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Obama unveils immigration reform for America�s 21st Century Economy

LAS VEGAS, NV - On Tuesday, January 29, speaking at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas Presidente Barak Obama discussed necessary changes required in the United States� presently outdated and unfair immigration policy in order to keep the nation leading the way within the 21st century economy. "We are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea, the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That�s why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything

John F. Kennedy's last night was dedicated to Latinos at a LULAC gathering

Latinos helping President Obama win swing states during the election was huge, but not new.� It happened before and started with Latino support during John F. Kennedy's drive to the presidency.� And the night before he was assassinated, he made a surprise thank you visit to a Houston gathering of Latinos. And as was the case in the recent election, USA reports that in 1960 Republicans were challenged with Latino voters. Latinos also identified with Kennedy, who was Catholic and

President Barak Obama Re-Elected

President Obama established César E. Chávez National Monument

KEENE, CA - President Obama on Monday declared the California home of renowned labor leader César Chávez a national monument. Chávez is known as the father of the farm labor movement in the 1960s, and fought for better working conditions, especially for Latino farm workers and their families. "Our world is a better place because César Chávez decided to change it. Let us honor his memory, but most importantly, let us live up to his example. Sí, se puede. Sí, se puede. Sí, se puede," Obama

GOP group asked Eva Longoria for an apology

GOP group asked Eva Longoria for an apology MARSHAL, MN - National pro-immigration reform group Cafe Con Leche Republicans today reacted to Eva Longoria's apology over her recent retweet of a tweet stating women and minorities who vote for Romney are "stupid." Bob Quasius, of Cafe Con Leche Republicans, said "Eva has apologized publicly for retweeting a remark that many conservative women and minorities found offensive. We accept her sincere apology, and appreciate Eva's immigration reform

President Obama established César E. Chávez National Monument

Dolores Huerta awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC - President Barack Obama named Dolores Huerta as one of the 13 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The list includes former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Bob Dylan, former astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Toni Morrison, and former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious

The Affordable Care Act and Hispanics

WASHINGTON, DC - As we commemorate the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act this Friday, it�s worth taking a look at the many ways this landmark health reform law is making a difference in the lives of Americans, especially Latinos who suffer disproportionately from a lack of access to coverage. Thirty two percent of Latinos were uninsured in 2009 � higher than any other racial or ethnic group � and half of Latinos did not have a regular doctor, compared to only one-fifth of white

Silicon Valley Leaders Fund Scholarships for Dreamers

LOS ANGELES, CA - A group of Silicon Valley technology leaders, impatient with attempts to rewrite immigration laws, is funding efforts to help undocumented youths attend college, find jobs and stay in the country despite their illegal status. The group includes Jeff Hawkins, inventor of the Palm Pilot, the family foundations of Andrew Grove, co-founder of Intel Corp.; Mark Leslie, founder of the former Veritas Software Corp., and Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple Inc. co-founder Steve

GM invites Hispanic students at The Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO, IL - General Motors invited a group of students from the Latino Youth High School to experience the Chicago Auto Show and hear from GM representatives as they unveiled the 2013 Acadia. The students were invited to a GM �Learn it Live� luncheon where they had the opportunity to apply their imaginations and learn about the GM areas of design, colors and materials. Alma Guajardo-Crossley, Director of Diversity at General Motors welcomed the Latino Youth High School students to the Auto

Super Bowl XLVI: Hernandez and Cruz Hispanic pride

INDIANAPOLIS IN - �Silk City Salsa� king and New York Giants� wide receiver Victor Cruz is making the biggest splash among Latinos with his quick rise in popularity. Cruz finished the regular season with 1,536 receiving yards, best for third in the NFL, but is better known among Latinos for the unmistakably Hispanic name on the #80 jersey he sports, not to mention his smooth moves in the end zone. Not to be overlooked, joining him in this Sundays Super Bowl XLVI, is a fellow second year

