http://www.hispanictips.com Essential Hispanic & Latino News :: Relevant, Trusted, Comprehensive and Useful Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:04:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/24/nclr-the-faces-behind-the-fbi-hate-crime-statistics/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/24/nclr-the-faces-behind-the-fbi-hate-crime-statistics/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:48:07 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=68441 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, urged law enforcement officials to guard against the “pattern and practice of hate” in local jurisdictions in light of today’s release of the FBI-compiled report, Hate Crime Statistics, 2008. While the statistics show that the number of hate crimes committed against Latinos remains virtually unchanged from 2007, 64% of the hate crimes based on perceived ethnicity or national origin targeted Latinos, compared to 61% in 2007. The rise in race-based hate crimes mirrors an increase in the number of hate groups targeting Latinos, as tracked by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

“The most frightening thing about these numbers is what goes unrecorded,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO, noting that incidents targeting undocumented immigrants are rarely reported to authorities. “We look at these numbers as the tip of the iceberg, and even then, the trend over the past five years is unmistakable.”

Murguía blamed the violence in part on the growing climate of hate surrounding the immigration debate. “Words have consequences,” she said. “For too long, hate groups and hate speech have dominated the national debate on immigration and demonized Latinos as a threat to our communities. Hate crimes are the consequence of this extremist rhetoric.”

Murguía pointed specifically to the case of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadoran immigrant who was waiting for a train in Patchogue, New York when he was assaulted and killed by seven teenagers out to “beat up Mexicans.” The case sparked an outcry from local and national Hispanic groups that pointed to similar cases in and around the Suffolk County area, which led to a Department of Justice investigation of the practice and pattern of hate in the community.

“The death of Marcelo Lucero should be a wake-up call for America,” said Murguía, who was particularly concerned over the age of the alleged attackers. “It should be very disturbing to us that hate has trickled down to a new generation. I urge all local law enforcement jurisdictions to treat such attacks aggressively and guard against the climate of fear they create.”

Murguía also pointed to the murders of Jose Sucuzhanay and Luis Ramirez, two men who were beaten to death in separate incidents last year by attackers shouting ethnic slurs. Sucuzhanay, a Brooklyn real estate agent, was walking home with his brother late one night and attacked by bat-wielding men shouting antigay and anti-Hispanic slurs. Ramirez, an immigrant from Mexico, was killed by a group of White football players in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania.

“These crimes are happening everywhere, in small towns, suburbs, and rural communities all across America. Wherever you find hate, you will find hate crime. Unfortunately, we’re finding it all too often,” concluded Murguía.

For more information, visit www.WeCanStopTheHate.org. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=68441 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/12/nclr-to-celebrate-launch-of-senator-bob-menendez%e2%80%99s-book-growing-american-roots/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/12/nclr-to-celebrate-launch-of-senator-bob-menendez%e2%80%99s-book-growing-american-roots/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:11:20 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=67087 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, will celebrate Senator Bob Menendez (D–NJ) and the significant role he has played in the Latino community by hosting an event on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 to help launch his new book, Growing American Roots. Senator Menendez will sign copies of Growing American Roots, which will be available for purchase on site, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The book signing will take place at NCLR’s headquarters, the Raul Yzaguirre Building, at 1126 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.



“Senator Menendez demonstrates daily a sincere belief that he was sent to Congress to work actively to help improve people’s lives. He’s a dedicated public servant and an outstanding legislator, a combination that makes him one of the most effective lawmakers in the Senate,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “He’s an indefatigable advocate for the Hispanic community, as well as for all Americans who feel voiceless and disempowered in national politics.”



The book, which is subtitled “Why Our Nation Will Thrive as Our Largest Minority Flourishes,” addresses the influence of the Latino community on U.S. society and examines—from his unique perspective as the only Hispanic member of the U.S. Senate—why this segment of the population is critical to America’s future prosperity. In addition, Growing American Roots chronicles the path that Senator Menendez took as the son of immigrants growing up in a tenement in Union City, New Jersey to become a U.S. Senator.



“This is a unique opportunity for the Latino community to come together to support the senator, his work, and his vision for the future of our community and the country,” added Murguía.



NCLR encourages Latino leaders to participate and lend their support to this community celebration. The event is free of charge and open to members of the public who confirm their attendance ahead of time, but space is limited. To RSVP, please click here.



