SOMOS PRIMOS: Dedicated to Hispanic Heritage and Diversity Issues

Dame Edna: Humor, Ridicule, or Racism?

This Dame Edna issue provoked considerable debate among Hispanics, should the affront be ignored or not? A column in the Vanity Fair magazine, written by an Australian female impersonator was extremely demeaning of all Spanish speaking. Dame Edna explained that it was a joke, a satire. The column appeared in Vanity Fair (February 2003), p.116, Ask Dame Edna:

The following were just a few of the readers that sent the column and also a response and call for a signatures to voice opposition to such slanderous comments, even in jest: Ana Maria McGuan, Margarita Velez, Viola Sadler, Gloria Oliver, Howard Shorr, Donna Morales, Jose Salinas, Cindy LoBuglio, John P. Schmal, Daniel P. Mejia.

Dear Dame Edna,
I would very much like to learn a foreign language, preferably French or Italian, but every time I mention this, people tell me to learn Spanish instead. They say, "Everyone is going to be speaking Spanish in 10 years. George W. Bush speaks Spanish." Could this be true? Are we all going to have to speak Spanish? - Torn Romantic, Palm Beach

Dear Torn,
Forget Spanish. There's nothing in that language worth reading except Don Quixote, and a quick listen to the CD of Man of La Mancha will take care of that. There was a poet named Garcia Lorca, but I'd leave him on the intellectual back burner if I were you. As for everyone's speaking it, what twaddle! Who speaks it that you are really desperate to talk to? The help? Your leaf blower? Study French or German, where there are at least a few books worth reading, or, if you're American, try English. Dame Edna

Kudos from Somos Primos to . . . Wendy Maldonado who responded and initiated a petition of condemnation:

Dear Editor,
       I was infuriated at Dame Edna's response to Torn Romantic, Palm Beach (Vanity Fair, February 2003). Dame Edna could have chosen any number of amusing responses; however, she responded using cheap, two-dimensional stereotypes of Latinos and Latin Americans, revealing not only her racism but also her profound ignorance of who we are.
        We are not just 'the help' and the 'leaf blowers'. We are architects and activists, journalists and doctors, governors and athletes, scientists and business people. We are Nobel Prize Winners and Rhodes Scholars. We speak Spanish, but we also speak fluent English, and many of us speak other languages as well. As of last week, we are officially the largest minority population in the United States at 37 million and 13% of the population. Without us, the economy of this nation and the Americas, and consequently the world, would come to a complete standstill.
       If Dame Edna were even remotely cultured or educated, she would have read and lost herself in the exquisite writings of Nobel prize winners Octavio Paz, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, and Pablo Neruda. She would know that Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz was one of the first feminists and poets in the Americas. She would admire Isabel Allende and Sandra Cisneros for their passionate prose and vibrant spirits.
        And of course, if it had not been for us, the world would not know chocolate! And everyone knows life would not be worth living without chocolate. Finally, I would like to point out that Dame Edna would have NEVER written such blatantly offensive material about African- Americans or Jews, for obvious reasons.
       It seems that Dame Edna AND the Editors of Vanity Fair believe that Latinos and Latin Americans cannot read, and even if we could, would never be Vanity Fair readers. For the life of me, I still cannot figure out why you chose to feature Salma Hayek on the cover and in an article celebrating her success immediately following such an offensive piece. I demand an apology in print in the next issue of Vanity Fair from the Editors and from Dame Edna. In the meantime, I will be mobilizing everyone I know to boycott and protest Vanity Fair.
        By the way, I am a 31-year old Mexican-American woman, with three Ivy League degrees, working in New York City at a major firm. I sure as hell am NOT the leaf blower or the help, and I think all of you need to go to college. -

Wendy Maldonado

[[ Editor's note: I agree with Wendy that these misguided humorists need to get an education. Their excuse for poor taste was that it was meant as a satire. Roget's International Thesaurus gives the synonyms of satire, as to ridicule, to lampoon. Lampoon means disparagement with humor. So by any definition, they wrote and did, what they meant to do, to demean Spanish speakers. They certainly were not cleverly subtle, a mark of higher levels of satire.]]

Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul

Have you written any personal family stories? Maybe they will fit the kinds of stories that Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul is seeking. Think of those special family stories and share.
Go to: http://www.latinosoul.com Dr. Sánchez-Casal said she will be accepting stories until Summer 2003 (and perhaps beyond). So, if you have some stories that need a little work, fix them up and share your memories with the rest of us.

Susan Sánchez-Casal, Ph.D. soup@latinosoul.com
Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul
PO Box 247,
Clinton, NY 13323
Phone: 315.859.4329 Fax: 315.853.8182

A Tribute to Mexican American Veterans: Honoring POWs of all Wars

7th Annual Veterans Day Celebration:
On Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. and California State University at Fullerton will host the 7th Annual Veteran's Day
Celebration: A Tribute to Mexican American Veterans, at the CSUF campus.

This year we will honor our POWs from all wars and conflicts.

If you were a POW please contact us immediately.

If you know someone who was a POW, please give us that
person's name, address and telephone number and we will contact that person.

Last year we honored over 200 Mexican American Korean War veterans. Over 1,000 persons attended our patriotic event.

All POWs, regardless of ethnicity, are welcome to be honored. Obviously, as our organization is made up of Mexican American volunteers our focus is on honoring our Mexican American veterans who have not received the recognition for their brave and heroic service to our country.

Latino Advocates for Education, Inc.
P.O.Box 5846
Orange, Ca. 92863-5846
(714) 225-2499

League of United Latin American Citizens 74 Anniversary February 16, 2003

Dear LULAC Members and Friends:
        Seventy-four years ago the founders of the League of United Latin American Citizens created an organization that would revolutionize civil rights and community service for Hispanic Americans. It was an organization composed of volunteer members dedicated to gaining the same rights and opportunities for Hispanics as accorded to all other Americans.
        Since its founding, the members of LULAC have developed an extraordinary record of accomplishments. Our unprecedented achievements in education, employment, housing, civil rights, and economic development have improved the lives of millions of Hispanics throughout the United States.
        As members of LULAC, we are responsible and empowered to change our community through service and activism. As we work to secure our civil rights and improve our communities, we must draw strength from our proud record of accomplishments and the spirit of the founding fathers which still unites the LULAC of today.
        As we celebrate National LULAC week from February 16-22, 2003 let us remember the spirit and philosophy of the original LULAC members. Let us reflect on the dedication, pride, and ideals of the League and recommit ourselves to the notion that a people committed to the principals of equality and community service can create a fuller and richer civilization for our country.

Yours in LULAC, Hector Flores, National President

LULAC Code http://www.lulac.org/About/Creeds.html
History of LULAC http://www.lulac.org/Historical%20Files/Resources/History.html
LULAC: For Immediate Release - February 11, 2003: Hispanics remain severely underrepresented in the judiciary comprising only 3.8% of federal judges while making up 14% of the US population.

