Annotations for People: Guadalupe-patricia

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.

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.

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.

Congressman Frank Tejeda, a Democrat from Texas, says Federal Judge Alexander Paskay made racist remarks in his Florida court. During a bankruptcy hearing in Tampa, Paskay reportedly referred to a South Texas Hispanic lawyer as "Speedy Gonzalez." He also asked if his clients were part of a Colombian cocaine cartel. Representative Tejeda successfully asked congressional Hispanic members to join in pushing for Judge Paskay's removal.

Under law, a federal judge can be removed by misconduct but only by his supervisor, the chief judge. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

And for this week y para este semana, this has been Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture. Latino USA is produced and edited by María Emilia Martin. Associate producer is Angelica Luévano. We had help this week from Franc Contreras, Mandalit del Barco, Patricia Guadalupe, Manolita Wetherill, Karen Blackman, Radio Bilingüe in Fresno, California, Margo Gutiérrez, Linda Wedenoga, and the Chicago Cultural Center. Latino USA is produced at the studios of KUT in Austin, Texas. The technical producer is Walter Morgan. We want to hear from you, so llámenos on our toll-free number, 1-800-535-5533. Major funding for Latino USA comes from the Ford Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the University of Texas at Austin. This program is distributed by the Longhorn Radio Network. Y hasta la próxima…I'm María Hinojosa for Latino USA.

According to a survey released May 11th in Washington DC by the National Parent Teachers Association, Hispanic parents are more confident than Anglo parents at the quality of public schools will improve. The survey, commissioned by Newsweek Magazine for the PTA, found that close to half of the Hispanic parents surveyed believe schools will improve over the next five years as compared to a third of Anglo parents. Carlos Sarsed, Director of News Stats in Austin, Texas compiled and analyzed the survey's Hispanic data.

The survey also found that Hispanic parents, more than others, believe funding for schools is inadequate. For Latino USA. I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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.

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.

Heriberto Arambula is a Mexican national who claims he was beaten up by the US Border Patrol while riding his bicycle in El Paso, Texas.

It is because of this and many other complaints that legislation was introduced in Congress May 20th to create an independent commission that would oversee the Border Patrol. Currently, the Border Patrol is part of the immigration and naturalization service, which immigrant advocates say is inefficient and biased since it polices itself. Democratic representative Xavier Becerra of California is the chief sponsor of the commission bill in Congress.

Congressman Becerra adds that the problem doesn't exist only among the undocumented along the border.

Former Consul General of Mexico in El Paso, Roberto Gamboa Mascarenas investigates many cases of alleged abuse by Border Patrol agents. Most recently, the violent deaths of three undocumented workers in Arizona and Texas. He said the commission would have the power to act on claims of abuses, something he says the system is not now set up to do.

In its annual report released on the same day Becerra introduced this legislation, the human rights group, America's Watch, concludes that conditions at the border have not changed. Cases of abuses have risen, not fallen. Juan Mendez is executive director of America's Watch.

Mendez says that creating an independent commission would alleviate the fear many have of coming forward when they have claims of abuse. When reached for comment, a spokesman for the INS said they would follow whatever directive the Congress and Attorney General Janet Reno handed down. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

Puerto Rico's Governor Pedro Rosselló has formed a task force to lobby the Senate, where talks on Section 936 are currently underway. Heading up the task force is Clifford Myatt, director of Fomento, Puerto Rico's economic development agency. Myatt says he's found tremendous confusion on Capitol Hill concerning the issue.

Puerto Rican Congress members, Jose Serrano and Nydia Velasquez of New York and Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois, together represent almost 2 million Puerto Ricans, a greater number than those living in Puerto Rico's capital. They recently met with President Clinton. Congressman Jose Serrano.

President Clinton told the Congress members he would reexamine his position. According to the White House, they've received more mail on this issue than any other since Clinton became president. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latino reaction was highly critical of the Supreme Court decision, allowing challenges to congressional districts that were specifically drawn to increase Black and Hispanic representation in Congress. Steven Carbo of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Washington DC.

Latino reaction was highly critical of the Supreme Court decision, allowing challenges to congressional districts that were specifically drawn to increase Black and Hispanic representation in Congress. Steven Carbo of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in Washington DC.

Two of the congressional districts that could be affected by the Supreme Court decision, one in New York and one in Illinois, have a majority population of Latinos and were created only recently to represent that majority. Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Chicago represents one of the districts.

