowship Program For
Social Entrepreneurs
~ Veterans Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund
~ University of the District of Columbia Tuition for
Nursing Program
~ Diversity Postdoctoral Research Scholar Appointment
~ Building Excellent Schools Fellowship
~ Japan Campaign Fellowship Tokyo
~ Hispanic Scholarship Fund Alumni/Western Governors
University Scholarship Program
~ Erskine A. Peters Dissertation Year Fellowship at
Notre Dame

   ---------------------------------

Click on the link provided to get the details.

http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/scholarships/scholarships.asp

To receive a monthly update of scholarships, send an
email to:
tma-scholarship-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To find internship opportunities for undergrads and
grads, go to:
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/internships/internships.asp

   -----------------------------------
   -----------------------------------

The Multicultural Advantage Scholarships and
Fellowships Update is a monthly mailing of
scholarships, fellowships, grants awards and other
opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students,
professional students and Phd candidates from diverse
backgrounds seeking to continuing education and other
opportunities for career advancement.

Tracey de Morsella
The Multicultural Advantage
Phone: 888-750-6132
Email: tdemorsella AT multiculturaladvantage.com

Find Diversity Career Fairs, Scholarships,
Fellowships, Jobs,Internships, Grants, Mentor
Programs, Leadership Institutes and Sponsorship
Offerings at:
http://www.multiculturaladvantage.com/opportunity/opportunities.asp

====end====

ACTION ALERT --- SB 160

The most recent response from the Governor is not
supportive.  He states, �They (AB 540 students) must
pay back taxes and pay for healthcare and education
rather than expect American taxpayers to pay extra
when some cannot even afford healthcare or college for
their own children.�

Supporters need to continue the pressure with a new
letter NOW to the governor addressing this statement.
AB 540 students who are undocumented can�t work and
would not be asking for support if they could have a
secure job.  Please scroll down for the address and
phone number.

   ----------------------------

***ACTION NEEDED***

California Dream Act, SB 160, was approved by the
Senate August 31, 2006 by the Senate (24-15).  The
bill is now headed straight for the Governor�s desk.
The Governor has until September 30th to sign or veto
the California Dream Act. We are on the home stretch
and need to keep up the momentum.

*** Letter writing Campaign

Now is the time to begin calling the Governor and
sending individual letters of support directly to the
Governor.  Please send us a copy of your letter to the
Governor.  Please try to personalize the letter but
stay to the point of creating an educated workforce.


*** Call the Governor�s Office

Tell all your teachers, friends, and family to call
the Governor�s Office. They are recording responses to
Legislation. Out of 1600 bills sent to the governor,
he has selected the Dream act as one of 6 to monitor.

Call: (916) 445-2841
Press: 1 � English or 2 � Spanish
Then Press: 2 � Voice Opinion on Legislation
Then Press: 6 � SB 160, California Dream Act
Then Press: 1 � Support

Or can leave a message with one of there staff
contacts between 9am to 5pm.

Thank you all again for your support,

Eric Z. Guerra
Office of Senator Gilbert Cedillo
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA  95814
(916) 651-4022 Office
(916) 327-8817 Fax
eric.guerra@...
www.sen.ca.gov/cedillo

ACTION ALERT --- SB 160

The most recent response from the Governor is not
supportive.  He states, �They (AB 540 students) must
pay back taxes and pay for healthcare and education
rather than expect American taxpayers to pay extra
when some cannot even afford healthcare or college for
their own children.�

Supporters need to continue the pressure with a new
letter NOW to the governor addressing this statement.
AB 540 students who are undocumented can�t work and
would not be asking for support if they could have a
secure job.  Please scroll down for the address and
phone number.

   ----------------------------

***ACTION NEEDED***

California Dream Act, SB 160, was approved by the
Senate August 31, 2006 by the Senate (24-15).  The
bill is now headed straight for the Governor�s desk.
The Governor has until September 30th to sign or veto
the California Dream Act. We are on the home stretch
and need to keep up the momentum.

*** Letter writing Campaign

Now is the time to begin calling the Governor and
sending individual letters of support directly to the
Governor.  Please send us a copy of your letter to the
Governor.  Please try to personalize the letter but
stay to the point of creating an educated workforce.


*** Call the Governor�s Office

Tell all your teachers, friends, and family to call
the Governor�s Office. They are recording responses to
Legislation. Out of 1600 bills sent to the governor,
he has selected the Dream act as one of 6 to monitor.

Call: (916) 445-2841
Press: 1 � English or 2 � Spanish
Then Press: 2 � Voice Opinion on Legislation
Then Press: 6 � SB 160, California Dream Act
Then Press: 1 � Support

Or can leave a message with one of there staff
contacts between 9am to 5pm.

Thank you all again for your support,

Eric Z. Guerra
Office of Senator Gilbert Cedillo
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA  95814
(916) 651-4022 Office
(916) 327-8817 Fax
eric.guerra@...
www.sen.ca.gov/cedillo





__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

~~ E-2 Kids Hoping For A Dream ~~

The Orlando Sentinel (Florida)
September 10, 2006
EDITORIAL - By Kelly Griffith

If Jamie Emberson has a British accent, I can barely
tell it. He came to America when he was 15, tagging
along with his parents who opened a successful
restaurant in Lake County -- long enough to ditch the
accent for the most part.

Emberson is also a smart guy, went to high school and
earned himself a Florida Bright Future's Scholarship,
something I hope my kids can do. By next June,
however, Emberson will have to forfeit the scholarship
and go back across the ocean to live in England,
leaving his parents and all his friends and his
college studies. Apparently that's the way America
wants it.

Emberson turns 21 in June 2007. As the son of E-2
visa-holders, there's no provision for him to stay in
America, even though he's been here throughout his
teen years, educated here and even has a nice college
scholarship.

Emberson desperately wants that to change. He's
exhausted nearly every avenue he can think of to try
to stay in America legally. He makes the argument that
American taxpayers have paid for his high school
education, so why shouldn't America benefit from him
staying and serving in the community that educated
him?  He's a smart guy after all and can probably do
some good for someone.

Right now, the law does not allow children of E-2 visa
holders to work at all, though -- not even a part-time
job. It also forces them to leave the country when
they turn 21, no matter how long they've been here.

I've met E-2 visa holders with babies in their arms.
What about those children? Will they be shipped back
to a country they don't know? Or, will their parents
have to give up businesses that they have been
required to make "significant financial investment" in
-- and no-telling how many Americans might depend on
for their employment -- to go back with them in order
to stay together as a family? I'm not sure how that's
good for America.

The Dream Act is a federal proposal, being pitched
with twin bills in the U.S. Senate and House, that
would help some kids who find themselves being booted
from our country. Some people think that children
shouldn't be the victims of their parent's decision to
immigrate. If the kids don't tug on your heart, I
think there's a significant economic reason to look at
this bill.

Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, is a co-sponsor of the
Senate version, while Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a
Republican from Miami, is co-sponsor of the House
version.

Proponents say: (and this is directly quoted) "Each
year about 65,000 U.S.-raised students who would
qualify for the DREAM Act�s benefits graduate from
high school. These include honor roll students, star
athletes, talented artists, homecoming queens, and
aspiring teachers, doctors and U.S. soldiers. They are
young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of
their lives and desire only to call this country their
home. Even though they were brought to the U.S. years
ago as children, they face unique barriers to higher
education, are unable to work legally in the U.S., and
often live in constant fear of detection..."

I've asked immigration experts and lawyers what they
think should happen and they nearly all tell me they
think the laws should be changed to allow children of
E-2 visa-holders to be able to work and to be able to
switch to permenant legal resident status if they have
met certain qualifications. Of course it wouldn't be a
cinch, but would at least be a path available. As for
their parents, I know many would hope too, that if
their E-2 children were allowed permanent status, that
eventually, they would possibly be able to host them
as dependents into their old age, with provisions that
they wouldn't burden the American system.

They say this would allow them to genuinely "retire"
in America after building their businesses
successfully for decades, turning it over to their
children and insuring that the Americans who depend on
them for a living will continue to be able to rely on
the business for that purpose and allow the business
owner who has toiled to finally rest in the place they
have called home for so long.

Central Florida's economy is built on a lot of money
from Brits investing here and area lawmakers might
want to consider looking at the Dream Act and what it
means beyond simply the emotion of it all.

=======================================

*** MALDEF --- CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT ***

From: MALDEF's Sacramento Office
September 12, 2006

MALDEF, the nation's leading Latino legal
organization, promotes and protects the rights of
Latinos through advocacy, litigation, community
education and outreach, leadership development, and
higher education scholarships.  The Sacramento office
works on statewide policy and legislation that affects
our Latino communities.  Listed below are some of our
high priority bills that have reached the Governor's
desk; please review and send in your letters of
support today!

If you would like to help or would like a sample
letter for any of these bills, or if you have
questions, please contact us at (916) 443-7531 or
rdurgin@....

~ EDUCATION

Senate Bill 160, by Senator Gil Cedillo, the
"California DREAM Act." This bill would provide
limited financial assistance to some low-income,
immigrant students who are currently ineligible for
federal financial aid. It would allow the California
Community Colleges to provide tuition fee waivers and
the University of California and California State
University to provide financial aid to these deserving
students. This bill is included on the Governor's
24-hour Automated Telephone system. To indicate your
support, please call 916-445-2841 (press 1 for English
as the bill is not on the Spanish option). SB 160 is
bill number 6.

Assembly Bill 2117 by Assembly Member Joe Coto. This
bill would establish the English Language Acquisition
Program for pupils in grades 4 to 8, which would
provide schools $100 for every enrolled English
Learner, and a 3-year competitive grant pilot project
to identify the best practices regarding curriculum,
instruction, and staff development in promoting
English language acquisition and development.

Senate Bill 1575 by Senator Joe Dunn.  This bill would
require junior and senior high school social science
courses that cover human rights issues to also provide
instruction on the inhumanity of the 1930s deportation
program. For the first time, our history books would
include the unconstitutional program that deported
millions of American citizens simply because of their
Mexican ancestry.

Senate Bill 1769 by Senator Martha Escutia. This bill
would require that the State Board of Education adopt
an Accelerated English program for English Learner
students as part of the 2008 Reading/Language
Arts/English Language Development Curriculum
Frameworks and Criteria.

~ EMPLOYMENT

Assembly Bill 1835 by Assembly Member Sally Lieber.
This bill would increase the minimum wage from $6.75
to $7.50 on January 1, 2007 and to $8.00 on January
1, 2008. The automatic indexing provision was removed
as part of a compromise to ensure the governor's
signature. This bill was signed by the Governor!

~ IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

Assembly Bill 630 by Assembly Member Judy Chu.  This
bill would require persons engaged in the business or
acting in the capacity of an immigration consultant to
undergo criminal background checks and would require
that the Secretary of State notify the Attorney
General whenever a consultant fails to maintain a
valid bond.

Assembly Bill 2060 by Assembly Member Hector De La
Torre.  This bill would require the Department of
Community Services to contract with community-based
organizations to provide free comprehensive
naturalization services and civic education courses to
assist legal permanent residents in becoming citizens.
  This bill is important because citizenship and civic
participation play a critical role in the well-being
of our neighborhoods, communities, schools, and state.

Senate Bill 1162 by Senator Gil Cedillo. This bill
was amended to authorize driver's licenses for
undocumented immigrants. This bill is included on the
Governor's 24-hour Automated Telephone system. To
indicate your support, please call 916-445-2841
(press 1 for English as the bill is not on the Spanish
option). SB 1162 is bill number 3.

~ HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Senate Bill 1245 by Senator Liz Figueroa.  This bill
would ensure that all health care service plans
provide coverage for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
test in conjunction with the Pap test during a woman's
annual cervical cancer screening test.  Cervical
cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths
among women and Latinas have the highest incidence of
cervical cancer.  This bill would promote regular and
accurate screening, thereby improving the health and
well-being of our community.

Senate Bill 1534 by Senator Deborah Ortiz.  This bill
would affirm that counties are within their discretion
to provide critical health services to all of their
residents, a policy that improves public health for
all Californians.

~ ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Assembly Bill 2302 by the Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill would provide access to an interpreter for
any person of limited English proficiency in a civil
action or proceeding.  40% of all Californians speak a
language other than English at home and many are
incapable of fully participating in court proceedings
conducted solely in English.  Providing access to
interpreters would not only help ensure that the
outcomes of court proceedings are equitable, but it
would improve the efficiency of the civil courts
system as well.

Senate Bill 1765 by Senator Martha Escutia.   This
bill would have allowed U.S. citizens who were
unconstitutionally deported during the Great
Depression to seek legal redress.  Throughout the
1930s, the U.S. government carried out an aggressive
and illegal program to deport nearly two million
Americans of Mexican descent.  These unconscionable
actions could have been brought to light and the
victims of this reprehensible deportation program
would have been allowed to seek justice.  This bill
was vetoed by the Governor on August 21, 2006.  MALDEF
continues to pursue policies that would address this
illegal program.

   ----------------------------

MALDEF
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
634 S. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 629-2512

==========================================

*** National Alliance for Human Rights to participate
in Mexico City "Grito" by AMLO ***

The National Alliance for Human Rights is planning to
take a delegation of U.S. residents to the
15th of September �Grito� being called for by
conducted by Manuel Lopez Obrador. On September 16,
they will be attending the PRD Convention in the
Zocalo, and on September 17, the delegation wil be
showing its support of APPO in Oaxaca. In addition,
they will be attendng a series of coordinating
meetings in Mexico City on September 18.

Hotel sites for the delegation include Hotel Catedral
Mexico D.F., C.P.

==================================

*** Registration Drives Begins for Latino Vote 2006
by Inland Empire Coalition ***

Latino Vote 2006 Inland Empire Coalition campaign is
an effort to mobilize Latino voters and the youth to
vote in California General Election, Tuesday November
7, 2006.

There are still an estimated 50,000 eligible Latino
voters in the Inland Empire who are not registered
and many others who do not vote.

INFO:

~ LATINO NETWORK - Riverside
Armando Gonzal�z-Cab�n
951-780-7206 / latinonetwork@...

~ HISPANOS UNIDOS - Moreno Valley
Gilberto Esquivel
909-519-5588

~ CCAEJ - Mira Loma, Glen Avon, San Bernardino
Esther Portillo
951-360-8451 / esther.p@...

~ CENTRO LEGAL TODEC - Perris
Antonio Ayala
951-943-1955 / todec@...

~ COMIT� LATINO VALLE DE COACHELLA
Lucia Juan
760-880-0116

~ LlBRERIA DEL PUEBLO - San Bernardino
Father Patricio Guill�n
909-889-2799

   ------------------------------------
Riverside Latino Voter Project is a non-partisan,
non-profit voter registration and education project.
Its mission is to advance the political participation
of the Inland Empire Latinos.

Latino Vote 2006 needs your help to give Latinos a
voice. To refer your organization or event please
contact us at 951-780-7206 /
atinovoteriv@...

==========================================

*** 2006 Mi Voto Cuenta/My Vote Counts Campaign
to Register Voters ***

Volunteers are needed to serve in Anaheim, Costa Mesa,
Garden Grove, Fullerton and Santa Ana. You may choose
the city in which you wish to serve and may select
from one of our many approved voter registration
sites.

Though Spanish is helpful, it is not required. All
volunteers who serve a minimum of 4 hours per day will
receive a $20 food and gas stipend.

SIGN UP TODAY! Voter registration begins every
week-end September 30 through October 22.

* Persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by
an adult.

* Concentration is in Latino / Spanish-language
communities. Spanish is helpful; non-Spanish speakers
will be paired with a Spanish speaker.

* Also, English is not required. Assignment can be
made in predominant Spanish speaking areas.

* You must provide your own transportation.

* No experience is required. Training is avaialble.

INFO/Sign-Up:
Deborah Vasquez
deborah@...
American Voter Education Fund
2973 Harbor Blvd. # 195, Costa Mesa CA 92626
(714) 785-1130
http://www.americanvotereducationfund.org

==========================================

*** L.A. Salsa Kids - Latin Dance Company AUDITIONS ***

Saturday, September 16, 2006 / 9:30 am
L.A. Salsa Kids, Dance Studio
13938 Valley View, La Mirada, CA 90638
INFO: http://www.lasalsakids.com/special/audition.htm

The L.A. Salsa Kids are looking for 7 to 9 new Salsa
Dancers in all age ranges.

Salsa Dancers! Mark your calendar. L.A. Salsa Kids
need Male and Female Salsa Dancers to join this
exciting Latin Dance Company.

Join the fun, make new friends and Dance Salsa.
Looking for beginners thru professional level Salsa
Dancers who are energetic, dedicated & willing to work
hard at their Salsa Dancing. Opportunities to perform
as a group for upcoming shows and special events
throughout the year. The L.A. Salsa Kids dance to the
latest amazing turn patterns, tricks and footwork.

During the auditions we will be giving a Salsa
choreography for you to dance for us. Mainly we are
looking for people who have lot's of energy,
personality, technique, ability to pick up
choreography fast, ability to work as a group and
dedication to their Salsa Dancing. This is a great
opportunity for Salsa Dancers to come and show their
Salsa skills, and possibly join the L.A. Salsa Kids
Dance Company.

Visit the L.A. Salsa Kids website
http://www.lasalsakids.com/main.htm
for more information about this Awesome Latin Dance
Company, Electrifying Shows and Performances, Salsa
Classes and information on Joining.

My name is Jay Geldhof and I am the Director of an
incredible Salsa Dance Company called the 'L.A. Salsa
Kids'. The L.A. Salsa Kids specialize in grooving to
the hot Latin/Caribbean sounds of Salsa, Mambo,
Merengue, ChaChaCha, and Rumba. They perform these
dances with a style all their own.

The performance group is composed of young energetic
members, ranging in ages from 11 to 23. The L.A. Salsa
Kids have been featured at many festivals, special
events, parties, dinners, awards banquets, theater and
dinner shows, as well as radio, TV shows and Music
Videos taped in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco,
Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Miami, New York,
Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri and Hong Kong.

I hope that you will consider having L.A. Salsa Kids
perform our Incredible Latin Dance Show when your
coordinate your next special event. The L.A. Salsa
Kids have over 15 Salsa Dance routines and can put on
a fabulous 25 to 50 minute show. The L.A. Salsa Kids
have performed over 600 times since its inception in
the summer of 1996.

Email: mailto:lasalsakids@...
Phone: (562)943-4492
http://www.lasalsakids.com

=======================================

*** Riverside (CA) 2006 Mariachi Festival ***

Saturday, September 16, 2006 / 1 pm - 9 pm
Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd.
Downtown Riverside, CA
Tickets: $10 per person / FREE - Children under 12
INFO: 951-826-2000

* Performance by the nationally known all-female
Mariachi Divas *

Festival will include ballet folklorico dances;
a $5-per-child fun zone with a giant slide,
rock-climbing wall, face painting and balloon artist;
and food booths.

Bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.
No alcohol or barbecues allowed.

=====================================

*** Dias de Fiestas Patrias - "Grito de Independencia"
  en Santa Ana (CA) ***

September 15 - 17, 2006 / All day - Evening Hours
Calle Cuatro - Downtown Santa Ana, CA

Grito - By Hon. Consul Luis Miguel Ortiz Haro Amieva
* Friday, Sept 15 / 5 pm - 11 pm
4th & Ross Streets, Downtown Santa Ana
~ Theatrical Acts
~ Ballet Folkloricos
~ Food Booths
~ Mexican Artisans Booths
~ Mariachis & Bandas
~ Singers + More ...

By: Comite Fiestas Patrias de Orange County

=====================================

*** "Orange County Symphony Goes Latino" - Tribute
to Hispanic Heritage Month ***

Sunday, September 17, 2006 / 7 pm
Heritage Forum, 201 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA
Tickets: $20; $12 - Students & Seniors;
          FREE - Children 6 and under.
INFO/Tickets: 714-778-0314

=================================

*** CA Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez Seeks Volunteers
and Mentors for Huntington Park High School Students ***

Memo from Fabian Nunez, Speaker of the Assembly:

High School students and their parents face may
challenges; among the most pressing is the lack of
academic advisement. According to the Los Angeles
Times, only 38% of Huntington Park High School
students graduate with a high school diploma. We need
to make a difference, and we need to start now. On
Friday, September 15th, I will be hosting Huntington
Park High School's Freshmen Orientation and College
Fair.

As a volunteer/ partner you will receive training on
the A-G requirements and will be asked to meet with a
small group of five to ten students and advise them on
a four-year-plan to get to college. You will have the
opportunity to inspire and encourage them to go to
college.

The event will take place on Friday, September 15,
2006 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Huntington Park High
School located at 6020 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, CA
90255.

I look forward to partnering with you to show students
a college education is within their reach.

========================================

*** Museum of Latin American Art ("MOLAA") Mexican
Independence Day Event ***

Saturday, September 16, 2006 / 7:30 pm
Museum of Latin American Art
Long Beach, CA
General Public: $60 / MOLAA Members: $55
RSVP: 562-437-1689

Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with the tastes and
traditions of Mexico! Enjoy live music, delicious
Mexican food from La Huasteca. Featuring Live Mexican
Classical Trio and Mariachi.

================================

*** Higher Education for Latinos: Rescuing California
from Separate and Unequal Education - Policy Summit ***

October 3-4, 2006
Radisson Hotel, Sacramento, CA

By: California Chicano-Latino Convocation (CLIC)

The Policy Summit will feature some of the leading
policy makers in four policy fields critical to
Latinos in Higher Education: The Master Plan, Student
Academic Preparation, Latino Faculty and
Administrators, and Undocumented Students.

Registration On-Line: http://www.clic-policy.info

AGENDA
Tuesday, October 3

7:30-7:00: Registration
8:30-9:00: Welcome and Opening Plenary
~ Dr. Elena Mac�as, Assistant Vice President, Office
of Governmental and Community Relations, California
State University, Long Beach;
~ Francisco C. Rodr�guez, President, Cosumnes River
College;
~ The Honorable Cruz Reynoso, Law Professor,
University of California, Davis and Former Associate
Justice of the California Supreme Court

9:00 � 10:30
Plenary:
"Promoting Latino Faculty and Administrators"

Presenters:
~ Dr. David Le�n, Professor, Department of Ethnic
Studies, California State University, Sacramento;
~ Dr. Carlos Nev�rez, Assistant Professor, Educational
Administration and Policy Studies, California State
University, Sacramento.

Respondents:
~ Dr. Jos� Moreno, Assistant Professor, California
State University Long Beach;
~ Dr. Rosa P�rez, Chancellor, San Jose Evergreen
Community College District

Moderator: Dr. Marcela G. Ch�vez, Director, Women�s
Resource Center, California State University, Long
Beach.

11:00 � 12:30
Break-out Sessions:
"Promoting Latino Faculty and Administrators"

Session A �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Pablo Arreola, Associate Vice
President for Faculty Affairs, California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Session B �
~ Facilitator: Janine DuMontelle, Associate Vice
President and University Counsel, Chapman University.

Session C �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Kris Guti�rrez, Professor, Social
Research Methodology, University of California, Los
Angeles (invited).

Session D �
~ Facilitator: Francisco C. Rodr�guez, President,
Cosumnes River College.

12:30 � 2:30
Lunch and Plenary: Reforming the California Master
Plan

Presenter:
~ Dr. Rita Cepeda, President, San Diego Mesa College.

Respondents:
~ Dr. Donald Castro, Special Assistant to the
President/Director of Title V Program, California
State University, Fullerton;
~ Dr. Bruce Hamlett, Chief Consultant, Assembly Higher
Education Committee.
~ Moderator: Gonzalo Rojas, Director, Office of
Collaborative Programs, San Diego State University.

2:45 � 4:15
Break-Out Sessions: Reforming the California Master
Plan

Session A �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Jonathan A. Brown, President,
Association of Independent California Colleges and
Universities.

Session B �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Diane Cordero de Noriega,
Professor, School of Education, California State
University Monterey Bay.

Session C �
~ Facilitator: Andr�s Jim�nez, Director, California
Policy Research Center/UC Latino Policy Institute,
University of California Office of the President.

Session D �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Monte P�rez, Vice President for
Student Affairs, Golden West College.

Reception:

Welcome:
~ Erica M. Romero, Executive Director of Western
States Legislative Affairs, Hispanic Association of
Colleges and Universities
~ Dr. Alexander Gonz�lez, President, California State
University, Sacramento
~ Melinda Guzm�n-Moore, Esq., Goldsberry, Freeman &
Guzman LLP Member, California State University Board
of Trustees.

6:30-9:30
Dinner Banquet

~ Dr. Tom�s A. Arciniega, President Emeritus,
California State University, Bakersfield;
~ The Honorable Deborah Ortiz, California State
Senator.
~ Moderator: Rafael Magall�n, Director of States
Services, The College Board.

Agenda - Wednesday, October 4

9:00 � 10:30
Plenary:
" The Crisis in Latino Student Preparation for
College"

Presenters:
~ Michael Aldaco, Assistant Vice President, Student
Development and Academic Services/Executive Director
MESA, University of California Office of the
President;
~ Dr. Sara Lundquist, Vice President, Student
Services, Santa Ana College
~ Respondents: Russlynn Ali, Director, The Education
Trust West;
~ Abdi Soltani, Executive Director, Campaign for
College Opportunity.
~ Moderator: Adriana Flores-Ragade, Outreach Manager,
College Board Office of the Vice President.

11:00 � 12:30
Break-out Sessions:
"The Crisis in Latino Student Preparation for College"

Session A �
Facilitator:
~ Nancy Anton, Principal Consultant, California State
Senate Education Committee.

Session B �
~ Facilitator: Pablo Reguer�n, Deputy Director,
Educational Partnership Center, University of
California, Santa Cruz.

Session C �
~ Facilitator: Dr. Mar�a Senour, Professor and
Director, Department of Counseling and School
Psychology, San Diego State University.

~ Session D � Facilitator: Mike Welch, Consultant,
Office of Assemblymember Joe Coto, invited

12:30 � 2:30
Lunch and Plenary:
"Providing Support for Undocumented Students"

~ Honoree and Keynoter: The Honorable Gilbert Cedillo,
California State Senator

~ Presenter: Juan C. Y�iguez, Co-chair and Consultant,
Chicano-Latino Intersegmental Convocation Policy
Summit.

~ Respondent: Josh Bernstein, Director of Federal
Policy, National Immigration Law Center.

~ Moderator: Alfred Herrera, Assistant Vice Provost
for Academic Partnerships Division of Undergraduate
Education, University of California, Los Angeles.

2:45 � 4:00
Break-out Sessions:
"Providing Support for Undocumented Students"

Session A �
~ Facilitator: Jorge Aguilar, Special Assistant to
the Chancellor and Director, Center for Educational
Partnerships, University of Calif�rnia, Merced.

Session B �
~ Facilitator: Irma Archuleta, Faculty, California
State University, Long Beach.

Session C �
~ Facilitator: Dina Gonz�lez, Assistant Dean of
Multi-Cultural Ministries, Fresno Pacific University.

Session D �
~ Facilitator: Juan Carlos Torres, Chief of Staff,
Office of Assemblymember Hector De La Torre

4:15 - 5:30
Closing Plenary Session

~ Dr. Rita Cepeda, President, San Diego Mesa College
~ Dr. Silas H. Abrego, Associate Vice President for
Student Affairs, California State University,
Fullerton
~ Dr. Lu�s Ch�vez, President, Sierra College

   -------------------

Dr. Antonio Flores
CEO and President
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Policy Summit Co-Chair

=========================================

*** 2006 Latina of the Year Luncheon by OC's LPOA ***

Sunday, September 24, 2006 / 11:30 am - 2 pm
Embassy Suites, 1325 E. Dyer Rd., Santa Ana, CA
Tickets:  $35 /  Table of 10: $350.00
INFO: Lupe Barrera at 949-230-0384 or Mary Lara at
714-336-3361.

By: National Latino Peace Officers Association,
Orange County Chapter

Honoree: Vikki Vargas, KNBC- News Channel 4
Vikki Vargas is NBC4's Orange County Bureau Chief
overseeing all news gathering operations for the
station in Orange County. Ms. Vargas joined NBC4 in
July 1982 as a general assignment reporter. She serves
on the Board of Directors for the Orangewood
Children's Foundation, the Advisory Board of Cal State
Fullerton's "Guardian Scholars" program, and works
with Aids Walk Orange County.

Guest Speaker: U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

====================================

*** (CA) Latino Vote 2006 Inland Empire Coalition
continues with Week 6, Semana de La Independencia ***

Non-Partisan Voter Registration Drives in Riverside,
Moreno Valley and Perris and Coordinated by Riverside
Latino Voter Project.

INFO: Armando Gonzales-Caban, 951-780-7206

Sat.,  September 16 / 1 pm - 9 pm
RIVERSIDE MARIACHI FESTIVAL
Co-Sponsored by LATINO NETWORK
Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd., Riverside, CA

Sat., September 16, 2006
Immediately after 5:30 pm Mass
St John the Evangelist Parish
3980 Opal St, Riverside, CA

Sun., September 17 / 1 pm - 6 pm
FIESTA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA
Bryant Park, 7950 Philbin Ave, Riverside, CA

Sunday September 17, 2006
*  Immediately after 10:30 am, 12 Noon, and
     2 pm Masses
St Patrick Parish
1015 Pigeon Pass Rd., Moreno Valley, CA
(Coordinated by Hispanos Unidos
INFO: Person: Gilberto Esquivel, 909-519-5588

CENTRO LEGAL TODEC - Has Voter Registration Sites
at the following locations:

Monday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm (Until 09/29/2006)

- 9974 I Avenue Hesperia Ca 92345
- 76750 Catalina Way, Palm Dessert Ca. 92260
- 234 South D St, Perris Ca 92570
- 137 North Broadway, Blythe Ca 92225
INFO: Luz Gallegos, Project Director TODEC
PO Box 1733 Perris Ca. 92570
http://www.TODEC.org / 951-943-4616

   ----------------------------

Latino Vote 2006 Inland Empire campaign is an effort
to mobilize Latino voters and the youth to vote in
California General Election, Tuesday November 7, 2006.
A successful Voter Registration and Get out the Vote
drive will give Latinos a voice in the elections. The
Million Latinos marching nationwide were a
demonstration of the Latino community political
awakening. Nevertheless, there are still an
estimated 50,000 eligible Latino voters in the Inland
Empire who are not registered and many others who do
not vote.

Riverside Latino Voter Project is a non-partisan,
non-profit voter registration and education project.
Its mission is to advance the political participation
of the Inland Empire Latinos.

Latino Vote 2006 - needs your help to give Latinos a
voice. To refer your organization or an event please
contact R.L.V.P. at (951) 780-7206. Email:
latinovoteriv@...

=========================================

~~ Reaching for Legitimacy in the Immigrant Economy ~~

Networks Help Illegal Workers Find Jobs, Housing

By S. Mitra Kalita
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 10, 2006

Moments before stepping out of a shadowy illegal
economy into the light of a more lawful existence,
Edy Diaz practiced what he would say.

" Cambiar is 'to change,' right?" he asked, pausing
outside his white delivery van. Then he walked into a
Wachovia bank and showed his new Social Security card
to the branch manager. Slowly and carefully, he
explained: "The number you have is wrong."

For more than a decade, Diaz, who was born in
Guatemala, had been using a bogus Social Security
number, nine digits purchased on a corner in Columbia
Heights. He had carried a hand-me-down cellphone,
still in the original owner's name. He had "bought" a
home in Beltsville by having a cousin put his name on
the loan.

Now, on that sunny morning in July, he looked forward
to making new financial footprints -- finally, his
own.

An estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants live
in the United States, creating what is described as an
underground or illicit economy. Their finances elude
easy classification. They deal with street criminals
and with mortgage lenders. They pay taxes. Their vast
yet intimate networks help them find jobs, housing,
schools and shopper's discount cards.

Each has his own story, or her own system. As a
national debate wages over the future of people like
Edy Diaz, he and his family illustrate a strategy they
have used to survive in the United States, one that
allowed him to live in suburban Washington and work
illegally for a decade.

A New Identity for $80

That young Edy would emigrate to the United States was
something not so much discussed in the Diaz family as
it was taken for granted. The third of 11 brothers and
sisters, he saw little future on the family farm about
100 miles from Guatemala City. He left school after
the sixth grade to work in the corn and coffee fields,
and by his 17th birthday the family had saved the
$3,500 needed to pay a human smuggler, called a
coyote, for his journey to America. They made it clear
that, once there, Edy should find work and keep it. "I
don't want to hear you got fired because you were
lazy," his father said.

Edy Diaz walked for 40 days in a group of 180 people,
praying that his sneakers would last. When he arrived
in Los Angeles in April 1995, Diaz called his brother,
living in Hyattsville, to tell him he'd made it -- and
to ask him to wire enough cash for his flight to
Washington.

From a relative, Diaz got the name of a person who
could take his picture and put it on a fake green card
for about $80. They met on a corner in Columbia
Heights in Northwest Washington, and the price
included an equally fake Social Security card. Diaz
took the first job he found: $5.50 an hour to pot
plants at a nursery.

Three years into his job, a young Guatemalan at the
nursery caught Diaz's eye. She turned to him with
questions, like where to find carne asada and fresh
produce, and would ask him for rides. She asked
everyone to call her Rosie, even though she filled in
a different name on her job application. Nobody asked
why.

Like about half the illegal immigrants in the United
States, Rosa Guzman arrived in the United States
legally, on a tourist visa. Her parents were
successful restaurateurs on an island off Guatemala's
coast, and a friend of theirs pulled some strings to
get her the visa, which would expire in six months.
Overeducated for her job handing out maps at a tourism
center, Guzman was eager for an adventure.

When she got to Washington, Guzman, like Diaz, bought
fake papers -- delivered to her at a McDonald's in
Adams Morgan. Not wanting to use her real name on
phony documents, she picked one she knew she wouldn't
forget -- her cousin's -- and she became her for $75.

Within a couple of years of meeting Diaz, they had
moved in together. In 2000, Rosa Guzman gave birth to
Edy Jose, and the newborn U.S. citizen suddenly gave
her and Edy a new connection to this land.
Increasingly, the couple began to reconsider their
vague hope of returning someday to Guatemala. They
questioned what the family would do there. Did Diaz
want young Edy Jose to work in the fields? No, he
realized, he didn't even want him to work in the plant
nursery.

" No hay nada aqui ," Rosa Guzman's parents reminded
her in their weekly phone calls from Guatemala. "There
is nothing here."

They realized they wanted to stay.

Seeking Legal Status

From the time he began working, Edy Diaz understood he
should file tax returns. It would help him achieve
legal status if he wanted to remain in this country.
Most of the 1 million immigrants in the Washington
region, regardless of legal status, pay taxes,
according to a study conducted by the Urban Institute
-- with undocumented immigrants paying about half what
the legal immigrants do.

At first, Diaz didn't file. Every week, his employer
deducted an appropriate percentage of his wages for
federal taxes, Social Security and workers'
compensation -- thousands of dollars, as years went
by. But because he was using a fake Social Security
number, Diaz didn't expect he'd ever get a dime back
in benefits.

In 1999, around the time he met Rosa, he decided to
start filing, motivated mostly by his hopes of
becoming a legal resident. He approached a notario --
someone who provides such services as legal advice,
translation and typing services, largely to Spanish
speakers. Diaz's notario was a Dominican with a useful
background: He had once worked at the Internal Revenue
Service.

With his guidance, Diaz did what millions of
undocumented immigrants had done before him: He
applied to the IRS for an individual taxpayer
identification number, or ITIN, which the agency
issues to foreign nationals and others ineligible for
Social Security numbers. The agency does not verify an
applicant's identity and says the document is only for
tax-filing purposes. Critics, such as the Center for
Immigration Studies, which advocates tighter borders,
call the ITIN a "backdoor way" for millions of illegal
aliens to receive U.S. government-issued identity
numbers.

The IRS counters that the ITIN merely enables the
government to collect money from workers who have
"responsibilities under the Internal Revenue Code."
Internal Revenue Commissioner Mark W. Everson
testified to Congress in July: "Our function is tax
administration. . . . If someone is working without
authorization in this country, he/she is not absolved
of tax liability."

Since 1998, Diaz says, he has filled out a 1040 form
under his ITIN number every year, even though the W-2
attached to it bears his fake Social Security number.
An accountant does the filing for him, and Diaz said
nobody has ever asked any questions. In fact, every
year he counts on a refund of at least a few thousand
dollars.

Diaz said he has also used the ITIN to open bank
accounts. For employer-sponsored health insurance, he
used the fake Social Security number -- again with no
problem. A spokesman for the Social Security
Administration said that letters are sent to holders
of Social Security numbers suspected of being misused,
but if the letters are ignored, the agency has no
enforcement power.

For years, Diaz had no idea who was behind the Social
Security number, whether it was even a real person's
or some arbitrary sequence of digits. It was only in
2000, when he applied for a loan to buy an Acura
Integra, that the dealer ran a credit check and told
him that the person whose number Diaz had given him
was dead.

"But still, I can do something," the dealer said, and
went on to process the loan. Diaz asked no questions.
He just bought the car.

Diaz asks few questions -- that much he has learned
after a decade in this murky economic reality. He says
he doesn't like to challenge authority and that people
like his lawyer often can't be bothered to explain
things, at least in a way he understands.

