"A tyranny may exist without an individual tyrant.  A whole government, 
even a democratically elected one, may be tyrannical."  . . . .  Joseph Sobran

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

NOW READ ABOUT THE MAN WHO HAD THE KNOWLEDGE, INSIGHT AND DETERMINATION 
TO GET GOVERNMENT APPROVAL TO PROCLAIM AN ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

COLONEL ERNEST A. MONTEMAYOR USAF-RET. 

A Tribute to an Extraordinary Life

By George Farias

On July 16, 2009 the Armed Forces of the United States of America lost a loyal and patriotic retired officer. Up to the date of his passing Col. (Ret.) Ernest A. Montemayor faithfully served and supported his country as a member of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. His major participations were in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam advancing in rank from private to full colonel. He developed many skills in his varied military experiences and especially enjoyed his assignments in Spain and Latin America. In retirement, he remained grateful for the opportunities his profession had afforded him. He enjoyed the comfort of his home with his wife, Estela Ramirez, and his visits with her family, his children, Rosalinda and Miguel, and their families, and his youngest son, Diego, in addition to his brother, Arthur, and his family. A career such as this would have fulfilled most persons, but there was another very important side to him that gave extra meaning to his life.

In my opinion. Col. Montemayor was the pioneer of Hispanic genealogical studies in the Americas. He dedicated over sixty-five years of his life to this pursuit accumulating over 15,000 books and related materials in a private library. To my knowledge, he was doing this work in the U.S. before anyone else. If anyone did it before him, and for those who have done it since, no one approached it with more passion, intensity and on the scale that he did. I do not believe that a similar personal' library exists anywhere else. The collection covers historical and genealogical information about Spain and Portugal, the United States borderlands, Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. He was an expert in the sources of Hispanic surnames and was a skilled editor of textual material learned as a staff officer. No correspondence went out of his headquarters without his stamp of approval.

I was very fortunate to have obtained his friendship and confidence. A popular Arabian proverb says that "a friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take it and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away." Unfailingly, my friend Ernest always blew away my chaff and kept what was worth keeping.

Genealogy research for him was not a hobby or idle pursuit intended only for relaxation. He expressed his purpose in a foreword he wrote in 1995 for my family history book. The Farias Chronicles;

A History and Genealogy of a Portuguese/Spanish Family. By way of introduction he noted, " In seeking to write the history of your family you experience the joy of discovering information long forgotten, as well as the satisfaction of preserving data that might otherwise be lost forever. You are in fact recreating the lives of those family members and ancestors you write about. You begin to understand why family members acted as they did down to how you came to be who you are. And, most importantly, it brings you closer to your parents, spouse, children and other kin, while providing you a sense of continuity. Our most basic and precious social unit has been, is, and hopefully will always be-the family. It takes some of us perhaps longer to better understand and appreciate this. At least it did me."

Col. Montemayor was speaking from personal experience. Born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 22,1928, his parents divorced when he was five and his father moved to Mexico City. He had no qualms about telling family and friends about his delinquency, using the stories as a means to teach others about values. As a young adult he said he had no interest in school, was truant most of the time, ran away twice from home, once to Father Flanagan's Boys Town in Nebraska, and once to Pennsylvania and New York. He forged his birth certificate to join the Navy at the age of fifteen. He survived the sinking of his ship and when his true age was discovered he was honorably discharged and sent home. When he returned to San Antonio, his mother, Berta Urcullu, being at her wifs end, sent him to his 

father, Arturo, in Mexico to " straighten him out. " On the train ride south, the misbehaving youngster was apprehensive at meeting his father and the punishment sure to follow. Instead he was greeted with a warm embrace and his father asked, "What's the matter with you, Ernest? Why are you giving your mother so much trouble?"

Taking him home his father presented him with a book on the early history of the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He told him that many of the persons in the book were his ancestors, including Diego de Montemayor, the founder of Monterrey, and Alberto del Canto, the founder of Saltillo. All of a sudden Montemayor recalled, "I felt ten feet tall." He said often that his father had given him an "inspirational push" and set him on a straight and narrow path. Recently, when I started to write his memoirs, he confessed to me that his delinquency was the result of his search for a father figure who could give him the guidance, love, and discipline he sorely needed, a void not unusual for a child growing up in a broken home. After his visit with his father, he dedicated himself to finishing school and obtained an advanced degree while in the Air Force. When he came back home from Mexico, he went to the San Antonio Public Library and began to copy book and magazine articles and any other information he could find about his ancestry. Thus began the life-long habit of accumulating a library.

One of his main objectives was to use his library in support of a Hispanic hereditary society. He found that there existed approximately 200 societies in the country, such as the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, but none dedicated to the Spanish pioneers of America. In 1993 he incorporated a non-profit organization under the name "The Society of Spanish Pioneers and Patriots of America" but sadly, was never able to launch this part of his dreams. He was also very interested in Spanish colonial history and once wrote a book, Yo Solo, the Battle Journal of Bernardo de Galvez . One of his ancestors, surnamed Grima, had served under Galvez during the American Revolution, and he was very disappointed that Galvez, a governor of Louisiana, and-in effect-the commander in the Deep South during the American Revolution, has never received proper recognition for his courageous deeds in American history. During the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial, King Juan Carlos de Borbon of Spain donated an equestrian statue of Galvez to the United States. Government approval is required to accept gifts from foreign countries and the Spanish Ambassador, Jaime de Alba, called on Col. Montemayor, who knew the King, to make the presentation in justification to Congress. The statue was accepted and is now located next to the U.S. State Department building.

Rio Grande Guardian
Lopez: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
By José Antonio López    

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 18 - Hispanic Heritage Month began when President Lyndon Johnson approved the celebration as a week-long salute.

However, it was President Ronald Reagan who enacted a 1988 law that expanded it to a month-long event. It is a time when the entire country pauses to recognize Hispanic culture and to thank Hispanic descendants in the U.S. for their many contributions.

The credit has been earned in both war and peace by the large umbrella of Hispanos. It is well merited. However, there’s one key assumption in the way the tribute is presented that is inaccurate. That is, most people assume that all Hispanics in the U.S. are recent immigrants.

What is not widely known is that Spanish Mexicans throughout the country whose roots originate in the Southwest (New Spain) are not immigrants to the U.S. They descend from pioneer families who were already here when Mexico was forced to cede over half of its territory to the U.S. after the U.S.-Mexico War of 1846-1848.

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 70 percent of U.S. Hispanics are of Mexican-descent. It must be noted that the majority have direct ancestral ties to Spanish-Mexican pioneers in the U.S. Why is it necessary to make the distinction? The answer is that modern-day citizens who look Mexican and speak Spanish have suffered the brunt of bigoted verbal and sometimes violent attacks. The offensive is led by those who fan the flames of the anti-illegal immigrant mood and extend it to punish the entire Hispanic community.

Who would have imagined when the honor was first bestowed by Presidents Johnson and Reagan that intolerant views in the 21st Century would spurn Spanish as a foreign language in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas? These are states whose very essence today is pure Spanish Mexican. Sadly, many Southwest Hispanics in order to cope in mainstream society are intimidated and shy away from defending their distinctive heritage.

There is no doubt that the persecution of Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens is caused by misinformation. In bad economic times, anxiety over the economy usually targets a scapegoat on whom to blame the country’s troubles. The assault on Mexico and by implication, Mexican-descent U.S. residents, is incessant.

Ignorance feeds intolerance and knowledge feeds understanding. Through fact distortion, most U.S. citizens believe that the large Hispanic communities in the U.S. are recent phenomena and are being created by illegal immigrants. The truth? The core of the multitude of Hispanic hubs in other parts of the country, especially the north and northeast are not recent developments. Far from it. Spanish Mexican U.S. citizens from Texas have long migrated (not immigrated, mind you) to those distant locations in response to job prospects. During several times in our country’s growth, national emergencies, and manpower shortages such as the two World Wars, Hispanic families (U.S. citizens!) have answered the call armed only with faith and a strong work ethic.

Separate from those seeking jobs in assembly plants and other fixed locations, South Texas migrant workers have been an answer to the prayers of Anglo farmers and ranchers for generations. At great risk and causing great harm to their children’s education, they made the vegetable and fruit picking circuit for generations. Although their help was crucial during harvest seasons and greatly enriched their employers, the well-known misery that these work-ethic practicing families endured is awful. Yet, they did it unconditionally just so they could provide for their families. On many occasions, some families decided to stay in some of those states that they visited. It was their choice. Their push to establish their homes in those far-away areas became magnets. The new neighborhoods naturally pulled other family members and friends, sharing heritage, language, and faith; all trademarks of culture. Their children grew up to be just like any other U.S. citizen; they served in the military, paid their taxes, etc… Their preference to retain their traditions even in those faraway places should not be disparaged for it is that very sense of ethnic unity that we celebrate this month.

Another impediment to giving Hispanic heritage a fair and balanced role in U.S. history is that mainstream history teaches that only English colonial heritage is what matters. The truth is that Spanish Mexican Southwest women and men have a rich, unique European colonial history in America of their very own. They descend from pioneers who don’t need anointing by exclusive Anglo Saxon blue-blood aristocratic organizations.

Spanish Mexicans have a precious history second to none. By the time the English Colonies decided to organize as the U.S. in 1776, New Spain communities were already thriving. For example, Santa Fe, New Mexico was colonized in 1598. The San Antonio area was settled in 1718 and the Nacogdoches area in 1721. The Villas del Norte along the Lower Rio Grande were established in 1747. El Camino Real is the road that the first Anglo Saxons from the U.S. used to immigrate to Texas. Characteristics such as these serve as unmistakable Spanish Mexican DNA strands in the long history of the U.S.

So, in this special time of the year honoring all Hispanics, Spanish Mexican citizens should quietly reflect. You have absolute ties to the U.S. that allow you to celebrate your heritage throughout the year. Of all ethnic groups, yours has the medals to prove your patriotism and prowess in the battlefield. Regardless of the condescending and unfair attacks others fire at you because you speak Spanish or wish to preserve your culture, take heed. ¡No se rajen! You come from strong Spanish Mexican stock -- brave, gregarious, hard-working, and faithful pioneers that settled the U.S. Southwest beginning in the 1500s. You have no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed of your roots. In fact, take a bow. You deserve it!

José Antonio (Joe) López was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and is a USAF Veteran. He now lives in Universal City, Texas. López is a direct descendant of Don Javier Uribe, one of the earliest families that settled in what is now South Texas in 1750. He is the author of two books: “The Last Knight (Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, A Texas Hero)”, and “Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain (Life in 1920s South Texas).” Lopez is also the founder of the Tejano Learning Center, LLC, and www.tejanosunidos.org, a Web site dedicated to Spanish Mexican people and events in U.S. history that are mostly overlooked in mainstream history books.  

Published in Rio Grande Guardian, September 18, 2011

UNITED STATES SENATE 2011 PROCLAMATION
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos 
in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos to the United States.

Month for honoring our Hispanic heroes

• Daisy Wanda Garcia of Austin is the daughter of civil rights pioneer Dr. Hector P. Garcia. She writes monthly for the Caller-Times. Email her at wanda.garcia@sbcglobal.net.
• Corpus Christi Caller Times
• Posted September 3, 2011 at 3 a.m.

CORPUS CHRISTI — Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It is the time to reflect on the contributions of Hispanics to the United States.

Hispanics have made major contributions to this nation's history, arts, sciences and defense. Hispanics took part in the discovery of the Americas, the American Revolution, the Civil War and many other events. Following the Texas Revolution, the mainstream culture consistently suppressed Hispanic Americans in every area of life. After World War II, Hispanics veterans challenged the status quo and changed the destiny of Hispanics in the areas of health, education and law. Thus the Hispanic Civil Rights Movement was born.

The activists mentioned in this article lived in Corpus Christi, except Dr. George I. Sanchez and Gustavo Garcia. Along with Dr. Hector P. Garcia, they were some of the key players in the Hispanic civil rights movement.

Attorney Gus Garcia had a distinguished career in the work of desegregating schools in Texas and other states. In 1952, Garcia was an attorney in the case of Hernandez vs. State of Texas. The case went before the Supreme Court. He argued that Hernandez did not receive a fair trial because he did not have a jury of his peers. Garcia presented such a brilliant case that Chief Justice Earl Warren allowed him an extra 15 minutes to present his arguments. The significance of this landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court was Mexican Americans and all other racial groups in the United States had equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Gus Garcia died in 1964.

Sanchez dedicated his life to improving educational opportunities for Hispanics. He questioned school funding, the use of standardized tests, segregation based on non-proficiency in English and other discriminatory practices against Hispanic schoolchildren. In 1940, Sanchez accepted an invitation from the University of Texas at Austin to teach Latin American Studies. He achieved recognition for his research in education and law affecting Mexican Americans in his lifetime. Sanchez died in 1972.

Physician Hector Garcia began his work by treating the indigent Mexican-American population pro bono. In addition, veterans were not receiving their benefits under the G.I. bill. In 1948, he founded the American GI Forum to advocate for veterans. Later the GI Forum expanded its scope to include the civil rights of Mexican Americans. The GI Forum was instrumental in desegregating public facilities such as hospitals and schools and the elimination of the bracero guest worker program. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan awarded Dr. Hector the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service to the community. Dr. Hector died in 1996.

Dr. Clotilde Garcia was one of the few women to become a physician in a field dominated by males. She believed in the importance of taking pride in our roots and culture. To this end, she promoted the research and collection of genealogical data on Spanish/Mexican settlers of South Texas. Dr. Cleo amassed a huge collection of genealogical books from Spain that she used during research. Dr. Cleo was an accomplished historian and wrote 10 books about the history of northeastern Mexico and South Texas. In 1984, Dr. Cleo was inducted in the Texas Hall of Fame. She was recognized for her service as a physician and for her concern for the needs of Mexican-American people. Dr. Cleo died in May 2003.

James DeAnda began his legal career working for Carlos Cadena writing briefs. He was involved in the Hernandez vs. State of Texas trial.The results of this Supreme Court ruling gave Mexican Americans the right to challenge discrimination on all levels. Through his career, DeAnda challenged substandard schooling for Mexican-American children, voting rights, and employment cases. DeAnda handled a series of important school desegregation cases. Among the cases was Hernandez vs. Driscoll Independent School District. He helped to establish, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). DeAnda died in 2006.

Let us honor and never forget the contributions and sacrifices of these individuals who secured our rights at great personal cost.

