LULAC 2001 Convention Moves to Phoenix! Details Inside
LULACLeagueLULAC of United Latin American Citizens NEWS NEWS January/ebruary 2001 $4.50
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U.S. POSTAGE U.S. NONPROIT ORG. NONPROIT 2001 LULAC National Convention Moves to Phoenix, Arizona
The LULAC National Executive Board Center, also known as the “Gathering Place International Airport, the location couldn’t announced December 2, 2000, that the 72nd of the Southwest,” will host the event. At be better. The LULAC National Convention LULAC National Convention will be held in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the Center will be located directly across the street from Phoenix, AZ. The new dates are June 3–June features 375,000 square feet of comfortable the homes of professional baseball, basket- 9, 2001. meeting and special event space. ball and hockey teams. If your tastes run more The convention was originally slated to The Center has previously hosted such cultural, you’ll find history and science mu- be held June 24–June 30 in San Juan, Puerto prestigious events as the NBA All-Star Jam seums, the downtown theater district, restau- Rico. The decision, supported unanimously session, NFL Super Bowl Players Party, and rants, shops, and a 24-screen movie theater by both the Puerto Rico and Arizona state Major League Baseball’s Expansion Draft. It complex, all within easy walking distance. boards, was made in order to allow for the will provide the opportunity for LULAC to The City of Phoenix boasts a unique completion of better and more suitable facili- have their largest exposition and job fair ever. mix of traditions. Its roots lie in the cultures ties in Puerto Rico. San Juan will now be The Hyatt Regency Phoenix, located of ancient Native Americans like the the site of the 2003 convention, the year origi- directly across the street from the Conven- Hohokam and Anasazi, with contributions nally granted to Phoenix. tion Center, will be the official hotel of the from Spain, who made what is now Arizona “Phoenix is a great city with a growing 2001 LULAC National Convention. It is one a Spanish province in 1821. With an increas- Latino population,” said LULAC National of the city’s finest places to stay and rooms ing Asian-American population and the con- President Rick Dovalina. “The membership will be available to convention participants tributions of African-Americans now being can look forward to an exciting week at one at the rate of only $59 per night. recognized, the rich cultural mix found in of the best facilities in Arizona.” Less than five minutes from the free- Phoenix will provide an exciting venue for The Phoenix Civic Plaza Convention way and only 10 minutes from Sky Harbor LULAC’s 72nd National Convention.
2 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act. Presidents Message The broader amnesty requested by President Clinton’s admin- istration and key Democratic sponsors, including a change in regis- try date to 1986 and NACARA parity that would have granted per- Dear Brothers and Sisters of LULAC: manent residency for people from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras As the new year begins, we and Haiti who fled political persecution in their country of origin, can look back on another success- were soundly rejected. ful year for LULAC. There has Nevertheless, the final outcome was not a total fiasco. Thou- been much to be thankful for this sands of immigrants here in a temporary, but vulnerable temporary past year. We had one of the best status, will be allowed to apply for permanent status. Many of these national conventions in the people have been waiting up to 20 years. The bill passed grants court League’s history, we continued to hearings to about 150,000 immigrants who arrived before 1982 but grow our membership, and we were denied amnesty for green cards under Immigration and Natural- were the first Latino organization ization Service decisions that have since been overturned. A 1996 to present President Clinton with law prevented appeals in these cases despite the mistakes. an award at the White House. But In addition, the legislation revives a federal program that will there is still much left to do be- allow approximately 200,000 immigrants with work permits to pay a fore we bring in the New Year. $1,000 fine to complete their applications for permanent residency. Otherwise, they must return to their homelands to complete paper- The Elections work for green cards, then wait three to ten years before returning to the U.S. Although the legislation passed does not meet all of our The Latino community played a major role in determining the expectations, it does at least provide relief to many who have been winners of local, state, and national elections. Early exit polling waiting in legal limbo for so many years. LULAC will continue to showed that Latinos made up seven percent of the voters this year. advocate for an immigration policy that is just, sensible, and respect- That is a jump of two percentage points from 1996 and confirms ful of the many contributions made by immigrants to the United States. what we have been saying all along—Latinos are here to stay and we are a force to be reckoned with. I want to take this opportunity to once again say “thank you” to President-elect George W. Bush garnered a much larger share every member of LULAC for a great year 2000. LULAC continues to of the Latino vote than Bob Dole in 1996. LULAC expects Bush to assert itself as the leading Hispanic organization working on behalf be responsive to Hispanic issues and we look forward to a successful of the Latino community, and that is all because of you. Your hard working relationship with the new administration. work is leading the way for the next generation of Latino leaders to I would like to send out a special thanks to all of the LULAC become successful. members who worked so hard to drive Latino turnout at the polls. I look forward to the beginning of another historic year for the Your efforts to register new voters, inform the community of the im- League of United Latin American Citizens. portance of voting, and increase turnout, certainly made the differ- ence in this election. Let’s use this momentum to continue the Sincerely, League’s strong record of working for the community. Latino Immigrant and airness Act After much wrangling and a Presidential veto threat, up to a million longtime immigrants will be allowed to stay in the country Rick Dovalina under a compromise Congress approved December 15, 2000. The LULAC National President letter and spirit of the legislation passed was not that hoped for in the LULAC Index: The Numbers Tell the Story 1.5 Percentage of Hispanic CEOs in ortune 500 Companies 3 Percentage of Hispanic Actors on Major Networks in Primetime 6.4 Percentage of Hispanics in the ederal Workforce 7 Percentage of Hispanic Voters in 2000 Presidential Election 8 Number of Newly Elected Hispanics to State Legislatures 13 Percentage of Hispanics in Overall United States Population 38 Percentage of Hispanic Vote for President-elect George W. Bush
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 3 I was too educated for,” said Mauricio New Latino Series Holds Mendoza, who plays Miguel. “I always didn’t speak ‘street’ enough or I didn’t look like a thug. This was the first role in my entire ca- Groundbreaking Potential reer that when I finished auditioning, I knew I wanted to be a part of this.” s we continue to push the major tele- Santiago household in order since the death Tony Plana, who plays Roberto, was vision networks to include Latinos of Roberto’s wife. brought to tears when describing his feelings Ain their programming, one network Resurrection Blvd. represents a serious on the show. “You have no idea what it’s on cable television has stepped up to the attempt to portray Latinos in everyday life. like to spend over twenty years acting and plate. Showtime’s new original series Res- And as most Latinos know, we haven’t been never get to work with your own people,” he urrection Blvd. features an all-Latino cast so lucky in the past. The majority of roles said. “This project makes me feel so proud, and a Latino producer. available for Latinos are portrayals of crimi- to come to work everyday with my fellow The series is based on the happenings nals, servants, gang members, and other nega- Latinos.” of the Santiagos, a proud family whose hopes tive and stereotypical characters. Michael DeLorenzo, who plays Carlos, and dreams are rooted in the world of pro- Were showing a cross-section of is the most well-known actor on the show. fessional boxing. They live in a modest what Latinos are, as opposed He also feels that an all-Latino series was long single family home on Resurrection Blvd. in to just all the stereotypes overdue and believes that the cast takes extra contemporary East Los Angeles. pride in their work on Resurrection Blvd. Roberto, a widower, is the patriarch weve been seeing for so long. “I think the thing that attracted a lot of who works in an auto repair shop while he - Nicholas Gonzalez, who plays us to this project was that it wasn’t just a story trains his middle son Carlos, a top-ranked Alex Santiago on Resurrection Blvd. about a Latino family, it was a story about a boxing contender. Roberto is aided by his family that just happened to be Latino,” he oldest son Miguel, a former boxer. Alex, the The cast and producers have come to- said. “What we as actors want to do, we don’t youngest son, is a pre-med student at UCLA; gether pridefully to bring a show to the Ameri- want to play a Latino, we don’t want to play sister Yolanda works at a law firm in Beverly can public that accurately reflects Latino life a Latino boxer, we want to play a boxer, a Hills; and Victoria, the youngest child, is a in this country. The cast is especially proud father, a real three-dimensional full-fleshed high school student who hangs out with the of the show and feels a great sense of grati- human being.” wrong crowd. tude for being able to play such important The show first premiered on June 26 Roberto’s brother, Ruben, is a brain- roles on the series. and airs every Monday at 10:00 pm. Decem- addled ex-boxer who doesn’t speak. His sis- “I have a master’s degree in theater, and ber 4 will begin the second set of episodes to ter-in-law, the enthusiastic Bibi, has kept the most of the Latino roles I have auditioned for, run thru February.
