LaLaLaLaLaEl Periódico Que No Se Queda Callado

$2.25

PPPPPolitiquerolitiquerolitiquerolitiquerolitiqueraaaaa“Si Se Puede”

Inside thisIssue

Albert Peña, Jr.1912-2006

By the Numbers

LULAC ElectsNew President:Rosa Rosales

Vilma LunaResigns fromLegislature

Social JusticeSummer SchoolWraps Up In July

Career Profile:Rubén Martinez

from UTSA

TYCCommitment

Profile

Calendar ofEvents

Feature Story:“There is nothing

illegal aboutwanting to feed

your family”

July, 2006Vol # 17 Num. 7

La Politiquera - July, 2006Page # 2

People in the News

Tapia- RuanoElected President

of ImmigrationLawyers Group

Carlina Tapia-Ruano, an attor-ney from Chicago, Illinois waselected President of the AmericanImmigration Lawyers Associa-tion during their 50th Annual con-vention in San Antonio, Texas.She is the first ever Latina to leadthis 10,000 member organization. An expert in various areas ofimmigration law includingbusiness, consular practice,deportation, employer sanctions,family, and naturalization Tapia-Ruano will serve as a leading AILAspokesperson on these issues. Currently, she is the head of theChicago law firm of Tapia-Ruano& Gunn P.C. and for 25 years hasconcentrated her practice in familyand employment basedimmigration law and representsclients before the immigration andfederal courts. Tapia-Ruano is a native of Cubawho immigrated to the U.S. as arefugee. Prior to entering theUnited States, her father was anattorney and her mother workedas an administrator in the CubanWhite House. After entering theU.S., her father worked in a factoryand her mother was employed asa domestic. Eventually both of herparents became Methodistministers in the Midwest. Tapia-Ruano received her BAdegree magna cum laud fromIllinois Wesleyan University andher J.D. from DePaul College ofLaw. She has written extensivelyon various topics related toimmigration law and serves as anadjunct professor of immigrationlaw.

Rosalie Ambrosinonamed provost at

UTSA Rosalie Ambrosino wasselected to be the Provost andVice President of Academic Affairseffective April 5, 2006. She hasserved as vice president forstudent affairs at the University ofTexas at San Antonio since 2001.From 1999 to 2001, she was theuniversity’s vice provost forundergraduate studies andenrollment. A social worker with a specialinterest in social welfare policy andmulticultural education,Ambrosino directed the Schoolof Social Work undergraduateprogram at the University ofTexas at Austin prior to joiningUTSA. She was one of the first 12faculty members inducted into UTAustin’s Academy of DistinguishedTeachers. Ambrosino holds a bachelor’sdegree in social work from theUniversity of Minnesota, am MAin educational administration andmulticultural education fromAntioch University, and adoctorate in social work from UT.

Dr. Gary Keller-Cárdenas wasnamed the National Associationof Chicana and Chicano StudiesScholar of 2006. This associationof Chicano academics wasfounded in 1972 and has beenactive in bring Chicano Studiesinto a more prominent place in theuniversity. Keller-Cardenas is currently aRegent’s Professor and memberof the Department of Chicana andChicano Studies at the Universityof Arizona. He also is the directorof the Hispanic Research Centerlocated at ASU. Among Dr. Keller-Cárdenas’sscholarly and institutionalachievements, are over 150scholarly and creative books, andgrant writing that has secured over$30 million dollars in federal andprivate funding. He earned hisPh.D. in Hispanic Literature andLinguistics from Columbia.

Luis JimenezPasses Away in

New Mexico

Dr. CárdenasNamed 2006

NACCS Scholar Luis Jimenez, noted Chicanoartist and sculptor was killed in anindustrial accident at his studio inHondo, New Mexico. Jimenezand two others were moving a largesculptor with a hoist when some-thing came loose and fell pinninghis leg to a table. He was rushedto the hospital where he was laterpronounced dead. Stuart Ashman, secretary of theNew Mexico Department ofCultural Affairs, called Jimenez“the most important Chicano artistin the United States. His talents asan innovator, great draftsman andsocial commentator, particularly onsocial issues of the MexicanAmerican Chicano community,made great contributions tocontemporary art in America.” Jimenez was born in El Paso,Texas and graduated from TheUniversity of Texas at Austin in1964. His works are on displaythroughout the United States.

Editor and PublisherAlfredo RodriguezAlfredo RodriguezAlfredo RodriguezAlfredo RodriguezAlfredo Rodriguez

Santos c/sSantos c/sSantos c/sSantos c/sSantos c/s

Associate EditorsEdna CamposEdna CamposEdna CamposEdna CamposEdna CamposYleana SantosYleana SantosYleana SantosYleana SantosYleana Santos

La Politiquera is a monthly pub-lication of Compadre Commu-nications. The editorial and busi-ness address is P.O. Box 19457Austin, Texas 78744 The tele-phone number is (512) 912-1077and the fax number is the same.The views represented here are ourown of course. The use, reproduc-tion or distribution of any part ofthis publication is strongly encour-aged, but do call and let us knowwhat it is you are using. If for somereason you do not like what we areprinting in this publication, youhave two choices; do nothing, inwhich case we will never know thedifference, or, you can sit yourselfdown and write us a letter. We, ofcourse, prefer the letter.

