Category Archives: News

North Houston Frontiers Club Inc. 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast

North Houston Frontiers Club Inc. 25th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
Monday January 21, 2013 8:00 AM
Hilton-Americas-Houston
1600 Lamar St.
Houston, TX 77007

Ticket Information
713-331-0440
or visit
www.nhfrontiers.com

Carol Alvarado for Texas State Senator

Rally for Texas State Senate Candidate Carol Alvarado[/caption] State Representative Carol Alvarado announced her candidacy for Texas State Senate, Friday November 9th at the American Legion Union Hall amongst many supporters and family.

Alvarado started her press conference with prayer from Father Collins before any talks of politics or positions could be declared. But, just as powerful as the prayer was the endorsement that rang sincerely from the mouth of the widow of Mario Gallegos, Teresa.

“Mario was not shy when it came to telling all of us, myself and my family that he wanted Carol to succeed him. It was his dying wish. It was very important to him. It was an easy wish for my family to honor because we love Carol,” said Teresa Gallegos. “We know she (Alvarado) will continue Mario Gallego’s work in the Senate, she will not need on the job training, she will not need to get up to speed on the issues. She will not have to reacquaint herself with our neighborhoods, she’s been here all along, fighting side by side with my husband to ensure the people that District 6 will be well represented. I respectfully ask you all to support Carol Alvarado in her Senate race.”

The eruption of applause resembled a confirmation from the crowd that they too were in agreement that Alvarado was their woman for the job. Gallegos rallied that there was no one better qualified that will work hard to gain the communities support and trust.

A bittersweet Alvarado was thankful and grateful for her supporters especially from the Gallegos family. But she wasted no time launching into the her speech speaking of the works her and former State Senator Gallegos had already in the works, such as, funding for public schools, good jobs, access to quality insurance for Hispanics, education cost for higher education in Texas and bettering the state of Texas as a whole.

“My service in City Council and the last 4 years in the State Legislature have prepared me to hit the ground running on day one,” said Alvarado. “I will be fighting for the people of Harris County for healthier communities, affordable insurance, lower college tuition and lower utility rates. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and to work on behalf of the Texas families. I’m Carol Alvarado, I’m a Democrat and I’m ready to be your next Texas State Senator.”

Chris Bell introduced Alvarado attributing her experience, knowledge and loyalty as her strongest suits as a life-long resident of District 6. A former aid to Congressman Gene Green she later became an Economic and Community Development consultant for Houston’s East side. Alvarado went on to become a top official in Mayor Lee Brown’s Administration before launching her political career. She served 6 years on Houston’s City Council for District I and the later ran and was elected to the State Legislature in 2008.

Due to the untimely death of a freshly re-elected and highly respected, State Senator Mario Gallegos, Alvarado’s press conference was extremely emotionally charged. The Hispanic community stood firm by her side as well as long list of politicians and city officials from near and afar. Chris Bell, was the Master of Ceremony, City Council Members James Rodrigues and Oliver Pennington, City Comptroller Ronald Green, Mayor of Pasadena Johnny Isbell, Constable May Walker and the Houston Firefighters of House341, were just a few out of a long list of supporters that showed up to rally for Carol Alvarado for Texas State Senate.
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The Houston Sun Endorsement Results 2012

Election Day 2012 will be a day to remember for generations to come. This particular election cycle made politicians believe in campaigning again, made constituents remember how much their vote mattered and the results proved that nothing in politics can be left up to chance.

There were many tight and high profiled races during this election. The Houston Sun endorsed 8 Harris County District Judges and this is the list of outcomes for them and some of the races that captured our attention this year.
*These results are the votes for Harris County only.
President of The United States of America

Dem.-Barack Obama – Re-Elected- 585,451 votes 49.38%
Rep.- Mitt Romney- 584,866 votes 49.33% President Obama won Harris County by 585 votes

U.S. Senator
Rep.- Ted Cruz – Won-581,197 votes 49.58% Dem.- Paul Sadler-562,955 votes 48.02% Senator Cruz won Harris County by 18,242 votes

U.S. House of Representatives District 22
Rep.- Pete Olson- Won- 18,294 votes 59.34% Dem.- Kesha Rogers-11,264 votes 36.54% Congressman Olson won Harris County by 7,030 votes