Community Must Help to Increase Viewership of irst All-Latino Drama Series
There has been considerable concern their primetime slots. If we as Latinos fail to the show is renewed for additional seasons. about the fact that Latinos are make the show a success, it is highly unlikely Please help to spread the word to those underrepresented in film and television pro- that any other network will attempt to broad- you know who have the Showtime channel ductions behind and in front of the cam- cast dramas or sitcoms featuring Latino fami- in their household, and if possible, arrange era. LULAC is proud to support a series of lies any time in the near future. small viewing parties at these homes so that this caliber that in both respects is running LULAC understands that Showtime is everyone can see this exciting new show. counter to that trend. a premium cable television channel that many Some have said that the show doesn’t We want Resurrection Blvd. to suc- members of the Latino community may not relate to them because it is based on a Mexi- ceed and have a long run on Showtime. To be able to afford. However, Showtime has as- can-American family in East Los Angeles. make this a reality, we need your help, not sured us that they are only looking to increase As a community, Latinos must set aside these only to spread the word among your friends viewership among those already subscribing differences and embrace Resurrection Blvd. and family, but also to increase viewership to their channel. for being Latino. throughout the Latino community. According to Showtime, less than three If we can make this series successful, As the first Latino drama series, Res- percent of Latinos currently subscribing regu- it opens the door for other, more targeted urrection Blvd. establishes the benchmark larly watch Resurrection Blvd. LULAC and Latino shows in the future. We know that that other major networks will use when other community groups will be leading the with your help, we can make Resurrection deciding what new shows to produce for way to help increase this number to ensure Blvd. the “hit” it deserves to be.
4 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 The Cast of
TONY PLANA as outstanding work in film and television, as well as five Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards Roberto Santiago for Theater. Tony Plana has starred in more than Trained professionally at the Royal 30 feature films, including “JFK,” “Salva- Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the dor,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” Cuban-born Plana has appeared on Broad- “Nixon,” “Lone Star,” “Three Amigos,” way in “Zoot Suit” and in “The Boys Of “Born in East L.A.,” “El Norte,” “187,” Winter,” as well as in countless productions “Primal Fear,” and the soon-to-be-released both off-Broadway and in regional theater. “Picking Up the Pieces,” co-starring oppo- Plana is the co-founder and executive site Woody Allen and directed by Alfonso artistic director of the East Los Angeles Arau. Classic Theater Group. This group special- Plana also recently co-starred oppo- izes in the development of literacy through site Bob Hoskins and Nestor Carbonell in the performing arts. Plana has directed the Showtime Original Picture “Noriega- Shakespearean productions set against such God’s Favorite,” and played a recurring role distinct tableaux’s as an Andean-Spanish on Steven Bochco’s “City Of Angels.” Conquest “Midsummer Nights Dream,” a His other television credits include Zoot Suit-styled “Romeo and Juliet,” a Salsa “Sweet Fifteen” and “Drug Wars: The musical version of “Twelfth Night,” and a Camarena Story.” He also co-starred with Mariachi “Much Ado About Nothing.” the late Raul Julia in the award-winning Plana just completed directing his first docudrama “The Burning Season: The Life film for Showtime, “The Little Mermaid,” starring Edward James Olmos, Maria and Death of Chico Mendes.” Plana starred Show.” Conchita Alonso and his Resurrection in the recurring role of the district attorney Plana is the recipient of two Blvd.co-stars Marisol Nichols and Nicho- in Bochco’s acclaimed series “Murder NOSOTROS Golden Eagle Awards for his One,” as well as on “The Drew Carey las Gonzalez.
ELIZABETH PEÑA as ies Not Included,” and Jezebel in Adrian Wesley Snipes, and appeared as the marine Lyne’s hallucinatory thriller “Jacob’s Ladder.” veterinarian who comes to the aid of a gentle Bibi She has co-starred in the critically acclaimed killer whale in “Free Willy 2.” Additional Elizabeth Peña first gained the atten- “The Waterdance” opposite Eric Stoltz and feature film credits include “Across The tion of moviegoers with her role of the sul- Moon,” “Dead Funny,” “Blue Steel,” try maid in “Down and Out in Beverly “Vibes,” “Times Square” and “They All Hills.” She is perhaps best known for her Laughed.” starring role in John Sayles’ “Lone Star,” On television, Peña played Jinx, a re- for which she received an Independent curring role on the last season of “L.A. Law,” Spirit Award as well as a Bravo Award in in addition to starring in the title role on the 1997 for Best Actress in a Film. sitcom “I Married Dora.” Peña recently completed roles in Other television credits include “Bor- Miramax’s “The Impostor,” opposite Gary derline,” the Michael Mann Emmy Award- Sinise and Madeleine Stowe, as well as the winning “Drug Wars: The Camarena Story,” independent feature “On the Borderline.” SHOWTIME’s “Aldrich Ames: Traitor She also co-starred alongside Jackie Chan Within,” episodes of SHOWTIME’s “The and Chris Tucker in the worldwide hit fea- Outer Limits,” and “Dead Man’s Gun,” as ture film “Rush Hour.” well as the Emmy-winning “The Second Peña made her feature film debut in Civil War” with Beau Bridges, and the “El Super,” followed by the critically ac- miniseries “The Invaders.” claimed “Crossover Dreams” opposite In 1993, Peña produced and directed Ruben Blades. Some of her most memo- “Celebrando La Diferencia,” a Latino litera- rable performances include the jilted Rosie ture series for children, with Richard in “La Bamba,” the pregnant Marissa in Dreyfuss, Alfre Woodard and other celeb- Steven Spielberg’s production of “Batter- rity readers.
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 5 by Stephen Hopkins; and “Diggstown,” with MICHAEL DELORENZO as James Woods and Louis Gossett, Jr. Carlos Santiago His other notable screen credits are Michael Ritchie’s “The Couch Trip,” with Michael DeLorenzo is an actor of ex- Dan Aykroyd; Joan Freeman’s “Satisfac- ceptional range and talent and continues to tion,” with Justine Bateman and Julia Rob- prove himself in film, theater and television. erts; John Flynn’s “Best Seller,” with James DeLorenzo is best known for his star- Woods and Brian Dennehy; and Sidney ring role as Detective Eddie Torres in the Poitier’s “Fast Forward.” television drama series “New York Under- DeLorenzo also starred as Alex Torres cover,” for which he received a 1996 Bravo in the television series “Head of the Class,” Award for “Outstanding Actor in a Drama and in episodes of “A Different World,” Series.” “Miami Vice” and ‘Crime Story.” He also co-starred in the Showtime His stage performances include such Original Picture, “The Wall,” for which he productions as the Broadway revival of received an ALMA (American Latino Me- “West Side Story” and “Stand Up Tragedy” dia Arts) award nomination for Best Actor. produced at the Mark Taper Forum, for His feature film credits include Rob which he received a Dramalogue Award as Reiner’s Oscar-winning “A Few Good Best Actor. Men,” with Tom Cruise and Jack Born and raised in the Bronx, Nicholson; Gregory Nava’s critically ac- DeLorenzo is the second of four children claimed “Mi Familia”; “Somebody To “Judgment Night,” co-starring with Emilio and attended New York’s famed High Love,” starring opposite Rosie Perez;” Estevez and Cuba Gooding Jr. and directed School of the Performing Arts.