Telephone and FAX(512) 912-1077

Publisher’sStatement

PRODUCTIONLa Politiquera - July, 2006 Page # 3

Editorial

Alfredo R. Santos c/sEditor and Publisher

Welcome to the July, 2006 is-sue of La Politiquera. It hasbeen a very busy month withlots of breaking stories. Someof these stories you could seecoming down the line while oth-ers fueron una sorpresa total. Take for example the resigna-tion of Texas State Represen-tative Vilma Luna from Cor-pus Christi. According to Vilmashe made up her mind that itwas time to go over the 4th ofJuly holiday weekend. Ah uh. Over the last several monthsshe has been taking a lot of heatfrom different people for being“too close” to Texas Speaker ofthe House Tom Craddick.When Democratic state repre-sentatives took off to Oklahomaduring the redistricting fight in2003, Vilma did not join them.Her appointment as the vice-chair of the powerful appropria-tions committee by Craddick issaid to have been partial pay-ment for her “loyalty.” I recall a reception last yearin Austin at the Marriot Hotelfor the newly appointed presi-dent of the National Councilof La Raza, Janet Murguia.When the local politicos in at-tendance were recognized,Vilma Luna was booed. Solo uno sabe porque Vilmaha decedido dejar de serrepresentante estatal. Ella dicees porque quiere pasar mástiempo con su familia. Maybeso. Pero como sabemos todosen la politica, never take any-thing anybody does at facevalue. De todas maneras, wehave printed her exit statementon page # 7. Aver que te parece.

Another story in this issue ofLa Politiquera is on the pass-ing of Albert Peña, Jr. While Ireally can’t say I knew him, I didknow about him from people likeJaime Martinez and Jose An-gel Gutierrez. Dr. Gutierrezhad interviewed Mr. Peña backin 1996 for a Tejano Voices se-ries that can be found on theinternet.

I had read that interview sometime back but it was my impres-sion in recent years that manypeople were not aware of all thesacrifices and contributions ofMr. Peña. Maybe the Dr.Guiterrez’s forthcoming bookwill make us all realize what animportant man Albert Peña, Jr.was. We have reprinted ex-cerpts of his obituary on page #5.

A big congratulations to RosaRosales from San Antonio onhaving been elected presidentof the League of Latin Ameri-can Citizens. She has been atireless worker over the yearsand despite all la politica thatgoes with getting elected to any-thing, her time has indeedcome.

The story on page # 7, “Thereis Nothing Illegal About Want-ing to Feed Your Family” comesto us from Watsonville, Cali-fornia. As former resident ofthis once small city by theocean, I regularly check the lo-cal newspaper for stories ofpeople that I might know. I did not know the author, Mr.Elias Alonzo, but after readinghis story I decided to call himup and ask for permission to re-print it here in Texas. Withoutreservation he said yes and wespoke for a while about his com-munity activism in Watsonville.It is a very good story and wehope everyone sees the hu-manity in it.

On page # 8 is a short up dateon the Social Justice SummerSchool being held in Austin,Texas for the walkout studentswho took part in the pro-immi-gration marches earlier thisyear. The students are truly apassionate group and weshould look forward to hearingmore from them in the future.

Page # 9 is a continuation ofa series we started last year pro-filing faculty members from col-

leges and universities aroundthe country. Too often facultymembers do not get the public-ity they deserve for the hardwork they do. Our small careerprofile section is an attempt tohelp shine the light on theirwork. This month we feature Dr.Rubén Martinez from the Uni-versity of Texas at San Anto-nio.

On pages 10 and 11 we bringyou a “Commitment Profile”from the Texas Youth Com-mission. This is the Texas stateagency charged with locking upjuveniles. As you study the datayou will discover that every yearHispanic are the largest groupbeing locked up. It seems likeevery year the number keepsgetting bigger and bigger. When community based or-ganizations ask you to pay at-tention to what is going on withyoung people, I am reminded ofthe saying, “either we pay nowor we will all pay later.” I do notbelieve locking up more juve-niles is the answer. What I dobelieve is that we all have towork harder on the educationside of this issue.

Finally, we want to call to yourattention the calendar of events.(And last but not least,raúlsalinas has a new book outcalled raúlsalinas and the JailMachine. Stop by his book storein Austin and get a copy. Healso carries a lot of other books.

Page # 4 La Politiquera - July, 2006

Lo Que Estan Diciendo“My father worked as a trucker and then in a bakery, working 75hours a week for 75 cents an hour. Mom did not work. She had sixkids, all of whom went to school and graduated from college. We wentto church. None of us has a criminal record. We are law abiding, welove this country, but if some of the Republican bigots had their way,they would make sure my father went back. They have no compassion.My Dad would be headed back and that’s just wrong.”

