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October 2004
Representative/Major Noriega ¬ An UpdateOctober 25 Everyone has been asking, so I guess it's time for an update. Things around Camp Phoenix and the Alamo are settling down after the October 9th elections - except for the suicide bomber in Kabul two days ago. It looks as though President Hamid Karzai will be declared the winner in the first election ever held in this country. To give you some perspective, this country has been occupied by another nation or had some form of monarchy or warlords since before Alexander the Great. In all these years, from Genghis Khan, the Brits, Russians and now the Americans, this nation has never held a free election. This historical event is something we as Americans can all take pride in. There were numerous threats and isolated incidents but overall this was a very successful election. This is a tribute to the Afghans, U.S. and international forces and community working together. The weather has turned cool. The mornings and evenings are in the high 40's to 50's and the daytime temperature is in the 70's. Because of the altitude (about 6000 feet) this part of the country enjoys a very pleasant autumn. My first Kandak (Basic Training Battalion) of 800 soldiers graduated just prior to the election and were immediately shipped out for security duty. After graduation, a couple of other guys and I climbed the mountain behind our range (Gharib Ghar about 8500 feet). Ghar means mountain and Gharib means poor so appropriately we climbed "Poor Mountain." Someone had taken the American flag down that was placed up at the top of the mountain and left a nasty note; it needed to be replaced. I received my new recruits shortly thereafter. The equipment and procedures are improving as each new group arrives. There are still many challenges. Two weeks ago SFC Hooper, my NCOIC from California (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) came into my office to drag me out to witness the condition of the latrines. Fortunately (or unfortunately) he brought his camera. The facilities were not fit for pigs. We immediately notified our chain of command (along with pictures) to rectify the problem. This condition presented a major health problem for the Afghan soldiers and us. Many of our new recruits come from remote provinces where they are unaccustomed to using toilet tissue, so they use rocks to clean themselves. Unfortunately the rocks either break the permanent toilets or clog up the port-a-potty. The end result is not worth further discussion. Yesterday I went to Mass at the Italian compound. This was the first time I had been back there since the Italians received rocket fire during the election. My sergeants like to go with me, not to church but as my security detail, because they can go to the Italian bazaar and then to the Italian dining facility. The Italian dining facility is always much better than what KBR serves us. SSG Hines, my other NCO, from Orange, TX, has been down with a bug. I am real lucky to have SFC Hooper and SSG Hines working with me. They're good soldiers. We are eating with the Afghan soldiers a bit more to add some variety to our diet. I've sent some pictures home of a meal we had last week out at the firing range. The Afghan soldiers' noon meal consists mainly of chicken and rice. The chicken is prepared in kind of a curry spice. This is accompanied by an unleavened bread, beans, fruit and tea. However, right now all over Afghanistan everyone is observing Ramadan. This is their holy season of abstinence and fasting. People will fast from sun-up to sundown. They eat late at night after prayer and very early in the morning (3:00 am). The Muslims pray five times a day so that makes implementing a training schedule during Ramadan very challenging. One of the benefits of sleeping out at the Alamo is that I am not woken up by the Mullah chanting over the loud speaker at 4:00 am. This holy season lasts about 40 days and ends with a three day holiday/festival called IED. IED is when families feast, forgive and celebrate their successful observance of Ramadan. I'm still working out several times a week and am participating in our unit's basketball team. Of course I'm the oldest guy on the team. We finished the season 8 wins and 2 losses. We are called the "D-South" team; don't ask me why. I think we get more soldiers hurt from these games than anything else. This week we start our end of season tournament. I get to play a few minutes a game when someone needs a breather (altitude) or they (the team) needs to waste a few fouls. I find that I can't do the things I used to; must be age. The mind is willing but the body won't respond. Well, so much for now. Getting ready for the holidays in lovely Afghanistan. God Bless. Rick Rising Tuition Costs Hurt LatinosTuition rates have been on the rise in Texas since the passage of tuition deregulation during the 78th Legislative Session. In fact, a recent article in the New York Times shows increased tuition is the trend across the United States. The article highlights a survey by the College Board, a group of over 4,500 schools, colleges, and educational organizations. The survey reflects tuition increases at public universities at 10.5% for this year. Many higher education