Annotations for People: Clinton-bill 1946-

This is Latino USA, a radio journal of news and culture. I'm María Hinojosa. Today on Latino USA: Latinos in South Central Los Angeles.

This is Latino USA, a radio journal of news and culture. I'm María Hinojosa. Today on Latino USA: Latinos in South Central Los Angeles.

The realities are, we have a lot of Rodney Kings. We have a lot of Latinos who are being beat up. We have a lot of discrimination going on in the city.

The realities are, we have a lot of Rodney Kings. We have a lot of Latinos who are being beat up. We have a lot of discrimination going on in the city.

A report card for President Clinton.

A report card for President Clinton.

It's unfair in a way to say that the Clinton administration hasn't appointed too many Latinos, hasn't appointed too many of anything.

It's unfair in a way to say that the Clinton administration hasn't appointed too many Latinos, hasn't appointed too many of anything.

Also, una celebración del Cinco de Mayo y Sesame Street goes Latino.

Also, una celebración del Cinco de Mayo y Sesame Street goes Latino.

¿Abierto?

¿Abierto?

Yes, certainly! Abierto is the Spanish word for open! Abierto.

Yes, certainly! Abierto is the Spanish word for open! Abierto.

All this here on Latino USA, but first: las noticias.

All this here on Latino USA, but first: las noticias.

We've gathered a group of Latino journalists to talk about the news of the week from their perspective. With us from Washington are Sandra Marquez, a reporter for Hispanic Link News Service; Zita Arocha, a freelance journalist and contributor to USA Today; and José Carreño, Washington Bureau chief of the Mexican Daily Newspaper El Universal. Thank you all for coming and welcome to Latino USA. I guess we should start off with this, Zita… the Clinton administration started off with a focus on multiculturalism. We saw Edward James Olmos at the inauguration along with Willy Colón and many other Latino artists and participants. Well, so far have the promises of Latino inclusion been met by President Clinton's appointments and hirings?

We've gathered a group of Latino journalists to talk about the news of the week from their perspective. With us from Washington are Sandra Marquez, a reporter for Hispanic Link News Service; Zita Arocha, a freelance journalist and contributor to USA Today; and José Carreño, Washington Bureau chief of the Mexican Daily Newspaper El Universal. Thank you all for coming and welcome to Latino USA. I guess we should start off with this, Zita… the Clinton administration started off with a focus on multiculturalism. We saw Edward James Olmos at the inauguration along with Willy Colón and many other Latino artists and participants. Well, so far have the promises of Latino inclusion been met by President Clinton's appointments and hirings?

He's taken a first step. I mean, we have Federico Peña as Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and we have Henry Cisneros who is the head of the Urban and Housing…and that's a good first step for him, but I would say that there's still really a long ways to go and also he hasn't really made most of the appointments he's supposed to make. All told we're waiting for about 1500 appointments. He's made about 150 or so, and just today the Associated Press came out with a little survey that they did saying that about 86% of the appointees so far, basically white males in their mid-forties. So we're looking at almost the same kind of configuration that existed when President Bush was president.

He's taken a first step. I mean, we have Federico Peña as Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and we have Henry Cisneros who is the head of the Urban and Housing…and that's a good first step for him, but I would say that there's still really a long ways to go and also he hasn't really made most of the appointments he's supposed to make. All told we're waiting for about 1500 appointments. He's made about 150 or so, and just today the Associated Press came out with a little survey that they did saying that about 86% of the appointees so far, basically white males in their mid-forties. So we're looking at almost the same kind of configuration that existed when President Bush was president.

So is there a lot of pressure coming down within the political circles of Latinos in Washington that possibly may make Clinton make some more appointments and hirings?

So is there a lot of pressure coming down within the political circles of Latinos in Washington that possibly may make Clinton make some more appointments and hirings?

Just last month, a group of Latinas, very powerful Latinas from across the country met here in Washington. They had the first ever national Latinas forum, and spontaneously what came out of that meeting was a real strong drive to push for Latina appointments to this government, and it was a very dramatic experience. Within 10 minutes, the women in the room decided to put their money where their mouths were, raising over $10,000 in less than 10 minutes to put an ad in the Washington Post. That ad has not materialized to this date because word got out to the White House. The women were invited back, and they've already had two meetings with personnel directors from the White House. They have been told to hold tight and to be very confident that they can see some very high-level Latina appointments to the new administration.

Just last month, a group of Latinas, very powerful Latinas from across the country met here in Washington. They had the first ever national Latinas forum, and spontaneously what came out of that meeting was a real strong drive to push for Latina appointments to this government, and it was a very dramatic experience. Within 10 minutes, the women in the room decided to put their money where their mouths were, raising over $10,000 in less than 10 minutes to put an ad in the Washington Post. That ad has not materialized to this date because word got out to the White House. The women were invited back, and they've already had two meetings with personnel directors from the White House. They have been told to hold tight and to be very confident that they can see some very high-level Latina appointments to the new administration.

Well, José, you covered the Bush administration during his tenure and what we've just heard is that, in terms of appointments and staff, the Clinton administration looks a lot like the Bush administration. So, what would you say is the most fundamental change you see from the Bush administration to the Clinton administration regarding the issues affecting Latinos?

Well, José, you covered the Bush administration during his tenure and what we've just heard is that, in terms of appointments and staff, the Clinton administration looks a lot like the Bush administration. So, what would you say is the most fundamental change you see from the Bush administration to the Clinton administration regarding the issues affecting Latinos?

Well, I could say that it is the willingness to do something about it. It's unfair, in a way, to say that the Clinton administration hasn't appointed too many Latinos… hasn't appointed too many of anything in terms of a comparison with the Bush administration. I think that mostly maybe the care that they're trying to go with, but at the same time it's nothing but projects at this point. It's nothing but words.

Well, I could say that it is the willingness to do something about it. It's unfair, in a way, to say that the Clinton administration hasn't appointed too many Latinos… hasn't appointed too many of anything in terms of a comparison with the Bush administration. I think that mostly maybe the care that they're trying to go with, but at the same time it's nothing but projects at this point. It's nothing but words.

Well, and in fact, regarding the words of President Clinton, we have his new economic plan on the table. Sandra, is the plan going to be a boom or a bust for Latinos? What areas do you think that Latinos will benefit most or be most hard hit from the Clinton economic plan?

Well, and in fact, regarding the words of President Clinton, we have his new economic plan on the table. Sandra, is the plan going to be a boom or a bust for Latinos? What areas do you think that Latinos will benefit most or be most hard hit from the Clinton economic plan?

Well, my concern about the economic plan is just that the majority of our community is comprised of the working poor, and so I wonder how much more they can give. So, I think Latinos, like the rest of this country, are ready for change and are really hoping to see a reduction in the deficit, and they've been giving disproportionately more than the rest of the society for the last 12 years. And so, I think that we're just watching closely to see what our role is going to be in this package.

Well, my concern about the economic plan is just that the majority of our community is comprised of the working poor, and so I wonder how much more they can give. So, I think Latinos, like the rest of this country, are ready for change and are really hoping to see a reduction in the deficit, and they've been giving disproportionately more than the rest of the society for the last 12 years. And so, I think that we're just watching closely to see what our role is going to be in this package.

Okay. Well, thank you very much Sandra Marquez, Zita Arocha and José Carreño for joining us here on Latino USA.

Okay. Well, thank you very much Sandra Marquez, Zita Arocha and José Carreño for joining us here on Latino USA.

A case which challenges minority-based redistricting is now before the US Supreme Court. The case involves a majority African American district in North Carolina, which was redrawn to ensure a Black majority. Five white voters in the district challenged the redistricting plan, arguing it goes against the principle of a colorblind constitution.

Without the [unintelligible], we would not see the progress we've seen in minority voter participation. What this would do if it were to prevail, it would be a major step backward. It would shut people out again.

Minority voter advocates like Andrew Hernández of the Southwest Voter Education and Registration Project, say districts like the one challenged in this case only came about after a long-time pattern of racially polarized voting was established, preventing the election of minority representatives. 26 new Black or Latino majority districts created under the Voting Rights Act could be in jeopardy if the high court accepts that North Carolina's redistricting plan established a racial quota. An announcement of President Clinton's healthcare plan is expected soon. Among the many questions surfacing about the plan is whether it will include coverage for undocumented immigrants. Reportedly, many members of the President's Health Care Task Force do favor undocumented healthcare coverage for public health reasons. But First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton has been quoted as saying undocumented immigrants would not be covered. I'm María Martin. You're listening to Latino USA.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Vidal Guzmán.

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The growth in Spanish-language media is one indication, and now it's official. The Census Bureau reports that next to English, Spanish is now the most-used language in the nation. Seventeen million people in thirty-nine states speak Spanish daily. This 1990 census data says that one out of seven Americans speak a language other than English. This nation's outgoing and Spanish-speaking Surgeon General, Dr. Antonia Novello, recently added to the controversy regarding President Clinton's healthcare plan.