Massey Villarreal, CEO and president of Precision Task Group, Inc.,and chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. In2000, Villarreal served as national Hispanic vice-chairman of the Bush/Cheney for President Campaign.

“Acquiring a second language takes time. People have to remember this is a languageissue, not a racial one. The majority of (limited-English) students are American born citi-zens are aren’t going to be sent out of the country anytime soon.”

Martha GarciaExecutive DirectorBilingual and English as a Second Language ProgramsAustin Independent School District

“In France, it is illegal to collect data on race and ethnicity, and affirmative action isfrowned upon. According to unofficial estimates, about 10 percent of France’s 61 millionresidents are of Arab or African descent.”

John Ward AndersonReporterWashington Post

By the NumbersNumber of Latinos serving aselected officials in Alaska, Ken-tucky, North Dakota, Missouri, Vir-ginia, South Carolina and Okla-homa

Number of Latinos serving asUnited States Senators

Number of Latinos serving aselected officials in Georgia

Percentage of Latinos whoturned out to vote in 2005 whenAntonio Villaraigosa was electedMayor of Los Angeles

Number of States in whichLatinos hold elective office

Number of Latinos serving inelected position in all of Texas in1996

Number of Latinos serving inelected positions in all of Texasin 2005

Number of Latinos who appliedto college in Texas in the Fall of2005

Number of Latinos in Texasprisons, state jails or substanceabuse facilities

Number of people locked up inthe State of Texas

1

3

43

25

7

3,743

5,132

134,293

45,060

26,618

Sources: National Association of Latino Electedand Appointed Officials, Texas Higher Educa-tion Coordinating Board, Texas Department ofCriminal Justice, Texas Commission on Youth

La Politiquera - July, 2006 Page # 5

Long Time Chicano Activist:Albert Pena Jr. Passes Away

Albert A. Peña Jr, age 88 went to be with theLord on July 3, 2006, in his hometown of SanAntonio, Texas. He was a WWII Veteran of theU.S. Navy. He served at Guantanamo Naval Basein Cuba and served on escort duty to the first alliedinvasion in North Africa. He was honorablydischarged at the wars end in 1945. He returned to San Antonio and completed hiseducation at South Texas School of Law in 1950.He joined his father and brother Richard at theLaw Firm of Peña, Peña and Peña. After joiningthe firm he recognized the need for people to havelegal counsel to deal with discriminatory practicesof the time. His first case in Hondo, Texas sparked a questto help those in need. It helped desegregate theschool system in Hondo. He began to focus onthese types of cases. He also began to becomeactive in the Democratic Party. He took manycases to help under privileged. He then becamea Bexar County Commissioner in 1956. In thatposition he would utilize that platform to speakout over social injustice, poor legislation andinequitable practices of others. He joined LULAC in its early days and theAmerican G.I. Forum. He also helped form theVIVA Kennedy Clubs which helped to electPresident John F. Kennedy. The organizationevolved into a political action group for MexicanAmericans in South Texas. It was called PASO -Polit ical Association of Spanish speakingOrganizations. He also helped form the MexicanAmerican Unity Council known as MAUC and theMexican American Legal Defense and EducationFund known as MALDEF. He was also part of the formation of SouthwestCouncil of La Raza. He helped organize the SASAboycott committee in 1971 in protest of statementsmade by then Mayor WW McAllister which werederogatory towards people of Mexican descent inwhich McAllister stated that Mexicans were notambitious people. He and other civil rights leaderswere arrested for this picketing. The boycott urgedall these “Mexicans without ambition” to withdrawtheir money and many of them did. He was involved in a nationwide petition driveto free Angela Davis, a college professor who wasdenied due process of law. She was a professorat UCLA and a professed Black Communist partymember. This denied her a right to a fair trail. Aftercivil rights legislation that prohibited discriminationwas passed in 1965 Albert was the first to file adiscrimination lawsuit in the state of Texas onbehalf of a client. Albert and his good friend G JSutton, a state legislator at the time and Black

east side leader, were the first minorities to enterJoskes Department store in downtown San Antonioto request seating at the Camilia Room, arestaurant known for restriction to minorities. After a lengthy wait for service their order wasfinally taken and their food served. They ate theirmeal and departed. The Joskes Camilia room wasnever the same as this set a precedent that endeddiscrimination at this establishment. Anotherincident involving G J Sutton involved theDemocratic convention of 1960 in Los Angeles Cain which Mr. Sutton was denied access to theconvention hall, however, Albert and otherdelegates challenged the security people andencouraged them to recognize his propercredentials and thus they allowed him access. He was appointed a Municipal Court Judge inApril 1977. Six years later he was appointed asthe Presiding Judge of the Municipal Courts in SanAntonio. In 1991 allegations of improprieties at thecourt were made and Judge Pena went to the StateCommission on Judicial Conduct and assistedthem in the investigation of the allegations.Allegations against him were determined to beunfounded. He retired in 1992 for Municipal Court. He semi-retired and practiced some law. Awardsreceived since his retirement include 1999 MexicanAmerican Unity Council Lifetime AchievementAward, 2001 Bexar County Democrats LifetimeAchievement Award, 2001 Martin Luther King Jr.Commission Chairman Lifetime Achievement,2002 Cesar Chavez March Lifetime AchievementAward, ACLU Lifetime Achievement Award.