DANIEL ZACAPA as starred on such series as “The Practice,” “NYPD Blue,” “Seinfeld,” “JAG,” and Tio Ruben “Star Trek: Voyager.” He appeared in the Daniel Zacapa’s feature film credits cable films “Grand Ave.” and “Witness Pro- include “The Odd Couple II,” “Up Close and tection,” opposite Forest Whitaker. Personal,” “Phenomenon,” “Seven,” “The He is a 1998 ALMA (American Latino Sandlot,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Boulevard Media Arts) Award recipient for Best Sup- Nights,” and Werner Herzog’s “Aguirre: The porting Actor for his role in “Foto Novelas,” Wrath Of God.” a PBS drama directed by Carlos Avila On television, Zacapa has guest- (“Price of Glory”).
RUTH LIVIER as Yolanda Santiago Ruth Livier was born in Guadalajara, Bethany,” and “My Father’s Love.” Mexico, where she began performing in lo- On television, she has had recurring cal government-sponsored theater while in roles such as Joy Taylor (Jenny Garth’s half her early teens. sister) on “Beverly Hills 90210,” as Katrina Livier’s feature film credits include a Herrera in Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Soldier of co-starring role opposite Dennis Hopper in Fortune,” and as Kim in “Weird Science.” She “Bad City Blues,” directed by Michael has guest-starred on “Becker,” “NYPD Blue” Stevens and recently screened at the AFI and “The Pretender.” Film Festival. Her other film credits are Her extensive theater credits include “The Last Flight,” “Matters of Conse- productions with The South Coast Repertory The Mark Taper Forum, and the East LA quence,” “Hash Browns,” “A Death in Theater, The Long Beach Opera Company, Classic Theater.
6 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 NICHOLAS GONZALEZ as Alex Santiago Nicholas Gonzalez makes his televi- sion series debut in Showtime’s Resurrec- tion Blvd. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Gonzalez graduated from Stanford Univer- sity. He spent two terms at Oxford Uni- versity in England researching English lit- erature and poetry. Gonzalez made his stage debut in a one-man show titled “Gas,” by award-win- ning playwright Jose Rivera, and contin- ued to perform in plays at theaters in the San Francisco Bay area. His television credits include “Dharma and Greg” and the popular “Un- dressed” series for MTV. He won the part of Castro’s son opposite Joe Mantegna in the film “My Little Assassin.” Gonzalez was recently cast opposite his Resurrection Blvd. co-star Marisol Nichols, in the Showtime Original Picture MARISOL NICHOLS as For All Ages, “The Little Mermaid,” di- rected by Tony Plana. Victoria Santiago Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, MAURICIO MENDOZA as Miguel Santiago Marisol Nichols studied drama at the Col- Mauricio Mendoza was born in lege of Dupage in Chicago. She was discov- Davis, California, of Colombian parents ered by talent scouts in Chicago and moved who returned to Colombia when he was to Los Angeles to star in the network series three years old. “My Guy.” When he returned toCalifornia, Nichols co-starred with Chevy Chase Mendoza studied musical theater at the in the popular feature film “National United States International University and Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation” as his daughter received his master’s at the University of Audrey Griswald. Her other feature film cred- San Diego Professional Actors Training its include “Scream 2,” “‘Mafia,” Program. “Bowfinger,” and “‘Can’t Hardly Wait,” with He made his feature debut in the CD- Jennifer Love Hewitt. ROM game, “Wing Commander IV.” On On television, she has guest-starred on television, Mendoza was a series regular such series as “ER,” “Diagnosis Murder,” on “Angeles,” a Sony/Tri-Star/Telemundo “Boy Meets World,” “Malcolm and Eddie” co-production. He also co-starred on the and “Cybill.” “Babylon 5” series and “Vital Signs.” Nichols co-starred with Shannon His feature film credits include Doherty in the television film “Friends ’Til “Rhapsody on Rails,” “Mala Sangre,” “Un the End.” Most recently, she completed a star- Tiempo Atras,” and most recently, “Blow,” ring role opposite Edward James Olmos, starring Johnny Depp. Maria Conchita Alonso, and her Resurrec- tion Blvd. co-star Nicholas Gonzalez in the Showtime Original Picture For All Ages, DENNIS E. LEONI “The Little Mermaid.” landmark series, “Hawaii Five-O.” Dennis E. Leoni is the executive pro- He later wrote his first screenplay and ducer, writer and creator of Resurrection moved to Los Angeles. Leoni began writ- Blvd. He was born in Tucson and attended ing episodes for several series, including the University of Arizona. After graduat- “Covington Cross,” “McKenna,” “Raven” ing, he started his show business career and “The Commish.” He makes his series working as an actor and a stuntman. producing debut on Resurrection Blvd. Moving to Hawaii, he eventually left acting and started a production career on the
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 7 2000 LULAC Washington Youth Leadership Seminar
his past October, 38 outstanding His- The WYS was a great success and the panic high school students from students enjoyed their time in the nation’s Taround the United States and Puerto capital. The following Position Paper was Rico arrived in Washington, DC, to partici- developed the first night of the seminar after pate in the 17th Annual LULAC Washington intensive discussion. The students adopted Youth Leadership Seminar (WYS). The the following positions as representative of WYS is an annual program of the LULAC their views on Economic Empowerment: National Educational Service Centers, Inc. • Financial Literacy: Given that fi- Each August, students submit an appli- nancial literacy is a vital skill for all Ameri- cation and essay for an opportunity to be se- cans, schools should begin instructing stu- lected to attend the three-day leadership semi- dents in sound money management in elemen- nar. The WYS is designed to provide the stu- tary school and continue on through college. dent with the opportunity to witness firsthand Course topics should include budgeting, us- Rocio Quijada models the official 2000 WYS how our national government works and to ing banks, saving and investing, credit, pur- uniform at Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant. explore current issues we face as a nation. chasing a home, and starting a business. Mock This year’s theme, “Economic Empowerment: commerce programs such as “exchange city” volunteer work should be considered. The New Civil Rights Agenda,” generated should be incorporated by all schools. Com- • The Role of Government: We sup- great enthusiasm among the students. munities should ensure the availability of free port the expansion of programs like empow- Various speakers on the topic included or low cost adult financial programs with gov- erment zones, the New Markets Initiative, Brent Wilkes, LULAC Executive Director, ernment support. America’s Private Investment Companies, and George Muñoz, President of the Overseas • Tax Policy: Our nation’s tax laws First Accounts. Regulatory agencies should Private Investment Corp., Anna Escobedo should remain progressive. Capital gains and work to eliminate discrimination in hiring, Cabral, President of the Hispanic Associa- large inheritances should be taxed at higher pay, promotion, and contracting. tion on Corporate Responsibility, and rates than income from wages. Any changes • Job Training: Federal and state Theodore Wartell, Small Business Adminis- in our nation’s tax policy should be designed governments should continue to expand job tration Director of Policy. to reduce the income gap between the wealthy training opportunities and enhance them to Participants were fortunate this year to and the working poor. include training for mid-and-upper level po- attend various events of the U.S. Hispanic • Charity: Individuals who have suc- sitions. Training stipends should be consid- Chamber of Commerce’s National Conven- ceeded financially should support programs ered to increase participation. tion. The students also attended a day-long that help those who are less fortunate. Tax • Technology: Given the strong em- seminar on Youth Entrepreneurship presented laws should be modified to encourage true phasis on information technology skills in by Juan Casimiro, Executive Vice President charitable activity (e.g. mentoring programs today’s economy, we support the E-Rate and at YoungBiz.com. for low income kids). A tax deduction for other public/private programs that increase access to computers and the internet for His- panic communities. We believe the E-Rate program should be expanded to include non- profit organizations that deliver technology programming to underserved communities utilizing expert volunteers. • Access to Capital: We support public/private programs that provide capital to communities that have traditionally been underserved. • Mentoring: We call for an increase in mentoring programs that pair successful business executives with young entrepreneurs and students to provide a role model that is often lacking in low income communities. • Motivation: Finally, we call on schools, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government to encourage and motivate students and families to grow wealth in low- Students of the 2000 LULAC Washington Youth Seminar at the U.S. Capitol Building. income communities.