Los virus no identifican persona por pasaporte ni por tarjetita. En ese sentido, hay que de quitarle el temor a buscar salud…

Novello stated that it should include coverage for undocumented workers for public health reasons and added that viruses and bacteria did not ask for green cards. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, head of the Health Care Task Force, says that the healthcare plan would not provide courage for the undocumented. That topic and other healthcare issues of interest to the Hispanic community were on the table when Mrs. Clinton recently met with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. From Washington, Patricia Guadalupe reports.

Mrs. Clinton came to Capitol Hill promising greater minority-group participation in changing the healthcare system. An issue of particular worry to Congressman José Serrano, Democrat of New York and chairman of the caucus, is the lack of sufficient medical data on Hispanics.

One of the things I mentioned to her, for instance, was that tuberculosis in New York City's Hispanic community was always a problem but now has become a national problem when it reached out. So we need research to know what unique medical needs exist.

Puerto Rico's resident commissioner, Carlos Romero-Barceló, told Mrs. Clinton that residents of Puerto Rico don't enjoy full-healthcare rights as other U.S. citizens.

We have the absurd situation that here we have citizens who are not covered by Medicaid and even veterans in Puerto Rico not covered by Medicaid.

According to the National Council of La Raza, one-third of all Hispanics have no medical coverage. Members of the Hispanic Caucus want the Clinton administration to extend universal healthcare to the uninsured and undocumented workers, over half of whom are Hispanic. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe.

There have been a number of recent Latino appointments to the Clinton administration. They include demographer Leo Estrada as director of the Census Bureau; former California State Supreme Court Judge Cruz Reynoso, named to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; Suzanna Valdez, a former aid to Vice President Gore, has been named White House liaison to the Hispanic community; and Alfonso Diaz was named Deputy Associated Administrator for NASA. You're listening to Latino USA.

This is Latino USA, a radio journal of news and culture. I'm María Hinojosa. Today on Latino USA: in memory of César Chávez, a special report from Delano, California.

We shall miss César's powerful voice. His life and its example call each of us to a higher purpose. ¡Viva la raza! ¡Viva la causa! ¡Viva César Chávez!

And César's own words from his last major speech.

It is a boycott…public action…that saved this union. It is the only way we've ever made any progress, is through the boycott.

Also, health in the Latino community and the Clinton Health Plan. All this on Latino USA. But first: las noticias.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm María Martin. Proceedings have begun in San Francisco for the administrative discharge of Army Sergeant José Zuniga, the 1993 Sixth-Army Soldier of the Year and a decorated Gulf War hero. Zuniga recently announced he was gay. Franc Contreras has this report.

Zuniga disclosed his sexual orientation at April's Gay and Lesbian March in Washington, knowing he might jeopardize his own future in the military. He says he made the announcement because his exemplary record and achievements would enlighten those who oppose gays in the military. Army personnel would not comment on Zuniga's case, saying only that he has been processed for administrative discharge. The outcome depends on President Clinton's decision on the gay military ban. Regardless of his personal fate, Sergeant Zuniga says he hopes his action will encourage other distinguished gay and lesbian soldiers to reveal their orientation. For Latino USA, this is Franc Contreras.

In New York City, Mayor David Dinkins is calling for amnesty for Puerto Rican political prisoners. Mandalit del Barco reports.

Today, there are more than 45 Puerto Ricans in federal prisons across the country, some of them in jail for 10 years or more because of their work to free Puerto Rico from its U.S. ties. Three years ago, New York City mayor David Dinkins called three of the most famous Puerto Rican Independentistas assassins. Recently, however, he announced a support for freeing more than 21 political prisoners. Dinkins agreed with an amnesty resolution approved last fall by the New York City Council, and he said he's even written to President Clinton on behalf of the prisoners, asking for freedom as a humanitarian gesture. In November, the city council called on the United Nations to declare a general amnesty for the Puerto Ricans now in jail. Their status is a continuing issue for the Senate and Congress as hearings on a Puerto Rican plebiscite continue. For Latino USA, I'm Mandalit del Barco in New York.

And I want to offer my congratulations and best wishes to all who've worked so hard to launch Latino USA.

I believe it will be a new forum for all the diverse voices throughout America's Latino communities and a new way for more Americans to learn more about the importance of the many Latino cultures in the United States and the many leaders who have brought and are bringing hope and inspiration to all Americans.

In Kansas City, it was built as a peace and justice summit as African American and Latino gang members gathered to try to chart a new direction for urban youth. From Kansas City, Frank Morris reports.

The gang members, former gang members, and community activists who met at the Urban Peace and Justice Summit have announced goals to make their embattled neighborhoods and barrios safer and wealthier. They say a new generation of urban leaders has emerged from the summit and formed a coalition between African Americans and Latinos to stop gang violence. Nane Alejandrez is executive director of the National Coalition to End Barrio Warfare in Santa Cruz, California.

We're tired of seeing our mothers at the graveyard. I personally have lost 2 brothers, 7 relatives, 20 relatives to the penitentiary, and I am tired, and I come here as a peacemaker.

Summit participants have agreed to spread the urban peace movement to fight police brutality and to pressure President Clinton to create a half a million dollars’ worth of new inner-city youth jobs. For Latino USA, I'm Frank Morris.

President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton have begun presenting their proposals to Congress about how to revamp the American healthcare system. The idea is that in the future, all Americans working or not will be covered by some kind of healthcare, but what about Latinos in this country, citizens or not? Wilma Montañez is a longtime national healthcare activist. She's currently the director of the Latina Round Table on Health and Reproductive Health in New York City. Wilma, what is the biggest healthcare problem facing Latinos, and will the Clinton plan help out?

There is a situation that in many of the Latino communities, we don't have access to healthcare, period. It's just not there. It's not in our communities. The infrastructure has not been put in place. The few community-based clinics that maybe were there may have been defunded through the years or have not really kept up with the needs of the community. So that's number one…is access to healthcare. And then, we are concerned about access for everyone…undocumented. Will it take care of the needs of specific reproductive health needs for women? Will it cover contraceptive services? Will it cover prevention? Will it cover abortion services?

Well, will it cover any of those things? Let's take, for example, the question of undocumented immigrants, many of whom are Latinos. Does the Clinton healthcare plan do anything to address their needs, or are they simply forgotten?

There is a lot of emphasis on connecting this healthcare reform to jobs, which is wonderful if it means that everybody in the United States is going to be working, but we know that, one: we do have a high percentage of people who are unemployed, in particular in the Latino communities of the country. Also that if it's related to a job, will all jobs feel this obligation to really provide healthcare insurance? Many of the jobs where you do find undocumented workers, they're the type of jobs that usually fall through the cracks. They're the kind of jobs that nobody ever thinks about and nobody ever wants to recognize, and we're concerned that then, the folks working in those types of jobs still will be uncovered.

How much, in fact, were Latino healthcare activists included in the process?

I think it has been minimal. I don't think it has been a concerted effort, using many people in the community, using a variety of people on different levels. I think when you're talking about providing healthcare, you can't just talk to the policymakers. You have to talk to some direct service providers, to policymakers, even folks in the medical schools that provide the folks who are going to be working in the communities. Because I think what's…what’s happening is that there is this healthcare reform that's being established, which is very much middle-class oriented. When you're working with folks who have not had access to quality care forever or if they ever had it in this country, then you're talking about people who may not know how to maneuver themselves through that type of healthcare system that’s been…you know, that they're talking about. So I think that's more the issue. And ignorance, I think there is ignorance. I think that people really don't understand how different it is when you have no access to healthcare, that it is difficult to make your way through appointments and through large clinics and just finding an [unintelligible] provider.

Thank you very much. Wilma Montañez is the director of the Latina Roundtable on Health and Reproductive Health in New York City.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Maria Martin. An association of Latino attorneys is lobbying the President to name a Hispanic to the nation's highest court. From Miami, Emilio San Pedro reports.

The Latino community is the second largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States, but a Latino has never served on the United States Supreme Court. That's the premise on which the Hispanic National Bar Association, the HNBA, based its campaign to President Bill Clinton to appoint a Latino to the Supreme Court. HNBA National President Carlos Ortiz says that not only is it important to have a Latino on the Supreme Court for the sake of equal representation, but also, he says a qualified Latino Justice could bring a unique perspective to the court.

We feel that with a new perspective on that court, that the arguments that could be made by and between the judges that have to make them in order to arrive at a decision that will impact upon the 250 million Americans that have to follow the Supreme Court's law, that Hispanics can greatly contribute to the development of that new law, and then the administration of justice.

