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Volume 6 Number 3 LaLaLa VVVozozoz A Bilingual Publication March, 2011 www.lavoznewspapers.com (512) 944-4123 Inside this Issue

People in the News

Hispanic Health and Assimilation

Letter to the Editor from Ed Gomez

Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Announces New Board

Southwest Key Makes Proposal to School District

Juan Montoya Comments on Brownsville Native

The Day of An Interview the Fallen with Lori Moya En Palabras AISD Trustee Hay Poder in District 6 Page 2 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 People in the News

After seeing her six children Rolando Fernandez Jr. currently 1998 with a B.A. in History and for Mexican American Studies, graduate from college, she became serves as the City of Austin Public Policy, along with a minor in and the Center for African & a writer, penning both poems and Assistant Director of the Contract Film and Media Studies. African American Studies. short stories and volunteered at the and Land Management Mexic-Arte Museum from 1984 to Department. Prior to this, After moving to Austin that same Her recent scholarship has 2010. In 2001, Aurora attended Fernandez served as the Assistant year to pursue film and music, she focused on U.S. Latina/o President George W. Bush First to Austin City Manager Marc Ott returned to one of her first loves - performance and popular culture. State Dinner for President Fox of from August 2008 to October 2010. acting - and was a Vortex Her articles, “Remembering Selena, Mrs. Orozco Passes Mexico with daughter Sylvia. As Assistant to the City Manager, Repertory Company member for Re-membering Latinidad,” (Theatre Away After Long Fernandez provided leadership to three years. She continued her Journal, 2002) and “Becoming Active Life Among her publications are numerous corporate initiatives and violin studies while working at Selena, Becoming Latina” (Women “Mexican Blood Runs Through My administrative support to the City Blackerby Violin Shop, playing in and Migration in the US-Mexico Veins,” in Speaking Chicana, Voice, Manager. several bands, and she then Borderlands, Duke University Aurora Orozco, 92, of Cuero Power, and Identity in1999. returned to school to earn an M.F.A. Press, 2007) comprise part of her passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, Unpublished literary works include ernandez began his career with in Creative Writing from Texas State book, Selenidad: Selena, Latinos, 2011 in Austin. She was born May F her autobiography and over 35 short the City of Austin in 2006 serving University. and the Performance of Memory 8, 1918 in Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon, stories, 50 poems, 10 political as the Executive Assistant to the (Duke University Press 2009), that Mexico to the late Lorenzo Estrada She works as the Public essays, and multiple travel logs. Assistant City Manager Michael explores the afterlife of the Tejana and Gertudis Toscano. Relations Director for Mexic-Arte McDonald, providing leadership to performer, Selena Quintanilla Museum, and she has recently An article about Aurora written by the Community Service Group and Perez. She married Primitivo Orozco in launched her own business, Plum her daughter, Dr. Cynthia E. Public Safety Services. 1950 in Mercedes, Texas. A 1938 Orozco, appeared in 2006 in Communications & PR providing Deborah served as Associate graduate of Mercedes High services to independent Director of the Center for Mexican Latinas in the : a The Texas native earned his School, Aurora attended the entrepreneurs and musicians. American Studies for the 2009-2010 Historical. Aurora enjoyed reading bachelor’s degree in criminal justice University of Texas at Austin, When she has free time, she still year and also continues her work as novels, reading newspapers, visiting and an associate degree in Extension Course in Business enjoys playing the fiddle, makes Director of Arts and Community museums, traveling, crocheting, psychology from Wayland Baptist from 1947-49. She was employed as short films to entertain her friends, Engagement (ACE) in the Vice and embroidery. University. He attended St. Mary’s a salesperson for Lieberman’s spends vacations in the Big Bend President’s Office for Diversity University for graduate school and Department Store in Cuero from desert, and pursues an and Community Engagement. She is survived by her daughters, received a master’s in public 1967 to 1985. environmentally sustainable Maria Teresa Orozco of Houston, administration graduating with lifestyle. Sylvia Orozco of Austin, and Irma Distinguished Graduate Honors. He She was a well-known Mexican- Orozco (Claudio Lopez) of San is also a graduate of the USAF American community leader in Antonio; her sons, Eddie Orozco of School of Aerospace Physiology, Cuero from the 1960s to the late Houston and Robert Orozco of San USAF Instructor School and the 1980s and served as secretary of Antonio; and Dr. Cynthia Orozco of USAF Airman Leadership Familias Unidas of Cuero from New Mexico, sisters, Ketta Flores 1975 to 1977 and as a member of and Tules Estrada, both of the Cuero Voter Registration and Mercedes; brother, Alejandro Education Organization from 1987 Estrada (Gloria) of Mercedes; She to 1992, as well as secretary and was preceded in death by her member of the League of United parents and her husband. Latin American Citizens (LULAC) from 1972 to 1975 and from 1978 to Andy Imutan Passes 1982, respectively. Deborah Paredez Away in the Named interim Philippines She also served as a member of director of CMAS the City of Cuero City Council One of the original farm workers Advisory Committee from 1985 to Landeros Joins the The dean of the College of Lib- who set in motion the modern farm 1990, and juror for the DeWitt Public Relations eral Arts has named Dr. Deborah worker movement that helped County Grand Jury in1979 and Crowd in Austin Paredez the interim director of the Cesar Chavez become a national 1984. Her participation at Our Lady Center for Mexican American Stud- figure passed away last month. In the of Guadalupe Church included Alexandra Maria Landeros ies next issue of La Voz de Austin we president of the Church Council from is the Owner/Founder Plum aredez holds a Ph.D. from the will have full coverage of his life work 1972 to 1981; president and Communications & PR. P Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama and struggle for social justice. secretary of Las Guadalupanas Fernandez Promoted Originally from with Program at Northwestern from 1971 to 1981 and 1989 to 1992, to Assistant Director deep roots in Aguascalientes, University. She teaches courses respectively; and bilingual lector Mexico, Alexandra graduated from about race and performance in the from 1976 to 1999. at the City of Austin Carnegie Mellon University in Department of Theatre, the Center La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Page 3 PRODUCTION Editor & Publisher Pensamientos para marzo Editorial Alfredo Santos c/s Rally and March Are People in Austin Too NIce? Managing Editors I have only been a resident of Austin, Texas for six years and in Yleana Santos in Austin Yleana Santos this time I have come to notice several things that strike me as odd or Kaitlyn Theiss Austin Voices for Education unusual. For one, it seems like people tend to preface direct com- and Youth is helping to organize ments with the phrase, “I’m sorry. . . but . . . . and then continue on Graphics the Rally and March at the State with what ever it is they were going to say. Juan Gallo Capitol on March 12th, 2011. Over 10,000 people are expected The other thing I have noticed in my short time here is the use of Distribution to attend from all over the state. the word “comfortable.” I once saw a person on television tell a re- TomEl THerreraeam Locally, 100 students and parents porter who asked them a direct question, “Well, I’m not comfortable from each of the 113 public answering that question” What? I said to myself, well that’s why the Contributing Writers school in Austin, Texas are ex- reporter asked you the question the way he did. It’s not suppose to Juan Montoya pected to attend. The event will suppose to be a comfortable question. Que pasó? DesarayWayne Garza begin with a march at Waterloo Alfredo Rodriguez Santos c/s Editor & Publisher NereydaHector TVijerinaazquez Park and arrive at the Capitol at Maybe those of us who grew up in South Texas are use to a different Marisa Cano noon. For more information way of life. Maybe if I stay in Austin another six years, I will get that please call (512) 450-1880. You comfort feeling. Now available can also get more information at PUBLISHER’S the following website. STATEMENT www.savetxschools.org. The graph below is something that we found extremely interesting. Visit the Texas Tribune website for a lot La Voz de Austin is a monthly La Voz de Austin is a monthly Changing more interesting graphs like this one. publication. The editorial and business address is P.O. Box the Topic 19457 Austin, Texas 78760. The telephone number is Austin Police Commander (512) 944-4123. The use, re- Ernesto Pedraza has decided to production or distribution of run for the office Constable of any or part of this publication Precinct 4 in 2012. He will be run- is strongly encouraged. But do ning against Maria Canchola the call and let us know what you incumbent. While the pursuit of are using. Letters to the edi- public office should always be tor are most welcome. welcomed, in Commander Pedraza’s case it appears that he is shooting too low. Por cualquier pregunta, With all of his training and 33 llamanos: years in law enforcement, it seems as though Commander 291-9060 Pedraza, who earns $130,422 a year should be running for a 944-4123 higher office. Maybe something Visit: like Sheriff of Travis County. Now [email protected] that would be a step up! for more details