© 2011 Corpus Christi Caller Times. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  

HISPANICS BREAKING BARRIERS

Second Volume 

 2^ndissue

By

Mercy Bautista-Olvera

Rafael Anchía:  Texas House Representative, District, 103  

Maritza Sáenz-Ryan:  New Head of the U.S. Military Academy’s Department of Law    

Roger Hernández:  Assemblymember , California , District 57^th     

Annette Quijano:   Assemblymember , New Jersey General Assembly, Legislative District 20^th Legislative   

Estela Chavez-Vasquez:  Brownsville City Commissioner, District, At-large “A” 

Rafael Anchía graduated from Miami Coral Park High School , where he was a member of the Young Democrats. His grades in high school earned him a scholarship to Southern Methodist University where he graduated with Honors. He also attended the Centro Estudiantil Internacional in Madrid , studying Spain 's, art, literature, politics, and history, and their influence in the Americas . A scholarship landed Anchía at Tulane University in New Orleans for his law studies where he concentrated on International and Public Law. In 1990, Anchía   earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, Ibero-American Studies, and Spanish, from Southern Methodist University.  In 1993, he earned a Juris Degree from Tulane University School of Law. 

His participation in a "court observer" program inspired him to become a lawyer and enter public service. In law school, Anchía also served as a volunteer advocate for immigrant detainees denied the benefit of counsel.  

Anchía worked as an attorney with the law firm of Haynes & Boone, LLP. He specialized in public and corporate finance. In addition to his legal work, he has distinguished himself in pro bono service and contributions to his community, earning his prior firm's 2000 “Pro Bono Associate of the Year” award.   

Anchía began his public service at the local level where he was twice elected to the Board of Trustees of the Dallas Independent School District - the nation's 12^th

Largest district.  During his tenure on the Dallas School Board, he served as First Vice President and chaired the Policy and Governance Committee. He helped lead the successful effort of the Dallas school district to win public approval of a $1.37 billion school bond package. The district benefited with new, improved, and less-crowded classrooms.  

In 2003, Anchía received the "Rising Star" award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas for contributions made to improving the lives of young people in his community.  

In 2005, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) honored   Anchía as its national "Man of the Year" at its annual conference in Little Rock , Arkansas .

Anchía served as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund for a three-year term.    

In 2007, “Texas Monthly” magazine,” named Anchía one of the “10 Best Legislators.” "If the Legislature were a stock market, Anchía would be Google," Texas Monthly concluded.  

In September 2009, Anchía received the Mexican American Legal and Education Defense Fund’s “Matt Garcia Public Service,” award.    

In 2011, Anchía was appointed by President Obama to be a member of the National Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, a panel of industry group representatives and public officials that advises the U.S. Trade Representative on trade agreements.  

On May 23, 2011, Anchía became a recipient of the Ohtli Award, the highest acknowledgment that the Government of Mexico bestows upon individuals living outside Mexico who have contributed to the empowerment of Mexican or Mexican-American communities in the United States .  

Anchía has served as an Adjunct Professor, and instructor on Trade Policy with the Texas Technical University Law School at the University of Texas .  

Texas Monthly,  magazine named Rafael Anchia "Rookie of the Year" during the 79^th Legislative Session and one of the "10 Best Legislators" during the 80th Legislative Session. In 2010, Archía received the “Latino Leaders Maestro” Award.   

As the son of immigrants from Spain and Mexico , he has viewed educational opportunity and achievement as the gateway to personal and professional fulfillment. He watched his mother work her way through college and was proud when she became a public school teacher. His father, who mainly worked nights, emphasized education and taught him the value of taking pride in honest, hard work.

Colonel Maritza Saénz-Ryan

Maritza Sáenz-Ryan was born in New York to immigrant parents; a Puerto Rican father and a Spanish mother. She is married to Robert Ryan. The couple have two children.  

In 1970, Sáenz-Ryan was accepted to West Point , and graduated in 1982.   She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Sáenz Ryan was a member of only the third class to include women cadets at West Point .     

Sáenz-Ryan was assigned to the 1st Armored Division Artillery in Nuremberg, West Germany, then returned to United States, served under the U.S. Army’s Funded Legal Education Program and attended Vanderbilt University Law School in Tennessee. After graduation, she was selected to attend the Order of the Coif, an honorary scholastic society, the purpose is to encourage excellence in legal education, and admitted to the New York Bar.  Sáenz-Ryan was then re-assigned to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) to serve as a trial counsel at Fort Sill , Oklahoma .  

Reaching  the rank of Captain, she was deployed overseas during Operations Desert Shield, and assigned as the Brigade Legal Counsel for a Field Artillery brigade of 1,000 soldiers in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield—one of a small number of women officers and soldiers in the brigade.  

Sáenz-Ryan was selected as one of the military lawyers to attend the staff school at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas . She was chosen by the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps to assume a significant position at the JAG headquarters in Washington , D.C. She has the distinction of also being the most senior ranking Hispanic Judge Advocate.  

Sáenz-Ryan earned a Masters Degree in Law from the Judge Advocate General’s School in Charleston , Virginia .  

In 1999, while attended the Command and General Staff College, doctors found and removed a cancerous tumor from her leg. Sáenz-Ryan recovered, and was retained on active duty by the Army. She then applied for a position as an Academy professor at West Point .  

In August 2001, she was appointed Deputy Head, Department of Law, at the U.S. Military Academy. Her Commanding officer and mentor, Brigadier General

Pat Finnegan, allowed her to receive treatment for her condition and to have a full recovery before she could assume her position full time.

In 2000, Sáenz-Ryan was named one of the top 100 Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Magazine.  

In 2006, former President Bush nominated Sáenz-Ryan to serve as professor and head of the Law Department, requiring presidential nomination and congressional confirmation.    

On August 7, 2010, Sáenz-Ryan was among the recipients of the “Margaret Brent Award.” The ABA ’s (American Bar Association) Commission on Women in the Profession gives the award annually to female lawyers who have achieved professional excellence in their field and share a commitment to champion other women.  

Sáenz-Ryan has received many medals and ribbons for her service in the military such as Joint Services Commendation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal ( Saudi Arabia ), Army Overseas Service Ribbon, among many other awards.

Roger Hernández

 Assemblymember Roger Hernández represents the 57th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, La Puente, West Covina, Irwindale, Industry, and the unincorporated areas of  San Gabriel Valley Los Angeles County, including Bassett, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Arcadia, Hacienda Heights, North Whittier, Ramona, and Valinda.  

Roger Hernández was born on July 29, 1975, in El Monte , California . He is the son of immigrant parents Rogelio Hernández and Obdulia Hernández. Roger is the eldest of three other siblings; Gilbert, Veronica and Jaime. Hernández was the first in his family to pursue higher education goals beyond high school.  

Roger Hernández graduated from Nogales High School , in La Puente , California . He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of California at Riverside, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne , and a Master's in Governance Certificate from the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

Hernández was a Professor of Government at Rio Hondo and Citrus Community Colleges , both in California . He served as Mayor and as a Councilmember for the city of West Covina .    

From November 1999 to July 2003, Hernández was elected and served on the Rowland Unified School Board.  

From March 18, 2003 to December 6, 2010, Hernández served as a Council member. During his time, he championed the creation of a city-run ambulance service.  West Covina was able to cut emergency response times and able to generate cost savings and revenue for the city while enhancing the city’s emergency services to the public.  

Hernández was appointed to the leadership position of Assistant Majority Whip by the Speaker of the Assembly, and was selected to serve as Chair of the Select Committee on Low High School Matriculation Rates. In addition, he served on the Committee on Banking and Finance, the Health Committee, the Utilities and Commerce Committee, and the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife.  

In November 2010, Roger Hernández was elected to represent the 57^th Assembly District. In the Assembly, Hernández’ priorities are on rebuilding the state’s education system for children; promoting health and wellness issues; creating jobs; breaking the state budget gridlock by advocating for long-term fixes for Californians; and protecting open spaces so residents of the San Gabriel Valley can have the quality of life that they so richly deserve.  

Roger Hernández has always appreciated the value of hard work, largely credited to his father, and the examples he set for him and his siblings, his father held two jobs so his children could gain opportunities, and he refused to let that sacrifice be in vain.

Annette Quijano

Estela Chavez-Vasquez

Estela Chavez Vasquez is the Brownsville City Commissioner at Large “A,” District. She was born in Brownsville , Texas . She is the seventh child of a family of 13.  Estela Chavez-Vasquez, born into a family of migrant workers, is the family’s first generation college graduate. She is married to Antonio Vasquez; an optometrist; the couple have three children.  

 She worked for the Houston Independent School District and Brownville Independent School District , she taught Language Arts and Math.  

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By Brian De Los Santos and Jorge H. Gutiérrez Neri in MEXODUS report

According to the México Secretariat of the President‘s Office [Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública], during the last 10 years at the national level extortions have increased sevenfold and kidnappings have doubled.

―Impunity is the norm in the case of assassination attempts against journalists and this puts all reporters at risk,‖ said Navarro Bello. ―In México you can assassinate a reporter and come out unpunished.‖

The news magazine‘s founder Jesús Blancornelas survived several assassination attempts, but died of cancer Nov. 23, 2006. At El Diario de Juárez, veteran crime reporter Armando Rodríguez, known as ―el chuco,‖ was shot to death outside his home in 2008 and a young photographer was assassinated in 2010.

Some news outlets acknowledge they have stopped reporting about organized crime or drug trafficking for fear of also becoming targets.

―Journalists themselves have begun to censor what they write about drug trafficking,‖ said Jorge Morales, a writer for La Opinión, a Spanish-language paper in Los Angeles. ―Self-censorship began because of the reprisals, because reporters are fearful when they write about narco trafficking, and because of the messages sent by the Mafia itself to the media,‖ he said.

Journalism in México has had to adapt to the criminality the cartels have brought upon the country. Many Mexican media have changed how they publish their stories about corruption and drug trafficking.

List of Mexican journalists killed since 2000.

Juana Bordas
President of MLI
Inspirational Speaker, Author of "Salsa, Soul, and Spirit" 

In Salsa, Soul, and Spirit, Juana Bordas shows how incorporating Latino, African-American, and American Indian approaches to leadership into the mainstream has the potential to strengthen leadership practice and inspire today's ethnically rich workforce.


[Read more about Juana]
Mestiza Leadership International 

 http://mestizaleadership.com/  Mestiza Leadership International  

PEW Report on Topography of Faith

Editor: The data that  jumped out at me, was the current small presence Muslims in the United States.  In most of the states, the Muslims were half of a percent .05% of the US population.  In  seven states, the percentage was 1%: Florida,  Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee.  Nevada was the only state that even reached 2%.  It surprised me because the Muslims influence has become very powerful.  Concessions to Muslims believers have reached into every aspect of the U.S. structure.  

A recent decision by the U.S. military reflects the confusion on dealing fairly with Muslims in our midst.  A conscientious objector status was given to a U.S. Muslim soldier who refused to go to Afghanistan with the possibility of killing a Muslim.  The soldier said as a Muslim, it was a sin to kill another Muslim.   Since Muslim nations, rebels, and terrorists are killing one another all over the world, the rationale to seek conscientious objector status based on Muslims don't kill Muslim goes against what is happening everyday, Muslims are killing Muslims. 

 Why was the argument accepted, when it goes against actual observable Muslim behavior?  In addition, why was the young soldier given an honorable discharge?  He did not earn the perks that Veterans are entitled to receive.  With an honorable discharge he will be entitled to free education, free medical, and other benefits.  WHY?  

Sent by Karren Pederson 

Sent by Juan Marinez  marinezj@anr.msu.edu 

An Ode 
to 
America  

TIDBITS

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/ 
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm

Articles touching on all the categories, plus, YouTube programs
Culture, Economy, Education, Food, Health, Immigration, Politics, Technology, Latin America
http://www.newstaco.com/  

WITNESS TO HERITAGE

The Tejano Heritage Effort (THE)

By Dr. Lino Garcia, Jr. and Mr. José Antonio López  

What is the Tejano Heritage Effort (THE)?  It is a concern-driven group whose true grass roots originated on April 28, 2008, in Edinburg, Texas.  Mr. López was there to do a presentation on his book “The Last Knight (Don Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara Uribe, A Texas Hero)”.   As part of the Q&A session at the event, the conversation slightly shifted to dedicating our efforts to counter misinformation contained in mainstream Texas history reports in the media.  The topic continued to evolve the next day during a breakfast gathering attended by Dr Garcia, Alex Moreno, Dr. Chance, and Joe & Cordy López.  It was then that Dr. Garcia and Mr. López decided to do something about our common interest.  Whenever we read erroneous history information in newspapers or magazines, we constructively offer corrections to the articles as soon as possible.  We then send them to the media concerned. The result was THE.  Basically, following is our pledge:      

·       To correct all and any misrepresentation of Tejano History and the Spanish Mexican roots of the entire U.S. Southwest.

·       To inform, in a respectful manner, all and any individual, enterprise, newspaper, journal, or media when they give misinformation to the general public related to Tejano History.

·       To continue to be vigilant regarding any article, book, essay, or any other media that portrays the Tejano in a derogatory manner and to quickly correct such version.

·       To make sure that the Tejano Story is properly included in all versions detailing the history of Texas, from its beginnings as part of New Spain. This includes the direct lineage with their extended family in Mexico, and their Native American kindred on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border also known as the Borderlands.

·       To write articles and books dealing with the true history of the Tejanos as creators of the ranching and cowboy ways of life in Texas, and their immense contributions as founders of this great place we call Texas.

·       In so doing, liberate all Texans of all persuasions from the erroneous version of Texas history that has been perpetrated to our youth for many decades.  

At the moment THE consists of the two founding members.  However, we would like others to join us, especially early Texas history aficionados who share our passion and agree with THE pledge above.  There are no dues and no meetings.  The only condition is that THE writers must abide by one of the most important parts of the pledge.  That is, that they be respectful in making their point.  In our view, that is the only way to spread the word about our rich pre-1836 history.  More importantly, that’s how the media is more likely to learn of our story and publish supportive pre-1836 Texas and Southwest history articles.  

The fact is that although interest in early Texas and Southwest history is increasing, political and history articles continue to be published that contain erroneous or distorted information.  The trick is to identify the misinformation and then to quickly, clearly, and briefly offer the writer the correct information.  If you are interested in joining or wish to suggest ways to improve pre-1836 Southwest history reporting, please contact Dr. Garcia and/or Mr. López, (drlinogarcia@sbcglobal.net ; jlopez8182@satx.rr.com )  If you want to find out how we do it, following are samples of letters we have written.  

A.  The Texas Monthly recently published an article in which the writer indicated that David Crockett “...had founded a Republic...”, so the response to this erroneous interpretation of Texas History is below.

 To: Editor of Texas Monthly, February 28, 2009

 From: Dr. Lino Garcia, Jr. /Professor Emeritus

I just finished reading the latest Texas Monthly magazine and found that the person who wrote a short introduction on David Crockett again has misinterpreted the true History of Texas. Allow me to point out some discrepancies: 

1.) David Crockett had ONLY been in Texas a few months before the Battle of the Alamo of 1836--hardly enough time to “found a Republic". Tejanos had been fighting for justice and to separate themselves from Spain in 1811 ( the de las Casas Revolt to oust then Spanish Governor of Texas Manuel Salcedo in San Antonio) and again in 1813 at the Battle of Medina where 900 Tejanos perished in their attempt to separate themselves from Spain and find a new Republic. So you see the attempt to find a new Republic originated with the early settlers- the Tejanos, and NOT with David Crockett.  