Congress is urged to preserve Child Tax Credit EITC

WASHINGTON, DC - Heading into the 2012 legislative session, lawmakers are proposing to raise taxes on hardworking, low-income Latino families to pay for an extension of the payroll tax cut. Rather than asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes, legislators are proposing cutting off access to the Child Tax Credit for taxpayers who use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN). NCLR (National Council of La Raza) estimates that more than four million Latino

USDA to resolve all claims of Hispanic farmers discrimination

WASHINGTON, DC - As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced improvements to a process announced last February to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans. "The Obama Administration has made it a priority to resolve all claims of past discrimination at USDA, and we are

Obama administration announces new family unity waivers

WASHINGTON, DC - The Citizenship and Immigration Services announce on January 6will publish a formal notice in the Federal Register of a new regulation that would allow for undocumented immigrants to obtain a provisional waiver in the U.S. before they leave for their country of origin to pick up their green cards. The waiver will allow the undocumented immigrant to have certainty that they will be allowed to return to the U.S. in a short period of time. Under the law, an undocumented

President Obama appoints Shakira to education commission

WASHINGTON, DC - President Obama has appointed Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, the Colombian singer better known around the world as Shakira, to the presidential commission on education for Hispanics. She was officially handed the position during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Shakira, who has long been involved with educational issues in her homeland through her Barefoot Foundation, admits she is flattered to have been approached for the role and insists the

All current deportation cases to be reviewed

WASHINGTON, DC - Today the Department of Homeland Security issued a letter to Congress announcing that all 300,000 cases currently in deportation proceedings will be reviewed by DHS, one-by-one, in an effort to focus purely on �high-priority� cases of criminals and individuals who pose a serious threat to the US. Cases deemed �low-priority� as children, military families, individuals brought here at a young age, same-sex couples, and sole-bread winners will be completely removed from the

Failing to raise the debt limit will harm the USA

WASHINGTON, DC - If Congress fails to raise the debt limit before August 2 the United States�s credit rating will almost certainly be downgraded and interest rates will jump. Without the ability to borrow, the federal government will have no choice but to immediately cut the payments it is obligated to make by 40 percent. This will threaten Social Security benefits, active-duty military pay, Medicare and Medicaid payments, and all other federal activities, from law enforcement to education to

The Mexican-American Boom: Births overtake immigration

WASHINGTON DC - Births have surpassed immigration as the main driver of the dynamic growth in the U.S. Hispanic population. This new trend is especially evident among the largest of all Hispanic groups-Mexican-Americans, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. In the decade from 2000 to 2010, the Mexican-American population grew by 7.2 million as a result of births and 4.2 million as a result of new immigrant

Eva Longoria joined Congresswoman Roybal-Allard to protect child farmworkers

WASHINGTON, DC - At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Actor and Activist Eva Longoria joined Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and other child advocates today in announcing the introduction of "The Children�s Act for Responsible Employment" (CARE), legislation which ensures adequate protections for children working in our nation�s agricultural fields. �Agriculture is the only industry governed by labor laws that allow children as young as 12 to work with virtually no

Got Milk? Walk the red carpet with Sofia Vergara

NEW YORK, NY - Sofia Vergara, the Colombian actress unveiled her latest Got Milk? ad. The Hispanic Got Milk campaign joined the 50 Most Beautiful People en Español in New York City to show mothers that they are a powerful example for their children as part of the refocused campaign calling attention to the influence mothers have on the health and nutrition of their children. In the ad featuring Sofia with her life example, her mother, Margarita Vergara Dávila reads as follows. "Behind

Osama Bin Laden Dead

We applaud Our Troops, Our Spies, and Our Commander-in-Chief. Nearly 10 years after the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, justice is now served upon the criminal most responsible for the murder of 3,000 Americans. Osama bin Laden is dead as a result of the tenacious pursuit by U.S. intelligence and two Navy SEAL units ordered into action by President Barack Obama on Sunday, May 2, 2011. The leader of Al Qaeda declared war on the United States but waged a merciless war on humanity, and