LULAC Believes "Kingpin" Reinforces Negative Stereotypes of Latinos

Sent by Howard Shorr howardshorr@msn.com

LULAC is very disappointed with NBC's decision to air a new program called Kingpin. Aside from the fact that the program is violent, glorifies drug dealers and seems to have no social value, the program also reinforces negative stereotypes against Hispanics. Kingpin, which portrays Hispanics as drug dealers, murderers, and unpatriotic American citizens, opens the door to more negative feelings toward Latinos in our community.
         As it is Hispanics are increasingly the target of hate crimes and racial profiling. We are concerned that this program will only add to this wrongful treatment, said Hector Flores, LULAC National President. The program is aired at 10 p.m. when many children are still watching television and may lead many to associate Latinos with drug trafficking and other crimes. The fact is Kingpin is a reflection of the values of NBC and not those of the Hispanic community, states Flores. The vast majority of Hispanics are law abiding, hard working, patriots and their story is rarely portrayed on television.
        While LULAC appreciates that the program increases Hispanic representation at NBC both behind and in front of the camera, this inaccurate representation of Hispanics ultimately hurts the community. What is so difficult to swallow is that Latinos are barely on TV and when they are, they are usually in negative roles, such as criminals, added Flores. In fact a study released by Children Now, a child research and action organization entitled the Fall Colors Report for 2001-2002, found that 63 percent of the major networks feature Latino characters on prime-time programs who are either criminals, service workers, or unskilled laborers.
        Now more than ever immigrants are placed under intense scrutiny by others in America. The last thing Hispanics need is a program like this that reinforces negative stereotypes and teaches people to fear or hate Latinos, added Flores. We discourage corporations from advertising during this program hour. In addition, we are urging Hispanics to refrain from watching the program and purchasing products advertised on the show. I don't think corporate America wants to miss out on the Latino dollar, especially when our purchasing power is approximately $580 billion annually and growing, added Flores.
        The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

Lorraine Quiroga, Communications Manager
League of United Latin American Citizens
2000 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
tel: (202) 833-6130 fax: (202) 833-6135 www.lulac.org

Extract: Hispanic babies top California state births
UCLA study from 2001 says majority of newborns in California and in Orange County were Latino.
By ROBERT JABLON    The Associated Press

        LOS ANGELES – A university study released February 5th shows that for the first time in almost 150 years Hispanic babies account for more than half of all births in California - yet another milestone signaling that Hispanics will dominate the state's future.
        From July to September 2001, there were 138,892 births in California and 69,672, or 50.2 percent, were Hispanic, according to a recent review of birth certificate data by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture.
        In Orange County during the same period, 50.6 percent of births were Hispanic, marking the first time it recorded more than half of all births as Hispanic as well. Hispanics make up about 31 percent of Orange County's overall population, according to the 2000 census.
        Statewide during the quarter studied by UCLA, non-Hispanic whites accounted for 31.4 percent of births, followed by 11.3 percent for Asians and Pacific Islanders and 6.1 percent for blacks. "The long-anticipated Latino majority has arrived," center director David Hayes-Bautista said. "In 2003, it is learning how to walk and will shortly learn to talk."
        The center's study, based on state health department statistics, confirms the ethnic shift that made 2001 the year that California officially lost its white majority. The U.S. census showed Hispanics made up nearly a third, while non-Hispanic whites slipped to less than half of the state's population of 33.9 million. It was the first time since the late 1850s that Hispanics were a majority of babies born. The percentage has been increasing for at least two decades, however. In 1980, it was 29 percent.
        The study also broke down Hispanic births by county, and Imperial County near the border with Mexico in the third quarter of 2001 had the highest percentage, 89.2. In Los Angeles, the figure was 63.5 percent. The small counties of Alpine and Sierra in Northern California had three births each, none of them to Hispanics.

Hispanic Demographics
Highlights: Largest minority group - 42.6 million (PR included), increasing by 1.7 million a year. Purchasing power: $630 billion for 2002 equal to 9th largest economy in world.
Youngest minority group: One of three under 18 - 44.7% under 9 years old.
Cost of college a barrier: 2% decrease in total college enrollment
http://www.hispanicvista.com/html2/020303dn.htm

Houston High School Drop Out Data Questioned
Source of the following three articles, HispanicVista.com

        On February 11, 2003 KHOU-Channel 11 aired a report in which Sharpstown High School employees reported to state officials that no students dropped out last year, this news report raises some serious questions about allegations on How HISD gathers and report the dropout rate. The disturbing part is that a Sharpstown employee, said employees knew that dropout information provided to the Texas Education Agency was false.
        A good question, is Sharpstown school the only school in HISD where administrators determined that 30 of the 1,705 students enrolled were not attending classes, and codes were assigned to each student documenting the reasons. How did the data disappear from the school's records, showing no dropouts ? And was a backup data in place? Why are some of the students interviewed disputing HISD records. LULAC and other community leaders have always believed that HISD drop out data has been questionable. Could it be that HISD refuse to acknowledge that it has a student push out problem?
        Media reports claim that for two years in a row, the TEA lowered the accreditation rating of the North Forest ISD in northeast Harris County because it had severely underreported its dropout rates.
Will the incorrect data reporting lead to sanctions against HISD?

What is the solution? Could the University of Houston, Texas Southern, and Rice University combine resources and conduct an independent audit on the HISD drop out problem? When will the statewide audit of dropout data, mandated by the Legislature two years ago be completed? When will the TEA new system for tracking schools' success in keeping their students in school will be in place?

http://www.khou.com/news/defenders/index.html
http://www.khou.com/news/defenders/investigate/khou030210_gs_defenders
HISDdropouts.40a29881.html

Channel 11 khou.com

Defenders investigate HISD dropout rate . . .Are employees encouraged to lie about dropouts?
By Anna Werner / 11 News Defenders 02/10/2003

