www.lavozdebrazoriacounty.com Free/Gratis de LaLaLa VozVozVoz BrazoriaBrazoria LaElLa Periódico Más InteresanteVozVoz en el CondadoCountyCounty Volume # 19 Number # 1 A Bilingual Newspaper January / February, 2008 Inside this issue

NCLR Unveils New Citizenship Campaign

Angleton Resident Becomes a Citizen

En Palabras Hay Poder

1952 AVERAGE INCOME $3,850.00 NEW CAR: $1,754.00 NEW HOUSE: $9,075.00 Loaf of Bread . . . . . $.16 RENU KHATOR Gallon of Gas . . . . . $.20 Gallon of Milk . . . . . $.97 Dow Jones Average - 270 CONFIRMED AS NEW UNIVERSITY President - Harry Truman Vice-President - Alben Barkley OF & UH SYSTEM LEADER Page # 2 La Voz de Brazoria County - January/February, 2008 People in the News

Washington, DC– Hoy, la campaña Ya es Hora: ¡Ciudadanía! (Citizenship, It’s Time!) anunció que ha superado su meta de ayudar a movilizar a más de un millón de inmigrantes elegibles a solicitar la ciudadanía de los Estados Unidos en el 2007. Aun cuando miles de solicitudes todavía están siendo procesadas, el servicio de inmigración y ciudadanía de los Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) confirmó la recepción de 1,029,951 solicitudes de ciudadanía desde enero a octubre del 2007 —cerca del doble de solicitudes de ciudadanía recibidas en el 2006. Murano Named Linda Yañez is Dr. De la Teja New President of “Superar la meta de un millón de solicitudes es un tremendo Running for a Spot Elected President logro”, dijo la directora ejecutiva de Fondo Educacional Arturo Texas A&M in the Texas of TACHE Vargas NALEO. “Este es otro ejemplo del deseo de la comunidad Dr. Elsa A. Murano was named Supreme Court latina de involucrarse completamente en el proceso político the 23rd President of Texas A&M Dr. Magda de la Teja, is the estadounidense. La alianza Ya es Hora continuará construyendo University on Jan. 3, 2008. She is Linda Yañez, a Justice in the 13th President-Elect of the Texas su campaña para seguir esta movilización y esperamos incrementar the first woman and first Hispanic- Court of Appeals has filed as a Association of Chicanos in Higher la participación de los votantes latinos en noviembre del 2008”. American to serve as President of Democrat for Place 8 on the Texas Education (TACHE). She take the l aumento elevado en solicitudes de ciudadanía, arrastrado the oldest public university of Supreme Court. Yañez said she helm of this 34 year old professional “E higher learning in Texas. could no longer turn a blind eye to organization in February during its por el optimismo y la esperanza que sellan cada solicitud, es una victoria para todos los estadounidenses” dijo Eliseo Medina, Dr. Murano has served since the “extreme right judicial activism” annual conference in Austin. vicepresidente ejecutivo del Sindicato Internacional de January 2005 as Vice Chancellor of our state’s highest court. One of Currently she is the Dean of Empleados de Servicios (SEIU por sus siglas en inglés). “Justo of Agriculture and Life Sciences the highest profile examples of the Student Services, South Austin cuando los ataques hacia los inmigrantes han aumentando, esta for The Texas A&M University current brand of judicial activism is Campus at Austin Community comunidad reconfirma su patriotismo y compromiso para ayudar a System and as Dean of Agriculture the case of Duenez v F.F.P. College. In this position she fortalecer la democracia de los Estados Unidos. Esta es la clase and Life Sciences for the “I authored the Court of spends a great deal of time helping de participación cívica que nuestro país necesita para crecer con students find the resources they University. Appeals’ decision that affirmed the fuerza”. need in order to complete their From October 2001 through 2004, jury’s verdict in favor of the brain she was Under Secretary for Food damaged child victim of the drunk education at ACC. Desde enero del 2007, esta campaña sin precedentes ha unido a driver,” Yañez noted. “The current Safety with the U.S. Department of De la Teja earned her bachelor’s más de 400 instituciones en 24 ciudades para ofrecer talleres sobre members of our state’s highest court Agriculture, as appointed by and master’s degrees in speech la ciudadanía y a proveer otras herramientas de ayuda a los reversed a jury verdict, ignored the President George W. Bush. Prior communication from the University solicitantes. Los medios de comunicación en español — Dram Shop Law, and overturned to her USDA service, Dr. Murano of Texas at Austin. She later Entravision, ImpreMedia y Univision— han incorporado mensajes their own prior ruling in the same was a Professor in the Department returned to the university and y programas educativos sobre la ciudadanía, al igual que anuncios case after an election took place.” of Animal Science at Texas A&M obtained her Ph.D. in higher-ed impresos y televisivos de servicio público alcanzando al 99% de los University. She joined the Texas Yañez, was appointed to the administration. After a working at hogares Hispanos. A&M faculty in 1995. Thirteenth Court of Appeals in 1993 a number of jobs in the field of Dr. Murano was an Assistant by Governor - education she returned to The Como resultado del tremendo éxito de la campaña, los diversos Professor in the Department of making her the first Hispanic University of Texas at Austin and miembros que componen este esfuerzo de Ya es Hora: ¡Ciudadanía! Microbiology, Immunology and woman to serve in an appellate court earned her law degree. están trabajando con USCIS y representantes del Congreso para Preventative reducir el retraso en el procesamiento de las solicitudes. Medicine at Actualmente, los retrasos procesales en USCIS podrían impedir Iowa State que los solicitantes del 2007 puedan naturalizarse a tiempo para University from votar en las elecciones del 2008. 1990 until her appointment to “Nuestra campaña está comprometida en proveer el apoyo the Texas A&M necesario para que podamos acelerar los retrasos”, dijo Celia faculty. She Muñoz vicepresidenta de Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR, received BA por sus siglas en inglés). “Estos solicitantes han seguido todas las from Florida reglas —esperado pacientemente su turno, pagado sus impuestos International y contribuido con sus comunidades. Todos estamos de acuerdo de University, and que éstos no deben enfrentar retrasos injustificables que les impida earned both an conseguir su ciudadanía. Ellos merecen la oportunidad de convertirse MA and Ph.D en ciudadanos activos para que su voz se escuche el día de las from Virginia elecciones”. Polytechnic Institute and Además de su continuo compromiso para ayudar a los inmigrantes State elegibles a naturalizarse, la campaña Ya es Hora recientemente University. inició Ya es Hora: Ve y Vota una campaña activa que busca movilizar y llevar a millones de latinos a las urnas en noviembre 2008. La Voz de Brazoria County - January/February, 2008 Page # 3 PRODUCTION