The last time I saw Albert Peña Jr.was four years ago. I was working onthe program layout for the annual CesarChavez banquet for Jaime Martinezand Judge Peña was one of the honor-ees. I believe he was one of four thatwere being honored at the event. Jaimehad photos of everyone except Mr.Peña. So I asked Jaime, what are we goingto do? We searched the internet andcouldn’t find anything, old or recent. Wemade calls around town and no oneseemed to have a photo of Albert Peña,Jr. hanging on their wall either by him-self or as part of a group. ¿Que vamoshacer? Finally we realized that we had to callMr. Peña up and ask him if we couldborrow a photo for the program we weregetting ready to sent to the printer. Hetold to come over to his office and lookedaround for a good shot we could use. (Idon’t know why it didn’t occur to us tojust take a photo of him with the cam-era.) Anyway, we got a photo and prom-ised to return it in a couple of hours whilewe went to scan it. I share this memory with you becausethat was the last time I saw Albert Peña,Jr. I had always heard his name andpeople always spoke highly of him, but Idid not know him personally. I did knowthat Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez had in-terviewed him for the Tejano Voices se-ries some years ago and that he wasworking on a book about his life, but thatis all I really knew. It is only now after his passing that Icome to learn of all his pioneering workfor La Raza. It is sad but true, many timeswe only realize the valuable contribu-tions of people after they are gone. Hereis part of his obituary as it appeared inthe San Antonio Express News. Just from this short narrative it is clearthat Albert Peña, Jr. was indeed a manway out in front when it came to socialjustice. La Politiquera and all our friendsextend our condolences to the Peñafamily and look forward to reading thebook Dr. Gutierrez has been workingon.

La Politiquera - July, 2006Page # 6

Washington, DC – The Leagueof United Latin AmericanCitizens (LULAC) elects its newLULAC National President RosaRosales with over 70% of the voteby the delegates at the 2005LULAC National Convention inMilwaukee, Wisconsin.“I amelated at being elected the newPresident of LULAC and I amready to work with all groups totake LULAC to the next level ofactivism. I want to thank LULACand all the past Presidents for allthe work they have done. I wantto thank all of the volunteersbecause that is what LULAC is allabout. What makes LULAC sospecial is because not only do thevolunteers work for free but paydues,” said Rosa Rosales, pastVice President of the Southwestand the newly elected LULACNational President. Born April 7, 1944, in SanAntonio, Texas, Ms. Rosales wasamong the first Mexican Americanwomen to become labor organizersin recent times. Active in LULAC,she was the first woman to hold the

LULAC ELECTSLULAC ELECTSLULAC ELECTSLULAC ELECTSLULAC ELECTSNEW PRESIDENTNEW PRESIDENTNEW PRESIDENTNEW PRESIDENTNEW PRESIDENTROSA ROSALESROSA ROSALESROSA ROSALESROSA ROSALESROSA ROSALESThe second

woman to winoffice in

LULAC’s 77thhistory

Vilma LunaResigns as Texas State

RepresentativeThe OfficialStatement

Dear Community and Constituents:We live our lives in stages, each newstage bringing us new choices andfresh opportunities. For the last 13years, I have been privileged to serveas a member of the Texas House ofRepresentatives. But it is time for meto move on to a different stage in mylife. After a great deal of thought, I havedecided to withdraw as a candidatefor re-election to the Texas House of Representatives and resign effectiveJuly 31st. Why? My constituents have seen me grow from a singlewoman to a married woman to a mother of 2 wonderful boys. My familyhas been blessed many times over and we’ve tried to give back. I haveserved in 7 regular sessions and 7 special sessions. We’ve attendedDemocratic Party conventions with the boys in tow. We’ve been at longmeetings where the boys slept quietly through the proceedings. Theboys marched with Rico and me at the Cesar Chavez Marcha. Our sonshave toddled around the House chamber. We’ve spent weekends,holidays and even Mother’s Day at the State Capital. We’ve been blessed. But it is time for my family and I to have more flexibility in our lives.It is in our best interests, and in the best interest of my constituents tomake the move to the next stage of my life now. This allows the ElectionCode procedures to be followed so that the next State Representativefrom District 33 can be elected in November and serve a full termbeginning with the next legislative session. I began my service with thegoal of making our area and Texas a better place than when I began.Our region has a deep economic, social, and cultural interdependence,and as a member of the House of Representatives, I have worked to bea voice for the interests of the Coastal Bend and South Texas. I havebeen fortunate to serve on several committees that allowed me a frontrow seat on many issues important to our area and all of Texas. I am particularly proud of my work to improve our children’seducation and to reward those devoted teachers who spend their liveshelping children prepare for the future. When the state budget tightened,I’m proud that I worked tirelessly to find funding for programs thathelp those most vulnerable in our society. I’m especially proud to haveworked to help make my dear friend Irma Rangel’s dream of a Pharmacyschool in Kingsville a reality. Finally, I’ve been privileged to work sideby side with business, community, and union leaders to help create astrong economy for our Coastal Bend region. There is still much more to be done. I know that the person whosucceeds me will have the support and guidance of a wonderful groupof citizens whom I have had the honor to represent. Thank you.