        HOUSTON (KHOU) -- The low dropout rate in the Houston school district has won it praise and even awards. But the 11 News defenders have discovered the numbers may be a lesson in lies because a lot more kids may be quitting classes than we know about.
        Many consider H ISD's dropout rate an education miracle. The district says it has fallen radically in the past eight years. Its latest figures show only one-and-a- half percent of HISD students leave school. That helped HISD win the $500,000 Broad Prize and get named the best urban school district in the nation.
        But some educators say they don't believe it and estimate as many as 40 percent of HISD students may be dropping out. So how does the district get its figures? Juana Juarez moved to Houston with her family from Mexico and started going to Sharpstown Senior High School. "I thought the school here would be the same as the school back home," she said.
        But the 11th grader got her first surprise when she was put into the 9th grade and held there for two years. "I felt bad because I didn't see the reason," said Juarez, whose grades were A's and B's. So Juarez finally decided part of her dream was over. She dropped out and took a job working the night shift at a local Wendy's. "I really don't like working there," she said. "I get very little pay. It's dangerous. A month ago they held us up.
        After five months, Juarez realized she made a mistake . "I'm not going to go anywhere with this job," she thought. "My dream finished when I got here." Juarez says she'd like to go back to finish school. But HISD records say she never dropped out of Sharpstown High School. Instead, they say she just transferred to a charter school in Alief.
        Juarez said she never told HISD that. So what's going on? High school dropouts are a hot topic lately. That's because dropouts pay a price in a hard life, a price that society often shares. So some school districts reward schools for keeping track of kids and keeping them in class because with high enough test scores and low dropout rates, employees get bonuses-- that means money for everyone from the janitor to the    principal.
        But the Defenders have discovered that, unfortunately, some HISD schools seem more interested in cash than in the kids. And the kids are suffering. Some former employees told 11 News the school administrators didn't want it to look like their school had a lot of kids dropping out. Chris worked for more than a year at an HISD high school teaching predominantly Hispanic students.
        He says he saw something unusual happen far too many times. When one of his students wanted to drop out, a school counselor would come in with a document for the student. "They'd have to sign off at the bottom," he said. "And they were persuaded to sign off saying they were transferring to another district." By saying they were transferring, the student wouldn't count as a dropout. Chris
said the school knew the students really weren't transferring.
        "There was nobody going to go check and see where 'Juan Garcia' went once he left. They see it as a victimless crime." Chris said. Sharpstown High School's dropout rate looks like a miracle. Last year, the school had more than 1700 students, many of them from lower-income homes. Yet, out of the 463 students that eventually withdrew, not one of them was considered a dropout.
        So Sharpstown Senior High had zero dropouts. "They seemed pretty happy to know there was zero percent dropouts when there wasn't," said Terry, a Sharps town employee who did not want his last name used. "A lot of the staff knew that those kids had really dropped out," he said. The Defenders obtained a dropout report for Sharpstown from early October with 30 students all considered dropouts.
        But three weeks . . . every single student had fallen off the list giving the school its zero dropout rate. How did it happen? "Technology," Terry said. "Everything can be done by computer." In fact, the Defenders have found that all 30 students had their codes for leaving school changed to codes that the state doesn't count as a dropout.

Feb. 13, 2003, 10:56PM
Subject of dropouts bedeviling HISD
School board and consultant are uncertain how to track students, when to classify them

By ZANTO PEABODY, Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

        The only thing certain about how many students drop out of Houston high schools is that no one is sure how to count them. The Houston school board and a district consultant on Thursday struggled to come up with ways to track students who quit school and when to call them dropouts. What if they transferred to another school? What if they got a general equivalency diploma?
        The dropout rate is among the all-important set of statistics that determines whether a school can be rewarded or sanctioned for its performance. The rate goes in with standardized test scores, attendance, and numbers of students in high-level classes. Dropout rates, Houston Independent School District Board member Esther Campos pointed out, "are like golf scores -- the lower, the better."
        District officials this week determined that Sharpstown High School made a mistake in reporting that it had no dropouts last year. A school worker told KHOU Channel 11 on Monday that the report was fake, not a mistake. The district is investigating.
        Finding such anomalies and correcting them is part of the job for a district task force set to find out just how many dropouts Houston schools have. As questionable as zero dropouts sounds for an urban high school, board members said the state-calculated 2 percent dropout rate for the district is just as unbelievable.
        "I know there's something not credible about that," board member Jeff Shadwick said of the state's figure. "We all know that anecdotally from standing at graduations."
        Federal figures have put Houston's dropout rate as high as 11 percent. Even that seemed extremely generous to board members such as Larry Marshall, who said he knows of schools with 600 freshman graduating only 200 seniors. "It's inconceivable that it's less than 25 to 30 percent," Marshall said. A Harvard University study last year concluded that through 1997, HISD's dropout rate of 24.6 was one of the highest in the nation.
        Roberto Gonzalez, who heads a district task force crafting a method to count dropouts, said the committee plans to have a solid formula by April. The task force has encountered the same problems the state has in calculating dropouts, Gonzalez said. Gonzalez told the board a look at one census tract showed half of the area's high school freshmen had never been enrolled in the district before, highlighting the difficulty in counting transient students.
        Gonzalez also is director of the Employment and Training Centers, Inc., which has received $30 million in federal state and local grants to provide welfare-to-work assistance and training for high school dropouts including those from HISD. To reduce the dropout rate, Gonzalez said educators need to understand why students quit school. The district's Web site, www.houstonisd.org, now features an interactive survey, asking for reasons. With 500 responses so far, Gonzalez said some of the answers are surprising.
        "There is a gap between myth and reality," Gonzalez said. "While (pregnancy) is still an issue, it

is probably way down the list of why students drop out." More often, he said, students are "process dropouts," ones who had been losing interest in school over a number of years.

There are eight bills in the Legislature deal with preventing students from dropping out or with calculating dropout rates.

Opiniones Latinas
Raul Damas, Director of Operations, (703) 299-6255
Chicago Tribune - Hispanics Fixing-Up Home, Improvement Market
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0302180092feb18,1,2459012.st
ory?coll=chi-business-hed

Hispanic households increased their spending on remodeling by 78 percent between 1995 and 2001. The spectacular increase in spending by Hispanics follows a surge in home ownership by this rapidly growing population group, as many of its members move into the economic mainstream. It also serves as a wake-up call for businesses in the home-improvement industry. Hispanics spent $15.5 billion on home improvements in 2001, a 78 percent increase from the $8.7 billion spent in 1995. Spending by whites rose 24 percent in that period, to $224.6 billion. Spending per Hispanic household averaged $3,273 in 2001, up 22 percent from $2,685 in 1995. In the same period, average spending by white households rose 12.8 percent to $3,808.

'IMAGINE 2003' Latino Success Forum, March 13, 2003

SAN JOSE, CA--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--February 19, 2003--Latino Empowerment Foundation announced today an important line-up of corporate support for the first Bay Area presentation of the "Imagine 2003" Latino Success Forum. Best Buy is the presenting sponsor and along with Staples, Coca-Cola, J&M Entertainment and Southwest understand the need to penetrate and reach this important segment of the population and have agreed to sponsor this event. U.S. Census reports show that there are over 1.3 million Latinos living in the Bay Area and confirm that Latinos are the fastest growing group across the country. The forum will be held on March 13, 2003 at the Mexican
Heritage Plaza in San José.
This forum will present successful Latinos such as Rudy M. Beserra, Vice-President of Latin Affairs for the Coca-Cola Company, Yasmin Davids, International author and empowerment specialist, Carmela Castellano, Esq., Chief Executive Officer of the California Primary Care Association and Pam Fernandes, athlete, to name a few. There will also be musical performances by Margarita de Jesus and local teenage heartthrob, Manuel Romero. The entire Latino community will benefit from this forum-from small business owners, corporate executives, civic leaders and students. Speakers will impact participants by having them explore their own strengths and aim for higher goals.