U.S. House of Representatives District 18 Dem.- Sheila Jackson Lee- Won – 145,893 votes 75.01% Rep.- Sean Seibert-43,926 votes 22.58% Congresswoman Lee won Harris County by 101,967 votes

U.S. House of Representatives District 9 Dem.- Al Green- Won- 102,909 votes 79.06% Rep.- Steve Mueller-24,801 votes 19.05% Congressman Green won Harris County by 78,108 votes

U.S. House of Representatives District 29 Dem.- Gene Green- Won- 85,920 votes 90.01% Lib.- James Stanczak- 4,988 votes 5.23% Congressman Green won Harris County by 80,932 votes

U.S. House of Representatives District 2 Rep.- Ted Poe- Won- 159,369 votes 64.85% Dem.- Jim Dougherty- 80,262 votes 32.66% Congressman Poe won Harris County by 79,107 votes

State Senator District 13 Dem.- Rodney Ellis –No Competition- Won Harris County by 147,951 votes 100.00%

State Representative District 146 Dem.- Borris Miles –No Competition- Won Harris County by 40,632 votes 100.00%

State Representative District 147 Dem.- Garnet F. Coleman- Won- 43,503 votes 92.21% Grn.- Deb Shafto- 3,674 votes 7.79% State Representative Coleman won Harris County by 39,829 votes

State Representative District 139 Dem.- Sylvester Turner- Won- 38,961 votes 77.07% Rep.- Sam Brocato- 11,591 votes 22.93% State Representative Turner won Harris County by 27,370 votes

State Representative District 141 Dem.- Senfronia Thompson- Won- 33,136 votes 87.86% Rep.- Michael Bunch- 4,580 votes 12.14% State Representative Thompson won Harris County by 28,556 votes

State Representative District 131 Dem.- Alma Allen- Won- 36,714 votes 94.50% Lib.- Alfred Montestruc 1,315 votes 3.38% State Representative Allen won Harris County by 35,399 votes

District Judge 334th Judicial Court Rep.- Ken Wise –Won- 586,752 votes 50.32% Dem.- Donna Roth- 561,429 votes 49.68% Judge Wise won by 25,323 votes

District Judge 337th Judicial Court Rep.- Renee Magee –Won- 570,035 votes 50.56% Dem.- Herb Ritchie- 557,359 votes 49.44% Judge Ritchie lost by 12,676 votes

District Judge 179th Judicial Court Rep.- Kristin Guiney – Won- 566,089 votes 50.19% Dem.- Randy Roll- 561,737 votes 49.81% Judge Roll lost by 4,352 votes

District Judge 164th Judicial Court Dem.- Alexandra Smoots –Hogan – Won- 580,156 votes 51.37% Rep.- Bud Wiesedeppe- 549,194 votes 48.63% Judge Smoots- Hogan won by 30,962 votes

District Judge 174th Judicial Court Dem.- Ruben Guerrero- Won- 570,037 votes 50.39% Rep.- Robert Summerlin- 561,118 votes 49.61% Judge Guerrero won by 8,919 votes

District Judge 80th Judicial Court Dem.- Larry Weiman- Won- 574,546 votes 50.77% Rep. – Richard Risinger- 557,069 votes 49.23% Judge Weiman won by 17,477 votes

District Judge 125th Judicial Court Dem.- Kyle Carter- Won- 566,817 votes 50.07% Rep.- John Coselli- 565,318 votes 49.93% Judge Carter won by 1,499 votes

District Judge 127th Judicial Court Dem.- R.K. Sandill –Won- 569,154 votes 50.30% Rep. – Russell Lloyd 562,345 votes 49.70% Judge Sandill won by 6,809 votes

District Judge 129th Judicial Court Dem.- Michael Gomez- Won- 568,565 votes 50.17% Rep.- Michael Landrum- 564,674 votes 49.83% Judge Gomez won by 3,891 votes

District Judge 351st Judicial Court Rep.- Mark Kent Ellis- Won- 574,897 votes 50.92% Dem.- Mack McInnis- 554,083 votes 49.08% Judge Ennis won by 20,814 votes

County Attorney Dem. Vince Ryan – Won- 585,962 votes 51.47% Rep.- Robert Tatton- 552,561 votes 48.53% Vince Ryan won Harris County by 33,401 votes