Two of the congressional districts that could be affected by the Supreme Court decision, one in New York and one in Illinois, have a majority population of Latinos and were created only recently to represent that majority. Democratic Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Chicago represents one of the districts.

Even though Latino groups said they were surprised and caught off guard, all are mounting legal fights around the country to challenge the Supreme Court decision. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

Even though Latino groups said they were surprised and caught off guard, all are mounting legal fights around the country to challenge the Supreme Court decision. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

Democratic Congressman José Serrano of New York said he introduced the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Resolution as a vehicle so that Congress will finally be forced to act on the status of Puerto Rico.

Supporting Serrano are the other Puerto Rican members of Congress as well as the influential New York Congressman Charles Rangel, who counts a large number of Puerto Ricans among his constituents. Rangel welcomes the resolution because he says Puerto Rico has never been clear in what they want. However, he fears that any changes from the current political situation may not go over well in Congress.

Discussions on the status of Puerto Rico have sometimes created tension between representatives of the island and the Puerto Rican counterparts on the mainland, particularly when it is centered on whether Puerto Ricans who don't live on the island can participate in the November island plebiscite.

At a hearing on the resolution, Democratic Congressman Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois became involved in an exchange with Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner, Carlos Romero Barceló. Barceló of the ruling statehood party believes only residents of Puerto Rico should participate in the November plebiscite.

Ironically, this hearing was held on the 95th anniversary of the U.S. Marine invasion of Puerto Rico, shortly after which the island became a possession of the United States.

Carlos Gallisá, President of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party, which favors independence for the island, says because of this, no U.S. president has taken Puerto Rico seriously, and a resolution isn't about to change that.

Puerto Rico's Governor, Pedro Rosselló, has said this type of resolution is not necessary. But Rosselló acknowledges that the Congress can do whatever it wants regarding Puerto Rico until there is a congressional mandate.

For "Latino USA," I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington,

In some counties along the border, diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis and even cholera, occur at rates far higher than other US communities. Congress members representing border states have proposed a commission to tackle the special health needs along the 2000-mile stretch between the US and Mexico. Legislation recently introduced would establish the US-Mexico Border Health Commission to address those concerns. Democratic representative Ron Coleman of El Paso, chairs the Congressional Border Caucus, he is proposing the legislation.

Coleman says that part of the problem is just plain ignorance about the border.

The proposed commission would be made up of public health officials, physicians, and other professionals from both United States and Mexico. Representative Coleman is asking Congress for close to $1 million to set up the Border Health Commission. The legislation moves onto the foreign affairs and energy and commerce committees, but no action is expected before the summer recess. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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

President Clinton's immigration initiative seek to prevent illegal entry into the United States, remove those with criminal records immediately and increase criminal penalties particularly for those who smuggle undocumented workers.

To accomplish this, President Clinton is requesting an additional 172 million dollars. 32 million dollars will be directed to the immigration and naturalization service to implement a program that seeks to crack down on fraud by promptly removing those who arrive in the country without legal documents. Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein of California supports President Clinton's initiatives. Feinstein says California spends more than 300 million dollars a year on keeping foreigners in prison. She believes Clinton's new immigration initiatives address her concerns.

Democratic representative Ed Pastor’s Arizona district includes 200 miles of the US Mexico border. He believes Clinton's proposals to hire and train 600 new border patrol agents will pump needed money and personnel into the border patrol department and cut down on abuse.

But aside from acknowledging the need for increasing the number of border patrol agents, support from most Hispanic members of Congress for President Clinton's immigration plan was lukewarm at best. Although President Clinton publicly thanked them for their help, none were present at the plan's announcement. Hispanic Caucus Chair Democrat, José Serrano of New York said he worried expediting asylum claims at the airport would discriminate against those who arrived with legitimate claims of persecution, but for obvious reasons have no legal papers. But Republican representative Henry Bonilla of Texas with over 600 miles of the border in his district says the United States does not pay enough attention to its own people.

Representative Bonilla's concern, along with many in Congress is about how to pay for these immigration initiatives, and Democrats are on the same wavelength. Clinton's immigration plan will be taken up after Congress returns from the month long recess in September. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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.

At the bills signing, the president declared the budget passage, a mandate from the people. Although the plan barely squeaked by in both the house and the Senate, many in Congress voted against it, citing constituent resentment towards the package. But presidential pollster, Stan Greenberg says his studies indicate many Americans, including most Latinos, widely supported the President's plan.