Editor & Publisher Unos Pensamientos Alfredo Santos c/s Editorial In this edition of La Voz de Brazoria En este ejemplar de La Voz Managing Editor County we wish to call to your attention de Brazoria County queremos llamar a su Molly R. Santos the fact that the atención el hecho de que ahora la has made history in appointing a women Universidad de Houston tiene un nuevo Marketing to be its new leader. Dr. Renu Kkator lider. Dr. Renu Khator fue nombrada Dolores Diaz-Miller will serve as both the Chancellor of the Presidenta de la universidad, un puesto que University and its President. See more of la va permiti redefinir muchos aspetos de la Distribution this story on page 5. universidad. El Louie Another women we wish to call to your Otra mujer quien queremos reconocer es attention to is the Tejano music pioneer a , una pionera de la musica Contributing Writers Lydia Mendoza. I did not know who Lydia Tejana. Yo no sabia quien era Lydia Richard Santos Mendoza was until the 1980s. Then, little Mendoza hasta en los 1980s. Luego poquito by little I began to read about her contri- a poquito empeze leer de su contribuciones Alfredo Santos c/s butions to Tejano music. Once I was at a la musica Tejana. Una vez estaba en una a meeting at La Merida Restaurant on Editor junta en el Restaurante La Merida alla por PUBLISHER’S Navigation Street in Houston, Texas la calle Navigation en Houston cuando de when Lydia Mendoza suddenly showed STATEMENT repente entró Lydia Menodza. Me asuste! up and actually preformed. I was stunned Aquí estaba una persona que empezo a La Voz de Brazoria County is to say the least. Here was a person who grabar discos en los 1930s y ahora 50 años a monthly publication. The edi- began recording music in the 1930s and torial and business address is después, yo tenia el plaser de oir su musica now fifty years later I was priviledged to 804 Perry Street Angleton, Texas en persona. hear her beautiful music in person. 77515. The telephone number is En la pagina 4 usted encontrar la historia On page 4 you will find another story (979) 848-2883. The use, repro- de una mujer que se decidio hacerse about a woman who after 50 years de- duction or distribution of any or ciudadano después de vivir en Angleton por cided to finally become an American citi- part of this publication is strongly más de 50 años. En una fiesta para celebrar zen. At her All American Party this past encouraged. But do call and let su ciudadania el pasado sabado, ella comento Saturday where she gladly served hot us know what you are using. Let- que no se sentia diferente ahora que puede ters to the editor are most wel- dogs and Texas chili, she observed that declarar que es American citizen, pero se come. while she didn’t necessarily feel any dif- ferent, she did wonder out loud why she quedo pensativa cuando empeso a reflejarse didn’t take the step toward citizenship en la cuestion de por que espero tanto años. earlier. We want to congratulate Isabel Queremos felicitar a Isabel Hyman por tomar este paso de la ciudadania. Por cualquier Hyman for taking this courageous step. Nuestro ultimo comentario es sobre nuestro pregunta, Out last comment is about our Latino Cultural Quiz on page 13. If you take the Latino Cultural Quiz que se encuentra en la llamanos: quiz, do not be afraid to ask for assis- pagina 13. Si usted trata de tomar este exa- 849-3189 tance with some of the questions. If you men, no tenga miedo en preguntar por ayuda. would like to contribute questions to fu- No hay nada que dice que usted no puede 549-5221 ture Latino Cultural Quizzes, just send us recibir ayuda. Si usted desea incluyir an email or letter and we will be happy to preguntas que usted tiene, mandanos lo que work your questions in the next quiz. tiene con una notita.