Mexican Heritage Plaza
1700 Alum Rock Ave.
San Jose, CA 95116
11:30 AM to 5PM

REGISTRATION INFO: PH: 866.468.3399
Ticket Info: General Admission $35.00 Students $15.00
Register online at: http://www.latinoempowerment.org

The Latino Empowerment Foundation was founded in 2002 by Daniel Gutierrez, a Latino entrepreneur and motivational speaker with offices in Orange County, California. Mr. Gutierrez saw the need to empower current and future Latino leaders through the use of arts and education. Other sponsors include: DGA & Associates, Inc., Castellano Family Foundation, LatPro.com, Univision/TeleFutura, La Oferta Review, El Vistazo and El Observador. For more information contact:
Frances M. Palacios 714.978.1170 francespalacios@aol.com
Daniel Gutierrez PH 925.930.0464 http://www.latinoempowerment.org
Source: newsroom@hispanicprwire.com

San Jose premier of David Anaya's "Los Californios in Monterey: A Lost History."

This film is being hosted by Los Fundadores y Amigos de Alta California and will be held
on March 2nd, 2003 at 1:30 PM at:
The Headen-Inman House Museum, 1509 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, California 95050

This film is the thesis project for David Anaya, California State University at Monterey. This 45 minute documentary tells the story, from the perspective of the Californios (native Spanish/Mexican Americans of colonial California), of the history of California from its founding until just after the
American conquest. This film gives an excellent history of California, portrays the perspective of the Californios well, has many interesting photographs and commentaries, and it flows well and is enjoyable to watch. As one of the subjects interviewed and shown in this documentary, I can attest to its good merits. Please join the members of Los Fundadores, members of other historical associations, and civic leaders for this event. Please join us in supporting this exceptionally well
made documentary by Director/Producer David Anaya.
Los Fundadores y Amigos de Alta California, the Founders and Friends of Santa Clara County, was established in 1987 (Evalyn Martinez founder and president). This group publishes a quarterly newsletter aimed at preserving the history and heritage of the founding families and early pioneers of Santa Clara County from its founding through 1889. Genealogical target area is 1769-1852. Recognition is also given to Native Americans. They also wish to inform people about local
events, therefore giving public awareness to the history and heritage of early California's
"Californios-Fundadores-Pobladores," and the early families of Santa Clara County. The club maintains the Santa Clara Fundadores and Pioneer Room museum and the genealogical
research room at the Headen-Inman House.

For further information you are welcome to contact me.
Yours truly, Edward Allegretti,
Board member of Los Fundadores and Los Californianos
Commissioner, Historical Heritage Commission of Santa Clara County
Past president, California Pioneers of Santa Clara County Office: 408 534 2890
10981 Edgemont Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95127

The Statues of Carlos III and De Anza

        I have sad information to share regarding the statues of King Carlos III of Spain and Juan Bautista de Anza. Many of you have given your support in the last few years to encourage their return to the streets of San Francisco for the enjoyment and education of all San Franciscans and visitors to our city. The proposal was to place the statues on the city owned medial strip in front of Mission Dolores. Although public support had been almost entirely in favor of restoring these gifts from the
governments of Spain and Mexico to San Francisco for our bicentennial in 1976, a misinformed handful of people, mostly residing outside San Francisco, and a nervous Board of Supervisors have refused to put the matter to a vote.
        In a recent development, the newly elected President of the Board of Supervisors decided that the issue would upset too many Board members and advised the San Francisco Arts Commission to place the statues somewhere other than on the streets of San Francisco.
        The SF Arts Commission approached the Presidio Trust with the offer to place the statues at the Presidio. It is an excellent idea and puts the statues in a context and place associated with the
Spanish entrada of 1776. However, there is some concern at the Presidio Trust that the Presidio would be inheriting San Francisco's castoff and supposedly unwanted monuments. It would be an honest move to inform the governments of Spain and Mexico that San Francisco is ashamed of its past, repudiates the settlement of the community that became the City of San Francisco and returns the bicentennial gifts. However, I for one do not want to see our history concealed and its discussion hushed up by fearful politicians. I urge you to give your support once again to the relocation of the statues to the Presidio of San Francisco. Please consider mailing letters of support to:

Mr. Craig Middleton, Executive Director,
The Presidio Trust, PO Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052

Mr. Toby Rosenblatt, President, Board of Directors
The Presidio Trust, PO Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052

with a copy to:
Ms. Debra Lehane, Program Director, Civic Art Collection, San Francisco Arts Commission
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 252-2593 phone (415) 252-2595 fax
E-mail: debra.lehane@sfgov.org

Thank you for your support and commitment to honesty in telling our full history. La Paz y Bien!

Br. Guire Cleary, S.S.F. Curator, Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores)
3321 Sixteenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 415-621-8203 [Phone]; 415-621-2294 [Fax]

More information, very bottom "blue section" of: http://www.solideas.com/velma/

Source: DoloresSF@aol.com and Greg Smestad gsmestad@solideas.com
Sent by: Lorraine Frain lfrain@iopener.net

TRAILING DE ANZA Road signs mark Spanish explorer's journey
By M. CRISTINA MEDINA cmedina@montereyherald.com
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/mcherald/5064952.htm

Imagine being asked to leave home to join a group of soldiers and families on a treacherous
trek on horseback through 1,200 miles of unfamiliar desert and mountains. All in the name of exploration...... Reporter M. Cristina Medina can be reached at (831) 646-4436.
"Cristina Medina" cmedina@montereyherald.com Monterey County Herald

Source: Greg Smestad gsmestad@solideas.com
Sent by: Lorraine Frain lfrain@iopener.net

Growth in Wireless to Come from Youths, Hispanics
Mon Feb 10, 5:23 PM ET Add Technology - Reuters to My Yahoo! Yahoo! News, Feb 12, 2003

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - New wireless subscribers this year are 60 percent more likely to be young adults and 69 percent more likely to be Hispanic than the overall population of non-subscribers. The findings are based on a survey of more than 50,000 respondents in 44 large and small U.S. markets. About 43 percent of youths aged 18 to 24 owned cell phones at the end of 2002 compared with 53 percent for the overall population.
John Fair, vice president of consumer insights for Telephia, said the young adult market was still relatively untapped compared with the general population. Fair said the Hispanic market is already evenly penetrated when compared with the general population, but he sees this segment also growing faster as they expressed higher interest in services such as ring tones, games and messaging. Telephia said it found the median spending on wireless services among Hispanic wireless customers to be $5 higher than the general population as they spend 50 percent more time on their phones.