2.) In addition to many other brave Texans, eleven Tejanos also died at the Battle of the Alamo of 1836. How about Juan N. Seguin who helped bury the dead patriots? Now, there is a true Texas Hero. He was born in Texas with his genealogy going back many generations before1836, and certainly not David Crockett, a recent arrival in Texas, who for all we know came into Texas as undocumented ( remember that it was Mexico and the Tejanos who ALLOWED northerners to come into Texas in 1824) , and  the Tejanos had been in Texas since 1528.  

3.) Surely, your distinguished magazine can find some Tejano to mention as being prominent in early Spanish Texas.  How about Lorenzo de Zavala- a patriot, statesman, first Vice President of the Republic of Texas, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, designer of the Lone Star flag (YES- de Zavala designed the Lone Star Texas flag); or Antonio de Navarro, a prominent Tejano of early Texas in whose hacienda Sam Houston planned his battles, and who later on he and de Zavala introduced laws to establish the first public university in Texas? It was Col. Juan N. Seguin who with his Tejano Cavalry helped defeat Antonio de Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto.  Blas Herrera, hero of the Alamo, who alerted the Texas troops that Mexican troops were near San Antonio, and who served as Senator from the newly created district of the Republic?  

Sir, the world had changed, the demographics of Texas have changed dramatically, and we still have to contend with centuries old myths, old historical data that continues to misinform the public. In addition, the David Crockett story belongs in Hollywood, and is based on a certain group's desire to elevate itself, to bathe in its own heroes, with the idea of creating a sub-group within Texas society, whose role in the making of Texas is minimized, when historical data tells us a different story. With the emergence of a vocal and dynamic Tejano community, THE TEJANO STORY WILL BE TOLD!

 Cordially yours,

Lino García, Jr., Ph.D, Professor Emeritus/UTPA

B.  The January 2011 Texas Monthly issue devoted a large portion of their magazine honoring the “175^th” anniversary of Texas Independence.  As a result, Mr. López sent the following letter:  

Dear Editor

You are getting better at recognizing the role of the long-ignored Tejanos in the history of Texas independence and the positive contributions of present-day Tejanos and Mexican Americans in this great place we call Texas (Tejas).  For that, I salute you.   

However, you continue to mis-lead the public.  It is the 198^th Anniversary of Texas Independence, not the 175^th.   

The honor of the first visionary to see Texas as independent belongs to Lt. Colonel Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara who responded to Father Hidalgo’s “Grito” on September 16, 1810 (el Diezyseis) and began his quest for Texas independence.  He accomplished that feat on April 6, 1813, by becoming the first President of Texas.  He wrote and signed the first Texas Declaration of Independence on that day and signed the first Texas Constitution a week later.  In truth, Tejanos had already done much of the heavy lifting, sacrificing, and dying by the time Sam Houston crossed over the Sabine River.  In other words, Houston took over a work in progress.   

Equally important, you must be reminded that the 1836 Battle of the Alamo and the other battles are a chronological chapter of Mexico’s history, not the U.S.  Texas did not join the U.S. until 1845, when the Anglos traded their independence for statehood as a slave state.   

(Response from Texas Monthly 2/16/2011) 

Dear Mr. López,
Thank you so much for your kind letter and your feedback about the March issue. You make an excellent point about the important contributions of Lt. Colonel José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara. In April 2009 I edited a story by Gary Cartwright called “Ghosts of War” that discussed Gutiérrez and Augustus Magee’s Republican Army of the North, and though we did not go into such great detail in the current issue, we did include the Battle of Medina, which put an end to the Green Flag Republic of Texas, on our list of 175 places to visit.

After reading your letter, however, I do wish that I had included the significance of April 6, 1813, as part of that writeup. But even with the enormous amount of space that we gave to the story, we weren’t able to include everything. For example, we did not have room to mention another step toward independence, the Republic of Fredonia, which was declared nine years before the Battle of Gonzales, though it would have also been a great addition to the story.

I am also intrigued by your statement that Anglos traded their independence for statehood as a slave state. For the Behind the Lines column in the current issue, I interviewed Professor Randolph “Mike” Campbell, who wrote the book Gone to Texas, and he discussed that very issue. He was shocked when he arrived in Texas more than forty years ago from Virginia and discovered that very few—if any—scholarly works had been written about slavery in Texas. In fact, he told me that while he understood why some people would make the case that the revolution itself was not about slavery (he isn’t so sure), there is no doubt that independence and the constitution of the Republic guaranteed that Texas would have slaves, who accounted for thirty percent of the population in 1860. That too is another fascinating (and sad) aspect of our history that is often overlooked.

Again, I am grateful for your letter and hope that you enjoy the rest of the list. And I hope that you will follow our discussions of the issue on Facebook and Twitter as well as on texasmonthly.com.
Best wishes,
Brian Sweany, Editor
 

C.  The following is a letter that Dr. Garcia wrote regarding a letter to the editor containing erroneous Tejano history information. 

To: Editor-San Antonio Express – News, March 11, 2011

Re: “Don’t lionize de Lara” (Letter by C.F. Eckhardt) 

Eckhardt was unfairly sarcastic in criticizing José Antonio López for connecting the dots in his Texas Independence Guest Voice, March 8th.  Allow me to explain. 

Eckhardt said: “...the title of "Don" was ill-conferred, that Don Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara was a blacksmith."

He was a Creole who happened to be a blacksmith. What is wrong with that? He was also a skilled horseman, rancher, merchant and community leader.  He was educated and gifted communicator. He became Mexico's first ambassador to the U.S. and successfully took on President James Monroe one to one.  Not bad for a "blacksmith”! 

Eckhardt said: “de Lara ordered the murder of Spanish General Manuel Salcedo and his entire staff".

That is false.  When the rebels rode into San Antonio - April 1-2, 1813, Capt. Antonio Delgado saw the head of his father on a bloody pole displayed among other decapitated heads.  Enraged, he blamed General Salcedo.  So, Delgado and his men killed Salcedo and other prisoners.  De Lara acknowledged responsibility for the actions of his men, resigned and went into exile in Louisiana.

Eckhardt said: "...His constitution was a sham...”

De Lara modeled the first Texas Constitution after the U.S. Constitution. Enough said.

Eckhardt proved again that some people cannot accept pre -1836 events as part of the seamless telling of our state's history. Get over it! De Lara may not fit the Sam Houston focused mainstream Texas history, but that does not make his less of a Texas Independence hero. 

Eckhardt should read some scholarly books on the vast contributions of the Tejanos toward the development of Texas. Hopefully, this will enlighten you. The Tejano Story will be told in spite of such continued opposition.

 Lino García, Jr., Ph.D, Professor Emeritus

Edinburg

D.  In an Aug 4, 2010 article announcing the placing of a celebration banner in downtown San Antonio. Mr. López wrote the following:  

Mr. Huddleston (Scott), reference your SA Express-News and Conexión articles regarding the Alamo banner to be displayed downtown, marking the “175^th” anniversary of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. 

I agree that the Alamo is the biggest tourist draw to downtown.  That is all well and good because the San Antonio area and the entire state of Texas profits.  However, isn’t it time to start putting the story of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo in perspective? 

Most of your article’s readers (and most people, in general) do not know that the 1836 Battle of the Alamo is a chronological chapter of Mexico’s history, not the U.S.  (Texas did not join the U.S. until 1845 as a slave state.)   

If historians (and reporters) insist on writing about it as part of U.S. history, then they should claim not just nine years to 1836.  In fairness, they should go back to the spark that lit Texas independence – Father Miguel Hidalgo’s “Grito” on September 16, 1810 (el Diezyseis).  That is when Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara began his quest to make Texas independent; a goal he accomplished three years later.  For that reason, the number of years on the proposed banner should refer to those key events and read “200” and not “175” years.  

In my view, much of the meanness directed against the Southwest Hispanic culture, its people, and the speaking of Spanish during the ugly on-going immigration issue is caused by those who are terribly ignorant of Texas history and the Spanish Mexican roots of the U.S. Southwest.  Most have no clue that this is New Spain, not New England.   

It is time to market the Alamo and the La Bahia Presidio for their strength, beauty, and creativity of their Spanish Mexican builders.  They should no longer be show-cased because armed Anglo illegal aliens from the U.S. died there.   

In short, we need a more fair, balanced, and inclusive approach in the telling of Texas independence.  The descendants of Spanish Mexican pioneers, the first citizens of Texas, have been waiting for justice for over 170 years.  Thank you.
 

Response from the San Antonio Express-News writer 8/5/2010:

Mr. Lopez, thank you for making contact.  

I'll try to take time later to carefully read and reflect on your ideas. But I wanted to respond quickly, and just acknowledge that I think you have expressed, very eloquently, some well-grounded sentiments about historical interpretation. This week's dust-up with the banner brought out, once again, some of the harsh realities associated with the way Texas history has been interpreted.   

You're absolutely correct about balance and inclusivity. I'm hopeful that the 175th anniversary of the Texas Revolution will provide an opportunity to promote those ideals and heal old wounds. I'm currently talking to some of my colleagues here at the Express-News on how we can accomplish that.   

Respectfully,   Scott Huddleston, staff writer, San Antonio Express-News

ERASING HISTORIC REALITY
PERSISTENCE OF THE BLACK LEGEND

STEREOTYPES, MISCONCEPTIONS, GENOCIDE AND THE BLACK LEGEND

By Richard G. Santos
richardgsantos@yahoo.com 

THE PLIGHT OF THE MISEDUCATED IN SEARCH OF AN IDENTITY
By 
Richard G. Santos
richardgsantos@yahoo.com

HONORING HISPANIC LEADERSHIP

"I was never in the mainstream, never in all my life. I was born on the margins, lived on the margins, and have always sympathized with the margins.  They make a lot more sense to me than the mainstream."                                                            

                        Shifra M. Goldman 1926-2011  

Shifra Goldman, a pioneer in the study of Latin American and Chicano/a Art, and a social art historian, died in Los Angeles on September 11, 2011, from Alzheimer’s disease.  She was 85.

Professor Goldman taught art history in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years. She was a prolific writer and an activist for Chicano and Latino Art. In Dimensions of the Americas:  Art and Social Change in Latin America and the United States, one of her award winning publications, she stated that part of her life’s work was to “deflect and correct the stereotypes, distortions, and Eurocentric misunderstandings that have plagued all serious approaches to Latino Art history since the 50s.”  

Born and raised in New York by Russian/Polish immigrant parents, art and politics were central to her entire life. Goldman’s mother was a trade unionist and her father, a political activist. She attended the High School of Music and Art in New York , and entered the University of California , Los Angeles (UCLA) as a studio art major when her family moved to Los Angeles in the 1940's. As an undergraduate, she was active in the student boycott against the barbers in Westwood who refused to cut the hair of the Black Veterans entering UCLA on the GI bill following the Second World War.  

After leaving UCLA, she went to work with Bert Corona and the Civil Rights Congress, a national organization working to stop police brutality against African and Mexican Americans, and the deportations of Mexicans and foreign born political activists. Living in East Los Angeles , Goldman learned Spanish and became immersed in Mexican and Chicano culture. In the 1950’s, during the repression of the Cold War, Goldman was subpoenaed before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC). Two decades later, she lost her first college teaching job because a background check revealed that she had been called before HUAC.  

In the 1960's, after supporting herself and her son, Eric, as a bookkeeper for fifteen years, Goldman returned to UCLA to complete her B.A. in art. After receiving her M.A. in art history from California State University , Los Angeles (CSLA), she entered the Ph.D program at UCLA where she ran headlong into Eurocentrism when she was unable to find a chair for her doctoral committee because her topic of choice was modern Mexican art. Goldman refused to choose a more mainstream topic, and waited several years until a new faculty member finally agreed to work with her.  Her dissertation was published as Contemporary Mexican Painting in a Time of Change by University of Texas Press in 1981, and republished in Mexico in 1989.  She also initiated and co-authored the bibliography and theoretical essay, Arte Chicano: A Comprehensive Annotated Bibliography of Chicano Art, 1965-1981 (1985) with Dr.Tomás Ybarra-Frausto.  

Professor Goldman taught her first class in Mexican Art in 1966, possibly the only one given at that time in all of California . She later went on to a full time teaching position in art history at Santa Ana College where she taught courses in Mexican Pre-Colombian, Modern and Chicano Art for 21 years.  She was one of the organizers for the Vietnam Peace Tower in 1966. Goldman also co‑founded the Los Angeles chapter of Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America, in 1983, and was instrumental in bringing solidarity with the Central American struggle to the Los Angeles community.

In 1968, she began the campaign to preserve the 1932 Siqueiros mural America Tropical in Olvera Street , and in 1971 approached Siqueiros for a new mural derived from the original. According to the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA), he agreed but the plan was thwarted by the artist’s death in 1974. His last mural in Los Angeles , Portrait of Mexico Today, 1932, was restored and moved to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in California with Goldman’s advice and assistance.

Goldman has published and lectured in Europe, Latin America and the United States and led several delegations to Cuba to attend their Art Biennials. In 1994 she became a Research Associate with the Latin American Center at UCLA and taught art history there. Goldman is also Professor Emeritus from Santa Ana College , Santa Ana , CA .

In February 1992, she received the College Art Association's (CAA) Frank Jewett Mather Award for distinction in art criticism and, in February 1993, an award from the Women's Caucus for Art for outstanding achievement in the visual arts. She was elected to the board of the CAA, 1995-1999. In 1996 she received the “Historian of the Lions” award from the Center for the Study of Political Graphics. 

The Shifra Goldman Papers, including her slides, books, and videos are part of the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA) at the University of California , Santa Barbara . Her extensive Chicano poster and print collection is at the Center for the Study of Political Graphics in Los Angeles .  She will be remembered for her important contributions to Latin American Art scholarship and for her seminal work in Chicano/a Art History and support of the Chicano/a art community.  

Professor Goldman is survived by her son Eric Garcia, daughter-in-law Trisha Dexter, and grandson Ian of Los Angeles.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Avenue 50 Studio [www.avenue50studio.com], Center for the Study of Political Graphics www.politicalgraphics.org  and/or Tropico de Nopal www.tropicodenopal.com . The date and location of an October memorial will be on all of the above websites.

Sent by Kathy Gallegos
http://www.avenue50studio.com
Mercy Bautista-Olvera scarlett_mbo@yahoo.com and Sister Mary Sevilla msevilla@ca.rr.com 

RELATED:
A wider sense of history: the pioneering work of Shifra Goldman 
Q&A with Shifra M. Goldman
Getting at heart of Mexican art  

José Cárdenas, pioneering educator for Latinos, dies
By Elaine Ayala eayala@express-news.net 
Monday, September 19, 2011 

“He spoke his mind, and he was a role model for so many educators that followed,” Castro said.

