The Hola Journal (sept./oct. 2008)

The

English Edition

Journal

www.holatoday.org A Publication of Hispanas Organizadas de Lake y Ashtabula

September-October 2008 Vol. 4, Issue 1

Working Together

for a better community

O

n a recent Friday just after lunch, Gayle Freeman lugged boxes of educational materials into a small warehouse at Gilson Gardens in Perry. One of the nursery’s managers carried in an easel with a white board, which he began to assemble near stacks of plastic flats and potting containers. As if on cue, a couple of workers outside quickly finished up their lunches and dragged in three picnic tables, arranging them in a row in front of the easel. “When you bring in the tables can you sweep them off so people don’t sit in dirt,” Freeman cheerfully shouted out. Within minutes, a dozen or so workers filed in and sat down as Freeman greeted them and placed paper and pencils on each picnic table. For the next hour, the nursery workers were

converted into students, learning English as part of a unique program between Painesville Adult Basic Literacy Education(ABLE) and Gilson Gardens Nursery. The curriculum is considered beginners-level English as a Second Language, with instruction focusing on basic terms. “It’s basically just getting everyone into a conversation,” Freeman says. “Today, we’re doing body parts.” Teaching English to his employees while they’re on the clock is an idea Mark Gilson has tried on and off for 10 years. But it was hard to get teachers, until finding Freeman though the recent partnership with ABLE. “She has a tremendous energy level and enthusiasm, and she really cares about our students,” (continued on page 3)

Inside: ■

Muñoz Pfister Page 8

Marileyda

■ Vianda: A Puerto Rican food history Pages 12-13 ■ HOLA Scrapbook Page 17 …and much more! Photo: Gayle Freeman and Mark Gilson at Gilson Gardens in Perry

From the Editor

Hola! It’s been nearly two years since we published the last issue of HOLA. But people still ask me, “When is the next issue of HOLA coming out?” People saved their copies and looked forward to each new edition. We took a break from publishing to focus our energy on the pressing and important issues facing our community. But, we’ve heeded the call of our readers and are thrilled to be able to announce that we are re-launching The HOLA Journal! Our debut issue, heavy on themes of immigration, is a testimony to the resilience of the Latino immigrant community. We are still here against all odds. When you want to know what it means to be an American, look to the Latinos and immigrants in these pages; their hope, ambition and determination to be a part of this country—to be better, and to make this country better is what being American is all about. The past two years have been difficult, and HOLA has been at the forefront of working for change that will help the Latino community be understood and HOLA’s mission is to provide and support quality of life and cultural services to the Hispanic constituency and to serve as ambassadors to the non-Hispanic community.

accepted as an integral part of our community. We met with elected officials, community groups, labor organizations and anyone who would listen. We did so because we still believe in the American political system, despite witnessing tremendous injustices. Our community is still here. As the pages in this issue demonstrate, we are not victims but victors. Our community continues to endure enormous hardships and uncertainty. But by working with community partners, such as the nursery growers, the Ohio Highway Patrol, local agencies that serve Latinos and all our friends, we will not only survive this difficult time, but thrive. It is a testimony to the resilience of this country, that after enduring two years of antiimmigrant fervor, Americans have chosen two candidates for president who support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. We may not get everything we want in immigration reform during the next administration, but we will likely resolve the status issue for the undocumented. Both candidates have rightly called for the reform to be humane and compassionate. This is a direct contradiction to what has been advocated on talk radio and mainstream news, yet actually reflects the sentiment of the majority of Americans. This bodes well for the future of our country. So as we go to print with this new issue, HOLA is hopeful for the future. Sincerely, Verónica Isabel Dahlberg, Editor

Staff of The HOLA Journal Editor Verónica Isabel Dahlberg Translations Heddy Herrera Graphics, layout and design eWebInnovations Creative Design Group This Issue: Staff Photographers: Veronica Dahlberg Advertising Sales: Contact HOLA at 440.964.3372

Please send letters to: Editor The HOLA Journal PO Box 3066 Ashtabula, Ohio 44005

Nursery English Class (continued from page 1)

Gilson said. Freeman, who retired from teaching Spanish at Harvey High School, comes in every Friday and teaches the class for an hour, often leaving with a flat of nursery stock given to her by Gilson. “I love it!” Freeman said enthusiastically. “And I think it’s phenomenal that Mark Gilson allows the employees to do this for an hour during work—and that they get paid well for that hour.” Normally the classes start in June and wind down when the season ends and workers get laid off, between October and November. But on this day, Gilson was forced to lay off a half dozen workers earlier than expected due to the hard economic times hitting the nursery industry this year. Gilson helped find other jobs for the laid off workers, and next week, there will be fewer

students in class. But the classes will continue. “It’s important to the people that come to our program,” Gilson explained. “It’s important to our industry and I think it’s important to the community,” he added. Gilson also serves as president of the Nursery Growers of Lake County. He said despite a downturn in the industry, local nurseries still generate $100 million in sales every year and employ about 2700 people. “The Hispanic community is a byproduct of the long-term success of our industry,” Gilson said. “I think we owe it to our workers and the community to do this.” Despite the layoffs at the end of each season, Gilson and Freeman are gratified to see that many students continue taking classes on their own, at the Painesville ABLE office, until they are hired again the next season. “It’s a big success,” Gilson said, “in the confidence level of the employees and in that several

workers continue with classes in the winter.” When workers return to the nursery, those who continued with English classes during the off-season are recognized. “We get a cake with all their names on it and make a big deal,” Freeman said. “We celebrate it.”

Free English Classes Painesville ABLE 85 N. Park Place Second Floor Painesville, OH 44077 Phone (440) 354-5551

English for Speakers of Other Language classes: Starting September 16th Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-11:30 A.M. and 7:00-9:00 P.M.

