Thursday, December 22, 2011

Holiday Greetings, Teamsters Reception, IBEW 1031, Instituto del Progreso

          HOLIDAY GREETINGS: To all my readers, I wish you a most happy holiday season. Christmas time is my favorite holiday because it is the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; and I enjoy greeting family, and friends with "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year". I also enjoy giving gifts and spreading joy and happiness.
          THIS PAST YEAR I've met a lot of new friends, which reminds me of what Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "Strangers are friends you haven't met yet." So true. Every person I've met has a story and as we move into a new year, 2012, we must commit ourselves to make our country a better place to live.
          I CAN'T HELP but think about the undocumented Mexican families who are suffering as a result of  partisan politics and a broken immigration system. These undocumented Mexicans are not criminals, but hard-working individuals. Yes, they crossed the border illegally. Why? For the American dream. Despite what some Americans believe, these individuals are part of a workforce who contribute to our economy.  In states like Alabama entire Mexican communities are struggling to survive under unjust laws; laws driving undocumented workers from the state.  These unjust laws are now having an adverse economic effect on Alabama's farming industry. The anti-Mexican aura exists because some Americans think illegals are the cause to joblessness of American workers. It is a known fact Mexicans are hard workers.  In migrant families children are doing stoop labor, carrying on a strong work ethic.
          SOLUTION: U.S. Presidents and Governors have given pardons to criminals; municipalities have given amnesty to citizens who owe for parking tickets. Amnesty should be the beginning point to our broken immigration system.  We all know it is impossible to deport 10.8 million undocumented Mexicans, especially when 7 million are in the work force. Here is were reality dictates; legalizing undocumented Mexicans will make America strong. Their legalized status would fuel economic growth and stop sapping time, energy and tax dollars used debating the issue. Our government, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) needs to stop splitting up families causing suffering and anxiety for the children of the undocumented. America is a compassionate country and during this holiday season Americans need to express their compassion by making our country a better place to live, work and prosper.  It is the American way.
May your holidays be the best for you and your family.    
Mayor Robert J. Lovero, Jesse Miranda, Cynthia Ramirez,
Elizabeth Hernandez,  Rodolfo Garcia
          TEAMSTER RECEPTION: Teamster leader Jesse Miranda and Cicero Democratic Committeeman Charlie Hernandez hosted a  "Meet the Candidates" reception. The reception was held on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at the Club, 6033 W. Roosevelt Road in Cicero.
          MIRANDA introduced the following Democratic Judicial candidates who presented their candidacy:
  • Judge Rodolfo [Rudy] Garcia for Illinois Appellate Court 
  • Judge Nathaniel Roosevelt Howse, Jr. for Illinois Appellate Court Judge 
  • Judge Alfred M. Swanson, for Circuit Court of Cook County Judge
  • Cynthia Ramirez for Cook County Circuit Court Judge (the only Latina slated for a judicial position)
  • Judge Stanley L. Hill for Cook County Circuit Court Judge
  • Judge Pamela Leeming for Cook County Circuit Court Judge 
  • Michael Tully Mullen for Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County 
  • Jesse Reyes for Illinois Appellate Court
          STATE REPRESENTATIVE Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez [24nd District] was also introduced. Mayor of Berwyn, Robert J. Lovero, and Committeeman Hernandez spoke to the guest and supporters. It was an informative gathering. The Primary Election is Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
          IBEW 1031: Celebrated the Union's 75th "Years of Accomplishments" Anniversary [1936-2011].The event was held on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at Manzo's Banquets, 1571 S. Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, IL.
Jose A Caez
           UNDER THE LEADERSHIP of Jose A. Caez, Business Manger and Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers [IBEW] Local 1031, the celebration started with Jose Caez thanking guests and employers for attending the event. Invocation was given by member and Deacon Freddie T. Young.  Following the introductions a professional video presentation of the history of Local 1031 with many photos from the Union's archives was shown. Local 1031 was the largest labor organization in the Chicagoland area for many years, with 32,000 members. Their members work in electrical manufacturing.  Music was provided by DJ Napoli. Two hundred members and guests attended the event. We congratulate Local 1031 for its contributions to the labor movement.
          JOSE A. CAEZ, formerly the President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement [LCLAA], is an officer with the Hispanic American Labor Council, a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor, a National LCLAA Board member. Caez was the recipient of the 1998 "The Man of the Year" awarded to him by the Hispanic American Labor Council. Jose has been a Local 1031 union member for 37 years and worked at Appleton Electric Co. in Chicago. He served as a Business Representative for nine years and presently the Business Manager for the past 16 years.
Dr. Victoria Cooper, Artemio Murillo, Dave Inman,
Abundio Zaragoza, Tom Dubois, Ramon Toledo 
          CEREMONY:  Instituto del Progreso Latino held a Completion Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Instituto Health Sciences Academy, 2520 S. Western Ave. Completion Certifications were given to 17 students who completed a course on Building Energy Technologies. Weatherization Certificates were given to 17 students.
           INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKERS was by Dr. Ricardo Estrada, Vice President of Education and Programs, Instituto del Progreso Latino. CEO and President Juan Salgado of Instituto del Progreso Latino gave a welcoming address to the students and guests. Guest speaker was Gerald McGleam, Deputy Program Manager for Special Projects and Building Energy Technologies Program speaker was Steinar EgelandDr. Victoria Cooper, Director - ETP from Wilbur Wright College, also gave a few words. Wilbur Wright College is one of the financial supporters for the Environmental Technologies Program.
          ACKNOWLEDGEMENT was given to all the hardworking students and their families for their dedication to the successful program.