Analysts that the National Council of La Raza say the plan will greatly benefit the Hispanic community, particularly the earned income tax credit, which is designed to help lower income families. Democratic representative Henry B. Gonzalez of Texas says this provision will help Latinos in his district who disproportionately hold jobs that pay poorly.

President Clinton's plan increases the earned income credit salary cap from $21,000 to $27,000 a year. Other parts of the plan, which enjoyed wide support in the Hispanic community and which were signed into law as part of the package were increased monies for urban development and vaccinations for children. For Latino USA I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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."

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.

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."

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.

I think it depends on who you speak to. I mean, the Latino Consensus, a group of Latinos who want further participation in NAFTA want a treaty, but some of the final details, they don't agree with us. For instance, the financing of a development bank. They agree with the idea, but they don't like the final outcome.

Well, if you had the vote right now, no. Absolutely not. And then there's also the discussions of what healthcare reform and all the other issues that are going up on Capitol Hill. Then the average person here wants that before the treaty. I mean, I don't think the average person has been following NAFTA as much as the press and business people are.

Absolutely.

The Coalition of Consumer Groups maintains that the North American Free Trade Agreement is in violation of the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act. That law requires that any proposal significantly affecting the environment must be accompanied by an environmental impact study. Patti Goldman is the senior litigator from the consumer group Public Citizen.

The Clinton administration, represented by the Solicitor General Drew Days, contends that the environmental impact study applies only to federal agencies, and not to actions by the president, such as treaties. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., addressed a much smaller crowd in that which heard her husband 30 years ago. She spoke of the same things he did, the need for more jobs and into prejudice and a more peaceful world. Many at the recent march acknowledged that progress had been made in those areas, but they said much remains to be done, especially in improving the lives of Latinos. Carmen Gonzalez of New York City said she came to the march to fight for more jobs.

Do you think that this march is going to change things?

According to the Joint Center for Political Studies in Washington, living conditions have gotten worse for Hispanics in the last 30 years. Since 1963, there has been a 10% increase in Hispanic poverty levels, particularly in urban areas where figures show 60% unemployment among Hispanics.

Young people were strong presence at the march, and while most of them marched for the same things as their older counterparts, a young Latina from Rhode Island took it one step further. Ana Rodriguez said she came to make a statement about Puerto Rico.

[Natural sounds of march] Even though a majority of the marchers declared that little has changed in the 30 years since the first march, there was a feeling of optimism for the future in the air. Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said his optimism comes from faith that this administration will help out those who have been in need for so long.

Most Latinos at the march were as hopeful for the future as Secretary Cisneros, but some expressed disappointment that President Clinton was not there and that Latino participation in the march was relatively small. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

For the first time ever, the National Cancer Institute, in cooperation with the Washington Hospital Center, will conduct an in-depth study of cancer in the Washington DC Latino community. It will start with the Salvadoran community, the largest group of Hispanics in the area. Investigator Dr. Elmer Huerta of the National Cancer Institute says the study will concentrate on behavioral patterns in educating that community.

At the beginning of the study, government officials were at first concerned that because of the high number of undocumented Salvadorans, many people would be afraid to participate. But so far says Dr. Huerta response to the study has been very positive.

Over 2000 Salvadorans will be included in the six-month study for Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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.

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.

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]

One could say that the Latino population of the nation's capital swells around mid-September as Latino movers and shakers fly in for a number of fancy events celebrating Hispanic Heritage month. One such happening is the annual Hispanic Heritage Awards, honoring contributions in the arts, sports, literature and leadership. Latino USA sent two of our reporters to the gala occasion, Franc Contreras and Patricia Guadalupe dawn their best studs for the party.

[unintelligible] for the Hispanic Heritage Awards. My cousin from LA, Rita Moreno. [applause]

It was a black tie, long gown night of celebration for well-connected Latinos, a festive night of cultural pride in the nation's capital. With her sleek black dress and huge red earrings, mistress of ceremonies Rita Moreno was joined at one point by a surprise celebrity.

¡Hola!

Hi, hola. ¿Cómo te va?

Hello, Rita.

Mira que linda se ve. ¿Cómo te llamas?

Thank you. You too.

Tell everybody your name.

My name is Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, and I am so excited to be here tonight to receive the Hispanic Hair Award.

Now before you get too excited...

Yeah.

Do you know what heritage means?

No. No.

Okay. Heritage simply means those traditions and beliefs that are passed on to us by our forebears.

Forebears. Oh, I love bears. I love panda bears, you know, with the blacks spot in the eye. And koala bears and polar bears and all that kind of bears.