House Budget targets critical programs

WASHINGTON, DC - The Continuing Resolution for H.R. 1 to fund the federal government through September will come to the House floor today with dozens of slashed programs and many Americans, particularly communities of color, will be feeling some serious pinches to vital resources when it passes. Disproportionately, people of color will be subjected to the real pain of having their threadbare safety net cut wide open as those who are low-income, facing the high costs of health disparities, and

Kate Del Castillo and Rico Rodriguez to be Honored by St. Jude Hospital

LOS ANGELES, CA - Kate del Castillo, from the Telemundo record-breaking show "La Reina del Sur" and Rico Rodriguez, from the Emmy award-winning show "Modern Family," will be honored at the 2nd Annual St. Jude 'Estrellas por la Vida' (Stars for Life) gala on April 15, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Club Nokia at LA Live, in Los Angeles, CA. The event, which benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is a celebration of life and gives back to kids who are battling cancer and other catastrophic

Eva Longoria is giving a voice to abused children

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - Eva Longoria, the 36-year-old actress attended the documentary's premiere at Mexico's Guadalajara International Film Festival on Saturday. Longoria says she wants to be the voice of thousands of silent children working in deplorable conditions around the world. The "Desperate Housewives" star is the executive producer for "Harvest," a documentary that follows three migrant boys as they work 14-hour days in U.S. fields along the border with Mexico. Longoria says she

Many U.S. women have children by more than one man

The first national study of the prevalence of multiple partner fertility shows that 28 percent of all U.S. women with two or more children have children by more than one man. The study will be presented April 1 in Washington, D.C., at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America. �I was surprised at the prevalence,� says demographer Cassandra Dorius, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR). �Multiple partner fertility is an

Mexican President Calderon meets President Obama

WASHINGTON, DC- Felipe Calderon, Mexico�s President, and U.S. President Barack Obama met for talks in the White House Thursday, March 3rd. The two heads of state praised their cooperation on issues of border security and commerce. "We are very mindful that the battle President Calderon is fighting inside of Mexico is not just his battle, it�s also ours," Obama said. However, he said it was "a challenging task." It is hard to remember a more important meeting between the president of Mexico

Shakira is honored at Harvard

CAMBRIDGE, MA - Some 1,200 people jammed into Sanders Theatre to cheer renowned Colombian-born singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Shakira, who received the Harvard Foundation�s 2011 Artist of the Year award on February 26. �Shakira�s contributions to music and distinguished history of creativity have been applauded by people throughout the world, and she is greatly admired worldwide for her humanitarian efforts through her Barefoot Foundation, which aims to promote a better quality of

Danny Hernandez credited with saving Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

TUCSON, AR - For Danny Hernandez, the shootings on Saturday, January 8 in Tucson, Arizona that critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) were a life-changing moment during which many say he demonstrated unparalleled heroism. Hernandez, who�s Hispanic and had worked as an intern for Giffords for just five days at the time of the shooting, is credited with providing the first aid that saved her life. In an interview with the Washington Blade, Hernandez, 20, a political science

10 New Years Resolutions

WASHINGTON, DC - Following through on your New Years resolutions is not always easy, especially when youre trying to change your lifestyle or a long-standing habit. Luckily theres plenty of help to go around. The federal government has a wide variety of resources to help you fulfill those New Years resolutions, from saving money and losing weight to getting a better education and quitting smoking. The government has many tools to help you meet your goals 1. Quitting Smoking More than 70

U.S. population at 308,745,538 a 9.7 increase

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Census Bureau announced that the 2010 Census showed the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308,745,538. The resident population represented an increase of 9.7 percent over the 2000 U.S. resident population of 281,421,906. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Acting Commerce Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank and Census Bureau Director Robert Groves unveiled the official counts at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. "A big thanks to

Chilean miners on "CNN Heroes" Thanksgiving Day

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The miners who survived two months underground in Chile have been given a rousing reception in Los Angeles at a media interview conducted by CNN. The 33 miners from Chile and five of the six underground rescuers are in Los Angeles this week for their first groups visit to a foreign country since being freed last month. They were invited by CNN to attend the networks annual "Heroes" program; An All-Star Tribute, which will air worldwide on Thanksgiving evening, November

