ADVERTISE IN NHCSL’S SUMMIT JOURNAL

Ad space is available in the 2008 Summit Journal which will be published in 2009. Ad specifications and costs are available at (202) 434-8070.

DIGITAL CONVERTION: For useful information in English and Spanish regarding the nationwide digital conversion scheduled for February 17, 2009 visit the DTV Transition Coalition website at www.dtvtransition.org and www.dtv2009.gov

National Museum of American Latino:
Update

The National Museum of the American Latino has announced that that President Bush has selected seven appointees to the National Museum of the American Latino Commission.
The federal legislation signed into law in May 2008 will ultimately form a 23-member Commission to explore the viability of creating a national museum displaying the important contributions of American Latinos to this country in our nation’s capital. House and Senate leadership are working diligently to appoint the remaining 16 Commissioners. The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino:

Anna Regula Haug de Cablik, of Georgia
Gilberto Cárdenas, of Indiana
Doreen M. Colon Camacho, of Puerto Rico
Dorene C. Dominguez, of California
José B. Fernández, of Florida
Patrick Alexander López Negrete, of Texas
Ricardo Romo, of Texas

As part of NHCSL ENLACE initiative, the NHCSL leadership conducted a site visit of the Bronx Institute at Lehman College this past weekend. The institute’s mission is to foster research and leadership relevant to the improvement of education and the quality of life in the Bronx. The institute’s ENLACE project is one of the best in the nation and provides Latino students in the Bronx with the tools they need to achieve academic excellence as they graduate from high school and college. Among the program’s goals are to empower Latino students with accountable, competitive and rigorous instruction, encourage parental, family and community engagement, and review and if necessary promote system change and policy reforms that will benefit all students. Dr. Herminio Martinez, the Bronx Institute’s Executive Director is gratified that the ENLACE Latino collegiate society has gained nationwide recognition as a model of educational excellence and looks forward to sharing its methods for success. “The visit gave us the opportunity to experience first hand the excellent work that the Bronx Institute is doing under the leadership of Dr. Martinez and how state legislators can implement this exemplary model in our states. I encourage NHCSL members to contact NHCSL or Dr. Martinez for more information and invite them to participate at our next site visit” stated Representative Joseph E. Miró, NHCSL President. For more information about the Bronx institute and the ENLACE program visit www.lehman.edu/bronxinstitute

For more information contact tatiana.guerra@nhcsl.org

The NHCSL Executive Committee & BBA met on November 15th during the NHCSL Sixth National Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada and adopted a series of resolutions addressing current issues of common concern to our community. Many of these resolutions were presented earlier this year pending approval of the full board at the annual meeting. Among them was a resolution regarding the nationwide digital conversion scheduled for February, 2009 when American television stations will switch from analog broadcast and begin broadcasting exclusively in digital format. The rights of Puerto Rico Veterans were also addressed on a resolution calling for a fair and equal treatment regarding TRICARE health care benefits to veterans who reside in Puerto Rico. All resolutions adopted during 2008 are listed below, for the entire text please visit www.nhcsl.org 

• NHCSL Resolution in support of Television Consumers in the Broadcast Digital (DTV) Transition
• Resolution proposed by Puerto Rico Senator Pedro Rosello
• Resolution on Biosimilar Drugs
• Resolution to Reduce Health Disparities Affecting HIV/AIDS
• Resolution Opposing Government Involvement in Commercial Negotiations
• Resolution regarding Puerto Rico Veterans
• NHCSL Opposes the State Video Tax Fairness Act 2008 (H.R. 3679)

Latina Legislator: Leticia Van de Putte and the Road to Leadership
NHCSL Past President, Senator Leticia Van de Putte (TX), who headed our organization from 2003 to 2005, is the book subject of Latina Legislator: Leticia Van de Putte and the Road to Leadership, published by Texas A & M University Press. The author of the book is Sharon A. Navarro, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. During the release of the book Navarro stated that "This book contributes to an area that has not yet been examined. The book highlights a case study of one successful Latina leader and the role her family plays in her success.” Latina Legislator narrates Senator Van de Putte’s initial run for office on a shoe-string budget, her remarkable career as a pharmacist, as a politician and her experiences as a Mexican American Latina in United States politics. Senator Van de Putte has authored and sponsored legislation that has reformed the state welfare system, revamped the Juvenile Code and provided a healthcare safety net for children in Texas. "I am humbled and honored to have been chosen as the subject of Dr. Navarro's case study," said Senator Van de Putte. "Her research adds valuable insight into the social and political implications of the changing demographics in Texas and the United States."

For more information about the book visit: http://www.tamu.edu/upress/BOOKS/2008/navarro.htm

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the preeminent organization representing the interests of 300 Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3, NHCSL is a catalyst and advocate for joint action on issues of common concern, such as health, education, immigration, homeownership and economic development to all segments of the Hispanic community. NHCSL also works to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities; serves as a forum for information exchange and member networking; an institute for leadership training; a liaison with sister U.S. Hispanic organizations; a promoter of public/private partnerships with business and labor; and a partner with Hispanic state and provincial legislators and their associations representing Central and South America. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org