Virginia Raymond [email protected] Page 4 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Mexican immigrants’ health declines as they assimilate to America New immigrants healthier than those in US the longest BY ANDREA FERESHTEH AND JESSICA STARK

Mexican-Americans who are most 1998-2007 more likely to use the health care system integrated into the culture — including those National Health because of their roles as family caretakers; born in the United States, and not recent Interview Survey. they are more likely to be in contact with immigrants — appear less healthy and more “The implications doctors and, therefore, more aware of their likely to require resources to manage their of our findings run ailments, according to the authors. health conditions than more recent, less- counter to the integrated migrants, according to a new study popular belief that In contrast, men, especially those who from Rice University, Duke University and recent immigrant immigrated more recently, are much less likely the University of Colorado Denver. arrivals are taxing to use the health care system and therefore the U.S. health may not know they are sick. Over time, male In particular, the research reveals that this BRIDGET GORMAN Romero, Robert Chao. The Chinese in immigrants become increasingly likely to use pattern of declining health among immigrants care system,” said Mexico, 1882-1940. University of Arizona the health care system, and thus the gap who are in the U.S. the longest holds more Jen’nan Read, associate professor of Press (2010) between men and women begins to close. strongly for men than women. Conversely, the sociology and global health at Duke and co- author of the study. An estimated 60,000 Chinese entered research indicates that, among new arrivals, ”From a policy perspective, this highlights the Mexico during the late nineteenth and women report poorer health than men. hile men tend to start out healthier than necessity of improving access to and early twentieth centuries, constituting W women, their health declines at a faster pace utilization of medical-care services among Mexico’s second-largest foreign ethnic ”Men who have recently migrated from as they adapt to the U.S. culture. “In particular, men,” Gorman said. “Not only would this help community at the time. The Chinese in Mexico tend to report better health than the risk of diabetes increases at a strong rate address an important unmet health need for Mexico provides a social history of women,” said Bridget Gorman, associate for Mexican-American men, even after we many men, it would also permit health Chinese immigration to and settlement in professor of sociology at Rice and lead author account for a variety of factors that might researchers to more accurately assess and Mexico in the context of the global of the study, which was published online this explain this relationship, such as smoking or forecast medical-care need and use among Chinese diaspora of the era. week in the peer-reviewed Journal of Health residents.” and Social Behavior. “This could be in part income,” Gorman said. “Yet, among women, diabetes status appears mostly unrelated to Robert Romero argues that Chinese because men are more likely than women to their acculturation level.” The study was funded in part by the Faculty immigrants turned to Mexico as a new migrate to the U.S. in search of employment Initiative Fund at Rice University, which land of economic opportunity after the — often in physically demanding jobs — and orman and her co-authors, Read and awards competitive grants to Rice faculty for passage of the U.S. Chinese Exclusion at younger ages.” G Patrick Krueger of the University of significant projects that might enhance the Act of 1882. The author uses many Colorado Denver, found that the major university and lead to larger endeavors, sources and provides a compelling story The study examines gender differences in mechanism driving these patterns is access research breakthroughs, external funding about the search for freedom. Mexican immigrant health using data from the to and utilization of health care. Women are opportunities or unusually creative works.

”When Rice University first gave us funding to conduct this study 443-8800 443-8800 a few years ago, we wanted to Si no cabe en su casa, explore how social and economic circumstances, along with health behaviors, collectively impacted hay espacio en la nuestra the reporting of medical conditions among Mexican- Americans,” Gorman said. “We expected to find that medical-care Get the second month free access and use was important in this process, but we did not expect it to play such a dominant role in shaping differences If it doesn’t fit in your house, between men and women.”