His memory is fuzzy, he says, on some of the details
of the past 11 years. How did he get a driver's
license? He's not sure but knows it was easier then
than it would be now, with increased scrutiny of
illegal immigrants. His wife, Rosa, meanwhile, used
her state of Maryland identification and, after
shopping around motor vehicle offices, found one
outside Baltimore where nobody asked her for a Social
Security number.

A Home of Their Own

For years, Diaz and his brothers and many other
relatives in this country have turned to the same
person for advice and help: Edy's cousin Dimas Diaz.

Dimas, a local organizer with the Service Employees
International Union-32BJ, studied English intensely
when he arrived in the United States in 1991 and later
became a U.S. citizen. He married an American woman he
met in Arlington, and they bought a big, modern house
in Prince William County.

In early 2004, Edy Diaz came to him with a plea: He
and Rosa were married and had had a second child,
Gabriela. They were tired of living in a basement and
needed more space. He had found a three-bedroom house
with a basement apartment in Beltsville -- but he
didn't know how to get a mortgage with no legal
papers. "It's an amazing deal," he assured Dimas. "I
promise I will always pay the mortgage. I just need
your name."

Dimas said he'd think about it and talked to his wife.
"No," Catherine Diaz said immediately. "He is the most
caring and honest of your cousins, but it's too
risky."

Everyone else Dimas Diaz asked had the same advice.
About to turn Edy down, Dimas was out one day with
another cousin, also undocumented. A street beggar
approached them. Though bedraggled and apparently
homeless, he was obviously native-born.

"I would do anything to be him," the cousin said. "To
be a citizen. To speak his English. To have a Social
Security number." Moved almost to tears, Dimas decided
to give his cousin Edy a taste of the American dream.

The closing was held on their lunch hours. Dimas
signed and initialed paper after paper. Edy sat
silently beside him. And so Dimas Diaz bought the
house on Bellevue Street in Beltsville for $320,000,
in name only. It would really be home to Edy, Rosa,
Edy Jose and baby Gabriela.

It would also be home, it was soon clear, to many
others. To pay the $2,100 monthly mortgage, Edy Diaz
had to rent the basement out to a few cousins and his
aunt for $1,000. Recent arrivals from Guatemala seemed
to flock to them, seeking a place to stay, a few
dollars, advice on how to make it. Still, the aunt in
the basement meant child care for little Gabriela that
was loving and always available.

While many of the immigrants around them dwell on
lives left back home -- remittances to Latin America
top $13 billion annually -- the Diazes say they send
money only on holidays. They're trying to save money
for a future here, and their lifestyle reflects that.
Alongside floral-patterned couches, family pictures
line the shelves in their home, next to knickknacks
that exude a sabor that is much more americano than
latino. They shop at Costco and Sam's Club. Edy Diaz
speaks quite a bit of English, albeit heavily
accented, and has been after his wife to learn the
language.

Neither has been back home since they left Guatemala
-- afraid they might not be allowed to return -- and
neither has met the other's parents.

'What a Country We Live In'

In 2001, after Edy had been working at the nursery for
six years, his employer agreed to sponsor his green
card, which would grant him permanent residence in the
United States and the right to live and work here
freely. Under a law passed by Congress in late 2000,
undocumented immigrants or immigrants who had
overstayed visas could apply for green cards if a
family member or employer sponsored them -- but they
had to do it by April 2001. The result was a surge of
green card applications and a backlog of half a
million applications, meaning it has not been unusual
for applicants to wait for their papers for several
years. So, like so many others, Edy Diaz and his
family continued living and working on the fringes of
the illicit world they knew too well.

One day, in late June, a thin official envelope came
in the mail, among the bills and the Fourth of July
circulars. Eleven years and two months after walking
into the United States, Edy Diaz got his work permit.

He wasted no time applying for a new Social Security
number. At the local office in Wheaton, the processor
mentioned something that astounded him: Diaz could
roll over his earnings and history associated with the
old Social Security number into the new one. "What a
country we live in, no?" Diaz asked.

Days later, nine new digits arrived.

"These are my fortuna ," Diaz said excitedly, waving
the cards and slipping into Spanglish. "Do you know
what is fortuna ? It means all my opportunity is right
here."

He began the task of cleaning up his finances, shocked
at how easy it was. From business to business, Diaz
walked in and asked to be recorded under his new ID.
At most places, few questions were asked and he was
finished in seconds.

"Congratulations," said the man at his Langley Park
insurance office, with a knowing look. "Now -- can I
interest you in a homeowner's policy to bundle with
your car insurance?"

"I'll come back," Edy said.

The Next Step: Citizenship

As Edy Diaz spent this past summer becoming legal,
Rosa Guzman waited for her turn. She spent most of her
days cleaning houses because of the flexibility it
gave her to be home with the children. Her green card
application was linked to Edy Diaz's, and she'd been
told to expect the work permit by Labor Day. Now she
watched enviously as her husband suddenly exuded a
certain ease and confidence. He inquired about
applying for credit cards, talked about buying a new
flat-screen television and a new house.

On the day after Labor Day, it finally arrived: a work
permit bearing her real name and photo. Guzman had
been anticipating the day for so long that she didn't
feel joy as she opened the envelope. Just relief.

Still, she understood how the document changed
everything, the giddiness it inspired to plan, to
spend, to want. More than her right to work, it
represented a future, a fortuna , as her husband had
said.

This week, Rosa Guzman begins English classes through
a free program offered in Anne Arundel County; she is
tired of relying on her husband to navigate life in
America. Edy Jose is in first grade now, and Rosa has
bought him an electronic English-Spanish translator
for $125 to help with his homework. She hopes the
device will help her learn, too.

Her goals remain simple: Visit Guatemala, learn enough
English to converse freely with her son, find a job
cleaning at an embassy, maybe. Edy Diaz's goals, on
the other hand, seem limitless: He wants a new house,
a big five-bedroom.

They have one goal in common. Both want to become
citizens.

=================================

~~ President Tries to Win Over a War-Weary Nation ~~

Analysis - Commentary
By Dan Balz and Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

President Bush's Oval Office speech last night was the
culmination of two weeks of efforts to rally the
nation behind his policies and presidency by summoning
the memory of Sept. 11, 2001. Five years after that
indelible day, however, this president's capacity to
move the public is severely diminished.

There were echoes of the language and logic Bush
invoked five years ago when he united a stricken
nation looking to him for both comfort and leadership.
But he was speaking to a different nation last night.

Setbacks in Iraq have soured a majority of Americans
on that mission. Falsely optimistic predictions of
progress have undermined the administration's
credibility. A majority of Americans question
fundamental elements of the president's argument,
including his contention that Iraq is the central
front in the campaign against terrorism.

Cumulatively, it leaves decidedly uncertain whether
this week's flood of rhetoric and remembrance can
alter Bush's perilous circumstances -- at a critical
moment for the future of the Iraq mission and the
president's own domestic standing 56 days before the
midterm elections.

"The power of his rhetoric is in marked decline, and
that's no reflection on the quality of what he says,
which is still very high," said Max Boot, a senior
fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a
neoconservative scholar who has been sympathetic to
Bush's anti-terrorism policies. "There's a desire in
the country for more deeds, not more words. . . . We
are losing a war right now, and there is no way to get
around that."

Three previous times in the past 18 months, as public
opinion has slipped, White House officials have
announced that Bush would embark on a renewed effort
to explain and defend his Iraq and anti-terrorism
policies. None produced a lasting positive effect on
how Americans view either the president or his
policies.

The events of Sept. 11, 2001, provided Bush with many
of the rhetorical high notes of his administration,
from his bullhorn exhortation atop the rubble of
Ground Zero three days after the attacks to the stern
eloquence of his speech to Congress six days later in
which he put the nation on the road to war.

With his five speeches in the past two weeks,
including last night's, Bush has sought to use the
fifth anniversary of those attacks to put the war in
Iraq in a broader and more politically viable context
while offering his interpretation of where the country
stands in its long-term confrontation with terrorism.

White House officials are hopeful that the round of
speeches will have some impact on moving public
opinion. They said that Bush has presented an enormous
amount of information and background about Iraq and
terrorism, much of which they believe will come as
news to many Americans with only a general impression
of events.

"I am not so sure that the views [about the Iraq war
and terrorism] are chiseled in stone," said White
House press secretary Tony Snow. "There's been a lot
of debate -- one side that may not have been fully
represented in ours. . . . It seems that on a lot of
things, people may not have fully understood the
approach the president took and his thinking."

Both Snow and White House counselor Dan Bartlett
singled out the effort to quote the terrorists' own
words as a tactic they hope will break through to
ordinary Americans who may not be aware of the
terrorists' aims. "We may be having a debate in this
country about whether Iraq is part of the war on
terrorism, but our enemies believe it is," Bartlett
said. "We were trying to transcend the political
debate in Washington by letting the words of the
enemies speak for themselves."

Polls show how the political ground has shifted over
time. The Pew Research Center began charting early in
Bush's presidency public confidence in his leadership.
Bush enjoyed a solid majority until the summer of
2005, when the public was roughly divided. In February
2001, 60 percent of Americans said they saw Bush as
trustworthy, compared with just 28 percent who did
not. By last month, a majority, 52 percent, said they
did not believe he was trustworthy.

"People see him as less trustworthy because things are
not going very well," said Pew center director Andrew
Kohut.

In his speeches, Bush has advanced several arguments,
starting with the proposition that the United States
is engaged in a long-term ideological struggle between
forces of freedom and Islamic radicals who want to
destroy freedom. Although U.S. adversaries come from
different backgrounds -- ranging from radical Sunnis
in al-Qaeda to Shiite militants such as Hezbollah --
Bush has characterized the opposition as forming a
single movement, "a worldwide network of radicals that
use terror to kill those that stand in the way of
their totalitarian ideology."

"That's is an oversimplification of the task of
dealing with the tactic [terrorism] that is used by
many different groups, with many different
ideologies," countered Paul R. Pillar, a former top
CIA analyst and the author of a respected book on
terrorism. "It leads to a misunderstanding of the need
of what is in fact a different counterterrorist policy
for each groups and state we are dealing with. . . .
Hamas is an entirely different entity than al-Qaeda. .
. . Their objectives are very much different."

Bush this week reiterated his four-year-old argument
that Iraq is a central front in the broader struggle
against Islamic terrorism. Premature withdrawal, he
asserted, could make Iraq what Afghanistan was before
the Sept. 11 attacks, an incubator for al-Qaeda. To
support the point, he has noted not only the flow of
foreign fighters to Iraq but, as on some earlier
occasions, the words of al-Qaeda leaders themselves.
In his speech last week to the Military Officers
Association of America, Bush quoted Osama bin Laden as
describing the war in Iraq as "a war of destiny
between infidelity and Islam."

Daniel Benjamin, a U.S. counterterrorism official in
the Clinton administration who has written extensively
about the subject, said efforts to defeat the radical
Islamist ideology have been undermined by the Iraq
invasion.

"There is no acknowledgment that because we have
inadvertently confirmed their claims -- that we seek
to occupy Muslim lands, as we have in Iraq -- the
ideology is spreading and undermining our efforts,"
Benjamin said.

Bush's speeches have been sprinkled with what critics
regard as factually questionable assertions -- adding
to what even some allies have described as a
credibility problem for the White House.

In discussing proposed new rules for trying terrorism
suspects at the Guantanamo Bay prison, Bush last week
said flatly that "the United States does not torture."
That may have been the White House interpretation, but
the CIA has approved tactics -- "water-boarding," for
example, in which interrogators simulate drowning --
that many military and international lawyers consider
outside legal boundaries.

Ross K. Baker, a political science professor at
Rutgers University, said Bush retains the unique
capacity to lead the nation through the commemoration
of the 2001 attacks. "The speeches he's given have
been meticulously crafted to avoid any obvious
political message," he said. "But seen in an overall
way, they reinforce in the mind of people his
uniqueness as president and the fact that we're still
in a dangerous situation, and in times of danger
people inevitably rally behind the president."

The White House is hoping this analysis is right.
"Public opinion is not going to change overnight, and
we understood that going into these speeches,"
Bartlett said. "But that doesn't lessen his
responsibility as the leader of this country in a time
of war to carefully explain the conduct and
developments of this war."

====end====

~~ Little diversity at polls ~~

A new report finds that California's voters, mostly high-income whites,
increasingly do not reflect the state's population.

By SORAYA SARHADDI NELSON and BRIAN JOSEPH
The Orange County Register
September 14, 2006

SACRAMENTO � California may be increasingly diverse racially, but it's white
voters with high incomes and homes who determine government spending and policy,
a nonpartisan think tank says in a study released Wednesday.

The 8 million Californians expected to go the polls in November have a radically
different view than the 12 million who don't vote, the Public Policy Institute
of California found.

It's a trend reflected in Orange County, where 77 percent of likely voters are
white and 80 percent are homeowners, the institute says.

And the gap will only grow as California adds population equivalent to the size
of Ohio over the next two decades, Policy Institute director Mark Baldassare
said.

The disconnection between the state's overall population and the electorate
threatens to leave Californians without a representative government, he said.
While the trend is happening in other states, it particularly affects
California, where voters through the initiative process can directly make public
policy, he said.

Most affected is California's fastest-growing population: Latinos. They make up
14 percent of registered voters, compared to 63 percent of residents who are not
registered to vote, the study found. Even when noncitizens are excluded from the
count, the disparity is striking, Baldassare said.

It's "a deterioration of democracy," said Art Montez, past president of the
Santa Ana chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens. He said he
believes Latinos often don't register to vote because they fail to see how
casting a ballot can affect the quality of their lives.

Also, more Latinos might vote if there were more Spanish-speaking workers at the
polls, Montez said.

Meanwhile, the study found the gap has contributed to the lingering success of
tax-limiting measures like Proposition 13, despite a majority of residents
surveyed by the institute over the past 15 months saying they prefer paying
higher taxes in exchange for more state services.

Other findings include:

Only 56 percent of eligible Californians are registered to vote.

Although whites are projected to make up a third of the state's adults by 2040,
they are expected to make up the majority of voters.

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson said the findings are no surprise.

"I knew it was a concern when I became secretary of state a year ago March 30
and have made a dedicated effort to reach out to every county, every age group
and every ethnic group I can to get them to participate in our election
process," he said.

Mark Petracca, chairman of the political science department at UC Irvine, said
the gap has been decades in the making. Past attention has centered on
socioeconomic and geographic factors.

Translation? People who are poor and living in urban areas see less government
effort to address their concerns than their wealthier counterparts in the
suburbs, who are more likely to vote.

Candidates and parties are generally not motivated to boost voter ranks to make
them more reflective of California's population, because the fastest-growing
contingent is independent voters who are less predictable in their choices, the
experts add.

The study analyzed trends in political participation over 16 years, including
findings from recent PPIC polls.

=========================================

~~ Tempe resident will be named Latino Advocacy Champion ~~

By Eugene Mulero
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 8, 2006 12:00 AM

For a life dedicated to the advancement of minorities
and the protection of civil rights, Phoenix's Valle
Del Sol will recognize Frank Carrillo of Tempe with
the Latino Advocacy Champion award at its annual
luncheon.

The luncheon will be held today at noon at Phoenix
Civic Plaza at 111 N. Third St.

Valle Del Sol, a non-profit that offers scholarships
and funding to Hispanic causes, also will recognize a
dozen other leaders.

Born in Williams, Carrillo fought in the Korean War
while in the Army. It was during his military career
that Carrillo said his passion began to help fellow
Hispanics and other minorities.

He saw officers discriminate against infantry
divisions consisting of Hispanics or African-Americans.

He was awarded the Bronze Star, fivegold battle stars
and the Army Occupation Medal.

When he returned to Arizona, Carrillo graduated from
Northern Arizona University with degrees in psychology
and business. He took on jobs in the school systems at
Native American reservations, before beginning a
career at South Mountain High School in Phoenix.

It was when he was a counselor at South Mountain that
Carrillo led the state chapter of the League of United
Latin American Citizens. With LULAC, he advocated for
the hiring of more Hispanic and minority teachers in
the Valley's school systems.

In the 1980s, he urged politicians to protect the
rights of citizens of minority descent.

"Elected officials have to stop blaming immigration
for the country's problem," Carrillo said. "Immigration
has been going on since Arizona was not a state."

Carrillo said immigration would become easier and
beneficial for the country when the federal government
forces the Mexican government to correct its internal
political policies.

For his outspokenness, the 78-year-old Carrillo has
earned accolades from Phoenix's school district,
statewide school officials, LULAC and other
non-profits. Although he retired in the 1990s,
Carrillo continues to campaign for the Democratic
Party. He keeps photos of him with the politicians
he's endorsed, such as Gov. Janet Napolitano, in his
living room as badges of honor for a lifetime of work.

======================================

~~ Warning to California Consumers: Nearly $600
Million Federal Phone Bill Tax Hike for State Now
Being Pushed by Phone Companies ~~

Here They Go Again! Some of Same Phone Companies That
Tried to Hustle Consumers With 'Mystery Fee' on DSL
Broadband.

PRNewswire
Sacramento, CA
September 13, 2006

A warning today for consumers in California: You stand
to be the biggest losers in the United States under a
widely criticized plan to shift the burden of who pays
the federal "Universal Service Fund" (USF) tax on
long-distance phone bills.

A proposal backed by America's biggest telephone
companies could saddle California with a $582.43
million annual tax hike, according to the urgent
warning from the Consumer Federation of California,
the California Alliance for Retired Americans, and
California League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC).

Under a major push now being mounted in Washington by
AT&T, BellSouth, USTelecom, Verizon, IDT Corporation
and others, California easily exceeds Texas as the
biggest "loser" state under the anti-consumer proposal
to shift the USF from a consumer-friendly,
pay-for-what-you-use tax on long-distance to a
regressive per-connection charge that would be imposed
on every phone line whether or not consumers made any
long-distance calls at all. In recent weeks, Verizon
and BellSouth were forced by pressure from consumer
groups, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and others to back off plans to create a new "mystery
fee" to replace most of the USF tax recently
eliminated for DSL broadband connections.

According to research from the Keep USF Fair
Coalition, senior, Latino, low-income and rural
consumers in California and elsewhere would pay the
most in additional USF taxes under the controversial
per-connection approach. For California, the change in
USF to a per-connection tax would mean an increase in
taxes of $184 million per year at the rate of $1 per
connection or, as would be more likely, $582 million
at the rate of $1.50 per connection. Californians
currently pay $613.11 million in USF taxes and get
back only $575.75 million in USF expenditures. Under
the $1.50 per-connection tax switch for USF the
California "deficit" would soar from the current
$37.35 million to $582.43 million.