HELPLINE is a free, confidential Adolfo Garza Tax Service information & referral service of Maria’s Beauty Salon United Way of Brazoria County. Men, Women, Children  The program links people in need with the 979-265-2800 157 Brazosport Complete Tax Preparation Highlights, Color, Updoos and Bookkeeping Service Open Tuesday to Friday 10 am—7 pm (979) 849-1247 Saturday 9 am—5 pm Se Habla Español Walkins Welcome Clute, TX 901 East Mulberry Angleton, Tex 77515 Page # 4 La Voz de Brazoria County - January/February, 2008 Lydia Mendoza Passes Away at 91 Years of Age

by Barbara Renaud Gonzales Sponsored by If you don’t know who she was, ask Hispanic Real Estate your grandmother, who likely remembers her and her twelve-string guitar at the Plaza del Zacate in San Antonio, Texas, Professionals with the chili queens in the early 1930s. She sang, literally, for pennies, as part if a struggling musical family following the Friday, February 8, 2008 migrant route to Michigan and back, until she was signed to the Blue Bird label. One 6:30 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. of her songs, Mal Hombre, was an overnight success, when she was just 17 years old. Clute Community Center

She emerged as one of the few tejanas to gain national prominence in a time when few women were encouraged to pursue a musical career. Throughout her life, until she suffered a stroke in 1988, she was beloved for singing the songs of the poor, working-class mexicanos she came from, as la cancionera de los pobres and la alondra de la frontera.