No, no, no. Rosita, Rosita. I am talking about parents or grandparents, their grandparents and the [unintelligible].

On stage with Rita and Rosita, the bilingual Muppet from Sesame Street was golfer Chi-Chi Rodriguez, Sister Isolina Ferré honored for her work educating the poor, playwright and Emmy winner Luis Santeiro, civil rights leader Raul Yzaguirre and in the music category, Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Each of the five award winners spoke of concerns that drive their work. When Sister Isolina Ferré went to the podium, she offered an answer for an ongoing problem she's noticed since she first dedicated her life to community service about 60 years ago. It's the lack of educational opportunity for Latinos.

Real community development can only be achieved if a true and liberating educational process has been implemented. This process as it had been done in our centers in Puerto Rico should include programs for school dropouts, alternatives to formal education, formal and vocational education and literacy projects.

President of the National Council of Lara Raza Raul Yzaguirre won the award for excellence in leadership. He said Latinos must unite and solve their own social problems.

Our only hope is to build up our own institutions that can effectively advocate for our interests.

When the formal part of the evening ended, the stars went to a separate room for interviews with Spanish and English language media. Gloria Estefan told about her pride in her heritage about how important her family is to her and about her new album, Mi Tierra, which is in Spanish.

Why did you go in that direction?

Well, I'll tell you, first of all, I waited this long because I wanted to maximize the exposure of this music. If I would've done this album five years ago, half the world wouldn't know about it. So we really have been thinking about it for over five years, waiting for the right moment, trying to choose the right thing to do. We did new music because we wanted to bring something of ourselves to the project but celebrating a very traditional and beautiful form of Latin music. Hopefully, with this album, we'll be able to remind people a little bit of our heritage, especially my son, which is the main reason we did this album. We really wanted it for him.

Outside the media area, dozens of fans waited to see Estefan. They said it wasn't only her stardom that attracted them but what she stands for.

I look up to her a lot. I think she's great. It makes me proud to be Hispanic.

Really? Why? Tell me.

Why. Because there's a lot of riqueza en la raza. So she's a part of that.

When the stars left, the crowd went to the ballroom floor, to the food tables. There were tiny empanadas on one, some fancy fruit on another. The caterer promised the grapes were from Chile, not from California where Latino farm workers are still boycotting. And on a table over in the corner, there were tiny little tamales. The people serving them even unwrap them for you. With Patricia Guadalupe, I'm Franc Contreras in Washington.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 a recent floor debate in Congress, an Ohio representative spoke out against the North American Free Trade Agreement by saying all the United States would get in return were two tons of heroin and baseball players. Others say they are against a treaty because Mexico is in their words "a pigpen." The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of over 20 Latino organizations, wants that to stop. They say they are putting people on notice that any racist and stereotypical comment will no longer be tolerated. MaryJo Marion, senior trade analyst at the National Council of La Raza, is a member of the coalition.

Marion added that the coalition is meeting with labor and political leaders about their concerns. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were angry when they found out their colleagues in the House were going to pay for the latest extension of unemployment benefits by requiring legal immigrants to wait five years instead of the usual three in order to qualify for government benefits. Although it would save the government more than $300 million, members of the Hispanic Caucus said there had to be other ways to fund the extension. Democratic representative Luis Gutierrez, Illinois.

After heated debate, much of an antagonistic toward immigrants, the Hispanic Caucus didn't have enough votes and lost. Gutierrez says a lot of it is due to the increasing levels of bigotry and intolerance in the Congress and the rest of the country.

The bill to extend unemployment benefits is now under consideration in the Senate. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

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.

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.

Mazzoli and other members of his immigration subcommittee are not convinced that the treaty will be able to control unlawful entry into the United States by providing jobs in Mexico as those who support the treaty have argued. However, there are those who believe that some in Congress are using the NAFTA debate as an excuse to jump on the anti-immigration bandwagon. Among them as immigration policy analyst, Cecilia Munoz of the National Council of La Raza.

The latest headcount by the bipartisan leadership shows proponents of NAFTA need at least 48 additional votes for final passage. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

A slew of witnesses recently spent an entire morning telling Democratic representative Henry Gonzalez of Texas and other members of his banking and finance committee, horror stories about doing business in Mexico. These business people, while not against the concept of a free trade, told Gonzalez NAFTA would do little to alleviate the high level of corruption and graph they encountered. They suggested renegotiating a completely new treaty that includes less secrecy and greater involvement of the US Congress and the public. This way, they said, there would be a better chance to set up a mechanism that could help them when they run into problems. Representative Gonzalez agreed.