there is more space in ours — Andrea Fereshteh is a senior writer at Duke University. Jessica Stark is 1905 East William Cannon Dr. Austin, Texas 78744 assistant director of news and media relations at Rice. La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Page # 5 Letter to the Editor Most of us know well before hand, pull their daughters from high school if we are getting into debt, there will Edward Gomez because they are doing poorly to be trouble if we don’t have the help them clean homes during the improvements were suffocated by Secondly with budget cuts, PE and sexual encounters or be motivated money to cover ourselves when the day, or baby sit their younger political red tape and incompetence. recreation times are also severely to succeed in a global economy. bills come due. It is inconceivable siblings while mom works. I knew of It was virtually impossible to get any cut. There is no opportunity for how the Austin Independent one single mother with three innovative state of the art program exercise unless you are in a team Many of our Hispanic kids have School District now finds itself with daughters in junior high and high to be accepted by the hierarchy on sport. My daughter who has been not ventured past their own over a $100 million dollar shortfall school, who after school had them 6th Street unless it comes playing lacrosse and track and neighborhoods. There was no and there are trustees who didn’t work with her cleaning downtown recommended by the “right” people. dance for almost all her life told me exposure of opportunities for them see it coming. office buildings until 1 or 2 in the that in PE the kids are just baby sat to pursue. At a recent Greater Let me give you an example. AISD Austin Hispanic Chamber of morning. Then she would take them In my outreach work in the – no kids are challenged to work out has adopted the CATCH program to Commerce gathering for the to school the following morning and community over the last eight years in basic exercise programs. They promote healthy eating, reduce Hispanic Austin Leadership, I met do it all over again. Aside from in Austin I have worked closely with can walk or run around the field. obesity and all that popular stuff now a young man in his twenties with a helping her mom, the high schooler AISD schools, teachers, parent Usually, and you can see them in the media. First of all CATCH is college degree who told me that would work weekends at a Wendy’s support specialists and principals. when you go by, they are cruising, not a program per se. It is actually while he was born and raised in fast food store for the family to make As a member of the clergy I also talking and texting as they do a “lap”. an overarching position or direction East Austin, it was not until he ends meet. worked closely with the immigrant that says that every school has to Third, and especially among graduated from High School that he community, their first generation Do you think that these girls will follow some principles in their Hispanic students, there seems to saw the 360 bridge! He went to children and get an education? Their escape is kitchen and recreational programs be a general apathy about learning Austin Community College then who have been here for to fall in love and get pregnant so to promote health and wellness in and going to school. I was invited to was admitted to UT on a scholarship generations. that they can have their own wealth the student body. Well, according to speak by the principals at Crockett in business. and family. At a very young age, we Children Optimal Health and Aiken’s High Schools to “at The quiceañera celebrations and push our daughters into adulthood. November 2009 Summit Report, risk” 9th graders who were failing the That seemed incredible to me, other events were opportunities for Look at the language we use. When CATCH is not catching much! The 9th grade for the second time. but it is still true. This provincial me to learn and see some of the you ask someone in Spanish how research reveals incredibly high mentality within our Hispanic family dynamics that either many kids do you have and what are levels of overweight and obese I decided to start by going around community is killing any dream that supported or discouraged the their genders, how do we respond? children living around our middle the room (with parents forcibly a child may have. It is often fostered advancement of our children. “Tengo dos mujeres (women) y un schools. present) asking what did each child out of fear by parents who feel that hombre (man)” (in English we would Kindly allow me to offer some of want to be when they grew up and the sea of opportunities offered in say two girls and a boy). Although my observations. Please note that Why? Well, one reason is that became adults. Out of almost 20 in this country is not “really” for them. they may be children, they are called while some of my observations may cafeteria managers are expected to Crocket and nearly 28 in Aiken’s In spring and summer, I jog women and men! Language is the be brutally honest, and have feed the children most of whom are High none (zero) responded with a around Lady Bird Lake. As I run, I expression of a culture – is an offended others in the past, they are on lunch programs, where they don’t job or career that involved a college soon notice that I am one of the only ancient maxim. It certainly true here made with the utmost concern for pay, for only $2.50/day. The result education. Most of the girls wanted running around the lake, in Central Texas. the future wellbeing of our students, is food that contains low nutritional to get married and have kids and value emphasizing high the boys wanted to work with their other than some young men in wait our community and our people. With world wide economic fallout carbohydrates that turn to sugar and dads in either the lawn businesses, staff uniforms taking a short cut who never before seen in history causing First, I must say that I have empty calories. Seriously, who can or restaurants.The highest paying work at the Ramada Renaissance. the poor to become poorer,our encountered amazing principals, have a nutritious lunch in Austin for job that a boy responded to was When you look closely and observe, community will be forced into dedicated teachers and parent $2.50? owning and operating a dump truck. you will note that while Austin is destitute poverty. We may be a support specialists in the schools 34% Hispanic we are highly majority in this millennium but that who really care. I can actually name While CATCH is a brave first When we gathered with segregated into enclaves that will only make for a larger number some of them! When I was at El attempt; nothing fried, fruits and administrators, teachers, parent restrict exposure to opportunities of Hispanics in poverty. Education, Buen Samartiano, the Assistant vegetables, etc, there is in most support people and Communities and advancement. I do not feel that I am convinced is the only sure route Principal of Crockett High School schools still the option of chocolate in Schools counselors, the Hispanics in Austin are forcibly out of poverty and if we are not once put two Hispanic kids in his milk. Yet these attempts to teach question asked of me was – “What segregated by any dominant group, educated there is no chance for us car who were in serious truancy kids to eat right do not go far program do you have that can plant but we segregate ourselves! to build our wealth and participate trouble and drove them to El Buen enough. First, CATCH only goes a dream in these kids?” Sadly, I th Lastly, the issue of teenage with presence and voice in this to get them signed up for the GED. from K through 8 grade. When my didn’t have one. daughter was in Austin High three pregnancy among Latinas is literally economy. I have many examples of such years ago the healthiest thing on the In the final analysis, and what is at epidemic proportions. We are The Education system is broken. dedication and passion for helping menu was a taco salad. It was taboo to say among the politically stifling any hope for economic Unless we have something like our kids. However, while the efforts cooked (actually heated up on site) loud Latino groups in Austin is that advancement within our Hispanic Healthcare Reform for education of people like the ones I refer to in cheap trans fat oil taco shell, filled we cannot expect AISD or any community. The problem is not just there will be little hope for the future are heroic and exemplary, they were with not lean ground beef (I bit into institution or program to raise our with the attitude of the girls and generation in this country to constantly challenged by what I a hardened fat ball that almost children for us. You cannot expect boys, but with the parents. And God compete with success in a world perceived as a highly bureaucratic cracked my tooth), lettuce and them to teach our children to eat forbid anyone mention Family market. office on 6th Street that was so top tomatoes over the top with some right, love learning, not have early Planning! I cannot tell you how heavy that any efforts for cheese shreds. many times I have seen mothers Page # 6 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011