The short list of seven potential nominees was presented to President Clinton on March 21st. They include Joseph Baca, a Justice on the New Mexico Supreme Court, Texas Attorney General Don Morales, and Wilmer Martinez, former President and General Counsel of MALDAEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. For Latino USA, I'm Emilio San Pedro.

A Hispanic coalition has issued a report card grading President Clinton's appointment of high-level Latinos to his administration. As Patricia Guadalupe reports from Washington, the President earned high marks in some departments, low marks in others.

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 28 Latino agencies, examined President Clinton's first 100 days. They found that only 16 Hispanics have been appointed to top White House and Cabinet posts. That is less than 5% of all positions available. Four departments; Agriculture, Labor, State, and Veteran Affairs, received an F for having no Hispanics in positions requiring Senate confirmation. The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda applauded the appointments of cabinet secretaries Henry Cisneros and Federico Pena. Still, coalition Director Frank Newton said the overall picture for Hispanics was disappointing. For it's high-level Hispanic appointments, the coalition gave the Clinton Administration an overall grade of C-. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

The debate over healthcare reform continues. In a full page ad in the New York Times, three California Latino organizations urged President Clinton to include everyone, even the undocumented, in his upcoming healthcare plan. From Sacramento, Armando Botello reports.

The Latino issues for a Mexican American political association and American GI forum based their petition on the assumption that preventive healthcare is a good investment. John Gamboa is President of the Latino Issues Forum.

There's no real good reason why these people should not be counted. First, it's un-American. Second, it doesn't save money. Third, if we don't cover them, the health of everybody else is in jeopardy because a communicable disease that could be prevented may spread to other people and increase the cost, and get other people sick simply because we won't cover them.

According to Gamboa, the only criticism to their petition has come from anti-immigrant groups. However, Arnoldo Torres, former National Director of the League of Latin American Citizens, says the plan is not feasible because of an anti-immigrant climate, a shortage of funds, lack of Latino health professionals, and a lack of consensus among the Latino community to back the proposal. Torres however offers an alternative which would be linked to the Free Trade Agreement.

Some of the revenue and benefit that Mexico will receive from this, and as well as the US, ought to be providing... It should be put into some reserve/trust fund to cover some of the healthcare costs of undocumented people in this country.

So far, the only response to the proposal has come from the California Congressional Delegation, which has asked the President to look into it. In Sacramento, California, I'm Armando Botello reporting for Latino USA.

Seasonal farm workers have been left out of Washington State's newly-enacted healthcare law, considered the most sweeping in the nation. Farm worker health advocates call the exclusion "unwise and unconstitutional", and plant a core challenge. I'm Maria Martin. You're listening to Latino USA.

Puerto Rico's governor, Pedro Rosselló, also came to Washington to lobby Congress. Rosselló wants the US government to maintain Section 936 of the US tax code. Section 936 allows US companies operating in Puerto Rico to go without paying taxes for 10 years. From Washington, Patricia Guadalupe has more.

Section 936 was originally planned as a post-World War II economic incentive to industrialize the once agricultural economy of Puerto Rico. Section 936 is viewed by many lawmakers, including President Clinton, as an unnecessary tax shelter. According to congressional figures, eliminating Section 936 would add more than 6 billion to the US Treasury. President Clinton has proposed eliminating Section 936, but Puerto Rico's governor Pedro Rosselló believes that would spell economic disaster for the island. Rosselló says Puerto Rico's unemployment rate, now at 18%, double the US average, would rise sharply. Over a third of the island's workforce is employed by Section 936 companies. Rosselló met with New York Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

What we asked him to do was to include a two-option plan. Also, that the level of contribution from Section 936 is new revenues to treasury be kept in the range of 3 billion dollars over the next five years.

Some proposals include keeping Section 936 revenues in Puerto Rico to help pay for a national healthcare plan. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Maria Martin. President Clinton met with Latino leaders from around the country in Washington. Among those meeting with the president were representatives of the National Council of La Raza, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Healthcare, Education and Clinton's economic plan were among the topics on the agenda.

UCLA Chancellor Charles Young says he stands by his decision to maintain Chicano studies as an interdisciplinary program rather than a department at the university.

President Clinton say some recent polls is rapidly losing popularity with the American public. The president, for his part, says it's just that people don't understand his economic plan. Well, here at Latino USA, we wondered how US Latinos, who in November voted overwhelmingly for candidate Clinton, feel about the President's performance so far. Our first informal sampling comes from the small border community of Clint, Texas, just outside El Paso.

I'm Maria Martin. Clint Texas is a small working-class border community, quiet on a warm Saturday afternoon. Those people I spoke with fell into two categories. One, the politically apathetic, and two, those who felt that any judgment on the President is premature.

It's going to take time. It can be done in one day.

To me, it's all the same. I'm just waiting to see what kind of taxes he brings up because I am opening up my own business.

Yeah, I'm happy. We need a change. He's doing a good job.

Well, he's doing okay in some things and the other things he's not because well, he needs people to back him up.

He can't do everything the way it was. I tell you one thing, he was messed up. Our nation was pretty messed up. How can he fix in less than a year. He can't.

[Background--Sounds--Nature] I'm Emilio San Pedro in Wynwood, a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood just north of downtown Miami, Florida. Here, reaction to President Clinton's performance was mixed.

I don't know if it's too early in the year to feel the effects, but up to now I haven't felt any and I haven't seen that my community has felt anything that he's promised. I don't think he's made any changes, and we haven't felt any in the Hispanic community.

[Translation--Dub--English] Well, I think he's doing all right because it's only his first months in office.

[Translation--Dub--English] Well, I'll tell you with all my heart. I voted for Clinton because I hoped for a change, but the truth is I see things worse every day.

[Translation--Dub--English] He's going to have to raise taxes. I voted for Bush. Don't blame me.

People here in suburban Monterey Park, in Eastern LA County, are divided over the issue of President Clinton's performance on the job, with most willing to give him more time. Some felt he needed more on-the-job experience.

I think he's doing well. Everyone's saying that he's doing bad, but I think he's going to go through with it. He's going to take care of everything and improve it. They'll see, everyone's going to see how he's going to do good.

I think he's doing in between. I'm not really satisfied with everything he's doing, but he's our president, so we have to pull for him, stay together with him.

Since I saw him that he was elected, I like him because he is sincere and he tells you, he says what he thinks, and it's right for the people.

[Spanish speaking--sounds--dubbing] But with the country the way it is, it's impossible for things to get fixed in a moment. Really. It's too soon to say whether he's a good or a bad president.

In Monterey Park, reporting for Latino USA, this is Alberto Aguilar.

Throughout her life, she has repeatedly stood for the individual, the person less well off, the outsider in society, and has given those people greater hope by telling them that they have a place in our legal system.

I'm Maria Hinojosa. Latino journalists were hoping they would get a chance to share their views with President Bill Clinton, but a rumored White House reception with the President was scaled down to just a small briefing with two of his assistants who apologized that the President couldn't make it. It was a big letdown for those who attended this year's conference. And as Patricia Guadalupe reports, although President Clinton has appointed two high-profile Latinos to his cabinet, many feel that small number of appointees is also a disappointment.

Latinos applauded the president when he appointed former Denver Mayor Federico Peña as Transportation Secretary and former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. However, almost five months later, Latinos around the country are disappointed more Hispanics aren't part of the Clinton administration, particularly in high-profile policymaking positions. The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of Latino agencies, says that Hispanics hold less than 5% of the positions requiring Senate confirmation. One of those who wants to see more Hispanics working inside the Clinton administration is Democratic Congressman Esteban Torres of California.

We have asked the president to consider the numbers of the percentages based on former administrations and, again, with his commitment that he was going to seek for a more diversified administration and more diversified White House. And while the numbers are beginning to show up in percentages, we still see Hispanics as a very low-level number of appointments, and this should not be so.

One of Clinton's most vocal critics is Dolores Huerta, former vice president of the United Farm Workers Union, but her disenchantment with the administration reaches beyond the issue of appointments. Huerta has been promoting the idea of forming a new political party with other prominent Latinos to give Hispanics an alternative voice. She's also critical of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which she feels is not applying adequate pressure on the Clinton administration.

And I think that they have to do more. They have to be a lot more assertive, like the Black Caucus has been. The Black Caucus made up their own budget. They're not afraid to come out and blast the president and tell him he's wrong, right? And I don't see the same kind of thing coming from the Hispanic Caucus. I think they've got to talk more about issues and talk more about programs and take more leadership than what they're doing now.

But others are willing to give Clinton more time. One of them is Chicago City Treasurer Miriam Santos, the first Latina to oversee the budget of a major city. Santos says she is also disappointed, but she feels it's still too early to pass judgment.