“His greatest contribution has been the huge number of young people who pursued their doctoral studies,” said retired educator Bambi Cárdenas, another longtime colleague. “It's hard to imagine the progress that would not have been made without his undaunting pursuit of that goal. His contributions will be hard to match.”

She remembered Cárdenas' visits to Edgewood school counselors in the early '70s in which he directed them — individually — to stop ranking students and concentrate on getting them into college and finding scholarships for them “to help our kids transition to college.”  “The word ‘transition' hadn't been used. His focus was to push the kids all the way to college,” she said.

Cárdenas initiated “schools within schools,” creating smaller populations of students so none would fall through cracks, and forged early initiatives to get 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds into preschool. He even reached out to low-income Hispanic homes of children as young as 18 months.  Bambi Cardenas said his Valued Youth Program, using older students with reading problems as tutors for young children, has “gained tremendous acceptance all over the world.”

“In terms of his integrity, su palabra era oro (his word was gold),” said Aurelio Montemayor, a senior staff member at IDRA. “He committed himself to educational justice for all children. His career was a straight line from there.”

Cárdenas is survived by his wife, Laura Doreen Tobin Cardenas; two sons, José Angel Cárdenas Jr. and Dr. Michael Cárdenas; two daughters, Christine Cárdenas Boehme and Laura Cárdenas Schwarz; and eight grandchildren.  Services are pending.In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the José Angel Cárdenas Valued Youth Stipend Fund, IDRA, 5815 Callaghan Road, Suite 101, San Antonio 78228.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Pioneering-educator-for-Latinos-dies-2176871.php#ixzz1YTkQEloI 

Sgt. Robert P. Lemiszki Jr.

  R.I.P.

Tribute to a Fallen Hero

  By: Tony "The Marine" Santiago

Last weekend, Ashley Lemiski sent me an e-mail with the extremely sad news that  on September 16, my friend Sgt. Robert Lemiszki USMC passed away. He was not only my friend; he was in a way like a son. He was also a friend to all Hispanics. The incredible thing is that I never met him in person, I became friends with Robert through my writings in Wikipedia.. but before I continue I would like to tell you about him.  

Robert was born on April 13, 1985. His parents were Linda Bradford Lemiszki and Robert P. Lemiszki, Sr.. Robert was a Boy Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He graduated from Fonda Fultonville High School and like so many of our brave and honorable youth; he joined the armed forces to defend our country after it was so viciously attacked by terrorist. He joined the United States Marine Corps, one the factors which made our bond strong.  

Robert was deployed twice times to Iraq. His first deployment was from February 2994 – September 2004 and his second was from July 2005 – November 2009.  He joined Wikipdeia and that is how we became friends. Robert was concerned about how the Hispanics were being treated and collaborated with me in many Hispanic related articles, including the Hispanic Medal of Honor series which I wrote for “Somos Primos’. An example of his concern can be found in a conversation which we had about Sgt. Rafael Peralta of which I am providing:

“I surely hope that they reconsider, it is obvious even to a mere corporal that this process was contaminated by politics. I read the article in this week's MCTimes , and I was surprised to read that a medical/forensic panel was used to help determine whether or not he was approved... Since when do awards, even the highest award, need anything other than eyewitness statements? I'm a bit confused too on another part: if the award was on President Bush's desk, then how did Secretary Gates reject it and lower it to a Navy Cross? I was hoping you might have some glimmer of an answer for me, but I understand if you are as frustrated as I am.” 

2009 pictured with Tony and his granddaughters, Isabel and Nina, with the flag and certificate which Robert sent.


In 2009, he sent me a gift; it was a flag which was flown over the 2^nd MAW Headquarters in Iraq where he was stationed as the Maintenance Chief of the 2^nd Marine Aircraft Wing Fwd.  I cherish that flag. That same year, my granddaughter Isabel and her 6^th grade class adopted him in what I started as “Adopt a Marine” and sent him a package.

Our hero was awarded the Action Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star, Navy Sea Service Deployment Medal with 2 Service Stars (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation.

He married his sweetheart, Ashley and had a bright future ahead of him. However, after his discharge, like so many of our heroes, the traumas and stressful situations which he faced overseas took the better part of him.

In my opinion, as a former Marine, I believe that our government should bare some of the blame for what happened to my friend Robert and many other veterans like him. Our young men and women in the military are under extreme situations and when they are discharged the government does little to help them. They are sent to combat in foreign lands where they are not appreciated by the majority of the locals and have to face the reality of seeing others die.

The government spends thousands of dollars training our youth to kill, but when they are discharged from the military they are not placed in a process of debriefing which would allow them to face civilian life once more. Our government has spent over 60 billion dollars on the war and sends billions of taxpayers dollars to fuel the economies the governments of countries who hate us. Maybe if our government paid more attention to the needs of our men and women who suffer from PTSD and instead of misspending our taxpayer dollars, create a debriefing programs before returning our heroes back to civilian life, Robert and others like him, would have been able to cope with the situations which they will face once they are discharged from the military.  

I don’t know what happened nor what went through his mind that fateful day, I just know that he is no longer with us and that when I received the news I was beyond myself in grief. I will miss you Robert, I hope to see you in heaven someday where side by side we will guard the gates of heaven.

Semper Fi, your friend Tony “The Marine” Santiago

Tribute to Victor H. Baez, Architect

Family History/Genealogy 
Early in 1994, Victor and Alex were having dinner at the old Christie’s Seafood Restaurant on Broadway in San Antonio. The discussion came around to the family, and Victor’s wish that his children—Rebecca, Peter, and John—would be able to learn more about their ancestry and heritage. That discussion lit a spark, and Baez family research began.   In May of that year, Victor, Alex, Victor’s cousin Henry Baíz, and Victor’s brother-in-law Alfred Treviño, made a trip to a town called Candela, located in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila, on a clue about a great-great grandfather. Victor would never forget cousin Henry Baíz, shouting across the square, “Primo, primo! Come over here to the church!”—because Henry had just found the Baez name honored on a plaque on the front of the church.  Years of historical research have brought to light that Victor’s family descends, through his great-grandmother, Catarina Ramon, from Spanish explorer and military leader, Diego Ramon, who was Comandante of the Presidio of San Juan Bautista (near present-day Piedras Negras) and was the third governor of Coahuila, in New Spain, from 1691 to 1698, and was the founder of Mission San Francisco Solano that later became 

The Alamo.  
All genealogical roads lead to Victor’s descent from the family of Simon Vaez Sevilla, international trade and silver mining entrepreneur and a leader of the Jewish community of Mexico City in the early 1600s. Also from this lineage, Victor’s fifth great-grandfather, Juan Lorenzo Baez, was mayor of the city of Monterrey from 1765-1766.   Victor’s mother’s family comes from the Tlascaltecan community of the city of Saltillo, and, ironically, his grandfather, Wilfredo Hernandez managed construction sites around the United States for Brown and Root Company in the early 1900s—and was an expert on—you guessed it—concrete as a building material!  

Culinary Arts 
From Peter Baez: “Dad put all the love and attention he had into each meal he would make. I'm not sure you would be able to take notes so that you could put together a recipe from what he made, because it was always a pinch here and most times it was “throw the rest in” . . . Dad never really used measuring tools . . . a little strange for an architect . . . but it didn't matter because it always turned out unique and Delicioso!   If you were to ask about influences . . . Dad always would talk about how Grandma would make food and he adored her so much that he tried to emulate her cooking and the comfort it brought him. Dad enjoyed barbequing in the back yard. You could always count on Dad having some Chili around (not your normal "hot" sauce). It was the kind in which taste was measured by how much your nose would run and your eyes would tear up.   

Not only was the food that Dad would cook unique in its creation . . . but it was made with Love and Pride, and Dad made sure you had enough of it.” Alex remembers two barbecues where Victor received standing ovations for his barbecued brisket. Victor also loved building and carpentry, welding, gardening, drawing and sculpting.   

Architecture 
Along with his family, his true love was architecture—designing and constructing buildings.  With the support of his first mentor, Mr. Piepers of Burbank High School in San Antonio, Victor was able to begin to learn his craft. With the support of his second mentor, Dr. Alan Taniguchi, Dean of the School of Architecture at UT-Austin, Victor received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from UT in 1970, and was one of the first minority students to receive this degree from UT-Austin.   

During a sabbatical from university, Victor worked in Los Angeles, CA, for Ted Grenzbach and Associates, designing remodels for celebrities and professionals in the entertainment industry, including Cary Grant, Dinah Shore, Nancy Sinatra, James Coburn, Audrey Meadows, and the Henry Fondas, among others. One of Victor’s fondest memories was visiting with Cary Grant at his poolside, with his Scottish butler, Angus, serving tea and biscuits. Dinah Shore insisted on making Victor a ham sandwich, served with a glass of milk, on his first visit to her home. Ted Grenzbach’s firm was remodeling Dinah’s kitchen, and Victor had become the design firm’s liaison with the stars.  After returning to Austin and completing his architectural degree in 1970, Victor joined Lundgren and Maurer Architects (1971-1974), worked as a partner with Lundgren & Baez (1974-1980), and founded Baez Architects, a design-build architectural firm, in 1980, where he worked until his retirement in 2004.  

To his credit, Victor designed over 275 hotels and completed construction on 150, worldwide, including the design concept of the round hotel high-rise for Lundgren & Maurer Architects adopted primarily by Holiday Inns worldwide. The Holiday Inn on Town Lake in Austin, Texas, the first round high-rise hotel in the world, was the prototype from which dozens of similar hotels were built, throughout the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the world.  

In addition to his hotel designs, Victor designed and built numerous residences utilizing unique design modes such as the earth house, a stone pyramid, California coast ranch-style, and traditional Spanish-Moorish designs. Churches, schools, convention centers, multi-unit dwellings, commercial businesses, banks, and public libraries, including the University Hills Branch Library and the original George Washington Carver Library in Austin completed his repertoire.   

Victor admired the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies Van Der Rohe, Corbusier, Kenzo Tanji, and Luis Barragán, and was a fan of Japanese “brutal” architectural design. He loved the properties and design possibilities of concrete as a building material. Victor believed that architecture should be organic and in keeping with the site, topography, and geography of the land on which the structure is built.  Victor’s Faith Born into a Roman Catholic family, Mr. Baez practiced Judaism in the later years of his life, was strong in his faith, and he loved to read the Torah and loved to hear the Psalms of David read to him. He said he gained strength from lighting the Shabbat candles on Friday evening, and he kept the Sabbath sacred. He was proud to honor his faith and his Jewish family heritage in this way.  

NATIONAL ISSUES

MAD MAX-STYLE NARCO TANKS FOUND
Mexican authorities say they have discovered more than 100 homemade narco-tanks in recent months, dubbed "Los Monstruos," or the Monsters, by the Mexican media.  The military recntly discovered two more in a a Tamaulipas warehouse allegedly belonging to the Gulf Cartel.  The tanks are covered in inch-thick steel plates and feature portholes for snipers.  Soldiers found two other trucks as well as 23 powerful big-rig trucks that were apparently going to be armored.  The vehicles can carry up to 20 people and are built to resist grenades and machine gun fire in battles with rival drug gangs.  They can seemingly only be disabled using anti-tank weapons, according to the Mexican military.  The ingenious homemade designs are reminiscent 'narco-subs' in Colombia, semi-submersibles built to carry loads of cocaine up the Pacific coast.
Source: PODER magazine, Aug/Sept 2011, pg. 20.


Sheriff: Suspect tended opium
Fort Bragg, CA:  Authorities say the suspect in the fatal shooting of a city councilman had been living for months in the woods, tending opium poppy plants.  Mendocino County Sheriff's officials said 35-year Aaron Bassier was the sole tender of about 100 opium poppies.  Bassler is suspected of shooting 69-year-old Fort Bragg City Councilman, Jere Melo.  Melo was shot in a rugged area outside Fort Bragg while searching for marijuana farms.  Melo was no armed.  His friend had a weapon and returned fire before escaping on a train.  OCRegister, 9/1/11

Drug cartels stymied by a crackdown in Mexico may have sent a quarter-ton shipment from China of methylamine hydrochloride, used in making the drug crystal meth, that was found at Los Angeles International Airport, a U.S., custom spokesman said.  OCRegister, 9/2/11 

Estimated 40-50,000 killed since the war on drugs started by President Calderon.

Sent by Odell Hardwell  hirider@clear.net 

ACTION ITEM

City of Anaheim Issues Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council Members. Thank you for granting this proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month. My name is Viola Rodríguez Sadler. I have been a resident of Anaheim for 45 years. I asked for this proclamation in the name of two organizations: the Society for Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research, and for League of United Latin American Citizens, Council #2848 of Anaheim.

With your permission, I would like to address a few words to you and to all who may hear my message:

Some may ask: Why do we need to recognize Hispanics? Why can’t they just assimilate? My answer is, I do believe we assimilate, but that does not exclude pride in our ancestry and celebration of our culture. Our ancestors have been in what is now the United States since before its birth.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION: One of the more important figures to assist the Colonies’ struggle for independence was BERNARDO DE GALVEZ. He helped George Washington and the Revolutionary cause through diplomatic, financial and military exploits against the British in the Mississippi River Valley, the Gulf Coast, including Florida, Louisiana and in the Gulf of Mexico.

THE CIVIL WAR: We Hispanics were there, too—and on both sides. Recipients of the Medal of Honor for service in the Union Army were awarded to SGT JOSE DE CASTRO, US Army, from Boston, Massachusetts in 1863; SEAMAN JUAN ORTEGA, native of Spain, US Navy, 1864; and REGULAR SEAMAN FELIPE BAZAAR, native of Chile, in 1865.

WORLD WAR I: We were there, too. During WWI the military discrimination against Hispanics was rampant. However, one Hispanic American soldier did receive the Medal of Honor. Private MARCELINO SERNA single-handedly captured 24 German soldiers in France.

WORLD WAR II: So many Hispanics served gallantly, but for tonight I narrowed the list to one. PRIVATE GUY LUIS GABALDON, US Marine Corps. Born in East LA, Guy learned “street” Japanese. On July 8, 1944 Gabby captured 800 suicidal Japanese. Overall, he single-handedly brought in 1,500 Japanese soldiers and civilians in the island of Saipan. Saipan was the last major outpost for Japan’s colonial empire.

KOREAN WAR: Yes, we were there, too. Nine Hispanics were awarded the Medal of Honor, and more than 100 others received Distinguished Service Crosses and Silver Stars for acts of combat bravery.

VIETNAM WAR. We were there, too. Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez, Green Berets, suffered seven major gunshot wounds, twenty-eight shrapnel holes, and both arms had been slashed by a bayonet. Roy Benavidez's ordeal began at Loc Ninh, a Green Beret outpost near the Cambodian border. It was 1:30 p.m., May 2, 1968. He won the battle and lived. President Reagan noted when he awarded Benavidez the Medal of Honor, if the story of what Roy accomplished were made into a movie, no one would believe it really happened.

IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: These wars are still raging as we stand here tonight, and sadly the list of our Hispanic heroes keeps growing because, yes, we Hispanics are there, too.

I salute you, the City of Anaheim, I salute you for posting the Banners of Honor along Lincoln Av, not far from this chamber. I live in West Anaheim and often drive by the banners on Brookhurst Street, right by Brookhurst Junior High where the students can also view them. I feel sadness, but it is sadness mixed with pride, because I noticed some of the surnames of the honored include: GONZALEZ, ARIZMENDEZ, SANTIVANEZ, GODOY, MARTINEZ, PALMA, ARIAS, HURTADO, PENA, and the latest one, NORBERTO MENDEZ HERNANDEZ. 

In closing, again, we thank you for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. WE HONOR OUR GREAT HISPANIC ANCESTRY AND HERITAGE. WE CELEBRATE OUR WONDERFUL CULTURE. But, please, make no mistake of ever doubting our patriotism and love for this country, the United States of America. Thank you.

BUSINESS

EDUCATION

People with False Cultural Identities Derived at School by Richard G. Santos
Focusing on the Needs of Latino Students by Manuel Hernandez-Carmona
Better Schools on the Cheap
Go Back to School, You Might Qualify for a Grant
Indiana vouchers prompt thousands to change schools
Eighth-grade dropouts: part of a separate nation
Lopez: Where Do We Go From Here? By José Antonio López

PEOPLE WITH FALSE CULTURAL IDENTITIES DERIVED AT SCHOOL

By

Richard G. Santos  
richardgsantos@yahoo.com  

A number of students are not yet fluent in English, and the school lags in reading. But there is progress on all fronts, not all of them purely academic. The grounds are newly landscaped and the students raised funds to buy umbrellas for the lunch patio. “This doesn’t look like a ghetto anymore,” a student told Franson.

Sparks scored 807 points out of 1,000 on California’s Academic Performance Index during the 2009-2010 school year, making it No. 1 on the list of the state’s 100 middle schools serving low-income minority children. Last year, Sparks officials conducted 10 tours for visitors from other districts who wanted to learn the secret of their success.  http://www.miller-mccune.com/magazine/2471/ 

Where Do We Go From Here? 
By José Antonio López 

Rio Grande Guardian
Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sent by Eddie Martinez e.martinez1512@gmail.com 
and Juan Marinez  marinezj@anr.msu.edu  and Sara Duenas Flores sara36g64@yahoo.com

CULTURE

Una comunidad con el gusto de la cultura. Newsletter 2011-09-08 www.ComunidadCultural.com / SQRO
Edición para los usuarios de Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México newsletter@comunidadcultural.com 

DFW International Community Alliance from Dallas has mounted a Latino Cultural Events Calendar president@dfwinternational.org
 
Multicultural Children’s Performer DARIA offers some fun musical ways to celebrate the diverse Hispanic and Latin American cultures through some fun and easy homemade musical instruments. Check them out here: http://wp.me/p1gB0a-1S or on her monthly free song page: http://www.dariamusic.com/monthly_song.php . Just sign up for Daria’s monthly e-newsletter for a chance to win the maracas. 

Friends, The following beautiful and inspiring video Valor Latino  just came out from the cultural organization Los Cenzontles in San Pablo, CA. Valor Latino http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdba7x1q6QY&feature=share 
Sent by Gus Chavez guschavez2000@yahoo.com 

La Llorona, Take the time to enjoy the paintings of numerous artists with a musical background of La Llorona
 https://www.facebook.com/historiadereynosa 
 Sent by Tom Saenz saenztomas@sbcglobal.net

Watched a Nopal festival in Baldwin Park, CA and more on NewsTaco.com 
News Taco interviews Arizona State Rep. Rubén Gallegos at the NALEO Conference recently. He spoke about his district, his personal experiences as a Latino in Arizona, and the future of politics for Latinos in that state.  Arizona State Rep. Ruben Ga...
http://www.youtube.com/user/newstaco/  

Ana-Alicia Garza http://youtu.be/JYj8zvUA2PI 

But there is so much more to Spanish endearments than just mi’jo/a, isn’t there? We thought we’d come up with a short list, let us know if we missed any! Thanks to Oscar Barajas for helping with this list.

1. Gordo/a or Flaco/a. I’ve certainly struggled in vain for years to explain to non-Latino, non-Spanish speakers why calling someone gordo or flaco isn’t necessarily a compliment or an insult. It just depends!
2. Viejo/a. Same goes here. Calling someone old isn’t necessarily either factual or insulting, but rather, just what you say!
3. Mi’jo/a. Everyone has been called this — by parents, siblings, friends, strangers, relatives, enemies, just about anyone.
4. Mis Ojos, Mi Corazón, Mi Alma. There’s the whole body parts things going on, as in, you are an essential part of my life.
5. Cariño/a. This one is kind of self-explanatory.
6. Chiquito/a. As with being old, being small is need not be a fact, but rather is just one way to endear yourself to someone you care about.
7. Azúcar, Miel, Dulce. Because people love sweets, and they might even love you as much as their pan dulce.
8. Güero/a, Prieto/a, Indio/a. In my life “güera” has practically been my nickname, but being called güera/o is definitely a matter of context. I’ve seen people ironically called one name or the other. Using these names can be a hilarious joke, a fact or just another way to say you love someone.

We’ve written before about apodos, or nicknames, and how important these are to your life culturally speaking, so which endearments did we miss?  

http://www.newstaco.com/2011/08/09/a-list-of-the-top-latino-endearments/ 

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD

It’s 2026 in a border town in Texas called Texaco. What was once South Texas has degenerated into an “ungoverned, lawless territory” where the only remaining residents include drug runners, fugitives, military and a few bunkered civilians.

LITERATURE

Spanish: A "Foreign" Language?
By Frank Gómez (August 31, 2011)
Guest Commentary in National Institute for Latino Policy

Sent by Rafael Ojeda  rsnojeda@aol.com 
Source: Hispanic Link Weekly Link: Vol. 29 No. 16 Sept. 11, 2011

That’s where Google’s Internet browser, Chrome, steps in to save the day!  http://www.google.com/chrome?brand=CHKZ   

Source: Sara Ines Calderon www.NewsTaco.com 

BOOKS

The Col. E. A. Montemayor Library

San Antonio, Texas
By George Farias

Colonel Ernest A. Montemayor USAF-Ret. was one of the pioneers in America in Hispanic genealogical research, having engaged himself in this specialty for over 60 years. He became interested in this field when virtually no one was aware of the history of the Hispanic pioneer families who colonized Mexico and the areas now part of the southwestern United States. Over the years Col. Montemayor has built what is perhaps the most extensive and comprehensive private library in Hispanic genealogy and history-in the United States and possibly the world- of the United States borderlands, Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines. It is estimated that the collection contains over 15,000 volumes including collections of books journals, quarterlies, newsletters, compact discs, and other related materials.

Col. Montemayor, in conjunction with Borderlands Book Store, Inc., a retailer specializing in these types of books for almost 20 years, estimated the value of the entire collection, including files to be at least $ 1,000,000, and because it would be virtually impossible to duplicate this library for this amount of money, as many of the books are rare and out of print. The time and effort to replace it with the cost of personnel, current purchase cost, and expenses would be prohibitive. In fact, because of the rarity of many of the books it simply could not be duplicated. A distinct advantage and intrinsic value is that the books are together in one place, here in San Antonio.

Colonel Montemayor calculated that he spent at least $ 500,000 over a 60 year period in purchases, travel costs, and other expenses to build the library. He traveled extensively in Spain, Mexico and Central and South America and the U.S. borderlands where he acquired some of the rare items. In an article in Conexion Magazine, published by The San Antonio Express-News on September 15, 2005, (What's in a Name? We are), he estimated that he had over a billion items of information on Hispanic surnames.

We are enclosing a listing some of the major collections and items within the library to provide an idea of its contents. The list is titled " Notable Random Selections, The Col. E.A. Montemayor Library, San Antonio, Texas."

1. Historia de Familias Cubanas, Vols. 1-9, El Conde de San Juan de Jaruco (Cuba).

2. Historia Genealogica de las Familias Mas Antiguas de Mexico, Vols. 1-3, Ricardo Ortega y Perez Gallardo ( Mexico).

3. Historia Biografica y Geografica de Mexico, Vols. 1-4, Diccionario Porrua (Mexico).

4. Mayorazgos de la Nueva Espana, Fernandez de Recas ( Mexico).

5. Diccionario Geografico, Historico, y Biografico del Estado de Durango, Ing. Pastor Rouix (Mexico).

6. Los Vascos en America, Provincia de Jujuy, Jorge G.C Zenarrola (Argentina).

7. Archivo General de Simancas, Vols 1-XVI, Julian Diaz (Spain).

8. Catalogo de los Fondos Americanos del Archivo de Protocolos de Sevilla, Vols., 1-2, Institute Hispano-Cubano de Historia de Sevilla, (Spain and the New World).

9. El Solar Vasco-Navarro, Alberto y Arturo Garcia Carraffa, Vols. l-XVI,(Basque Region-Spain).

10.Los Torres de Jaen en Mexico, Gonzalo Torres Martinez (Mexico).

11.McCullough's Geographical Dictionary, Vols. 1-4, F. Marin (U.S.).

12.El Solar Catalan, Valenciano y Balerico, Vols., 1-4 Alberto and Arturo Garcia Carraffa (Spain).

13. Hidalguia Collection from Spain,( Spain).

14. Los Fundadores de Bogota, Vols., 1-2 (Colombia).

15.PIeitos de Hidalguia, Multiple Volumes, Institute Salazar y Castro (Spain).

16.Diccionario Historico, Biografico del Peru, Vols., 1-15, Manuel de Mendiburu (Peru).

17. Diccionario Geografico, Estadistico de Historia de Espana y Sus Posesiones en Ultramar, Vols., 1-16, Pascual Madoz (Spain and the New World).

18. Catalogo de Pasajeros a Indias, Vols. 1-8, Archivo General de Indias (Spain and the new World)

19.Revista del Institute Cultural Puertorriqueno, Journal, Multiple Volumes (Puerto Rico).

20. Historia de la Noble Villa de Bilbao, T. Laurrari (Basque Region-Spain).

21. Diccionario Onomastico y Heraldico Vasco, Vols. 1-8, Jaime de Querexeta(Basque Region-Spain)

22. Documentos Ineditos Para la Historia de Colombia, Vols., 1-10, Juan Friede (Colombia).i

23. Memorias de la Academia Mexicana en la Historia, Multiple Volumes, Academia Mexicana de Genealogia ( Mexico).

24. Los Descendientes de Cristobal Colon, Obra Genealogica, Rafael Nieto y Corta Dellas(Spain and the New World)

25. Epistolario de la Nueva Espana, 1505-1818, Vols., 1-16, Francisco del Paso y Troncoso (Mexico).

26. Encyclopedia Universal llustrada-Espasa Calpe. (Spain and its Possessions).

27. Salas de los Hijosdalgo, Vols. 1-4, Alfredo Basanta de la Riva (Spain).

28. Tracing Your Philippine Ancestors, Lee W. Vance (Philippines).

29. Nobiliario de la Capitania General de Chile, Juan Luis Espejo (Chile).

30. La Condesa de Paro-Bazan y Sus Linajes, Dalmiro de la Valgoma y Diaz-Varela(Spain).

32.Diccionario Heraldico y Genealogico de Apellidos Espanoles y Americanos, 88 Volumes, Alberto anf Arturo Garcia Carrafa and the continuing volumes, titled Diccionario Hispanoamericano de Heraldica, Onomastica y Genealogia by Endika, Irantzu and Garikoitz Mogobejo (Spain and the New World)

33.Los Archives Parroquiales de Sevilla, Francisco Morales Padron (Spain).

34. Archives Municipales de Sevilla, Vols. 1-2, Antonio Heredia Herrera (Spain).

35. Caballeros de la Orden de Santiago, Vols 1-4, Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent. (Spain).

36. Los Caballeros de Santiago, Vols 1-7, Don Jose Perez Balsura (Spain).

37. Catalogos de Consultas del Consejo de Aragon, Eugenic Sarrablo Aguareles (Spain).

38. Historia del Colegio Imperial de Madrid, Vols. 1-2, Jose Simon Diaz (Spain).

39. Expedientes, Orden de Carlos III, 1771-1847, Vols. 1-9, Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent (Spain).

40. Archivo General de la Nacion, Vols 1-16, Various Archives, Various Authors (Mexico).

41.Genealogia de la Inquisicion de Cordoba, Vols 1-11, Jose Antonio Marti'nez Bara( Spain).

42. Indice de los Expedientes Matrimoniales de Militares y Marinos, Vols 1-2, Enrique de Ocerin (Spain).

43. Ruiz Montoya en Indias 1608-1652, Vols. 1-4, Dr. don Francisco Jarque (New World).

44. Indice de Relaciones de Meritos y Servicios, Ramon Paz (Sapin and the New World)

45. Real Compania de Guardias Marinas y Colegio Naval, Vols 1-7, Dalmiro de la Valcoma(Spain).

46. Armas y Triunfos de los Hjjos de Galicia, Vols l-2,Fr. Felipe de la Gandara (Spain).

47. La Provincia de Cuyo del Reino de Chile, Juan Luis Espejo (Chile).

48. Gufa de los Archivos de Madrid, don Francoisco Sintes y Obrador(Spain).

49. Diccionario Autobiografico de Conquistadores y Pobladores de Nueva Espana, Francisco Icaza ( New Spain-Mexico).

50. Escudos de Vizcaya, Vols 1-5, Javier de Ybarra y Berge (Basque Region-Spain).

51. Documentos Relativos a la Independencia de Norte Americana Existentes en Archivos Espanoles, Vols 1-9, Rosario Parra Cala (North America-Spain).

52. Diccionario Historico y Biografico de la Republica Argentina, Julios A. Muzzo (Argentina).

53. Nobiliario de Segovia, Vols 1-5, Jesus Larios Martin (Spain).

54. Cedulario de Canarias, Vols 1-3, Francisco Morales Padron (Canary Islands and Spain).

55.Diccionario Hist6rico-Geografico del Pais Vasco, Vols 1-3, Jose Martin de Retana (Basque Region-Spain).

56-Repetorio de Blasones de la Communidad Hispanica, Vols 1-4, Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent (Spain).

57.Nobiliario de Los Reinos y Senores de Espana, Vols 1-7, don Francisco Diferrer, (Spain).

58. Diccionario de la Historia de Espana, Vols. 1-3, German Blieberg (Spain).

Latino soldiers
 Cebu, Phillipines, WW II

USA LATINO PATRIOTS
http://www.somosprimos.com/heritage.htm 
Include Soldado Olvidado in any military event, scroll down to videos.