Gonzalez added that, in his opinion, the pro-NAFTA forces will ultimately fall short of the votes they need in Congress because they haven't done a good job of explaining any of the details and too many people are confused. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

There were no last-minute surprises in the Hispanic caucus since all the Latino members of Congress had announced beforehand how they would vote. All members east of the Mississippi River voted against a treaty, including all the Puerto Rican members, Democrats Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Nydia Velazquez of New York, and Hispanic caucus chair Jose Serrano, also of New York, as well as the Cuban American members of Congress from New Jersey and Florida. All those west of the Mississippi River, that is, every Mexican American member of Congress, with the exception of Democrat Henry Gonzalez of Texas, voted in favor of NAFTA. Among the members voting for the treaty was Democratic Representative Frank Tejeda of Texas. During the hours of the debate, he likened a yes vote, to a vote for economic progress particularly for future generations.

But neither Congressman Tejeda's words, nor those of other pro-NAFTA representatives did anything to convince the three Cuban American members of Congress, who have all along objected to signing an agreement with Mexico. They oppose Mexico's diplomatic relations with Cuba. Lincoln Diaz Ballard, a Cuban American Republican from Florida, added that he voted against NAFTA not only because of Cuba but because he considers the Mexican government with the same political party and power for over 60 years to be undemocratic.

The final vote was not as close as some had expected with 16 more than the 218 needed for passage. Some analysts say the intense lobbying by the Clinton administration in the last few days, along with Vice President Al Gore's good showing in the debate with Ross Perot convinced many of the undecided members. Raul Hinojosa, an economist at UCLA and a member of the Pro-NAFTA Coalition known as the Latino consensus, also thinks that the opposition to NAFTA lost steam as the final vote neared.

The NAFTA treaty now moves onto the Senate where final approval is expected easily. If accepted by the governments of Canada and Mexico, the North American Free Trade Agreement would go into effect next January, creating the largest consumer market in the world. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

The study conducted over a five-year period by the Tomás Rivera Center found three times more Latino students than teachers in some states. It cites research that links the presence of Latino teachers to improved academic performance by Latino students. Rivera Center director Dr. Harry Pachon says the study highlights what he calls the crisis in Hispanic education.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Cisneros, who is a member of the center, says the lack of Latino teachers early in a student's life will have a later impact on the entire community. The center recommends that the US Department of Education target more resources to colleges with Latino students interested in teaching careers. The study's chief researcher, Dr. Reynaldo Macias, wants to see mentoring programs that would identify and support Latino teacher candidates.

Representatives of the Tomás Rivera Center are meeting with members of Congress in hopes of including their recommendations in the Education Appropriations package now under consideration for Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

The US Immigration and Naturalization Service, which spends only 10% of its budget on naturalization efforts, will be trying to persuade this country's more than 10 million legal residents to become US citizens. The INS says it hopes this will help to cut down on hostility towards immigrants. Policy Analyst, Cecelia Munoz of the National Council of La Raza said this is a step in the right direction.

INS Commissioner Doris Meisner has said that she intends to work with immigrant rights groups to promote the advantages of citizenship and to streamline the application process. Munoz added that if Commissioner Meisner follows through on her intentions and more residents become citizens, it could be especially beneficial to Hispanics, which make up the majority of these legal residents. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.

[Background--natural sound--music] Over 100 supporters, including members of Congress and business and labor leaders came to see President Clinton sign the hotly contested treaty. This pact creates the world's largest market with over 300 million potential consumers. President Bill Clinton.

Latino analysts says the Hispanic community, particularly Hispanic-owned businesses, will benefit greatly from NAFTA and the President's emphasis on global expansion. Among those analysts is Raul Yzaguirre of the National Council of La Raza.

Yzaguirre added that the specific thing he wants to see is Hispanics uniting to make sure that the community now receives the funds it was promised to develop projects along the border with Mexico through the North American Development Bank. This unity was not evident during the vote in Congress, however, with almost all Mexican American representatives voting for NAFTA , and Puerto Rican and Cuban American members voting against it citing fear of loss of jobs and Mexico's friendly relations with Cuba.

Some speculate this has created divisions within the Hispanic caucus, and will affect work on other pieces of legislation. Democratic representative, Kika de la Garza of Texas disagrees.

The North American Free Trade Agreement will be enacted on January 1st, gradually eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers over the next 15 years. For Latino USA, I'm Patricia Guadalupe in Washington.