I think the process has been very slow and cumbersome. I'm hoping that the administration rectifies that. In fact, I mean, we should be delighted that we have Henry Cisneros and Federico Peña. There have been a few other Latino key appointments, and I think that most of us -- and I'd certainly like to see more Latino appointments, and we're hoping that that's going to be corrected. We're still sending resumes. We're still working with them. It's a little disappointing, though.

However, the White House defends its appointment record, saying there are 15 Hispanics in high-level positions. Meanwhile, an administration source says the problem is not a lack of commitment to the Hispanic community but more an issue of disorganization within the office in charge of appointments. In fact, Latinos are not the only group complaining. Others also say the White House has been very slow in getting its team in place. For example, the administration took almost half a year to name a Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Director of Presidential Personnel, Jose Villarreal, acknowledges the appointment process has taken longer than expected. Nevertheless, he says President Clinton hopes to name more Hispanics soon. For "Latino USA," I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

The Clinton administration plans to shut down phone services allowing people in this country to call Cuba through Canada. State Department officials say companies advertising toll-free numbers, which link callers to Cuba, may violate the U.S. trade embargo. The embargo against Cuba was established more than 30 years ago and has been expanded in recent years.

It is not a perfect solution. It is not identical with some of my own goals and it certainly will not please everyone, perhaps not anyone.

The simple fact is that we must not and we will not surrender our borders to those who wish to exploit our history of compassion and justice.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Vidal Guzman. President Clinton's economic plan faced opposition from Republicans who called it one more democratic tax and spend plan and even from members from his own party. And as Patricia Guadalupe reports, members of the Hispanic caucus were concerned about cuts to social programs.

Democratic members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus conditioned their support of President Clinton's budget on his backing the House version, which contains more money for social programs. The Senate version virtually eliminates many of those programs. Caucus chair José Serrano of New York says Hispanic representatives are also concerned about amendments they find discriminatory.

There is a mean amendment going around that says that any dollars allocated for any program must meet a test that says if you are... You serve an undocumented alien, anywhere in any of the programs you may run as an agency that you cannot share in those dollars.

President Clinton promised the caucus he would try to include their points in the final budget version. For Latino USA, Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

100 Democratic congressmen have asked President Clinton to delay any action on the North American free trade agreement until Congress can consider the administration's healthcare plan. The President's press secretary says Mr. Clinton has not yet made a final decision on the timing of the two initiatives, but that a vote on NAFTA is expected before the end of the year.

The simple fact is that we must not and we will not surrender our borders to those who wish to exploit our history of compassion and justice.

We will treat organizing a crime syndicate to smuggle aliens as a serious crime and we will increase the number of border patrol equipping and training them to be first class law enforcement officer.

More than 30 years ago after the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and the failed US backed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs, the United States government imposed an economic embargo of that island. Trade and travel to Cuba were prohibited under most circumstances. Under the Trading With the Enemies Act, that policy has softened and then heartened over the years. Most recently, it was tightened under legislation sponsored by Representative Robert Torricelli of New Jersey, the Cuban Democracy Act. Now that policy is being challenged by a group led by several religious leaders. It's an effort known as Pastors for Peace.

I'm Sandra Levinson. I'm from New York, but I started on the Duluth route.

Joe Callahan from Minneapolis.

I’m Henry Garcia from Chicago.

Latino USA caught up with a group Pastors for Peace in Austin a few days before they defied US government policy by taking medicines, food, and other aid to the economically strapped island of Cuba.

We're taking such dangerous things as tons of powdered milk. We are taking pharmaceuticals because they are actually distilling their own pharmaceuticals out of the herbs and plants in the fields. I've seen that with my own eyes just in April. They don't even have sutures to close surgical wounds.

Like the Reverend George Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church in downtown Los Angeles. Every one of the approximately 300 people involved in the motley caravan of school buses, vans, and trucks that make up the Pastors for Peace eight caravan opposes the US economic embargo of Cuba. So much so that they refuse to obtain the license the Custom Bureau requires in order to ship anything to that island.

We refuse to ask for a license. We refuse to accept the license if the government extends one to us. Our license is really our command from God to feed the hungry, to give clothes to those who are naked, to visit those in prison, to give a cup of cold water. We must do this to the least and even to those with whom we may have differences.

The Reverend Lucius Walker of the Salvation Baptist Church in Brooklyn is the founder of Pastors for Peace. His stand on Cuba has not made him very popular among those opposed to the government of Fidel Castro. And he says he's received a number of threats.

Telephone calls to my office, threatening to come over with a pistol and take care of me.

Still. Walker insists he is not engaging in politics, only in the highest tradition of religious principles and civil disobedience.

Of Jesus Christ, of Martin Luther King, of Gandhi, and all of those who are the good examples of what it takes to make social progress in a world that if left to its own devices could be a very ugly place to live.

[Music] About 30 members of the Pastors for Peace Group sit around a television three days before they're set to rendezvous with more caravan members to cross the border at Laredo. They're watching a video about how the animosity between the governments of Cuba and this country have separated families for as long as 30 years.

No quiero vivir allá, no me gusta vivir allá. Pero me gusta vivir aquí, pero quiero ver a mi hermana, y a mis sobrinos que nacieron allá. Que son familia, que son sangre. [Translation: I don’t want to live there, I don’t like living there. I like living here, but I want to see my sister, and my nephews that were born over there. They are family, they are blood.]

I grew up myself with my family always saying, you know, that the only way to get out is to go to US to have a better life, to live like normal people, to wear jeans, to eat gum, chew gum. It's like very idiotic things to think of when I live here now, and you know, I have to learn the language.

Elisa Ruiz Zamora was born in Cuba. She came to this country with her family when she was 18. She's now a young mother and student making her life here in the States. But when she heard about the caravan of aid to Cuba, she brought her family down to meet with a group. Her mother, brother, and grandfather are still on the island and she hopes some of the caravan's aid gets to them. It's amazing, she says, to see Americans get together to help another nation, one their government has told them is a dangerous enemy.

Tell the opposite to their government. The government's like to me, it's like they want to be the judges of the world. Say, what should happen here? What shouldn't happen, how Cubans should live their lives. And we have a mind of our own and we always have. There's...

The Clinton administration has so far given little indication that it's ready to lift the blockade on Cuba. During his election campaign, Mr. Clinton received considerable support from anti-Castro organizations like the Cuban American National Foundation, but with the easing of telephone communications with the island, some now believe there might be a small window of possible change on other fronts. Sandra Levinson is the director of the Center for Cuban Studies in New York.

They are looking, I think, in Washington for a way to change policy, which does not really give anything to Cuba. Of course, we will never do that, but will ease the tension somewhat, perhaps make it possible for more people to travel legally to Cuba. Make it possible for AT&T to put down some new telephone lines and perhaps give some of the 80 million dollars in escrow, which is accrued for Cuba to the nation, which so desperately needs that money. They don't care how much they have to pay for a telephone call. They want to talk to their mama.

As this program went to air, most of the Pastors for Peace caravan had been able to get across the border, except for two school buses and a few other vehicles. Among the drivers of those vehicles was the delegation leader, the Reverend Lucius Walker, who in the non-violent tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, began a hunger strike in protest. For Latino USA, I'm Maria Martin reporting.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Maria Martin. The struggle over the North American free trade agreement continues to intensify. Even as treaty negotiations draw to a close, supporters and opponents of NAFTA heat up the lobbying effort for votes in Congress. Among vocal opponents of NAFTA coming to Capitol Hill recently were members of Mexico's opposition Democratic Revolutionary Party. From Washington, Patricia Guadalupe reports.

While Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari has staked his political reputation on passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Congressman Miguel Huerta of Mexico's Democratic Revolutionary Party said he had to come to Washington to tell his counterparts here that the North American Free Trade Agreement would hurt citizens of both countries.

It's not the problem that because we are opposed to Salinas, we are opposed to NAFTA. It's not... that's not the argument. We are opposed to some fundamental chapters of this NAFTA because it's bad for the citizen of the two countries. We are opposed to NAFTA because some chapters and some principles establishing the NAFTA are opposed to the interest of citizens of Mexico, of United States, and of Canada.

Since then, six Democratic senators have sent a letter to President Clinton, urging him to renegotiate the free-trade agreement. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe, in Washington.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Vidal Guzmán. California governor Pete Wilson is calling for major changes to limit undocumented immigration. The governor promoted a so-called program for recovery at press conferences in San Diego and Los Angeles. Alberto Aguilar reports.

Governor Wilson alleges that up to 2 million of California's 32 million people are here illegally, 1 million in Los Angeles alone.

In a state where we have within Los Angeles, a community of illegal immigrants the size of San Diego.