MEDIA ADVISORY



WHAT: Book-signing event to celebrate the launch of Growing American Roots

by Senator Bob Menendez



WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2009

5:30–7:30 p.m.



WHERE: NCLR Headquarters

Raul Yzaguirre Building

1126 16th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036



WHO: Senator Bob Menendez (D–NJ)

Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=67087 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/12/dobbs%e2%80%99s-decision-to-resign-is-a-step-forward-for-fairness-accuracy-and-balance-on-cable-news/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/12/dobbs%e2%80%99s-decision-to-resign-is-a-step-forward-for-fairness-accuracy-and-balance-on-cable-news/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:53 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=67082 “Lou Dobbs’s resignation from CNN yesterday is an important step forward in restoring greater fairness, accuracy, and balance on CNN and cable news,” stated Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Through its Wave of Hope campaign, and more recently as a founding member of the Drop Dobbs coalition, NCLR has long raised concerns about the gross distortions, misrepresentations, and falsehoods that Dobbs’s program has perpetuated, including by presenting extremist voices as “immigration experts.”



“We hope this resignation begins to undo the climate of intolerance fostered against the Latino community, restore journalistic integrity to the CNN brand, and bring civility and truth back to the immigration debate,” Murguía added. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=67082 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/10/landmark-house-health-care-reform-bill-is-good-for-latinos-senate-needs-to-complete-the-task-and-build-on-the-house-effort-says-nclr/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/10/landmark-house-health-care-reform-bill-is-good-for-latinos-senate-needs-to-complete-the-task-and-build-on-the-house-effort-says-nclr/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:31:17 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=66616 Millions of Americans, including Latinos, who have the highest uninsurance rates in the country, are one step closer to obtaining health care coverage with the passage of the “Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009” by the House of Representatives. NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, supports several core provisions in the “Affordable Health Care for America Act,” such as its emphasis on preventive care. The House bill would ensure that illnesses and diseases are detected at the earliest possible stages, and it takes tremendous steps to improve health care delivery by addressing inequalities and health disparities. For example, the bill would provide new resources to expand and diversify the health care workforce. The legislation also includes a comprehensive data collection system that will identify and eradicate unequal access to care and uneven treatment of patients.

“The health care reform bill passed by the House is a fundamental step toward making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, including Latinos,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

The leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) deserves special recognition for successfully fending off the efforts of some lawmakers to add onerous, costly, and unnecessary immigrant restrictions to health care that would have harmed U.S. citizen children. In addition, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the CHC, as well as Rep. Henry Waxman, deserve considerable praise for their efforts to secure and protect meaningful access to health care for Latino families, children, and all families of color.

Despite serious gains, however, the House bill is still too tough on legal immigrants and their access to public health care. For example, the bill would continue the mandatory five-year bar for legal immigrants to access public health services. To promote an equitable system for all, restrictions on legal immigrants’ access to federal aid such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must be removed. Furthermore, roadblocks to insurance must be eliminated by removing excessive verification requirements that raise costs, increase barriers to health care, and have been proven to harm many U.S. citizens.



“The Senate now needs to act and pass a health care reform bill that builds on the House plan and increases access, quality, and affordability of coverage for all Americans, especially the uninsured,” concluded Murguía. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=66616 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/passage-of-hate-crimes-bill-signals-a-new-day-for-justice-says-nclr/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/passage-of-hate-crimes-bill-signals-a-new-day-for-justice-says-nclr/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:42:12 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=65115 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, hailed the Senate passage (68–29) of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act as part of the Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization (H.R. 2647) to strengthen federal protection against hate crimes. NCLR has worked to pass hate crimes legislation for ten years, and passage of this bill is significant in particular to the Latino community since hate crimes against Hispanics have risen by 40% in the past several years.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ‘An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere.’ This bill is a testament to our nation’s willingness to put an end to the national wave of hate crimes that has claimed the lives of innocent people,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía.

The bill will authorize the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated crimes based on a victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, race, gender identity, or disability. Furthermore, DOJ will now have jurisdiction over prosecuting hate crimes where state and local law is inadequate or when local authorities are unwilling to act.

In the last year, numerous innocent lives have been lost in a wave of brutal hate crimes. In July of 2008, 25-year-old Luis Ramirez lost his life after he was knocked unconscious and kicked in the head by a group of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania teenagers who yelled racial epithets before and during the brutal beating. In November of 2008, 37-year-old Marcelo Lucero was savagely beaten and fatally stabbed in Long Island, New York by a group of teenagers who hunted him down simply for being Latino. Only a month later, we mourned the murder in Brooklyn, New York of Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhañay, whose life was violently taken by a group of people who, according to witnesses, were motivated by hate-filled bigotry.