County School Trustees, Position 6, Precinct 1 Dem. Erica Lee – Won- 222,356 votes 77.98% Rep.- JuLuette Bartlett- Pack- 62,792 votes 22.02% Erica Lee won Harris County by 159,564 votes

County Commissioner, Precinct 1 Dem.- El Franco Lee- Won- 223,321 votes 77.75% Rep.- Chuck Maricle- 63,898 votes 22.25% County Commissioner Lee won Harris County by 159,423 votes

County Sherriff Dem.- Adrian Garcia – Won- 611,963 votes 52.95% Rep.- Louis Guthrie- 522,437 votes 45.20% Sherriff Garcia won Harris County by 89,526 votes

Constable, Precinct 7 Dem. May Walker – No Competition- Won Harris County by 89,886 votes

Metropolitan Transit Authority Referendum on Street Improvement Mobility Program
For- 625,130 votes 78.84% Against – 167,731 votes 21.16% Metro won their bond issue by 457,399 votes

Houston Independent School District Proposition For- 216,825 votes Against- 97,604 votes

The breakdown of numbers for the 2012 Election proves without a doubt that every vote counts. Many incumbents lost their seats this year while others finally gained the opportunity and responsibility of becoming an elected official. Win, Lose or draw all politicians rely on the voters to exercise their constitutional right to elect whoever will represent them and the country the best.
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Houston’s Unions and Congressional Leaders Rally for Jobs Not Cuts

The Service Employees International Union Local 1, Harris County AFL-CIO Council, Texas Organizing Project and Good Jobs Great Houston coalition banded together with Congressmen Al Green, Gene Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to bring attention back to the issue of jobs not cuts when Congress meets in Washington next week for the “lame duck” session.

Congress has a task on its hands as the problem of sequestration is looming over the country. Politicians are not making light of the situation and neither is the people of America. Trillions of dollars are at risk and the Jobs Act has yet to pass the House of Representatives in a time where many domestic programs are on the verge of being slashed.

Americans all over the country are still in limbo in the job sector and with a Congressional stupor in full effect the continuing effort to stay hopeful is becoming more of a challenge. A compilation of unions in Houston called upon their Congressional heads to speak out for and to them about the challenges that lie ahead in this upcoming “lame duck” session.

The Jobs Act
Congressman Al Green challenged his colleagues in Congress to help out President Obama and the constituents when it comes to the Jobs bill. He assured the public that if the bill is passed there will be money for infrastructure, job creation for peace officers, firefighters and teachers and help for veterans.

“Jobs are here to be created if we only do some of the things the President has proposed. There was a lot of talk about the President not having a Jobs Bill,” said Congressman Al Green. “The President submitted his jobs bill to Congress and it has not been acted on. The Jobs Bill should be acted on.”

Inside the Job Bill there is room for infrastructure improvement. An infrastructure bank can be created and the bank will help with the transportation issues, help rebuild bridges, refurbish the airports and other projects, according to Congressman Al Green.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also called for help from her colleagues on Capitol Hill as she emphatically spoke about the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, who offered a hand of friendship to the newly re-elected President Obama. As a gesture of good faith and a better working relationship this can be seen as a sign of peace that may help elected officials get the results needed in Congress.

“I’m excited about the Senate Majority Leader, who said he’s ready to work, but he has to be able to want to work on the behalf of all of you, the voices of America, which means we should go back and pass the Jobs Act and our number one priority should be jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Congresswoman Lee.

Congressman Al Green also spoke on how Veteran’s deserve to come home to the job opportunities they left behind for service. Green charged forward saying that if we can spend unlimited money to put soldiers in harm’s way we ought to be able spend an equal amount of money to make sure they have good jobs when they come home.

Medicare/Medicaid/ Veterans Health
Medicare and Medicaid served as a big topic that could not be ignored by the Congressional leaders. Congressman Gene Green did not mince any words when declaring he would fight not to cut Medicare, but he did make a provision by saying he would cut the doctor’s reimbursement which caused him the concern of how doctors would react. He explained that the problem with Medicaid was not on the federal level but on the state level because the State won’t pick up the cost. G.Green also opposes the idea of the government tampering with Veteran’s benefits.

“We don’t want Veteran Qualified Health Centers cut off. We have money for expansion under the expansion stimulus dollars through the Recovery Act of ’09,” said Congressman Gene Green. “We don’t want to cut that now when we are just gearing up to help people who don’t have access to a doctor.”