For full state-by-state data, see the chart at
http://www.keepusffair.org/KeepUSFFair/release_033006_graph.html.

Richard Holober, executive director, Consumer
Federation of California: "We support the Universal
Service Fund, but that certainly does not mean that we
want to see the funding shift to a system that
disadvantages California seniors, rural residents,
Latinos, the poor and others. It is critically
important that USF funding remain on a basis where
those who use the most long distance pay their fair
share. It makes no sense to start taxing California
consumers for long-distance service when many of them
are not even using it."

Mel Risher, deputy state director, California LULAC,
said: "We believe that all users of communications in
California should pay their fair share to the USF.
Latino and other predominantly low-volume and
low-income phone users should not be
disproportionately burdened by USF. This turns the
current system on its head in a way that would
unfairly disadvantage millions of Latino consumers in
California and around the nation."

Jacki Fox Ruby, legislative director, California
Alliance for Retired Americans, said: "It is estimated
that California consumers would pay $582 million more
in USF taxes than is now the case under the phone
industry's plan for the Universal Service Fund tax.
That is obviously a 'wrong number' for consumers in
California, particularly when the burden would shift
so sharply from high-income/high-volume long-distance
callers to low-income/low-volume long-distance users.
Our message to Washington is clear: Hang up now on
this anti-consumer plan from the phone industry."

Maureen Thompson, executive director, Keep Universal
Service Fund Fair Coalition, Washington, D.C., said:
"The plan of big telephone companies for the Universal
Service Fund is bad news for consumers because it
would significantly worsen the inequities in terms of
who foots the bill for USF and who reaps the benefits
of the Fund. The data for California point out how no
one in the industry has really taken the time to
explore the implications for consumers of changing the
USF funding scheme. It is increasingly obvious that
they have not been forthcoming with this information
because it paints such a damning portrait of switching
to 'numbers' or line-based funding methodology. It
also is important to make sure that the extensive
waste and inefficiency in the USF is stamped out so
that the money that is spent actually reaches those
who need it."

The Keep USF Fair Coalition emphasized that the
"biggest loser" calculations for California consumers
and those in other states are appropriate, since the
lower $1 per-connection charge would only cover about
$6.5 billion of the $7.1 billion currently being spent
out of the Universal Service Fund. At the more likely
$1.50 per-line charge level, all 50 states would end
up paying in more than they are getting back. Even at
the more modest $1-per-line level, only consumers in
Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming,
Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, West
Virginia, South Carolina and Connecticut would get
more out of the USF than they are paying into it.

On November 17, 2005, the Keep USF Fair Coalition
released a report entitled "Losing Numbers: How
America's Most Vulnerable Consumers Could Suffer Under
Universal Service Fund (USF) 'Reform'." That report
concluded: "The currently consumer-friendly 'pay for
what you use' approach to funding the Universal
Service Fund would be replaced under the ...
(connections-based) plan with a regressive, flat-fee
arrangement of $1-$2 or more per phone line - -
regardless of whether or not consumers even make a
long-distance call. For a consumer who now dials only
a handful of long-distance calls per year and pays
correspondingly low USF taxes, the effective tax rate
under the ... (connections-base) plan would soar by
more than 1,000 percent on an annual basis! With
low-income and elderly consumers already socked with
high gas prices, higher home energy costs and the
prospect of soaring summer cooling bills and continued
inflation in medical prescriptions, the wide range of
diverse groups in the Keep USF Fair Coalition are
opposing the (industry- backed) 'numbers' based plan.
These groups caution against balancing USF finances on
the backs of the very consumers who use long-distance
the least and are unable to afford phone bills that
would rise under 'numbers' simply in order to
subsidize high-income/high-volume callers."

On February 9, 2006, the Keep USF Fair Coalition
reported: "Millions of Latino and Hispanic
long-distance phone customers in the United States
would be socked with higher federal fees on their
phone bills under a widely criticized proposal ... to
force phone users who make few long-distance calls or
use pre-paid wireless phones to either start paying or
pay more into the Universal Service Fund ... Other
than older Americans, Latinos and Hispanics account
for the largest number of Americans who would end up
paying more under the (industry) plan for USF ...
Three to five million Hispanic and Latino households
in the United States could be included among the 43
million Americans paying more in federal phone fees ..."

ABOUT THE GROUPS

Established in 1960, the Consumer Federation of
California (CFC) is a non- profit consumer rights
advocacy organization. CFC campaigns for state and
federal laws that place consumer protection ahead of
corporate profit. Each year, CFC representatives
testify before the California Legislature on dozens of
bills that affect millions of the State's consumers.
CFC representatives also appear regularly before state
agencies in support of consumer regulations. CFC may
be found on the Web at http://www.consumercal.org/.

The California Alliance for Retired Americans
(http://www.californiaalliance.org/) is an umbrella
organization of more than 100 affiliated groups
representing more than 750,000 Californians. Its
broad- based membership includes senior centers,
tenant associations, retired public employee
organizations, trade union retirees and other agencies
and associations. CARA's mission is to unite retired
workers and community groups to win social and
economic justice, full civil rights, and a better,
more secure future for their members, families and
future generations. CARA is the official state
affiliate of the Alliance for Retired Americans.

California LULAC (http://www.calulac.org/) is the
official state affiliate of the League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC) based in Washington, DC.
With approximately more than 100,000 members
throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC is
the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the
United States. LULAC advances the economic condition,
educational attainment, political influence, health
and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through
community-based programs operating at more than 700
LULAC councils nationwide. The organization involves
and serves all Hispanic nationality groups.

The Keep USF Fair Coalition
(http://www.keepusffair.org/) is committed to keeping
the Universal Service Fund collection method fair, and
opposing proposals to move to a regressive, per-line
flat fee. Now counting more than 115,000 members in
its ranks, The Keep USF Fair Coalition was formed in
April 2004. Current members include Alliance for
Public Technology, Alliance For Retired Americans,
American Association Of People With Disabilities,
American Corn Growers Association, American Council of
the Blind, Black Leadership Forum, Consumer Action,
Deafness Research Foundation, Gray Panthers, Latino
Issues Forum, League Of United Latin American
Citizens, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, National
Association Of The Deaf, National Consumers League,
National Grange, National Hispanic Council on Aging,
National Native American Chamber of Commerce, The
Seniors Coalition, Virginia Citizen's Consumer Council
and World Institute On Disability. The NAACP is a
supporter of the Keep USF Fair Coalition, and is among
the many national organizations that have filed
comments with the FCC in support of a non-regressive
USF collection method.

Consumer Federation of California; California Alliance
for Retired

CONTACT: Ailis Aaron Wolf
1-703-276-3265 or aaaron@...,
for Consumer Federation of California, California
Alliance for Retired
Americans, California League of United Latin American
Citizens and the Keep
USF Fair Coalition

Web site: http://www.consumercal.org/
http://www.californiaalliance.org/
http://www.calulac.org/
http://www.keepusffair.org/

=============================================

~~ LULAC to hold essay contest ~~

Current-Argus, Carlsbad, New Mexico
September 7, 2006

LOVING � The League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) is proud to announce the LULAC Fiesta 2006
Essay Contest for Carlsbad and Loving students. This
year LULAC has joined forces with the Carlsbad
Community Anti-Drug/Gang Coalition to bring this first
annual essay contest to Carlsbad and Loving schools.

Students in Carlsbad and Loving School Districts can
enter essays on the topic "Proud to be New Mexican."
Great prizes will be given in three grade categories
for third grade through grade 12.

Applications are available at Principals' offices or
at LULAC Headquarters. Call the LULAC office, 887-5970
for details. Essays must be received by today.

====================================

~~ Neighbors Briefs - Two youth groups aid storm victims ~~

Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, Arizona)
September 8, 2006

PPEP TEC High School students and youths from the
League of United Latin American Citizens helped load
two 24-foot trucks with emergency relief supplies last
week for residents of Hatch, N.M., who were affected
by the storms.

"The monsoons have been the heaviest in recent
history, and up to 150 farmworkers have lost
everything," said John Arnold, founder of the PPEP
TEC.

World Care made the bulk of the contributions of
relief supplies, and LULAC members donated relief
supplies through World Care.

Trucks were driven by Arnold; Frances Rascon, LULAC's
president of Council 1099; and Rusty Rascon, LULAC
District 4 treasurer. They were accompanied by Miguel
Zazueta, immediate past national LULAC youth
president, and by Chaska and Tika Arnold of
LULAC KIDZ Council 1.

======================================

~~ Voting Rights statute tested ~~

Austin water district sues over portion dealing with
minority participation

By JANET ELLIOTT
Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
September 7, 2006

AUSTIN � When the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility
District No. 1 wanted to move its sole polling place
from a residential garage to a school four years ago,
it had to pay a lawyer $1,250 to file a letter with
the U.S. Department of Justice and wait two months for
permission to make the change.

Even though district leaders said they wanted to move
the polling location to boost voter turnout, they had
to convince the Justice Department that the change
wouldn't reduce minority voting participation. Known
as "preclearance," the process is a key feature of the
Voting Rights Act, the major civil rights legislation
recently reauthorized by Congress for another 25
years.

Last month, the MUD challenged the constitutionality
of the law in a federal lawsuit against Attorney
General Alberto Gonzales. Civil rights groups fear the
case could reverse decades of improvements for
minority voters in Texas and 15 other states subject
to the preclearance scrutiny.

"It's kind of unusual to have a rather obscure water
district north of Austin challenge the
constitutionality of a major civil rights statute that
applies to all of Texas. It has to be taken
seriously," said Rolando Rios, a San Antonio lawyer
who often represents the League of United Latin
American Citizens in voting rights cases.

LULAC and the NAACP are considering intervening in the case.

Edward Blum, a prominent critic of affirmative action
and racial policies who directs the Project on Fair
Representation, said Thursday that the lawsuit is the
"first of what I think will be other Texas
jurisdictions that come forward" to challenge the law.
The project is a litigation group that fights certain
race-based policies.

The strategy reflects a move to federal courts after
conservative lawmakers failed to change the
preclearance requirements. Several Republicans, mainly
from Texas and other southern states, argued that the
provision may violate the Constitution on grounds that
it unfairly punishes states for long-past
discrimination.

The MUD filed its lawsuit in a Washington federal
court on Aug. 4, days after President Bush signed
legislation renewing the act. The district is arguing
that its voters are being punished for conditions that
never existed in the neighborhood of
upper-middle-class homes.

"This little district has never discriminated against
anybody," said Greg Coleman, an Austin lawyer who is
representing the district pro bono.

'Badge of shame'

Coleman said he believes the lawsuit is the first
filed by a Texas political subdivision invoking a
provision in the law to "bail out" from preclearance.
The requirement "lacks any continuing justification
and is nothing more than a badge of shame that
Congress, without any cognizable justification, has
chosen to continue in place," the lawsuit states.

Cynthia Magnuson, a Justice Department spokeswoman,
declined comment on the lawsuit and said the
department will respond by an Oct. 16 deadline.

Texas and its political subdivisions have been subject
to preclearance for changes in voting procedures since
1975.

Bill Ferguson, president of the MUD's board of
directors, said it's absurd that the district has to
"jump through so many hoops" to make changes designed
to boost voter turnout. Another change in 2004 that
was approved allowed the district to hold its board
elections at the same time that other Travis County
races were on the ballot.

The MUD board approved filing the lawsuit in June
after lengthy discussions in executive sessions, said
Ferguson, a real estate appraiser who has served on
the board for four years. He said Coleman, who was
representing the board on another matter, convinced
the board that preclearance requirements are a costly
problem for many small jurisdictions.

Evidence claimed

"We're not against the Voting Rights Act and the many
good things it has done," said Ferguson. "But at some
point this preclearance issue should go away."

Ferguson said the five board members are all white. He
said there are some minorities living in the district,
but he knows of none who have sought election to the
board.

The district of 1,300 homes, two apartment complexes,
a church and some office buildings, was set up in 1987
so the developer could recover the costs of installing
water and wastewater infrastructure. It levies a tax
of 30 cents per $100 valuation to buy those services
from the city of Austin.

Civil rights groups say there is plenty of recent
evidence of discriminatory acts by Texas entities that
hold elections. Earlier this year, the North Harris
Montgomery Community College District canceled a bond
election after the Justice Department said the
district's plan to reduce polling places from 84 to 12
would violate the law.

And a series of voting rights controversies erupted in
Waller County in 2003 and 2004 over the eligibility of
students at the mostly black Prairie View A&M
University to vote in local elections and a plan to
reduce hours of the campus polling place.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that a South
Texas congressional district drawn by the Texas
Legislature in 2003 violated the Voting Rights Act
because it diminished the voting strength of
Hispanics.

"The Voting Rights Act has been a great resource for
racial, ethnic and language minorities in our state,
and it is necessary for it to continue in existence
because the same kinds of problems continue to exist,"
said Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP.

A report released in June by the Leadership Conference
on Civil Rights and Mexican American Legal Defense and
Educational Fund said that on 54 occasions between
1982 and 2005, Texas jurisdictions scrapped voting
changes after officials realized the alterations would
fail federal scrutiny.

Since 1982, the Justice Department has rejected 107
proposed voting changes in Texas, according to the
report.

===========================================

~~ Tiny water district is challenging Voting Rights Act ~~

By Janet Elliott
San Antonio Express-News Austin Bureau
September 7, 2006

AUSTIN � When the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility
District No. 1 wanted to move its sole polling place
from a residential garage to a school four years ago,
it had to pay a lawyer $1,250 to file a letter with
the U.S. Justice Department and wait two months for
permission.

Even though district leaders said they wanted to move
the polling location to boost voter turnout, they had
to convince the Justice Department the change wouldn't
reduce minority voting participation.

Known as "preclearance," the process is a key feature
of the Voting Rights Act, the civil rights legislation
recently reauthorized by Congress for 25 years.

Last month, the MUD challenged the constitutionality
of the law in a federal lawsuit against Attorney
General Alberto Gonzales. Civil rights groups fear the
case could reverse decades of improvements for
minority voters in Texas and 15 other states subject
to the preclearance scrutiny.

"It's kind of unusual to have a rather obscure water
district north of Austin challenge the
constitutionality of a major civil rights statute that
applies to all of Texas. It has to be taken
seriously," said Rolando Rios, a San Antonio lawyer
who often represents the League of United Latin
American Citizens in voting rights cases.

LULAC and the NAACP are considering intervening in the case.

Edward Blum, a prominent critic of affirmative action
and racial policies who directs the Project on Fair
Representation, said Thursday that the lawsuit is the
"first of what I think will be other Texas
jurisdictions that come forward" to challenge the law.
The project is a litigation group that fights certain
race-based policies.

The strategy reflects a move to federal courts after
conservative lawmakers failed to change the
preclearance requirements. Several Republicans, mainly
from Texas and other Southern states, argued the
provision may violate the Constitution on grounds that
it unfairly punishes their states for discrimination
that is long past.

The MUD filed its lawsuit in a Washington federal
court Aug. 4, just days after President Bush signed
legislation renewing the act. The district is arguing
its voters are being punished for conditions that
never existed in the quiet neighborhood of
upper-middle-class homes.

"This little district has never discriminated against
anybody," said Greg Coleman, an Austin lawyer who's
representing the district pro bono.

Coleman said he believes the lawsuit is the first
filed by a Texas political subdivision invoking a
provision in the law to "bail out" from preclearance.

Cynthia Magnuson, a Justice Department spokeswoman,
declined comment on the lawsuit. She said the
department will respond to the court by the Oct. 16
deadline.

Texas and its cities, counties, school districts and
other political subdivisions have been subject to
preclearance for changes in voting procedures since
1975.

Bill Ferguson, president of the MUD's board of
directors, said it's absurd that the district has to
"jump through so many hoops" to make changes designed
to boost voter turnout.

The MUD board approved filing the lawsuit in June
after lengthy discussions in executive sessions, said
Ferguson, a real estate appraiser who has served on
the board for four years.

He said Coleman, who was representing the board on
another matter, convinced the board that preclearance
requirements are a costly problem for many small
jurisdictions.

"We're not against the Voting Rights Act and the many
good things it has done," Ferguson said. "But at some
point this preclearance issue should go away."

Ferguson said the five board members all are Anglo. He
said there are some minorities living in the district
but he knows of none who has sought election to the
board.

The district of 1,300 homes, two apartment complexes,
a church and some office buildings, was set up in 1987
so the developer could recover the costs of installing
water and wastewater infrastructure. It levies a tax
of 30-cents-per-$100 valuation to buy those services
from the city of Austin.

======================================

~~ Diverse New Coalition Launches Education Campaign
to Counter Misconceptions About Depression ~~

PRNewswire
Washington, DC
September 14, 2006


Frustrated and concerned by popular misconceptions
that trivialize depression as "just the blues" or
dismiss it entirely as an "imaginary disease," seven
prominent physician, patient and civic nonprofit
organizations have joined together to launch a public
education campaign to tell Americans the truth about
depression.

The Depression Is Real Coalition seeks to educate
Americans that depression is a serious, debilitating
disease that can be fatal if left untreated and to
provide hope for recovery to the nearly 19 million
Americans who suffer from depression each year.

The Depression Is Real public education campaign is
sponsored by The American Psychiatric Foundation (a
philanthropic and educational subsidiary of the
American Psychiatric Association), the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance, the League of United Latin
American Citizens, the National Alliance on Mental
Illness, the National Medical Association, the
National Mental Health Association and the National
Urban League and is made possible through the support
of Wyeth.

"Our research shows that many Americans don't realize
that depression is a biologically-based disease -- in
fact, a third of all Americans believe that mental
illnesses like depression are caused by emotional or
personal weaknesses, and almost that number think they
are caused by old age alone," said Altha J. Stewart,
MD, President of the American Psychiatric Foundation.
"We believe we have a responsibility to tell the
public the truth about depression -- one based on
scientific evidence and clinical research, not made-up
'facts' or wishful thinking."

The Depression Is Real Coalition believes that those
in the popular culture who label depression a "myth"
and deny that medical or other treatments are
necessary for recovery do real harm to depression
sufferers. Indisputable scientific evidence shows
depression to be a biologically-based disease that
destroys the connections between brain cells and can
affect every aspect of a person's health. Science and
medical research have also proven that people can and
do recover from depression through appropriate
treatment.

"Trivializing depression as a passing mood or, worse,
an imaginary illness can discourage those who need
treatment from seeking help," said Sue Bergeson,
President of the Depression and Bipolar Support
Alliance. "That's not just counterproductive -- it's
downright dangerous because depression is the
principal cause of suicide worldwide, killing more
people than homicides and terrorism combined," she
said. "This campaign is critical because more
education and awareness can help deter needless deaths
and the years of suffering that precedes them," she
added.