8 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 YY OO UU TT HH Students from Arizona stand together outside Union Station. Everyone piles on the the DC Metro to get around town. LL EE AA DD
John Garza of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. and Fred Gutierrez EE LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes addresses of LNESC in Houston present Christina Aguilar of Laredo, the students at the LULAC National Office. TX, with a certificate of participation. RR SS HH PP
Students participated in the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of SS LNESC Executive Director Richard Roybal gives Liberato Commerce’s Youth Entrepreneurship Seminar. Jimenez of Santa Paula, CA, a certificate of participation. EE MM II NN AA
Students celebrate their achievements at the Awards Breakfast. Students give a presentation to Overseas Private Investment RR Corporation President George Muñoz at the OPIC board room.
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 9 The League of United Latin American Citizens and its Corporate Alliance cordially invite you to attend ◆ The Fourth Annual LULAC National Legislative Awards Gala Celebrating the 72nd Anniversary of LULAC ◆ Hosted By Giselle Fernandez (Access Hollywood) & Tony Plana (Resurrection Blvd.)
Awards Recipients include: Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) (invited) Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) The Honorable Jack Kemp ◆ J.W. Marriott Hotel 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC Tuesday, March 13, 2001 6:00 pm Cocktails 7:00 pm Awards 8:00 pm Dinner 9:00 pm Entertainment ◆ For more information, please call (202) 833-6130
10Black www.LULAC.org Tie LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 2001 LULAC National Legislative Awards Gala
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LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 11 News rom Around the League LULAC National Board Marches for Immigrants Rights in Washington, DC On Saturday, October 14, the LULAC National Board adjourned from their board meeting and took to the streets of the nation’s capital. They marched over two miles to show their support for immigrant and Latino rights in this country. “We felt that we needed to have a pres- ence at this important event,” said Rick Dovalina, LULAC National President. “Since we were already meeting in Washing- ton, it gave LULAC and the national board an opportunity to make a difference.” The march coincided with what was supposed to be the closing days of the 106th Congress, where critical immigration legis- LULAC National President Rick Dovalina, surrounded by members of the LULAC National lation was still pending. Board, speaks to supporters at the National March for Latino, Labor and Immigrant Rights. California LULAC Chairperson of the California LULAC Edu- pated in From Border to Border: Building a cational Foundation. “We must continue our Human Rights Movement, December 8-10, Educational oundation efforts to make sure that through education 2000, in Tucson. The event gathered immi- Holds 10th Annual and preparation, students achieve their high- grant, labor, environmental, indigenous, hu- est potential.” man rights, faith-based, peace and justice, and Achievement Awards Since 1991, the Foundation has distrib- civil rights groups to create a grassroots plan focusing on human mobility and just and On August 19, 2000, the 10th uted over $138,000 to 219 students who have peaceful borders. AnnualYoung Hispanic Academic Achieve- used the money to attend 38 different col- LULAC National President Rick ment Awards were held in Anaheim, CA. The leges and universities. Almost two out of ev- Dovalina gave the keynote address and en- awards recognize and present scholarships to ery three awardees have been women. couraged participants to work together. 26 deserving students for higher education. Border Summit “Our youth are the future leaders going Held in Arizona into the new millennium,” said Vera Marquez, Other News Arizona and National LULAC partici- Longtime LULAC member Lydia Gonzalez of Garden City, KS, was inducted into the Mid-American Education Hall of Fame on October 7, 2000. She is the first Hispanic ever to be inducted..... LULAC Council 4606 of Arlington, VA, recently launched its new website at lulac4606.org. The site provides information about the council, its members, and programs and activities that they sponsor..... LULAC Council 5226 of South Chi- cago, IL, held their inauguration dinner on November 10, 2000. The keynote speaker was LULAC National Treasurer Hector Flores...... Washington, D.C. has a new LULAC council, #11111. Carlos Zapata, council president, has already initiated several com- (L-R) LULAC members Daniel and Manuel Escobar, and Mickie Lopez join LULAC munity service projects, including serving National Treasurer Hector Flores, LNESC Executive Director Richard Roybal, Texas District Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless, and 15 Director Henry Rodriguez, Texas Deputy State Director Margaret Moran, and LULAC organizing a Christmas toy drive for local His- member Angie Garcia in the first meeting to establish a new LNESC center in San Antonio. panic children.