HOLA Board of Directors

Gladys Figueroa Stec Lydia Ortega Kate Maseley, Ph.D Shakyra Diaz Lynn Tramonte de la Barrera Sister Dorothy Bondi

The HOLA Journal is published bi-monthly by HOLA, Hispanas Organizadas de Lake y Ashtabula, in both Spanish and English language versions. All articles are property of HOLA and cannot be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Unless otherwise noted, all articles are written by Verónica Isabel Dahlberg.

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September - October 2008

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September - October 2008

NCLR Annual Conference Highlights Latino Issues

OHP Answers Your Questions

NCLR Staff and leadership hosted a workshop entitled, “Protecting the Public Discourse: Taking Hate Out of the Immigration Debate.” From left to right: Clarissa Martinez de Castro, A. Elena Lacayo, Cassandra Villanueva, Raul Gonzalez, Catherine Singley, and Janis Bowdler. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg

Sen. John McCain (R) and Sen. Barack Obama (D) were featured speakers during luncheons.

On July 12-15, HOLA representatives Gladys Figueroa Stec and Veronica Dahlberg travelled to San Diego for the annual conference of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) entitled, A Stronger America Together. NCLR is the largest

Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. The conference featured Latino Expo USA, showcasing 250 exhibitors, including businesses, agencies, entertainment companies and advocacy groups. In addition, both presidential candidates,

Rudy’s Story

the enemy. Hernandez was wounded, but kept shooting until his rifle broke. Then he climbed out of the hole and charged the enemy using the bayonet on his rifle and some grenades. This gave his fellow soldiers time to reload their weapons and begin their attack. Hernandez was found lying unconscious the next day, surrounded by the bodies of six enemy combatants he killed. An army medic initially pronounced him dead, until he saw Hernandez move his fingers. Rudy Hernandez sustained bullet and bayonet wounds. In addition, a grenade explosion had taken a part of his brain. Today, he still has no use of his right arm, and has retired from counseling wounded veterans for the Veteran’s Administration.

Rudy Hernandez is a Mexican American born in 1931, the son of a California farmworker. At the age of 17, he volunteered for the army, and was sent to the Korean War as part of the 187th Airborne Unit. He distinguished himself with his valiant actions during a violent battle on May 31, 1951, in Wonton-Ni, at a place that was described as Hill 420. In the darkness of the early morning hours, large numbers of enemy troops began to approach the platoon at the Hill, shooting mortars, artillery, and machine guns, causing large numbers of casualties. Hernandez was in a foxhole with another soldier and began shooting at 4 / The HOLA Journal

Representatives of Latino organizations from all over the country attended workshops on diverse topics including nonprofit management, family, education, health, policy, workforce development and women’s issues. In all, HOLA attended nine workshops, as well as both luncheons featuring the presidential candidates, and even had time to fit in a short visit to Tijuana, Mexico, and a ferry ride to Coronado Island to catch a swim in the Pacific Ocean.

G

reetings,

I am Lieutenant Jim Sivak of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I currently serve as the commander of the Chardon Patrol Post, located on SR 44 in Geauga County. In an effort to make our local roadways safer, The Highway Patrol is now partnering with H.O.L.A. Our agencies are looking forward to this partnership and

the life saving results that will be obtained from it. Together, we hope to provide the community a better understanding of what the Highway Patrol does on a daily basis. Additionally, we will improve our educational efforts and remove pre-existing language barriers. Today’s article is the start of that process. In an effort to improve safety on our roadways, I will be submitting future articles on a variety of highway safety topics relevant to our area. If anyone has any questions about what the Highway Patrol does, questions about traffic laws or any other concerns, please do not hesitate to forward them to me. I will either answer these questions directly or incorporate the answer in future articles. I look forward to working with H.O.L.A. and broadening our relationship within the community we serve. Lieutenant Jim Sivak 530 Center Street Chardon, Ohio 44024 440-354-3233 [email protected]

Please be a part of the solution and help us reduce fatalities on Lake County roadways, as well as the overall number of crashes in the state. Please remember to always drive the speed limit, wear your safety belt and do not drink and drive. Immediately report aggressive and drunk drivers to your nearest Patrol Post or call 1-877-7Patrol or 911.

TOP LAKE COUNTY CRASH CAUSES 1. Unsafe Speed 2. Failure to Yield 3. Improper Lane Changes

TIPS TO STAY SAFE • Wear your seatbelt! • Minimum following distance between two vehicles is 1 car length per 10 MPH.

• Make sure to stay alert and watch traffic.

• Avoid being distracted by the radio, cell phone, or other occupants in the vehicle.

• Car seats must be used Gladys Figueroa Stec with Medal of Honor recipient, Rodolfo “Rudy” P. Hernandez, U.S. Army soldier and Korean War veteran,at Latino Expo USA, San Diego, CA, July12, 2008. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg September - October 2008

until children reach age At the Annual Field Day hosted by the Nursery Growers of Lake County, HOLA and the Ohio Highway Patrol shared a booth. Here, nursery employees try on “fatal vision goggles” which simulate impairment at blood alcohol levels over the legal limit. 5 / The HOLA Journal

4 years and weigh 40 pounds. September - October 2008

A Life of Serving the Underserved

LATINO HOME BURGLARY/THEFT By Painesville Police Chief Gary Smith In 2007 there were a total of 20 Latino homes that were entered and had money and property stolen. Most of these happened during the day when people are at work. These were the common ways thieves came into the homes: 1. Doors left unlocked, especially rear doors. 2. Windows left unlocked or open in the summer, especially rear windows. 3. Sliding patio doors left unlocked or not secured 4. A window air conditioner pushed in because it was not secured 5. Rear door glass broken letting person reach in an unlock door. 6. Rear door forced open by prying door lock.

The common items taken were money and jewelry which were kept in envelopes in dresser drawers or closets.

be secured by screws into the window frame to keep them from falling out or be taken out by someone.

What can you do?

Caution: Make sure there is a way to escape the house in case of fire or other emergency.