Lori Moya is an Austin native and attended public An Interview school in the Austin Independent School District. She graduated from Travis High School in 1975 and attended the Austin ISD School University of Texas at Austin. For the last 26 years the most in your time as a she has worked at the Office school board member in Austin? opportunity to serve, then you make ends meet; 2) had a role La Voz: With regard to the of the Texas Comptroller serve with honor and integrity. model to show them the way; current budget crises the school of Public Accounts. Ms. Moya: Several things have This is the foundation by which 3) and in some cases were not district is facing, what is the Moya was first elected to the really surprised me. One is how I base my service to the afraid to come in the door. biggest misconception the AISD in 2006 and represents passion turns into intolerance, children, families, staff and These are just 3 examples of general public has voiced in the District 6. bigotry, and classism. Another community of Austin ISD. what I believe to be last couple of weeks? is the magnitude of the complications or hindrances for information that must be sorted In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s some families. Not for all of Moya: The issue of school La Voz: Let’s start this through to make a decision on we were fighting discrimination course, but for many. closures has taken on a life of interview by asking you to share behalf of the entire district not and demanding equal rights for its own. We have acknowledged with us what kind of time just one neighborhood, one all and calling out the injustices La Voz: Do you find that the that the delivery of the message commitment does being a community, one school. As against the Mexican-Americans Campus Advisory Council at by our Facilities Master Plan task school board member require? Trustees, even when elected of Austin and Texas. We are still each school in your district work force leadership was flawed, from a single-member district, fighting that fight. Albeit with as well as they should? What however it has been difficult to Moya: We meet as a full board we take an oath to represent all different methods, but still else should they be doing? get the community to let go of three times a month and on children of Austin ISD. Getting fighting it. My desire is to have this fear and focus on the critical occasion we have special people to understand and a impact on changing that for Moya: I don’t have first hand issue of the budget. Another meetings. We also hear embrace that has been difficult my children’s children and my knowledge of the effectiveness misconception is that we can employee grievances and at times. community. of all the CACs in District 6. solve this budget deficit by parent complaints from time to However, my experience has simply cutting the budget for time which is in addition to our La Voz: Do you get a lot of La Voz: When people think been that the CACs can have a the central office. This portion regular meetings. Additionally, phone calls from people about about parental involvement in huge impact on the school when of the budget is only 2 to 2.5% we have committee meetings to things that are going in different the public schools, what would they have a good understanding of the over all budget. That is attend. Currently, I have officer schools? do you see as a missing of their role and when the just not possible. This level of meetings as I serve as the element? campus Administration uses shortfall will require very Board Secretary, Policy Moya: It varies depending on them to provide needed creative thinking and give and committee meetings as the what is going on at the time. Many people seem to guidance and ideas, support take by all parts of the district. chair, District Advisory Council believe if parents are not and messaging to the campus meetings where I am the Board La Voz: Your father, Richard involved at the same level and overall community. La Voz: When do you think the liaison. Then there are Moya, is a political pioneer here they are, those parents . Austin Independent School constituent meetings from time in Travis County having been don’t care about their La Voz: If there is one thing you District Board of Trustees to time depending on issues at the first Mexican American to children. could change in the school first realized that this crises was the time. hold elective office. I am going district, what would it be? coming down the tracks? to assume that you and your Moya: Many people seem to La Voz: Did you sort of know family have been a part of his believe if parents are not Moya: I would change how the going in that it would take up lifes work over the years. When involved at the same level they district communicates, this much time? you look back to when you first are, those parents don’t care outreaches and engages the got involved in civic affairs and about their children. That is not community as a whole. Early Moya:I knew the time compare it to the present, what further from the truth. Some on in my service, I realized that commitment was going to be has changed? families have hardships that public education as a business significant, however it took a others don’t have. This is not the best at marketing while for me to be able to difference causes some to be itself, telling its story, balance work, board activities, Moya: Oddly enough not a harsh critics of those families. communicating the issues and home life. Learning how to whole lot. My father taught me It is unfortunate because we effectively, or showcasing the manage all the requests for that public service is the most cannot and should not judge brand that is public education important activity we could ever others. I believe that parents and in our case Austin time and not overwhelming “I would change how the district perform. Giving back to the love their children and would be Independent School District. I myself is constantly evolving. communicates, outreaches and people of your community is a more involved if 1) they didn’t will continue to push toward a engages the community as a must. If you are given the have to work 2 or 3 jobs to change in this area. La Voz: What has surprised you whole.” La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Page # 7

with Lori Moya continue regardless of a financial crisis or not. Certain parts of town have campuses that are so full, the educational experience is difficult and less Board Trustee, Dist. 6 than optimal. The district will need to look at as many options