12 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 News Briefs ABC Offers World News Tonight in Spanish ABC News “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings” became the first and only major national broadcast news program avail- able in Spanish when it began providing si- multaneous Spanish interpretation of the broadcast on the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) channel on Monday, October 2. The broadcasts are available to U.S. Latino house- holds in 38 markets. “This is something we have wanted to do for a long time,” said Peter Jennings. “We hope that those who speak primarily spanish will get a broader view of the world by hav- ing access to our broadcast.” LULAC Boston and SAP is an additional audio channel that 7-Eleven can be recieved by all viewers with stereo tele- vision sets in markets where SAP program- Get Out the Vote ming is available. Above: The community comes Texaco Havoline Targets together to increase voter Hispanics with Spanish- registration outside a Boston 7- Eleven store. The group included Language Website LULAC VP Regla González, Texaco Havoline has launched a Massachusetts Secretary of State Website in Spanish to better target and en- Bill Galvin, 7-Eleven hance its service to Hispanic consumers. By representatives, and LULAC visiting
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 13 Don Carlos Romero-Barceló A Lifetime of Achievement and Dedication
lection Day represented the end of an of implementing the Presidential Di- era in Puerto Rican politics as long rectives. Etime activist Carlos Romero-Barceló He served on the House Com- was defeated in his re-election bid for Resi- mittee on Resources, where he was dent Commissioner of Puerto Rico in the the Ranking Member of the Na- United States House of Representatives. tional Parks and Public Lands Sub- Romero-Barceló began his first four- committee - the highest-ranking po- year term in the U.S. House of Representa- sition ever attained by a Resident tives in 1992 and was re-elected in a land- Commissioner from Puerto Rico - slide to a second term in 1996. He was the and was a member of the Fisheries only member in either chamber of the 106th Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans U.S. Congress to have been a two-term Mayor Subcommittee. Romero-Barceló (1968-1976), a two-term Governor (1976- also served on the House Education 1984) and State Senator (1986-1988). and Workforce Committee where he On taking office in 1993, Romero- sat on the Subcommittees of Early Barceló and the other delegates were given Childhood, Youth and Families and limited voting rights in the House that were Employer-Employee Relations. to be in effect when the House met as the His political career began in Committee of the Whole. But that voting 1968, when he was elected Mayor of Puerto Throughout his life, Romero-Barceló privilege was rescinded in 1994 when the Rico’s capital city of San Juan and then re- has crusaded tirelessly for the rights of Puerto Republican Party won a majority of seats. Rico’s disenfranchised American citizens, In spite of the voting restriction, “Vamos al encuentro, leading the fight to achieve equal participa- Romero-Barceló achieved incredible results. tion in the federal programs and services avail- By drawing on his vast experience of over 30 vamos al encuentro, con able to all Americans. He has waged and won years in public service, his intimate knowl- Carlos Romero-Barceló” battles in Congress and campaigned for state- edge of the political process, his friendships -lyrics to the famous jingle used in hood on the stages of three political status built and nurtured during his tenure in Puerto the 1980s campaigns for Governor plebiscites held on the island. Rico’s top elective positions, and his years elected in 1972. During his tenure he focused In 1989, Romero-Barceló was elected of experience in Washington, he greatly sur- on modernizing and improving the operation for a second time in his political career to passed all expectations. of the city’s government and he began laying lead the New Progressive Party, whose prin- Since his arrival in Washington in 1993, the groundwork to obtain federal minimum cipal goal is to achieve statehood for Puerto Romero-Barceló achieved not only great wage benefits for Puerto Rico’s work force. Rico. In his capacity as party president, he progress for diverse sectors of Puerto Rico, In 1975 Romero-Barceló was the first His- led the statehood delegation before the U.S. but also the most dramatic increase in the panic mayor to become President of the Na- Congress in 1989-1991 while political sta- appropriation of federal funds to the island. tional League of Cities, the most influential tus legislation was under consideration. In six years, from fiscal year 1992 through of all municipal organizations in the United Romero-Barceló was at the forefront of sta- 1999, there has been a funding increase of States. tus legislation in the Congress during his term more than $4.6 billion, from $8.3 billion to In 1976, Romero-Barceló was elected as Resident Commissioner. $12.9 billion. The increase is reflected in all to his first term as Governor of Puerto Rico, A native of San Juan, Romero-Barceló the principal aid programs such as Medicaid, where he embarked on a successful campaign graduated from Philips Exeter Academy in Nutritional Assistance Program, Medicare to gain extension of the federal minimum 1949. He earned his B.A. in Political Sci- and education, where the increases have been wage for Puerto Rico’s workers. He also tack- ence and Economics from Yale University in unprecedented. He has also worked tirelessly led the tax code, bringing relief to the island’s 1953 and earned his law degree from the for Puerto Rico’s veterans. middle and working classes, engineered im- University of Puerto Rico in 1956. He was The Resident Commissioner, who has provements to industrial tax incentives and admitted to the Puerto Rico and Federal Bars been at the forefront of the efforts to get the bolstered the island’s educational, medical, upon receiving his law degree and practiced Navy to curtail its activities on the island of recreational and sports facilities with an over- law as a trial lawyer, mostly in federal court, Vieques since 1977, garnered bipartisan sup- all infrastructure improvements program. for twelve years before running for Mayor of port in Congress for President Clinton’s di- As a member of the National Governor’s San Juan. rectives to the Navy and Department of De- Association, Romero-Barceló sparked a last- Romero-Barceló is married to the fense on the use of the Vieques live fire range. ing friendship with then fellow Governor Bill former Kate Donnelly of Long Island, New At Romero-Barceló’s urging, members from Clinton of Arkansas. In 1983, he was elected York. He has four children - Carlos, Andrés, both sides of the aisle defeated proposed to preside over the Southern Governors As- Juan Carlos and Melinda - and five grand- amendments aimed at derailing the process sociation. children.
14 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 LULAC and Texas Mourn ormer U.S. Representative Henry B. González
ongtime Texas politician Henry B. among his many accomplishments led the LGonzález died on Tuesday, November 28, fight against corruption in the savings and leaving the State of Texas without one of its loan industry. He fought against the illegal most courageous fighters for the common use of American-backed loans to Iraq prior people throughout this century. to the start of the Persian Gulf War, earning González served in Congress for 37 him the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile years representing San Antonio. He won his in Courage Award in 1994. seat in a special election in 1961, becoming “The departure of Congressman Henry the first Hispanic Congressman from Texas. B. González has left a void in our communi- He went on to become an icon of the Mexi- ties that will not be filled in our lifetime,” can-American community, championing af- said Oscar Morán, LULAC Past National fordable housing for the poor, as well as chair- President, “but he has left a well-lit path for ing the powerful House Banking and Urban all of us to follow and our nation is a better run for statewide office when he unsuccess- Affairs Committee where he promoted bank- place because of it.” fully ran for governor and for the U.S. Sen- ing legislation that favored consumers and the González was born in 1916, to parents ate in the late 1950s and early 1960s. underprivileged. recently emigrated from Mexico. He earned Henry B. finally decided to call it quits “Henry B’s commitment to the Mexi- his law degree and then helped his father, in 1998 citing health problems and the need can American comunity in Texas was un- managing editor of a Spanish-language news- to spend more time with his family. His son matched by any other politician in his day,” paper, run a translation service. and former judge, Charles González, won his said Rick Dovalina, LULAC National Presi- He developed a long list of firsts when vacated seat that November. dent. “He laid the groundwork for much of it came to a Hispanic in Texas politics. He “Henry González was one of a kind,” what our community has today and LULAC was the first Hispanic elected to the San An- continued Dovalina. “He will truly be missed will always be indebted to him.” tonio City Council and the Texas State Leg- by LULAC, Texas, and all who had the op- González was a political pioneer who islature. He also was the first Hispanic to portunity to be touched by his life.” difference for our community now, we could Renewing Our Commitment to reach out to hundreds of thousands of more Hispanics if each member brought in just The Hispanic Community one additional member. Let us dedicate our- Now More Than Ever the Hispanic Community Needs A Strong LULAC selves to spreading the good work of the League to new communities and to others s we head into a new year, it is time for nity to organize itself to address important who are in need of our services. Let us in- ALULAC members to redouble their ef- issues and to provide volunteer services to crease our strength as we move into a cru- forts to organize the Hispanic community. those in need. Our members throughout the cial period for Hispanic issues. Let us all Our national office has sent out re-charter United States and Puerto Rico are joined to- work together to increase our membership applications to all LULAC councils in De- gether in seeking a brighter future for all His- so that the Hispanic community is united and cember and we are optimistic that the year panic Americans. organized for action. 2001 will be another year of substantial There are currently more than 600 The membership office is available to membership growth for the League. If you LULAC Councils in the United States and serve you Monday through Friday from 9 haven’t received your package, please con- Puerto Rico that are engaged in advocacy and am to 5 pm Mountain Standard Time. Do tact Lupe Morales in our membership of- community service programs to advance the not hesitate to contact this office if you need fice at (915) 577-0726 or log onto our web economic condition, educational attainment, assistance with membership. Our staff is site at www.LULAC.org and click on the political influence, health and civil rights of always happy to assist you in realizing member link. Hispanic Americans. From raising funds for LULAC’s mission in your community. Increasing membership is our highest scholarships to conducting voter registration priority because members are the lifeblood projects and from sponsoring Hispanic heri- LULAC National Office of our organization. LULAC is unique tage festivals to providing leadership train- Membership Services Department among all Hispanic organizations because ing programs for youth, LULAC councils are 201 East Main Drive, Suite 605 it is the only national member-driven orga- positively impacting Hispanic communities El Paso, Texas 79901 nization open to all Hispanics. LULAC is all across the country. Tel (915) 577-0726 * Fax (915) 577-0914 the primary effort of the Hispanic commu- While LULAC is making a tremendous Toll Free (877) 577-0726