“This landmark legislation takes major steps toward ensuring equal protection under the law for all Americans and we thank Senator Reid for his leadership in passing this bill that is critical to the Latino community,” concluded Murguía. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=65115 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/national-council-of-la-raza-groundbreaking-forum-on-latino-children-offers-solutions-to-the-challenges-faced-by-this-growing-community/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/27/national-council-of-la-raza-groundbreaking-forum-on-latino-children-offers-solutions-to-the-challenges-faced-by-this-growing-community/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:39:48 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=65110 Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=65110 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/14/health-care-bill-overcomes-extremist-politics-but-still-needs-improvement-says-nclr/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/14/health-care-bill-overcomes-extremist-politics-but-still-needs-improvement-says-nclr/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:10:55 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=64505 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States noted the progress of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform legislation toward floor consideration, but expressed concern that the Latino community would not benefit from health care reform unless the final Senate bill is improved. NCLR applauded the committee’s defeat of multiple anti-immigrant amendments and inclusion of a positive children’s provision in a final committee health care proposal.

“Many members of the committee listened to the collective voice of tens of thousands of Latinos throughout the country who have raised concerns about the tone of the debate,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. In recent weeks, groups that promote the health and well-being of communities of color and immigrants have mobilized a national effort to ensure that these communities are protected and fairly integrated into health care reform.

Among the provisions that the Senate Finance Committee voted against were proposals to impose additional waiting periods on legal immigrants, barring them from purchasing affordable coverage even though they are mandated to have health insurance. The committee also defeated amendments that would have imposed onerous verification on legal immigrants and U.S. citizens.

“Time and time again, verification proposals have been proven to eliminate access to coverage for eligible U.S. citizens and legal immigrants and waste taxpayers’ money,” noted Murguía. “NCLR commends the majority of the Senate Finance Committee who stood up for sound policy rather than playing politics with the health of Americans. NCLR is especially grateful for the actions of Senator Menendez, who has continuously pushed for policy solutions that ensure coverage for children with special family circumstances.”

Although the Senate Finance Committee has taken an important step toward achieving reform, more work is needed to improve health care reform legislation to ensure that the proposals are meaningful for Latinos. The health care reform bill still contains harsh restrictions on legal immigrants and will deeply inhibit the ability of U.S. citizens in mixed immigration status families to buy health coverage. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=64505 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-supports-legislation-to-strengthen-dual-language-education-for-low-income-students/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-supports-legislation-to-strengthen-dual-language-education-for-low-income-students/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:51:14 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=64035 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, urged Congress today to approve legislation introduced by Representative Raúl Grijalva (D–AZ) to expand access to and support for dual-language educational programs for children in low-income and ethnically diverse communities. The “Providing Resources to Improve Dual-Language Education (PRIDE) Act” would provide more resources to develop students’ reading and speaking skills in two languages.

“The ‘PRIDE Act’ is a powerful tool in our efforts to eliminate the achievement gap between high- and low-income children. As Congress will soon consider reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, it is important that we develop more innovative strategies to support Latino and English language learner students. Research has shown that dual-language programs can change the trajectory of Latino student achievement,” said Delia Pompa, NCLR Vice President of Education.

The “PRIDE Act” would benefit both native English-speaking students and English language learners (ELLs) by increasing the number of classrooms in low-income communities that provide them with content and literacy instruction in two languages. Dual-language models have proven effective in developing English-language proficiency for ELLs and bilingualism for English speakers. Studies have shown that knowing more than one language increases students’ abilities.

Despite these proven benefits, few dual-language programs include low-income students and ELLs. For example, of the 332 dual-language programs in the U.S., only 11% of them serve a significant number of Black children, and only one-third of programs nationwide report that more than half of the children enrolled are low-income.