as possible to ensure that all Moya: About 18 months to 2 children receive a quality and years ago. In addition, the state of Texas to be made in time to impact they are now. Without School Funding Plan, the current budgeting process Legislative assistance, our equitable education. La Voz: During your last school including its “Robin Hood” the school districts are going hands are tied. In the current La Voz: Regarding the raising board working session, one of provisions, needs to be through. You see there are preliminary budget, changes to of the tax rate for the school the trustees asked the rewritten. While the intentions statutory requirements districts employee health benefits and district, is it correct that despite superintendent to consider were good, the damage that is must meet related to staffing co-pays could go up and what ever amount is raised, including an equity plan that done to the districts like Austin that must be decided up to six ultimately effectively cause part of that amount would have would show how the entire that are labeled property weeks before the end of the approximately an 2% reduction to go back to the state for the school district was going to be wealthy is greater than Legislative session. These legal in take home pay. Robin Hood fund? impacted by the proposed expected. I have been told the requirements put a strain on the layoffs. Do you still expect to finance system formula does district’s budgeting and staffing La Voz: Another idea that has Moya: Yes, any increases in our see one before the end of the not take into consideration process such that decisions been introduced into the school property tax rate would require year? districts like AISD that is must be made without all the financial crises discussion is the fortunate to have high property information, including the final leasing of the old Johnston that we send at least 40-45% of the revenue generated to the Moya: Yes. It is important to wealth but also has a large and school finance budget, from the High School campus to state in the form of recapture/ look at these plans over the growing student population that Legislature. Southwest Key. How serious Robin Hood. That amount entire district. If you don’t, you qualifies for free and reduced would the financial crises in could actually increase run the risk of impacting one lunch. The cost of education Third, I believe that the AISD have to be before this depending on whether and how community more than others. index used in the formula is over legislature should provide idea is given more serious the state ultimately decides to By that I mean not only 15 years old and out-dated, additional flexibility in how the consideration? revise its school finance geographic communities but thus is in need of revision/ funding that is available can be formulas. student communities. updating. spent so that districts like Moya: Our current policy Austin ISD have local control allows for in-district charters. La Voz: What other possible La Voz: The school board As a side note, AISD has on how to allocate its limited The proposal as I understand it does not establish an in-district solutions to this financial crises meeting of February 28th, was been locked into Social resources to best meet the have not yet been discussed a long one. What can the state Security since at least needs of our students and charter, nor is the financial that you believe deserve our legislature do to help solve this 1983, and does not have community. This flexibility can benefit to the district as attention? financial crisis? the ability to extract itself come in the form of lifting, even significant as has been from the program. if only for this biennium, portrayed. I am also concerned Moya: Austin ISD is ramping Moya: This is not an easy fix. restrictions regarding class about conveying a multi-million up its development activities in There are a lot of parts that Specifically, this index has not sizes, the use of furloughs to dollar district asset that has the hopes of finding have played a role in this been updated to reflect the allow fewer days worked for less been paid for by taxpayer foundations, federal or state financial crisis. substantially increased cost of pay, and the ability of districts monies to a non-profit entity for living in Austin and Central to provide pay reductions below a 99-year term at $1/year. But grants, local philanthropy and other outside sources that could First, with respect to state Texas, as well as other cost current levels for its employees given the interest in possible help fund innovation or other revenue, they need to increase factors like the Social Security in an attempt to offset layoffs charters across the district, the critical programs in the district the use of the Rainy Day Fund, burden borne by Austin ISD and reduce our budget deficit. Board has plans to schedule that are at risk due to reduced as well as provide for additional but not any of the other school time in the near future to state aid. revenue sources which may districts in Central Texas. As La Voz: Has the topic of asking discuss our policy and facility include increased fees on some a side note, AISD has been AISD employees to take a 5 or use or possible partnership La Voz: We are running out of services. I am hopeful that the locked into Social Security since 10% pay cut been something opportunities that have arisen. space so we are going to have comptroller will have updated at least 1983, and does not that has been put on the table to end our interview with you. revenue projections for the next have the ability to extract itself for discussion? La Voz: Is the school district On behalf of all the readers of biennium that will use the latest from the program. still moving forward with La Voz de Austin, I want to and best information available Moya: Well, as I somewhat opening new campuses in light thank you for taking the time and will result in increased Second, declaring school alluded to above, state law of the current financial crises? to visit with us. monies available to fund the finance as an emergency item prohibits school districts from state’s obligations in public for this current session might cutting or reducing teacher Moya: The difficulty is that Moya: Thank you. education and other areas. help move the needed decisions salaries to a level below where education of the children must

Page # 8 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 New Book “David Montejano has written a well-researched and clearly argued study of the interaction among members of different social backgrounds in San Antonio’s Chicano community during the turbulent and politically creative years of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He has augmented extensive archival research (especially in the papers of Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez) with effective use of secondary works by other sociologists and historians and his own field work. This book will be of interest not only to historians of Mexican American urban life and Chicano struggles for civil rights, but also to anyone interested in the politics of the Vietnam War era.”

—David Montgomery, Farnam Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Page # 9

The Young Professional Association of Austin (YHPA-Austin) is an official non-profit and a 501(C)(3) Tax Exempt Status organization registered in the State of Texas. It was founded in January 2006 to serve as the principal professional resource for young Hispanics in the Austin and Central Texas area. Members build a foundation for their professional, community, and personal development. This organization supports and encourages Hispanic higher education through scholarships and mentorships. For more information please their website: http://yhpaa.org Page 10 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Southwest Key Makes a Proposal to the Austin Independent School District

Frequently Asked Questions annual operating budget. AISD has publicized efforts to solutions can be found to help engineer education reform East Austin College Prep Academy Proposal facilitate partnerships in the community and we believe that that can then be implemented in ISDs. Charters don’t take to Lease Eastside Memorial entering into a long-term lease agreement with the East the best students from schools, rather it’s the parents who Austin College Prep Academy could redirect an estimated fear their children are not getting as much as they need and Does East Austin College Prep Academy want to lease $80 to $100 million in potential cost savings to AISD over are at risk of not being successful that seek out public Eastside Memorial so they can turn it into a college the next 10 years. We are also aware AISD is preparing a charter schools. We’re happy to talk further about the role prep academy high school? reconstitution plan for 2011-2012 that could include of charter schools in communities, but the Texas Charter additional consolidation and/or school closure. Through this School Association (www.txcharterschools.org) is probably Members of the East Austin community are requesting the potential partnership, AISD could save money currently best positioned to educate the community in depth about opportunity to further expand the East Austin College Prep being spent on an under-performing and under-utilized the role of charter schools in our education system. Academy, which is part of the East Austin Children’s school by leasing the property to the East Austin College Promise initiative. This initiative’s goal is to provide a full Prep Academy and allowing the Academy to expand its full Why is Southwest Key Programs/ East Austin College service multi-functional community center for the Govalle/ service community school and better serve the needs of the Prep Academy getting involved in this? Johnston Terrace neighborhood. The campus that is currently being used as a high school The East Austin College Prep Academy is will offer a community center that one of only a few charter schools in the includes: a tuition free public charter entire state of Texas that the TEA has school for a 6 -12th grade college prep approved to manage academically academy, adult education, parent & underperforming schools in Austin. And community leadership, health care the mission of both Southwest Key services, violence and substance Programs and East Austin College Prep abuse prevention services, cultural Academy is to ensure the children in our activities, after-school programs, and community have access to resources that youth development opportunities. prepare them for college and future success. Is the method of showing how much AISD would save from leasing What is East Austin College Prep the property to East Austin College Academy doing to collaborate? Prep Academy a way to buy-in for the idea? We have been participating in the coalition meetings that have been Southwest Key Programs and the East happening throughout the city and we Austin College Prep Academy firmly collaborate and partner with many believe that every neighborhood organizations to bring services that can school in Austin ISD should be strengthen students’ experiences. Some preserved and kept open. However, of our current partners include: AARP, given the current economic climate, AMD, Austin Community College, Austin AISD budget shortfall, and AISD’s Travis County Health and Human ongoing efforts to meet state Services Healthy Neighborhood Unit, academic standards we believe AISD community. This way they will be able to help provide the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area, and the community can forge a collaborative partnership in community with what we all know the community needs: City of Austin: Cultural Arts Division, Capital Area Food the Govalle/Johnston neighborhood area that will improve quality education and resources to strengthen families in Bank, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Hispanic Physician’s the quality of life and education for the immediate East Austin. Association, Huston-Tillotson University, Texas Charter community and students. Schools Association, and University of Texas. Should AISD be forced to close Eastside Memorial, this District Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has expressed community plan could fill the void and allow the East Austin How is East Austin College Prep Academy supporting frustration publicly, saying that everyone is quick to criticize community to take ownership of the future quality of life and other AISD, non-eastside schools, from closing? proposed budget cuts, but no one is circling back with education in the area. solutions. We are presenting a potential solution to part of Our belief is that all children and families deserve access to the problem. What is East Austin College Prep Academy doing to quality educations - whether that is on the eastside or any dispel the myths about charter schools? other part of the community. We believe that by allowing Why is East Austin College Prep Academy focusing on EACPA to provide the education here in the Govalle/ Eastside Memorial? The truth is public charter schools were started to work in Johnston Terrace community, AISD can redirect its partnership with traditional public education. Charter resources to preserve neighborhood schools across the Based on 2009-2010 TEA data, Eastside Memorial schools are allowed to run more autonomously so new district. demonstrates a 58% capacity and nearly an $8 million LaLa VVozoz dede Austin Austin -- March,March, 20120111 PagePage 1111 GAHCCGAHCC AnnouncesAnnounces 201 20111 BoardBoard ofof DirDirectorsectors Austin, Texas - The Greater Austin Hispanic Austin, Texas - The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) announced the Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) announced the 2011 Board of Directors. On January 19th, the 2011 Board of Directors. On January 19th, the GAHCC Membership convened at the Crowne GAHCC Membership convened at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Annual Members Meeting where Plaza Hotel at the Annual Members Meeting where they elected six new Board Members to the GAHCC they elected six new Board Members to the GAHCC Board of Directors. Following the meeting Anna Board of Directors. Following the meeting Anna Sanchez, Vice President of Business Banking Sanchez, Vice President of Business Banking Group of Wells Fargo, was announced as the 2011 Group of Wells Fargo, was announced as the 2011 Chair. Ms. Sanchez and the 2011 Board were Chair. Ms. Sanchez and the 2011 Board were inducted on March 5, 2011 at the GAHCC’s 38th inducted on March 5, 2011 at the GAHCC’s 38th Anna Sanchez - Chair Joe H. Morin - T reasurer George A. Gutiérrez - Celia Israel - Secret ary Annual Awards Banquet, Celebrando Austin. Wells Fargo Economic Development Chair Elect Lockwood, Andrews Annual Awards Banquet, Celebrando Austin. Governor ’s Office The Statesman/¡Ahora sí! & Newman