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 15 New Report on Juvenile Justice served for all of our children, not just some of them.” Shows Unfairness Towards Latinos The Building Block for Youth initiative is encouraging everyone to take the follow- By Angela Medina, Fellow, Youth Law Center ing actions: new report reveals that prosecuting these cases should have been prosecuted in -- Ask your state to provide specific data youth in adult criminal court through adult court, rather than juvenile court. on police contacts, juvenile justice system Adirect filing by prosecutors and A number of national organizations - contacts, and transfers to adult criminal court statutory exclusion laws casts too wide a net, child advocacy, youth serving, civil and hu- for Latino youth; sending too many youth, including substan- man rights groups - have raised major con- -- Visit adult jails and prisons and in- tial numbers of Latino youth, into adult courts cerns about the findings in this report: Youth vestigate the status and conditions for incar- for minor offenses. The report, Youth Crime/ tried in the adult criminal court face the same cerated Latino youth; Adult Time: Is Justice Served? was commis- penalties as adults, including the possibility -- Contact your state juvenile justice sioned by Building Blocks for Youth, a na- of the death penalty or life without parole. specialist to obtain a copy of the state’s plan tional initiative lead by the Youth Law Cen- In the adult system, youth will receive to address the overrepresentation and dispar- ter seeking to address racial unfairness in the little or no education, mental health treatment, ate treatment of Latino youth in the juvenile justice system and promoting rational and or rehabilitative programming. Youth in the justice system and report the findings to the effective juvenile justice policies. adult system will obtain an adult criminal public and the media. Youth Crime/Adult Time, the first study record, which may significantly limit their Youth Crime/Adult Time is the most of its kind, takes an in-depth look at the pros- future education and employment opportu- recent in a series of reports issued by the ecution of youth of color in adult court. Al- nities. Additionally, youth in adult jails are Building Blocks for Youth initiative that have though inconsistencies in the collection and at greater risk of rape, assault and death in shown that youth of color are overrepresented presentation of information on Latino popu- adult jails and prisons with adult inmates. in the population held in detention facilities lations in the justice system continue to be a And finally, all of the harmful consequences and in the transfer of youth from juvenile problem, there are a sufficient number of of these transfer laws fall the hardest on youth to adult court. Latino youth in this study to provide some of color, as the findings show that even for In February, the initiative released The indication of how Latino youth are treated the same offense, youth of color are more Color of Justice: An Analysis of Juvenile by the justice system. likely to be transferred to adult court and more Adult Court Transfers in California, pre- In Youth Crime/Adult Time there are likely to be incarcerated in adult jails. pared by the Justice Policy Institute. The re- five sites where Latino youth constituted 40% Upon the release of Youth Crime/Adult search demonstrated that youth of color in or more of the sample and in three sites Latino Time, LULAC National President Rick California were significantly more likely than youth represented more than half of the Dovalina stated, “We are calling on leaders White youth charged with similar crimes to sample. Among the report’s key findings, at every level of our society to take immedi- be sentenced by an adult court to incarcera- data on Latino youth show that: ate actions in light of the dire findings of this tion. In April, Building Blocks for Youth re- -- Latino youth (37%) were more likely report. This report reveals very disturbing as- leased a comprehensive national report pre- than White youth (26%) to receive a sentence pects about the transfer process and we must pared by the National Council on Crime and of incarceration (as opposed to split sen- take concrete steps to ensure that justice is (continued next page) tences or probation). This held true when controlling for the adjudicated offense. For example, of those convicted of a violent of- fense, 46% of Latino youth received a sen- tence of incarceration, compared to 34% of White youth. -- Latino youth were nearly three times as likely as White youth to receive some term of incarceration for a public order offense, 34% compared to 13%. -- Overall, substantial numbers of youth were not convicted, 28% for Latino youth, and significant numbers of youth were not held longer than 24 hours: 45% of Latino youth were released the same day they were charged, and more than half were released within 24 hours. These facts show disparate treatment of Latino youth as they are more likely to be incarcerated than white youth. Also, the data Latino youth are less likely than white youth to have retained private counsel. Youth suggests that the charges were not very seri- represented by retained private counsel were less likely to be convicted and more likely ous and this raises concerns about whether to be transferred back to juvenile court.
16 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 ment to fundamentally reform immigration It Is Time to Reframe the policy to take into account the many contri- butions that immigrants have made to this Immigration Debate country, including providing legal status for those immigrants and undocumented work- By Gabriela D. Lemus, LULAC Director of Policy and Legislation ers who seek only to make significant contri- s the oldest Latino civil rights orga- sult: a balloon effect was created where work- butions to their communities and workplaces. nization in the United States, ers simply shifted to other less patrolled, but Additionally, LULAC is opposed to the ALULAC is committed to ensuring often more dangerous crossings. escalation of vigilantism of the Arizona bor- that immigrants are treated fairly and with jus- Furthermore, an additional phenom- der, and most recently, the Texas border. We tice. The creation of a new human rights enon has taken place. Over the past year, have repeatedly proposed that the U.S. gov- movement to reframe the immigration debate some ranchers have taken matters into their ernment investigate both the civil and crimi- and eliminate violence along the U.S.-Mexico own hands and joined together with anti-im- nal aspects of incidents involving the viola- border tops the list of priorities for LULAC migrant organizations, such as the Federation tion of civil rights of undocumented workers in the upcoming year. for American Immigration Control (FAIR), to along the U.S.-Mexico border. Three themes dominate the landscape capture undocumented crossers on their lands Our opinion is that, instead of focus- and are clearly inter-related: the globalization and deliver them to the INS. ing on the militarization of the border, the of the world’s economy, the mobility of LULAC has witnessed with increasing INS should focus on naturalization, citizen people, and the relationship this has had with alarm the impunity with which these ranch- promotion, and the training of Border Patrol the increase in violence on the border. ers and their anti-immigrant cohorts have been agents. We believe that proposals such as The world economy has experienced in able to, in their words, take the law into their the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act that a state of unprecedented growth. Globaliza- hands and administer their brand of frontier seek to regularize the status of undocumented tion processes have contributed to the vast justice by arming themselves to protect their workers who have been working and contrib- movement of peoples across the U.S.-Mexico lands from all trespassers, rounding them up uting to the U.S. economy since 1986, along border, but also around the planet. However, like cattle on horseback and by truck. It is a with providing parity for the treatment of part of what is happening, is that fewer and time bomb waiting to explode. Central Americans and Haitians, and the res- fewer large corporations own more of the The overall impact is one where on the toration of Section 245(i) will benefit the world’s productive resources creating a con- one hand, official apprehensions of workers country as a whole, not increase undocu- centration of power in the hands of a few. have increased by a margin of approximately mented immigration. Additionally, U.S. corporations have ex- 20 percent since 1994, and vigilante groups Undocumented immigration is driven panded their global reach and more workers have self-deputized and demonized not only primarily by the economic and political con- are needed in the U.S., creating an additional the migrating workers, but their communities. ditions of the home countries and the demand- draw for those seeking a better life. On the other hand, the death toll among un- side draw for immigrants to come to the We have also witnessed economic dis- documented immigrants has also increased as United States given current needs for labor. parity between the haves and the have-nots. they are forced to cross through rural areas Getting “tough” on undocumented immi- The United States has consistently reported and desert where heat and cold easily over- grants does not appear to have much of an low unemployment rates, labor shortages and come them. effect because undocumented immigration ac- a booming economy. At the same time, our According to the American Civil Lib- tually increased after the imposition of em- neighbors in Latin America report low wages, erties Union (ACLU), since the implementa- ployer sanctions in 1986. Moreover, despite and in South America, dramatic surges in vio- tion of Operation Gatekeeper, crossing into increased law enforcement efforts on the bor- lence have contributed to vast migrations as the United States became tougher and we have der and the subsequent number of deaths that they seek protection from armed conflict. witnessed the death of 444 individuals seek- have occurred, undocumented immigration However, with the great influx of un- ing freedom and economic security. The prob- persists. documented workers, attempts have also been lem has simply shifted and no real progress Lastly, we at LULAC, believe that a made by the U.S. government to abate illegal in the decrease of undocumented migration more innovative approach that can contrib- immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, has been made despite a five-year build-up ute a tremendous amount is to assist in the but clearly at a high price. In 1994, the INS along the border of Border Patrol agents and improvement of the economies of our neigh- announced a new plan to stem immigration a swollen Border Patrol Budget that increased bor countries in the Americas. After World through the most popular points of entry, spe- from $374 million to $952 million over the War II, the United States stepped in with the cifically the San Diego corridor. The net re- same period. Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and jump- The solutions to these problems are not start European economies. What we need (from previous page) simple. Economies wax and wane. Civil wars now is a similar economic plan to jumpstart Delinquency titled, And Justice for Some: and conflict can explode at the drop of a Mexican, Central and South American econo- Differential Treatment of Minority Youth match. Anti-immigration sentiment is grow- mies. Not only will these countries benefit in the Justice System, which found that mi- ing. These problems require common sense tremendously from such a plan, but the push nority youth receive more severe treatment and a vision for the future without denial of factors of undocumented immigration into the than White youth at every decision point the realities established by the global United States would be reduced substantially, throughout the justice system, even when economy. laying the foundations for stronger trading charged with the same offenses. LULAC encourages the U.S. govern- partnerships in the Americas.