position of State Director of thatorganization. She received herB.A. in Liberal Arts from theUniversity of Michigan. Rosawas recently on the NationalLULAC Board of Directorsholding the position of NationalVice President of the Southwest. The League of United LatinAmerican Citizens (LULAC) isthe oldest and largest Latino civilrights organization in the UnitedStates. LULAC advances theeconomic condition, educationalattainment, political influence,health, and civil rights of HispanicAmericans through community-based programs operating at morethan 700 LULAC councilsnationwide.

RosaRosales

La Politiquera - July, 2006 Page # 7

BY ELI ALONZO

He’s about 5-feet tall, dark-skinned, with jet black hair. Hisbarrel chest is ideal for the thin airin the high altitude of OaxacaMexico and his shoulders andstrong arms make him fit for hardlabor. Maybe you’ve seen him at ourWatsonville Plaza following theSunday Mass at Saint Patrick’sChurch lying on the grassdreaming - for what else arethoughts if not day dreams - ofEsmeralda his wife and their fivechildren in Totontepec. Octavio arrived in Watsonvillein April and, because of the rainand the late strawberry harvest,was immediately out of work. Hechecked weekly with the ranchforeman, waiting for the earth todry and yield its fruit. “This year God sent us water forEaster,” he said. “It’s difficult tobe without work, I’m in agreementwith God’s gift of water.” Octavio makes his way to thestrawberry fields of Watsonvilleevery year. In this sixth year, hecrossed the borderwith a group of 20men, women andchildren - a two-daydesert hike. On one trip heand fellowsojourners wherecaught by the U.S.Border Patrol “ lamigra” they weretreated well, givenwater, asked to identify the coyotein charge - a question theyanticipated and sacrificed, byagreement, a volunteer who gladlyspun a ridiculous story. Later avan, drove them to the Otay Mesaborder where the migra smiled,wishing them better luck fortomorrow.

Some of the stories areharrowing. Imagine 20 men,women and children walkingacross thedesert likequail insingle file,helping oneanother tomarch inrhythm andstay together. They leave theirhomeland, their family, theirculture and religion at great peril,transported by a chain of coyotesthat begins in the pueblos ofOaxaca. They descend 10,000 feet, crossthree cultures and a nationalborder; in all, a 2,000-mile trek.They cross the border on footthrough jagged canyons and barrendeserts, enduring the heat of dayand cold of night.

They run a gauntlet, takingWorld War One-like trenches andcorridors, caring to avoid ground

s e n s o r s ,Klieg lights,h e l i c o p t e rsurveillance,four-wheeld r i v evehicles andarmed borderp a t r o l se q u i p p e dwith night-v i s i o n

goggles. But the border patrol treats themkindly in contrast to a band ofarmed Cholo bandits on horseswho announce themselves as“welcoming ambassadors,”robbing, raping and maiming.

There’s nothing illegal aboutwanting to feed your family

Imagine 20 men, women andchildren walking across the desert

like quail in single file,

They run a gauntlet, takingWorld War One-like trenchesand corridors, caring to avoidground sensors, Klieg lights,

Once across America’s southernMaginot line, they maneuveraround checkpoints and continue

n o r t h ,stayingin aseries ofs a f ehouses.Finally,t h e

comparatively easy last leg of thetrip north, locked in a van for 10hours with 12 others.

Once here, they work at menial,low-pay, hard-labor jobs, oftencheated by the employer. Why dothey risk and endure so much? Thisis a complex human tragedy withnational and internationalimplications. The undocumentedMexican population is not here toterrorize, plunder and steal, nor dothey seek citizenship. They are victims of a corruptgovernment that takes advantageof its people instead of workingimprove conditions for all.Octavio, as many from Mexico,neither reads or writes. He has noability or desire for Americancitizenry.

At worst, these folks aresojourners - visitors with a countryof their own, which they love, flag,poverty and all. A family waits fortheir return. They are here to work,to earn dollars. They send half theirearnings home just so mom and thekids will not starve to death. Themore fortunate help harvest ourcrops in the Pajaro Valley, earninga bonanza of cash compared towages of maybe $10 a day inMexico.

Unable to read and here for onlyseven months, Octavio is obliviousto the anti-immigration turmoil.Liberal Americans with a socialjustice frame of mind marchedwith millions of Mexican-Americans who fear the dreadful“migra” knock at the door,arresting and loading their not-legal parents onto a van bound forthe border. This new generation of Latinosmarched in support of PresidentBush, Republicans and Democrats,men and women who were againstwhat appeared to be racially-motivated legislation with themindset “build a wall, jail them,deport them, fine and jail thosewho hire them as well.”