Extract: Hispanics being courted by NBA
by Marcia C. Smith, O.C. Register, 2-8-03

"We took one look at the 2000 U.S. Census," said Arturo Nunez, Managing Director of the NBA Latin American, "and it obvious what we needed to do. As a sports league, we can't afford to ignore the group," Nunez said,

        *In 2000, 32.8 million Hispanics resided in the United States, representing 12% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
        *An estimated 38.6 million of the 2002 U.S. population is Hispanic, according to the 2002 U.S. Hispanic Market Report produced by the Miami-based Strategy Research Corp.
        *The current buying power of Hispanics in the United States is $428 billion, with $250 billion coming from the top 10 U.S. Hispanic markets, as identified by SRC.
        *The U.S.Hispanic population is projected to reach 150 million and make up more than a thrid of the U.S. population in 2050, SRC reports.

        "We're challenged to try to get Hispanics to become fans of truly American sports that, unlike soccer or baseball, they did not grow up playing, says Majorie J. Rodgers, the NFL's senior director of brand and consumer marketing.
        "Being a Mexican American makes me want to follow Hispanic minorities and their sports, whether it's the Rams, the Raiders, the Angels, Lakers or the Dallas Mavericks with Najera," said Gus Herrera, 54, of Santa Ana. "Sports are sports in any Culture."

Extract: Ethnic Chasm Separates Factory
by Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, 2-9-03

Three years after 91 Texas workers filed complaints about the stark segregation of the work force, but little has changed. Houston factory Quietflex makes ducts for air conditioners. The employees of the department that makes the components for the ducts are mostly Vietnamese (56 of 60). They earn $5,000. more per year than the 80 workers that assembles the components into finished ducts. The duct finishers are all Hispanic.
Lazaro Garcia said, "We feel frustrated because we know we can do the work in that department." Garcia said when he applied to transfer to the other department, Department 910, where many workers say the pay is higher and the work easier and less dangerous, management did not even respond.

Extract: Latino to Lead Immigration Bureau, AP, 2-7-03

Eduardo Aguirre Jr., a Cuban immigrant and a top official at the U.S. Export-Import Bank, will head the Homeland Security Department's Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Aguirre is one of thousands of Cuban children who were sent to the United States by their parents between 1960 and 1962 as part of Operation Pedro Pan. He has said that he struggled through out high school and his early college years because of his poor English.
Aguirre graduated from Louisiana State University and the American Banking Association's National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma. He was the first Hispanic to serve as the chairman for the Regents of the University of Texas, Houston.

Nuestros Heroes, Best Spanish-Language Book

Planeta Publishing is pleased to announced that "Nuestros Héroes" (Our Heroes), by Carolina Aguilera, was selected by Criticas magazine as one of the best Spanish-language books of 2002. Criticas is the leading magazine that covers the Spanish-language book industry in the United States. The book, which was published last September in both English and Spanish-language editions, pays homage to the Latino firemen who died on 9-11 For more information on the book, please go to http://www.carolinaaguilera.com LatinoLA, 2.6.2003

Abstract: SíTV, the first American Latino Television Network in English
Source: HispanicVista, Feb 3-9, 2003

Washington, DC – January 30, 2003 EchoStar Communications Corporation have added SíTV, the first American Latino Television Network in English, to its programming package. Roper/AOL Time Warner survey on Internet usage found that a majority of Latinos online, access content in English, and a study by Initiative Media noted that younger Latinos are avid viewers of English-language television. Moreover, other research has found that Latino-themed programming in English has significant crossover appeal, especially among African American, Anglo, and Asian American viewers.

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)

http://www.archives.gov/grants/funded_endorsed_projects/states_and_territories/ca.html

". . .To ensure understanding of our nation's past by promoting, nationwide, the identification, preservation, and dissemination of essential historical documentation." --NHPRC Mission Statement
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration, supports a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources relating to the history of the United States. Established by Congress in 1934, the Commission is a 15-member body, chaired by the Archivist of the United States, and composed of representatives of the three branches of the Federal government and of professional associations of archivists, historians, documentary editors, and records administrators. Through its grant program, training programs, research services and special projects, the Commission offers advice and assistance to individuals and non-Federal agencies and institutions committed to the preservation and use of America's documentary resources.
Each year the NHPRC receives an appropriation from Congress from which it makes grants. The Commission meets in November and in May to establish policy and to recommend to the Archivist of the United States grants it believes should be funded. The Commission's administrative staff at the National Archives and Records Administration implements its policies and recommendations, provides assistance and advice to potential applicants, and advises the Commission on proposals.

An example of a funding grant: Hoopa Valley Tribal Council, Hoopa, CA: $48,750 to further develop its archives and records program. The project staff will develop a policies and procedures manual, transfer records to an archival storage area located in the reservation's library, begin to arrange and describe the records, and prepare finding aids. The tribe's records date from the last quarter of the 19th century to the present and total over 500 cubic feet. (96-093)

"Selective Service Records, " by Michael John Neill

        The draft registration cards from both world wars are an excellent genealogical source. Draft registration cards for the millions of men who registered for World War I are readily available on microfilm and partially available at Ancestry.com. World War II draft registration cards (from the 4th registration for men born between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897) are available through the branches of the National Archives. Previous columns have discussed these records and how to access them in more detail:
World War I Draft Cards: http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/5056.asp
World War II Draft Cards: http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/5474.asp
        I obtained the readily available draft cards for both World Wars for my direct line ancestors. My grandfather also registered for the World War II draft, but since he was born in 1903, he was too young for the 4th draft registration. I would have to obtain his information in a different fashion. It turns out his registration information is still with the Selective Service System.
        After some surfing, I located a page on the Selective Service System's website that provided information on obtaining copies of these records. The first thing I did was to actually read what the
site had to say about obtaining copies of records.
        "The Selective Service System: Obtaining Records" http://www.sss.gov/records.htm
The page was fairly straightforward in terms of how to make requests for information. Based upon what I read, I could have even requested a copy of my own record. However, not just anyone can obtain a copy of whatever they want. There are some restrictions (for privacy reasons) and guidelines that must be followed. The site has links to additional information on selective service and its history.
        The registration cards are protected under the Privacy Act. To obtain the registration card on my grandfather I needed to prove he was deceased. Had he been living, I would have needed his permission to get a copy of the record. A copy of his death certificate was adequate proof of death. I also provided his likely place of residence during the war. I requested his classification record as
well as his registration. The classification record is not protected under the Privacy Act and would not have required the copy of the death certificate. My request for my grandfather's records was sent
to the National Headquarters of Selective Service in Arlington, Virginia, per the instructions on the site. I did not receive (nor did I expect) an immediate reply.
        However, I did receive all the records requested within a few months, which was a very reasonable time frame. Before readers send in any requests for cards, they should read the Selective Service System site referenced earlier.
        I also could have obtained a copy of my own registration card by sending a request to an address in Palatine, Illinois. So far, I have not chosen to do this as I think I already know what is on the card.
        I received both sets of records for my grandfather, the classification record and the registration card. Both will be discussed here, but it is the registration card that provides the most genealogical information.