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 17 2000 Women of Color Technology Awards Conference
ore than 5,000 professionals and “It’s not what you know but who knows students, most of them Hispanic, what you know,” Dominguez advised. “Get- MAsian, and African-American ting my degree in engineering has made all women technologists, crowded Atlanta’s of the difference in my life. When I decided Hyatt Regency and nearby venues for three to major in engineering, I was not fully aware days at the end of September, for the Fifth that it was uncommon for a woman to select Annual Women of Color Technology Awards a technical profession.” Conference. The event featured seminars and The conference agenda also included workshops, awards ceremonies, special the “Technology for Kids” program on Thurs- events, and a jam-packed career fair/trade day, September 28th, at the SciTrek Science show. and Technology Museum. Over 180 students LULAC National President Rick from Atlanta middle schools showed what Dovalina participated in the conference, pre- creative education can do for pre-teens’ en- senting an award at the Women of Color Tech- thusiasm for learning. That night, at the Hyatt Maggie Dominguez, 2000 Women of Color nology Awards Celebration on Saturday, Sep- Regency, arriving conference participants Technologist of the Year. tember 29th. Over 1,000 people donned for- kept the positive energy flowing at the Open- gal, and talked about the adjustments she’s mal wear to honor 26 women in 19 awards ing Night Reception — meeting and greet- had to make to her company’s business model categories for their exceptional achievements ing, networking, and listening to the diverse — moving the profit center from e-commerce in their fields. musical sounds of guitarist/vocalist Johnny and advertising to Web site translation — to President Dovalina presented the award Guitar. survive the continual changes in her indus- for Career Achievement to Olga González- Early morning fitness sessions got the try. Other panelists discussed the effect the Sanabria, currently the chief of the Plans and most ambitious participants warmed up for Internet has had on their work and home lives Programs office at the Glenn Research Cen- the seminars and workshops on Friday and the implications of the Internet’s spread ter at NASA. (“Technology Day”) and “High-Tech Satur- for Hispanic women and society as a whole. “It was great to participate in an event day.” Friday sessions included the seminar A Saturday afternoon session, “Man- that honors minority women for their achieve- “Latinas and the Web,” moderated by Gloria aging Your Children on the Web,” looked at ments and contributions to the technology Moore, CEO of Internet communications the dangers that lie among the wealth of use- field,” said Dovalina. “It’s especially good company Wilson Moore & Associates. ful information for children online, and how to see Latinas getting ahead and leading the Panelist Marisol Wesson-Odio, presi- to protect children from these hazards. way for the next generation of young Latinos dent and CEO of the women’s Web site The Women of Color Technology in engineering and technology.” EllaSabe.com, outlined the huge market that’s Awards Conference is sponsored by the Ca- González-Sanabria was recognized for being created by the rush of women onto the reer Communication Group, which publishes her many career accomplishments, including Internet in Latin America, Spain, and Portu- Hispanic Engineer magazine. designing the Nickel-hydrogen batteries used on the space station and preparing a host of experiments for space shuttle missions. She is also a patent holder in the field of chemi- cal engineering. The Technologist of the Year Award was also given to a Latina. Maggie Dominguez, Vice President of Energy Support Services at Tampa Electric, took home the big prize. A native of Havana, Cuba, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1964 at the young age of thirteen. In the energy field since graduating from the University of South Florida in 1975, Dominguez has streadily climbed the ladder of success. She currently oversees a $49 mil- lion budget and 350 professionals. Dominguez spoke (and sang!) to the women in the audience about the need to be both self-confident and willing to reach out LULAC National President Rick Dovalina presents the award for Career Achievement to for help to succeed in their careers. Olga González-Sanabria.
18 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 Mastercard Reaches Out to Hispanics, Partners with LULAC ULAC and MasterCard met in Wash- ington, D.C. this past September to Limplement the pilot stages of a new money management project aimed at assist- ing Latinos with savings, budgeting, bank- ing, and credit. Katherine Cummings (center), Vice President of Consumer Affairs at MasterCard, welcomes The project, El Arte de Construir un members of LULAC to their pilot kickoff meeting in Washington, D.C. (L-R) Rose Jurado, Futuro Financiero, or, The Art of Construct- California Deputy State Director; Mickie Luna, California State Director; Blanca Vargas, ing a Financial Future in English, is designed Illinois State Director; Cummings; Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director; to help Latinos learn more about banking in- Tom Sanchez, LULAC Financial Advisor; and Haydee Rivera,Puerto Rico District Director. stitutions and how they can make their money work for them. budget and save money, develop and main- program will be evaluated by LULAC and “One of the most important challenges tain good credit, and learn the various uses MasterCard and strategies will be put in place we face today is financial empowerment,” said of different types of payment cards. to develop a nationwide program available for Rick Dovalina, LULAC National President. Katherine Cummings, Vice President of all LULAC councils. “By teaming up with MasterCard and reach- Community Affairs at MasterCard, says that Representative Xavier Becerra (D-Los ing out through our councils into our com- effective communication of consumer educa- Angeles) said the initiative offers much munities, we can help instill good money tion messages is very much about who is de- needed advice and information about finan- management skills that will enable Latinos livering the message and how it is delivered. cial service opportunities to Hispanics. to build strong financial futures for them- “That is why this partnership is so im- “MasterCard and LULAC deserve ex- selves and their families.” portant,” she said. “Through our work with tra credit for undertaking this venture,” said The pilot program will begin with four LULAC, we hope to tap their vast knowledge Rep. Becerra. “But the most important credit councils, one each in Houston, Los Angeles, of the needs of Latinos in the United States to be established will be in the names of His- Chicago, and San Juan. The councils will and make the most of the significant influ- panics who take advantage of this initative.” use bilingual materials provided by ence this group has with the community.” Currently, only about 63 percent of MasterCard to help individuals learn how to After the pilot stage is completed, the Latino adults use financial services, over 20 percent less than the general population. This causes many, who are without bank accounts, to carry around large sums of money. In some areas of the country, these very people are targeted by criminals as potential robbery vic- tims. They also are forced to pay a portion of their checks to check-cashing places, money they could keep for themselves. “There are many theories as to why the Hispanic population is not fully embracing financial services,” said Dovalina. “In order for us to take advantage of this economy, we need not only to have access to these finan- cial services, we need to know how to use them and feel comfortable doing so.” “Ultimately, we hope to make this in- formation available to an even broader spec- trum of Latinos by working with the LULAC councils and their communties,” added Jessica Priego of Ogilvy and Mathers Public Relations goes over key points of the pilot Cummings. program between LULAC and MasterCard.