The Depression Is Real campaign consists of
television, radio and print public service
announcements (PSAs), print and radio advertisements,
a Web site (http://www.depressionisreal.org/), and
other educational activities. The print and radio ads
are science-based and feature Dr. Paul Greengard,
winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine
and an expert in brain function and the mechanisms of
depression. Starting Friday, print ads will run in
public policy publications inside-the-Beltway and in
key national dailies including USA Today and The New
York Times, as well as in Black Enterprise and
Hispanic Business magazines. Radio ads will also air
inside-the-Beltway. The PSAs, produced in English and
Spanish, will be distributed nationwide beginning in
October.

The Coalition hopes that its public education campaign
will help alleviate stigma by increasing awareness of
depression, its causes and the wide range of available
treatments.

"If you fear losing your job or reputation because of
depression, you'll be less likely to seek out
treatment that can help you get better," said Michael
J. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, National Alliance
on Mental Illness. "NAMI joined this effort to educate
the American people that depression is not shameful,
it's not the fault of the person who is depressed, and
most important of all -- there is hope for recovery
because effective treatments exist."

The Depression Is Real Coalition is particularly
concerned that depression is not widely recognized or
taken seriously enough in the African-American and
Latino communities, which are already underserved in
many areas of health care.

"African Americans are disproportionately underserved
in health care, and one reason why they suffer
needlessly from depression is because only 53 percent
of them have adequate health insurance, compared to
whites," said Sandra Goodridge, Director of Health and
Quality of Life for the National Urban League. "We
must eliminate this disparity while helping African
Americans overcome the social stigma that prevents
them from seeking treatment, such as fear of being
viewed as insane or spiritually flawed."

"Educating the African American community that
depression is a medical illness is critical because 63
percent of our community believe that depression is a
personal weakness, while only 31 percent believe it is
a health problem," said Rahn Bailey, MD, Chair of the
Psychiatry Section of the National Medical
Association. "Trivializing depression can have fatal
consequences and exacerbate life-threatening diseases
like heart disease and diabetes, which are especially
prevalent in the African American community."

Barriers also exist in the Latino community that
prevent people from seeking treatment for mental
illnesses like depression. "An expectation of
self-reliance is deeply embedded in Latino culture,
reducing our community's willingness to seek help for
mental illnesses like depression," said Brent A.
Wilkes, National Executive Director, The League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). "There is also
an enormous stigma associated with going to a
psychiatrist or psychologist in the Latino community.
We hope that in educating the Latino community that
depression is an illness just like any other will
increase their willingness to seek treatment for
depression by reducing the stigma. And the value of
that just cannot be overstated."

Members of the Coalition also cited the lack of health
care reimbursement parity for mental health treatments
as another way that society has trivialized mental
illness, including depression. "Depression is a real,
biological disease -- and recovery is difficult if not
impossible without the means to pay for proper
treatment," said David Shern, Ph.D., President,
National Mental Health Association. "Mental disorders
like depression require the same insurance coverage as
other physical illnesses -- because to provide
otherwise is to trivialize diseases of the brain," he
added.

   -----------------------------
For more information about depression and the
coalition members, and to see elements of the
Depression Is Real public education campaign, visit
http://www.depressionisreal.org/.

Depression Is Real Coalition CONTACTS:
Diana Rubin, 202-973-5854
Antoinette Forbes, 202-419-3248
Web site: http://www.depressionisreal.org

======================================

~~ LULAC to hold float contest ~~

Current-Argus, Carlsbad, New Mexico
September 14, 2006

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
is proud to announce the LULAC Fiesta 2006 Parade
Float Contest. This year LULAC has joined forces with
the Carlsbad Community Anti-Drug/Gang Coalition to
sponsor the Fiesta.

Organizations or individuals can enter floats with the
suggested theme, "Proud to be New Mexican." Great
prizes will be given to winning participants in many
categories including "Best" Float, Vehicle (Low Rider,
Classic, Motorcycle), School, Business, Individual,
and Group.

Applications are available at the Carlsbad Chamber
of Commerce or at LULAC Headquarters. Call the LULAC
office, 887-5970 for details.

=================================

~~ Minuteman Project plans border-watch effort ~~

By Elizabeth White, Associated Press
Houston Chronicle
September 11, 2006

SAN ANTONIO -- After a moment of silence for victims
of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, a group of
civilian border-watchers plan to initiate a nearly
two-month operation along the Texas-Mexico border to
watch for illegal immigrants and bring attention to
security issues.

The Minuteman Project, led by Jim Gilchrist, will team
with its Texas affiliate and the American Border
Patrol of Arizona to track suspected illegal
immigrants and report them to the U.S. Border Patrol.

"If you're here illegally you don't need to be here,"
said Texas Minutemen President Shannon McGauley.

The groups plan a noontime rally Monday in Laredo to
kick off the eight-week "Operation Sovereignty" and
hope to start patrols in the highly trafficked Laredo
area by Monday evening, McGauley said.

The beginning and ending dates of the operation �
Sept. 11, the fifth anniversary of the attacks, and
Nov. 7, Election Day � will help bring attention to
the border security, McGauley said.

Speakers at the rally will include lawmakers, McGauley
said, and at least one volunteer is willing to use a
personal helicopter to aid the effort.

McGauley said he expects up to 300 people initially
and hopes for more than 800 to volunteer on and off
for the span of the operation.

The volunteers will need permission to patrol land on
the border that's privately owned. McGauley said the
response from land owners has been positive.

Jim Marmion, a partner at Moro Creek Ranch in
Asherton, about 27 miles from the Rio Grande River,
said he'll open his property to 20 volunteers.

"After visiting with (McGauley) and hearing their
approach I think they're probably on the right track,"
Marmion said. "Non-confrontational and not anything
like vigilantes."

Marmion, who said he thinks there's been no government
will to enforce border security, said he'll ask the
volunteers to reimburse the ranch only for water and
electricity use.

Still, he's a bit nervous about the effort because the
volunteers are "an unknown quantity."

Gilchrist has said volunteers are responsible for what
happens during patrols. They are not supposed to
approach or try to apprehend suspected illegals, only
report them, McGauley said.

"I remind them they will be criminally and civilly
liable for any misbehavior," said Gilchrist.

Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt said the governor "has no
quarrel with law-abiding residents doing a
neighborhood watch type program."

The League of United Latin American Citizens already
is planning a counter demonstration.

LULAC President Rosa Rosales said the Minuteman
efforts carry with them the "perception of racism."

"Border Patrol agents have special training, Minutemen
have no special training," Rosales said. They're "just
lay persons wanting to, I guess, patrol the border
when they're really not needed."

The Minuteman Project is different from the Minuteman
Civil Defense Corps, led by Chris Simcox, which also
patrols the border and reports illegal immigrants to
authorities.

That group is planning "Operation Secure Our Borders
2006" in all four U.S.-Mexico border states and
several U.S.-Canada border states for October, said
spokeswoman Connie Hair. When in Texas, the group will
stick to the El Paso area, she said.

McGauley said Operation Sovereignty will stretch
northwest along the border to Eagle Pass and also will
include a smaller operation in the El Paso area in
October.

Reynaldo Garza, acting chief patrol agent for the
Laredo border sector, has said the volunteers help
information flow to Border Patrol agents but
emphasized that the agency never requests help from
civilian groups.

"They make the information known ... and then we
adjust; we expect some communication with them," he
said.

Garza said it's important for patrol agents to know
the location of the volunteers so everyone stays safe.

Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores echoed the safety
concern.

"My biggest concern is that everyone knows that the
people that we're dealing with are not little league
players, these people are from the big leagues,"
Flores said of drug and human smugglers. "We're the
hottest spot in the Texas-Mexico border right now."

=======================================

~~ Dallas immigration march draws 200 ~~

By Patrick McGee, Staff Writer
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
September 4, 2006


DALLAS � Umbrellas were mixed with flags and protest
signs Monday when about 200 people marched in the rain
to City Hall to demand rights and legal status for
immigrants.

All the flags were U.S. flags, and nearly all the
speeches and slogans were in Spanish. They called on
Congress to recognize illegal immigrants�
contributions and pass a bill legalizing their status.

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 11.7 million
immigrants are in the country illegally, most of them
from Latin America.

The demonstrators marched on the sidewalks from the
Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Dallas
City Hall where they heard about a dozen speakers call
for immigrant rights.

Some speakers also criticized a proposal being
considered by the Farmers Branch City Council to crack
down on illegal immigration.

Carlos Quintanilla, a member of the League of United
Latin American Citizens in Dallas, asked the crowd to
show up at the Farmers Branch City Council meeting
today to protest Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tim O�Hare�s
proposals to fine landlords who rent to illegal
immigrants and to cut illegal immigrants� children out
of city-funded youth programs.

�We are not afraid to defend our rights in this
country,� Quintanilla said.

Luis de la Garza, secretary of foreign relations for
LULAC, urged the audience to participate in upcoming
voter registration drives.

�I believe this is a very important moment for your
lives and the lives of your children,� he said.

The Rev. Charles Stovall, pastor of Munger Place
United Methodist Church in Dallas, told the mostly
Hispanic audience that blacks are on their side.

�The African-American community is beginning to learn
more and more about the importance of an immigration
law that is right and just for all people,� he said.
�We need to say no to any law that is unjust.�

A man in attendance named Ricardo, who did not give
his last name because he is an illegal immigrant, said
he attended the march because he wants a way to
legalize his status so he can travel to his home in
Mexico where he has not been for 10 years.

�I want to go back and see my family, but I�m scared I
can�t come back,� said Ricardo, 28, standing in front
of City Hall with a U.S. flag draped over this
shoulders.

Ernesto Rodriguez, 42, said he drove from Oklahoma
City, where he works in construction, to support
Mexican �brothers� who are here illegally.

Juan Gomez, vice president of the Dallas-based Voces
Unidas por los Immigrantes, helped organize the march.


He said he was not discouraged that the turnout was a
small fraction of the 500,000 that marched in April
during a pro-immigration rally in Dallas.

Immigration reform is deadlocked between an
immigrant-friendly Senate bill that would put millions
of illegal immigrants on the path to citizenship and a
strict House bill that would make illegal immigration
a felony.

Gomez said he believes more members of the House can
be turned toward some version of the Senate bill.

�I don�t think any Congressmen would want families to
be separated,� he said. �We are not against them, we
are just in favor of our own people.�

   ---------------------------------
Patrick McGee, 817-685-3806
pmcgee@...

====end====

ACTION ALERT -- By Orange County DREAM Coalition and
Santa Ana LULAC Council #147.

Write/Call/E-Mail CA Governor to Sign the
California DREAM Act (SB160).

The California DREAM Act (SB160) was introduced by California Senator
Gilbert Cedillo in February 2005.  SB160 requires all post-secondary
institutions (community colleges, state universities, and UCs) to
allow students eligible for in-state tuition to apply for any type of
financial aid available in their institutions and the Board of
Governors Fee Waiver.

Beneficiaries would be: any student who met all the requirements
under this bill, any AB540 status student and high school students
who qualify under this law when entering a post-secondary
institution.

The DREAM Act successfully passed both houses in the state
legislature and has been sent to the governor for his signature.
The California governor has until September 30 to sign this very
important legislation. For this reason, it is very crucial that
Governor Schwarzenegger listens to our voices and knows about the
importance and necessity of passing this bill.

Suggested message:

Hello, my name is_____________ and I am calling Governor
Schwarzenegger to sign SB160 into law. This bill is needed to assist
thousands of talented and hard working students in their education
endeavors!

   -------------------------------

Contact the Governor

Governor's Office
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
For e-mail go to: http://www.govmail.ca.gov

Thank You.

Minerva S. G�mez
OCDT, Coalition Coordinator
P.O Box 6244, Santa Ana CA, 92706
(714) 376-8065 / http://www.istillhaveadream.org

Zeke Hernandez, President
Santa Ana LULAC #147
PO Box 1810, Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-835-9585 / zekeher@...

========================================

*** The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic
Americans - The Second Regional Conference of the Partnership for
Hispanic Family Learning ***

September 20-22, 2006
Delhi Community Center (714) 481-9600
505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA
FREE and OPEN Registration and Attendance
(Complete Registration Form)
INFO: Mary Ann Gomez, maryann.gomez@...

Featuring: U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral

Conference Co-hosts: Santa Ana Unified School District,
Orange County Department of Education, Orange County United Way, and
Los Kitos.

Panel Sessions on:

~ Early Childhood Development
~ No Child Left Behind and Education Reform
~ High School Reform
~ Increasing Postsecondary Educational Attainment
~ Partnerships: Vehicles for Education Reform
~ Hispanic Family Involvement

   ------------------------------

CONFERENCE ON HISPANIC FAMILY LEARNING: Addressing the educational
needs of the Hispanic family.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE ...

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006
1:00 pm � 3:30 pm: Pre-conference Workshop �
Accessing Federal Grants & Contracts

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006
9:00 am � 9:30 am: Continental Breakfast
9:30 am � 10:00 am: Welcome
10:15 am � 11:45 am: Panel � High School Reform: Linking Academic
Preparation to College Completion

12:00 pm � 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm � 2:30 pm: Panel � Increasing Postsecondary Educational
Attainment: Access, Persistence and Completion
2:45 pm � 4:15 pm: Panel � Hispanic Family Involvement
5:00 pm � 7:00 pm: Reception

Friday, Sept. 22, 2006
9:00 am � 9:30 am: Continental Breakfast
9:30 am � 10:00 am: Welcome
10:15 am � 11:45 am: Panel � Early Childhood Development

12:00 pm � 1:00 pm: Luncheon Keynote Speaker �
   Anna Escobedo Cabral, U.S. Treasurer

1:00 pm � 2:30 pm: Panel � No Child Left Behind and Education Reform
2:45 pm � 5:00 pm: Town Hall: Partnerships as Vehicles for Education
Reform
5:00 pm: Close

   -----------------------------------

White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans

The Second Regional Conference of the Partnership for Hispanic
Family Learning
"ADDRESSING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE HISPANIC FAMILY"

September 20-22, 2006
Santa Ana, California

REGISTRATION
Please indicate the days you plan to attend:

____ Sept. 20 - Pre Conference Grants Workshop
____ Sept. 21 - First Day of Panel Sessions
____ Sept. 22 - Second Day of Panel Sessions


Name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
City:
Phone:
Fax:
E-Mail:
Special Needs(Visual, physical, and hearing impairments, special dietary needs,
or other need):


Thank you for registering for the second Regional Conference of the Partnership
for Hispanic Family Learning. It will be held at the Delhi Center, 505 E.
Central Avenue, Santa Ana, California. Phone: (714) 481-9600.

Please email your registration to
WhiteHouse.HispanicEduation@...
and place "Registration" in the Subject Line.

Confirmation of your registration will be sent to you shortly and will include
additional conference details and information onarea hotels. If you have any
questions regarding the conference, please contact Mary Ann Gomez at
maryann.gomez@....

You may also print and fax this form to 202-401-8377.

====================================================

*** CAIR-LA Commemorates 9/11 Anniversary ***

(LOS ANGELES, 9/7/06) � On Thursday, the Southern California office
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a press conference
to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks and to offer
messages of hope, peace and unity.

The press conference included members of various law enforcement
agencies and inter-faith leaders who stood in solidarity with the
Muslim, Arab, and Sikh Americans, and spoke out against targeting any
one group. Community leaders also voiced support for building bridges
of understanding, fostering cooperation and harmony among Americans.

"American Muslims today are more committed than ever in playing their
role in bringing all Americans together," said Hussam Ayloush ,
executive director of CAIR-LA. "The attacks on Sept. 11 were an
attack on all of us, regardless of our ethnicity, religion or
background�We owe it to the victims of 9/11, their families and our
country, to promote the American values of peace, unity and
tolerance."

Father Chris Ponnet, with the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
denounced meeting violence with violence. He called upon "preachers
of all the traditions of faith as they enter their pulpit this
weekend to not use this moment to speak of hatred and division but to
speak of the profoundness of our traditions of faith�"

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department representative spoke of the
creation of the Muslim American Homeland Security Congress to reach
out to all to help understand American Muslims and Arabs and help
prevent terrorism.

"It takes all people that live in our communities to be aware and
share information, so we can respond and prevent acts of occurrence,"
said Commander Michael Grossman with Sheriff's Department's Office of
Homeland Security.

Special Agent In-charge Warren Bamford with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation said, "Dialogue is the key to our success to protect
this nation" and discussed the Multicultural Advisory Committee the
FBI set up in partnership with Muslim, Arab and Sikh organizations to
forster better understanding and relations with those communities.

Rabbi Haim Beliak, a member of the Interfaith Communities United for
Peace and Justice, talked about commonalities between Jews and
Muslims, his involvement with inter-religious dialogue, and misuse of
offensive words such as "Islamofascist" in attempts to name the
enemy.

"I look forward to a different future for us in Los Angeles , and in
this country, where Muslims, Jews, Christians and Sikhs and people of
all faiths will discover their commonality," Beliak said.

Other speakers at the press conference were: Jim McDonnell, chief of
staff for the Los Angeles Police Department and Chief William
Bratton; Edina Lekovic, communications director of Muslim Public
Affairs Council; and Sarbjit Singh, teacher and former general
secretary of Los Angeles Sikh Temple.

The press conference was covered by various television, radio, print
and ethnic media outlets.

========================================

*** Ofendas de Cultura Exhibit in Riverside, CA ***

Continuing Through through November 5, 2006
Riverside Metropolitan Museum
3580 Mission Inn Ave., Downtown Riverside, CA
* Free Family Event
INFO: Ennette Nusbaum, Museum Director
951-826-5792 / enusbaum@...

Museum Hours (Closed Mondays)
Tuesday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm;
Thursday: 9 am - 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm;
Admission is free.


OFRENDAS DE CULTURA EXHIBIT

To highlight Hispanic culture and traditions of the Day of the Dead.

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum presents Ofrendas de Cultura
Cultural Offerings: A Prelude to Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the
Dead), a multi-faceted exhibition which features original artwork,
sculptures, photographs, textiles, and traditional D�a de Los Muertos
altars created by local Riverside artists.

Guest Curator, Cosme Cordova, has gathered this eclectic collection
which showcases the Hispanic culture and traditions of the century
old holiday that honors deceased family members and friends.

Dia de los Muertos, (the Day of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican
holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same
time as the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day
(November 1st and 2nd). Dia de los Muertos is not a sad time, but
instead a time of remembering and rejoicing.