THE WORLD WAR II DRAFT REGISTRATION CARD
This card (which was for men born on or after February 17, 1897 and on or before December 31, 1921) contained the following information:
--- Name
--- Place of Residence
--- Mailing address
--- Telephone
--- Age in years and date of birth
--- Place of birth (town or county; state or country)
--- Name and address of person who will always know your address
--- Employer's name and address
--- Place of employment or business
--- Signature
--- Description of Registrant [including the following]
--- Race (choose one of: White, Negro, Oriental, Indian, Filipino)
--- Height
--- Weight
--- Eyes
--- Hair
--- Complexion
--- Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in
identification
--- Signature of Registrar
--- Date of Registration

Other than his eye color and the fact that he already had some gray hair at age 38, there were no startling revelations on my grandfather's registration card. Keep in mind that if your relative
registered at a different time, the information requested of the registrant may be different.

THE CLASSIFICATION RECORD
This record contains the classifications that were assigned to the registrant. Registrants may have been assigned multiple classifications as time went on and as classifications were changed
or added.
        My grandfather was originally classified as IIIB in September of 1942. This was a deferment by both reasons of dependency and by employment in an occupation essential to the war effort. At the time, Cecil was married with two small children and working on his own farm. This classification was used from 23 April 1942 until 12 April 1943.
        He was later classified as IIIA and IVA, both being deferments. The first was a deferment based upon dependency reasons and the second was based upon age. Along with the copy of my grandfather's classification record, I was sent a sheet listing the various classes and their descriptions. This was very helpful.

DID IT HELP ME?
There were no surprising revelations for me on the registration card. However, there may be instances where the card contains useful information; it all depends upon the family situation and what has been learned from other records. If my grandfather had been drafted, there would have been additional references on his classification record that might have provided further research opportunities. For most researchers, the place and date of birth is the probably the most helpful information. The registrant provided it himself, something he most likely did not do with his death certificate. If I had difficulty determining his place of birth, this card would have been an additional place to ascertain this information.
        The person who "will always know your address" may also provide clues as to additional relatives and their residence at the time of the registration. For married men, this person typically is the wife. For those who were unmarried, this person usually is another family member. The card may or may not indicate the relationship of the person who "will always know your address."
        Don't expect the card to provide you with an inordinate amount of information. Just remember, if the individual is still living you will need his permission to get a copy of his registration card, which is probably what you will want instead of just the classification record. And of course, if the individual is still living you might want to ask them other questions as well.
        Michael John Neill, is the Course I Coordinator at the Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) held annually in Springfield, Illinois, and is also on the faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Michael is the Web columnist for the FGS FORUM and is on the editorial board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. He conducts seminars and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical and computer topics and contributes to several genealogical publications, including "Ancestry" and "Genealogical Computing." You can e-mail him at: mailto:mjnrootdig@myfamily.com
or visit his website at: http://www.rootdig.com/ , but he regrets that he is unable to assist with personal research.

Copyright 2003, MyFamily.com Inc.

Extract: Story time, En Español by Patricia V. Rivera, The Dallas Morning News, 1-5-03

Sent by Maria Dellinger Tbdelling@aol.com

       The changing demographics have created a large demand for bilingual books, and publishers big and small are trying to meet it using everything from translations of classic titles to text written primarily in English was only a few scattered words in Spanish, to side-by- side dual language books.
        Larger publishing houses have brought out Spanish-language translations of popular children's books to gain entrance into the marketplace. Several smaller presses have historically created books about the language and customs of Latinos. Cinco Puntos Press in El Paso was formed in 1985 and interest in bilingual book was still slight, although sales were steady in the Southwest. An average bilingual children's title for the company sells from 15,000 to 20,000 copies.
        Year- to-year sales for the five-person publishing house of Cinco Puntos Press has grown by 20 percent annually during the last three years and are expected to rise 35 percent in 2002. Likewise at the Piñta Books, an imprint of the Houston-based Arte Público Press, sales have doubled yearly since its creation in 1994.
        Studies have found that children learn more rapidly if they can establish emotional and cognitive links to what they've been taught. Dual-language book allow librarians and teachers to create equal learning opportunities. "This type of literature helps transcend cultural differences and reminds us that it is a small world after all," says Dr. Maricarmen O'Hara, a Spanish professor at Ventura College in California.

The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine
http://www.hispanicoutlook.com/people.html

Some examples of the concise, brief paragraphs of successful Hispanics in education or educational program for Hispanics.

Atkinson Announces Retirement
University of California (UC) President Richard C. Atkinson announced his retirement effective Oct. 1, 2003. Atkinson, the University's 17th president, took office Oct. 1, 1995. During his presidency, Atkinson helped maintain and enhance the University's renowned reputation of excellence in teaching, research, and public service. He focused his hiring on high-quality individuals, launched programs to enhance research, opened a new academic center in Washington, D.C., and expanded UC's international presence, especially in Mexico, where initiatives in the areas of education, technology, and health care have been developed. In addition, the UC system's enrollment increased by approximately 30,000 students, and its nine campuses have also expanded. Ground was also broken on a 10th campus in the San Joaquin Valley at Merced A cognitive scientist, Atkinson held faculty positions at Stanford University and UCLA. Prior to his presidency he was chancellor of UC-San Diego and director of the National Science Foundation.

LULAC Alumnus Gives Back
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) announced that the office of its national president, Hector Flores, will be housed in the Dallas law offices of Angel Reyes (l.), a LULAC scholarship alumnus. Flores needed to relocate to Dallas following his June election and Reyes, a longtime LULAC supporter, decided to make the generous contribution. Reyes, founding partner of Angel Reyes & Associates, P.C. and Heygood, Orr & Reyes, L.L.P. credits LULAC for helping him achieve his higher education goals. Reyes was granted LULAC scholarships to attend the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan Law School. His sister Carla also benefited from LULAC scholarships that enabled her to complete a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of California. She is now a professor at the University of Utah. "My family will never forget how LULAC helped us," said Reyes. "I am very happy to return a small portion of the support that LULAC has given me by providing office space so that they may continue their programs of outreach and education in the Hispanic community."

Perez on WTC Memorial Committee
Antonio Perez, president, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, was appointed to one of two committees of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, LMDC, that will plan a World Trade Center (WTC) site memorial. Perez is on the committee responsible for a mission statement that will guide the development of the memorial at the WTC site. Another committee is helping with the memorial design competition. The two 11-member committees must consider extensive public input received through Advisory Councils, public forums throughout New York City and New Jersey, a questionnaire sent to relatives of every WTC victim, and thousands of e-mails. Committee members represent victims' families, survivors, rescue workers, residents and employees of Lower Manhattan, and representatives of cultural and architectural institutions. Perez, a native New Yorker, is also an LMDC Arts, Education & Tourism Advisory Council member.