experts believe that the cause of these increases is the cost shifting from state support to student support through tuition. Another disturbing finding by the study is the reduction of need-based financial aid. In fact, the analysts found that the largest increases in institutional aid were for upper-income families. "With increases in tuition at schools like The University of Texas at Austin for Spring and Fall 2004 at 29% and need-based aid shrinking across the board, it is little wonder that young Latinos are struggling to enroll," said Representative Joaqun Castro. Expanding Wealth Gap between Hispanics and Anglos TroublingA recent report by the Pew Hispanic Institute highlights an increase in the wealth gap between Latinos and Anglos. According to the report, Latino households "have less than 10 cents for every dollar in wealth owned by Anglo households." The report also concludes that minorities are particularly vulnerable to economic downturns as over a quarter of minorities have zero or negative net worth. With Texas minorities already making up a majority of the current Texas population, this news is especially alarming. "Latinos are quickly becoming the majority in Texas and education for our young people is imperative to reducing this wealth gap," said Representative Elvira Reyna."By reducing the number of drop outs and putting new money into education, instead of just shifting taxes, we can close the existing wealth gap and prepare our kids to succeed in the world economy." Record Number of Applicants to MALC Internship ProgramThe Mexican American Legislative Caucus ¬ Texas House of Representatives received record number of applicants to the Moreno/Rangel Legislative Leadership Program.As of the October 15, 2004 deadline, 88 applications were received at the MALC office. This is a 42% increase from 2003 ¬ the program's inaugural year. Named after the longest serving Hispanic member of the Texas House of Representatives, Paul C. Moreno, and the late Irma Rangel, the first Mexican American woman to serve in the Texas Legislature, the program offers interns and fellows the opportunity to gain first-hand work experience in the Texas House. Applicants will compete for 15 coveted spots.Interns (undergraduates) and fellows (graduate students) are placed with one of the 40 MALC members to serve as full-time policy analysts during the 79th Legislative Session. We look forward to introducing a new group of future Latino leaders! Mexico City Trip PhotographsMALC members traveled to Mexico City on September 27 ¬ 30, 2004 to meet with Mexican officials.These are some highlights of the trip. Presenting a gift to Ambassador
Tony Garza at the Ambassador's home. Meeting with Secretary
Derbez at Los Pinos. Members of MALC and Senator Mario Gallegos pose after a meeting with Secretary Derbez. Pictured (left to right):Rep. Miguel Wise, Rep. Joaqun Castro, Rep. Roberto Alonzo, Rep. Dora Olivo, Sen. Mario Gallegos, and MALC Chairman Pete P. Gallego Golf Classic and Reception a Phenomenal SuccessThanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers the MALC Golf Classic and Reception were an incredible success! The reception was held at Serrano's Restaurant on Red River and over 250 people were present.Among the attendees were: Attorney General Greg Abbott, Comptroller Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Secretary of State Geoff Connor, and Consul General of Mexico Javier Francisco Alejo.MALC members in attendance were: MALC Chairman Pete P. Gallego, MALC Vice-Chair Dora Olivo, MALC Legal Counsel Miguel Wise, Rep. Roberto Alonzo, Rep. Lon Burnam, Rep. Jaime Capelo, Rep. Norma Chavez, Rep. Juan Escobar, Rep. Pat Haggerty, Rep. Terri Hodge, Rep. Vilma Luna, Rep. Joe Moreno, Rep. Rene Oliveira, Rep. Aaron PeËa, Rep. Chente Quintanilla, Rep. Richard Raymond, Rep. Elvira Reyna, Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, and Rep. Jim Solis.Other Texas House members present: Rep. Joe Crabb, Rep. Tony Goolsby, Rep. Bob Hunter, Rep. Tommy Merritt and Rep. Elliott Naishtat. Senator Eliot Shapleigh and Senator Mario Gallegos were also present. Due to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we were able to surpass our goal for fundraising!The money directly enables MALC to continue our policy development and research efforts on behalf of the State of Texas.These financial donations help maintain MALC's tradition of studying those matters most important to Texas and Texas Latinos. The golf tournament was a great success as well.The golf course was full with 120 golfers playing.First prize went to the team of David Mintz, Bob Garibay, Curtis Krause, and Gaspar Laca. Second place winners were: Harold Oliver, Blaine Brunson, Harold Underwood, and Will Smith. The team in third place consisted of:Connie English, Jr., Rick Levy, Rep. Jaime Capelo, and Floyd Beaman. Longest Drive winner was Lance Posey and Closest to the Pin winner was Consul General Javier Francisco Alejo. We would like to thank the following sponsors: American Electric Power (AEP), Anheuser Busch, Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT), Christopher S. Shields, P.C., Gallery Watch, Hyperion Resources, Multimedia, Inc., SBC, Altria Corporate Services, Estrada Communications, Foley's, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, The