Dustin McDaniel seek continued funding for anti-drug initiative

LITTLE ROCK, AR � Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to ask Secretary Clinton to maintain funding for a program utilized by attorneys general across the country to combat drug trafficking. McDaniel and a delegation of five other state attorneys general from the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) went to Washington to ask Clinton to commit the State Department to continued support of a CWAG initiative that provides

Hispanics march to the Polls 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- 5.5 million Hispanics voted in the 2006 midterm elections. In the 2008 general election, 10 million Hispanics voted. Now, in 2010, some groups calculate that 6.5 million Hispanic and Latinos will turn out at the polls. Next week, on November 2, we�ll know for sure how accurate that number is. What we know now is that a range of unprecedented efforts to ensure Hispanic and Latino voter turnout is underway�since the Latino vote could be decisive in determining the

WBO Junior Featherweight Championship to Air in Spanish on WAPA America

NEW YORK, NY -- WAPA America, the U.S. cable network arm of the leading broadcaster in Puerto Rico, WAPA Television, will televise the featherweight title boxing match in which Puerto Ricos WBO junior featherweight champion Wilfredo "WV2" Vazquez Jr. (20-0-1, 17 KOs) takes on Mexicos former super flyweight king, Ivan "Choko" Hernandez (28-5-1, 17 KOs), to defend his WBO junior featherweight title. WAPA America will transmit the fight, which aired live in the U.S. on Pay-Per-View on October 16,

The 6 LESSONS Chile taught America�s corporations on business leadership

Over the past three years the United States and its people have experienced crisis and change in ways we have not seen since the Great Depression. From the missteps of corporate giants like BP and Toyota, to our own economic meltdown that was driven by greed and distrust, we have suffered setback after setback, and our confidence has waned accordingly. But now, it�s time for us to learn some new lessons about business leadership in the face of tremendous adversity � and from an apparently

Hispanic families celebrated al NCLR Expo

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza,) the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, was joined on by Mayor Julián Castro of San Antonio and his family and NCLR Board Chair Daniel Ortega at the festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that launched the National Latino Family Expo during the 2010 NCLR Annual Conference in San Antonio on June 10th. Also joining the ceremony was Dora the Explorer on her 10th

WORLD CUP 2010: Spain V. Holland

Hundreds of national soccer teams from around the world began to compete in 2007 for only 32 slots and the privilege to participate in the ultimate soccer tournament. After 63 exhilarating games filled with the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, only 2 teams remain with the chance to be crowned the 2010 World Cup champions. Hola! Arkansas congratulates World Cup Finalists Spain and Holland as they battle it out for the biggest crown in soccer and arguably in the world of

President Clinton to visit projects in Latin America

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- In June, President Clinton will travel to Latin America to visit projects that are a part of the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative (CGSGI). Established in June 2007 by President Bill Clinton and philanthropist Frank Giustra, CGSGI is an innovative partnership between the Clinton Foundation, the private sector, governments, local communities, and other NGOs, which focuses on alleviating poverty in the developing world through market-driven development that

Pepsi �I COUNT� to showcase how Hispanics are changing the landscape of the United States

PURCHASE, NY -- Pepsi today announced the official launch of YO SUMO (I Count), an initiative created to show the world the incredible contributions that Latinos have made to the United States. In the spirit of the 2010 Census, Pepsi is encouraging Latinos to go beyond being counted and begin "to count" by sharing the experiences that have helped shape the landscape of this great country. To accomplish the YO SUMO mission, Pepsi partnered with renowned actress and humanitarian Eva Longoria

Karla Jaquez to represent Arkansas at Miss Latina US 2010

CONWAY, AR -- Conway resident Karla Jaquez has been chosen Miss Arkansas Latina 2010 and will compete with 20 other young women of Hispanic and Latino heritage for the national title Miss Latina US 2010 beginning May 25 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Jaquez a 21-year-old college freshman is of Mexican heritage and a Director of Focus Groups for Conway Schools. �If Karla she wins the national title, she will advance to the international Miss Latin America of the World Pageant in

