September 2005

Hurricane Katrina

The Mexican American Legislative Caucus extends its deepest sympathies to our fellow Texans with friends and family affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network, a statewide telecommunications network, is providing evacuation, sheltering, and general information during the disaster in English and Spanish. 

2-1-1 services can be reached from outside Texas by dialing 1-888-312-4567.

The 2-1-1 line can be called for information about:

• Shelter location information,
• Information about access to available medical care, such as dialysis,
• Requests for food,
• Requests for prescription assistance,
• Requests for diapers and formula,
• Information related to accessing out of state Food Stamp benefits,
• Reassurance to evacuees unable to contact loved ones,
• Donation and volunteer information.  

Stated Caucus Chairman Pete P. Gallego, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members awaiting word of their loved ones, and the survivors struggling to handle this incredible tragedy.”

Caucus Member Rep. Rick Noriega Returns To Office From Afghanistan

The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is proud to announce the safe return of Caucus Member and Lieutenant Colonel Rick Noriega (Houston) from military service in Afghanistan.

Rep. Noriega has been on active duty with the U.S. Army for the past fourteen months.  His wife, Melissa Noriega, has served as Acting Representative in the Texas House during his absence.  At midnight on Friday, August 26th, Rep. Noriega returned to his position as Representative for District 145.

The Representative and his wife delivered letters to the Speaker of the House, Tom Craddick, acknowledging their transition.

Rep. Noriega’s letter reads in part, “The people of my district were most ably represented in my absence, but I am eager to resume the responsibilities to which I was elected.  I offer heartfelt thanks to Representative Melissa Noriega for her service to District 145 and the state as I look forward to resuming my duties in the Texas House of Representatives.”

Ms. Noriega’s letter reads in part, “It has been my honor to serve the citizens of House District 145 in the 79th Texas legislature while my husband, Lt. Colonel Rick Noriega, served our country in Afghanistan with the United States Army.  We thank God that he is now safely home.”

Click here to read their letters in full.

Caucus Speaks Out Against Militias

The Mexican American Legislative Caucus reacted immediately to troublesome legislation filed Thursday, August 4th by Texas Congressman John Culberson. 

The bill proposes to divert taxpayer dollars from the Dept. of Homeland Security to state Governors.  Under the Act, Governors would then have the discretion to spend those dollars allowing armed militias, with little immigration experience and knowledge, to enforce U.S. immigration laws.

Governor Perry came out in support of the Congressman’s legislation, and the Caucus responded quickly.

Stated Caucus Chairman Pete P. Gallego (Alpine), “An entire federal agency is already responsible for immigration, and a separate one is responsible for our borders. I do not see how the Governor can support siphoning off taxpayer dollars in this manner.  If the Governor wants to apply this standard to immigrants entering the U.S. from Mexico, the same standard should apply to Canadians.  We all know, however, that this piece of legislation is about singling out Hispanics, not Canadians.”

Click here to see the Caucus press release in full.

Click here to see Cong. Culberson’s legislation in full.

Spanish Language Community Surging in Texas

The United States Census Bureau announced on Thursday, August 11th that Texas has become the fourth state to have a non-white majority population.

Population estimates indicate that about 50.2 percent of Texans are minorities, up from 47 percent in 2000.  Hispanics are the largest group within the minority community.

The other three states with existing non-white majorities are California, New Mexico, and Hawaii.  Not far behind Texas are Maryland, Mississippi, Georgia, New York and Arizona.

Click here to read the Census Bureau Press Release.

On a larger scale, Hispanic U.S.A.  Inc., a marketing firm, commissioned a study of Spanish in America, “The Future Use of the Spanish Language in the USA – Projected to 2015 & 2025”.

The study suggests that the use of Spanish will increase, not decrease, over the next 20 years.  Study findings include that by 2025, there will be 40.2 million Spanish speaking Latinos in America (up from 27.8 million today) and the 18-and-older Spanish speaking community will increase 53 percent to 15.2 million people.

Click here to read Hispanic U.S.A.’s press release.

Second Special Session Ends

On Friday, August 19th, the House of Representatives adjourned sine die, bringing the second special session of the 79th legislature to an end. 

Texas Governor Rick Perry called this second special session on Thursday, July 21st to address education spending and financing.

Click here to read the Governor’s second special session proclamation.

Click here to read the session’s declared purposes on telecom.

Click here to read the session's declared purposes on judicial pay & House member retirement.

Click here to read the session's declared purposes on education.

No education spending or finance legislation passed during the second special session.

Governor Hands Down Education Executive Order

The Governor handed down Executive Order 67 on August 22nd that included a requirement that 65 percent of school district funds be spent for instructional purposes.

In a press release, Governor Perry stated, “Today I am issuing an executive order that will put into law some of the most important education reforms that lawmakers failed to pass, including a requirement that 65 percent of all education funds be spent on direct classroom instruction….  This executive order will mean…more money directed to the classroom so that more children achieve.”

The wisdom and legality of the executive order have come into question.  Stated Austin Attorney Buck Wood in local press, “[Texas Governor Rick] Perry has no legal authority to tell [Texas Education Commissioner Shelley] Neeley to do anything”.

Read the order here.

Diez y Seis Holiday Approaching

The Mexican American Legislative Caucus wishes all of our constituents and fellow Texans a happy Diez y Seis de Septiembre Holiday—a  Fiesta Patria (Mexican national holiday) that will be celebrated in the United States on Friday, September 16th 2005.

On September 16th, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s grito de Dolores (“cry of Dolores”) at the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato marked the end of Spanish rule in Mexico.

On September 16th, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared September 16 its national Independence Day.

In Texas, Diez y Seis de Septiembre has been celebrated in San Antonio for more than 167 years. 

For events in San Antonio, click here.

Member September Birthdays

Garnet Coleman – September 8

Carlos Uresti – September 12

Joaquín Castro – September 16