====================================

*** Burciaga for Costa Mesa City Council Fundraiser ***

Thursday, September 14, 2006 / 7 pm - 9 pm
Chicken Coop Restaurant
414 Old Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA
Cost: $30/person; $50/couple
RSVP: Fabiola Noel, 949-631-0602

MIRNA BURCIAGA to the Costa Mesa City Council
Friends of Mirna Burciaga
PO Box 3858, Costa Mesa, CA 92628

=====================================

*** Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night ***

Saturday, September 16, 2006
Angel's Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA

Participants: Santa Ana Unified School District's Franklin Elementary
School staff, parents and students

Light the Night is an annual evening walk to to celebrate and
commemorate lives touched by cancer.
Franklin Elementary School will be honoring two students who
succumbed to leukemia and showing our support to the other Sajnta Ana
students who are currently battling leukemia.

Please consider contributing to this very important cause by making a
contribution to:

Franklin Elementary
210 W. Cubbon st.
Santa Ana, Ca 92701

or Link to:
http://www.active.com/donate/ltnSanta/1779_gallorskiessbcglobalnet

Thank You, Tammi Sanchez
714 296 7119

======================================

*** Breakfast with Congressman John Murtha and
Former Senator Max Cleland ***

September 27, 2006
Phoenix Park Hotel
Washington, D.C.

From: Vets for Truth / http://www.vetpac.org
       http://www.bootmurtha.com

Since speaking out against the Bush Administrationa's war in Iraq,
Rep. Murtha has come under scurrilous attack from the same right-
wing "Swift Boat Veterans" that went after John Kerry in 2004. (Under
the new name of "Veterans for Truth," they are currently planning a
major rally denouncing Murtha in his hometown for later this month.)

However, as a recent Boston Globe article indicates, the real target
is not Murtha so much as it is those Democrats running for Congress
that would step up and support Murtha in challenging the White House.

-- The Boston Globe article (which mentions VETPAC's efforts at
fighting back) can be read by going to the following link:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/08/05/
republican_activists_take_aim_at_murtha_reelection_bid/
"Salute to John Murtha" breakfast, followed by a press conference
featuring the 30+ veterans who are running for Congress as Democrats.
They will provide the type of backbone and leadership so sorely
needed in Washington. The money raiseed through this event will be
used to support these candidates, and underwrite the costs of a "push
back" against the "Swift Boaters" from now to the November election.

Contributions to VETPAC; send to:
Veterans Alliance for Security & Democracy
P.O. Box 65871
Washington, DC 20035-5871

================================

*** New dates/Time for ... LISTEN ...!!! ***

Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA proudly announces new dates and times for
the last performances of LISTEN...!!! written and directed by Ruben
Garfias and performed by our Acting for Children and Youth students.

Last weekend performances were totally sold out,
so we highly recommend you make reservations, now!

LISTEN...!!! is a workshop production based on a theme that should be
anathema to children and all humanity...war. That in the 21st century
the very pornographic idea of war to solve conflict or advance an
agenda runs contrary to all other advancements in our human time line
and yet it is all too present. How to express that moment when in the
blink of an eye all that we knew to be common is now turned into
rubble and fire and pain. This is the path these young actors decided
to confront in the hope and expectation that their lives be made more
whole, their minds more rigorous and their path to peace ever more
constant.

LISTEN...!!! will be performed at:
FRIDA KAHLO Theater
2332 West Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA 90057

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday at 8 PM;
Sundays at 6 PM;

Tickets prices: $8 general; $5 for children, students with ID, and
senior citizens.

INFO/RSVP: 213-382-8133
Our offices are open Tuesday through Sundays,
1 to 6 PM. / http://www.fridakahlotheater.org

Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA and FRIDA KAHLO Theater
also offer Workshops for Children and Adults.

=====================================

*** Call for Submissions - Reflections of Latina/
Latino Students ***

Announcement of call for submissions for the project
entitled "What? No Flan! Reflections of Latina/o Students" All
submissions are due by 17 October 2006.

INFO - Guidelines & Requirements:
http://www.socsci.uci.edu/ssarc/lspa/noflan.html

This book will be comprised of poems, short stories, and letters that
will serve to validate, normalize, and provide insight into the
educational experiences of Latina/o students.

Additional INFO: Editors  Drs. Jeanett Castellanos
or Alberta M. Gloria, at noflan@....

=======================================

*** Correa Supports Funding to Enhance OC Grafitti
Removal Program ***

INFO: Barbara Brown, 714-834-3110

(SANTA ANA, CA) An amended ordinance that enhances graffiti removal
in unincorporated areas of Orange County became effective August 25,
2006.

The amendment authorizes the County to remove graffiti on private
property in unincorporated areas at the County's expense three times
in any twelve-month period. The landowner would be required to
reimburse the County for work performed after the third incident
unless there is financial hardship.

Residents can use the current county Graffiti Hotline, (714) 834-
3400, to report instances of tagging both for public property areas
such as county buildings and facilities, flood control channels,
roadways, sidewalks; and street signs, and now on private property
including block/perimeter walls and property adjacent to public
rights-of-way.

In addition to the hotline, the public can submit reports of tagged
areas online at: http://www.ocrdmd.com/graffiti_complaint_form.aspx.

Lou Correa, First District Supervisor, sees this Board action as a
step in the right direction. "The additional funds and amended
ordinance now enable our work crews to be responsive to residents and
cities in helping preserve property values in areas we were before
limited. With additional funding, the County can demonstrate its
commitment to working with homeowners associations, and other members
of the public to protect the well being of the general public and
their property," said Correa.

The Graffiti Hotline will be monitored from Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, callers may leave a message
stating the location, major cross streets and description of tagging.
For more information, visit http://www.ocrdmd.com or call (714) 834-
2742.

=====================================

*** 2006 "Mi Voto Cuenta/My Vote Counts" Campaign ***

All volunteers who serve a minimum of 4 hours per day will receive a
$20.00 food and gas stipend.

Targeted Areas: (Orange County, CA) Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden
Grove, Fullerton and Santa Ana. You choose the city in which you wish
to serve and select from many approved voter registration sites.

Voting Registration begins September 30th and continues every weekend
thru October 22nd.

INFO: Deborah M. Vasquez, 714-785-1130
       deborah@...

========================================

*** NALEO Seeks Paid Campaign Volunteers ***

The NALEO Educational Fund's Voces Del Pueblo Program is seeking
motivated individuals to work as paid campaign phone canvassers and
phone operators for its
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA hotline.

Looking for current, responsible high school seniors, college
students and individuals who are interested
in encouraging the Latino community to participate
in the upcoming November 7, elections.

The Voces Del Pueblo campaign will begin on October 14 and continue
through Election Day.

The Los Angeles office is currently seeking several paid volunteers
to work with the Voces Del Pueblo Program. The program is a non-
partisan voter engagement program seeking to create new Latino voters
by targeting its efforts on engaging and mobilizing infrequent Latino
voters, newly registered voters, and young voters.  Volunteers will
serve as the direct contact between the NALEO Educational Fund and
Latino voters, through live telephone calls to motivate and invite
voters to play a critical role in local, statewide, and federal
elections.

Duties Include:

* Contacting Latino voters over the phone and motivating them to vote.
* Informing callers on electoral information.
* Assisting campaign staff in administrative activities related to
voter mobilization and overall civic engagement.

Requirements:
* Bilingual (Spanish)
* Good communications skills
* Able to sit for long periods of time
* Minimal computer skills
* No experience necessary (training is provided)

Stipend: $7-8 an Hour � depending on experience.

This is an excellent opportunity for students who want to make a
difference in their community and want to earn some extra money.
Trainings will be scheduled beginning the week of October 9th.

INFO: Josue "Josh" Marcus
213-747-7606 x148 / jmarcus@....

Program Coordinator - Voter Engagement
NALEO Educational Fund
1122 W. Washington Blvd., 3rd. Floor
Los Angeles, CA   90015
213/ 747-7606 Ext. 148
http://www.naleo.org

The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading nonprofit organization that
facilitates full Latino participation in the American political
process, from citizenship to public service.

====end====

~~ Immigrants Struggle To Go To College; For
Undocumented Students, Measure Offers A Way To Pay ~~

By Aurelio Rojas
The Sacramento Bee
August 29, 2006


(Santa Ana, CA) - It's Friday night, party time for
many college students. But inside a cramped conference
room, Minerva Gomez has a serious agenda to plow
through. Analyses of proposed immigration changes,
government affairs, outreach, fundraising -- she's
considering issues of profound importance to Gomez
and other students who are illegal immigrants.

As the chairwoman of the Orange County Dream Team
Coalition, one of a network of support groups that
have sprung up since California opened state
universities and colleges to these students, she is
familiar with tight schedules.

Gomez, 22, maintained an A-minus average at California
State University, Long Beach, while working full time
as a waitress on the graveyard shift. She recently
graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and
sociology.

Gomez -- who was 5 when her parents left Mexico and
illegally entered the United States -- is a
beneficiary of Assembly Bill 540. The 5-year-old
measure, which has come under attack in the courts and
Legislature from critics of illegal immigration,
allowed her to attend college for the same in-state
tuition charged legal residents.

"I was one of the fortunate ones because AB 540 came
in right as I was starting school," Gomez said during
a break from her group's weekly meeting at Santa Ana
Community College. "Without this bill, I could not
have gone to school."

Legislatures around the country are cracking down on
illegal immigration; more than 77 anti-immigration
laws have been enacted this year, according to the
National Conference of State Legislatures. At the same
time, some states are improving access to higher
education for students who have distinguished
themselves.

Nebraska recently joined nine other states, including
California, Texas, New York and Illinois, that allow
illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at their
public institutions.

But unlike Texas, California does not allow these
students to apply for financial aid. Moving through
the Legislature this week is Senate Bill 160 by Sen.
Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, which would end this
prohibition.

The law would apply to students who are attending
college under AB 540, the measure by the late
Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, D-South Gate, that
then-Gov. Gray Davis signed into law in 2001.

To be eligible for in-state tuition, a student must
have attended a California high school for three years
and received a diploma or equivalent and met entrance
criteria.

The law also requires students to sign an affidavit
stating they have applied to become legal residents or
will do so if they become eligible.

In the California State University system,
out-of-state fees run about $10,000 more than in-state
fees per year. At the University of California, there
is a $15,000 surcharge. At California's community
colleges, in-state fees run about $78 per course,
while out-of-state students pay $500.

Advocates say that even with AB 540, many
high-performing illegal immigrants who would otherwise
attend college have been unable to do so because they
are not eligible for aid.

At UCLA, where tuition alone costs more than $2,300 a
quarter, members of a group called IDEAS (Improving
Dreams, Equality, Access and Success) have been making
telephone calls to round up support for the financial
aid measure, said Carol's Montes.

Montes, who co-founded the campus counterpart to the
Orange County Dream Team, works up to 30 hours a week
in an AB 540 outreach program and as a lab assistant
to pay her tuition.

"Everyone has stress figuring out how to pay for
college, but for us it's more embedded because we have
fewer options," said Montes, a senior.

The daughter of a carpenter and a homemaker who have
raised five children, Montes was 4 when her parents
entered the country illegally from Honduras.

She graduated at the top of her high school class and
is majoring in physiological sciences at UCLA. Her
older sister is an AB 540 student at California State
University, Northridge.

In a state where Latinos have the highest school
dropout and poverty rates, the sisters are the
exception rather than the norm.

Indeed, most of the students who register under the
guidelines of AB 540 are not illegal immigrants. The
law also applies to legal residents, for example,
whose parents moved out of state when they were high
school seniors, or who attended boarding school
elsewhere.

Only 371 students enrolled in the UC system during the
2005-06 academic year were undocumented immigrants
admitted under AB 540. The CSU system does not keep a
tally.

Most of the students who have taken advantage of the
law attend the state's community colleges. During the
first 2 1/2 years of the law, more than 18,000 did so.

But Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-San Diego, and other critics
allege it violates the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The measure bans
states from granting rights to illegal immigrants that
do not apply to every U.S. citizen.

Bilbray, who rode anger over illegal immigration to an
election victory in June, has two children who
graduated from high school in Virginia. They are
paying out-of-state tuition to attend college in
California.

Bilbray, his two children and 40 out-of-state students
attending California colleges are challenging the law
in a suit filed in Yolo Superior Court. A decision is
expected any day.

"You have a sitting member of Congress with children
who are totally documented and are still being
required to pay out-of-state fees," Bilbray said.
"That's not right."

But Robert Rubin, legal director of the Lawyers
Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco, maintains
the law does not violate federal law because tuition
benefits are not restricted to illegal immigrants.

All you have to prove is that you are a California
high school graduate who has spent at least three
years in a California high school.

Rubin, who is representing AB 540 students in the
case, has advocated for these students since the 1980s
when he successfully argued they could attend school
as residents.

In 1990, a court ruling determined that these students
must pay out-of-state costs and do it without
financial aid. AB 540 reopened campuses to illegal
immigrants.

"These kids have overcome such great obstacles, they
really represent some of the most industrious
individuals that the state has," Rubin said. "They are
kids who -- whether legal or not -- are going to
remain in this state."

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, does not
disagree these students embody heartwarming stories.
But their presence on campus, he said, is wrong.

"I think it's unfair -- not just to California
students -- but residents from adjacent states who
can't come in here at the same tuition rate," Emmerson
said.

Like Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, Emmerson
has introduced legislation to repeal AB 540. Both were
unsuccessful.

Antonia Rivera, a member of the Orange County Dream
Team Coalition, is familiar with their arguments.

Rivera, 24, was 6 when she arrived from Mexico with
her parents.

A recent graduate of the University of California,
Irvine, she plans to use her education to contribute
to the only country she has ever known.

"If I'm going to change the world, I want to begin
with my house," she said.

   -----------------------

What financial aid bill would do Senate Bill 160 would
allow students who are attending college under
Assembly Bill 540 to apply for financial aid.

AB 540, enacted in 2001, allows illegal immigrants to
attend college for the same in-state tuition charged
legal residents. The law also applies to legal
residents whose parents moved out of state when they
were high school seniors, or who attended boarding
school elsewhere.

To be eligible under AB 540, a student must have
attended a California high school for three years and
received a diploma or equivalent and meet entrance
criteria to pay in-state tuition.

The measure also requires students to sign an
affidavit stating they have applied to become legal
residents or will do so if they become eligible.

   -----------------------------
About the writer:
The Bee's Aurelio Rojas can be reached at
(916) 326-5545 or arojas@....

=====================================

The DREAM ACT

Greeley Tribune, September 2, 2006
By Millete Birhanemaskel

What if your future was being debated by strangers,
and all you could do was stand idly by and watch?
Everything they said directly affected you, but you
couldn't say a word.

Eighteen-year-old Alex Chadira didn't have to imagine.

He attended a congressional field hearing Friday
hosted by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave at the University of
Northern Colorado. He sat inside the walls of an
institution of higher learning that would never accept
him as a student.

Chadira is the son of undocumented parents. And,
although he has lived in the United States since he
was 4 years old and graduated from Skyline High School
in Longmont, he cannot gain admission into a college
or university.

Federal law mandates educating children, regardless of
legal status, through high school. After that,
technically, they are breaking the law as undocumented
immigrants in the country.

Witnesses' testimony at UNC incited cheers and jeers
from about 120 who attended. Some saw the
controversial Dream Act, which has been reintroduced
in Congress, as an argument of the rights of U.S.
citizens over all others, a national security issue
and a law that would create additional tax burden for
Coloradans.

If passed, the Dream Act would provide a path to legal
citizenship for children of undocumented workers with
"good moral character." It also would provide Colorado
high school graduates who are undocumented immigrants
an opportunity to pay in-state tuition. Eight states,
including California, Texas and Kansas, have statutes
that already allow for this.

Kris Kobach, professor of law at the University of
Missouri, said such statutes are in violation of
federal law. And changing the law would amount to a
"pervasive incentive" for illegal immigration. He
said, "It's a slap in the face to Americans who play
by the rules and follow the laws."

Others said the issue is not about immigration at all.

More than 60,000 undocumented children graduate from
U.S. high schools each year, testified Jared Polis,
vice chairman of the Colorado State Board of
Education. Many don't know life outside of the United
States; English is their only fluent language.

So the question then becomes whether children should
be punished for their parents' mistakes.

Chadira saved $8,000 mowing lawns, changing brake pads
and doing oil changes in the neighborhood. After
graduation last spring, he went to Front Range
Community College in Longmont where, he said, he was
denied enrollment. So instead of beginning his
freshman year of college, the B-C average student, who
wants to study accounting, just hangs out at home,
wasting time.

"We make criminals out of our kids," said Richard
Garcia, executive director of Colorado Statewide
Parent Coalition.

Polis was met by applause when he said it was not only
the right thing to do but the American thing to do to
give them access to education. The moderator
threatened to throw people out who reacted during the
hearing.

"The future depends on our ability to teach all
children," Polis said.

So does Chadira's.

   ----------------------------------

About the Dream Act

The Dream Act:

-- Would provide a path to legal status for people
brought to this nation years ago as children.

-- To qualify, an undocumented person would have to
have graduated from a U.S. high school; entered the
country at age 15 or younger, or at least 5 years
before the bill is enacted; and have "good moral
character."

-- Qualified individuals would be granted a six-year
conditional status, during which they would have to
complete two years of higher education or serve at
least two years in the military. The Dream Act also
would eliminate a federal statutory provision that
would allow states to use their own funds to provide
in-state tuition to undocumented students.

Overheard

~ "We tell children to go to school, stay out of
trouble and succeed. It's the right thing to do and
the American thing to do," said Jared Polis, vice
chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education.

~ "It's a slap in the face to American citizens who
play by the rules and follow the laws," said Kris
Kobach, professor of Law, University of Missouri.

Colorado tax dollars

~ In 2005, undocumented immigrant households paid
between $159 million and $194 million in total state
and local taxes.

~ Undocumented workers cost the state about $225
million for mandatory services such as K-12 education,
emergency medical care and incarceration.

~ Undocumented workers tax payments equal between
70-86 percent of state, local governments' costs for
providing federally mandated services.

Source: The Bell Policy Center

====================================

*** Students Rally in Washington, DC ***

September 7, 2006
From: carlos, csaavedra@...

Students showed their interest in the current debate
on immigration reform in the nation's capitol today.

Students from New York and Massachusetts carried their

DREAM banner and wore graduation caps and gowns at the
rally held on 1st Avenue and Constitution - by our
nation's Capitol.

The rally was joined by many members of the National
Capitol Immigration Coalition, which includes LULAC,
the League of United Latin American Citizens.

LULAC promotes positive comprehensive immigration
reform that is REALISTIC and REASONABLE.

~ Support Immigrants
~ Don�t Divide Our Families
~ Don�t Divide Our Communities

Organized by the National Capital Immigration
Coalition.