America has changed and theflow of undocumented workerswill continue, along with our needto keep America’s economymoving. Illegal immigrants willstop filling low-tech, hard-laborjobs only when Mexico, asovereign nation, cleans up its act,cooperates with our governmentand we, as a compassionate,understanding neighbor, give ahelping hand as part of thesolution.

Elias Alonzo is a Watsonville,California resident andcommunity activist. This story wasprinted with his permission. It firstappeared in the WatsonvilleRegister-Pajaronian.

Once here, they workat menial, low-pay, hard-labor

jobs, often cheated bythe employer.

They are here to work,to earn dollars.

America has changed and theflow of undocumented workers

will continue, along with ourneed to keep America’s

economy moving.

La Politiquerawww.lapolitiquera.com

Page # 8 La Politiquera - July, 2006

Social Justice Summer Schoolin Austin, Texas

Dr. Federico Subervi Speaks toStudents at Social Justice School

The Social JusticeSummer Schoolsponsored by AustinVoices and a numberof community basedorganizations com-pleted its fifth week ofoperation on July 6th. Students participat-ing in the summerschool have had theopportunity to seeand hear a number ofguest speakers in-cluding Dr. FedericoSubervi who came inand did a presenta-tion on the media andimagery. The stu-dents were quite sur-prised to learn howthe media works to constructthe images we see on televi-sion. Other visitors to the SocialJustice Summer School haveincluded a number of reportersfrom both radio and newsprintwho have interviewed the stu-dents about their activism andwhat they are learning this sum-mer. On July 6th, the studentswere treated to a theatrical pre-sentation by the Youth ActionNetwork. The group of approxi-mately 17 students came in dida series of mini skits on datingviolence, stereotypes and peerpressure. The final week of the SocialJustice Summer School willinclude a visit to the Universityof Texas School of Social ofSocial Work, the UT Law

Among the sponsors that have steppedforward to help with this project are:

American Civil Liberties Union Taco CabanaSouthwest Key Program, Inc. Dr. Emilio ZamoraTexas Coalition Advocating Juvenile JusticeOffice of the Police MonitorCity of Austin Dr. Angela ValenzuelaUnidos de Austin La Voz Newspapers

School and the Center forMexican American Studies. In the fall when the studentsreturn to their respective cam-puses, they will continue to par-ticipate with Austin Voices forEducation and Youth in orga-nizing a rally around the issueof High School Redesign. Thisrally is set for September 9th,2006 at Saltillo Plaza in EastAustin. Students from the Social Jus-tice Summer School and oth-ers who are being recruited willalso have the opportunity towork a number of action re-search projects. One in re-search particular that shouldprove very interesting is theidentification and whereaboutsof those students who havedropout of high school in the lastfour years and the whereabouts

of those who did graduate, butdid not continue on to college.Through the use of yearbooks,leads and referrals from friendsand family, this project will adda very unique voice to the highschool redesign discussionscurrently taking place in theAustin Independent SchoolDistrict.

Page # 9La Politiquera - July, 2006

Career ProfileDr. RubénMartinez

Professor of Public Administrationat the University of Texas at San Antonio

B.A. University of Southern Colorado, 1976M.A. Arizona State University, 1978Ph.D. University of California, Riverside 1984

This career profile is the sixth in a se-ries sponsored by La Politiquera.Please send in updates of what you aredoing in your career and we will workthem in using the format above.

Dr. Rubén Martinez is Profes-sor of Public Administration at theUniversity of Texas at San An-tonio. He came to San Antonioin 2001 from the University ofSouthern Colorado where hetaught sociology and served asAssociate Provost. A specialist in social stratification,race and ethnic relations andbioregional sociology, Dr.Martinez earned his bachelor’sdegree from the University ofSouthern Colorado in 1976. Hethen went on to Arizona StateUniversity for a masters degreein 1978 and the University of Cali-fornia at Riverside where heearned his Ph.D. in sociology in1984. From 1997-1998, Dr. Martinezserved as President of the West-ern Social Science Association.His Presidential Address, “Global-ization and the Social Sciences,”was published in The Social Sci-ence Journal. In 1994-1995, heserved as an American Councilof Education Fellow, studyingissues in higher education andserving as an intern under Dr.Robert Shirley, President of theUniversity of Southern Colo-rado. In 1993, he and ProfessorAdalberto Aguirre, Jr., publisheda book on Chicanos in HigherEducation where they argued thatwhile the civil rights struggles ofthe 1960s were important in shap-ing the aims of higher educationfor Chicanos, and the federal gov-ernment was the source of sup-port programs that facilitated theparticipation of Chicanos in highereducation, these programs alsodid something else. They rein-forced the subordinate status ofChicanos in U.S. society. Chicanostudents, Martinez and Aguirre

argued were channeled into two-year colleges, where they becamevictims of low transfer rates to four-year institutions and high attritionrates. Thus, the number ofChicano students at four-year in-stitutions has been low, even lowerat some more prestigious institu-tions of higher education.