Congressman Al Green is a known advocate for Senior Citizen rights. He started in firmly on behalf of the senior community voicing he is not a fan of senior Medicare warfare. A.Green continued to rally that all seniors should have the opportunity to have Medicare and it should be protected for unborn generations. He also protested against minimizing Medicaid stating that we have to maximize our dollars that we get, we have to protect Medicaid because it helps people who are poor and without Medicaid would not get medical services.

Live In America Wage Act / Housing
Americans living below the poverty line while working a full-time job is a burden that many live with daily yet never find any relief from; Congressman Al Green introduced the Live In America Wage Act to Congress in order to help any person who works full- time in America to live above the poverty line. He proposes to index the minimum wage to the poverty line so when the poverty level goes up so does the minimum wage. Congressman Gene Green concurred that constituents need help and the government should kick in to help in times of need. He rallied that the government should do what a second job would do and find more revenue so there won’t be a need to make drastic cuts that will hurt the people that are the most defenseless.

The cuts that may happen in sequestration could possible housing. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), houses many Houstonians and American’s alike and the notion of cutting HUD funds is jeopardizing the stability of millions.

“HUD could be cut and we don’t want that to happen. There is a lot that can be done to balance the budget but we want to do it fairly,” said Congressman Gene Green. “We don’t want to do it on the back of working people and poor people.”

Congresswoman Lee closed the press conference by reassuring the crowd that their elected leaders want them to have jobs, Medicare and for women to have healthcare without the intervention of anyone telling them what their healthcare should be.

Our Congressional leaders go back into session on November 13th and can last into the beginning of January 2013. The whole country will be waiting and watching to see what will happen on Capitol Hill in the next two months. The outcome of the fiscal budget and the passing of the Jobs Bill hold much weight in America’s future.

Victory Reigns in the CWA Hall on Election Night 2012

Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at their Election Party
The Houston Sun celebrated election night with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green at the CWA Hall in Downtown. Drawing in a large mass of supporters and politicians the focus seemed to loom heavily on the presidential election which seemed to overshadow the incumbent’s re-election results for most of the night.

Good music from a live band mixed with food, dancing and lots of photos, the air was thick with hope for the newly re-elected President Barack Obama. Consistently throughout the night politicians deflected the attention from themselves but onto the Democratic Party or President Obama solely.

When speaking to Congresswoman Lee, The Sun had to specifically ask her to speak on her re-election. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to go back to Congress to work on education and the see the healthcare bill serve more Americans, to bring our soldiers home from Afghanistan to create jobs,” said Lee. “I’m excited because tonight is a great night but we’re not finished, I hope President Obama is on his way to a 2nd term reaffirming that the American people want to take the country forward.”

Congresswoman Lee had a lot to celebrate that night as her daughter; Erica Lee was also on the democratic ticket for the County School Trustees, Position 6,Precinct 1 in which she won. Her sentiments echoed her mothers’ as she declared her pride in being able to share the Democratic ticket with the President.

Congressman Al Green was introduced by Congresswoman Lee showing a united front for Congressional representatives in Houston. With many international supporters Green was all smiles as he began his speech. With the same thoughts as his colleague, he too was focused on President Obama. While speaking to The Sun, Congressman Green also had to be asked to speak specifically about his re-election.

“I hope that my lead holds up and if it does, I will be honored to go back to Congress and work with the President; to make sure we protect Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid,” said Congressman Green. “We can’t let the minimum wage be eliminated by those who would simply push people out into the market place and they don’t have any floor of what their wages would be. We have to protect minimum wage laws for this country.”

Congressman Gene Green was endorsed and patronized at the event as well. The night came to an uproar when the news announced that Mr. Obama was re-elected for a second term as the President of the United States of America. All other races seemed to be forgotten as jubilee set out in the CWA Hall. “4-More Years” was chanted as singing and dancing filled the room. Praises to God was sent up as tears streamed down many faces of the older generations faces.

“I’m confident the President will be victorious,” said Green previously in the evening. “He has a great ground game and message. I believe the message of moving forward is one of the country wants.”

