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Peter N. Pero |
PETER PERO
is a history teacher and author living in the Little Italy neighborhood of
Chicago. He has traveled extensively to Europe, Asia and Latin America in an
effort to do field-based research. He has taught for the Chicago Public Schools,
National-Louis University and the Tokyo Language College. When he is not writing or teaching, Peter
photographs urban architecture, and is available for visitors who wish to take a
walking tour of Chicago.

“I WRITE BOOKS for the history and enjoyment of it. I don’t make a lot of money publishing them, said Pero, I just enjoy writing history”. Both of Peter’s books celebrate the history of the neighborhood with archival photographs and stories from the past that shape the character of the communities today. For nearly 150 years, Pilsen has been a “port of entry” for thousands of immigrants. Mexicans, Czechs, Poles, Lithuanians, Croatians, and Germans are some of the ethnic groups who passed through this "Ellis Island" on Chicago's Near Westside.
The
first photographic history of the Pilsen community Chicago’s Pilsen Neighborhood is
now in bookstores across Chicago and independent
retailers or phone (773) 972 - 2057.
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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin |
ACTION NOW: U.S. Senator Dick
Durbin (D-IL), original sponsor of the Development,
Relief and Education for Alien Minors
(DREAM), and senior Senator from Illinois presided over the first-ever U.S. Senate
hearing Tuesday, June 28, 2011 on this bill. It has been ten years since the
DREAM Act was introduced.
THE
DREAM Act has received bipartisan support in the Senate, gaining the
majority of votes; but failing to meet the 60 vote threshold to surpass a
filibuster. The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) applauded Senator Durbin for
his decade-long dedication to give a voice to promising youth whom aspire to
become full participants in the country they have known as their
home.
CABINET
HEADS of the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) presented testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on
Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, underscoring the social and economic
value of granting a path to citizenship for young undocumented
immigrants.
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Hector E. Sanchez |
DREAM Act eligible youths are
individuals who entered the U.S. as children and must meet strict requirements
in order to obtain conditional permanent residency. The conditional status
would be removed after completion of two years in either honorable service in
the U.S. armed forces or in a bachelor’s program or higher degree.
“WE WELCOME this hearing as an
opportunity to present the merits of the DREAM Act before Congress and the
nation. But we would be remiss to ignore the fact that President Obama has the authority to provide administrative
relief that would prevent DREAM Act eligible youths from being caught in the
middle of immigration enforcement efforts targeting those who are a threat to
public safety and national security,” said Hector
E. Sanchez, LCLAA’s Executive Director. “Hundreds of thousands of
DREAMers are among us, legally in the shadows but ever-present in various
sectors of our society, fearing deportation and hoping that America will one
day embrace them and recognize that they can help us win the future,” Sanchez
concluded.
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Arne Duncan U.S. Secretary of Education |
THE LABOR Council
for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is a national Latino organization
representing the interests of over 2 million Latino(a) trade unionists
throughout the United States and the Common Wealth of Puerto Rico.
ARNE SAYS: “The DREAM Act is a common-sense piece of legislation that is in keeping
with core American values. By creating opportunities for these bright and
talented young people to attend college, not only will they have a chance to
realize the American dream, but they will be able to strengthen the American
economy and make our workforce stronger.
“THE
STUDENTS of the DREAM Act are some of the country’s best and brightest, and
it’s important to note that the process for legalization is by no means
automatic. The DREAM Act would cover those young people who meet a number of
high standards that demonstrate academic achievement and personal integrity.
The DREAM Act would unleash the full potential of young people who live out
values that all Americans cherish—a strong work ethic, service to others, and a
deep loyalty to our country.
I FEEL
very passionately about the need to pass the DREAM Act because of the opportunities it provides promising
young people”, Duncan said.
I
applaud both U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Secretary Arne Duncan for their support
of the Dream Act.
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Pony rides |
THE PONIES ARE COMING: The 5th Annual Community “Back To School” Block Party, sponsored
by the Little Village Community Council, will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011. The party will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
blocking 26th St. to 25th St. & Central Park Ave. in
Little Village.
FREE HOT dogs, pop, popcorn,
ice cream and school supplies will be given to the children in Little Village.
There will be a jumping jack, piñata, face painting, and a clown. Pony rides will
be available for a $5 donation.
THIS IS a community block party bringing a day of fun for the children of Little
Village before they return to school.
The LV Community Council
welcomes sponsors, please call 312/286-3405.
OPEN MEETING: The next public meeting
of the Little Village Special Service Area #25 will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday,
July 19, 2011 in the Little Village Chamber of Commerce office: 3610 W. 26th
St., 2nd floor. Your ideas, input and opinions are most welcome.
FREE HAIRCUTS
GRATIS CORTE DE PELO
Y ARREGL O DE LAS UÑAS
Patti Caraballo & Hair Designers
America’s Career Institute
10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
AT LITTLE VILLAGE
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
3610 W. 26TH ST.