In 1982, Lydia Mendoza became the first Texan to receive a National Affordable mortgage programs Endowment for the Art’s National Heritage Award. Her last public appearance was a tribute to her, A Serenata to Lydia Mendoza, for her Bilingual Mortgage Specialists 90th birthday, presented by the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center at the Plaza Guadalupe in September 2006. Buyers No Longer “Lost in Translation” It rained that night, and Lydia Mendoza’s illness prevented here from singing for the thousands who came to just see her, and show their For more Information call Molly Santos respeto to the woman who knew a thousand songs about their lives, their joys, and their sorrow. She learned the words when she was a little girl in Monterrey, Mexico, from bubble-gum wrappers, listening to the men who 979-549-5221 sang those songs, teaching herself to play the mandolin, the guitar, the violin, the piano, the bass fiddle.

Adios, Lydia. I will remember you as the rain that falls in Texas, the softest lluvia, and the kind that Register to Vote y haunts you all the way home. Preparate para Marzo.

For more information about the Noriega campaign check the RIGHT: The cover of the book on the website: ricknoriega.com life of Lydia Mendoza by Dr. Paid Political Announcement by Alfredo Rodrguez Santos c/s, Yolanda Broyels- camarada del candidato. Es todo! Gonzalez. La Voz de Brazoria County - January/February, 2008 Page 5 RENU KHATOR CONFIRMED AS NEW UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON & UH SYSTEM LEADER Board of Regents Names Her President and Chancellor