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 19 Coast. Although an official arm of the Book Review Kennedy campaign, the Clubs functioned in- dependently of the Democratic Party commit- THE KENNEDY CAMPAIGN: tees. They promoted Kennedy as a true ally BUILDING AN IDENTITY FOR of Latinos; a candidate who knew the hard- THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN ships facing the Mexican-American commu- COMMUNITY nity and who would enact reform measures In the early 1960s, the most success- to gain more recognition for them. ful Mexican American political movement In Viva Kennedy, García surveys the in history swept the United States, leading background, development, and evolution of to Mexican Americans’ entrance into elec- the Viva Kennedy Clubs and their post-elec- toral politics and separating their middle tion incarnation as PASO, the Political As- class from their working class community. sociation of Spanish-Speaking Organiza- In Viva Kennedy: Mexican Americans tions. Based on research and interviews with in Search of Camelot, Ignacio M. García key leaders of the Viva Kennedy movement profiles this movement – grassroots Viva such as Ed Idar, Jr., Edward R. Roybal, and Kennedy Clubs – that consisted of Latino Albert Peña, Jr., García describes the post- reformers and politicians coming together election problems of the Viva Kennedy re- to support John F. Kennedy’s campaign for formers, who first saw the Kennedy adminis- president. tration ignore its promises to them and then To many Hispanics, Kennedy was akin encountered their own factional squabbles, to a saint, representing radical reforms that funding problems, and a growing unease would put an end to poverty, discrimination, among Anglo-Americans wary of Mexican- and violence in the barrio. While this dream American political power. About the author: Ignacio M. García, ended in disappointment, Viva Kennedy Richard Griswold del Castillo of San an associate professor of history at Clubs led Mexican-Americans to enter and Diego State University says García analyzed BrighamYoung University, is the author of participate in electoral politics in record with great insight the psychological and po- numerous books and articles on Chicano numbers, which in turn raised the status of litical evolution of the Kennedy-era, Mexi- politics. He has been a correspondent for this community at all levels and contributed can-American Democrats during this crucial the San Antonio Express-News and the Tuc- to an important identity-building process. period in history. son Citizen, as well as editor of Nuestro García writes, “Political participation, “The real strength of the book is the magazine. unlike social reform, required citizenship, author’s subtle and sensitive understanding Viva Kennedy is available at stores or English proficiency (before bilingual bal- of the personalities involved and the very direct from Texas A&M University Press lots), some education, and Anglo American scholarly attention he has given to document- (800-826-8911 M-F 8-5 CT; secure online empathy.” ing his statements,” del Castillo says. “The ordering at www.tamu.edulupress). To Viva Kennedy Clubs sprang up not book challenges some prevailing assumptions schedule an interview with the author, con- only in the Southwestern United States but and generalizations and advances our knowl- tact Wendy Lawrence at 979-845-1436 or also across the upper Midwest and East edge of this period to a new level.”
20 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 Attention L*U*L*A*C Councils
ANNOUNCING THE LULAC NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP UND
The LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) are awarding scholarships to deserving His- panic students who are in college or will be enrolling in college next fall. Hispanic students who have ex- celled academically and who demonstrate need, lead- ership, and a commitment to their community are en- couraged to apply.
LNESC is pleased to extend an invitation to all LULAC Councils to participate in the LNSF matching funds program. Partnership Agreements will be available in January for the year 2001.
Please contact Carlos Zapata, Scholarship Administrator if your council did not participate in the LNSF matching funds program last year and would like to do so in 2001. We ask that you please do so in writing at: LNESC, 2000 "L" St., NW, Ste.610, Washington, DC, 20036, or via e-mail at: [email protected].
APPLICATION PROCESS: LULAC Councils must be in good standing with the LULAC National Office in order to participate in the 2001 LNSF matching funds program. Your council must complete the Partnership Agreement (parts A&B) and return it along with your local funds to the LNESC National Office by March 1. Students interested in applying for an LNSF scholarship must first contact (you) the local LULAC Council to request a scholarship application. The dead- line for students applying to the program is March 31. Councils must turn in the student recipient report (part C&D) along with the student completed applications to the LNESC National Office by May 1. Recipient awards will be issued on July 15 and January 15.
LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001 www.LULAC.org 21 Verizon Executive Named Corporate Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Presents Prestigious Award
ames H. Richardson Gonzales, Chamber of Commerce has recog- JDirector-Supplier Diversity for nized Jim Richardson’s commitment Verizon Communications Verizon Communications, has been to ensuring diversity in our selection named the Corporate Hispanic Busi- of suppliers,” said Oscar C. Gomez, Inc. (NYSE:VZ), formed ness Advocate of the Year by the Verizon Vice President of Diversity by the merger of Bell United States Hispanic Chamber of and Business Compliance. Atlantic and GTE, is one Commerce. “Verizon’s supplier diversity initia- Richardson Gonzales was se- tives include a strong focus on His- of the world’s leading lected for the honor because of his panic-owned businesses, and Jim has providers of leadership in advocating programs worked throughout his career to communications services. that have made a measurable impact strengthen business development for on the economic development of the the Hispanic community.” Verizon companies are the nation’s Hispanic communities, ac- Richardson Gonzales, a resident largest providers of cording to the chamber. The award of DeSoto, Texas, has served as Di- wireline and wireless was presented at the chamber’s re- rector- Supplier Diversity for Verizon cent national conference in Washing- (formerly GTE) since 1998 and is communications in the ton, D.C. responsible for coordinating corpo- United States, with more “Some of the best known busi- rate-wide initiatives to identify minor- than 101 million access ness people in America are consid- ity and women-owned businesses ered for this prestigious award, and with which Verizon can do business. line equivalents and more we are honored that the U.S. Hispanic He also works with Verizon execu- than 26 million wireless tives to set and achieve the customers. A Fortune 10 company’s aggressive di- versity goals. company with more than He recently was 260,000 employees and named to Minority Busi- approximately $60 billion ness News’ list of Out- standing Men of Minority in 1999 revenues, Business Enterprise, Verizon’s global presence which recognizes recipi- extends to 40 countries in ents’ accomplishments in minority business through the Americas, Europe, their professional careers Asia and the Pacific. For and community service. more information on The U.S. Hispanic Cham- ber of Commerce repre- Verizon, visit sents the interests of more www.verizon.com than 1.4 million Hispanic- owned businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico and promotes the economic growth and de- velopment of Hispanic en- trepreneurs. 22 www.LULAC.org LULAC NEWS • January/February 2001