New Mexico

February always seems to be a special month for New Mexico history buffs. Particularly along the lower Rio Grande.

It was in February 1862, when about 2,600 Texans carrying the Confederate flag invaded the serene Rio Grande Valley. They arrived to capture Fort Craig on Feb. 16 — the Battle of Valverde was fought on the 21st — three days later the “enimigo del Confederada” demanded the surrender of Socorro.

The Confederate flag flew over the Socorro Plaza until late April.

February is the month to remember these historical events.”*

*From: http://www.dchieftain.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

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From: http://www.abqtrib.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Unless you’re a tried-and-true loyalist to the New Mexico Democratic Party, the name Hector Balderas may not mean much to you. He’s only held one statewide office, and that for just a year.But in recent weeks Balderas — who is the state auditor, by the way — has been a topic of discussion among the Democratic front-runners for president.

The campaigns of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sought his endorsement.”*

*From: http://www.abqtrib.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) hosted a reception for community leaders and VIPs in honor of New Mexico’s Latino Legends of Leadership Saturday, January 26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The recognition is part of AT&T’s community outreach efforts, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion making for better and healthier communities.

The goal of the Latino Legends of Leadership event was to focus attention on the historic efforts and contributions by individuals whose community service activities have helped to establish economic, educational and political opportunities for Latinos throughout New Mexico and the USA.

The honorees included: Richard J. Bela, community and economic development advocate; Dr. Henry J. Casso, educator, community organizer, mentor; New Mexico Chief Justice Edward L. Chavez, jurist, educator, public servant; Dr. Mari-Luci Jaramillo, educator, administrator and former Ambassador to Honduras; Dr. Ed Romero, community advocate, entrepreneur and former Ambassador to Spain and Andorra; and Dr. Vicente Ximenes, decorated veteran, public servant, co-founder of the American GI Forum. (Bios available.)

“We’re honored to pay tribute to some of Albuquerque’s most respected leaders, which is just one of the many ways in which we support the Hispano community in New Mexico and beyond,” said Jeff McElfresh, vice president and general Manager for wireless services, AT&T. “These individuals are truly “Latino Legends of Leadership” – not only in this city and the state of New Mexico, but also throughout our nation. We’re proud to organize this event as part of our continuing efforts to contribute to the continuing progress and development of the nation’s Latino community.”

AT&T has been widely recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2006, AT&T ranked No. 1 among DiversityBusiness.com’s “Top Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities.” Hispanic Business magazine has listed AT&T as one of the top corporations for U.S. Latinos every year since 1989. DiversityInc ranked AT&T No. 3 among its 2007 “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” based on the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in both the workplace and marketplace. “*

*From: http://www.hispanicprwire.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

As the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Democratic Party, Richardson’s endorsement is being aggressively sought by the Clinton and Obama campaigns. California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico are among the 22 states voting next week, and each have sizable Hispanic electorates. Richardson, who cruised to re-election as New Mexico governor in 2006, is a popular figure in the Hispanic community.

Richardson’s torn. He served in the Clinton White House, first as ambassador to the United Nations, then as Clinton’s Secretary of Energy. “I have a history with the Clintons,” Richardson said. “And I’ve always liked her. She always seems very genuine.” But Richardson considers Kennedy, who’s long been respected by Hispanics, as “a mentor.” In 1982, when Richardson ran for Congress for the second time — he lost two years before — Kennedy flew to Santa Fe and campaigned for him. “That might have been the reason I was elected,” Richardson said. And he said he likes Obama, telling a story about how Obama saved him during one of last year’s Democratic debates:”*

*From: http://blog.washingtonpost.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Friday looked for ways to improve infrastructure along the border so legal goods and visitors can cross more easily.

Richardson, a former energy secretary and U.S. ambassador to the U.N., met with Calderon at the presidential residence, Los Pinos, Calderon’s office said.”*

*From: http://www.lcsun-news.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Somos un Pueblo Unido, an immigrant-rights organization, is getting money from the Hispanics in Philanthropy Funders’ Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities to hire a communications consultant to develop a statewide media strategy. And YouthWorks, a nonprofit that helps youth gain job skills, is getting money to hire a consultant to create a fundraising plan for long-term sustainability.”*

*From: http://www.santafenewmexican.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

González died Saturday morning after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He was cremated Sunday after a ceremony at Madrid’s Almudena Cemetery.
González is survived by his widow, Susana Rivera.

Many writers, artists, teachers and others who were friends of González, a lover of late-night chats in the bars and cafes of Madrid, attended.

González was a member of the Spanish Royal Academy, the prestigious, official watchdog of the Spanish language, and won awards that included the Asturias Prize for Letters in 1985.”*

*From: http://www.unm.edu
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

The state’s League of United Latin American Citizens announced a trio of legislative goals Saturday — housing, business and health care — to take to Santa Fe when the state Legislature starts its session Tuesday.