AMHC welcomes U.S. Surgeons General to minority health summit

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The Arkansas Minority Health Commission (AMHC), in collaboration with the Office of Governor Mike Beebe, Philander Smith College, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, UAMS Center for Diversity Affairs, Arkansas Department of Health Office of Minority Health, University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, the Migrant Education Program, and the Boston Mountain Education Cooperative will hold the Arkansas

Supreme Court decision protects right to immigration advice

WASHINGTON, DC -- The American Immigration Council applauds today's Supreme Court decision on the right to counsel for noncitizens charged with committing a crime.

The Court held that criminal defense lawyers must advise their noncitizen clients about the risk of deportation if they accept a guilty plea.

The Court recognized that current immigration laws impose harsh and mandatory deportation consequences onto criminal convictions, and that Congress eliminated from these

Eva Longoria celebrates $1 Million total donation to PADRES Contra El Cáncer

BURBANK, CA --AT&T presented a $300,000 check to PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES) national spokeswoman Eva Longoria Parker, signifying a $1 million total donation to benefit the organization.

The money was raised during AT&T�s fourth annual campaign to benefit PADRES, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of

life for Latino children with cancer and their families.

�I�m thrilled to accept a fourth check from AT&T, especially since today we are

USCIS announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunities

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Thursday, February 25 the availability of two different grants totaling $7 million designed to promote citizenship education and immigrant integration in communities across the country.

Funding will expand local capacity to prepare legal residents for citizenship

�Each aspiring citizen represents a personal story of sacrifice and triumph,� said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas.

�This funding

Arkansas� reaction to former President Clinton's surgery

LITTLE ROCK, AR � Former President Bill Clinton left hospital in excellent health after emergency heart surgery to insert two stents in a blocked artery.

The former US President walked to his car from Columbia Presbyterian hospital in New York and waved to reporters as he drove home to suburban Chappaqua.

His wife Hillary, the US Secretary of State, was with him at the hospital after postponing a trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia by 24 hours until today so that she could be by his

Handler Gabriel Rangel favorite to win National Dog Show

NEW YORK, NY -- The National Dog Show is the most famous dog exhibition in the country. It�s a two day competition that takes place every year in Philadelphia.

This year's edition will be televised on Thanksgiving day on NBC. The show will be hosted by actor John O'Hurley, famous for the shows "Seinfeld" and "Dancing with the Stars."

The competition offers prizes for best of each breed and the best of each of seven designated groups. The seven winners of best of group then

First Hispanic American prepares for ABA�s highest office

CHICAGO, IL -- Miami lawyer Stephen N. Zack, a partner in the national law firm Boies, Schiller&Flexner, was elected as president-elect of the American Bar Association, the first Hispanic American to achieve that distinction. Zack will serve one year as president-elect before taking office as president in August 2010 at the ABA�s Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

The son of a Cuban mother and American father, Zack is focused on promoting civics education, the importance of inspiring a

Gaviña Coffee helps put the �accent� on McDonald's new McCafé brand

VERNON, CA -- More than 130 years ago, two brothers left their homeland in the Basque region of Spain in pursuit of a dream: to grow the best quality coffee beans that would produce the perfect cup of coffee with every serving.

Today, the dream of José María and Ramón Gaviña�s lives on with every cup of coffee served in more than 3,000 McDonald�s restaurants throughout most of the West division. Family-owned Gaviña Gourmet Coffee of Los Angeles has served as one of the major coffee

Alarming effects of Immigration enforcement trigger Congressional Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC -- One of the worst messes facing the Obama administration is the disgraceful state of the federal government's immigration detention centers.