Pilar Sanchez - Andy Martinez Ed Gomez Stephanie Richmond Paul Cruz, Ph.D Thomas “T omás” Miranda Immidate Past Chair Greater Austin Hisp anic Central Health/ Richmond International Austin Independent Cisco Systems Housing Authority - Austin Chamber of Commerce Community Care Connections School District

Amelia Lopez Jason Hill Ron Meredeith Kathy Duncan Burrell Will Penny Frank Garza MWM Design Group Austin W ater Lamb’ s Tire&Automotive Bank of America Wells Fargo, Business Banking Vamos Marketing

Rodrigo Castilleja Anna Marie Arredondo David Rodriguez Geronimo M. Rodriguez, Jr . Alex Valdes Javier V aldez Farmers Insurance IBM Sage Point Financial, Inc. Seton Family of Hospit als Winstead PC Individual Page 12 La Voz de Austin March, 2011 FORMER BROWNTOWN MIGRANT RENE PEREZ ROSENBAUM NABS ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY’S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

By Juan Montoya filled with adventure and (we hoped) in Economics and has a teaching position at economic development and on economic girlfriends. Michigan State University. issues and the Latino community in the U.S. When I transferred from Garden Park In addition to publishing, he presents papers Elementary to Cromack I was in the fourth However, as we were all migrant students, On Friday, February 25th, 2011, his alma at state, regional, and national conferences grade. At the time, Garden Park, like Palm when we were supposed to go to the seventh mater, St. Edward’s University, where he and conducts outreach activities with public Grove, was considered the poor cousin of city grade we were placed in the BISD Migrant attended on a full ride, honored him during and nonprofit organizations and agencies, schools. The rooms were old military barracks School, now Castañeda Elementary. The their Homecoming Week 2011 with a particularly those servicing the Hispanic and converted to classrooms. The bathrooms classrooms were barracks again, only this Distinguished Alumni Award. migrant and seasonal farmworker population were serviced by a septic tank, a dark green time they were fenced off from the outside in the state. spot of grass in the middle of the schoolyard. by an eight-foot chain link fence topped off René entered St. Edward’s in 1974 with three strands of barbed wire. Ruben through the College Assistance Migrant He is also a faculty program member in At the new school I met some students that Gallegos Sr. was the first principal there, Program (CAMP). Two-and-a-half years later, the MSU Chicano Latino Studies Program I would see on and off in the years to come. replaced later by Lee Garza Sr. he graduated in 1976 with a BA in Economics. and the MSU Center for Latin and Caribbean Brownsville was a little town then. However, He also earned a PhD in Economics from the Studies.He is active in his local community a few names do stick in my mind. The school A sign with the school’s name was University of Notre Dame in 1985. through his work at St. Joseph Catholic at the time had Mr. Benavides as principal decorated with a silhouette of a farmworker Church, where he is a member of the Social and Mr. Alvarado as coach. As in any new hauling a hamper of some crop on his left He is is an Associate Professor in Justice Group and serves as a Confirmation classroom, you soon found out who the shoulder. Just as we were segregated from Community and Economic Development in Mentor. He is married to Mary Beth Adams- competition was. the rest of the school district, our classes ran the Department of Community Agriculture, Rosenbaum, from West Bend, Wis. They live from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Recreation and Resource Studies at in St. Johns, Mich. with their two boys, Adam One of those was Rene Rosenbaum, a kid Friday to make up for our early departure Michigan State University (MSU). His Rene Perez (age 16) and Alex Antonio (age who lived across 30th street on Carolina St. during the school year and our late arrival in teaching, research, and outreach interests are 13). Another was Tony Rocha Jr. (La Peca’s son). Brownsville in late in labor economics, community economic Still others were Alfonso Gutierrez, Sergio October. development, farm labor markets, farm worker Rene is the kind of guys who doesn’t forget De Leon, Raul Salinas, and Tommy Medina. health and early childhood education studies, his roots. When he visits Brownsville, he I can’t even remember the girls because Why do I remember this? Because it would and Latino and other minority economic looks up old friends and touches base usually the guys can’t compete against them. be difficult to think of a more inauspicious issues. frequently. His brother, Lucino, is a former But the reason I remember Rene and Tony beginning for a scholar to emerge. We have county commissioner and his sister Yolanda was because after we reached the sixth grade been blessed. Tony Rocha Jr. went on to René teaches and lectures at the operates the old family business Rosenbaum we all expected to attend Faulk Middle become a CPA and an accountant withe IRS. undergraduate and graduate levels on the Flowers and Gifgts on Hortensia Blvd., in School and looked forward to an adolescence Rene, who was lethal in math, is now a PhD. theory and practice of community and the heart of the Southmost barrio.