“We applaud Congressman Grijalva for his work on behalf of all students, but especially for being a champion of those who most need a boost in their academic performance,” concluded Pompa. “The ‘PRIDE Act’ is just another example of Congressman Grijalva’s leadership. We urge Congress to pass this legislation now.” Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=64035 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-president-and-ceo-janet-murguia-named-one-of-washingtonians-100-most-powerful-women%e2%80%9d/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-president-and-ceo-janet-murguia-named-one-of-washingtonians-100-most-powerful-women%e2%80%9d/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:50:44 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=64033 NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is pleased to announce that the October 2009 issue of Washingtonian magazine names NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía as one of “Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women.” She made the list with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. Murguía, who has served for five years as President and CEO of NCLR, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, is being featured on this list for a second time, the first being in 2006. Other honorees include First Lady Michelle Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, District of Columbia Schools Superintendent Michelle Rhee, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, among others.

Washingtonian magazine compiled this list to recognize women leaders in Washington from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Candidates were asked to fill out a survey about their work, home lives, and preparation for their careers including education and previous jobs. They were asked to give advice to young women starting out in their careers and to women who are balancing work and family life.

Murguía has devoted her career to public service. She began her career in Washington, DC as legislative counsel to former Kansas Congressman Jim Slattery. She then worked in the White House from 1994 to 2000, ultimately serving as deputy assistant to President Clinton, providing strategic and legislative advice to the president on key issues. In 2001, Murguía joined the University of Kansas (KU) as executive vice chancellor for university relations. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and received degrees in journalism, Spanish, and law from KU.

As NCLR President and CEO, Murguía has worked to harness the power of the nation’s nearly 47 million Hispanics and strengthen the partnership between NCLR and its network of nearly 300 community-based Affiliates, which annually serves millions of people in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. She has also sought to strengthen the Latino voice on issues affecting the Hispanic community, including education, health care, immigration, civil rights, the economy, and the rise of hate rhetoric and hate crimes targeting Latinos. She has placed special emphasis on turning Latino growth into empowerment through the Latino vote. In the 2008 general election, NCLR and its partners helped to register nearly 200,000 new Hispanic voters. Other initiatives helped more than 1.5 million eligible immigrants apply for citizenship.

Murguía has been recognized on numerous occasions for her work, including in Newsweek magazine’s “Women and Leadership” issue, as one of the NonProfit Times’s “Power and Influence Top 50” leaders, as People en Español’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics,” as one of Hispanic Business magazine’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics,” and as one of Hispanic magazine’s “Powerful Latinos.” Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=64033 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-applauds-the-inclusion-of-faith-leaders-at-a-a-senate-hearing-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/nclr-applauds-the-inclusion-of-faith-leaders-at-a-a-senate-hearing-on-comprehensive-immigration-reform/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:50:14 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=64031 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today praised the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security for including the faith community’s perspective on immigration reform at a hearing titled “Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Faith-Based Perspectives.” The hearing highlights the voices of faith leaders who see the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform in their communities every day.

“The Latino community is comprised of many people of faith who understand the urgency to fix our broken immigration system,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. Faith leaders across the country have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of Congress’ failure to reform our immigration system. They are organizing prayer vigils, visiting members of Congress, and speaking out for a system that will live up to America’s best values and not its worst instincts.”

NCLR commends the Senate subcommittee members for holding this hearing and elevating the voices of faith communities who are playing a critical role in ensuring that there is forward movement toward comprehensive immigration reform. NCLR looks forward to continuing to work with the faith community and other partners toward a solution that reflects basic American values of fairness, justice, and solving difficult problems. “Our immigration system has been neglected for more than two decades and it is time for congressional leaders and the administration to heed the call from communities of faith to map out a plan for achieving comprehensive immigration reform,” concluded Murguía. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=64031 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/ana-ortiz-to-la-raza-nclr-lay-off-the-big-macs-drop-mcdonalds-as-partner/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/09/ana-ortiz-to-la-raza-nclr-lay-off-the-big-macs-drop-mcdonalds-as-partner/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:37:16 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63912 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63912 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/07/nclr-applauds-confirmation-of-tom-perez-as-assistant-attorney-general-for-civil-rights-division/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/07/nclr-applauds-confirmation-of-tom-perez-as-assistant-attorney-general-for-civil-rights-division/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:50:07 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63722 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, praised today’s confirmation of Tom Perez as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) by a vote in the Senate of 72–22.

“Tom is the poised and experienced leader necessary to restore the Civil Rights Division to its full capacity at the Department of Justice,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “He is deeply committed to inclusion and diversity and has been a strong supporter of Latino and other civil rights organizations. His commitment is especially critical at a time when hate crimes against Latinos have increased by 40% since 2003.”