Governor Wilson, who will probably seek reelection next year, wants President Clinton to deny US-born children of undocumented parents citizenship and access to healthcare and education: proposals which have created a firestorm of controversy with state Senator Art Torres saying that the governor is using the wrong approach to a complex problem. Other immigration advocates say denying education to children goes against a 1982 US Supreme Court decision and keeping somebody from achieving citizenship will require a change in the 14th amendment to the US Constitution. For Latino USA, I'm Alberto Aguilar in Los Angeles.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Maria Martin.

Today I'm pleased to announce that the governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada-

Now that the governments of North America have agreed on labor and environmental accords to the North American Free Trade Agreement, President Clinton has named a NAFTA czar. He's William Daley, brother of current Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. It'll be his job as head of the administration's task force on NAFTA to push the free trade agreement through a still undecided Congress.

We're here today as a coalition of Latinos, leaders in our community, leaders in business, and leaders in the political arena to hold Governor Wilson accountable for his recent proposals to President Clinton.

As politicians throughout the nation from Washington to Texas come up with proposals to curb illegal immigration. A coalition of Latino organizations in California warned that immigrants are fast becoming the scapegoats of bad economic times. From Los Angeles, Alberto Aguilar reports.

In just 12 hours, this week, US attorney Janet Reno, two US Senators, Governor Pete Wilson, the state Senate, and the assembly put aside other issues to promote laws against illegal immigration. The rush to legislate and castigate illegal immigration has created a great deal of concern in the Latino community, which responded with its own open letter decrying Governor Wilson's recent initiatives to strip immigrants of access to health, education, and constitutional protection.

We know well in our community that this is a historical cycle. During the depression in 1931, immigrants were made scapegoats. In 1954, immigrants were made scapegoats. During the inflationary periods of the seventies, immigrants were made scapegoats. And the 1990s, in today's recession, guess what? Immigrants are being made scapegoats.

Arturo Vargas is the vice president of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund. MALDEF is part of the coalition who responded to what they feel is an anti-immigrant hysteria. Representing the Latino Business Association, Ed Vasquez disputes that immigrants are a public charge.

There's a hundred thousand, 100,000 Latino owned businesses in Los Angeles alone generating six and a half billion dollars in revenues every single year. For the politicians to blame the economic problems on immigrants it sends out a dangerous message. Immigrants did not take away the jobs in the defense industry. Immigrants are not taking away jobs from corporate America, bad economic policies are.

California leaders aware of the upcoming state elections strongly decry what they call scapegoating of Latinos for the sorry state of California's economy by both Republicans and Democrats. For Latinos USA, I'm Alberto Aguilar in Los Angeles.

After months of protracted talks, negotiators for the United States, Canada, and Mexico have reached agreement on side accords to the North American Free Trade Agreement. But not everyone is happy with the final consensus, not labor, not environmental groups. Not even an organization called the Latino Consensus on NAFTA, a coalition of groups which generally support NAFTA. From Washington, Patricia Guadalupe has more.

The agreement reached includes oversight commissions that will monitor environmental and labor standards in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Sanctions and fines are established for failure to obey labor and environmental laws. US trade representative Mickey Kantor called it, "A momentous pact that raises the standard of living for the three countries."

For the first time a free trade agreement covers workers' rights and the environment. This will serve as a model in the future.

But the same groups the negotiators were trying to appease are still not convinced. Labor and environmental groups attacked the agreement saying it didn't go far enough. Ron Carey is president of the Teamsters Union.

President Clinton made it very clear the protections that he would be looking at and the kinds of things that were important to him were raising the wages, protecting the environment, and providing good jobs for Americans. Well, these side agreements simply don't do that. American corporations through this agreement are encouraged more than ever to move to Mexico. So, when you look at that from our perspective and from working people in this country, what you see is that corporations get NAFTA and working people in this country get shafta.

There are even those who want a trade agreement but don't like the accords reached. One of those groups is the Latino Consensus, an Association of National Hispanic Organizations that support NAFTA. They are not happy with what the negotiators agreed to regarding the financing of border projects. The Latino Consensus wanted a bank that would not just finance border activity or just concentrate on environmental projects. The financing mechanism agreed to only addresses conditions at the border. Trade policy analysts, Mary Jo Marion of the National Council of La Raza, which is part of the consensus, said that, "This agreement was hastily put together and she doesn't feel it does enough to convince those members of Congress who remain undecided."

We have now formed a block in Congress of people that are on the fence that are part of this bill, they're saying, "If we get the NADBank or most of it, then we can vote for the free trade agreement." I don't think that the administration can afford to ignore that. I mean, they haven't got enough votes. They need to work with us and the proposal that they now have, even with the side agreements are not going to be enough.

A tough fight awaits NAFTA when Congress returns in September, especially in the House of Representatives, even in President Clinton's own Democratic Party. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

For four days, recently, more than 150,000 young people gathered in Denver to see Pope John Paul II. Among them, many Latinos from across the country. Producer Betto Arcos, spoke to the young Hispanics about what was on their minds, issues ranging from the future of the Latino community to abortion, President Clinton's performance, and gays in the military.

The Hispanic community is not getting very well educated, okay? We need to push more for education.

We're working our way up, and I want to see us in power, not let everybody else walk all over us. We're going to be doing a lot of the walking, and we've got a lot to do.

President Clinton, up to this day, I feel that he takes in a lot of information from his public, from his staff, and he later he comes up with the plan out of that.

I think he's done a good job so far. I think he's the best president ever since John F Kennedy.

I'm sure he has good intentions. He can't please everybody all the time. He's looking out for the general welfare of the whole United States.

I do like the fact that he has let gays and lesbians in the army and stuff like that because I mean, that's their own private life, and nobody should get into that because it's theirs and it's personal. So I mean, we shouldn't hold that against them. Their preference is their business as long as they can do their work right. I mean, I think that's cool.

That's a tough situation. And the way it is right now there, we know that there are some gays in the military, but we don't know who they are, if they keep it quiet or ... Once you do know, I do know of one, a guy that was in my unit, and he seemed just like any other guy. So on a personal level, it's all right, but when you think about the overall picture, it's kind of an eerie feeling.

I don't know if you can say maybe the sixties, free love, everything like that was a part of it. And some of the people took that wrong as to what free love was, and they took it to the extremes with sex. And nowadays, you have a generation that holds nothing sacred.

Yeah, I believe that it's women's choice, even though in the case of rape, they should have an abortion, like incest and stuff like that. But I do believe it's women's choice.

Abortion is not a word for me. I don't believe in it.

Sex is not a game. It's not something we should play with. Responsible sex is knowing that you're going to have sex and knowing that the possibility of having a child is there and taking that responsibility if a child is in your womb.

I work in a neighborhood where the dropout rate is 75% of our high school and 75% of that, 45% of that is due to pregnancy. And I can't justify telling a kid for whatever reason, not to have abortion, not to have abortion, but I think it should be there to be addressed correctly.

NAFTA will bring more jobs and better jobs.

Labor Secretary Robert Reich launched the latest effort by the Clinton administration to push the North American Free Trade Agreement through Congress. While a coalition of Hispanic organizations and elected officials urged the president to adopt other measures to, in their words, ensure Latino support for NAFTA.

I have to be able to tell my constituents that it's a good agreement.

California Congressman Esteban Torres joined other Latino office holders and organizations such as the National Council of La Raza to announce their support for NAFTA is contingent on the adoption of provisions for dislocated workers or regional development bank, and fair opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Without this, Torres NAFTA doesn't really address the needs of Latinos.

And certainly without the enthusiastic support of Latinos and their elected officials, NAFTA has little, if any chance, for passage. It's going to be a very tough battle in Congress, and every vote counts.

We heard him speak at the White House with the three former presidents reassuring people. Now the question, is it going to be enough? If it's enough to...

Both sides in the ever-escalating battle over the North American Free Trade Agreement are rolling out their big guns with President Clinton calling on three former presidents to declare their support for NAFTA while opponents from Labor to Ross Perot garner more votes against the trade treaty. Latinos are on both sides of the issue playing critical roles according to NPR reporter Richard Gonzales.

In the pro-NAFTA camp, the major player is Congressman Bill Richardson of New Mexico. He is the chief deputy whip for the Democrats, one of the leaders trying to save the NAFTA. In the anti-NAFTA camp, I think that the one of the leading players is California Congressman Esteban Torres. Torres is interesting because he could possibly go over to the other side and support NAFTA if the administration were to accept his proposal for a North American Development bank, which would go to help fund border cleanup and worker retraining throughout the country for people who get hurt by NAFTA. But until now, the administration has been just kind of leading him along, saying, "Yes, Mr. Congressman Torres, we will consider your bill," but they've yet to sign onto it.

NPR reporter Richard Gonzales. He says, "Cuban American Congress members remain opposed to the trade agreement." In California, three of several bills seeking to limit immigration and access to services by the undocumented have been approved by the state legislature. Armando Botello has more.