1. Since most entries are from the rear of the house – secure rear doors and windows with locks or other devices to prevent them from being opened , or from being opened all the way. Rear door glass can be covered with a metal grate or bars. In the summer don’t leave open the rear windows or secure them so they are only open several inches and the window cannot be raised up high enough to allow someone to enter. 2. Sliding patio doors can be secured by placing a piece of wood or metal in the track of the door to keep it from being slid open. 3. Air conditioners are supposed to

4. Purchase a small safe to keep money and jewelry. They are not expensive and can be secured to the floor or a closet with screws or bolts. 5. An alarm system is good protection but may be expensive. A barking dog can scare off most people but require a lot of care. 6. A neighborhood watch group where neighbors watch out for their neighbors and call when they see something suspicious or someone around the house when no one is home is another good way to stop crime.

When Ana Canales retires, she wants of immigration, there’s a to write about her life as an immigrant lot of fear,” Canales said. from Peru who became a licensed alco- “This is affecting our programs. People come to hol and chemical dependency counselor in Northeast Ohio. But that won’t the meetings, they look at you; they want to test the happen anytime soon. She’s too busy creating and implementing new bilinwaters before they give gual programs at the Lake Area Reany information. There is a covery Center (LARC), in Ashtabula, lot of pain; they won’t talk about it.” where she serves as Clinical Director. “She’s a perpetual motion machine,” Canales was born in says Kathleen Kinney, director of Lima, Peru, where she LARC, who had long been seeking to completed her studies in hire a credentialed, bilingual Hispanic social work at a Catholic University, and also a social worker. Methodist school, where In August, Canales begins a bilingual MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivshe learned English. Upon finishing school, ing) alcohol prevention and education she moved to San Isidro, Ana Canales, Clinical Director, Lake Area Recovery Center in program. Canales has also started a Ashtabula. Photo by: Veronica Dahlberg bilingual Al-Anon group, to support the Peru, working to promote human development. family members of Latinos who have alcohol problems or are alcoholics. And Then she spent 14 years working as was stunned when bureaucratic backlogs at the immigration offices held up a social worker for the International she is currently signing up clients for her visa renewal and she had to return ALERTA, a Spanish-only drunk driving Potato Center, an experience she still to Peru, where she remained for two intervention years waiting. “I lost my car, my things, program. my credentials went down,” Canales (Its Englishlanguage Kathleen Kinney, director of Lake Area Recovery said. “I had to try to survive in Peru.” While there, she started an AA program counterpart Center, in Ashtabula in English for American women in a is called Peruvian prison, who were convicted of AWARE). drug use and drug trafficking charges. recalls fondly. “Our mission was to It is a 72-hour residential program educate the poorest countries on the lat- Today, sitting in her office at LARC, for first time DWI offenders. CurCanales is glad to put that painful chaprently, there is no Spanish-language est technology for planting and harvest Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in potatoes,” Canales said, adding that her ter behind her. She eventually renewed Ashtabula. But Canales refers clients job often involved working with foreign and updated all her credentials so that she could continue her work serving the to AA meetings that have re-started scientists and their families. underserved. in Painesville, at St. Mary’s Church It was a foreign exchange program every Friday at 7:30 p.m. that first brought Canales to Cleveland. Canales is excited about LARC “When I returned to Peru, it just To learn about Alcohol and and reaching out to underserved clicked in my mind, and I decided Chemical Dependency treatment Latinos.”We’re really looking forward I would go back,” Canales said. In services available in Spanish, to opening new doors,” Canales said. 1991, she returned to Cleveland. contact: “When I came to this agency—you After “knocking on 56 doors,” she can just feel it—it’s very grassroots. was hired at the May Dugan Center. Ana Canales There’s a commitment to serve.” By She then transitioned into designing Lake Area Recovery Center offering services in Spanish, Canaand implementing Spanish-language Donahoe Center for Human programs in alcohol and chemical les hopes potential clients will come Services dependency treatment for HUMADforward to seek the help they need. 2801 C Court, Ashtabula But she realizes there are other barriAOP, where she served as Director (440) 998- 0722 ers besides language. “With this issue of Prevention. Then in 1995, Canales

“She’s a perpetual motion machine.”

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Exhibit Highlights Visual Art that Speaks in a Bilingual Voice SPACES gallery in Cleveland

will present Bi-Lingual (September 5 through October 17, 2008) an exhibit of Latino and African-American artists that reflects the dual identities, cultural influences and languages of their respective communities. “For as much as multi-cultural America is seen as heading towards a uni-cultural blend, there are many groups of Americans who still live a dual life through verbal, physical and visual language,’ said Angelica Pozo, the Cleveland artist who curated the exhibit. This includes artists of color, whose art can often be misunderstood.”Curators, critics and those in the art world either misread the cultural references in the work, or miss them altogether,” Pozo said.”They don’t understand the nuances.” With the Bi-Lingual exhibit, Pozo, a Caribbean Latina with African roots, is finally realizing a longtime goal “Cleveland” by the Puerto Rican artist Bruno Casiano, 2007. come to fruition. The work of each artist in the exhibit reflects the unique Bi-Lingual features the work of Bruno (Cleveland Heights, OH). influences of living bi-cultural lives. Casiano (Cleveland, OH), V. Robin “I’ve had this idea for five years,” In addition, Cuban-born artist Juan-Si Grice (Ann Arbor, MI), Saskia Jordá Pozo said. “It just sort of stewed in Gonzalez, of Yellow Springs, OH, will (Spring Green, WI), Michelangelo my head. People collaborate with his partner, Paloma of color know Dallas, to produce a new body of what I’m trying work over an eight-week residency to get at—rather in Cleveland. Their multi-media than separate installation is entitled Migración of ourselves by Language, and will be a main focus of race, color Bi-Lingual. The project reflects what Angelica Pozo, Curator ethnicity, African they call “the complex and painful Americans or process of insertion and adaptation in Latinos—I chose a new social context.” to do a unique context, a core platform Lovelace (Cleveland, OH), Nicole to bring everyone together. I want to SPACES is located at 2220 Superior Marroquin (Chicago, IL), Sana give a broader understanding of people Musasama (New York, NY), Akosua Viaduct in Cleveland. For more who are straddling two worlds.” information, including gallery hours, Adoma Owusu (North Hollywood, visit www.SPACESgallery.org or call CA), Shani Richards (New York, 216-621-2314. NY), and Rafael Valdivieso-Troya

“I want to give a broader understanding of people who are straddling two worlds.”