Mr. Perez has served with distinction in local, state, and federal government and has a long and successful track record of ensuring and protecting the civil rights of all Americans. As Special Counsel to Senator Ted Kennedy, he was the senator’s principal advisor on civil rights and criminal justice issues. At the DOJ, he rose from prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division—during which he supervised the prosecution of a landmark hate crime case involving White supremacists and the Black community in Texas—to Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under Attorney General Janet Reno. As Director of the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the Clinton administration, he was a strong advocate for cultural competence in all HHS programs.

“NCLR is pleased that the Department of Justice will have an experienced leader who understands that the Civil Rights Division is the watchdog protecting the civil rights of all Americans,” Murguía said. “Equally important, as Latinos mature politically and continue to vote in record numbers, we expect the division will serve as the guardian against voter intimidation, prosecuting those who wish to disenfranchise an entire population.”

Murguía praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his leadership in bringing Perez’s nomination to the Senate floor for a vote. “During these challenging times, Senator Reid has demonstrated extraordinary leadership when faced with opposition on major issues,” concluded Murguía. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63722 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/economic-recovery-still-beyond-reach-for-minority-workers/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/economic-recovery-still-beyond-reach-for-minority-workers/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:39:09 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63386 Nearly two years into the recession that began in December 2007, national efforts to spur recovery and provide relief to U.S. workers and families must reach more deeply into communities of color, says NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Hispanics and Blacks continue to be unemployed at rates far higher than the nation overall. The September 2009 unemployment rate of 9.8% is slightly higher than it was in August, with Latino unemployment dropping slightly to 12.7% but Black unemployment rising to 15.4%.

Today’s unemployment figures underscore the need to ensure that federal recovery programs effectively reach minorities, a message highlighted in a congressional hearing last week by labor market experts and civil rights organizations. At the hearing, NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía emphasized that a full recovery is impossible without strong efforts to help minority workers attain high-quality jobs. Since the beginning of the recession, more than one million Latinos have lost their jobs, and more than 400,000 Latino families are predicted to lose their homes to foreclosure this year alone.

“There are some who say that unemployment reveals nothing about our nation’s economic health. But families who have endured months without a steady income and workers who continue to search tirelessly for jobs know better,” said Murguía. “Latinos want the same opportunity as other Americans to earn a living that allows them to provide for their families. An unemployment rate for minority workers that outstrips the national average should be telling policymakers that we must do more to ensure that all families and workers benefit equitably from our national recovery efforts.”

“Despite some encouraging signs that the economy may be beginning to rebound, unemployment continues to be a serious problem for many Americans,” said Heather Boushey, Senior Economist at the Center for American Progress. “The economic recovery cannot be completed unless we put the unemployed back to work in good jobs and in a position to help bolster the country’s economic strength.”

“We’ve always been deeply concerned about disparities in the unemployment rate, particularly when it comes to racial and ethnic minority Americans. This most recent reporting indicates, indeed, that an already troubling unemployment rate for African Americans has become even worse. We must work as a nation to make sure that all Americans, even those who find themselves ‘the least of these,’ must be taken into consideration as we move toward a solution,” said Hilary Shelton, Director of NAACP Washington Bureau/Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy.

“The consequences of unemployment on poverty are particularly frightening. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) estimates that as unemployment peaks, more than one-half of Black children will live in poverty. However, even prior to the recession, one-third of black children lived in poverty. For a recovery to change these outcomes, it must be not only robust, but also targeted to reduce these persistent inequalities,” said Christian Dorsey, Director of External and Government Affairs at the Economic Policy Institute.

“This month’s unemployment numbers continue to illustrate that minority populations are being hit the hardest in this economic downturn. In order to ensure that these most vulnerable populations experience an economic recovery, we must be able to have the resources necessary to continue to provide key job training and employment services for these populations. The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs and its member organizations stand ready to work with Congress and the president to make sure that the needs of farmworkers and Latino families across the United States are included in federally funded relief efforts,” said David Strauss, Executive Director of the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63386 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/nclr-commends-congressional-hispanic-caucus-for-calling-for-an-end-to-287g-agreements/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/nclr-commends-congressional-hispanic-caucus-for-calling-for-an-end-to-287g-agreements/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:38:17 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63383 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today praised the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) for calling for the immediate termination of the 287(g) program. Yesterday, the CHC sent a letter to President Obama asking him to terminate the agreements with local law enforcement agencies that allow them to enforce complex immigration laws known as 287(g) agreements.