There are 350 of these centers around the country, housing almost 30,000 men, women and even children waiting for the Department of Homeland Security to decide whether or not they will be deported. Some have been in custody for years. The centers are overcrowded. Newspapers and academic and civil liberties studies tell of physically

Obama: Improving schools is key to competitiveness

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Barack Obama did not propose any specific legislative goals on education in his talk on Tuesday, March 10 to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Instead, the president talked about how America must work much harder to keep pace with international competitors.

President Obama says he wants the country to set higher education standards, including a quicker start for children in kindergarten and a much better high school graduation rate.

He also said

CHC ready to move forward on immigration reform with the President

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with President Barack Obama at the White House. The sole topic of discussion at the meeting was the urgent and vital need to reform our nation's broken immigration system.

The CHC shared their plan and agenda for moving comprehensive immigration reform forward and the Members were pleased to have the support of President Barack Obama in moving forward with our plan this year.

"The President made clear to us that he is

Struggling to keep the American dream alive

LITTLE ROCK, AR-- The widespread nature of the economic crisis in the United States can be seen clearly at the Mercado San Jose Grocery and Bakery, particularly on Friday nights when paychecks are handed out in Little Rock's Hispanic community.

At a little cubicle by the front door, young men line up at the money transfer window to send cash home to their families in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and other countries where poverty is rampant.

These days, though, the lines are

Obama signs sweeping economic stimulus

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Senate late Friday, February 13 night passed a $787 billion economic stimulus package by a vote of 60-38.

The vote on the 1,071-page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) came hours after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill 246-183, with no Republicans supporting the bill.

The bill was delivered to President Barack Obama's desk for his signature.

The legislation includes billions of dollars in spending on items

President Obama signs children�s health Bill CHIP

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Barack Obama signed the Children�s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2009 with measures that strengthen health care for America�s children, including legal immigrant children.

By signing this bill, President Obama ensured health coverage for four million more children in the U.S. and ended a five-year waiting period for health care to which legal immigrant children and pregnant women have been subjected for more than a decade.

Mexicans score at Westminster Dog Show

NEW YORK, NY -- The Westminster Dog Show is one of the most famous dog exhibitions in the world. It�s a two day competition that takes place every year at Madison Square Garden in New York. Last week, on February 9th and 10th, the Westminster Kennel Club presented the 133rd edition.

Dogs from all over the world are brought to New York to compete in the show and be critiqued by judges from the American Kennel Club.

An extensive variety of dogs are on display at Westminster

Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force highest membership in 20 year

WASHINGTON, DC -- On January 27, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chair of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, announced the members of the 111 th Congress Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force. Forty-five Senate Democrats have joined the Hispanic Task Force (HTF), the largest membership since Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) founded it twenty years ago.

Eva Mendes named the "Most Desirable Woman of 2009"

LOS ANGELES-- AskMen.com, the largest online men's magazine, today announced its 9th annual list of the �Top 99 Most Desirable Women.� AskMen.com readers cast more than ten million votes to rank the women who best represent the qualities of the ideal girlfriend or wife.

Eva Mendes, the Cuban-American actress who appeared in two films over the past year, received the most votes and has been named the 2009 #1 Most Desirable Woman. Mendes ranked #4 on last year�s list. Rounding out the top

The country witness historic presidential meeting

WASHINGTON, DC -- President George W. Bush welcomed former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in the Oval Office of the White House.

President George W. Bush said �I want to thank the President-elect for joining the ex-Presidents for lunch. And one message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country. And to the

Report reveals the growing political power of immigrants and their children

WASHINGTON, DC -- Late on Election Day, pundits will begin to identify the demographic groups who are responsible for swinging the results in key races around the nation.

Today, a groundbreaking report released by the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) entitled �The New American Electorate: The Growing Political Power of Immigrants and Their Children,� examines the growing electoral clout of a previously unidentified yet pivotal group of voters in key states around the nation,

Arkansas teens lead the country in prescription drug abuse

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- It starts in your medicine cabinet and could end at the cemetery. Prescription drug abuse by teens is a serious and increasing problem.

According to the Office of National Drug Control, Arkansas has the highest rate of prescription drug abuse among teens. Prescription drugs are the most commonly abused drug among 12-17 year-olds.