The party carried on as the faith of Congress members proved to be echoed by the American people. Yet Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee still had a race to win in which they were victorious in as well. Green won his seat again in the United States House of Representatives District 9 with a 102,909 votes a 79.06% win and Lee won her seat again in with 145,893 votes a 75.01%.
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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Kicks Off National Voter Registration Day Houston

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee hosted a press conference outside the Palm Center off Griggs Road, to kick off Houston’s first National Voter Registration Day on September 25, 2012.

Congresswoman Lee launched the event by letting the crowd know first and foremost voting is about winning. In the center of a sea of people, Lee showed much enthusiasm that could only be rivaled by the Houston Rocket cheerleaders whom stood to her left and right.

After a kick-off cheer by the cheerleaders, Lee, encouraged Houstonians to remember what to love about being American and how great it is to have the right to vote. Eight sites were set up around Houston to make registration easy for Houstonians who are busy working, going to school and taking care of their families.

As the press conference went on voting registration drives were taking place all over Houston. Right behind Congresswoman Lee, on the second floor of the Precinct 7 County Court Annex in Judge Zinetta Burney’s courtroom, voter registration was set up from 11am to 1pm for voters to come out and register. The process was made easier as voters could drop their registration off downstairs on their way out instead of mailing it in. Other locations were Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Fallbrook Church, Acres Home Multi-Service Center, St. John’s Church on Dowling, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Mount Hebron Baptist Church, and Pleasanthill Baptist Church.

“The right to vote is precious. The right to due process is a constitutional right. If you do not exercise your right to vote your right to due process is limited,” said Congresswoman Lee. “So today I come with a great deal of concern about the nation’s effort to do a systemic and possibly illegal voter purging around America and certainly in the state of Texas.”

Lee made an effort to reassure voters that the voter registration drives are non-partisan, non-racial and non-classism. She also went on to educate the crowd about changes that were being made in voting rights that could leave people wondering why they can’t vote come election time.

The Congresswoman reminded the crowd that 300,000 ballot voters were notified that they would be removed from voting between 2008 and 2010. But she also wanted noted that it was now 2012 and had those voters been re- registered. Lee went on to rally that all were present to fight to ensure that those voters know that there is a place to go to register.

“Approximately 2 percent of voting age citizens in the country and more than 20 million people do not have a voter id,” said Congresswoman Lee. “A voter id impacts everyone. One vote, one person.”

The issue of the death notices that went out in Harris County was addressed as well. After much protest and petitioning the Tax Assessor’s office held off the purging of those 9,000 persons. This decision is still under review by the Department of Justice, according to Lee. But this lay-over will still allow for the processing of legal and legitimate voter registration cards.

We challenge the tax assessors to keep doing their service and let voter registration be processed for early voting and for voting on November 6th,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Voters are very much alive and shouldn’t be turned away to vote.”

Following the Congresswoman’s rally speech, various organizational leaders were called up to speak such as Dr. Grant Malone, the Link Sisters President Carolyn Caldwell, Urban League President Judson Robinson, Carolyn Miller, representing Kashmere High School Alumni and many more. While Constable Mae Walker showed up in support, State Senator Rodney Ellis and County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s staff came out as well to help join in the efforts to get Houstonians registered to vote.
There was a strong presence of youth and young adult voters who shared the desire to register voters as Fana Vincent, the Community Project Facilitator for Texans Together, had his staffers handing out fliers for his voter’s rally that would be held later on in the evening.

“I’ve seen the complaints from AARP voters whom ballads have been thrown away and have been sent death notices. It’s important that we get organized so people know they have a place to go register and vote,” said Joy Jackson, an organizer from Texans Together. “I think it’s important that they called this press conference so we can let people know we are behind voter’s rights. We have to understand this is not the end all and we have to keep accountable to vote.”

With lots of cheers, singing and rally speeches by community leaders from all over Houston, Congresswoman Lee officially kicked off Houston’s National Voter Registration day. Every side and demographic of Houston was addressed and serviced that day by one of those eight locations.

In addition to Houston other states such as Kansas City, MO., Atlanta, GA., Dallas, TX, Alameda County, CA., Columbia, S.C., Cleveland, OH., Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and Chicago, IL. joined in for National Voter Registration Day.

The last day to register to vote is 0ctober 9, 2012. The first day to early vote is October 22, 2012 and ends November 2, 2012. Election Day is November 6, 2012. Exercise your right to vote, it is your constitutional right.
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First African American woman Major General for the Army

Major General Marcia M. Anderson was honored with the Benjamin L. Hooks Distinguished Service award Tuesday night at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s, (NAACP) Armed Services & Veterans Affairs Dinner at the Grand Ballroom of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

A St. Louis native, Anderson became the first African American woman to earn the rank of Major General in the United States Army Reserve.