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Marileyda Pfister: Advocate, Friend, Victim of Domestic Violence We at HOLA are deeply saddened to lose our friend and colleague, Marileyda Muñoz Pfister. She was killed on July 2, 2008 just days after taking out a Civil Protection Order against her husband, Alex Pfister. Alex is currently in jail facing a felony murder charge, accused of brutally stabbing her multiple times. Marileyda was a wonderful person who devoted her life to helping others. Born in Guatemala, she came with her parents to work on a poultry farm in New Philadelphia, Ohio. But she wanted to do more. Through a temp agency she got a job with Rural Opportunities, Inc. as an outreach worker helping farm workers. After a promotion in 2005, she worked out of the Painesville office, where she helped Latinos find jobs, access health care, and even learn English. She educated Latinos on the rights they were entitled to. She volunteered for HOLA on several projects when additional interpreters were needed. Marileyda was the mother of three children, as well as a loving daughter and sister. Sadly, though Marileyda advocated for women who were being abused, she was not able to escape the abuse in her own life. We at HOLA hope that women will come forward and seek help if they are being abused by a spouse or partner. Abuse is a pattern of violent behaviors 10 / The HOLA Journal

that one person uses to exercise power and control over another. Abuse may be verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and/or financial. Abuse is never the victim’s fault. Hispanic victims of domestic violence face the same hardships as any other victim in a domestic violence situation. They do face some unique obstacles that make it difficult for them to come forward and report the crimes. Some of those obstacles are language barriers, limited access to social service agencies, not knowing their current legal status, not knowing their legal rights and/or the services available to them, fear of deportation and the financial dependence they may have on their abuser. Hispanic victims may feel alone. It is very common for the abuser to use these factors against Hispanic victims. The abuser may threaten to report her to immigration (ICE) or the police, he may threaten to take their children away from her, he may threaten to commit suicide if she reports him to the police or leaves him, and he may threaten to kill her and/or the kids.

Purple Lights

Lake Geauga United Head Start,Inc.

The Domestic Violence Center (DVC) in Cleveland is sponsoring Purple Light Nights™ in October, a campaign designed to shine a light on a problem that is often associated with silence and shame. Here’s how you can be a part of this important effort.

Providing FREE Comprehensive Preschool Services FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN 3-5 YEARS OLD Services Include Nutritious Meals Play based learning with literacy focus Community Resource Connections Special Needs/Disability Services

Individuals: Individuals can shine a light in their window or on the front porch of their home throughout October. Business and Community Partners: Participate by distributing campaign materials, shining a purple light, and by finding other creative ways to advance the campaign. Other Participation: DVC also encourages other venues to shine a light, set up a display, distribute materials, offer a training or presentation, or find other ways to publicize the campaign.

DON’T WAIT! CALL NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Gladys Figueroa, Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program, P.O. Box 490, Painesville, Ohio or call 440-350-5792.

Painesville Center 350 Cedarbrook Dr 440-392-5636 OR TOLL FREE 1-866-407-3452

Remembrance and Support: Purple Light Nights™ is a way to remember domestic violence homicide victims; to celebrate the courage of those who have survived; and to provide hope, information and services to those who are still living with violence and abuse. DVC operates a 24-hour Helpline (216-391-HELP), provides a safe shelter for women and children, youth programs, community support groups, crisis intervention, Latina Program, and more.

If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Violence please seek help. For more information please contact Victim Advocate Gladys Figueroa Stec of the Lake County Victim Assistance Program at 440-350-5792. September - October 2008

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Canary Islands in 1515. “Platanos have a beautiful quality for nutrition—they reproduce easily,” Says Ortiz Cuadra. “One platano plant dies, and next to it, another grows. It doesn’t require the human hand.” Plaintains are used to make mofongo, a dish with African roots, where plantains are fried then mashed in a mortar and pork crisps are added along with garlic. It’s similar to a dish in the Dominican Republic known as mangoo, but where the plantains are boiled in stock instead of fried. Fu Fu is the African counterpart, made with mashed ñame. “All of these terms, mofongo, mangoo, fu fu, were introduced by the Africans,” Ortiz Cuadra says. “People talk a lot about globalization today. But in that era, there were a lot of interchanges too, from Africa to Puerto Rico. They just happened slower.”

Tubers and Roots:

A Puerto Rican Culinary History

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ifteen years ago, a group of laborers arrived at an Ashtabula county labor camp from Puerto Rico to work at a local nursery. Their suitcases were loaded with clothes and personal belongings needed for a season of work, and they also carried with them cardboard boxes packed with breadfruit they brought from their beloved island. Breadfruit, known as pane (pronounced PAH-neh), together with tubers and root vegetables are known collectively as vianda, and form an important part of Puerto Rico’s culinary heritage. And today, there is no need to bring them from the Island. You can walk into the Sav-A-Lot in Ashtabula, and other local stores, and see a wellstocked section of strange-looking knobby, fibrous brown roots and tubers of all shapes and sizes. They are usually located next to the Idaho potatoes and assorted onions. It’s a testimony to the long-settled Puerto Ricans, that vianda has travelled with them from the Caribbean and made it onto the shelves of mainstream grocery stores in Northeast Ohio. “People travel with their palates. It’s what I call their paladar memoria, or culinary memory,” explains Cruz