Dr. Renu Khator has been and respected scholar, Khator has She becomes the unanimously appointed president of a doctorate and master’s degree in third person to hold the the University of Houston and political science from Purdue dual title of UH System chancellor of the UH System. Khator, University and earned her chancellor and UH who has been serving as provost and bachelor’s degree from Kanpur president. She follows senior vice president at the University in India. Khator, 52, has Arthur Smith, who University of South Florida, is served as provost at USF since 2003, retired in 2003, and expected to take office this month. “It and was dean of the College of Arts , who will be my job to build the four & Sciences for three years prior to became president of universities of the UH System into a that. Auburn University, model metropolitan institution of his alma mater, this summer. higher education for the 21st century, From 1997 to 2000, she served as USF, where Khator is the second- Internationalism and one that provides access and the director of USF’s Environmental highest-ranking administrator, is a Multiculturalism. excellence with equal ease,” Khator Science and Policy Department. comprehensive, doctoral-extensive, told a ballroom filled with well She has served as professor of research university with four She enjoys writing poetry and wishers. “There is already so much government & international affairs at campuses, including a medical short stories, several of which have to be proud of, and I look forward to the university since 1995. She is the school, in Tampa, St. Petersburg, been published. In addition to her helping UH becoming the state’s next author or editor of five scholarly books Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland. duties as provost, she has been flagship research university.” and numerous articles concerning Last year, USF enrolled 44,000 teaching a course in Hindi at USF global public administration, students and had a budget of $1.6 this year. The Khators were honored Renu Khator (pronounced rah- environmental policy and South Asian billion. by India this year, receiving the Jewel NEW ka-TOOR) was named sole politics. of India, a special award recognizing finalist for the position last month, Khator has a long history of non-resident Indians for making with the board selecting her from a A native of India, she came to the community engagement, serving on outstanding contributions in their field. slate provided by a search advisory United States in 1974 after her numerous boards, including the The United States Citizenship and committee made up of faculty, staff marriage to Suresh Khator. Both Moffitt Cancer Hospital Board of Immigration Services included and community members. “It was pursued graduate degrees at Directors, the Hillsborough Renu Khator among its 2006 clear that Dr. Khator is the right Purdue University and later Education Foundation Board, the Outstanding American by Choice person at the right time for the accepted teaching positions at USF. Lowry Park Zoo Board, and she awardees. The award recognizes University of Houston and the UH He is a professor of Industrial & recently served as a member of the outstanding achievements of System,” said Board Chairman Management Systems Engineering National Advisory Council on naturalized U.S. citizens. Also in Welcome Wilson. “Her keen and director of computing for the Environmental Policy and 2006, Khator received the intellect, strategic sensibilities, College of Engineering at USF. He is Management. She has recently been Distinguished Alumnus Award political savvy and well-developed a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial appointed to the National Science from Purdue University’s College interpersonal skills convinced us that Engineers and serves as faculty Foundation Integrative Graduate of Liberal Arts and the Outstanding she was the individual we need to lead athletic representative to the NCAA. Education and Research Program Educator Award from the American us at this crucial time in our They have two daughters, both Panel and the American Council on Foundation for Greek Language institutional life.” A devoted teacher, ophthalmologists. Education Forum on and Culture for enhancing Hellenic seasoned educational administrator studies. Page # 6 La Voz de Brazoria County - Jan/Feb, 2008 Isabel Hyman Becomes an American Citizen She finally did it. After years of working Originally from Venezuela, Mrs. at Angleton/Danbury Hospital, Isabel Hyman met her husband during World Hyman decided it was time to become War II while he was over there. They an American citizen. “Oh, I have always married and soon came to the United thought about it over the years,” she said States. They were married fifty years recently at a party to celebrate having until he passed away about 10 years acheived her goal. “But I just never got ago. around to it, until now.” When guests asked if she was go- Surrounded by friends and family includ- ing to vote this year, she was quick ing her daughters who came in from Aus- with her response. “Yes, and I am al- tin, Texas, Mrs. Hyman shared with her ready registered.” When asked who guests how she studied and prepared for she was going to vote for, she looked the citizenship test. “I studied over a 100 the questioner in the eye and stated questions. I was nervous, yes, but I knew flatly and with a smile, “That is a se- I had to do it.” cret!” The theme of the party was of course Another guest asked her how she red, white and blue. As more and more felt about her new citizenship status. people crowded into her home to eat All She paused for a moment and reflected American hot dogs and chili, everyone of- before answering. Then she said, “I fered their congratulations in their own have here been such a long time that words and an official “welcome to America” I really don’t feel all that different. But Angleton style. It was clear from all those I would have wanted my husband to present that she had indeed made many be here. That is my only regret for friends over the years. having waited so long.” ABOVE: Mrs. Hyman in front of her home on the day of her party. On March 4th, 2008 6 Vote JohnJohn JaynesJaynes for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Place 1 Paid Political Announcement by John Jaynes 1017 Chevy Chase Angleton, Texas 77515 La Voz de Brazoria County - Jan/Feb, 2008 Page # 7 The Hidden Cost of Remedial Education