Martinez grew up in the moun-tains of Northern New Mexico andafter high school served in the U.SArmy. As he was ending his tourof duty in Germany he applied tothe university and began a periodof study that would last 11 yearsending with his doctorate. When asked recently about hiscareer trajectory thus far he statedthat he was amazed by how fastlife has gone by. “It’s been a greatcareer thus far and it is not overyet. There is so much more to doin terms of research, writing, andinstitutional transformation.” He said that the writers who haveinfluenced him the most havebeen, the German philosophers

such as Kant and Hegel, but that19th century thinkers such asComte, Marx, Weber, and otherswere equallyinfluential. From the 20th century he saysTalcott Parsons, JurgenHabermas, Anthony Giddens,Michael Polanyi, David Searleand Dorothy Smith have had themost impact. And with respect toChicano scholars he includesRodolfo Acuña, Rudolfo Anaya,Tomas Rivera, and Helena MariaViramontes among his favorites.

Most recently Dr. Martinezworked with a program called His-panic Leadership Program inAgriculture and Natural Re-sources to increase the numberof Hispanics who will work for theUnited States Department of Ag-riculture and who are familiar withthe needs of Latino agriculturalcommunities and the challengesthat USDA agencies experience inaddressing them. Several cohortsof graduate students have com-

pleted the program and have be-gun working with the USDA inWashington, D.C. and in Califor-nia. In addition to all of this work,Dr. Martinez just completed a yearas interim chairman of the Depart-ment of Criminal Justice and is be-ginning a term as Director of theCenter for Policy Studies, which ispart of the College of PublicPolicy. He is currently working withDavid Espino, M.D., in conduct-ing a study on “Decision Makingat the End of Life in MexicanAmerican Elderly.” Their data col-lection will include 300 interviewsof participants. His forthcoming book with Dr.Aguirre, Diversity Challenges forLeadership in High Education, isexpected out late this year. In itthey call for institutions of highereducation to get serious aboutmeeting the needs of diverse stu-dent groups in order to meet theeconomic and leadership needs ofthe nation.

. . .and began a period ofstudy that would last 11years ending with his

doctorate.

Most recently Dr. Martinezworked with a program

called Hispanic LeadershipProgram in Agriculture . . .

Page # 10 La Politiquera - July, 2006

The youth sent to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) are the state’s most serious or chronicallydelinquent offenders. In fiscal year 2005 (9/04 - 8/05), 33% of new arrivals had committed violent offenses,the same percentage as in fiscal 2004. Overall, 38% of new arrivals were categorized as high riskoffenders.

90% were boys. 10% were girls.

43% were Hispanic. 33% were African-American. 23% were Anglo.

35% admitted at intake that they are gang members.

Median age at commitment was 16.

Median reading and math achievement level was 5th grade (five years behind their peers).

40% were identified as eligible for special education services.

10% of the TYC population were Limited English Proficient.

81% had IQs below the mean score of 100.

39% had a high need for drug treatment.

36% had severe mental health problems.

76% had parents who never married or who divorced or separated.

35% had a history of being abused or neglected.

62% came from low-income homes.

74% came from chaotic environments.

54% had families with histories of criminal behavior.

11% had family members with mental impairments.

49% were in juvenile court on two or more felony-level offenses before being committed to TYC.

Our MissionProtection - To protect the public, and control the commission of unlawful acts by youthcommitted to the agency by confining them under conditions that ensure their basic healthcare andemphasize their positive development, accountability for their conduct and discipline training.(Family Code, Section 51.01(1), (2) and (4) and Human Resources Code, Section 61.101(c));

Productivity - To habilitate youth committed to the agency to become productive and responsiblecitizens who are prepared for honorable employment through ongoing education and workforcedevelopment programs (Human Resources Code, Section 61.034(b) and 61.076(a)(1));

Rehabilitation - To rehabilitate youth committed to the agency and re-establish them in societythrough a competency-based program of Resocialization (Human Resources Code, Section61.002, 61.047, 61.071, 61.072, 61.076(a)(1)(2) and 61.0761); and

Prevention - To study problems of juvenile delinquency, focus public attention on special solutionsfor problems, and assist in developing, strengthening, and coordinating programs aimed atpreventing delinquency (Human Resources Code, Section 61.031, 61.036 and 61.081 (c)).

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC)is Texas’ juvenile corrections agency.