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Miguel Ortiz Cuadra, who teaches a doctoral-level course in “Culture and Nutrition in the Caribbean,” at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. He is director of the humanities department at the UPR branch in Humacao and has written a book about Puerto Rico’s culinary history entitled, Puerto Rico en la Olla (see box). “Your palate is connected to your senses, your emotions, your family. Vianda is part of the national identity of Puerto Ricans. The original etymological meaning of the term vianda is ‘that which gives strength and life.’” Ortiz Cuadra divides the tubers and roots that make up vianda into two groups, those known by the indigenous people of Puerto Rico, and those that came after the Spanish discovery. Yautia, yuca and batata were cultivated by the indigenous before the Spanish arrived. Yautia is often mistakenly called a yam, but is actually tanier. It has a bland, creamy white texture and is used in Puerto Rican specialties like alcapurria, a meat-filled croquette. Yuca, a root with a hard crust, is also used to make flour. The batata is a sweet potato with many varieties, though the indigenous knew a white variety known as batata blanca. After the Spanish arrived on the Island, other vianda known as ñame, malanga, and pane were cultivated along with platano (plantain) and guineo (sweet bananas), Puerto Rico en la Olla which are not ¿Somos aun lo que comimos? tubers and roots, but Author: Cruz Miguel Ortiz Cuadra still in the vianda 392 pages; Spanish category. The yam Publisher: Ediciones Doce Calles known as ñame arrived www.docecalles.com in Puerto Rico

with African slaves around 1545, though the exact means by which it arrived is not known. “We don’t know if the slaves carried ñame in the few clothes they had; knowing they were going on a ship and sailing to a place they didn’t know, and said, ’I’m bringing something to eat,’’’ Ortiz Cuadra said, “or if slave traders brought ñame

The breadfruit came to Puerto Rico from Jamaica, via Haiti.

on commercial ships as food for the slaves.” Regardless, today when you want to find the freshest ñame on the island, you head out to the countryside and ask for ñame Portuguesa. It still carries the name of the slave traders, and is consumed a lot by Puerto Ricans, particularly at Christmas. Malanga is taro root, originally cultivated on the African coasts such as Angola and Congo. “These are the zones from where the first Africans came to the Caribbean as slaves,” Ortiz Cuadra said. Today, malanga is used to make pasteles, a type of Puerto September - October 2008

Rican tamale, and also boiled in stew known as sancocho. Breadfruit, or pane, came to Puerto Rico from Jamaica, by way of Haiti. “When the breadfruit tree was introduced here in the 18th century, it spread quickly all over the island,” Ortiz Cuadra said. “I’m looking out my window at one right now—it’s a prolific tree. When a seed falls, poof, a tree grows.” During the depression of 1930s, and in other eras of great hunger in Puerto Rico, breadfruit was often all that was available. “Sometimes I show people breadfruit and they say No! I don’t even want to see it—a lot of people lived on it for a long time when they were young,” Ortiz Cuadra explains. Nevertheless, in Humacao, in the barrio Mariana, a breadfruit festival is celebrated every year. The breadfruit is still used in many dishes, including fritters, desserts and meat-stuffed creations. One of the main staples of the Puerto Rican diet is the plantain, which was brought from the 13 / The HOLA Journal

Vianda Sold by the Tons in Northeast Ohio blanca from Ecuador, the yautia lila from Nicaragua, and the bananas and plantains from Ecuador. “None of it comes from Puerto Rico,” Muñiz said. “There’s no way they could produce enough.” MuEnrique Muñiz, owner of La Borincana. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg ñiz also stocks breadfruit when it is in season. For Some of the freshest vianda can be now, it is available in a can. Consumfound at La Borincana Foods, 2127 Fulton Road, in Cleveland. Owner En- ers include not only Puerto Ricans, rique Muñiz sells nearly 5000 pounds but also Central and South Americans, and African immigrants, too. a month of the tubers and roots, and La Borincana stocks an extensive an additional 40 cases a week of assortment of specialty food products plantains. Each case contains 50 from all the Latin American counpounds of plantains. “At Christmas, tries, the Caribbean, and an especially it’s a different story,” Muñiz said. large section of food products from “We go through four times more than Africa. “African culture is very simithat.” The yuca sold in La Borincana lar to our culture,” says Muñiz. comes from Costa Rica, the yautia September - October 2008

Presidential Election: Where do the Candidates Stand on Immigration and other Latino Issues? Barack Obama – Democrat

John McCain- Republican

“There’s a huge difference between ern border as well, before working ing the troops home and generating Barack Obama and John Mcon immigration reform? “To build more jobs, Figueroa said. “Do you Cain,” asserts Cuautemoc “Temo” spend billions of dollars a month on a wall would cost billions of dolFigueroa, the campaign director lars—staff—I don’t think Amerithe war, or do we use those funds responsible for getting out the Lacans have for education, tino vote for Obama. That may be the stomach healthcare?” he true on issues such as health care, for the price said. war and education. But those who tag of it. It’s What will Comprecompare McCain’s and Obama’s po- hensive Immigranot feasible,” sitions on Comprehensive Immigra- tion Reform look Figueroa said. tion Reform may find they are more like in an Obama “We need to similar than different on this major presidency? “As develop techLatino issue. a U.S. Senator nology that As a community organizer, and then Barack fought will secure as an Illinois state senator, Obama the best he could the borders; worked closely with the Latino for Comprehenwe need to community on issues, Figueroa said. sive Immigration fully fund the “I think (Obama’s) entire career has Reform.” Figueroa State Debeen dedicated to the Latino compartment to said. But many Lamunity,” Figueroa says. “Look at process applitinos point out that his passage of the DREAM Act in as a U.S. Senator, cations—we Illinois—he fought hard for it.” The Obama voted for have a backDREAM Act allows young, undocu- the border wall, as did Sen. Mclog that is unheard of. We need to mented immigrants who entered the Cain. “You can’t speak about Comlook at the employers; be tough on country as children with their paremployers who are hiring undocuprehensive Immigration Reform ents, and who mented people.” graduated high Adds Figueroa: school, to get “We have to do “The 12 million people in the shadows, the communities on the path of something. We taking immigration enforcement into their own hands, legal residency can’t continue the neighborhoods seeing rising tensions as citizens are by attending on with 12 milpitted against new immigrants…they’re counting on us college. lion people living “Barack has in the shadows. to stop the hateful rhetoric filling our airwaves – rhetoric called for Barack has been that poisons our political discourse, degrades our Universal consistent with his democracy, and has no place in this great nation.” Health Care,” position throughadds Figueroa. out—he’s going Sen. Barack Obama speaking at the NCLR conference “There are 40 to fight for imluncheon on Sunday, July 13, 2008 million people migration reform who don’t the first year of have insurhis presidency. He ance, and Latino children are a high without first securing our borders,” has made that commitment to the percentage of those without insurFigueroa said, echoing what is escommunity.” ance. So when we talk about Unisentially McCain’s position. “Is it versal Health Care, we are talking To learn more, read Barack the end-all? Of course not. But you about Latinos.” There are other Obama’s Latino blueprint for have to bring forward the debate.” issues that differentiate Sen. Obama Does that mean Obama will want a change at: from Sen. McCain, such as how to wall constructed along the length of http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ handle the mortgage crisis, bringLatino_Blue_for_Cange.pdf. the southern border, and the north-