Many government and academic reports, as well as pending lawsuits, document that the 287(g) program results in racial profiling, with local law enforcement using race or Latino appearance alone to determine which people they stop. In addition, many local law enforcement agencies have spoken out against the 287(g) program because it hinders their ability to do their job as it drives a wedge between police and community members.

“NCLR thanks the CHC for calling for an end to the agreements between the federal government and local law enforcement agencies that have led to blatant racial profiling of Latinos and have compromised the public safety of communities across the country,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

In reaction to a previous Obama administration decision to continue and expand the 287(g) program, NCLR emphasized the need for increased accountability in the oversight and implementation of programs that have led to abuse and rights violations in Latino and immigrant communities. Earlier this year, NCLR joined 520 organizations, including the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), in writing to President Obama and calling for the termination of the 287(g) program.

"It is time to stop diverting resources to a flawed enforcement strategy predicated on the assumption that we can deport our way out of the situation we find ourselves in. More deportations alone cannot be the solution to our country’s broken immigration system. NCLR looks forward to working with the CHC, Congress, and the administration to achieve meaningful, comprehensive immigration reform,” concluded Murguía.

To view the full letter from the CHC, click here. To view the organizational letter calling for termination of the 287(g) program, click here. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63383 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/national-groups-to-mobilize-people-of-color-for-final-health-care-push/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/05/national-groups-to-mobilize-people-of-color-for-final-health-care-push/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:37:14 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63381 The country's largest African-American and Latino organizations announced on Monday they are joining forces with other major national civil rights and grassroots groups to mobilize the nation's 100 million people of color for a final push in support of universal health care reform.

The organizations -- the NAACP National Voter Fund, the National Council of La Raza, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Campaign for Community Change, the United States Student Association and PowerPAC.org -- said they will work together to make certain that the voices of people of color are heard, and heeded, as the health care reform debate enters its final, critical days.

The groups released television and print ads in English and Spanish that will run initially in four states with sizable African-American and Latino populations -- Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana and Arkansas. The ads are part of a grassroots effort to ensure that members of Congress appreciate the importance of reform to the people of color they represent.

The ads can be viewed online starting on Oct. 5 at http://www.healthequityforall.org.

"If we had enacted real health care reform in the past decade, then we would have saved the lives of 880,000 African-Americans," said Benjamin Todd Jealous, attending the briefing in his role as board member of the NAACP National Voter Fund.

"The members of Congress in these states are out of touch with the voices of their constituents. Real people are going bankrupt, losing their homes and even dying for real health care reform in this country," said Jealous, who also serves as president and chief executive officer of the NAACP.

The latest U.S. Census estimates confirm that there are more than 100 million people of color in the country, 33 percent of the population. In several key states, the percentage of people of color is even greater, approaching 40 percent in Florida and Louisiana. These constituencies comprise the building blocks for a new majority that can reshape the policies and priorities of the country.

A newly released report by the group "Health Care for America Now!" finds that African Americans and Latinos are more likely to go without health care because they cannot afford it, are less than half as likely as whites to have a regular doctor and that people of color have the highest rates of being uninsured.

"The health care debate is an important one for all Americans but absolutely no one has more at stake than communities of color," said Janet Murguía, NCLR's president and chief executive officer. "We need health care reform that embodies the highest and best values of our nation."

The organizations called for a health system that:

* Includes a public option to compete with private insurance companies.
* Covers all U.S. residents regardless of pre-existing condition or employment status.
* Is comprehensive and affordable for everyone.
* Ensures the highest quality of care for everyone.

"Our organizations have been working tirelessly on health care reform all along. Now that it's crunch time, our collective efforts are critical to making sure that the reforms that become law enable everyone, including communities of color, to have access to affordable, quality health care," said Wade Henderson, president and chief executive officer of LCCR.

Added CCC Executive Director Deepak Bhargava: "We believe health care is a basic human right, as essential as food and shelter. No one should have to go without health care because of a lack of income."