I'm Maria Hinojosa. From mom-and-pop stores to computer corporations, the number of Latino-owned businesses in this country is growing rapidly. According to the US business census, 20 years ago, there were just over a hundred thousand such enterprises. Today, they number over a half a million with total revenues of over $34 billion. That figure is expected to rise to $49 billion by the year 2000. A number of CEOs of the top Latino-owned business firms were in Washington, DC recently for a dialogue with policy makers in the nation's capital. Latino USA's, Patricia Guadalupe reports.

Organized by Hispanic Business magazine, this gathering brought over 250 chief executive officers of top Hispanic companies to communicate their concerns and legislative priorities to members of Congress and President Clinton. Among their concerns, the North American Free Trade Agreement and healthcare reform. Nancy Archuleta, CEO of MEVATEC Corporation, a small aerospace company in Huntsville, Alabama, is concerned that available details from the President's healthcare plan indicate it may pose problems for many Latino businesses.

Almost a resounding message that we've received is that small to mid-size business America has not been heard. We currently provide full pay medical benefits to our employees, but given the tax reform, given healthcare as a mandate, those things would really make me consider seriously whether I would be able to even be profitable any longer. And if I can't be profitable, obviously, I can't stay in business.

Archuleta added that as part of their meetings with congressional leaders, the Hispanic CEOs will propose tax incentives for small businesses as a way to help pay for participation in the healthcare system.

A majority of the business leaders assembled support the North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Many say that as Latinos, they can take advantage of the common language and cultural identification with Mexico. Gilbert Moreno, a senior partner for a telecommunications company in El Paso, Texas, says that even though he has problems with the enforcement powers of the labor and environmental site agreements to NAFTA, he feels those who are against the treaty don't realize it as beneficial overall.

I think there's a lot of issues, environmental, a lot of concerns that existed with or without the NAFTA environment here that I think are muddying the water relative to what's happening. And I think that we have no choice as American business people to use some provisions that are not to our liking as the excuse not to move forward. We have no choice, and what I'm afraid of is that most of the legislators who for political reasons may be making the decision not to vote for NAFTA are not taking a look at the big picture and the common ground that we can reach between the three nations.

According to the latest US Census and Department of Labor Statistics, new business growth, even in a recession, is greatest among Hispanics and even outpaces the population group in that community. Democratic representative, Lucille Roybal-Allard of California, one of the lawmakers meeting with the Latino business leaders says that with the growing influence of Latinos, more members of Congress are paying attention.

The Latino community and the business community is growing tremendously, and it has tremendous influence, not only in terms of the contributions that the Latino businesses will make to the economy of the United States but in terms of their political influence, their influence and a lot of the policy decisions that are going to be have been made and are being made today.

Those attending the business leaders conference also met with members of Clinton's cabinet. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.[transition music]

This healthcare system of ours is badly broken and it is time to fix it.

Nothing short of a social revolution is how some describe President Clinton's attempt to reform the nation's health system and provide comprehensive health coverage for all Americans.

If you lose your job or you switch jobs, you're covered. If you leave your job to start a small business, you're covered.

As many as a third of you as Latinos now lack health coverage. Perhaps no group stands to benefit more from an extension of health insurance, but members of the Hispanic Medical Association, a coalition of 25 Latino health groups say they have several concerns about the administration's health plan. Among these, what happens to community health clinics and to the public health if there is no coverage for the undocumented. Association president, Dr. Elena Rios.

Very few Latinos have been involved with the policymaking process and we think that we can add more of our own insight if we can be involved at every level, but we think that once the new health system happens, in whatever form, that Latino representation be mandated.

Latino health advocates also want to see a health system that is culturally and linguistically accessible to the country's 24 million Latinos. Mexican president Carlos Salina de Gortari paid a visit to the US recently to promote the embattled North American Free Trade Agreement. In California, Salina said free trade is the key to stopping illegal immigration from Mexico. Isabella Legria reports

In a speech before corporate VIPs from 65 countries meeting in San Francisco, Salina said Mexico needs to invest in itself if it is to curb the flight of Mexicans to the US in search of work.

I will also emphasize that we want trade and not aid. It is trade that will provides us with the opportunities to invest more, to produce more, to create more job opportunities in Mexico.

Salinas went on to say that undocumented Mexican immigrants are wrongly accused of relying on government support at the expense of US taxpayers who see them as a burden, not a resource.

Mexicans who come to the US looking for jobs in this country take risks, are very courageous and very talented people. That is why we want them in Mexico.

Earlier this month, California governor Pete Wilson wrote to the Mexican president saying that NAFTA was endangered by a perception that Mexico was not making efforts to curb the illegal immigration of Mexicans to the US. Wilson has proposed denying healthcare and access to public education to the undocumented in California. For Latino USA, I'm Isabella Lagria in San Francisco.

I'm Maria Martin. Reaction to and debate about President Clinton's Health Security Act of 1993 began long before the act was unveiled officially and is still going strong. Latino USA's Patricia Guadalupe spoke with Latino legislators and policy makers in the nation's capital. She prepared this report.

In what is called by analysts the most ambitious economic and social reform since President Franklin Roosevelt proposed social security more than half a century ago, President Clinton delivered his long promised plan to reform the current healthcare system. In a joint session of Congress, he outlined what he called six guiding principles. Security, simplicity, savings, choice, quality and responsibility, with the focus on universal access. Although President Clinton offered very little detail, particularly on how to pay for the new system, it was welcomed by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Democratic representative Ed Pastor of Arizona called this a first step in the right direction.

People want change and I'm happy that he took this bold step. It'll probably be the only step we'll have to change our health system and now it's up to us. He made the challenge to us. He said, "Here's a blueprint. Congress a year from now, give me the legislation back that makes every American secure in their in that they know they have health service available to them." And now the challenge is to us, and I hope we do it in a very nonpartisan way and get it done.

When President Clinton speaks of universal access to the healthcare system, he includes Puerto Rico. Under his plan, residents of the island will receive the same amount of Medicaid payments as those who live on the mainland. Under the current system, Puerto Ricans on the island receive only 20% of what they would receive if they lived here. Resident commissioner Carlos Romero Barcelo, Puerto Rico's representative in Congress, is pleased with the proposed change.

For the first time in our history, we're now going to be covered in equal terms with all citizens in the nation. Up to now, the Medicaid has not covered Puerto Rico. We have only gotten 79 million dollars and now for the first time we are going to be treated as equals.

But when President Clinton speaks of universal access, he doesn't include undocumented workers. Under his plan, only US citizens and legal residents will be included. Ira Magaziner, our chief advisor to the president on healthcare, explains why.

We're guaranteeing something to all American citizens. And they're not American citizens, they're not here legally and there's something that we think is not quite right about saying people who are illegally here should get a legal benefit from the country.

Activists have complained that this will actually cost more in the long run. Some go a step further and say excluding undocumented workers is discriminatory. Cecilia Munoz, Senior. Immigration Policy Analyst at the National Council of La Raza is one of them.

It's pretty clear that the decision's politically motivated, that the administration doesn't want to find itself in a position of having to defend taxpayer dollars being used to cover undocumented immigrants. Unfortunately, that decision's really not in the best interest of the public health in the United States.

Unlike some of the president's earlier speeches. Republican response to this one was generally favorable. While some said the proposed changes would create a huge unmanageable bureaucracy, most said they recognized the need for change. Republican representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Florida, says he wants to see change but not at the expense of what he calls the best system in the world.

And that's one of the problems when you have these socialized systems like in England where I hear that the people in Great Britain are extraordinarily dissatisfied with their system now because of the lack of quality and also the total bureaucratic morass.

In the next few weeks, president Clinton is expected to present to Congress details on how he plans to pay for the new system. It is on that particular issue where much debate is anticipated. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

In San Diego, the county board of Supervisors has voted to bill the federal government for the cost of services provided to the undocumented in this country. Board members say they plan to charge President Clinton for the cost of providing hospital care and jail service to day laborers. This vote follows debate in several San Diego area school districts over the cost of educational access by undocumented immigrants. Wanda Levine reports on a resolution passed in the San Diego community of Vista, which criticizes federal laws requiring all children be taught regardless of citizenship districts.

The original resolution endorsed efforts by California Governor Pete Wilson to control illegal immigration. But public outcry and disagreement among board members toned down the final resolution to read, "The school board is concerned about legislation designed to curtail illegal immigration." School board member Joyce Lee proposed the resolution.

I'd like to be able to count the illegals, send the number back to Washington and ask for federal funding that they would send in foreign aid to Mexico because these are their people. So let's get some of that money back to the school districts.

The final vote on the resolution came after 30 minutes of heated public comments, most critical of the decree. Many called the resolution racist. For Latino USA, I'm Wanda Levine in San Diego.