Reynoso Speaks at Southern Maine
Justice Cruz Reynoso, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, presented the 11th annual Frank M. Coffin Lecture on Law and Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Reynoso spoke on "The Lawyer as a Public Citizen." Reynoso's career has spanned decades of social change in America, beginning with his tenure at California Rural Legal Assistance, a pioneering program in the legal services movement formed in 1966, which helped impoverished farm workers. Later, he became the first Hispanic American to sit on the California Supreme Court, where he served from 1982-1987, after being elevated from the California Court of Appeal. Reynoso holds the Boochever and Bird Chair at the University of California-Davis School of Law and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Award in Education.

UMass-Boston Biologist Wages Fight Against Pollution
Biologist Adan Colon-Carmona is using a largely overlooked weapon in the fight against air pollution-plants. An assistant professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, he and a team of biology undergraduate and graduate students have been conducting research in phytoremediation, in which plants extract harmful substances in contaminated water, air, or soil. They are working on isolating genes in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana that can be used to identify native plants with inherent abilities to degrade pollutants, or that can provide information needed for genetically engineering plants to clean up soils that are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The toxic effects of pollutants such as PAHs include cell death, cell mutations, and cancer. He hopes that his research can help eliminate these pollutants from the environment. Colon-Carmona arrived at UMass-Boston after earning his bachelor's degree at the University of California (UC)-Santa Cruz and doctorate at UC-Irvine.

Ethnic Studies at CU-Boulder are Interdisciplinary
Angel David Nieves, director of the Center for Studies of Ethnicity and Race in America at the University of Colorado-Boulder, is tackling contemporary, sometimes controversial, multicultural issues across a variety of disciplines in his ethnic studies classes. Nieves, a trained researcher and teacher, has synthesized the fields of anthropology, women's studies, architecture, American history, and African American history and literature into interdisciplinary courses on race, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Nieves believes his students want to be tested and engaged and is interested in constantly challenging them. His energy and passion in the classroom has enabled him to connect with students, and he has become an advocate for them. "I always felt that in my own education I never had anyone who looked and acted like me and had similar cultural experiences," said Nieves. "I felt that there needed to be more faculty of color in American higher education and I wanted to contribute."

Literary Prize Awarded to Pomona Spanish Professor
Suzanne Chavez-Silverman, Pomona College (Calif.) professor of Spanish language and Spanish literature, was awarded First Prize for Literary Excellence in the personal memoir category for her work "Anniversary Cronica," by national literary magazine el Andar. In "Anniversary Cronica," Chavez-Silverman uses a creative mixture of English and Spanish known as "Spanglish." According to el Andar editor Julie Reynolds, the modern mix of both languages, which reflects the poetry and rhythm of Latino life in the U.S., is beginning to take shape in Latino literature. Chavez-Silverman earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of California (UC)-Irvine, master's in romance languages and literatures from Harvard University, and doctorate in Spanish from UC-Davis. She is author and editor of several publications, including Torpicalizations: Transcultural Representations of Latinidad and Reading and Writing the Ambiente: Queer Sexualities in Latino, Latin American, and Spanish Culture.

Martinez Now ACCD Acting Chancellor
Dr. Ernest A. Martinez is now acting chancellor of the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) in Texas. Martinez, who had been ACCD executive vice chancellor, is filling in for recently retired Robert W. Ramsay. In this post, Martinez oversees the operation of the 45,000-student District and is responsible for carrying out the policies of the board of trustees. He supervises the areas of procurement and material management, institutional advancement, government and public relations, international programs, student and community program development, and workforce development, along with overseeing the District's Center for Leadership in Science, Mathematics and Technology. Martinez earned a bachelor's degree in English and biology from New Mexico Highlands University, master's in reading from Sonoma State University (Calif.), and doctorate in folklore, children's literature, and curriculum and instruction from the University of California-Berkeley.

Dartmouth Team Sees Benefit to Early Second Language Exposure
A research team led by Laura-Ann Petitto, professor in Dartmouth College's (N.H.) department of psychological and brain sciences and department of education, and graduate student Ioulia Kovelman report that early bilingual exposure is better for children. Their findings indicate that late exposure to a second language coupled with restrictive input, which is common in classroom settings, might not allow a child to master that language unless the child has extensive exposure to both languages. Many experts previously believed that introducing a second language at too early an age could impede understanding of the primary vernacular. "We found that if children are exposed to two languages from a very early age," they will essentially grow as if there were two monolinguals housed in one brain," said Petitto. "This will occur without any of the dreaded ‘language contamination' often attributed to early bilingual exposure" she said. The team has also been studying whether bilingual children read better if exposed at an earlier age.

Notre Dame Names New Public Affairs Leader
The University of Notre Dame (Ind.) board of trustees appointed J. Roberto Gutierrez vice president for public affairs and communication. He will oversee the University's relationship with the media, government, and the general public. Gutierrez, a former television executive in Texas, co-founded the Hispanic Telecommunications Network (HTN), which produces Nuestra Familia, the only national Catholic evangelization series televised for the country's Latino community. He was also instrumental in negotiating agreements between HTN and Univision, Galavision, PBS, and the Hallmark Channel. Gutierrez received a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University in Texas and pursued graduate studies at the Oblate School of Theology. His work has dealt exclusively in the not-for-profit sector in support of and for the communication of gospel values through television, radio, and the Internet.

UTSA Staff Selected for Leadership San Antonio
Theresa Vargas, staff member in the University of Texas-San Antonio Office of K-16 Initiatives and Honors College, was selected to take part in Leadership San Antonio XXVIII. Sponsored jointly by the Greater San Antonio and San Antonio Hispanic chambers of commerce, Leadership San Antonio provides a learning experience for existing and emerging leaders who live and work in the San Antonio metro area. Vargas is project manager for the Employer Education Council, a partnership of community employers and educators dedicated to improving San Antonio's workforce. She has an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and a juris doctorate and master's from St. Mary's University.

Missouri-Columbia Professor Wins Poetry Prize
Sherod Santos, the Curators' Distinguished Professor of English and director of the Creative Writing Program and the Center for the Literary Arts at the University of Missouri-Columbia, received the prestigious Theodore Roethke Poetry Prize for his book The Pilot Star Elegies. Given to the best book of poetry published in the three preceding calendar years, the prize was awarded for the first time in May 1968 to Howard Nemerov. Billy Collin, Poet Laureate of the United States, presented the prize to Santos in Saginaw, Mich., Roethke's birthplace. Santos, whose paternal ancestors emigrated to the U.S. from Brazil three generations ago, earned master's degrees from San Diego State University and the University of California-Irvine, and a doctorate from the University of Utah.