TYC Overview

Page # 11La Politiquera - July, 2006

Fiscal Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

TOTALS 2406 2448 2511 2526 2614

ANGLO 635 642 628 561 606BLACK 822 818 771 794 857HISPANIC 930 971 1102 1156 1125OTHER ETHNICITY 19 17 10 15 26

MALE 2161 2237 2248 2261 2354FEMALE 245 211 263 265 260

U.S. CITIZENSHIP 2311 2327 2346 2353 2457MEXICAN CITIZENSHIP 82 94 143 143 132OTHER CITIZENSHIP 13 27 22 30 25

COMMITTED AGE 12 OR LESS 41 35 19 33 37COMMITTED AGE 13 123 123 127 114 111COMMITTED AGE 14 353 325 313 311 318COMMITTED AGE 15 647 636 629 653 659COMMITTED AGE 16 893 908 975 945 963COMMITTED AGE 17 342 411 427 453 502COMMITTED AGE 18 6 10 21 17 24COMMITTED AGE 19 1

NOT KNOWN GANG MEMBER 1392 1491 1683 1656 1701KNOWN GANG MEMBER 1014 957 828 870 913

LAST GRADECOMPLETED-4TH OR LESS 7 7 9 10 12LAST GRADE COMPLETED-5TH 47 52 30 28 39LAST GRADE COMPLETED-6TH 174 172 136 106 110LAST GRADE COMPLETED-7TH 417 396 336 280 273LAST GRADE COMPLETED-8TH 1021 952 1145 1105 1167LAST GRADE COMPLETED-9TH 567 603 668 794 720LAST GRADE COMPLETED-10TH OR MORE 164 253 180 190 206MISSING 9 13 7 13 87

COMMITTED FROM HARRIS 403 401 400 527 580COMMITTED FROM DALLAS 286 251 286 212 300COMMITTED FROM BEXAR 247 229 188 226 237COMMITTED FROM TARRANT 175 164 170 190 153COMMITTED FROM TRAVIS 82 64 92 76 111COMMITTED FROM EL PASO 51 33 71 71 62COMMITTED FROM LUBBOCK 43 65 84 66 48COMMITTED FROM JEFFERSON 59 36 26 34 37COMMITTED FROM MCLENNAN 62 76 41 54 36COMMITTED FROM SMITH 29 31 39 39 35COMMITTED FROM GALVESTON 36 55 65 49 33COMMITTED FROM HIDALGO 19 36 41 45 32COMMITTED FROM BELL 27 38 31 37 31COMMITTED FROM FORT BEND 28 35 36 38 28COMMITTED FROM NUECES 29 23 30 44 27COMMITTED FROM OTHER COUNTIES 830 911 911 818 864

Commitment Profile

Page # 8 La Politiquera - July , 2006

Attorney at Law“Miedo, no tengo!”

CharlieJones

(210) 225-5005

Nopalito PRESSSeeking to Capture the Voices,Pensamientos y Palabras de la

Gente de Southwest Texaswww.nopalitopress.com

Calender of EventsJuly 14, 2006 Southwest Voter Registration and

Education Project Latino Vote 2006California BanquetLocation: Sheraton Universal Hotel333 Universal Hollywood DriveUniversal City, CaliforniaFor more information, please contactYvette Rivas at (210) 922-0225

July 15th, 2006 Country Roland BandAppearing in Rio Grande City, Texas.!Start Time: 9:00 PMLocation @ The K. C. Hall(1 Block East of the Court House)Rio Grande City, TexasFor More Information Lisa - 956-735-2444

July 22nd, 2006 Little Joe y La FamiliaFt.Worth,Tx- Billy Bob’s Texas

July 27-29 Great Texas Mosquito FestivalClute Municipal Park; 100 Park View DriveCity of CluteDana PomerenkeP.O. Box 997; Clute, TX 77531(979) 265-8392; (800) 371-2971; Fax (979)265-8767buzz[at]SPAMAWAYmosquitofestival.comMusic: Cajun, Country, Rock, Tejano, Texascountry Activities: Street dance, AthleticEvents: Skating, Biking, Running, Horseshoes,Washer Pitching, PaintballThe Great Texas Mosquito Festival activitiesinclude live national entertainment acts, amosquito calling contest, 5K fun run, a bikeand skate tour, barbecue and fajita cookoffs,horseshoe and washer tournaments, acarnival, and a variety of both food and artsand crafts booths.

July 28th, 2006 The Hometown Boys and the TexasWranglers in Austin, Texas. Doors open at8:00PM. For more information please call (512)282-1143. H and H Ballroom 4402 Brandt RoadAustin, Texas 78744

July 29th, 2006 Little Joe y La FamiliaLockhart,Tx-St.Mary’s Church Festival

August 11-13, 2006 Southwest Voter Registration andEducation ProjectSan Antonio Latino AcademySan Antonio, TexasFor more information, please contactYvette Rivas at (210) 922-0225

September 14, 2006 Xavier Garza and René Saldaña will read fromtheir works at the Edinburg Public Library as partof the Texas Latino Voices project. For moreinformation, contact Gail Bialas at the Texas Centerfor the Book at the Dallas Public Library:gailbialas@dallaslibrary.org or 214-670-7808.

Page # 9La Politiquera - July, 2006

NOW AVAILABLE!Resistencia Bookstore1801-A South First St.

Austin, Tejas 512-416-8885