Eighteen-year-old Dafne Bustamante says, "Parents will have prescription drugs lying around in their cabinets and it's so easy for

Hispanic certified in Arkansas� November ballot

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Secretary of State Charlie Daniels announced that he had certified the consumer advocate, Ralph Nader and his running mate, Matt Gonzalez, for the November ballot.

Ralph Nader's choice for running mate is 42 year old from San Francisco, a Stanford Law School graduate and Hispanic activist Matt Gonzalez.

The secretary of state's office verified 1,234 signatures submitted by supporters of Nader, more than 1,000 required to appear on the ballot as an

Concerned about Border Patrol�s role in emergency situations

WASHINGTON, DC � Leaders of the nation�s major Latino and Asian American civil rights organizations reacted sharply today to reports that the Border Patrol will check the documents of residents of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas in the event of a hurricane evacuation before they are allowed to board evacuation buses.

�This is a shocking and dangerous initiative which will undercut the authorities� efforts to keep everyone safe during a crisis,� said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of the

First Latina America's Next Top Model winner signs as CoverGirl model

HUNT VALLEY, MD -- America's Next Top Model" cycle 8 winner, Jaslene Gonzalez, into the CoverGirl family. Jaslene, the first ever Latina to win the competition, received a $100,000 CoverGirl cosmetics contract under which she will appear in a print ad for CoverGirl TruShine Lipcolor, a year's representation by Elite Model Management and a cover and six-page spread in Seventeen magazine.

"Jaslene's lively zest for life was evident on "America's Next Top Model," said Esi Eggleston Bracey,

Alejandra Espinoza first winner of �Nuestra Belleza Latina�

MIAMI, FL---The Univision Television Network celebrated the grand finale of its breakout hit �Nuestra Belleza Latina� (Our Latin Beauty) that combines the glamour of a beauty competition with the excitement of reality television, on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. Hosted by popular Univision personality Giselle Blondet, the finale was a nailbitting elimination for the six finalists who awaited their fate in front of a live studio audience. Captivated viewers from across the country voted for their

What you should know about the �National Do Not Call Registry�

LITTLE ROCK - Most Arkansans are not strangers to telemarketers. Every day, many of us pick up the telephone only to hear a salesperson on the other end. While most of us consider telemarketers a simple annoyance, sometimes they can become a real problem by calling repeatedly and utilizing unscrupulous sales tactics.

To give Americans the ability to limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched the �National Do Not Call Registry� in

U.S. Postal Service �Forever Stamp� on sale now to ready customers for May 14 price change

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- If it could ring, 37,000 Post Offices would resonate freedom and independence from using one or two-cent stamps to mail letters when stamp prices change in the future. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) introduced its latest consumer innovation by dedicating the Forever Stamp next to the patriotic icon it depicts. Featuring the Liberty Bell image and the word �forever,� the Forever Stamp � available nationwide � is good for mailing one-ounce First-Class Mail letters anytime in

Arkansas Latino community called on Congress to build stronger communities and a stronger America

WASHINGTON, DC -- On March 8, a delegation from the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas (HWOA), based in Springdale, Arkansas visited Capitol Hill to urge their congressional representatives to support an agenda for building a stronger America and keeping our nation competitive.

The delegation met with Senators Blanche Lincoln (Dem,), and Mark Pryor (Dem.), and Representative John Boozman (Rep.) among others.

As participants in the National Council of La Raza's (NCLR)

President and Mrs. Bush to visit Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico

WASHINGTON, DC -- President and Mrs. Bush will visit Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico from March 8 - 14, 2007.

�This trip will underscore the commitment of the United States to the Western Hemisphere and will highlight our common agenda to advance freedom, prosperity, and social justice and deliver the benefits of democracy in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity,� said Bush upon departure.

In S�o Paulo, Brazil, President Bush will meet with

All hands on deck at American Red Cross

WASHINGTON, DC -- Tragic events in the last two days have left people throughout the Midwest and the South reeling. Severe weather in the Midwest and the South and a devastating bus crash in Georgia are the latest events to which the American Red Cross is responding. Employees, volunteers and partners of the Red Cross are present in communities across the United States and are part of the response.