The league’s directors also unanimously approved a boycott of a motel in Las Cruces for what they claimed were discriminatory practices against Hispanics.”*

*From: http://www.lcsun-news.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Javier Trujillo, political director of the governor’s Nevada campaign, said representatives of other contenders had already come calling, looking to poach seasoned staffers.

In the frantic world of electioneering, yesterday’s adversary can become tomorrow’s employer. So despite the somber mood at Richardson’s campaign headquarters Thursday, many workers already were looking ahead.”*

*From: http://www.lasvegassun.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Hispanic women have higher rates of invasive cervical cancer (16.2 per 100,000) than any other group except Vietnamese, according to the Baylor College of Medicine’s Intercultural Cancer Council. The ICC also says cervical cancer in Mexican-American and Puerto Rican women two to three times higher among Latinas than Caucasian women.

Many factors have been blamed for Hispanic women not getting Pap smears. Poverty, a lack of access to health care, lack of insurance and ignorance of the importance of cervical checkups are perhaps the most common reasons. But Hugo Vilchis, director of New Mexico State University’s Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center, says the significant role of culture is often overlooked.”*

*From: http://www.lcsun-news.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Gov. Bill Richardson has created several new cabinet-level agencies since taking office in 2000, including the Indian Affairs Department, which was specifically created to assist the state’s Native American population.

So, why not a new cabinet-level department devoted to the state’s Hispanic population?

Ralph Arellanes, who serves as an officer for several Hispanic organizations in the state, issued a press release last week that included a letter to state lawmakers calling for the creation of a new cabinet level department, and renewed criticism that Richardson has not done enough for Hispanic residents in the state.”*

*From: http://www.lcsun-news.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

A Roswell police officer was removed from school campuses after turning a pregnant 18-year-old student over to immigration authorities.

Police Chief John Balderston defended the action by Officer Charlie Corn, a 10-year veteran who was working at Roswell High School as a student resource officer.

But he said Roswell Independent School District Superintendent Michael Gottlieb asked for Corn’s removal “because he didn’t want the officer checking on the immigration status of the students.”"*

There has been some discussion within the community recently regarding the development of the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Some have asked, “Why start another chamber of commerce? Aren’t there existing entities that address the issue of business development?” Some will see this as a divisive action. As the incorporating board of directors of this organization, we felt it appropriate to respond to those who will question the pursuit of such a chamber.

The primary objective of those working to establish a Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber is to actively promote the establishment and development of Hispanic-owned businesses within the greater Santa Fe area. More specifically, the goal is to promote more Hispanic ownership and to support the development of existing Hispanic-owned businesses. Why? “*

Veteran comedian Paul Rodriguez brings his show “Paul Rodriguez and Friends” to the Roswell Convention and Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 17, with doors opening at 9 p.m.

Carlsbad-based comedian/promoter Rob Jenkins is set to open the show.”*

“Civil rights groups sued the Otero County Sheriff’s Department today for civil rights violations committed during immigration sweeps last September in the southern New Mexico town of Chaparral. On behalf of five Latino families, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico charged sheriff’s deputies with raiding homes without search warrants, interrogating families without evidence of criminal activity, and targeting households on the basis of race and ethnicity. The groups seek monetary damages and guarantees that the sheriff’s department will refrain from such raids in the future.

“Otero County Sheriffs broke a basic bond of trust with the community of Chaparral,” said ACLU Executive Director Peter Simonson. “When the police treat you like a criminal because of the language you speak and the color of your skin, they cease being a source of help when you are a victim of or witness to a crime. We need to restore policing to its proper mission in Chaparral so citizens and immigrants alike can trust that someone is watching out for their safety.”

Legal papers filed by the two groups describe an incident in which sheriff’s deputies ousted a family from its home by banging loudly on the home’s walls in the pre-dawn hours of September 10, 2007. Without a warrant, one sheriff’s deputy attempted to enter through an open bedroom window where the mother had been asleep, while another shouted from the front door, “Delivery! Mia’s Pizza.”

Five of the family members are named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, two of whom are U.S citizens.

MALDEF Staff Attorney David Urias said, “The enforcement of immigration laws is strictly a responsibility of the federal government. Sheriff’s deputies are not immigration officers and do not have the authority or the training to investigate or arrest people because they suspect them of being undocumented. In Otero County, Sheriff’s deputies are taking federal law into their own hands and violating the rights of Latinos, including citizens and legal permanent residents. These raids are simply illegal and un-American.” “*

“Four civil rights groups sued a county near the Mexican border Wednesday alleging sheriff’s deputies forced their way into homes without warrants and illegally detained residents during impromptu immigration raids.

