PR: Buenos Dias! Your White House Latino Update

Press Release:

Buenos Dias!

On Thursday, President Obama and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor to revise the Fair Labor Standards Act rules to ensure fair pay for approximately 1.8 million workers who provide in-home care services for the elderly and infirm.

The new rule would apply minimum wage and overtime protections – the same protections that nearly every employee in the United States already receives under the FLSA – to these hardworking professionals who provide valuable services to American families. Of those affected by the proposed rule change on in-home care, 12% are Hispanic. We have a number of White House updates that impact Latinos!

 

The President and Secretary Solis were joined by Pauline Beck, a home healthcare worker who will benefit from the proposed rule. The event has special significance for Pauline and the President – it was the day that then-Senator Obama spent “in her shoes” that informed him of the important work these Americans do. Because of the day spent with her, the President recognizes the need to fairly compensate home healthcare workers for their efforts. Take a minute to watch the video and learn her story.

On August 31, 2010, President Obama addressed the Nation from the Oval Office to announce the end of combat operations in Iraq. Now, after nearly nine years of sacrifice, the final troops stationed in Iraq will leave the country—marking the end of the war and fulfilling the promise President Obama made to the American people when he ran for President. To see more milestones from the Iraq War, check out the White House’s new timeline. The interactive timeline begins with President Obama’s first day in office and highlights the work the Administration has done to support our troops as they return home.

President Obama also continued to insist that Congress take action on the payroll tax cut before leaving town for the holidays. If Congress does not extend this tax cut by the end of the year, taxes will go up on middle-class families on January 1. Watch this video to learn more about the tax cut and how it will affect you.

White House Press Releases

Statement by the President on the Legacy of Laura Pollán
December 14, 2011
As the National Endowment for Democracy awards the Democracy Service Medal posthumously to Laura Pollán, the founder of Las Damas de Blanco, we honor and celebrate her life by recognizing her significant contributions to the struggle to defend human rights in Cuba.This year, seniors are benefiting from a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs in the donut hole.

We Can’t Wait: Nine States Awarded Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants
December 16, 2011
The White House announced that nine states – California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington – will receive grant awards from the $500 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

Agency Updates  

Department of Justice Releases Investigative Findings on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
December 15, 2011
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department today announced its findings in the ongoing civil rights investigation of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).  The Justice Department found reasonable cause to believe that MCSO, under the leadership of Sheriff Joseph M. Arpaio, has engaged in a pattern or practice of misconduct that violates the Constitution and federal law.

Department of Justice Releases Investigative Findings on the East Haven, Connecticut, Police Department
December 19, 2011
Following a thorough investigation, the Justice Department today announced its findings that the East Haven Police Department (EHPD) has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against Latinos in violation of the Constitution and federal law.

Federal Highway Administrator Joins Puerto Rico Governor for Inauguration of Dos Hermanos Bridge in San Juan
December 18, 2011
Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined officials in Puerto Rico today to inaugurate the Dos Hermanos Bridge that links Old San Juan to other sections of the city. Mendez also announced a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant for the Caparra Interchange Reconstruction Project in Guaynabo.

Blog Highlights 

Recognizing the Excellence and Promise of America’s Community Colleges
December 14, 2011
Community colleges play a critical role in preparing the American workforce for prosperity in the economy of the 21st century. Americans now more than ever need a postsecondary education to learn the skills they need to be successful in the workplace and to keep our businesses thriving in a globally competitive environment.

White Board: Brian Deese on the Payroll Tax Cut
December 14, 2011
In this new White House White Board, Brian Deese, the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, explains how President Obama’s payroll tax cut helps families, businesses, and the economy — and why it’s so important to extend that tax cut for 2012.

Will Extending the Payroll Tax Cut Affect Social Security? No
December 09, 2011
Lately, many Americans have asked me if the payroll tax cut will affect Social Security. The answer is simply no. The payroll tax cut has given tax breaks to millions of families across the country this year, providing a boost to their pocketbooks. Extending it would ensure that taxes do not go up for nearly 160 million hardworking Americans on January 1st — an increase of $1,000 for the typical household.

Get Involved

The application for the Summer 2012 White House Internship Program is now open. The application deadline is January 22, 2012. The programs and opportunities of the White House Internship Program make for days filled with unique learning experiences, thought-provoking conversation, and unforgettable events. Visit www.whitehouse.gov/internships to learn more about the White House Internship Program and to apply.

The White House Fellows program is the nation’s most prestigious program for leadership and public service.  Founded by President Johnson in 1964 to engage emerging leaders in public service, the Fellows Program provides exceptional young men and women with first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government.

To learn more, we invite you to view the White House Fellows video chat in which the Program Director Cindy Moelis and former Fellows Anish Mahajan and Erica Jeffries recently answered questions about the application and the Fellowship experience. Applications for the White House Fellowship can currently be found online at www.whitehouse.gov/fellows.  The deadline for completed applications is January 13, 2012.

Happy Holidays to you and your familia!

 

Julie Rodriguez
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement

From: mail.google.com

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