“I’m very proud to receive this award and I’m going to use this award to continue my upmost to make the [military] organization that I love very much to move forward,” said Anderson.“ I still have much to do.”

One of Anderson’s goals is to increase diversity within the military which has dropped across the board for all minorities.

“It’s extremely important that you demand that an institution as large and powerful as the military represent the diversity as our nation,” Anderson said. “If the military does not reflect its people, then things can happen in our democracy, and I’d had for that to happen to this country.”

According to Anderson, the reason for the lack of diversity within the military possibly streams from the experience many Americans had during the Vietnam War.

“Unfortunately older members of our community still do not trust or believe in diversity or that they have the best interest of soldiers,” explained Anderson who sees herself as the perfect example of what diversity in the military can achieve. “I’m trying to combat that and let people know that it’s not a perfect organization, but there are sincere efforts to remedy that.”

This is where the military goals line up with the NAACP according to Anderson.

“Just as with the NAACP; we strive to have people in the service to be judged on the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin,” Anderson said.

U. S. Supreme Court immigration ruling brings civil rights

<strong>Laci K. Ollison
The Houston Sun</strong>

Implications of Supreme Court’s Ruling on Immigration Law leaves many with questions. Civil Rights Groups to assist Latino community with information.

On June twenty-fifth, the Sup

reme Court struck down three sections of the Arizona law that cracks down on illegal immigration. However, the law’s most controversial element, better known as the “show me your papers” provision remains intact.

Arizona Senate Bill 1070 (known more commonly as just SB 1070) contains 14 sections and dozens of subsections, but only two full sections and two subsections were blocked by a judge shortly before it went into effect in July 2010. Here is a brief summary of what the Supreme Court decided:
• Section 2B (upheld): This part of the bill says state and local law enforcement officers in Arizona are authorized to determine the immigration status of anyone they reasonably suspect might be in the United States illegally. Forms of identification suggested by the bill include an Arizona driver’s license, Arizona ID card, tribal enrollment card or other official ID issued by a US federal, state or local government.
• Section 3 (struck down): This section would have made it a state crime for undocumented immigrants not to carry an alien registration document. The ruling claimed this merely reiterated federal law, and as such was superseded.
• Section 5C (struck down): This section would have made it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to look for a job or perform work in Arizona.
• Section 6 (struck down): This part of the bill would have allowed a state or local police officer to conduct an arrest without a warrant when police have probable cause to believe an individual committed a felony, a misdemeanor or a crime that would make them removable from the United States.

Leaders of Houston United and Pastor’s In Action, two civil rights groups, gathered on July 6th for a press conference.

“These are broad sweeping implications here, and when this law got put before the Supreme Court, we all sat wondering what this will mean,” says Mike Espinoza from Houston United. “Will the courts make sure that police can’t ask us for our papers just because of the color of our skin, or will this open season on immigrants? So, these are part of the questions that everybody is in their homes facing.”

Espinoza says they have an open dialogue with the Houston Police Department. However he admits they’re working on one with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. He also says they don’t see eye to eye because of its support of the 287G program, the federal law that partner’s law enforcement with ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to intercept, interview and detain foreigners suspected of being in this country illegally.

Houston United and Pastor’s In Action partnered together to produce a forum in hopes of educating the Latino community on exactly what this law means.

Gerardo Cardenas with National Church ID, a member of Pastors in Action, says they want to clarify what the letter of the law states.

“Our people are afraid of being racially profiled,” Cardenas says. “What we don’t want to happen is for law enforcement to think that we are illegal just because we look Hispanic.”

“The population of Latino’s in Harris County alone is greater than the population of the state of Colorado,” says Espinoza.

According to the 2011 Harris County Census, the population of people of Hispanic or Latino origin is 41.4% of the total population.

<strong>Spanish Version</strong>

Implicaciones de la Sentencia del Tribunal Supremo sobre la Ley de Inmigración deja preguntas sin respuesta. Grupos de derechos civiles para ayudar a la comunidad latina con información.