Boeing Company, Univision, American Airlines, ATPE, BP/Glenn DaGian, CenterPoint Energy, Chevron Texaco, Community Financial Services Association, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, El Paso Electric Company, Hillco Partners, Marathon Oil, Mesa Water, Inc., Rick Mendoza and Associates, Southwest Airlines, Sprint, Texas Trial Lawyer Association, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Western Union, Baker Botts, Coca Cola, Comcast, Cox Communication, Davis & Wilkerson, David Sibley, Dow, Eli Lily, Hispanic Journal, Jim Arnold and Associates, Johnson & Johnson, LeapFrog SchoolHouse, Locke Lidell & Sapp, MedImmune, Inc., Miller Brewing Company, Mission Resources, Ray, Wood & Bonilla, L.L.P., Reliant, Serrano's Restaurants, Texas Alliance for Energy Producers, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Credit Union League, Texas Instruments, Texas Medical Association, Texas State Rifle Association, Texas Society of CPAs CPA-PAC, TIPRO, United Transportation Union. Thanks also to our Reception Host: Ameriquest Mortgage Company! New Addition to Chairman Gallego's Family!We are happy to announce the birth of Nicolšs Miguel Ram‹n Gallego. Nicolšs Miguel is the first child for Chairman Pete Gallego and his wife, Mara Elena Ram‹n.He was born at 8:03 p.m. on October 7, 2004.The baby weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and measured 19 inches long at birth. Congratulations to the new parents! MALC Says Farewell to Long-Time Executive DirectorMembers and staff of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus extend their gratitude and best wishes to its long-time Executive Director, Rick Sookiasian.Rick is leaving the Caucus to pursue a leadership position with Board of Caucus Chairs, an organization of Hispanic Caucus Chairs from around the United States. Rick has been with MALC since October 2000.Under his tenure, MALC has successfully challenged redistricting, organized an award-winning internship program, implemented the Spanish language television show, Es Tu Capitolio, in conjunction with Univision, and begun the organization of a Latino issues conference.His service and dedication to MALC has been unparalleled.We wish him the best of luck in all his new endeavors! Member Spotlight Carlos Uresti, San Antonio Representative Carlos Uresti was born on September 12, 1963, in San Antonio, Texas.At age 18, he graduated from McCollum High School and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).After completing his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at St. Mary's University, Representative Uresti was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USMC. His career with the Marine Corps was distinguished by four years of active duty and the Naval Achievement Medal.Subsequently, he enrolled in St. Mary's University School of Law and received a Juris Doctor in 1992. He is a partner in the Law Offices in Chavez, Gonzales & Hoblit, L.L.P. Representative Uresti was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in June 1997.Currently, he serves as Chair of the Committee on Human Services and is a member of the Committee on Elections and Select Healthcare Expenditures Committee.He is also a member of the Texas House Veterans Coalition and of the VFW Post 9186, the U.S. Marine Corp League, and the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association. He is married to Yolanda and they have two sons, Michael and Carlitos.Michael is a Junior at Texas A&M University and Carlitos is a Senior at McCollum High School. Lon Burnam, Fort Worth Representative Lon Burnam is a life-long resident of Tarrant County.He attended Fort Worth I.S.D. schools for Kindergarten through Twelfth grades. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with honors and a Bachelors Degree in Government, he earned a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. During his first Legislative Session, serving District 90 of Fort Worth, he was appointed to the House Insurance Committee and the House Urban Affairs Committee.During his tenure, he has been successful in passing legislation that provides protection from released sex offender parolees and consumer protection from the insurance industry.Currently, he serves on the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock and Committee on Law Enforcement. In 1997, Representative Burnam received the "New Leadership for the Environment" Award from the Sierra Club, for his leadership in protecting the environment.He was also named "Best Public Official" by the Fort Worth Weekly during his first session. Previously, Representative Burnam was a city planner who helped community organizations revitalize neighborhoods and create economic opportunities.He is currently a self-employed consultant. He is married to Carol Roark and they live with their three cats in the Fairmont neighborhood of Fort Worth. Member BirthdaysThe following members are celebrating birthdays in late October and early November; please wish them a happy birthday! Representative Ryan Guillen ¬ October 27 Representative Richard Raymond ¬ October 27 Representative Elvira Reyna ¬ October 28 Representative Terri Hodge ¬ November 5 Representative Jessica Farrar ¬ November 16
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