###

The mission of the NAACP National Voter Fund is to engage in issue advocacy, educate voters on candidates' positions on civil rights, and increase voter turnout in the African-American community. It does this through voter education, non-partisan registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. For more information, go to: http://www.naacpnvf.net/

NCLR -- the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States -- works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information go to: http://www.nclr.org

LCCR is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights coalition representing persons of color, women, children, labor unions, individuals with disabilities, older Americans, major religious groups, gays and lesbians and civil liberties and human rights groups. For more information go to: http://www.civilrights.org

The Campaign for Community Change works with community based organizations in several states to conduct large scale voter contact and mobilization programs focused on low-income people of color. This program moves hundreds of thousands to the polls and strengthens the power of its partner organizations to advocate for their needs and values to policy-makers. For more information go to: http://www.campaignforcommunities.org/

USSA, the country's oldest and largest national student-led organization, develops current and future leaders and amplifies the student voice at the local, state and national levels by mobilizing grassroots power to win concrete victories on student issues. For more information go to: http://www.usstudents.org

PowerPAC.org is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization whose mission is to increase electoral participation of people of color in order to build political power in support of a social justice policy agenda. For more information go to: http://powerpac.org/ Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63381 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/02/no-child-left-behind-regulations-do-not-go-far-enough-to-improve-education-for-latino-students-says-nclr/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/02/no-child-left-behind-regulations-do-not-go-far-enough-to-improve-education-for-latino-students-says-nclr/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:38:11 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=63174 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today released an analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s latest regulations of Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The analysis, Strengthening Accountability to Ensure Latino Success: An Analysis of NCLB Title I Regulations, finds that while necessary, the new rules do not sufficiently improve the law to help Latino students. NCLR urges the 111th Congress and the Obama administration to reauthorize NCLB as soon as possible to further improve the law.

“NCLR recognizes the value of the No Child Left Behind Act because of its promise to help improve education for Latinos and English language learners,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “Public schools today cannot be effective unless they make it a priority to help all students succeed, and that is at the heart of what NCLB is intended to achieve.”

This new analysis shows that the Department of Education’s 2008 regulations provide necessary refinements of NCLB. Among other things, the regulations offer much-needed clarity on how graduation rates are measured and ensure that Latinos have greater access to tutoring services required under the law. These changes will improve the law’s implementation for Hispanic students, who currently represent 20% of public school enrollment, and nearly 40% of whom are English language learners. However, sufficient refinements of NCLB can only be made through its reauthorization. NCLR will work with Congress to increase supports for teachers, bolster instructional services, improve assessments for English language learners, and strengthen accountability measures for all student subgroups.

“Every child deserves a quality education, and improving NCLB is a critical step toward achieving that goal,” concluded Murguía. “We are encouraged by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s statement last week that he plans to reenergize the debate around reauthorization of NCLB this fall and urge Congress to begin work on renewing this law.” Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63174 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-president-and-ceo-to-testify-at-congressional-hearing-on-the-state-of-minorities-in-the-recession/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-president-and-ceo-to-testify-at-congressional-hearing-on-the-state-of-minorities-in-the-recession/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:07:54 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61898 Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, will testify on Wednesday, September 23 before the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the experiences and unique challenges of Latinos in this difficult economy. The hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

NCLR has worked with others in the civil rights community to call attention to the current disparities in minority unemployment rates. In August, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.7%, with Latino unemployment increasing to 13% and Black unemployment to 15.1%. NCLR recently released a major report on Latino workers, Fractures in the Foundation: The Latino Worker’s Experience in an Era of Declining Job Quality, which focuses on the lengths that many Latino workers will go to keep their jobs, often enduring substandard conditions on a daily basis.

The hearing will be followed by a telephonic briefing on this issue at 1:00 p.m. EDT that will include representatives from NCLR, the Center for American Progress (CAP), the National Urban League (NUL), and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD). The telephonic briefing can be accessed by calling (877) 541-6736 and using call-in ID 31841423. Please RSVP to Raúl Arce-Contreras at CAP at rarcecontreras@americanprogress.org or (202) 475-5318.

MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: Testimony on the state of minorities in the recession before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
WHEN: Wednesday, September 23, 10:00 a.m. EDT
WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154
Washington, DC
WHO: Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61898 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-applauds-representative-gutierrez-for-advancing-comprehensive-immigration-reform/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-applauds-representative-gutierrez-for-advancing-comprehensive-immigration-reform/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:07:12 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61897 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today praised Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D–IL) for his commitment to introducing a comprehensive immigration reform bill this fall. The proposal will be an important step forward in moving toward President Obama’s goal to pass an immigration bill by early 2010.