If you have any questions regarding the event please
contact Juan Carlos Ruiz, NCIC, at 414-758-0600 or
Dr. Gabriela Lemus, LULAC, 202-833-6130

========================================

*** FOCUS ON THE FUTURE -- "HIV/AIDS in the Latino
community: an urgent issue at an urgent time" ***

Thursday, September 7, 2006 / 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Home of Ernie Schmider & Omar Rodriguez
453 Santa Ana Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92663
RSVP: Michelle Burton, 949-809-5720 /
       or mburton@...

By: AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

SPEAKER: Hon. John J. Duran, Councilmember, City of
West Hollywood, CA

* Refreshments will be served


The Latino community continues to increase in
population, prestige and influence in the United
States:

~ Latino-owned businesses in the United States totaled
1.2 million firms, employed over 1.3 million people
and generated $186.3 billion in revenues in 1997.
(U.S. Census Bureau, March 22, 2001).

~ 71% of eligible Latino voters turned out to cast
ballots, compared to the national average of 51%.
(Hispanic Magazine, January/February 2001).

~ Latino purchasing power is at an all time high of
nearly $500 billion and is expected to reach $1
trillion by 2010. Latinos are the fastest-growing
consumer segment and now comprise 13.6% of the teenage
population, which adds up to 4.3 million young
consumers with an estimated spending budget of $20
billion. (Hispanics Today: Leaders of the New
Millennium, TWI, 2001).

Unfortunately, Latinos represented nearly half of all
new AIDS cases in Orange County in 2005 and are
frequently diagnosed at a late stage of their illness
with many additional health complications.

Rates of new HIV infection show alarming growth among
men and women in the Latino population. Join us to
discuss why this is happening and how we can work
together to stop the spread and get treatment for
those already affected.

   -------------------
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County is
commemorating
its 20th year of service to the community.

========================================

*** Fundraiser for Dennis Kucinich ***

Sunday, September 10, 2006 / 5 pm - 9 pm
Machinists Union District Lodge 725
5402 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach, CA
* Food will be provided
Minimum Donation: $50 for adults (children free).
Larger donations are encouraged. No one will be turned
away for lack of funds.
RSVP: Dennis's West Coast Events Coordinator
Julia at Julia@... or calling her at
(707)547-7902 or by emailing
info@... or calling
(714)953-0187.

From: info@...
You are invited to a Fundraiser for Dennis Kucinich -
to meet and speak with the congressman.

After leading the opposition to USA-PATRIOT and the
war in Iraq, Dennis sponsored bi-partisan legislation
to withdraw from Iraq, sent letters of inquiry into
the wrongdoings of the Bush Administration in Iraq and

Iran, and sponsored legislation to stop star wars, to
abolish nuclear weapons, to abolish the death penalty
and to create a cabinet level Department of Peace.

All contributions go to Dennis's campaign so he can
continue to fight for your interests in Congress.

======================================

*** CA's Orange County NAACP Branch #1052 to Hold
Candidates Forum Night ***

By: The Orange County, NAACP (Orange County National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
is co-sponsoring a Candidates Forum Night, on

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 / 6 pm - 8:30 pm
6 pm - 6:30 pm: Social Mixer
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Forum
Southwest Community Senior Center
2201 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, CA
INFO: 714-542-8230

Moderator: Orange County League of Women Voters

Orange County has over two hundred (200) candidates
whose names are on the November 7, 2006 Ballot.  We
are inviting voting citizens to attend, meet and
listen to the candidates on their positions for the
job they are seeking.

Invited candidates for following positions: Santa Ana
Mayor and City Councilmembers, U.S. Congress, State
Assembly, State Senate, Superiro Court Judges.

Forum Format:
~ Welcome / Introductions
~ Review of Ground Rules and Order of Candidates
~ Introduction of Candidates
~ Candidates� Opening Statements
~ Questions from the Public
~ Candidates� Closing Statements

From: Lizzie M. Lyles, Chairperson, PAC
Orange County NAACP
Post Office Box 3141
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 5433637

=======================================

*** Comm Link Holds Debate of Santa Ana City Council
(CA) Candidates ***


By: The Communication Linkage Forum  (Com-Link)

Candidates Forum for the offices of Santa Ana Mayor
and City Council, Wards 2,4, and 6.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006
6:30 pm - 7 pm: Social Time
7 pm - 9 pm: Candidate Forum
Santa Ana City Council Chambers
(Parking will be validated)

22 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA  92701

Moderated by: League of Women Voters

The Candidates Forum will be cablecast live on Cable
TV Channel 3 (Santa Ana) and may also be viewed live
over the Web at http://www.santa-ana.org

Replays on both will be at:
September 15 / 6 pm
September 16 / 4 pm
September 17 / 1 pm

========================================

*** Fundraiser for Michelle Martinez ***

Thursday, September 21, 2006 / 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Home of Ralph & Joyce Allen
1002 River Lane, Santa Ana, CA
Cost: $50 - Person / $75 - Couple / $99 - Friend
RSVP: 714-704-9254 / 714-835-5623

Michelle Martinez - Candidate for Santa Ana City
Council, Ward 2

=======================================

*** LISTEN...!!! Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA ***

August 31; September 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10
(Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday: 8 pm; Sundays: 6 pm)
FRIDA KAHLO Theater
2332 W. Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA 90057
Tickets: $8 general; $5 for children, students with
ID, and senior citizens.
INFO/RSVP: 213-382-8133
(Offices open Tuesday through Sundays 1 pm - 6 pm)
http://www.fridakahlotheater.org

Presented by: Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA
Written and directed by Ruben Garfias and performed
by our Acting for Children and Youth students.

LISTEN...!!! is a workshop production based on a theme
that should be anathema to children and all
humanity...war.

That in the 21st century the very pornographic idea of
war to solve conflict or advance an agenda runs
contrary to all other advancements in our human time
line and yet it is all too present. How to express
that moment when in the blink of an eye all that we
knew to be common is now turned into rubble and fire
and pain. This is the path these young actors decided
to confront in the hope and expectation that their
lives be made more whole, their minds more rigorous
and their path to peace ever more constant.

Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA and FRIDA KAHLO Theater
also offer Workshops for Children and Adults.

The SONY Media Arts Program

ANIMATION --  Starts October 4
FREE! For Children 10 � 14
Saturdays: 11 am - 2 pm
Wednesdays: 4 pm - 7 pm
Instructors: CAL ARTS

THEATER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
$48 / 3 months
Children 8 years and older
Saturdays 10 am � 12 Noon
Instructor: RUBEN GARFIAS

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR CHILDREN
Call Rico 213-639-1572

THEATER FOR ADULTS (In Spanish)
$100 / 3 months
Tuesdays 7 - 9 pm
Instructor: PEDRO J. ORTIZ

PHOTOGRAPHY
Call Rico 213-639-1572

ADVANCED SCENE WORKSHOP
Sundays 11 am � 2 pm
Instructor: Francisco Cali

The William Reagh Los Angeles Photography Center is
operated by Grupo de Teatro SINERGIA in partnership
with the Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los
Angeles. Programming made possible, in part, by grants
from Department of Cultural Affairs City of Los
Angeles, and Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

=================================

*** "Light the Night Walk" ***

Saturday, September 16, 2006
Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA
Register: http://www.lightthenight.org/tri
           or 714-881-0610 x329
           mcenteeb@...

WALK THIS WAY -- To Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society

Will you walk two miles to save a life? Light The
Night is a local, fundraising, two-mile evening walk
held at Angel Stadium, Anaheim every fall. Walkers
carry illuminated balloons to celebrate the lives of
those affected by cancer--white balloons for survivors
and red balloons for supporters.

Join Team Franklin for the Light the Night 2006 as
parents, students and staff walk to commemorate lives
touched by cancer. Team Franklin will be honoring two
Franklin students who succumbed to leukemia and
showing our support to all students in Santa Ana who
are currently battling leukemia.

Thank you for your support -- Tammi Sanchez.

===============================

*** Rancho Santiago Community College
              District�s Chancellor�s Ball***

�Dive into Mystery and Masquerade at the Ninth Annual
Chancellor�s Ball�

Friday, October 13, 2006 / 6 pm - 11 pm
The Grove of Anaheim 2200 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA
Cost: $175 per person
Sponsorships Available: Ranges -- $1,750 to $15,000.
INFO: (714) 480-7450 // http://www.rsccd.org/cb06/

RSCCD invites you to an evening of �mystery and
masquerade� featuring silent and live auctions, fine
cuisine, the music of Orquesta Caribe, bewitching
dance performances, featuring Santa Ana College (SAC)
students and faculty, created by renowned
choreographer Eve Kikawa, SAC dance department chair,
and emcee David Cruz, Channel 4 News co-anchor.

Last year, the black tie optional event drew more than
400 attendees and raised more than $100,000 for
student scholarships and innovative college programs.
You can help this year�s ball be even more successful!
One hundred percent of the proceeds fund student
academic and book scholarships helping to make higher
education accessible to all.  A highlight of the
evening is the presentation of the Partners in
Education Awards.

Printed Program Ad Space Available:
   ~ Full Page Inside: $750 (7.5� wide x 10� tall)
   ~ Half Page Horizontal: $350 (7.5� wide x 5� tall)
   ~ Quarter Page: $250 (3.5� wide x 5� tall) All space
reservations and camera-ready art is due by September
15; contact Christina Durdella at (714) 564-6095.

If you can�t attend, but want to support student
scholarships at Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon
College, donations can be sent to:
RSCCD Foundation (Tax ID #95-3847834).
Rancho Santiago Community College District
2323 N. Broadway, Suite 408
Santa Ana, CA 92706

=====================================

~~ In Schools Across U.S., the Melting Pot Overflows ~~

By SAM DILLON
August 27, 2006

STERLING, Va., Aug. 25 � Some 55 million youngsters
are enrolling for classes in the nation�s schools this
fall, making this the largest group of students in
America�s history and, in ethnic terms, the most
dazzlingly diverse since waves of European immigrants
washed through the public schools a century ago.

Millions of baby boomers and foreign-born parents are
enrolling their children, sending a demographic bulge
through the schools that is driving a surge in
classroom construction.

It is also causing thousands of districts to hire
additional qualified teachers at a time when the Bush
administration is trying to increase teacher
qualifications across the board. Many school systems
have begun recruiting overseas for instructors in
hard-to-staff subjects like special education and
advanced math.

The rising enrollments are most obvious in districts
like this one west of Washington, in Loudoun County,
one of the nation�s fastest-growing school systems.

Thousands of government, technology and construction
workers, many of them Hispanic, Asian and
African-American, are streaming into new subdivisions
within commuting distance of the Pentagon and the
headquarters of America Online. They are transforming
a school system that was once small and overwhelmingly
white into one that is sprawling and increasingly
cosmopolitan.

Thuy Nguyen, a 16-year-old junior at Park View High
School in Sterling, has watched the recent
transformation. She moved with her family to Virginia
from Vietnam when she was 9 years old, and recalls
that most of her fifth-grade classmates were white.

�I was new, afraid, and I didn�t speak very well
English,� Ms. Nguyen said. �I didn�t talk to anybody.�
Six years later she says making friends is easier.

�What I like about a diverse school is that you don�t
feel intimidated if there are other races,� she said.
�I�m jumping around, talking to the Caucasian clique
and the Middle Eastern clique. I have friends from El
Salvador, Mexico, Peru � one girl is half Korean and
half Puerto Rican, she�s cool � and from India,
Pakistan, Afghanistan.

�There�s a girl from Bangladesh; we tell each other
everything. I also knew a Swedish guy. He happened to
be very hot. So I talk to all the different groups. I
don�t want it to be, like, �You�re just in the Asian
clique.� �

Kathy Hackney is Ms. Nguyen�s tennis coach.

�My team looks like the League of Nations,� Ms.
Hackney said.

The Loudoun County Public Schools, where annual pay
for starting teachers is $40,986, has hired almost all
the 650 new teachers it needs to fill its classrooms
when school begins on Sept. 5, scores of them through
agencies that recruit teachers in foreign countries,
the superintendent, Edgar B. Hatrick, said.

But some rapidly growing districts across the nation
are having trouble. The Clark County School District
in Las Vegas, for instance, where teachers� starting
salary is $33,000, has hired 2,000 teachers. But with
classes scheduled to start Wednesday, the district was
still looking for 400 others, mostly to teach special
education and math, said Pat Nelson, a spokeswoman.

The Plainfield Community Consolidated School District
west of Chicago, which has grown to 26,000 students
from 8,700 in 1998, had already hired 300 new teachers
this year, said John Harper, the superintendent. But
in one 36-hour period just days before the fall term
resumed this past Wednesday, 500 new students enrolled
for classes, Mr. Harper said, forcing the district to
rearrange student schedules and hire more teachers.

�A summer�s planning can fall apart when we suddenly
have hundreds of new students,� he said.

Most districts eventually find the teachers they need,
but in extreme cases, some increase class sizes or
call on substitutes until they hire a permanent
teacher.

In projections published last year, the federal
Department of Education said the nation�s elementary
and secondary enrollments would grow, on average, by
about 200,000 students annually, reaching 56.7 million
in 2014. Demographers say the current bulge moving
through the nation�s school systems owes to the
children of the baby boom generation, which lasted
from about 1946 to 1964, as well as to the children of
immigrants. The enrollment trends would be uneven,
regionally, with schools in the Northeast and Midwest
losing students, on average, and those in the South
and West growing, the department said.

The projections showed New York State�s public school
enrollment dropping 6 percent from 2002 to 2014,
Connecticut�s enrollment falling by 1 percent in the
same period, and New Jersey�s rising by 3.5 percent.

The department outlined the most spectacular growth
for Nevada, where 2002 enrollment was projected to
rise 28 percent by 2014, and for Texas, where it was
charted to increase 16 percent in the same period.

The Frisco Independent School District, north of
Dallas, has seen spectacular growth. In 1998, the
system had eight schools with 4,500 students. When
classes began Aug. 15, the district had 23,200
students in 34 schools.

�Our challenge has been to build schools fast enough,�
said Rick Reedy, the superintendent.

The first years of the 21st century have seen
tremendous new classroom construction in many regions,
with school districts spending some $20 billion
annually on capital projects, said Paul Abramson, who
wrote a nationwide survey of school construction,
published earlier this year.

Construction crews completed work on three schools
just days before students reported to classes on Aug.
7 in the Flagler County School District north of
Daytona Beach, Fla., where enrollment has doubled to
12,000 students since 1998. Bill Delbrugge, the
superintendent, said he had e-mailed a plea for help
in completing the work.

Peter Palmer, a former teacher, said he and scores of
other volunteers had assembled desks, hauled books and
carried chairs for three days in a somewhat chaotic,
but eventually triumphant, sprint to ready the new
buildings for students.

The explosive recent growth has forced school
officials into last-minute improvisations in Loudoun
County, too. In 15 years, enrollment in the district
has tripled, to 47,361 in 2005 from 14,633 in 1990;
the number of Asian students has multiplied twelvefold
and Hispanics seventeenfold. The district has built 38
schools since 1995, including Legacy Elementary in
Ashburn, Va., which opened a year ago on a landscape
that bulldozers were rapidly transforming from
soybeans to suburbia.

As of last Tuesday the school had enrolled nearly 200
students beyond the 875 it was designed to
accommodate.

�We�re in an overflow situation, unfortunately, so
we�ll have to put you on a waiting list,� Corinne
Mirch, a school secretary, told Luis Bermejo, a
Mexican-born stonemason who said he moved to the
district in 1996, and had come to the school office to
enroll his 5-year-old daughter, Sofia, for
kindergarten. Sofia would probably be assigned to
another elementary school in Ashburn, Ms. Mirch said.

One of Legacy�s special education teachers for the
fall term was recruited in the Philippines through a
search firm based in Delaware, said Legacy�s
principal, Robert. W. Duckworth. The district
recruited a Spanish teacher and an English as a Second
Language teacher for Legacy in Colombia, through
Visiting International Faculty, a group based in North
Carolina.

The group is sponsoring about 95 foreign teachers in
Loudoun County schools, as well as about 1,600
teachers in 1,000 other American schools. The State
Department issues the foreign teachers three-year
cultural exchange visas, said Ned Glascock, a
spokesman for the group.

Because of its voracious demand for qualified new
teachers and to broaden staff diversity, the Loudoun
district has established a carefully orchestrated,
year-round teacher recruiting effort. When the
district identified a talented Navajo Indian teaching
candidate, Melissa Wright, who was to graduate from
college in Hawaii this past spring, several Loudoun
County officials got a nice assignment: a February
recruiting trip to Honolulu.

�I think you�re amazing � I want to offer you a job
right now,� Ms. Wright quoted one district official as
telling her.

In the weeks thereafter, former principals and others
working for the district as �candidate care
ambassadors� sent Ms. Wright dozens of e-mail messages
encouraging her to sign on and offering her help with
buying a car, finding a residence and other advice,
she said.

Ms. Wright, who signed with the district in April,
said she had been attracted to descriptions of Loudoun
County as a magnet for international families and a
place that nurtured cultural differences as schools
across America are rapidly becoming more diverse.

Three decades ago, in 1973, 78 percent of the students
attending the nation�s public schools were white and
22 percent were minorities, a category including
blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and
�other,� according to Education Department statistics.
In 2004, the last year for which numbers were
available, 57 percent of all public school students
were white, while 43 percent were minorities.

The department does not project student racial and
ethnic data for elementary and secondary schools, said
Val Plisko, an associate commissioner at the National
Center for Education Statistics.

But if trends continue as they have for 30 years,
minority students appear likely to outnumber white
students within a decade or so. In six states �
California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico
and Texas � they already do.

The nation�s public schools also brought together an
extraordinary mix of students in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries, when they first earned their
reputation as melting pots, said William J. Reese, a
history professor at the University of Wisconsin.

Early in the last century, Senator William P.
Dillingham, a Vermont Republican, tried to measure
diversity. He led a commission that studied the public
schools during the 1908-9 year as part of his campaign
to restrict the immigration of Catholics and Jews from
Central and Southern Europe, categorizing students as
native-born or foreign-born.

The commission found that in the few dozen largest
cities, 42 percent of students were native-born, while
58 percent were foreign-born, Dr. Reese said. The
commission made no effort to count students outside
cities, he said.

Making comparisons between 21st-century schools and
those operating in Senator Dillingham�s time is
difficult because reporting practices have changed
drastically.

�But,� Dr. Reese said, �we can say that today�s
students are the most ethnically and racially diverse
that the nation�s schools have educated in nearly a
century.�

====end====

~~ Davenport superintendent to address
    LULAC festival ~~

The Quad City Times
Davenport, Iowa
September 1, 2006

This year�s League of United Latin American Citizens
fiesta, is Saturday and will welcome new Davenport
schools superintendent Julio Almanza.

It begins at 5 p.m. at 4224 Ricker Hill Road,
Davenport. Admission is $8, free for children younger
than 12. Valentina Mendoza of Davenport will be
crowned queen of the 47th annual festival at 7 p.m.

