California State University, San Bernardino CSUSB ScholarWorks Inland Empire Hispanic News Special Collections & University Archives 7-11-1990 July 11th 1990 Hispanic News Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/hispanicnews Recommended Citation Hispanic News, "July 11th 1990" (1990). Inland Empire Hispanic News. 309. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/hispanicnews/309 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections & University Archives at CSUSB ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inland Empire Hispanic News by an authorized administrator of CSUSB ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta - Sat. & sun - juiy 14 & 15 r BULK R.ME Cal State San Bernardino U.S. POSTAGE Library Periodals Dept. PAID . , J" 5500 University Parkway SAN BERNARDINO, CA San Bernardino, CA 92407 PERMIT No. 118 A Publication of the XX INLAND EMPIRE Wednesday Hispanic Communication & July, 11,1990 Development Corporation Volume 3, HISPANIC NEWS Number 13 Reapportionment Conference: Empowerment sought for women, minorities By: Charles A. Steves Getting something in return was women and minorities the forum to definitely on the minds of the confer­ express their views, set aside some The Institute for Social Justice and ence participants. As Art Pagdan of the partisan politics, and form a coalition the Rose Institute brought together a Filipino-American Public Affairs coun­ that will be able to impact the forth­ diverse group of more than one hundred cil stated: "We want what you want. coming apportionment, stated a num­ people from throughout Southern Cali- But we want the same pieces as you, ber of speakers. fomia for a two day conference at not the crumbs." "...By empowering other people we McKenna College, Claremont. Repre­ Kathy SpiUar, with the Fund for the would empower ourselves," said Rich­ sentatives of groups included the Na­ Feminist Majority, wants gender bal­ ard Santillan, chair with the Women tional Organization for Women, His­ ance legislation implemented. "There and Ethics program at Pomona Col­ panic Chamber of Commerce, Asian- is a difference that women make when lege. This empowerment, he stated, Pacific Womens' Network and the they are in power, child care arid abor­ can be realized with this new coalition NAACP. The main goal for the two day tion rights get on the table." She also putting pressure on the incumbents and conference was to discuss the forth­ wants to increase the legislature with the process of reapportionment. coming apportionment in 1991, the double representation. One man and According to Dr. Armando Navarro, effect of these political changes on one woman from each district. Executive Director of the Institute for minorities, and most importantly, how "California can expect to gain up to Social Justice and keynote speaker at the current reappoftioranem proetsss eight additional seats in the the con£ee^»:e A should be changed to reflect the legis­ of Representatives of which minorities forts have produced modest results for lative representation of elected offi­ can only expect to claim one," stated minorities and women. Today, women cials of the minority population through­ Tony Quinn, a former Assembly Mi­ comprise 52% of California's popula­ out Cahfomia. nority Consultant. He also added that tion, yet make up only 15%of the State Conference Keynoter Speakers stated that, as the popula­ there has not been a very well organ­ Legislators. Latinos are 27% of the Dr. Armando Navarro tion grows throughout the state, the ized effort on the part of the Asians and State's population and only compose Ececutive Director, I.S.J. need for better representation from Latinos to get eleeted on the local school 6% of the Legislature. African Ameri­ every segment of the community is boards and city councils in order that cans, as the result of decades of struggle, essential for better representation at the these local minority elected officials are beginning to approach equity: 8% Justice, this coalition council can then state level. The number of state repre­ can move up to higher offices when of the population, they make up 6% of put the most pressure on the Governor, sentatives has been static and currently, opportunities become available. the Legislature." Legislature and political parties. they (the representatives) represent a The opportunity to elect minorities to "The main purpose of this conference Dr. Navarro feels that the future of larger number of citizens due to popu­ these local and national level offices is to put together the Native Ameri­ California politics rests with the ability lation increases. will be greatly enhanced if the goals of cans, African-Americans, Asians, Fili­ of each ethnic, racial or gender group to "An increased legislature is needed," the conference for the apportionment