Way to go, Rene. Si se puede! Quality Vision Eyewear

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She travels and gives lectures to was born in 1936 Sylvia Mendez Awarded educate others on the historic in Santa Ana, California. Her contributions made by her parents parents were Gonzalo Mendez, an and the co-plaintiffs to the immigrant from Mexico who had a Medal of Freedom desegregation effort in the United successful agricultural business, States. The success of the Mendez and , a native of At a White House ceremony yesterday, President honored recipients v. Westminster case made . of the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award, America’s highest civilian California the first state in the nation to end segregation in school, The family had just moved from honor, is bestowed on individuals who make especially laudable contributions to the paving the way for better-known Santa Ana to Westminster to tend country’s national interests. Among this year’s recipients is Sylvia Mendez, a civil Brown vs. Board of Education a farm that they were renting from rights activist of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, who more than six decades ago seven years later, which would bring the Munemitsus, a Japanese- took the fight for school desegregation to the highest court in the nation. an end to school segregation in the American family that had been sent entire country. to an internment camp during World War II. This took place Initially, Gonzalo received little Sandra Robbie wrote and during a period in history support from the local Latino Aftermath produced the documentary Mendez when organizations, but finally, on March v. Westminster: For all the against Hispanics, and 2, 1945, he and four other Mexican- Mendez finally was allowed to Children / Para Todos los Ninos, minorities in general, was American fathers from the Gomez, attend the 17th Street Elementary which debuted on KOCE-TV in widespread throughout the Palomino, Estrada, and Ramirez school, thus becoming one of the Orange County on September 24, United States. families filed a lawsuit in federal first Hispanics to attend an all-white 2002 as part of their Hispanic court in Los Angeles against four school in California. However, the Heritage Month celebration. The In the 1940s, there were Orange County school districts — situation was not easy for her. Her only two schools in Westminster, Santa Ana, Garden white peers called her names Westminster: Hoover Grove and El Modena (now eastern and treated her poorly. She Elementary and 17th Street Orange) — on behalf of about 5,000 knew that she had to succeed Elementary. Orange County Hispanic-American schoolchildren. after her father fought for her schools were segregated and to attend the school. Gonzalo the Westminster school During the trial, the Westminster Mendez died in 1964 at the district was no exception. The school board insisted that there was age of 51, unaware of the district mandated separate aunt was told by school officials, that a “language issue”, however their impact that the case for which campuses for Hispanics and her children, who had light skin claim fell apart when one of the he fought would have on the Whites. Sylvia and her two brothers, would be permitted to enroll, but that children was asked to testify. The nation. Gonzalo Jr. and Jerome Mendez, neither Sylvia Mendez nor her testimony proved that most of the attended Hoover Elementary, a brothers would be allowed because children spoke English and showed Mendez v. Westminster two-room wooden shack in the they were dark-skinned and had a that Hispanic-American students set an important precedent for middle of the city’s Mexican Hispanic surname. Mrs. Vidaurri had the same capacity for learning ending segregation in the neighborhood, along with the other stormed out of the school with her as their white counterparts. United States. Thurgood Hispanics. children, niece and nephews and Marshall, who was later recounted her experience to her On February 18, 1946, Judge appointed a Supreme Court 17th Street Elementary, which brother Gonzalo. Paul J. McCormick ruled in favor justice in 1967, became the was a “Whites-only” segregated of Mendez and his co-plaintiffs. lead NAACP attorney in the documentary, which also aired on school, was located about a mile Mendez v. Westminster However, the school district 1954 Brown case. His amicus brief PBS, won an Emmy award and a away. Unlike Hoover, the 17th appealed. Several organizations filed for Mendez on behalf of the Golden Mike Award. Street Elementary school was Mendez’s father Gonzalo and his joined the appellate case as amicus NAACP contained the arguments amongst a row of palm and pine wife Felicitas took on themselves curiae, including the ACLU, he would later use in the Brown In 1998, a few years before trees and had a lawn lining the the task of leading a community American Jewish Congress, case. The Mendez case also deeply Mendez’s mother Felicitas died, school’s brick and concrete facade. battle that changed California and Japanese American Citizens influenced the thinking of the the district of Santa Ana, California set an important legal precedent for League, and the NAACP which was California governor at the time, Earl honored the Mendez family by Realizing that the 17th Street ending segregation in the United represented by . Warren. By 1954, when the Brown naming a new school the “Gonzalo Elementary school provided better States. Felicitas attended the case appeared before the high and Felicitas Mendez books and educational benefits, family’s agricultural business, giving More than a year later, on April 14, court, Warren had become the chief Fundamental Intermediate Gonzalo decided that he would like Gonzalo the much needed time to 1947, the Ninth Circuit Court of justice. School”, after Sylvia Mendez’s to have his children and nephews meet with community leaders to Appeals affirmed the district court’s parents. enrolled in there. Thus, in 1943, discuss the injustices of the ruling in favor of the Mexican Legacy when Sylvia Mendez was only eight segregated school system and to families. After the ruling was upheld On April 14, 2007, the U.S. years old, she accompanied her talk to other parents with the on appeal, then-Governor Earl Mendez became a nurse and Postal Service unveiled a stamp aunt Sally Vidaurri, her brothers intention of recruiting families from Warren moved to desegregate all retired after working for thirty years commemorating the Mendez v. and cousins to enroll at the 17th the four Orange County public schools and other public in her field. She adopted two girls Westminster case. Street Elementary School. Her communities to join in a lawsuit. spaces as well. and lives in Fullerton, California. Page 14 La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Calendar of Events Word Power

March 3rd, 2011 - Austin Interfaith Southeast Neighborhood Community Meeting 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Wiedan Elementary School. For more contact Ofelia Zapata at (512) 669-0809 En Palabras March 5th, 2011 - Celebrando Austin, the 38th Annual Awards Banquet by the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Hilton Hotel in Austin, Texas 7 to 11pm For more information please call (512) 462- 4318 Hay Poder