believe that nativist and anti-immiAfter giving his speech at a luncheon in place,” says Hessy Fernandez, a national Latina spokesperson for Mc- grant forces in the Republican base for the National Council of La Raza, Cain, and who previously served as caused McCain to backtrack on his the Latino civil rights organization, press secretary for Hispanic Outreach position, and will also continue to be presidential candidate Sen. John Mcfor the Repub- influential in a Republican adminisCain offered to take lican National tration—the same administration that questions from the Committee. has used large scale raids and detenaudience of about tions on Latino immigrant families, “If there are 1000 Latinos. A places where a to devastating effect. “Sen. McCain line formed at the fence is need- hasn’t backtracked,” Fernandez said. microphone, and “He was for CIR yesterday, today and ed, OK—it’s about four or five tomorrow. He has risked his political not a wall.” people asked quesshe adds. Mc- career to support it, why? because it tions. They were Cain would was the right thing to do. Nobody has clearly not prebe a champion worked harder on this issue. And he chosen or vetted. for the Latino got attacked from Republicans, DemAs border activist community, ocrats, he got attacked by everybody, Enrique Morones including imbut he stuck to his beliefs.” Fernanof Border Angels migration isdez says it is the same tenacity he has approached the mishown since his days as a Prisoner sues, Fernancrophone, the audiof War in Vietnam. On other issues, dez says. “He ence cheered. But some question McCain’s vote against has always then, an anonymous identified with the Latino community. reauthorizing Head Start, a program voice over the loudspeaker said there that benefits many Latino and disadAs an Arizona senator, he got 70would be no more questions, and the vantaged children. Fernandez said percent of the Latino vote. He knows microphone wasshut off. McCain McCain wanted looked just to reform Head as surprised “We must prove we have the resources to secure our borders and Start, rather as Morones, use them, while respecting the dignity and rights of citizens and than “throw and in a money at it.” gesture that legal residents of the United States. When we have achieved our Fernandez says, will likely border security goal, we must enact and implement the other “There is a go down parts of practical, fair and necessary immigration policy.” huge difference in Latino between Sen. political Sen. John McCain, Republican Presidential Candidate, speaking McCain and history, he at the NCLR conference luncheon, Monday, July 14, 2008 Sen. Obama. tossed his He wants to own mike keep taxes low off the stage for Hispanic to Morones families and small businesses; he’s the issues. He’s fought for compreand encouraged him to ask his queshensive immigration reform (CIR) talked about holding schools accounttion. The question was about border able and making health care available forever. The bill has his name on it,” deaths and the wall. McCain, an Ariand affordable to all. Sen. McCain Fernandez said. But some say Mczona senator, said he was very aware is not taking any vote for granted. of border deaths, and restated his call Cain now claims he would not vote He wants to be the president for all for more border security. McCain has for his own bill, which he authored together with democratic senator Ted Americans— Republicans, Democrats, said that any legalization plan would Kennedy, and would’ve put in place Independents, African Americans and have to come after the border is seLatinos,” Fernandez said. cured first. “It’s about using technolo- a legalization program for 12 million gy at the border and having a program undocumented people. Many Latinos To learn more, see www.johnmccain/espanol

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September - October 2008

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September - October 2008

La Roca: Mexican Taqueria Serves up Good Food with a Christian Touch Taquerias, those small taco diners that it’s made fresh. spring up in Mexican communities, If you order seem to come and go with the wind. guacamole, The demands of owning a small busiwe peel the ness overshadow the love of cooking. avocados and But Hector and Erika Picasso believe make it.” The their taqueria, La Roca, is here to tortas, a classtay—even in these tough economic sic Mexican times. Located in a small strip mall at sandwich, are $5, and include 1712 West 19th St., in Ashtabula, La your choice of Roca is named after the bible passeasoned pork, sage in Matthew 7:24 – 26, about carne asada the wise man who builds his house on a rock. “For us a rock is strong. (steak), choIf you build on a foundation of rock, rizo, milanesa you can withstand wind, rain,” Erika (chicken-fried said. “And that’s what we’re trying to steak) or beef do—withstand this economy that’s like tongue. They come topped with beans, lettuce, tomaa hurricane.” The Picasso’s converted to Christianity nearly 10 years ago, toes, sour cream and homemade salsas when they accepted Christ into their and pico de gallo. The lunch specials lives. Opening La Roca in 2006 was “Therefore everyone who hears these a decision that was made after much words of mine and puts them into pracprayer. “Hector was tice is like a wise man who built his tired of working for house on the rock. 25 The rain came someone else. He wanted to open a down, the streams rose, and the winds taqueria and prayed blew and beat against that house; yet it to God for one,” did not fall, because it had its foundation Erika said. “I knew on the rock.” Matthew 7: 24-26 it was a big risk, but in some way or another, he wanted include a variety of combinations to realize that American dream.” served with rice and beans for just $6 La Roca is a family-owned business a plate. In the winter, they will offer that caters to families. The décor is simple, and soft Christian music barely Mexican soups and specialties such as menudo, a spicy, tripe soup. audible in the background replaces Opening a small business was a big traditional Mexican music. Prices are step in a long journey the Picasso’s inexpensive and there is a large selection to choose from. The menu features took together that began in Mexico. Erika is from the state of Guerrero, and all fresh, homemade dishes, specialHector from Salamanca in Guanajuato. izing in tacos, tortas and burritos, but They met in Chicago, and became a also includes vegetarian dishes and couple, a period that Erika said was kid’s meals. “You can buy a whole difficult due to Hector’s serious drug meal for $6 and it fills you up,” Erika said. “And when you order something, and alcohol use. She decided to leave 16 / The HOLA Journal