Lopez-Colome Gives Poetry Reading at Barnard
Columbia University's Barnard College in New York hosted a bilingual reading by famed Mexican poet Pura Lopez-Colome and her translator Forrest Gander, part of the "Women Poets at Barnard" series. Lopez-Colome established herself as a leading poetic voice in Mexico with her first book, El sueno del cazador, or, The Dream of the Huntsman, published in 1985. Since then she has published several books of equal significance, including Un cristal en otro, Aurora, and Intemperie. She is also a literary critic and has translated into Spanish major works of H.D., Virginia Woolf, Samuel Beckett, and Robert Hass, among others. The Gander translation of a selection of Lopez-Colome's works, No Shelter, is the first time her work has been printed in English. Gander, a leading American poet in his own right, is the author of Mouth to Mouth: 12 Contemporary Mexican Women Poets.

CSU-Stanislaus Professor Looks to Retirement
After 31 years of helping to change attitudes, California State University (CSU)-Stanislaus Professor Richard Luevano is making a change for himself. Luevano, co-founder of the University's Ethnic and Gender Studies Department, stepped down as department chair to start teaching part time. He will teach through the Faculty Employment Retirement Program for the next five years before starting full retirement. While a student at CSU-Stanislaus in the late '60s, Luevano realized the need for an ethnic and gender studies program after noticing a lack of objective and factual information guiding instruction regarding multicultural, ethnic, and gender topics. He co-founded that program in 1971. Antonio Rios Bustamante, who was director of Chicano studies at the University of Wyoming, was picked to succeed Luevano as department chair.

El Camino Students Compete in Business Expo
El Camino College (Calif.) student Veronica Hernandez, graduate Jessica Galindo, and Rigo Garcia of the University of Southern California recently presented an innovative e-mail product at a National Business Exposition. Hernandez is one of the masterminds behind "Eserenata.com"-a first-place, award-winning idea cooked up at BizFest, an entrepreneurship "training camp" staged during the summer at California State University-Dominguez Hills, where the group won a $1,000 scholarship. Hernandez was one of six El Camino College students from the First Year Experience program and PUENTE program to attend that event. The national competition was offering winners as much as $20,000 in educational scholarships.

Bruce-Novoa Opens UC-Irvine Exhibition
A lecture by Juan Bruce-Novoa, University of California-Irvine professor of Spanish, opened the recent University libraries exhibit "Beauty and Meaning: Art and Poetry in the Book Arts of Mexico." The exhibition presented a sampling of works produced by book artists in Mexico during the past 30 years, emphasizing the books' inherently collaborative nature as both books and works of art, and the quality of their craftsmanship. Bruce-Novoa teaches Spanish, Latin American, and Chicano literatures in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, School of Humanities. It is said that he pioneered the study of Mexican artists and writers known as the Mid-Century Generation. As a novelist, poet, translator, and visual artist, he brings a strong personal perspective to his understanding of artistic and literary collaborations. He also has taught and lectured extensively in Europe and France.

Colorado Professor Lectures on Matachines Music
Brenda M. Romero, University of Colorado-Boulder associate professor, recently lectured on the important community ritual of matachines music and dance. The talk, "Matachines, Music and Dance: How Scholars Can Contribute to Ritual Continuity and Cultural Well-Being," was part of the Chancellor's Community Lecture Series, the third of eight public lectures being presented by CU-Boulder faculty on the theme of "Healing the West: Remedy, Repair, Restoration, Mitigation." Matachines music and dance was introduced to the New World by the Spanish in the 1500s as part of an effort to evangelize Indians, said Romero, an associate professor of ethnomusicology. But over time, much of the Indians' own rituals was superimposed on the original Spanish pattern. Today, matachines is performed in both Hispanic and pueblo towns on Catholic saints days. "It's the only ritual of its type in the Southwest," Romero said.

Coming Up Taller Marks Fifth Anniversary
The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) honored 13 organizations across the U.S. and in Mexico for their outstanding work with underserved youth through the Coming Up Taller Awards. In a ceremony on Capitol Hill marking the fifth anniversary of Coming Up Taller, first lady Laura Bush, honorary chair of the President's Committee, and renowned actor, choreographer, and director Debbie Allen, a member of the Committee, presented the awards. Each organization received $10,000. "Thanks to the study of arts and humanities, thousands of children are gaining a greater sense of character and confidence," said Bush. "They are realizing there is a big world beyond their own backyards. For many children, this new world is college." Pictured (l. to r.): Hugo Arroyo and Eugene Rodriguez of the award-winning organization, Community Heritage Project, Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center (Calif.); Laura Bush; and Debbie Allen.

Martinez Heads GW Multicultural Student Services
Marisela E. Martinez recently became director of the Multicultural Student Services Center at George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C. She came to GW from Davenport University in Michigan, where she was director of the office of multicultural affairs. As head of the GW center, Martinez oversees the operation and administration of programs that provide academic and personal support and community building for pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate multicultural students, as well as overall leadership for the larger GW community. Sent by Johanna De Soto


	Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107
	Rick D. Husband, Mission Commander Michael P. Anderson David Brown Kalpana Chawla Laurel Clark William McCool Ilan Ramon
In honor of Ilan Ramon, the 48-year old Israeli Air Force Colonel and the six other astronauts aboard the Columbia space shuttle who died tragically on February 1st, we will focus on the Ramon surname. The Spanish surname Ramon is seen among the records of the exploration and colonization of the Americas by the European nations. I think every Spanish language researcher was struck with the Sephardic connection of the Ramon name. I was touched by the fact that the first Israeli astronaut was carrying a Spanish surname. The popular name of Ramírez is actually derived from Ramón, it means the son of Ramón. Ramón is an ancient surname of French origin and found in Catalonia, Valencia, and Majorca. It is the Catalan form of Raimundo or Reginmund, which are the German forms equivalent to English given name of Raymond. (Source of information: Spanish Surnames in the Southwestern United States by Richard D. Woods & Grace Alvarez-Altman) On FamilySearch.org and the Internet, I scanned looking for the earliest presence of the Ramon name and found the earliest dates showing the Ramon surname in the following countries. This is not to say these were the earliest dates and only places, but rather a cursory review revealed: 1551 Barcelona, Spain 1668 Chile 1682 Nueva España 1689 Caribbean 1703 Mexico 1727 Philippines 1732 Peru 1781 Dominican Republic 1814 Cuba/Guatamala California Census records 1880 The Ramon family was quite important in the develop of Texas. Upon the death of Alonso de León on March 25, 1691, Diego Ramón was appointed ad interim governor of Coahuila. He served as Commandante of the Flying Squadron at the presidio of San Juan Bautista. Under the direction of his son, Jose Domingo, the mission, Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zuñiga and a presidio, Nuestra Senora de Loreto were established. (Source: The Handbook of Texas, (c) 1952) For more information on the Ramon family in Texas.