NOTE: DEADLINE IS MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012
Sent by Mercy Bautista Olvera 

Sent by Mercy Bautista-Olvera

EARLY LATINO AMERICAN PATRIOTS

Spanish as a Foreign Language 
by Juan Jose Pena

Spanish SURNAMES

CUENTOS

Source: Carlos Munoz, Jr. cmjr@berkeley.edu   
Sent by Roberto Calderon, Ph.D. beto@unt.edu 

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

Let this year's CHRISTMAS GIFTS be MORE PERSONAL, MORE HISTORICAL.  Plan for GIFTS which will become family treasures. 

Purchase from artists, such as Christopher, or consider family artists, or local artists.  

Exchange old family photos with extended members to share with your children.  Prepare a notebook of photos for your children.

Two years ago I decided I would go through family albums and make copies for my  children and grandchildren. I made copies of a few select photos and  put the photos in plastic holders for a  three-hold notebooks. I prepared an index, and promised I would keep adding. 

Ancestry.com releases
1930 
Mexico National Census

New FamilySearch  Records

 21 September 2011

    DNA

ORANGE COUNTY, CA

Guest New Mexico resident, Ruben Salaz Marquez will present a broad overview of the history of the Southwest, based on his book: Epic of the Greater Southwest

Multi-Regional Orange Family History Center
674 S. Yorba
Orange, CA  92863-6471he 
9:30 Early Bird Hands on computer assistance
10:00-11:30 Presentation, questions, and networking

Ruben Salaz Marquez 

SHHAR CELEBRATED ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY

The September 10th meeting of the Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research Celebrated was extra special, SHHAR celebrated its 25th Anniversary with music, dance, and festivities at it September.  Richard and  Ruth Duree, always focused on understanding the historic past, performed several dances from Early California times.  



An unexpected surprise was musician, pianist, teacher, Frances Rios, who set the mood and delighted attendees as she played Early California  and traditional Mexican songs and music. Frances is both a native Juaneño and a descendant of many of the earliest colonizing Spanish families. I have long  admired Frances' musical talent.  Twenty years ago as part of a Kinder Caminata event, Frances assisted me in presenting a puppet show at Golden West College  It was then that I became aware of her special gift.   

Special thank to Viola Sadler for the photos below. Apologies to those attendees whose photo is not included.  

Dan Reyna,  Eusebio Benavides, Dalhia Palacios, Richard Duree, Mimi Lozano, 
Angie Veyna, teacher at Santa Ana College. and  Jerry Martinez

Alvaro Ortiz, Carmen Meraz, Tom Saenz, Crispin Rendon, Lupe Trujillo, Bea Armenta Dever, Laura Philips.
Kneeling on the floor is Sara Ines Calderon, Editor of the new website, NewsTaco.com. 

Living History re-enactors Guy Dickson, and dancer Ruth Duree, with Graciela Lozano and her daughter, Alondra.

Crispin Rendon and Graciela Lozano
Crispin author of a series of online publication on the families 
of General Teran, Nuevo Leon. Click to 9th Volume.

Mimi with Sara Ines Calderon, Editor www.NewsTaco.com

Oct 7, 2011: Fund raiser for orphan children in Mexicalli

Nov 5th:  ALL DAY FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE IN SANTA ANA
to be PRESENTED IN SPANISH for the first time
23 CLASSES, FREE, NO COST, PUBLIC INVITED  

LOS ANGELES, CA

CALIFORNIA 

Festival Honoring  
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Oct 1-2, 2011

You are invited to participate in the opening festivities, the  Commemorative Ceremony and Wreath Laying honoring  Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at the building site of the San Salvador at Spanish Landing Park,  on North Harbor Drive, Saturday, Oct 1st, 4:00 pm.   

Keynote will be delivered by Ambassador Enrique Ruiz Molero, Cónsul General de España en Los Angeles.

Como en años anteriores se celebrará el Festival de Cabrillo en honor del explorador Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo que estando al servicio de España descubrió la costa oeste de Estados Unidos cincuenta años después de que Cristóbal Colón descubriese América.

La Casa de España en San Diego también llamada House of Spain lleva participando en este Festival por muchos años y es por eso por lo que ruego a todos los españoles residentes en esta zona asistan a este festival. Como verán en el programa nuestro Cónsul General de España en Los Angeles, Embajador Enrique Ruiz Molero, su esposa e hijos vendrán a participar del festival.

Un cordial saludo, Mª Ángeles 
Information, contact San Diego's Honorary Cousul of Spain, Mª Ángeles O'Donnell Olson,  conhon.espana.sd@gmail.com 

 
SMITH FAMILY REUNION PICNIC

Saturday, October 22, 2011 

Lindo Lake Park in Lakeside, CA

Descendants of Thomas Hugh Smith and James Wilcox Smith will gather in Lakeside’s Lindo Lake Park on Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 
3 p.m., for an information-gathering picnic.

Origins of the Smiths in Baja and Alta California:

Many present-day San Diegans can trace their roots to the Smith brothers from New York. Upon arriving by ship in Baja California in the early 1800’s, they each married Mexican women and started families that eventually spread northward from the Loreto/Comondu region to Monterey, California. 

Twins Juliana Smith Belarde & Magdalena Smith Espinosa (b. 1862 in Monterey CA), residents of Colton, CA; with cousin Esquipula Smith of Lakeside, CA (b. ca 1863 in Comondu, Baja California).  Photo taken in Colton CA.

California Landmark 825
Casa de Tableta
3915 Alpine Road at Arastradero Road
Portola Valley

This structure, built by Felix Buelna in the 1850s, served as a gambling retreat and meeting place for Mexican-Californios. 

It was strategically located on the earliest trail used both by rancheros and American settlers crossing the peninsula to the coast. Acquired by an American in 1868, it has continued to serve under various names as a roadhouse and saloon.

Registered Landmark No. 825

Dear Folks,
Here is something to be proud of--did you know?!!: The Buelna Family are primos of our Tapia and Briones families, to name a few.

Cousin Irvin Chambers (Buelna, Sepulveda) alerted me to the fact that
his ancestor, Felix Buelna, originally owned the Alpine Inn (known then by a different name), and the land grant there in Portola Valley.

The plaque No. 825 is still there. The Alpine Inn is known by several names, including "Rosati's". The burger and beer restaurant was at one time  a gambling house. This famous restaurant is and was a popular hangout for Stanford University students, as well as many of my former
co-workers and their customers from Lockheed Martin in nearby Sunnyvale.  My grandchildren often stop by Rosati's for lunch. 

Warm regards, prima Lorri
Lorri Frain  lorrilocks@gmail.com

Tomas Avila Sanchez

HAYLEY BOJORQUEZ
9th Generation Californiana

HAYLEY BOJORQUEZ
9th Generation Californiana

Joins the elite class of 2011 PLACE Graduates  

Service as a member of the PLACE Corps can be whatever you make it. It often takes time to understand and become adapted
to the challenging experiences one encounters as a teacher
and as a model of faith. Accepting these challenges requires you
to work with an unwavering commitment to your vocation, often making sacrifices with family and friends. It is this commitment, however that makes the PLACE Corps such a unique blessing to our schools and to each other, a dedicated group of men and women in service for others  who have taken on the mission "to teach as Jesus did."

Betty L. DeLong
PLACE Corps Coordinator
Loyola Marymount University
One LMU Drive, #2423
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Office: 310-338-3774
Fax: 310-338-5262
bdelong@lmu.edu
http://www.lmu.edu/education/PLACE
member of the University Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE)
http://www.lmu.edu/education/PLACE

Hayley Dawn Bojorquez and her mother Donna Palacios Bojorquez

Hayley, second row from the top, on the left, in white.

Historical data about 
Hayley's 6th Great Grandfather, Ramón Bojórques 

Source: Carlos Gilberto Bojorquez "Grandpa Gil"-Family Member-now deceased. Many documents in my possesion on the Bojorquez Family, left by Grandpa Gil upon his death to my son in law Gregg Bojorquez. Dahlia Guajardo-Cantu de Palacios 1/31/2007

III. SAR SEEKS DESCENDANTS OF SPANISH SOLDIERS OR SAILORS WHO SERVED IN CALIFORNIA DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Spain declared war on England 21 June 1779 and continued operations against England until peace was declared 3 Sep 1783. King Carlos III urged his soldiers and sailors to attack the English wherever they were found. During this period, his officers reinforced the California settlements of New Spain and established the new pueblo of Los Angeles, the new presidio of Santa Barbara, and the new mission at San Buenaventura. They sent two armed frigates to counter Captain Cook, said to be off the northern shores of Alta California. They took steps to prevent the capture of horse herds and livestock by English landing forces. They gave individually to the fund to defray expenses of the war. They did without supplies for two years so the Port of Manila could be supported. The 500 plus soldiers and sailors who served in these frontier settlements and waters were specifically focused on warding off the English claims and advances.

The National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), considers these Spanish soldiers and sailors as allies whose descendants can join the SAR just as descendants of Spanish soldiers on the Southern coast or descendants of other soldiers in the former English colonies on the East Coast. Any descendant from a Spanish soldier or sailor who served in CA during the critical period of 1779-1783 is invited to join. (Actually, because of communications time lag, soldiers in CA did not know they were at war with England until 1780, and they did not know the war was over until 1784. By September, 1779, they had rumors of impending War with England, and began to take precautions.) Of the 500 plus soldiers and sailors in California in service during the four year period, wives and/or children of over 220 have been identified. By intermarriage, these families include most of the 3000 Spanish/Mexican people in CA in 1822 when Mexico declared Independence from Spain. 

The 220 plus families are listed below with asterisks (*) by those who have been entered into the Personal Ancestry Files of the LDS Church:
Francisco Acebedo; Jose Antonio Quiterio Aceves; Jose Maria Aguila y Frages; Jose Maximo *Alanis y Casillas; Artemio Alegre; Justo Roberto Altamirano; Tiburcio de los Reyes Altamirano; Francisco Xavier *Alvarado; Asencio Alvarez; Jose Joaquin Alvarez; Juan *Alvarez; Luis Joaquin Alvarez de Acevedo; Pedro Alvarez; Juan Francisco Alviso; Felipe Sebastian *Alvitre; Pedro Antonio *Amador; Josef del Carmen Arana; Jose Gabriel de Arce; Manuel Ramirez Arellano; Joseph Dario Arguello; Jose Joaquin Armenta; Juan Antonio Amesquita; Domingo de Montegudo Aruz; Josef Manuel de Atuna; Jose Calixto *Ayala;
Francisco Xavier *Beltran; Josef Dioniosio Bernal; Juan Francisco *Bernal; Nicholas Antonio *Berreyesa; Josef Ramon *Bojorquez; Pedro Antonio Bojorquez; Manuel *Boronda; Jose Marcelino Bravo; Marcus Jose *Briones; Ignacio Vicente *Briones; Josef Antonio *Buelna; Jose Ramon Buelna; Manuel *Buitron; Jose Manuel *Bustamente;

San Francisco Geneology 1790 California Census
Ramon Bojorquez retired soldier, mestizo, from Villa Sinaloa, 58, wife Francisca Romero, mestiza, (from Villa Sinaloa) 52, one child; (Margarita) 8, (grandchild)
Refer to William Marvin Mason's book for more information on the caste system.

California Spanish Genealogy by sfgenealogy.com

THE CENSUS OF 1790 CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles Missions, Monterey, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara 

According to the compilers (William Marvin Mason, et. al.), this data was taken from the "Revillagigedo Census of 1793," and that the data was originally collected in 1790. The information in the brackets [] has been added by them from church records. Also, the meaning of the caste terms (español, española, india, indio, mestiza, mestizo, mulata, mulato) varied from one year to the next and may not be an accurate description; please refer to Mason's book for a full discussion regarding caste terms. 
The information in the braces {} have been added from Mutnick, Northrop, and Temple's Mission Abstracts. Birthdates have been added for some of the younger children to assist in determining the timeframe of the date of the census for the respective areas. 

Pedro Bojórquez, cowboy, español, from Villa Sinaloa, 36; wife Angela Trejo, española, [from Horcasitas, Sonora] 43; three children: [Hermenegildo Ignacio] 12; [Bartolomé Francisco] 10; Juan José] 6. 

SOURCE; PER GRANDPA GIL (CARLOS GILBERTO) BOJORQUEZ'S ARCHIVES
A LISTING Of MARRIAGES, BAPTISMS AND BURIALS OBTAINED FROM THE RECORDS AT MISSION DOLORES, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA PAGE 3 REGISTER OF DEATHS MISSION DOLORES 12/21/1776 TO 11/28/1809
# 3 BURIAL NANCY HENSHALL IS HIS GREAT-GREAT-GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER, PER THESE RECORDS
 

SO WHEN IS CALIFORNIA’S STATE BIRTHDAY?

On Sunday, November 13, 2011, the State of California will be 162 years old.  The delegates to California’s Constitutional Convention were diverse. In fact, all debate, discussion and decision-making was done in two official languages. English and Spanish. Protestant and Catholic chaplains alternated in offering session-opening prayers.

And though there was plenty to argue about (even how far in which directions California’s boundaries should go), they managed to get along. In the end, all chipped in for 31 cannon shots as well as refreshment and musicians. They partied all night . . .then saddled up to ride home.

When the cannon was first fired, good folks in Monterey were jarred from bed and  nesting shorebirds exploded into the night sky. Everyone had to put up with 31 BOOMS because they signified the State of California would be Number 31 when Congress got round to admitting it to the Union. (Which it did ten months later.)

The Monterey party-goers were pretty confident that night.  For all their differences, they had survived almost two months of argument and debate.  There was surely euphoria at their combined accomplishment. . .but no one could be certain Californians would buy what they put together.  Unless and until that happened, there would be no State of California in spite of all they had done to create one.

It took a month to get ballots and copies of their work product out to polling places. From San Diego to Sacramento and beyond, November 13^th was wet and dreary.  But the Californians, who got to the polls, ratified the proposed Constitution by a 12-to-1 ratio. They elected the State of California’s first Governor, Lt. Governor and Legislators, too.

Because our State Birthday falls on a Sunday this year, churches and places of of worship will be calling attention to the prayers and remarkable spirit of brotherhood that brought the Original 1849 California State Constitution to life.  

IS THERE A SPECIAL REASON OUR STATE BIRTHDAY SHOULD INTEREST SOME OF TODAY'S CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS?  

Chances are they may be related to our State’s 48 forefathers.  Most delegates were  newcomers to California. (See listing below.) Many lawyers from back East were only weeks or months off a boat before being elected. Thirty-two-year-old New York Lawyer Winfield S. Sherwood had been here for four months before being elected a delegate from  Sacramento.                                               

Other delegates like fifty-three-year-old Los Angeles  farmer Jose Antonio Carrillo had lived in California all his life. Among delegates born abroad were forty-seven-year-old J. A. Sutter (Switzerland), thirty-one-year-old Pedro Sensavaine (France), thirty-eight-year-old Hugo Reid (Scotland), twenty-nine-year-old W. E. Shannon (Ireland) and forty-one-year-old Miguel de Pedroena (Spain). Named official translator W. E. P. Hartrnell (England) was 27 years in California by then and married to a Santa Barbara de la Guerra wife who bore him twenty sons and five daughters.    