HOLA Scrapbook: Highlights of 2007-2008 May 21, 2008 HOLA can never forget the devastating raids in Painesville. Hundreds gathered in front of St. Mary’s Church for the second of three marches. Photo by Juan Ramirez. May 21, 2008 Walking from St. Mary’s Church to the Painesville town square to raise awareness of the inhumanity and destructiveness of raids. Photo by Juan Ramirez.

Hector to join a brother in Ashtabula and issued a final ultimatum to Hector, that he could join her in Ashtabula only if he checked himself into a Christian drug and alcohol treatment program. That was a turning point 10 years ago; the program changed Hector’s life, and he has never gone back to that lifestyle. Today he is also a pastor who hopes to spread the Good Word through a Pentecostal church the Picasso’s opened last month at 3234 Station Ave., in Ashtabula. They hope to eventually open another taqueria at a second location, and even add a small butcher shop specializing in meats prepared for traditional Mexican dishes. “God changes you,” Erika said. “We love it here, we have a home, and we have a feeling of peace.”

La Roca 1712 W. 19thth St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 (440) 964- 0133 Dine in or Carry out. Delivery available. September - October 2008

November 16 & 17, 2007 – HOLA director Veronica Dahlberg spoke in the Mexican Congress, a trip that also included meeting Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa.

October 24, 2007 The first statewide Immigrant Advocacy and Civic Engagement Day, organized by HOLA, at Ohio State Capital. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg

November 2007. Nursing mom Saida Umanzor, a Honduran immigrant living in Conneaut, is reunited with her children after being released from detention with an ankle monitor. HOLA in partnership with attorney David Leopold, of Cleveland, advocated strongly for her release. The case brought the New York Times to Ashtabula, and generated national attention, leading ICE to change its policies regarding detention of mothers with dependent children who pose no risk to national security. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg. 17 / The HOLA Journal

March 2008 – On the steps of the U.S. Capitol: A local Latino delegation went to Washington DC for NCLR Advocacy Days. Photo by Veronica Dahlberg

March 2008 – Ohio Latino leaders and students met with Rep. Steve LaTourette and Sen. Sherrod Brown to discuss issues ranging from jobs to immigration. September - October 2008

Postcards from Postville: A Tiny Town in Iowa Deals with the Largest Immigration Raid in U.S. History By Lynn Tramonte On the morning of May 12, 2008 in Postville, Iowa, a middle school classroom full of children heard the government helicopters before they saw them. Running to the windows to press their faces against the glass, they could see military-style vehicles swarm toward the meatpacking plant on the outskirts of town. They knew it was “Immigration,” coming to take their parents away. They said the helicopters’ wings sounded like insects’. That day, nearly 400 immigrant workers at the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville were arrested by federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They transported the workers to the Waterloo Cattle Congress, a facility normally used to showcase cattle. The livestock arena served as a temporary detention facility for the Guatemalan and Mexican workers. They were accused of violating U.S. immigration laws, and over

ville workers’ trials, “the workers were shackled in groups of 10, assembled and, like the livestock prepared for slaughter at Agriprocessors, they were efficiently packaged, convicted, and ordered deported.” On July 25 I traveled to Postville, Iowa to observe a meeting between local community residents and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). The delegation included CHC Chairman Joe Baca (D-CA), Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ). Before the meeting, Congressman Gutierrez’s Legislative Director, Susan Collins, and I met with local leaders helping the families. Sister Mary McCauley, the

reviewing hundreds of documents to be sure the files were all in order. Their children, ranging in age from newborn babies to teenagers, were dealing with the anguish of knowing that the government could take their mothers any time. Many of the children were U.S. citizens, born in Iowa, and had American accents. One brave boy talked about feeling as though he could proudly hold the Mexican flag in one hand and the American flag in the other, and he didn’t understand why this was happening to his family. His father was sentenced to five months in prison for working at Agriprocessors with a fraudulent document. That evening, Susan and I met a local couple that owns a restaurant on the main street in Postville: a blond-haired, blue-eyed Iowa native and her Guatemalan husband, a former Agriprocessors worker. They told me that since the raid, the town’s streets have been cloaked in a blanket of sadness. Businesses have lost customers and are on the brink of closing. Over 20% of the town’s population was arrested during the raid; whole families lost their livelihoods.

A livestock arena served as a temporary detention facility for the Guatemalan and Mexican workers.

300 of them were also charged with “aggravated identity theft”—a felony—and told they could spend years in jail before being deported.