March 9th, 2011 - Center for Mexican American Studies Portfolio Plática: Christina Garcia. 12:00pm to No one can ever argue in Nadie puede averiguar en el 1:00pm in the Chicano Cultural Room in the Texas Union of The University of Texas at Austin. This portfolio the name of education, that nombre de la educación que plática by Christina Garcia explores how Chicano/a creative writers have reckoned with spirituality and it is better to know less than es mejor saber menos que religion in narratives confronting social and historical trauma. In particular, three key themes emerge: it is to know more. Being bi- saber más. Siendo bilingüe o religiously inflected anxieties about modernization; human relationships to a sacred landscape; and the lingual or trilingual or multi- trilingüe es parte de ser conflict between logic-based rationality and spiritual epistemologies. lingual is about being edu- educado en el siglo 21. cated in the 21st century. Esperamos traer cada mes a We look forward to bringing nuestros lectores de La Voz March 12th, 2011 - Education Rally and March at the Texas State Capitol. Event starts at noon.For more our readers various word de Austin una lista de information please call (512) 450-1880 lists in each issue of La Voz palabras en español con sus de Austin. equivalentes en inglés. March 16th and 17th, 2011 - Mexican American Experience 2011 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center 600 River Street Austin, Texas. See program spot in this issue of La Voz de Education Educación Austin page 9. is important es importante March 18th, and 19th, 2011 - A. B. Quintanilla & Kumbia All Stars and Ozomatli concert. Other groups on the bill are La Guerrilla, Os Alqimistas, La Distrancia, and the Latin Breed. See spot on page 8 of this issue of La Voz de Austin for more information. Event to take place at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American because it opens porque abré Cultural Center 600 River Street Austin, Texas. your mind to things su mente a cosas March 23rd, 2011 - CMAS Graduate Portfolio Plática: Claudia Cervantes-Soon • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM • Cissy McDaniel Parker Dean’s Conference Room (SZB 238), Sanchez Building, The University of Texas at you might have never que usted quizás nunca Austin Title of talk: “Schooling in Times of Dystopia: Empowering Education for Juarez Women”

Young women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico are coming of age in an era of feminicides, violence, impunity, and thought of before pensó antes fear. This portfolio plática by Claudia Cervantes-Soon is based on ethnographic study that examines the ways in which a public high school, in one of the most disenfranchised areas of Ciudad Juarez, attempts to When you become Cuando usted llega ser empower subaltern youth through its critical and social justice philosophy of education. The study draws from critical pedagogy and socio-cultural theory to offer a unique analysis of how hegemonic ideas are resisted educated you also educado, usted también and/or inscribed pedagogically, politically, and institutionally. The study also examines how the school’s constructions of democratic and social justice education interact with the current dystopic context of Juarez become someone who llegue a ser alguien to provide a framework with which a group of Juarez young women author their identities and practice forms of resistance. The study offers new insights on the experiences and agency of youth in contexts of civil unrest along the U.S-Mexico border, and sheds light on the possibilities for urban schools is respected in the respetado en la

community because comunidad porque March 26th, 2011 - Cesar Chavez “Social Justice March” to the Texas State Capitol. The march will assemble as Terrazas Library 1105 East Cesar Chavez Street Austin, Texas at 12:00 noon. For more information please call: (512) 472-9921 you know how to usted sabe defenderse defend yourself March 30th, 2011 - CMAS Graduate Portfolio Plática: Gloria Cisneros Lenoir • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM • Cissy McDaniel Parker Dean’s Conference Room (SZB 238), Sanchez Building, The University of Texas at Austin. Title of talk: “An Examination of Newcomer Immigrant High School Students in Central Texas” DareCo Realtors This portfolio plática by Gloria Cisneros Lenoir discuses the academic skills of newcomer immigrant high school students in Central Texas. Substantial growth of minority and immigrant population groups since 1990 Thinking of buying a house, then think of has occurred and is projected to continue over the next 20 years. There has been limited research on me. I have been in the real estate busi- newcomer immigrant high school students, and this plática is based on a larger study of such students ness for more than 20 years. I can help you realize your dream of owning your own home. Dan Arellano March 31st, 2011 - PODER’s 5th Annual Cesar E. Chavez “Si Se Puede” Awards Dinner at the Conley- Guerrero Senior Activity Center 808 Nile Street in Austin, Texas. Event starts at 6:00pm You can contribute to (512) 826-7569 PODER’s youth leadership development program by placing an ad in our “Si Se Puede!” Awards Dinner Commemorate Program Booklet. Copies will be distributed at the celebration and sent to our national, [email protected] regional and local supports. Ad contracts due March 11th, 2011. La Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Page 15 The Day of the Fallen

The Day of the Fallen was a great success, bringing together members of the community and beyond for a powerful display of unity at the steps of the State Capitol. With Texans converging in Austin traveling from El Paso to Houston and San Antonio, Dallas to the Valley, it was truly a statewide show of solidarity. With over 100 community members busy educating legislators in the afternoon and asking for better protections for construction workers, 138 coffins were laid onto the lawn of the capitol in memory of the workers that died on the job in 2009 in Texas. With around 500 in attendance, Texans came out in full force for workers yesterday. Already, media from around the state is buzzing with news of the Day of the Fallen.

5604 Manor Road Austin, TX 78723-4731 (512) 391-2305 Workers Defense Project | P.O. Box 6423 | Austin | TX | 78762 photos by Sam Ortega salvemosLa Voz de Austin - March, 2011 Texas A LAS ESCUELAS DE MARCHATexasTexas & MANIFESTACIÓN MARCH & RALLY MARCH & RALLY March 12, 2011 el 12 de marzo, 2011

March 12, 2011Marcha: 11am @ Calle 12 y Trinity March: 11am @ 12th and Trinity March: 11am @ 12th Manifestación:and Trinity 12-2pm @ Capitolio de TX Rally: Noon-2pm @ TX State Capitol Rally: Noon-2pm @ TX State Capitol AUSTIN, TX AUSTIN, TX AUSTIN, TX JOIN US to demand our lawmakers put education first! ¡Acompañenos para demandar que Our future depends on it! nuestros legisladores ponen la educación JOIN US to demand our lawmakers putprimero! education ¡La educación first! es nuestro futuro! Our future depends on it! www. SaveTxSchools.org www. SaveTxSchools.org