 Galal Kernahan, 619-C Avenida Sevilla, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 581-3625 Galal@comline.com              

SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES   

Oct 19-22: 26th Annual National Association of Hispanic Publications Convention/Conference
New Original Real Life Series  "BorderTown: Laredo
Arizona: No Rooster in the Desert by Kara Hartzler
Juárez muralist Mago Gándara seeks her 'revenge' in new show
The Catarino Garza War by Norman Rozeff
Mexican Americans and the 16th of September by Felipe Ortego y Gasca
The Dawes Act of 1887, Court of Private Land Claims Act of 1891 

October 19-22, Las Vegas, Nevada 

A&E PREMIERES

New Original Real Life Series
 "BorderTown: Laredo

The largest inland port on the U.S.-Mexico border, Laredo is the premiere gateway used by Mexican drug cartels to transport illegal narcotics into the U.S. and export billions of dollars in cash to Mexico. “Bordertown: Laredo” gives viewers exclusive access to the explosive drama, violence and conflict that unfold daily along the U.S.-Mexico border through the unique perspective of five Mexican-American cops determined to take back their community.

In each half-hour episode, viewers ride along with the Laredo Police Department's Narcotics Unit as they work with confidential informants, carry out undercover missions, and execute raids in order to seize shipments of cocaine, marijuana, heroin and crystal meth before they can be distributed to cities and towns across America. Outnumbered and outgunned, they are a small agency fighting a big war. In season one, the unit seized nearly two tons of illegal narcotics, with a street value of more than 12 million dollars.

“Bordertown: Laredo” is produced by Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. in association with CRM Entertainment, Inc. for A&E. Al Roker and C. Russell Muth serve as executive producers.

About A&E Network

A&E is “Real Life. Drama.” Now reaching 100 million homes, A&E is television that you can’t turn away from, where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high-quality entertainment ranging from the network’s original scripted series, including “The Glades” and “Breakout Kings,” to signature nonfiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning “Intervention,” “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” “Hoarders,” “Billy the Exterminator” and “Storage Wars,” and the most successful justice shows on cable, including “The First 48.”

Sent by Jose M. Pena  JMPENA@aol.com 

El Paso TimesPosted: 08/21/2011 
http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_18724347 

Catarino was one of the first to use print media to defend the interests of Mexicans in Texas. 

by Norman Rozeff, September 2011

The reason that this history didn't glean the attention that it deserved is that the nation's attention was primarily focused on the tragic Wounded Knee Massacre at the end of 1890.  

Since the mid-1700s when the written history of the Rio Grande Valley began, that history is filled with warfare and gunplay. This account offers no exception. It deals with a largely ignored action and period of the Valley's event-filled history. Even Mary Margaret McAllen Amberson in her very comprehensive book "I Would Rather Sleep in Texas" fails to note the unusual events of the Garza War. Its history has largely been recorded by those in power at the time, so it now has to be examined with greater scrutiny and revised.  

Catarino Erasmo Garza Rodriguez was born near Matamoros, Tamaulipas, on November 24, 1859, to J. Encarnación and María de Jesús Rodríguez de la Garza. For the period and prevailing circumstance we can consider him well-educated. He was schooled at Gualahuises, Nuevo León, and San Juan College, Matamoros. Garza moved to Brownsville in 1877 to work as a clerk for Bloomberg and Raphael's Casa de Comercio. This firm for decades was the leading wholesale and retail merchandiser in Brownsville and also had an outlet in Matamoros. Catarino's  brother Caledonia had preceded him to Brownsville and over time created a thriving grocer business and became engrossed in Democratic Party politics.  

Once in the United States, Catarino was obviously ambitious and moved from job to job in Brownsville, Laredo, and San Antonio. In about 1880 Garza married Caroline Conner (Connor?) She was the niece of Joseph "Pepe" Webb, longtime Cameron County Clerk and Blue Club leader, who would from 1888-1891 serve as Brownsville City Marshal. The Garzas soon had two daughters. They would divorce in 1889. Garza seemed also to possess a wanderlust over the nine-year period that he came to the U.S. He visited Mexico City and in 1882 was employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company as a traveling agent and lived in Tamaulipas and Nuevo León.  

In the year 1885 he was living in St. Louis, no less. There he was appointed Mexican consul, a post he held for a short time. In St. Louis he worked on La Revista Mexicana and served as delegate to the National Convention of Wool Industries in 1886. It is surprisingly that the number of Hispanics in the area would warrant a Spanish-language publication. Prejudices and bigotry were already present in this middle America city, for here he was angered by an Anglo lawyer who said that “One white life is worth 10 Mexicans.” Nevertheless Garza was widely exposed to American freedoms and enterprise, and these may have planted the seed for his discontent with the increasingly dictatorial regime of Porfirio Diaz in Mexico.  

Elliot Young, in his book "Catarino Garza's Revolution on the Texas-Mexico Border," writes: "Over the next 30 years after Diaz took office in 1867, he ruled Mexico as president or as the power behind the presidential seat. It was after the generally recognized fraudulent re-elections of Diaz that Garza started calling for revolution against the Diaz regime. However, while in the United States, he also witnessed racism against Mexican-Americans and condemned racist Anglo Texans and Mexican police alike." He was the target of two assassination plots because of his articles on “El Libre Pensador” against Coahuila Gov. Garza Galan. He “antagonized all sides by criticizing everyone,” wrote Young. For his part, Garza wrote that Diaz and his collaborators “are not the country, nor the laws, nor the people; but are truly only servants.”  

In 1877, Garza said that when Mexico came under Diaz it was: “The moment when the sun disappeared and oppression reigned.” He also said in his autobiography La Logica de los Hechos: “Mi pluma no sabe pintar, pero si reproducir, fotografiar y estampar verdades (My pen does not know how to paint, but knows how to reproduce, photograph, and imprint truths).” Also in 1877, he served 31 days in Maverick County Jail on a charge of libel. That year, he was in Corpus Christi to found the club, Politico Mutualista, and newspaper El Comercio Mexicano."  

With his keen intellect and flair for oratory Garza was a natural to become a leader. Early on he sought to promote issues of social justice. "He promoted sociedades mutualistas and helped found them [two] in Brownsville [Hidalgo and Juarez], Laredo, and Corpus Christi in 1880, 1884, and 1888, respectively."  

It was however through print media that he found his strongest voice.  León A. Obregón and Garza founded El Bien Público in Brownsville in 1877 (another source says 1879). On June 20, 1886, Garza published the first issue of El Comercio Mexicano in Eagle Pass. In its timeline the Eagle Pass Library states: 1886 Catarino Garza started his inflammatory Spanish language publication at Eagle Pass “El Comercio Mexicano” and used it to attack the person and policies of Coahuila Governor Jesus Maria Garza Galan. It was the first rumbling of revolution on the border against the Mexican Government.

The following year he and Gabriel Botello published El Libre Pensador to also publicize abuses by the Mexican government under President Porfirio Díaz and Coahuila governor José María Garza Galán. Gilbert Culbertson tells us  "Mexican authorities threatened his Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras readers and encouraged them not to buy or read El Libre Pensador. Because of its contents, the newspaper and Garza's equipment were confiscated; Garza was prosecuted for criminal libel and jailed for thirty-one days s [in the Maverick County jail]. He was afraid of extradition, so he moved after December 19, 1887, to Corpus Christi, whence Botello had fled and where they resumed publishing El Comercio Mexicano in March 1888." This publication became very influential among Valley Texans of Mexican heritage.

However, Garza's cross-border activism was creating for him as many enemies as he was making friends of the Mexican-American Valleyites, whom he sought to defend. He would soon be propelled into the forefront of border politics. It began in 1888 with the killing of Abraham Resendes (Recendez) at Rio Grande City. There, inspector of customs, and former Texas Ranger, Victor Sebree and A. Dillard, a deputy United States marshal were involved. When the trial venue was moved from Starr County to Duval County, the Mexican-American population of Rio Grande City became "overly restive" and even more so when the two were acquitted. The subsequent transpiring history by Alicia A. Garza published as the Rio Grande City Riot of 1888 in "The Handbook of Texas Online"  is that in May of that year "Abraham Recéndez, a Mexican-American resident of Rio Grande City had been arrested for robbery by Starr county sheriff W. W. Sheley and after the arrest was killed by Victor Sebree, United States Inspector of Customs and Sheley's companion, while allegedly attempting to escape. The incident led to public anger, particularly against Sheley, who previously had been implicated in the lynching of several Mexicans. Agustin and Silverio de la Peña organized a faction to oppose Sheley and used the murders to argue that he was a racist. They employed journalist Catarino Erasmo Garza, a Mexican who was in Corpus Christi agitating for opposition against Porfirio Díaz, to mount an editorial campaign against their political opponents. In editorials that appeared in El Comercio Mexicano, Garza charged that Sebree had assassinated an unnamed Mexican prisoner. Garza then moved to Rio Grande City and encountered Sebree during the September 1888 election, at which time Sebree shot and injured him. Garza sympathizers threatened to lynch Sebree and pursued him when he fled for refuge to Fort Ringgold. The post commander there ordered the 200-man mob to disperse, which they did. News stories, however, leaked that anarchy had broken out in the city and that armed men roamed the streets ready to cause havoc. News of the riot reached as far as Great Falls, Montana, where the Tribune headlined "Rumors of War" between white and Mexican citizens in Rio Grande City. The governor's office received a deluge of telegrams reporting on the bloody war being fought on the border and testifying that white lives were endangered. The secretary of state requested aid from the troops at Fort Ringgold, and the United States government ordered part of the Third Cavalry to reinforce them. Gen. David S. Stanley notified the governor that as commander of United States troops in Texas he was responsible for protecting lives and property at the scene and requested that the entire Texas Ranger force be sent to Rio Grande City. The governor wired the sheriffs of Cameron, Hidalgo, and Zapata counties to proceed to the city. He also ordered the San Antonio Rifles, the Belknap Rifles, and the Houston Light Guards to be ready to march on a moment's notice. The Bexar county sheriff joined the sheriffs of Hidalgo, Cameron, and Zapata counties, and eventually they had 250 men under their command ready to move into Starr County. The riot soon dissipated, threatened by the reinforced troops. Sebree remained in the position of United States inspector of customs."

Garza, in fact, had been arrested  by Texas Ranger captain John R. Hughes, charged with libel for criticizing former Texas Ranger Victor Sebree for killing Abraham Reséndez, and taken to Rio Grande City. Garza, had indeed, "penned scathing articles denouncing the defendants, the Duval County jury, and "Anglo" justice."  Lt. W.H. Chatfield in his 1893 publication "The Twin Cities of the Border—Brownsville, Texas & Matamoros, Mexico-- and the Country of the Lower Rio Grande" relates a little about the confrontation of Garza and Sebree. Chatfield's account is not sympathetic to Garza as Chatfield was trying to downplay negative border incidents in order to raise money for his giant irrigation project. To quote"…he [Garza] came in contact with two of the parties of the parties whom he had attacked in the columns of his paper—Messrs. Sebree and Norris; the former was a United States marshal at the time, and had been repeatedly been warned that Garza would shot him on sight; so upon seeing Garza come towards him on Laredo street, he was prepared for an attack. Sebree was alone at the time, while Garza had one of his followers with him; the battle opened on both sides simultaneously, the odds being two to one, but Sebree stood off both men slightly wounding Garza. [Garza's companion, a man named Lopez, was also wounded.] The affair caused the wildest excitement, the Mexican population arming themselves, and for several hours the town was given over to mob rule. Sebree and Norris were threatened with vengeance dire, and were fired upon while proceeding to Fort Ringgold, in  a carriage [another account has Sebree mounting a horse and fleeing to the fort] to lay their case before the commanding officer, Colonel Clendennin (sic). The mob pressed at their heels and demanded the refugees, but this was refused, peremptorily and prompt dispositions were made to oppose force with force. Indictments were issued against a number of rioters and the cases are still pending in the District Court at Brownsville, although Mr. Sebree has repeatedly requested quashals in all of them."

The riot made state and national news. The New York Times of September 25, 1888 ran three back-to-back stories datelined Rio Grande City, San Antonio, and Brownsville. The first one was headlined MEXICANS VERY AGGRESSIVE RIO GRANDE CITY ASKING FOR TROOPS TO PROTECT IT The accompanying story read: Catrino (sic) Garza, who was shot Friday last at this place by Victor Sebree, is still living and has a chance of recovering, as the surgeon at Fort Ringgold says the ball struck no vital part. Sebree, who was pursued and shot at by the Mexican friends of Garza, reached Fort Ringgold in safety and surrendered himself to the commanding officer, Col. Clendenning (sic). He will be kept in military custody until the Sheriff of this county feels that he can protect him. The Mexicans made a demand on the military for Sebree, but Col. Clendenning refused to deliver him up, and notified them that any attempt to take him by force would draw the fire of the Gatling guns and of the entire command on them. The soldiers of the garrison were each served with 100 rounds of ball cartridges and slept on their arms Saturday night. In order to prevent the ordering of more Rangers and any communications between Fort Ringgold and the department headquarters, the Mexicans tore down the telegraph wires between this place and Fort Ringgold. Wiser counsel in connection with the possible recovery of  Garza, has had the effect of restoring order." A second article put the number of rioters at 200. As serious as the incident was, media publicity blew it all out of proportion to its significance. As a result law enforcement personnel soon inundated the town.

Hughes in his own book, Captain John R. Hughes Lone Star Ranger, writes that on 9/26/88 Lt.-Col. David R. Clendenin sent a dispatch which calmed the nerves of the new governor, Lawrence Sullivan Ross. It read "I have protected Sebree and others from the mob. No property has been destroyed or depredation committed in Rio Grande City. Affairs are not so bad as represented. If any real danger had existed I would have used the troops to prevent bloodshed. Poses from adjoining counties arrived last night and to-day. All quiet.". Hughes goes on to relate: "On September 29 Sheriff Brito and his posse left Rio Grande City for Brownsville to deliver Sebree there for safety. Garza continued to improve. It was, in the opinion of his doctors, "his critical day", but if he should die then it was expected that the riots would resume. Garza did not die and things remained peaceful. During the next few weeks Rangers investigated the "shooting scrape which had caused such trouble" and arrested two dozen men on charges of conspiracy to murder and for assault to murder. They appeared in court and were released on bail in amounts of $500 to $5,000 to appear before the next term of district court. Again this was the combined efforts of companies D and F together. In this matter no individual Ranger's name appeared, merely that men from both companies made the arrest."