================================

~~ More than 100 teams sign up for LULAC softball
tourney ~~

By Kristi Hsu / hsuk@...
Abilene Reporter News (TX)
September 1, 2006


More than 105 teams signed up to play softball this
weekend and raise money for Big County high school
students.

The teams are playing in two softball tournaments
hosted by the League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) Council 605.

LULAC's tournaments go around the clock,
marathon-style, in Nelson Park, said Anna Vedro, the
tournament director and LULAC's vice president for
youth. That means there's a good chance local
residents can see some softball action anytime between
tonight and Sunday night.

Close to $10,000 in tournament fees will go to
scholarships and other educational programs, Vedro
said. LULAC is hosting two tournaments this year.

One, which is in its 30th year, is for same-gender
teams, More than half of the team members must be of
Hispanic descent, or who are married to people of
Hispanic descent.

''It's basically for anyone that knows about the life
of the Hispanic,'' Vedro said.

The other tournament, which is in its first year, is
for men and women and players can be of any ethnicity.


Another new addition this year is the Parade in the
Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. Vedro said LULAC wanted
youth groups to enter the parade for a chance to win
$1,000, but she hasn't gotten much response yet.

Where to watch: Softball games begin at 10 p.m. Friday
at Nelson Park, and continue through Sunday evening.

====================================

~~ LULAC Shopping For Homes In Farmers Branch ~~

Hispanic Leaders Aim To Purchase 157 Homes In City

NBC5 News, Dallas - Fort Worth, TX
August 29, 2006


FARMERS BRANCH, Texas -- Hispanic leaders said they
won't be bullied out of Farmers Branch and plan to
purchase every home for sale in the city to make them
available for Hispanic families.

The move to purchase more than 150 homes in the city
is in response to City Council member Tim O'Hare's
proposal to make it harder for illegal immigrants to
live and work in the city. Hispanic leaders said they
now want to make Farmers Branch the place to live the
American Dream -- and the plan to purchase the homes
is an investment in the future of the city.

"What we are saying very clearly is that we're making
a stand. We are not going to advocate Farmers Branch.
Quite the contrary, we're going to invest in Farmers
Branch," said Carlos Quintanilla of the League of
United Latin-American Citizens. "We are going to
motivate people to move into Farmers Branch because we
cannot afford to let anyone scare us out of any city."

Jackie Steen has lived in Farmers Branch for more than
20 years and said it doesn't matter what language you
speak on her street.

"I think they've always been welcome in Farmers
Branch. I think the block where I live that one-third
or half of the homes are owned by Hispanics. It's
never been a problem. They're good neighbors -- we're
good neighbors," said Steen.

Members of LULAC and the Latino Real Estate and
Mortgage Professionals are joining together to
encourage Hispanic home ownership in the city. They
want to sell the available homes to Hispanic families
-- including council member O'Hare's home.

O'Hare is on vacation but told NBC 5 that "people of
any and all races are welcome to buy my house."

"We just want to own a little piece of Texas just like
everybody else," said Xochitl Trejo, a real estate
broker.

"The bottom line is we have homes for sale. They need
to be bought again -- no matter what race, what color.
Let's bring them in," said Christy Hoverter, Farmers
Branch homeowner.

Currently there are 157 homes for sale in the city of
Farmers Branch worth an estimated $22 million. Prices
on the homes vary fom $64,000 to $1.2 million.

======================================

~~ Illegal migrant proposal stirs passions in FB ~~

Residents disagree on whether councilman's plan is
right move for suburb in transition

By Stephanie Sandoval
The Dallas Morning News
August 26, 2006


Its high-rises, home to nearly 2,600 companies, give
it the appearance of a major metropolitan city.

But beneath the glitter is a small, aging suburb in
transition.

Farmers Branch, bordered by Dallas on the south and
Carrollton to the north, has become home to a large
number of immigrants. The city was more than 90
percent white in 1970. Today, it is over one-third
Hispanic and about one-fourth foreign-born.

Also, the city's housing stock and commercial
buildings are showing signs of age and decay.

Now, amid what some elected officials say is part of
an ongoing effort to turn around property decline and
bring new money and new life into the city, this
suburb of about 28,000 residents finds itself in the
spotlight of the contentious national debate on
illegal immigration.

Council member Tim O'Hare has suggested the city fine
employers and landlords who hire or lease property to
illegal immigrants.

He also wants to make English the city's official
language and end funding for illegal immigrant
children in some of the city's youth programs.

The ideas largely mirror an ordinance passed in
Hazelton, Pa., this summer. That measure has drawn
lawsuits challenging its constitutionality.

On Saturday, more than 300 people took part in a rally
at Farmers Branch City Hall to protest Mr. O'Hare's
proposal. The rally was spearheaded by several
chapters of the League of United Latin American
Citizens and volunteers for the Southwest Voter
Registration Education Project.

Mr. O'Hare and supporters said the suggestions have
nothing to do with race or national origin but are
about reducing the burden and problems created by
people who shouldn't be in the U.S. in the first
place.

"I've never said and don't believe all the
deteriorating neighborhoods are 100 percent the result
of illegal immigrants," Mr. O'Hare said. "I'm trying
to clean up Farmers Branch and clean up the
neighborhoods and make this place what it once was, or
better than it once was, and the illegal immigration
thing is one of many things that need to be done."

Criticism of O'Hare

Hector Flores of Dallas, immediate past national
president of LULAC, said city officials are unfairly
blaming illegal immigrants for trends that aging
first-ring suburbs around the country are facing.

"We know what he means," Mr. Flores said. "All those
code words. ... It's about poor people. They don't
want working-class people there. I think his goal is
to exclude working-class people in that community."

Farmers Branch residents Debby Lords and Jean Escobedo
said they also are concerned about declining
neighborhoods, in particular overcrowding in homes,
run-down rental properties, and beer bottles and trash
in yards.

But both say Mr. O'Hare is going about it wrong.

"It's not about creed, color or gender � none of
that," Ms. Lords said. "I think it needs to be
addressed from code enforcement."

Ms. Escobedo said illegal immigrants are part of the
problem.

"They don't feel like the laws here should pertain to
them," she said.

But she said the community should help illegal
immigrants learn English, get an education, find
employment and adapt to the culture here that expects
properties to be maintained.

Mr. O'Hare said the city's older neighborhoods face
not only the problem of poorly maintained properties,
but also a rising crime rate, declines in property
values or growth in valuations less than the rate of
inflation, and lowered performance of local schools as
the influx of non-English-speaking students continues.

Crime is down

However, Farmers Branch police statistics show that
major crime was down 9.2 percent in 2005. And from
January to July of this year, crime was down 8.5
percent in the major categories, which include murder,
rape, robbery, aggravated assault and burglary.

Valuations of existing residential properties this
year were up 0.9 percent, the smallest increase in a
decade, said Charles Cox, city finance director. Since
fiscal 1996-97, he said, valuations have risen between
1.4 percent and 12.1 percent every year until this
year.

"In the 1999-2000 fiscal year, we had an increase of
4.9 percent. Every year from that point until now,
we've had a rate of growth greater than the rate of
inflation," Mr. Cox said.

Mr. O'Hare said that despite the numbers, Farmers
Branch residents are unable to sell their properties
for what the appraisal district says they should be
worth.

"You can't get around the fact that for an
overwhelming majority of people that live in our city
that own homes, that is far and away their biggest
asset," he said. "And I think I have a duty to try to
protect that asset and help it be a worthwhile asset
that returns money on their investment and inspires
people to continue to reinvest in their homes."

As for the schools, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch
school district is rated recognized by the Texas
Education Agency, with all five of the district's
Farmers Branch elementary and middle schools moving up
from acceptable to recognized this year.

R.L. Turner High School's rating remained acceptable.
The two DISD campuses in Farmers Branch, William L.
Cabell Elementary and W.T. White High School, also are
rated acceptable. But Mr. O'Hare said that acceptable
is not good enough to stem the decline of property
values or keep people from moving out.

"The issues in Farmers Branch are not unlike those of
other cities across the country," Mayor Bob Phelps
said in a written statement. "In Farmers Branch, we
also have a new wave of opportunity with our
innovative development. We are actively pursuing a
plan for redevelopment that will infuse new life into
our residential and commercial areas."

The city has taken several steps toward revitalizing
neighborhoods and boosting property values, including
acquiring land for development around a new DART
station, capping the number of vehicles that can be
parked at a home at five, and convening a task force
to help market the city and improve neighborhoods.

The city is considering builder and buyer incentive
programs to encourage new residential development in
older neighborhoods. The incentives would be for
buying lots, tearing down decaying homes and building
new, larger homes, or for buying existing homes for
extensive renovations.

First-ring suburbs

A study released this year by the Brookings
Institution, a research organization based in
Washington, D.C., found that first-ring suburbs �
those like Farmers Branch that are closest to the
central urban city � are facing some unique problems.

According to the study, racial and ethnic minorities
living in those suburbs more than doubled between 1980
and 2000 and now make up one-third of the population.

First-ring suburbs have become destination points for
immigrants, with almost 29 percent of foreign-born
residents calling them home. First-ring suburbs also
now have more foreign-born residents than major cities
do.

Farmers Branch was 90.2 percent white in 1970 and 78
percent white in 2000, according to census figures
posted on the city's Web site.

And the percentage of Farmers Branch residents who
have at least some college education rose from 37
percent in 1970 to 54 percent in 2000. However, the
median household income is lower when the 1970 median
income is converted to 2000 dollars, according to the
city's Web site.

In 1970, the median household income was $12,756.
Converted to 2000 dollars, it was $56,612. The 2000
median household income was $54,734.

"Show me a city that's not in a state of decline.
Every inner city and the immediate suburban areas in
some areas are in some state of decline," said Mr.
Flores of LULAC.

Mr. O'Hare said that illegal immigrants are only part
of the problem of the deterioration of the community.
But he said that they are benefiting from services and
programs funded by city, state and federal tax
dollars. That money should be spent serving people who
are here legally, he said.

"To all the people who suggest this is race-related, I
find that sad. It could not be farther from the
truth," Mr. O'Hare said. "Everybody is welcome in
Farmers Branch that is a legal citizen or legal alien,
no matter what country they're from, no matter what
language they speak, no matter what country.

"But if you're not here legally, you're breaking the
law, and we want to be a city that upholds the law."

E-mail ssandoval@...

=================================

~~ Parade ushers in Fiesta de las Flores ~~

By Darren Meritz
El Paso Times
August 28, 2006

The annual Fiesta de las Flores parade wound through
Downtown El Paso on Saturday morning to the delight of
spectators.

A total of 82 entries -- including floats, high-school
military units and bands and classic cars -- made
their way along the streets to launch the 54th annual
celebration.

The parade also allowed El Pasoans to see the 15 women
competing for the Fiesta de las Flores crown. The
pageant awards college scholarships to the top three
contestants.

Contestant Megan Harris, an El Paso Community College
dental hygiene and biology student, said tradition is
part of the annual fiesta's allure.

"El Paso is like a big family, and when you're out
here, it's like a big family reunion," said Harris,
21. "It's just exciting. It's an exciting experience."

The traditional parade and festival during Labor Day
weekend are designed to raise cultural awareness and
celebrate Hispanic culture in El Paso, said Carlos
Aguilar III, Fiesta de las Flores organizer for the
League of United Latin American Citizens.

The fiesta also raises money for LULAC programs,
including scholarships and community activities such
as readership programs for elementary schools, he
said.

The best part of the parade is "seeing how some of
(the pageant contestants) who were a little bit shy
and timid are blossoming into young se�oritas,"
Aguilar said.

"Seeing a lot of young people at this parade
demonstrates our impact on family and community."

The Fiesta de las Flores will be from 1 p.m. to
midnight Sept. 1�4 at the El Paso County Coliseum,
4100 Paisano.

Each year, the fiesta features concerts, carnival
rides, games and food. It is expected to draw as many
as 70,000 people.

Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door for
Friday; and $8 in advance and $10 at the door for
Sunday and Monday. The fiesta is free for children 12
and younger.

Darren Meritz may be reached at
dmeritz@...; 546-6127.

===========================================

~~ Hispanic counseling group loses federal aid ~~

Department of Education announced funding cut earlier
this month

by Natalie Hayes
Web Devil, Arizona State University
August 28, 2006

A national group that provides counseling for
low-income Hispanic students lost the federal funding
needed to operate their education centers.

The Department of Education announced early this month
that the League of United Latin American Citizens'
applications for grants failed to qualify for funding
and they would not receive the $3.4 million they
requested.

The organization had plans to open centers in eight
cities this fall, including one in Phoenix, but the
cut resulted in a change of plans.

LULAC will no longer be able to open the new centers
because two-thirds of their budget came from federal
funding in the past, said Matthew Looney, national
development coordinator for LULAC centers.

LULAC, a Latino civil rights organization, is the
largest and oldest of its kind in the U.S. and assists
Hispanic students with college admissions, academic
counseling, computer literacy and GED outreach
programs, according to information the group released.

Most of the existing counseling centers would stay
open but only keep one employee on staff, Looney said.

There are currently LULAC education centers in 17
cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Los
Angeles, Philadelphia and Denver.

If the cut in funding eventually forces the existing
centers to close, more than 12,500 students could be
left without the centers' educational services, Looney
said.

LULAC National President Rosa Rosales said in a
statement the decision to cut funding was unfair and
the organization had plans to challenge the decision.

LULAC officials have asked the Latino community to
contact lawmakers and voice their concerns.

"Our community is outraged and we must work with �
Congress to find a solution to this situation,"
Rosales said in a statement.

Department of Education officials were unable to be
reached for comment.

------------------
Reach the reporter at natalie.i.hayes@....

========================================

~~ Philadelphia Leaders Join LULAC and C4CC to Call on
Sens. Santorum and Specter to Help Pennsylvania Save
$329 million by Pushing for Cable Competition This
Year ~~~

(NOTE: LULAC, C4CC and state leaders from Florida and
Arkansas are following the same path described in the
article below for passage of a national cable
competition bill. - LULAC147InfoNet)

Press Release Newswire
August 28, 2006

PHILADELPHIA -- Pennsylvania residents could save
$329 million a year on their cable bills if U.S.
Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter help pass a
national cable competition bill next month,
Philadelphia leaders learned today from a national
consumer advocate.

"Consumers are working hard to pay for gas and other
necessities. They could really use a break," said
Robert K. Johnson, president of Consumers for Cable
Choice, a national coalition working to inject
competition into the nation's cable TV industry. "We
hope our senators keep this in mind when they return
to work in September."

Johnson, speaking at a community meeting at the League
of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National
Education Service Center, specifically called on U.S.
Sens. Santorum and Specter to deliver cable savings to
all American consumers.

The U.S. Senate could have enacted a national
competition bill in July before it adjourned for its
August vacation. The bill, approved in June by the
U.S. House of Representatives and a Senate committee,
could be voted on by the full Senate as early as
September.

Johnson outlined the benefits of injecting competition
into the largely monopolistic cable industry, basing
his savings on the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal
and Economic Public Policy Studies' examination of
actual savings realized in Texas, the first state to
enact a cable competition law. Texans have enjoyed
nearly $600 million in cable savings since September
2005.

The Phoenix Center study said consumers across the
country would save more than $7 billion if robust
cable competition existed in the U.S. Yearly savings
for northeastern region:

*  Connecticut - $93 million
*  New Jersey - $229 million
*  Delaware - $27 million
*  New York - $458 million
*  Maine - $37 million
*  Pennsylvania - $329 million
*  Maryland - $151 million
*  Rhode Island - $26 million
*  Massachusetts - $165 million
*  Vermont - $18 million
*  New Hampshire - $39 million
*  Washington, D.C. - $12 million

Also speaking up today for cable competition was Dr.
Gabriela Lemus, LULAC director of policy and
legislation. "We support cable television competition
because of the unlimited educational potential
advanced communications services offer to people of
all ages -- at home, at school and in the workplace,"
Lemus said. "We believe that in a competitive
environment, these services will flourish."

In addition to monthly cost savings, Johnson said
competition will do for the cable industry what it
does already in other markets: spur innovation and
expand service to reach as many customers as possible,
including rural residents and small business operators
who have long been ignored by traditional,
monopolistic cable companies.

Johnson said competition in the cable television
industry will bring the following:

** Lower cable TV costs by:

- Speeding entry of competing cable companies;
- Limiting government-imposed fees that are passed on
to cable subscribers;
- Limiting service cancellation fees to 1 month;
- Requiring cable operators to pay their subscribers
$100 when the operator violates consumer protection or
customer service rules.

** High-speed communication services to rural
    America by:

- Creating a half-billion dollar annual broadband fund
to speed rural deployment;
- Stabilizing the USF and making it sustainable.

** Access to Internet services for those with
disabilities by:

- Requiring that Internet Protocol equipment and
services be accessible to the disabled;
- Requiring the FCC to report to Congress regularly on
the status of accessibility;
Including disability rights organizations in Digital
TV transition working groups.

** Enhanced public safety by:

- Accelerating the availability to first responders of
$1B to create interoperable communications
capabilities
- Providing funding for the interoperability of E-911
public safety systems.

** Internet consumer protection by:

- Creating federal consumer protection and customer
service rules for wireless service, including
requirements to make bills easier to understand;
- Implementing a "Consumer Internet Bill of Rights";
- Creating a 120-day complaint procedure at the FCC
with fines of up to $500,000 per day for violations;
Requiring providers to offer "stand-alone" broadband
Internet access;
- Prohibiting sexually explicit content on the first
page of a Web site or attempts to deceive others into
viewing sexually explicit content;
- Limiting advertising time during children's
programming on cable TV;
- Increasing fines for distribution of child
pornography;
- Increasing civil remedies for victims of the sexual
exploitation of children.

   ------------------------
About Consumers for Cable Choice
http://www.Consumers4Choice.org

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., C4CC is a
national alliance of consumer advocacy groups, private
citizens -- including Pennsylvanians -- who are
committed to promoting maximum choice for consumers in
cable, video and broadband services. C4CC uses a
combination of education and grassroots advocacy to
impact change, which will result in a deregulated and
pro-consumer market that stimulates fair price, more
choices and better service options in the cable
television industry. President Johnson has been
advocating for policies that benefit residential and
small business consumers for more than 20 years.

About LULAC http://www.lulac.org

LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization
in the United States and has approximately 115,000
members throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. LULAC
advances the economic condition, educational
attainment, political influence, health and civil
rights of Hispanic Americans through community- based
programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils
nationwide. The organization involves and serves all
Hispanic nationality groups. For more information,
call (202) 833-6130.

---------------------
Source: Consumers for Cable Choice

====end====