1,500 Cubans holding US federal prisons will be repatriated to Havana. The prisoners who came to this country as part of the Mariel Exodus of 1980 are being deported under an agreement between the Clinton administration and the government of Fidel Castro. But some Cuban Americans are concerned about what could await the prisoners and fear that disagreement might signal the start of broader concessions between the governments of the United States and Cuba. I'm Vidal Guzman. From Austin, Texas, you're listening to Latino USA.

I'm Maria Hinojosa. Lawmakers in Washington DC took up a bill introduced earlier this year by Democratic Representative Xavier Becerra of California. The measure would create an independent commission to oversee and investigate human rights abuses by the Border Patrol. Patricia Guadalupe reports from Washington.

The Independent Review Commission proposed by Democratic Representative Xavier Becerra of California would be in charge of investigating cases of alleged abuse within the ranks of the Border Patrol. According to the latest findings from the human rights group, America's Watch, cases of abuse by authorities along the US-Mexico border have increased dramatically. America's Watch says most incidents stem from a lack of adequate training and insensitivity on the part of Border Patrol agents. Becerra's proposed commission would review abuse cases and have the power to impose sanctions. It would also include substantial community outreach so people are aware of their rights when they file a complaint. Congressman Becerra says the current system is inadequate. Complaints take a long time to be investigated and then take years to complete. Even then, enforcement is minimal.

So you're talking about something that would take care of making sure that we have actual investigations and enforce investigation of abuse and then enforcement of any abuses of the law.

The new agency which would employ 10 commissioners appointed by President Clinton would cost $15 million. The Immigration and Naturalization Service, which manages the Border Patrol is completely against Becerra's idea. Chris Sale, acting INS Commissioner, calls us a waste of money in these hard economic times. She adds the INS is in the middle of proposing their own advisory board to include cooperation from the Mexican government.

The major distinction is that Congressman Becerra's bill would propose yet an additional governmental agency with a staff that would increase the numbers of entities working the system. And we would prefer, frankly, to let the IG and the Civil Rights Division continue to do their work because it's already being done and to establish a citizen's advisory panel, which would have a broader set of requirements, but also deal with the abuse issues directly for the Attorney General. It's really a matter of not having to further complicate things with more laws.

But Congressman Becerra says he's tired of advisory boards.

It's a good concept. It's unfortunate that it's coming so late and it's only a reaction to what's happened in the past. But again, a citizens' panel only has so much power. It does not have power to investigate. It does not have power to subpoena. It does not have power to institute some type of discipline against an employee who is found to have committed abuses. It does not have oversight capacity that will give it the ability to stop the abuse that has occurred in the past.

Congressman Becerra says he has a lot of support for his measure among his colleagues, but sources close to the committee considering his bill say they don't think it'll pass, as the current climate in Congress is against further spending and more government. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

President Clinton interviewed on Spanish language television, said he favors continuing educational and public health services for the undocumented and also statehood for Puerto Rico if the islands residents vote that way on November 14th. The border patrol's continuing blockade of a 20-mile area of the Texas-Mexico border is drawing fire from Mexican officials. Louie Saenz reports from El Paso.

Mexican government officials say they understand that the United States has certain laws that their country must obey. However, they feel that Operation Blockade is doing more than deterring illegal immigration. The Mexican Council General in El Paso, Armando Ortiz Rocha says the blockade is not good for US Mexico relations.

Mexico cannot fully agree with the operation because we think that it creates a unnecessary climate of tension.

He says Mexico is awaiting word from the American government as to how long Operation Blockade will continue. Border patrol officials say they are in daily contact with Washington and that operation Blockade will continue until further notice. For Latino USA, I'm Louie Saenz in El Paso, Texas.

This is news from Latino USA. FBI Director Louis Free has named agent Manuel Gonzalez to the high ranking post of assistant director of personnel at the FBI. Still a Latino coalition claims the Clinton administration has a poor record of appointing Hispanics. They're giving that record a grade of D, as Patricia Guadalupe reports.

Five months ago, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 28 Latino organizations gave President Clinton a C-minus for the lack of high-ranking Latinos in his administration. Frank Newton, the coalition's executive director says the president's record on Hispanic appointments continues to be unsatisfactory.

Since May, the administration has filled well over a hundred Senate confirmation slots. So even though they've added all kinds of people to the administration through their appointments, Latinos are moving backwards instead of moving forward. It's very discouraging and we get a lot of lip service. We get promises that trust us, it'll work out, you'll be happy with the results. And we've been waiting and we're not seeing any results, so.[Background, people speaking]

Newton hopes that the new report card will grab the attention of Latino leaders, many who say they are still unsatisfied with the numbers. One of them is Democratic Congressman Solomon Ortiz of Texas.

Before long, we're going to be the largest growing minority in the United States, and if we are to integrate into this government system of ours, into the different services' agencies, we need more Hispanic appointees and I think that we're dragging behind. The administration is dragging behind.[Background, music]

A spokesman for the Clinton administration said that although the President realizes the importance of the Hispanic community, he had to fulfill promises made to those he knew from his days as an Oxford student and as governor of Arkansas. The entire appointment process he added, takes a very long time, but some key Hispanic nominations would be made shortly. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe from Washington.

Well, the good news right now for the administration is that it's not hemorrhaging or losing as many votes as it was say about a month ago. The bad news is that it's not picking up very many votes either.

As the countdown continues for a mid-November congressional vote on NAFTA, the Clinton administration is stepping up its campaign to promote free trade. The President is trying to convince those still undecided members of Congress, including those in the Hispanic caucus, to get on board. NPR reporter Richard Gonzalez has been following the free-trade debate.

What they're trying to do is convince Congressman Esteban Torres that they can meet his demands for a North America Development Bank. This would be a bank, funds for which would be used for border and environmental clean-up and for communities away from the border who might be impacted by the North America Free Trade agreement. The problem is that these negotiations are very fragile, but it could also explode and come to nothing.There's a possibility that Congressman Torres, Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and maybe two or three others might come over to the Pro-NAFTA side. But it's still too early to say. There's the deal in the works, but a deal has not been finalized.

Some of the Puerto Rican and Cuban American Congress members are also still undecided regarding the free trade agreement.

Border Patrol spokesperson, Doug Mosher says that technically Operation Blockade ended on November 2nd, but that the enhanced patrols would continue indefinitely. Border Patrol spokesperson, Doug Mosher says that technically Operation Blockade ended on November 2nd, but that the enhanced patrols would continue indefinitely.

We still have enhanced manpower at all the major crossing points in a 20-mile area between roughly Ysleta, Texas and Sunland Park, New Mexico. So the strategy still continues.

Catholic bishops in El Paso say that Juarez, Mexico and Las Cruces, New Mexico recently called for a moratorium on Operation Blockade, to give people in border communities in both countries time to adjust to the impact of the operation on their economy, said the Bishops.But Doug Mosher of the Border Patrol says the number of apprehensions at the border are up by 80% since Operation Blockade began. That's a success, he says, and there are no plans for a moratorium.

It's a permanent initiative and it's something we're going to be doing from here on out. So, that's the word we're getting at, is it no longer is a special operation, it's a permanent activity.

Doug Mosher of the Border Patrol in El Paso.

This is news from Latino USA. I'm Maria Martin. In an effort to gain Latino support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Clinton administration has thrown its support behind a border development finance project developed by Latinos. It's called the North American Development Bank, or NADBank. From Washington DC, Patricia Guadalupe has more.

The North American Development Bank is the brainchild of the Latino Consensus, a group of over 20 Hispanic organizations supporting NAFTA. Based on legislation introduced by Democratic Congressman Esteban Torres, NADBank would finance border development projects and provide economic support in communities anywhere in the United States affected by NAFTA. Both the United States and Mexico would make available from $2 to $3 billion in investment funds and provide added monies for environmental cleanup and training for workers. Congressman Torres said that without those resources, he would not have voted for NAFTA.

People fear that if the agreement is passed, American companies will close and workers will be left jobless. And for this reason, I believe it was necessary to address the legitimate fears that some communities and workers may be adversely affected. The North American Development Bank, known as NADBank, boldly addresses these fears in the most efficient and in the best cost effective manner.

Congressman Torres added that 14 undecided members of Congress, including four Hispanics, will support NAFTA, now that the financing mechanism is taken care of. The Latino Consensus says that it is intensifying its grassroots campaign around the country in support of NAFTA. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

[Background--Music--Salsa] Ever since 1898, when the island of Puerto Rico first became a US territory, Puerto Ricans have debated their relationship to the United States. 40 years after becoming a US commonwealth in 1952, the debate still continues with some Puerto Ricans favoring the status quo, others advocating the island become the nation's 51st state, and still others calling for Puerto Rico's independence. During his electoral campaign, Puerto Rico's governor Pedro Rosello promised to try to put an end to the eternal debate over status by calling for a plebiscite. That vote on November 14th may not be the last word on Puerto Rico's status, but Puerto Ricans are hoping it will force the US Congress to act. Latino USA's Maria Martin is in San Juan to report on the plebiscite.