While recuperating, Garza commenced writing an autobiography focusing primarily on the last twelve years of his life. Titled La Logica de los Hechos (or the Logic of Acts) it was acclaimed positively in South Texas and stamped him as an intellectual. More than that, it helped to portray the difficult situations that the Mexican faced in Texas. He was, therefore, one of the first to use print media to defend the interests of Mexicans in Texas.

Garza's life and endeavors had been suspect from 1886 when rumors began to that he was recruiting a revolutionary army to act against Mexico. The Mexican consul at Brownsville, Manuel Trevino, quietly approached James Wells, the political boss of South Texas, to probe the possibilities of bringing charges against Garza associates that were purported to be violating the Neutrality Act. Wells concluded that although Garza was a critic of the establishment, he had no military following and gave no intention of plotting a revolution. When the rumors resurfaced in 1888, Wells traced them to a Republican opponent, R. B. Creager of Brownsville, who hoped to use the Starr County turmoil to elect Republican sheriff candidate, Don Lino Hinojosa, over Democrat W.W. Sheley.

After his divorce from Caroline, Garza moved to Palito Blanco, Texas. Here he met, fell in love with, and married Concepcion Gonzales, a daughter of the highly-regarded rancher, Don Alejandro Gonzales. Catarino and Concepcion would later have a daughter. Upon settling in at the rancho Garza began publishing El Libre Pensador (The Free Thinker), along with El Baluarte (The Bulwark). In these publications he increased his criticism of President Diaz. He condemned him for "abandoning his pledge not to seek re-election, for establishing a military dictatorship, and for abolishing freedom of the press, liberty of speech, and the right of amparo (sequestration)." Even more pointedly he charged "that Mexican elections had become a farce and that Diaz was the tool of the church party, the old Centralists, and the Imperialists."

In 1890 Garza would hit closer to home by joining with General D. Ignacio Martinez, who was editor of the Laredo newspaper El Mundo, in attacking, in a war of invectives, the governor of Tamaulipas, General Bernardo Reyes. The two overstepped the bounds when they promoted a revolution to be led by Francisco Ruiz Sandoval. Subsequently Martinez was assassinated on February 3, 1891. When, in a biography titled El Burro del Oro (The Golden Ass), Garza satirized Reyes, the general endeavored to bring libel charges against him. Garza, fearing for his life, then hid out in the brush country.

Non-violent confrontations by Garza were not affecting changes in Mexico. He would turn to physical action. He reputedly began to organize a force to invade Mexico. On September 15, 1891, he led a group of twenty-six armed men across the Rio Grande at Mier, Tamaulipas, and proclaimed the "Plan Revolucionario." The revolutionaries returned to Texas after nine days and a brief engagement with Mexican forces. Over the following months, the Garcistas made at least two more incursions into Mexico. According to Garza's own records, by the end of 1891 his army had 63 commanders, 186 officers, and 1,043 soldiers.

There is no way to verify actual numbers and speculation was rife. As an example: The Brenham Weekly Banner reported on September 24, 1891: "A special from Rio Grande City says Garza and nearly 200 revolutionists were seen Sunday night sixty miles south of Carmargo, pressing for the Rio Grande river and pursued by Mexican troops."

There were repercussions, so negative, that they may have brought more followers of Garza into the fold. In short, the Mexican government moved soldiers under the command of General Lorenzo Garcia into the border area. Under orders from the general, dissent was brutally suppressed. A special agent of the United States treasury was said to have reported "no less than eighty people shot because of suspected pro-Garza sympathies." This transpired before the end of November 1891.

With Texas Rangers having been withdrawn to confront Knights of Labor activity, the U.S. Army had to be used to breach the gap in law enforcement. By December 1891 United States Army troops had been sent to patrol the border to supplement the available troops from Forts Brown, Ringgold, and McIntosh (in Laredo). In search of neutrality violations they accomplished little. The army generally was ineffective as it didn't have the mobility and horsemanship of Garzas mounted revolutionaries. They did learn that "on September 15, approximately 60 men had crossed the Rio Grande, engaged Mexican troops in battle, and afterwards, had disappeared into southwest Texas."

One short skirmish occurred, at Retamal Springs. On December 22, a detachment under Captain John Gregory Bourke of the Third Cavalry met a party of armed men. After a short skirmish in which one soldier was killed, the band fled into the brush country. The Handbook of Texas Online tells us a little about Bourke. It relates " Bourke was a well-known Indian fighter, writer, crusader for Indian rights, and anthropologist before he reported to Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, Texas, in 1891. He had already fought Indians in the Southwest and on the Great Plains and had served on the staff of Gen. George Crook from 1871 until 1886." Joseph C. Porter then perhaps exaggerates Bourke's effectiveness here when he states " Bourke's two-year tour of duty along the lower Rio Grande established his significance in Texas history. He became pivotal in the suppression of Catarino Garza's effort against the government of Porfirio Díaz in Mexico. The Mexican government demanded that the United States act because Garza had based his force in Texas. In turn, the federal government instructed the state of Texas, federal marshals, and the United States Army to stop the Garzistas. Initially Bourke noted that many South Texans–Mexican Americans and Anglos–openly supported Garza and that Fort McIntosh in Laredo and Fort Ringgold together mustered only two troops of cavalry and two companies of infantry with which to patrol an area of 500 square miles. Nonetheless, Bourke followed orders, and his raids on ranches suspected of harboring Garzistas earned him the undying enmity of many South Texans."

One other Army soldier deserves note here. It is Allen Walker , who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action in the Valley. His story is " Allen Walker was born in Patriot, Indiana, on January 19, 1866, the son of William and Eveline Walker. He enlisted in the army at Indianapolis in 1884 and served in the Nineteenth United States Infantry Regiment in South Texas. He was discharged at San Antonio in 1889 and promptly reenlisted in Company C, Third United States Cavalry. In December 1891 he was involved in a series of skirmishes during the Garza War in southwest Texas. On December 30 he was acting alone as a courier from Fort Langhorne when he saw three armed Mexicans ahead of him. After they refused to stop, he fired, killing one of their horses. The riders escaped, but left behind papers including a proclamation inciting revolution. Capt. John Gregory Bourke stated, "This man exhibited so much courage, efficiency, coolness, and self-reliance while away from his command that I feel constrained to recommend he be awarded the Medal of Honor." Walker married Alvina Fuentes at Fort Ringgold; she died in 1898. Walker was later commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts during the Philippine Insurrection and was awarded the Silver Star. He was promoted to captain in the scouts on August 14, 1908. He retired from the military soon after the scouts were disbanded in 1911, and resided in Laredo. Walker became a deputy U.S. marshal for the Southern District of Texas in 1914 and went on to serve as marshal for the same district. Allen Walker was married to Enriqueta Peña in 1926; they had seven children. He died at Brooke Army Hospital on September 10, 1953. He is buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Laredo.

Garcistas soon left the area as newly appointed special rangers proved effective and potential recruits opted for neutrality. In 1892 Garza reportedly learned that he was wanted by the special rangers and fled Texas. Garza's departure did not immediately stop the rebellion that had enlisted " a broad cross-border alliance of ranchers, merchants, peasants, and disgruntled military men." By 1892 they may have deteriorated into a "bandit horde" and soldiers of fortune.

James Wells worked diligently to influence his ranchero friends to remain neutral in the matter. Wells didn't have much faith in the Army's ability to cope with the guerrillas in brush country. " He contemptuously charges that the soldiers frequently passed along senderos (trails) within "arms length" of their quarry without knowing they were there." Working with Governor Hogg, the two initiated a secret Ranger task force that one by one tracked down and killed or harried the offenders out of Texas. As an example of its effectiveness, on December10, 1892 an armed body of riders crossed into Mexico at San Ygnacio, fifty-three miles below Laredo. They surprised a Mexican army encampment and killed two officers and four enlisted men.  While some blamed Garza, the Mexican government  fingered bandits Mangas de Agua and Francisco "El Tuerto" [one-eyed] Benevides as the culprits. They were arrested in Texas and subsequently depredations sharply diminished. Eventually after two years of sporadic fighting, the combined efforts of the U.S. and Mexican armies, Texas Rangers, and local police finally succeeded in crushing the rebellion. Years later, among Well's papers was found a "hit" list of thirty names, Catarino Garza among them. All had been eventually arrested or killed, except Garza.

The true story of Garza's last years is shaky. One historian writes: "After leaving the state in 1892, Garza traveled to various places, including Nassau, Jamaica, and possibly Cuba and Florida. By March 28, 1893, he moved to Matina, near Limón, Costa Rica, and a San José press published his pamphlet indicting the Díaz regime, La Era de Tuxtepec en México o Sea Rusia en América. Garza participated in a revolutionary uprising in Colombia. Official sources report that he was killed in storming the jail at Bocas del Toro, Colombia (now in Panama), on March 8, 1895."

Catarino Garza was obviously a man before his time. It would take 30 more years before Mexico became a true republic following the revolution of 1910-1920. He was an idealist who disclaimed any enmity towards the United States or its troops. Joe Robert Bauch notes that the Catarino Garza or Tin Horn War "left no deep scars and, consequently, was soon forgotten, its details hidden in misleading and hearsay newspaper accounts, self-serving military reports, generally inaccurate recollections, and a few grossly erroneous histories." This explains why Garza's efforts are unfortunately not well known, even today. The legacy that he initiated was to speak up for Tejanos being oppressed in South Texas and Mexicans in Mexico. That took courage and entailed personal risk. It took decades before others, such as Jose T. Canales, would follow in Garza's footsteps.

THE DAWES ACT OF 1887, COURT OF PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS ACT OF 1891 AND GAO'S, GUADALUPE HIDALGO REPORT OF 2004 ARE MIRROR IMAGES OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD INDIAN, SPANISH AND MEXICAN TREATY AND PROPERTY RIGHT'S DURING THE LATE 1800S AND EARLY 1900S

by Mike Scarborough

Sent by Dorinda Moreno fuerzamundial@gmail.com
Juan Marinez marinezj@anr.msu.edu and Armando Rendon armandorendon@sbcglobal.net

MIDDLE AMERICA

TEXAS

The First Capital of Texas was in Louisiana 
Submitted by Eddie U. Garcia
 eddie_u_garcia@yahoo.com 

Descriptive Summary and Abstract 
Inventory of the Mercurio Martinez Papers: 
1767-1963 (bulk: 1910-1963)

What the Tejano Monument Means to Me

By José Antonio Lopez
jlopez8182@satx.rr.com 

Daryl (DQ) Quintanilla  tejanofmstaff@hotmail.com   
Tune in to my broadcast at http://tejano.fm contact call 512.584.5228 

MEXICO

Estando próximo el 181 aniversario del nacimiento del Sr. General de División Don  Porfirio Díaz Mori, investigué y encontré su registro de  bautismo. 

REGISTRO DE SU BAUTISMO.

Márgen izquierdo. 
José de la Cruz Porfirio.

El año de 1912 encontrándose exiliado en Francia, El Sr. General Díaz, recibió la notificación de su retiro del Ejército, cuyo documento dice lo siguiente.

 Parte superior  ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS, nuestro magnífico Escudo Nacional con el águila de frente y a un lado la fotografía del  Señor General Díaz.

FRANCISCO I. MADERO. Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

De conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo---------------------------- y Decreto 30 de 30 de Mayo anterior concede Retiro al  General de División Porfirio Diaz, por más de 40 años de servicios, con la pensión anual de siete mil ochocientos ochenta  y cuatro pesos, que percibirá desde el día 1o de Enero del presente año fecha en que obtiene retiro.

El Comandante Militar de México pondrá el cúmplase que previene la Ordenanza General del Ejército y se tomará razón de esta Patente en la Tesorería de la Federación y demás oficinas según lo dispuesto por las leyes relativas vigentes.

Dado en el Palacio del Poder Ejecutivo Federal en México á veintidós de Junio de mil novecientos doce,   nonagésimo segundo de la Independencia y nonagésimo primero de su Libertad. Firman  Fco. Y. Madero  y el Secretario de Guerra y Marina Angel García Peña.

Parte inferior .Patente de retiro que se concede al General de División Porfirio Díaz por más de 40 años de Servicios.

El documento siguiente se refiere a  la donación que hace el Sr. General Díaz de su pensión, dice así.

Márgen izquierdo.  sellos oficiales.

Se recibió en esta Secretaría la atenta carta de Usted, fechada en La Farble Francia el 31 de Enero último en la que se sirve manifestar sus deseos de que la pensión de $ 6,570.00 que la ley le concede se aplique por mitad al Colegio Militar y a la Escuela de Aspirantes, con instrucciones para que cada uno de esos establecimientos dividan la suma que les corresponde en tantas fracciones como primeros y segundos premios obtengan los alumnos al finalizar el año escolar.

En respuesta ,  me es altamente honrroso manifestar a Usted por acuerdo del Sr. Presidente de la República, que de conformidad con sus altruistas deseos ya se dan las órdenes necesarias á fin de que la pensión  que tiene Usted señalada se aplique como primeros y segundos premios a los alumnos del Colegio Militar y de la Escuela Militar de Aspirantes.

Es muy satisfactorio para este gobierno dar á Usted las gracias por la sesión que bondadosamente ha hecho de su pensión para recompensar las aptitudes de los futuros defensores de la Patria.

Al manifestar á Usted lo anterior me es grato ofrecer a Usted las seguridades de mi distinguida consideración.  México 19 de Abril de 1912. Firma. Evaristo Madero.

Al C. General de División Dn. Porfirio Díaz. Al/o de la Legación de México. París.- Francia.-  

Families of General Teran, Nuevo Leon, Mexico Volume Nine (1851-1854)http://home.earthlink.net/~crisrendon/genteranmarriagesvol9.pdf

This book has marriage and family information on the 261 marriage records found for Nuestra Senora de la Soledad parish church in Valle de la Mota for the years of 1851-1854. The focus in this ninth volume is on the descendants of the grooms. Besides presenting any descendants found for the marriages that occurred during this period and in General Teran (current name for Valle de la Mota), any descendants found from previous or subsequent marriages in whatever town are also presented. The church records used as a primary source for this book are available as digital images to view, print or download for free at http://www.familysearch.org/ in the Mexican Church Records browse image collection for General Teran. The marriages for this volume are found on images 213-291 in the 1840-1854 film collection. The marriages are arranged in the same order as they appear in the original records. Details to help locate a marriage record are given as image number followed by a sequence number. The index is found on page 173.

 Best Regard, Crispin Rendon  crispin.rendon@gmail.com 

The Confederate of the Sierra Madre

La Casa de Rayas

 In 1776 Don Vicente Manuel de Sardaneta y Legaspí, an aristocratic hacendado, sole owner of the famous Mineral de Rayas silver mine, and one of the richest men in Mexico, added the finishing touches to his colonial mansion in the burgeoning city center of Guanajuato, This venerable townhouse, known as La Casa de Rayas in recognition of his new title El Marqués de Rayas, bestowed on Don Vicente by the king of Spain, now houses the city museum: El Museo del Pueblo de Guanajuato.