By Brooke Dollens Terry Last year, suggests remedial education costs Texas 113 more than $13.6 billion a year in reduced Last spring, angry parents protested students earning potential, poor worker productivity, HISPANIC that their kids could not walk across the needed help increased spending on social programs, SCHOLARSHIP stage at high school graduation with basic and direct costs of remediation. ceremonies because they failed the TAKS math and FUND test. What should really upset parents is algebra, 29 To restore the value of a high school the false notion that every student with basic diploma and ensure that students are www.hsf.net receiving a diploma is ready for college. reading, and college ready, high schools must return Too many students graduate from high 23 with their focus to teaching reading, writing, Cada año miles de dolares school with insufficient skills to succeed basic and arithmetic skills. The state should estan disponible para in college, and have to repeat high school writing. also raise high school standards so that estudiantes. Informanse de material at two- and four-year colleges. students cannot graduate with deficits in estos fondos en el website Brooke Dollens Terry these critical areas. These del Hispanic Scholarship Last year, 35 percent of all freshmen numbers Fund. No hay que tener pena at Texas public higher education demonstrate a wide disconnect between The goal of every high school should institutions had to enroll in at least one high school preparation and college be to prepare all students to be able to cuando esta buscando remedial education course because they expectations. Remedial education makes enter college or the workforce without the apoyo financial para el were unprepared for college-level work in the attainment of a college degree less need for remediation, because all of us colegio. Con orgullo uno math, reading, or writing. This equates to likely; in fact, it is the leading predictor pay the price when Texas students don’t tiene que declarar porque learn the first time around. more than 162,000 incoming freshmen that a student will drop out of college. merece la beca. Tiene uno expending time and energy on remedial Brooke Dollens Terry is an education policy que creer en uno mismo y la coursework that does not count toward The National Center for Education analyst at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a their degree. Statistics reports that only 17 percent of non-profit, free-market research institute based importancia de obtener una students who enroll in a remedial reading in Austin. educación. ACT, a national college entrance testing course receive a bachelor’s degree within company, concluded that a mere 19 eight years. In general, less education percent of this spring’s Texas high school means lower earnings over a worker’s graduates were ready for college-level lifetime. Remedial education is also a drain courses in math, science, reading, and on taxpayers. English. Sending poorly prepared Robert Pruett students to college is costly for When students take remedial institutions of higher learning, for education courses in college, taxpayers students, for taxpayers, and for the wind up paying for the same material to for Brazoria County Sheriff economy. Colleges and universities be taught twice. Because taxpayers should not have to spend precious time finance remedial education through local “The peoples candidate” and resources to re-teach basic skills property taxes, state general revenue before students are ready for college-level funds, federal income taxes, and other work. local taxes, it is difficult to determine the Concerned total cost to taxpayers. But last year’s But during the last academic year, the state budget appropriated $206 million to Impartial University of Houston taught remedial public higher education institutions for the math to 924 students, remedial reading instructional cost of developmental to 95, and remedial writing to 172. San (remedial) education. Qualified Antonio’s University of the Incarnate Word taught remedial math to 306 Lastly, the large need for remedial Accessible students and remedial reading and writing education hurts the economy. The to 230. Even students at one of Texas’ Alliance for Excellent Education Tough on Crime flagship universities, the University of estimates the nation loses $2.3 billion a Texas at Austin, needed remedial help. year from lost earnings. Other research Dedicated

La Voz de Brazoria County “I respectfully ask for your vote and Se encuentra en el internet support in the coming March 4th Primary.” www.lavozdebrazoriacounty.com Paid Political Adv. by Robert Pruett Campaign Shirley Pruett, Treasurer 5011 County Road 868 Brazoria, Texas 77442 Page # 8 La Voz de Brazoria County - January / February, 2008 LULAC recibe donación de Urban FINANCIAL $25,000 del Banco Countrywide Mortgage Banking & Brokerage para programas de educación para compradores de casa Presenta al Sr. Cesar Sanchez como nuestro Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens National prestamista oficial de prestamos de hipotecas Housing Commission (LNHC) today announced that it has received $25,000 from Countrywide Bank, FSB, the third largest federal savings bank in the U.S. and a para sus viviendas member of the Countrywide (NYSE:CFC) family of companies. Countrywide Bank’s Urban FINANCIAL Mortgage & Brokerage financial support will allow the National Housing Commission to continue to promote educational programs on home buying, foreclosure prevention, financial literacy, credit and other areas for Latinos, especially for young people and the elderly.

“LULAC believes that homeownership is the key to the long-term economic progress Compre su Casa, and wealth accumulation of the Latino community, and that safe and stable neighborhoods are essential to individual achievement and community vitality,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “We are grateful for Countrywide Bank’s sin Enganche! generous contribution, and we applaud their long-standing commitment to help Use su numero consumers achieve and maintain homeownership.” “A solid foundation of financial education is the first step towards building your financial future,” said Mary Salinas Durón, executive vice president for Countrywide temporal de Bank. “LULAC and the National Housing Commission are long-time partners of Countrywide, and we are proud to support their important efforts as we try to make trabajo para the home-buying process a smooth one for the Latino community.” comprar su casa! Cesar Sanchez

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