En junio de 25o, la Corte Suprema anuló tres secciones de la ley de Arizona que reprime la inmigración ilegal. Sin embargo, el elemento más controvertido de la ley, más conocida como la “muéstrame tus papeles” disposición se mantiene intacta.

Arizona, la SB 1070 (más conocido simplemente como la SB 1070) contiene 14 secciones y docenas de subdivisiones, pero sólo dos secciones completas y subsecciones dos fueron bloqueados por un juez poco antes de que entró en vigor en julio de 2010. Aquí está un breve resumen de lo que la Corte Suprema de Justicia decidió:
• Sección 2B (confirmada): Esta parte del proyecto de ley dice que los agentes del orden locales y estatales de aplicación en Arizona está autorizado a determinar el estatus migratorio de cualquier persona que razonablemente sospeche que pudiera estar en los Estados Unidos de manera ilegal. Formas de identificación sugeridas por el proyecto de ley incluye una licencia de conducir de Arizona, Arizona, tarjeta de identificación, tarjeta de inscripción tribal u otra identificación oficial emitida por un federal de los EE.UU., gobierno estatal o local.
• Sección 3 (abatido): En este apartado se han convertido en un crimen de Estado para los inmigrantes indocumentados no llevan a un documento de registro de extranjero. El gobernante afirmó que esta se limitó a reiterar la ley federal, y como tal fue reemplazado.
• En la sección 5C (abatido): En este apartado se han convertido en un crimen de Estado para los inmigrantes indocumentados para buscar un trabajo o realizar un trabajo en Arizona.
• La sección 6 (abatido): Esta parte del proyecto de ley habría permitido a un oficial de policía local o estatal para llevar a cabo una detención sin orden judicial cuando la policía tiene causa probable para creer que una persona ha cometido un delito grave, un delito menor o un delito que haría ellos extraíble de los Estados Unidos.
Los líderes de Houston Unidos y del pastor en Acción, dos grupos de derechos civiles, se reunieron el 6 de julio para una conferencia de prensa.
“Estos son amplias implicaciones radicales aquí, y cuando esta ley he puesto ante la Corte Suprema, nos sentamos todos preguntándose qué significará esto”, dice Mike Espinoza de Houston Unidos. “Serán los tribunales de asegurarse de que la policía no puede pedirnos nuestros trabajos sólo por el color de nuestra piel, o la voluntad de esta temporada abierta a los inmigrantes? Así pues, éstos son parte de las preguntas que todo el mundo está en sus casas que se enfrentan. ”
Espinoza dice que tienen un diálogo abierto con el Departamento de Policía de Houston. Sin embargo, admite que están trabajando en una con el Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Harris. También dice que no ve a los ojos a causa de su apoyo al programa 287G, la ley federal que la aplicación de la ley pareja con el ICE, Inmigración y Aduanas, para interceptar, entrevista y detener a extranjeros sospechosos de estar ilegalmente en el país.
Houston Unidos y del pastor en Acción se unieron para producir un foro con la esperanza de educar a la comunidad latina sobre exactamente lo que significa esta ley.

Gerardo Cárdenas con la Iglesia Nacional de identidad, un miembro de los Pastores en Acción, dice que quiere aclarar lo que la letra de la ley establece.

“Nuestra gente tiene miedo de ser perfil racial”, dice Cárdenas. “Lo que no queremos que ocurra es que la policía a pensar que son ilegales sólo porque nos fijamos hispana”.

“La población de los latinos en el Condado de Harris por sí sola es mayor que la población del estado de Colorado”, dice Espinoza.

De acuerdo con el Censo 2011 del Condado de Harris, la población de personas de origen hispano o latino es del 41,4% de la población total.

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Craig Watkins speaks at NAACP luncheon

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Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins was the keynote speaker for the NAACP’s Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Memorial Luncheon last Monday noon at the downtown Hilton Hotel Americas Ballroom.

A graduate of Prairie View A&M University and Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, Watkins made history in 2007 as the first African-American elected to the position of Criminal District Attorney in Texas.

Watkins told attendees that graduating from an HBCU as a political science major, learning the history of civil rights and having an uncle who was a member of the NAACP gave him a different perspective on many issues when he was elected.

One of the most important abilities that Watkins reminded the luncheon attendees that he had was his subpoena power.

“I choose who will come before a jury or a judge to state their case of a crime they may or may not have committed,” said Watkins. “It’s powerful.”