pino-Americans, Latinos, and Women, work with one another not against one explained Leroy Hardy, senior research struggle are achieved. These goals being intoa grass roots mobilization and form another. "Reapportionment offers an associate for the Rose Institute. "With the setting of district lines that favor the coalition groups. These coalition groups opportunity to people who believe that a pro^ted fifty-two congressmen and realities of the population growth. The will, in turn, send representatives to a government should be controlled by asserrfffiy^p" three-hundred eight in­ realization, for minorities, of concise state coalition council," he said. the many and not by the few. If Califor­ stead of the present eighty. People are borders that consolidate their particu­ He stated further that with the re­ nia is truly to be the paee-setter, a state willing to spend more money (on more lar groups, enhances the ability for the sources from both the Rose Institute, of progress where democracy is a real­ legislators) if they get something in election of their own local candidates. which can provide computer and data ity for all, we carmot tolerate reappor­ return." The conference was designed to give base help, and the Institute for Social tionment politics as usual." Future Leaders to get view from the top Inside this issue: Personal Profile Coiton Latina is - - Class of1990 Dr. Michael Silvas, M.D. Valedictorian and Physician and it's just the start. Community Servant story on back page Page 2 I"'"- ^ ••••• lllll • Future Leaders will participate in open air mountain top workshops at Oak Glen starting July 15. See story and more photos on page 4. " 2 Service Inland Empire Hispanic News Wednesday, July 11,1990 Dr. Michael Silvas, M.D. Physician and Community Servant Dr. Michael Silvas is one of a few but Marshall Elementary School PTA, ever-increasing number of Hispanic Board Member; supporter of the Sinfo- physicians in the Inland Empire. I had nia Mexicana and other cultural activi­ been unsuccessful ininterviewing him, ties in the area. He was also coach in the but persistence won out. We sat in his Pop Warner Youth Football in the San small, but com fortable, office and being Diego area. We continued talking about the end of the day, this young physician his growing up years in San Diego. looked very exhausted. He projected "1 was a typical Hispanic kid growing an image of a serious and dedicated up in San Diego, the oldest in the fam­ professional, but self-conscious about ily. I'd always liked sports and was discussing his background and career. involved in every kind of sport when 1 Being aware that, in addition to a suc­ was in high school. Graduating from cessful medical practice, he is very Castle High School, 1 received a schol­ involved in numerous community and arship to San Diego State. After attend­ Dr. Michael Silvas, M.D. in his new offices at the St. Bernardine cultural activities, we talked about his ing the University for a year, 1 volun­ Medical Center. participation in these activities for start­ teered in the Army and served in Viet­ ers. nam for two years. 1 returned to San One of his interests was dancing and cardiac life support and basic life sup­ "1 feel that every person should be Diego after being discharged, worked in 1979, he joined the Ballet Folklorico port. involved in his coinrnunityi" he said. for San Diego Gas and Electric com­ dance troupe at Davis where he met In concluding the interview, 1 asked "This is why 1 volunteer for different pany for three years. But 1 decided this Yolanda Cota. They were married in Dr. Silvas his life's philosophy and projects to do what 1 can." Doing what job was not for me, that 1 needed an 1980 and currently celebrating their whether he was concerned about early he can includes planning a free health education and a professional career, 10th wedding anniversary. Their chil­ burnout in his career. clinic in the Westside as a member of and enrolled at San Diego State." dren are Sonia 8, Anthony 5, Marissa 4 "Early in life, 1 became motivated to the Kiwanis Club of Greater San Ber­ 1 asked Dr. Silvas when did he make and Robert 2. help people, especially people that don't nardino, and in which he received the thedecision to become a physician. "At have the resources to help themselves. Distinguished Service Award. He is San Diego State, 1 had two role models. Graduating in 1982, Dr. Silvas did 1 was fortunate to be guided in a career currently the attending physician for Dr. Michael Bajo encouraged me to his internship and residency at San that is very rewarding. It is very hard to sports at Aquinas High School (since strive for a professional career and Dr. Bernardino County Medical Center, become a doctor, especially for minori­ 1985): the Colton boxing Association Matthews, our family physician who completing the trainingin 1985.