The suits claim the deputies sought out Hispanic immigrants under a federally funded effort aimed at curbing crime in border communities, including this Otero County town, which is outside El Paso, Texas, about 30 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Associated Press reported in September that deputies were routinely demanding proof of citizenship from residents either in traffic stops or at their homes. More than a dozen people had been arrested and turned over to the Border Patrol in August and September. Some were turned over right away; others were stopped for traffic violations the next day and “*

“Check out KUNM 89.9FM tonight, Monday, October 15th, 2007, at 8:00 PM for a half-hour live interview with several UNM students about the recent weeks of deliberation, both on campus and nationally, following the tearing down of a Mexican flag on the UNM campus one month ago. Reportedly, a student tore down the Mexican flag, which was flying in celebration of Mexican Independence day, because it wasn’t accompanied by an American flag. Last Sunday, local bikers held a rally to raise money for that student’s legal defense fund.

Concurrently, subsequent discussions have surfaced deeper questions about acts of hatred and Anglo-American superiority over people of color. Many students on campus are demanding further action from the University to address and prevent such actions of hate and to talk about the diguising of racism as patriotism. Tonight’s Espejos de Aztlan discussion will focus on the latter.”*

“Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez said Tuesday he will run for the seat being vacated by retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici.

Chavez, the highest-profile Democrat to enter the 2008 race so far, announced in a race that was thrown wide open last week by Domenici’s announcement that he would not seek re-election because of his health.

Chavez said that as senator, he would vote to end the war in Iraq.”*

“Anna Cabral will be the keynote speaker at the Seventh Annual Danny Villanueva Scholarship Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Oct. 18 in the ballrooms of New Mexico State University’s Corbett Center.

Cabral, a California native, served as director of the Smithsonian Institutions Center for Latino Initiatives, where she led an effort to improve Latino representation in the Smithsonian’s exhibits and public programming. From 1999 to 2003, Cabral served as president and CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C., which partners with Fortune 500 companies to increase Hispanic representation in employment, procurement, philanthropy and governance.”*

“A University of New Mexico student charged with criminal damage to property after tearing up a Mexican flag last month pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

Peter Lynch, 30, has said that he tore the Mexican flag, which was flying in celebration of Mexican Independence day, because it wasn’t accompanied by an American flag.”

“Health officials in New Mexico and Chihuahua have signed an agreement to share weekly reports about flu activity in the two border states.”

“# Provide Latino students and other members of the community with knowledge of social, political and cultural issues that affect the Latino community
# Equip Latino students and other members of the community with the skills necessary to address the issues affecting the Latino community
# Facilitate an open forum for debating present-day issues as well as information sharing, leadership and educational training
# Discuss emerging trends in higher education affecting
Latinos.
# Unite Latino students in an atmosphere of networking to build effective and efficient coalitions across Latino communities.”

“On Friday, Sept. 28, as part of UNM Homecoming festivities, the School of Architecture and Planning Alumni Chapter will present the Maureen Walter Alumni of the Year Award to Regina Chavez. Chavez graduated with her master’s in Community and Regional Planning in 1999 and served on the alumni board from 2003-07.

A long time City of Albuquerque employee, she recently left to form her own consulting business, Cultural Econ.

This is the third time the award has been given. It is named in memory of Maureen Walter, alum and one of the four founders of the chapter, who passed away in 2005. It is based on service to the school and the community.

In her work with the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department, Chavez worked with community partners to recruit, retain and expand desirable economic-based companies. Project focus is on small business, arts and culture, downtown revitalization, sustainable/green economic development, incentives and industrial revenue bonds program.

In the Aviation Department, she worked with the director of Aviation, Airport Advisory Board, Albuquerque Arts Board, Aviation Arts Planning Committee and the City’s Public Art Program to develop and manage the Arts Program of the Albuquerque International Sunport.

She maintained the airport’s 112-piece permanent art collection, coordinating airport public art acquisitions, working with local museums and non-profit organizations to develop permanent and temporary exhibits, establishing the airport’s art master plan and policies, producing the Sunport Serenades year-round musical performance series, and serving as the Sunport’s liaison with local arts organizations and the public.

With the Hispanic Culture Foundation, she served as executive director and director of finance and personnel. She reported to a 15-member board of trustees to develop and administer arts, cultural, and educational programs, promotional material, fundraising activities, financial management, the foundation newsletter, staff and board development and community relations.”

“A student took down a Mexican flag from a flagpole outside Scholes Hall Monday, tore it and took it to the Air Force ROTC office, police said.

A summons was issued for Peter Lynch, 30, by the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court for criminal damage to property, said Lt. Pat Davis, spokesman for UNM Police.

Davis said Lynch is not a member of ROTC, and it is unclear why he took the flag to that office.”