Watkins mentioned the importance of subpoena power to hone in the importance of having more minorities in the DA position since African American incarceration rate and execution rate are disproportionately high.

“I do realize as a person of color that in Texas and every other state in this country we have disproportionately used capitol punishment to execute people of color to seek justice and sometimes we have done it when they didn’t deserve it,” said Watkins.

Though he was never asked his position on capitol punishment in the United States, his opinion changed after seeing his first execution five years into being DA and realizing that a large number of the inmates in the holding chamber were African American.

According to Watkins, the high incarceration rate for African American men is systematic through the underlying correlation between crime and lack of education.

“There’s nothing wrong with people that look like me but the system,” said Watkins. “Those folks that I send to prison for crimes they actually committed are because they’re not educated.”

Attending the prestigious luncheon included civil rights activist Julian Bond, Tx Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Dist. 27) and Texas Congressmen Al Green.

Biden rouse the NAACP delegates at 103rd convention

Sheila Ray-Reed
The Houston Sun

Following a video presentation by President Barack Obama to the NAACP’s Final Plenary Session with his central theme being that in America you can make it if you try, regardless of who you are, what you look like and where you come from. “That is why we fought so hard for good jobs, a quality education, and a justice system that treats everybody fairly. That’s why we made health care reform a reality. That is why we are still fighting so hard today to build an economy so that everyone can have the confidence that their hard work will pay off. That is why as long as I have the honor to serve as your president, I will get up every single day and fight as hard as I can. That’s my promise to you, if you stand with me,” he said.

Vice President Joe Biden came out swinging complementing the President’s promise by first drawing a distinct difference between Mitt’s Romney’s agenda who addressed the Civil Rights organization a day before.

“I think Mitt Romney is a fine family man. I believe that he’s driven by what he believes. But the differences are so basic about how we view the future of America.” said the vice president.
Biden said the former Massachusetts governor’s agenda would hurt black working families as he outlined the differences. “We see early childhood education as the single most important criteria for minority children. Education does not play a role with Romney and the republican regime. They have it on the back burner. Just look at the budget cuts in early childhood education.” he said
Biden continued, and pointed out the hypocrisy of Romney’s educational ideas, “Romney says that decreasing classroom sizes for children could be harmful. Well, just take a look at the sizes of classes in those private schools,” said the vice president with sarcasm.

Other distinct differences were Romney opposing government for the development of renewable energy sources and efforts to equalized pay between men and women.

The Vice President enlightened and reminded the crowd that the Republicans of today are a far cry from the ones back in the day. “I didn’t think we would be back. I remember working with Republicans. And by the way, this ain’t your father’s Republican Party. I remember working with Republicans on motor-voter, on expanding the franchise on early voting, on voting by mail. Some of these were Republican ideas. But this is not the Republican Party here today, nor Romney’s,” he said.

The Vice President drew cheers as he credited the President for championing a landmark health care law, launching the mission that killed Osama bin Laden and stepping in to rescue the financial system and General Motors and Chrysler. “The Presidency is about character. It is about putting your country first. From the very moment, President Obama put his hand on that Bible that cold day in January, he has always put county first. I have watched him make some of the toughest decisions any President has had to make since Franklin Roosevelt. He save the nation’s financial system and stood up for the automobile industry even though it was not a popular decision,” said Biden.

He reminded the attendees that the very reason for the existence of the NAACP and at its core; is the right to vote. “Remember when you have the right to vote, you have the right to change things! And we, the President and I, and Eric, and all of us see those rights expanded and not diminished,” he said referring to Romney and the Republican’s agenda.

In closing, the Vice President offered a warning and asked the attendees to close their eyes and imagined what a Romney presidency would bring to civil rights.

“Let me close my friends, by saying. Imagine that the senior advisor on Constitutional Issues would be Robert Bork. Imagine on the recommendation of Attorney General and head of Civil Rights Division who would likely to be pick. Imagine what the Supreme Court would look like after four years of a Romney presidency,” he said.

He continued, “Folks this election in my view is at the heart and soul of America. These guys had a total different fundamental view. The President and I and you see America as in the eyes of the Scripture, ‘What you do to the least of my brothers; You do to me,’” concluded the Vice President.

Bork was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 for the Supreme Court but his nomination was defeated by Democrats. Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time.