Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Tribute, Lisa's Agenda, Rahm's Bluff, Register to Vote, Alivio Event, Valentine Dance, Longoria Affair

Dr. Hector P. Garcia
          A TRIBUTE: This month all Hispanics should celebrate the life and legacy of  Dr. Hector Perez Garcia (1914-1996). Dr. Garcia was a Mexican American physician, surgeon, World War II veteran, founder of the American G.I. Forum, and a tenacious civil rights leader for the Mexican American community nationally. He has earned his place in American history, but few know how significant his work was in the civil rights movement.
          BORN on JANUARY 17, 1914 in Llera, Tamaulipas state, Mexico to Jose and Faustina Perez Garcia. Jose and Faustina home schooled their seven children and instilled the importance of a good education. Dr. Garcia graduated as valedictorian of his high school class and graduated with honors from the University of Texas in 1936. In 1940 he earned is M.D. degree from the University of Texas medical school in Galveston, Texas.
          VOLUNTEERING in 1942 for Army duty during WWII, he served as an infantry officer and a combat engineer officer. He was awarded a Bronze Star with six battle stars for his service on the battlefields. He was named alternate ambassador to the United Nations in 1967, appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1968, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor in 1984. He was named to the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1990. Garcia died July 26, 1996.
          DR. GARCIA'S birthday will be celebrated by members of the Little Village Dr. Hector P. Garcia AMVETS Post 326, Manuel Perez Jr. American Legion Post 1017, Mexican American Veterans Association [MAVA], Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Little Village Community Council this Saturday, January 14th.
Felix Z. Longoria
          IN CELEBRATION of Dr. Hector P. Garcia memory a free showing of The Longoria Affair documentary will be featured at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. Sat., Jan. 14th at 1 p.m. The showing is open to the public. The Longoria Affair, is a film by John J. Valadez of Private Felix Z. Longoria who died fighting the Japanese during World War II. When Longoria's body was sent home to Three Rivers, Texas the only funeral parlor in town refused Longoria's widow, Beatrice, the use of their chapel. The owner said, "the whites wouldn't like it." Dr. Garcia was contacted by the sister-in-law of Beatrice about the refusal of the funeral owner to wake her husband. Garcia sent out telegrams to many elected officials informing them about Longoria and U.S. Sen. Lyndon Johnson responded, became involved and took action.
Lyndon Johnson
          "THE INCIDENT sparked national outrage and brought together two stubborn and savvy leaders, Senator Lyndon Johnson and activist Dr. Hector Garcia," said Valadez. At that time, Lyndon Johnson was a principal at a Mexican elementary school in Cotulla, Texas 60 miles west of Three Rivers. Johnson wanted to make the school the best elementary school in Texas. "I see hunger in their eyes and pain in their bodies," said Johnson. He used part of his first paycheck to buy sporting equipment for the kids at the school, organized spelling bees and a debate club. Lyndon Johnson had served in the Navy and was livid about the Felix Longoria incident and took it personal. By his involvement, U.S. Senator Johnson was instrumental in having Felix Longoria's body buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which overlooks the Potomac River and Washington DC.
          A CORRIDO is sung by Mariachi Santiago Hernandez in the video honoring Pvt. Longoria and his story. Hernandez is the nephew of Commander/Historian William Luna of the Dr. Hector P. Garcia AMVETS in Little Village. "The Longoria Affair" is a historical struggle in Mexican history. Everyone is welcomed and to join in the celebration of Dr. Hector Garcia; a Mexican American Hero.
Elizabeth Hernandez
          LISA'S AGENDA: State Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez [D-24 Dist.] is sponsoring two advisory committee meetings to gather input on important state issues. The Women's Advisory Committee will meet Thursday, Jan. 19th at 6 p.m. and the Crime Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, Jan. 19th at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Cicero Public Library conference room, 5225 W. Cermak Road in Cicero. For more information contact Rep. Hernandez's Service Office: 708/222-5240.
          RAHM'S BLUFF: The City Council Hispanic Caucus, under the leadership of Ald. Danny Solis [25th Ward] welcomes Mayor Emanuel's threat to cut the City Council in half--with 25 wards--if the "feuding aldermen can't avoid a $30 million repeat of the 1990 remap referendum."
Danny Solis
          SOLIS SAID: "If it was 25 wards, we would be much better and more fairly represented because you're starting from scratch. This would be welcomed by the [Hispanic] caucus and me." The Hispanic Caucus drafted a ward map with 25 wards to divide evenly the wards between blacks, white and Hispanics. We salute the Hispanic Aldermen in their position. No seden por vencidos!
          REGISTER TO VOTE: The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 for the upcoming Primary Election scheduled for Tuesday, March 20, 2012. You can register at the City of Chicago Board of Election Office, 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor, or by submitting a mail-in form. Google: Chicago Board of Election, log on "Register to Vote" and download the mail-in form: Illinois Voter Registration Application, Form 275. The completed form should be mailed to the Chicago Board of Election. If you have any questions, you may call the Chicago Board of Election at 312/269-7984.
          ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER you must:
  • be a U.S. Citizen
  • be at least 18 years of age by election day.
  • live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election.
  • not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction; and,
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere. 
          AS A PUBLIC SERVICE:  Mail-in voter registration forms are available at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday .
Carmen Velasquez
          ALIVIO EVENT: Alivio Medical Center is hosting their Una Presencia Activia Celebration 2012 Banquet Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Drake Hotel, 140 East Walton Place. Dinner Chair is Patricia Hemingway Hall, President and CEO Health Care Service Corporation [Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois].  Honored guests will be Janet Murguia, President and CEO National Council of La Raza with the Lifetime Achievement Award and The Honorable Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator, New Jersey with the Warrior Award.
          ALIVIO OFFICERS: President Teresa Fraga, 1st Vice President Esther Corpuz, 2nd Vice President Alejandra Perez-Tamayo, M.D., F.A.C.S., Treasurer Wayne S. Muldrow and Secretary Mary Lebold, RN. Founder and Executive Director Carmen Velasquez.
          VALENTINE DANCE: Jose G. Guerrero, member of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 241[bus driver's Union] and a member of the Chicago Chapter Latino Caucus announced that the Latino Caucus "Sweetheart Dinner Dance", will be Sat., Feb. 11, 2012 at La Casa Puertoriquena, 1237 N. California Ave., 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Cash Bar. Music by DJ Santiago. Dinner music by a special Trio Group. There will be a raffle with prizes. Plenty of street parking.  Tickets: $15 per person. For more information contact: Jose Guerrero 773/283-6599.

YOU'RE INVITED TO SEE:
                               
"THE LONGORIA AFFAIR"
Sat., Jan. 14, 2012
at
Little Village Community Council
3610 W. 26th St. - 1:00 p.m. - FREE