“NCLR thanks Representative Gutierrez for his continued leadership on behalf of immigrant communities throughout the country. We will continue to work with him as he crafts a bill that will spur movement toward reform in Congress,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

NCLR has urged Congress to begin the process of fixing our country’s broken immigration system because the impact of the failed system is deeply felt by the Latino community and all Americans—the urgency is clear and the time to act is now. Congress’s inaction has allowed fringe groups to manipulate this issue and create an environment of intolerance against immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. Recently, the toxic rhetoric has spilled into the health care reform debate, which only reinforces the need for a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system.

NCLR hopes and expects that Representative Gutierrez’s bill will garner widespread support by many key allies and proponents of reform, including members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and other congressional leaders. The plan will help spark legislative action on immigration reform this fall. “NCLR is committed to working with members of Congress who will play a key role in advancing progress toward a solution that the majority of Americans can support, one that will fulfill the promise of reform that was made to millions of voters,” concluded Murguía. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61897 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-supports-national-back-to-school-dream-act-day-of-action/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/22/national-council-of-la-raza-supports-national-back-to-school-dream-act-day-of-action/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:06:30 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61895 NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, commends the more than 120 events taking place in 28 states to support legislation that would allow talented children who view this country as their own to attend college, serve their nation, and attain legal status. NCLR is a member of the national coalition United We DREAM, which is organizing the National Back to School DREAM Act Day of Action on September 23 to advocate for Congress to approve the “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009” and the “American Dream Act.” Among the cities holding “DREAM Act” events are Los Angeles, Little Rock, Tallahassee, Albuquerque, Detroit, and Denver. For a full listing, please visit www.dreamactivist.org.

“The DREAM Act Day of Action is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by students, families, and communities across America due to our broken immigration system. Unless Congress takes action, the door to higher education will be slammed shut for yet another generation of bright and talented students. Our immigration laws are to blame for this no-win situation and they must be fixed,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

The “DREAM Act” is bipartisan legislation that would restore states’ right to determine residency requirements for in-state tuition and establish a path to legal status and eventual citizenship for students who satisfy certain higher education or military service requirements. Some examples of events to be held to urge passage of this legislation on September 23 are:

Los Angeles, California: Dream Team LA will host a press conference with members of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) who will vote on a resolution supporting undocumented students. Students in caps and gowns will share their stories and LAUSD board members will speak. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been invited.

Overland Park, Kansas: The student organization Latinos United Now and Always (LUNA) will host a “cap and gown” soccer game in the middle of campus while gathering petitions to support the “DREAM Act.”

Little Rock, Arkansas: A group fromthe Student Immigrant Movement in Massachusetts will participate in a ceremony in Arkansas to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School by the Little Rock Nine.

Detroit, Michigan: Herta Llusho, a 19-year-old undocumented student from Albania, will continue to fight against her deportation order. She and other students from the University of Detroit Mercy will host a rally on campus. Their university president will speak.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Somos Un Pueblo Unido and other student organizations from the University of New Mexico will host a rally with dozens of students marching in caps and gowns.

Tempe, Arizona: The Arizona DREAM Act Coalition will host a play about the life of a “dreamer” on the campus of Arizona State University.

Tallahassee, Florida: Students from Advocates for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, as well as United States Students Association President Gregory Cendana, will participate in a panel presentation at Florida State University.

Red Lodge, Montana: Community members and “DREAM Act” supporters in Montana will gather for a screening of the documentary Made in L.A., followed by a discussion about why the “DREAM Act” and immigration reform must be approved.

Denver, Colorado: Students from local high schools will march from Alma Park to the Auraria campus (which combines the campuses of the Community College of Denver, the Metropolitan State College of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver) to join college students, faith leaders, college professors and local elected officials.

“The local events held on September 23 to support the ‘DREAM Act’ are in the best tradition of America. It is in the cities and small towns of this great nation where an individual’s value is recognized and where the impact of missed opportunities is felt most strongly. These communities are to be commended for coming together and highlighting the inspiring stories of these young people,” concluded Murguía.

The United We DREAM coalition consists of a broad range of groups, including organizations focused on youth, education, immigration, civil rights, faith, and labor. NCLR, the National Immigration Law Center, Center for American Progress, National Immigration Forum, United States Student Association, and Student Labor Action Project are among the national organizations in the coalition. Aggregated by HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61895 0 http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/21/join-nclr-and-the-drop-dobbs-campaign/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/21/join-nclr-and-the-drop-dobbs-campaign/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:16:55 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=61788 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=61788 0