Red Cross chapters near Enterprise, AL, and Americus, GA, are providing shelter, warm

Chef LaLa to develop shows for both Spanish and English Speaking Audiences

LOS ANGELES, CA -- LMNO Productions, executive producer of the new daytime talk show, �The Dr. Keith Ablow Show,� has entered into an exclusive partnership with internationally known celebrity Chef LaLa, to create bi-lingual television shows, including a daytime talk show. The announcement was made by Eric Schotz, President and CEO of LMNO Productions and Jeremy Brown, President of Sliced Up Entertainment.

�Chef LaLa has what it takes to be a successful daytime host,� stated Schotz.

Muhammad Ali's celebrates his 65th Birthday

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Muhammad Ali, who once said, "Old age is just a record of one's whole life," turned 65 years young on January 17. Fans, friends, and admirers from around the world are invited to help celebrate the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali by sending him a personal birthday message during the month of January.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942, Ali's story is one of inspiration: champion athlete, media icon, societal symbol, United Nations Messenger of Peace, and a beacon of

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered this year as a hero to the people

This month the nation takes time to honor the memory of a humanitarian and civil rights legend. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stirred a generation of people to speak up for their rights, solidifying his standing as one of the most notable and influential activists of the modern age.

Dr. King was born at his family�s Georgia home to parents Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta King on January 15, 1929. At a young age, King was identified as a scholar and would go on to become a

Anna Carbonell VP NBC/TELEMUNDO Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA)

New York, NY-- On January 4th, 2007 over 500 Hispanic American Business Leaders and Government Officials will come together to honor Ms. Anna Carbonell VP NBC/Telemundo for her Dedication to the Hispanic Community and Lifetime Achievements.

January 2nd 2007 - New York - LISTA announced today that it has selected Ms. Anna Carbonell as the recipient of the Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) 3rd Annual Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in broadcast

The Hispanic tradition of Three Kings and Rosca de Reyes gains strength in the United States

BENTONVILLE, AR -- In the United States, Christmas is celebrated with a brightly decorated tree and the tradition of a jolly, white-bearded Santa Claus, adorned in a red and white suit, coming down the chimney on the 25th of December. But in Mexico and many Latin American countries, Hispanics celebrate the holidays with the Three Kings (also known as the Three Magi) who come bearing gifts and toys for children who are fast asleep, on the evening of January 5.

Growing up in Mexico, Miguel

Verizon Redesigns Unique Bilingual Web Site, Adding Content to Celebrate the Hispanic Community

New York, NY--True to its commitment to deliver to customers unique and engaging broadband and entertainment functions, Verizon today unveiled a redesign of its bilingual Web site, http://www.atodoloqueda.com, to recognize Hispanic achievements and enable U.S. Hispanics to experience and express their passions about their culture.

The site, entitled, A Todo Lo Que Da, which means �to all that you do,� contains interactive and entertaining modules featuring:

We'll never forget: 9-11-2001

Remembering 9/11 On the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, we recall the fire and horror at the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field. America will always remember the thousands of innocent lives taken by the enemies of freedom that morning. In the face of these unspeakable attacks, we were reminded that the great strength of America is found in the hearts and souls of our citizens. We witnessed firefighters, police officers,

Katie Couric CBS Evening News goes Spanish in Arkansas along with Today�s THV at 6:00

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Today�s THV (KTHV, Little Rock) and �Hola! Arkansas announced that Starting September 5th, Today�s THV and �Hola! Arkansas will provide live Spanish translation of the �CBS Evening News� at 5:30 and �Today�s THV News at 6:00� on SAP (Secondary Audio Channel).

�Today�s THV has been broadcasting the THV 10:00 Difference in Spanish since 2003. Now, we are moving our Spanish translation to the "CBS Evening News" with Katie Couric and "Today's THV at 6:00" with Anne