[Highlight--Natural sounds--broadcast media]

For months now, Puerto Ricans on the island have been bombarded with messages on the radio, the television, and from loud speakers on trucks cruising their neighborhoods, telling them Si se puede con estadidad, Statehood is the way to go, say the ads. But others tell them no, that ELA or enhanced Commonwealth is the better option. It's the best of both worlds, say proponents, allowing them to retain their language and culture, while other messages talk about the merits of independence for Puerto Rico.

[Archival sound--radio production] Caravanas del Estado Boricua siguen con mas fuerza. Este Sabado desde Guayama, Naguabo, Calle y Aguas Buenas hasta el gran mitiga y el Domingo….

This is not the first plebiscite in which Puerto Ricans vote to decide the island's political status. The last vote was held in 1967 and that vote, like this one is non-binding because it's still the US Congress that has the final word on the political future of Puerto Rico. Two years ago, a bill calling for a congressionally-approved vote failed to get through a Senate committee, and what's significant about this election says political analyst Juan Manuel Garcia Passalacqua, is that this vote is actually a petition to Congress by the Puerto Rican people, made under the Right to Petition clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

This is the first time in the history of Puerto Rico that the three parties approved a law that was adopted as a petition for the redress of grievances against the Congress of the United States. That's the first sentence in that particular law. So, here we are. This is the first time after 1898 that the people of Puerto Rico have told the United States we have a grievance, and that grievance obviously is colonialism.

Whatever the results of the plebiscite, whether there's a majority vote in favor of statehood, commonwealth status, or independence as says Passalacqua, all the legal precedents indicate that Congress will finally have to respond to the will of the Puerto Rican people.

If the United States of America respects its own constitutional traditions, the Congress of the United States has to respond to a right to petition for the redress of grievances. This is a right that the courts of the United States have recognized to a single citizen. These are going to be two million citizens, so Congress cannot be irresponsible in the execution of a response to a million and a half of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico.

[Natural sounds--mall ambience] Yo no se, pero… He speak better, he speak better English than I. But I prefer to be a state.

Yo preferia esta vida

Y porque?

Porque si, porque veo que, que Puerto Rica se hasta ahora estamos….

At the San Juan shopping Mall called La Plaza des Las Americas, several middle-aged Cubans, part of Puerto Rico's substantial Cuban community for some 30 years now, say they support and will be voting for statehood. Support for statehood for Puerto Rico has been growing steadily on the island. Ever since Puerto Rico gained commonwealth status some 40 years ago. Statehood proponents like former representative Benny Frankie Cerezo say that's because many of the island's residents are tired of being second-class citizens, for instance, of having obligations like serving in the military but not being able to vote in presidential elections.

The problem in Puerto Rico is that the legislation is made in such a way that Puerto Ricans, but not Puerto Ricans per se, the people, the US citizens living on the island of Puerto Rico are disenfranchised. George Bush, President Clinton would move down to Puerto Rico. Next day, they would be disenfranchised because they could not vote for representatives in Congress for senators in Congress, nor for the President. But still you will be subject to all the laws enacted by Congress. Precisely, that's what's called colonialism.

The more we discuss statehood, the faster statehood loses percentage because the moment you start discussing statehood, you discuss the cost of statehood. It's not…

Senator Marco Antonio Rigau of the popular Democratic Party is the proponent of what in Spanish is known as Estado Libre Asociado an enhanced commonwealth state in which Puerto Rico would have much more equality with the United States and more control of its political destiny. Proponents of this option are trying to convince the Puerto Rican people that the prize the island would have to pay to become the 51st state, including possible laws of the official status of the Spanish language and of the island's beloved Olympic team, and the tax break for US companies known as 936 far outweighs any potential benefits of statehood.

I'm telling you, if Puerto Rico becomes a state, you will have to pay federal taxes. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, we will not have an Olympic committee. We will not have a team in the Olympics or in the Central American Games or the Pan-American games. We're telling the people that if Puerto Rico moves for statehood, the state of Puerto Rico could not impose the same income tax because it would be too steep. We tell the people of Puerto Rico, one out of three jobs in Puerto Rico is related to 936. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, 936 is not possible because the federal constitution provides for uniformity in the tax system of all 50 states. So, we're telling the people the consequences of statehood and the people are... What they're saying is stop, look and listen.

Te estan diciendo que en Estados Unidos se paga mas tax que aqui porque entonces un televisor Sony de 27 pulgadas que haya cuesta $599, aqui cuesta $859.

But there are those who say the campaign being waged by the two principle parties, the pro commonwealth Populares and the pro state-hood Nuevo Progresistas doesn't really do the job of telling people to stop, look and listen. [Background--natural sounds--broadcast media] Critics say this plebiscite campaign is misinforming people on the issues, creating confusion and a climate of fear. Former governor Roberto Sanchez Vilella calls the plebiscite a useless procedure that would have no real consequences.

Waste of money, waste of energy, psychological energy, telling the people something which is entirely false. Nothing is going to happen after this. So this is really... I don't want to use harsh words, but it's a fraud.

Former Governor Sanchez Vilella has even gone to court to obtain legal standing for his so-called fourth option, a legal counting of votes left blank or marked with an X to protest the plebiscite.

Well, let me tell you without being glib that I don't see any more confusion than I saw in the campaign between Bush and Clinton. This notion that --

Fernando Martinez, a former member of the Puerto Rican Senate and the vice president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party. The so-called Independentistas are enthusiastically supporting the plebiscite even though polls say they'll be lucky to get even 5% of the vote. But what's making Martin and other independent supporters so eager is a scenario whereby neither statehood nor Commonwealth would win a majority, leaving Congress to look at independence for Puerto Rico in a more favorable light.

The results of this plebiscite will allow the Congress once and for all to refuse statehood because it will not have obtained majority support in Puerto Rico. The results will also show that colonialism is no longer a viable option either for the Congress or for Puerto Rico, leaving only the eventual recognition of sovereignty for Puerto Rico as the only alternative both for the United States and for Puerto Rico.

[Background--natural sounds--city ambience] It's five days before the vote and hundreds of people are gathered outside the studios of San Juan's Telemundo television affiliate. Inside the studios, representatives of Puerto Rico's three principal parties prepare for the last debate of the campaign, but for now, the debate out here appears to be over what group can wave the larger number of flags or who has the loudest sound system.

[Highlight--natural sounds--city ambience]

Elections here in Puerto Rico are very participatory. It's not unusual to have upwards of 70% turnout of registered voters. Reporter Ivan Roman of the Miami Newspaper El Nuevo Herald, a native Puerto Rican, says there's nothing in US elections to compare to the energy and enthusiasm of the Puerto Rican electorate.

You have caravans going all over the island, you have people who don't care if they dress up in clown outfits to get their point across. Everything has to do with the emotional part of getting out the vote. And this race, even more so than some others, is even more of emotional because for some people we're talking about their culture, their identity, that to them is the most important thing, and for them, that's a very emotional issue.

The latest polls conducted by the newspaper El Nuevo Dia, four days before the election indicate a virtual tie in support for the statehood and commonwealth options among the voters of Puerto Rico.

No me cogen con los totones [Laughter] [inaudible] [Highlight--natural sound--resturant ambience]

At Chino's Cafe in Old San Juan, Maria Torres says she still hasn't made up her mind which way to vote.

[Inaudible] No se todavia. Estoy confundida.

Pero que te ha confundidio?

Bueno, todas las cosas estan disciendo los anuncios todo todo ahi confusion.

[Background--natural sound--restaurant ambience] There's just too much confusion, she says, it's hard to decide just what I'll vote for. And analysts say it'll be the substantial number of still undecided Puerto Ricans like Maria Torres who determine the political option on which the US Congress is being asked to take action. For Latino USA, I'm Maria Martin in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I call on the coalition that passed NAFTA to help me early next year present to the Congress and pass a world-class reemployment system that will give our working people the security of knowing that they'll be able always to get the training they need as economic conditions change.

This morning it was my great honor to welcome seven outstanding Central American leaders to the White House, President Cristiani of El Salvador, President Endara of Panama, President…

Police chiefs and mayors from throughout the nation came to Washington, DC recently to ask President Clinton's help in dealing with violent crime. The mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the crime and murder rate has reached staggering proportions in recent years says, although more police is one solution, it's perhaps more important to confront this nation's culture of violence. Mayor Hector Luis Acevedo.

In Puerto Rico, we have now the National Guard in the public [inaudible]. We have this year more than 100 murders more than last year.

We are on the verge of a global economic expansion that is sparked by the fact that the United States at this critical moment decided that we would compete, not retreat.