The government aggressively prosecuted the workers, coercing them into signing plea bargains quickly, and many clearly did not understand their rights or what was happening to them. They were appointed criminal defense counsel, but their lawyers were representing up to sixteen other defendants. They were tried in groups—the goal was to process the detainees quickly, not evaluate each case on its own merits. According to Professor Erik CamaydFreixas, an interpreter during the Post18 / The HOLA Journal

pastoral administrator for St. Bridget’s Roman Catholic Church in Postville, and Pastor David Vazquez of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, welcomed us into the church that had become a sanctuary, legal clinic, food bank, and meeting place for the families of those arrested in May. When we arrived, immigration lawyer Sonia Parras Konrad was reviewing legal files for forty-three women who had been arrested at the plant and released—with monitoring devices fastened to their ankles—so they could care for their children. She was applying for “U” visas for all of them—a visa program designed to help crime victims stay in the U.S. and testify against actual criminals—and was

The next morning, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus members arrived after an overnight trip from Chicago, Illinois. They tumbled out of their vans into the bright Iowa sunshine and the sanctuary of St. Bridget’s, where about 200 community residents had gathered to meet them. Over the next three hours, the members of Congress listened to the stories of women, children, and men impacted by the immigration raid. A group of teenagers spoke about working 12 September - October 2008

hour shifts at the plant, drenched in animal blood and ripping apart meat with scissors until their hands cramped, earning only a pittance in wages. A group of women with monitors strapped to their ankles and their young children in tow spoke about being unable to work, yet unable to leave the country, meanwhile, their husbands are in jail. They have no way to pay rent or buy food for their children, and they are waiting for immigration court dates in 2009. Many spoke of the abuses they experienced at the plant: vacation and overtime pay that never materialized; strenuously long shifts; lack of protective clothing and equipment; even physical and sexual abuse.

town—parked their lawn chairs on the side of the immigrants that day. After hearing the workers’ stories, I felt ashamed of how the government treated hardworking, family-oriented immigrants as criminals, and failed to protect their rights in the workplace. After standing with Postville residents, town leaders, and visitors from across the nation, I felt proud to be part of a movement that is working toward a

fair and just immigration policy that respects workers, respects families, and respects our American values. We have not achieved this goal yet, and millions of families in America still fear the black helicopters. But I know that one day soon we will prevail. Lynn Tramonte is a member of the HOLA Board of Directors, and serves as policy director for America’s Voice.

The next day, hundreds of members of the faith, labor, and immigrants’ rights communities from across the region rallied in the town of Postville to support the community and demand just and humane immigration reform. The town’s mayor, Bob Penrod, asked the government to let all the Latino families of Postville come back home. Jewish leaders from Minnesota, Chicago, New York, and beyond, spoke out against worker abuses committed at Agriprocessors. While there was a small anti-immigrant contingent trying to disrupt the pro-immigrant rally, our new friends in town remarked that they were all outsiders, people they had never seen before. The real Postville residents—including the old-timers with real roots in the 19 / The HOLA Journal

September - October 2008

Shalom and Buenos Dias! Latino Leaders Visit Israel for New Perspectives On Feb 9, 2008, a group of 20 Latino leaders from the United States embarked on a two-week trip of Israel, sponsored by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MASHAV) and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI). It was the first time the sponsors had hosted a professional exchange program with American Latino leaders in Israel. The program was an intensive immersion into the diverse and cosmopolitan culture and politics of Israel, with a focus on immigration and integration from an Israeli/Jewish perspective. The Latino delegation stayed at the Ramat Rachel, a beautiful, historic kibbutz converted into a resort and conference center on the outskirts of Jerusalem, where several of the workshops and presentations took place. Topics ranged from the geo-political situation in Israel, a presentation given by the foreign ministry, to strengthen-

ing immigrant communities through more from Ethiopia, and other counleadership and civic education. Day tries, including Latin America and the trips included site visits to social service agencies throughout Israel, as well as significant cultural landmarks and institutions, like Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, nature centers, religious sites, and the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. The delegation At the Ethiopian Community Center, an immigrant absorption center in travelled by bus as far north as the Ramle, Israel. Jews left Ethiopia to Sudan during a civil war. From there over 20,000 came to Israel through military rescue operations, such as city of Nahariya, Operation Moses (1984) and Operation Solomon (1991). near the Lebanon United States. Integrating them has border, and the Golan Heights, where they stayed at the Ein Gev kibbutz on posed challenges, including employment, education and issues with at-risk the banks of the Sea of Galilee during youth. But with the assistance of Jewish a two-day trip of holy sites. The modern state organizations in the United States, of Israel is only dozens of programs serve the needs of 60-years-old new immigrants. For example, most of the Ethiopian Jews arrived with no and smaller than New Jersey, yet school experience at all. At an Ethiopihas absorbed and an absorption center funded by Jewish integrated an esorganizations, Ehud Bahat, who directs timated 3 million the absorption of immigrants into the immigrants in its educational system, said that Israel’s short history. By national policy is to teach the Hebrew Israeli law, any language, and to integrate immigrants Jew in the world socially into Israeli society. Immigrants can immigrate are encouraged to retain their own to Israel. In the cultures and their mother tongue. The 1990s, about a Israeli government has pledged $900 million came million to improve the Ethiopian comAt an Arab employment and training center run by the American from the Former munity, create more jobs and improve Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, in Cana, Israel. The “Women of Soviet union academic achievement. Valor” program is one of four dozen employment programs that target (FSU), thousands Photos by Veronica Dahlberg specific populations.

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September - October 2008

But despite the challenges, the Israeli economy is vibrant, growing at a rate of 6 percent. Most immigrants arrive with few resources, and unable to

Altar of Our Lady of Sorrows, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in old Jerusalem, the 13th station commemorates where Jesus was taken down from the cross.

speak Hebrew, but the government funds five months of free, fulltime Hebrew instruction. It also provides new arrivals with a stipend—around $8,000—and job placement assistance through its absorption After dinner dessert! With friends at the famous Philadelphia restaurant, in centers. The Jerusalem—named for the city of brotherly love—and started by the first emphasis is Arab/Jewish business partnership in the 60s. The walls are adorned with squarely placed photos of American presidents who visited there. on education, with significant payoffs for both Israel political power. At the Knesset, deputy speaker Yuli Edelstien spoke and the immigrants themselves. The integration success rate is high— (continued on page 23) immigrants have quickly accessed

Glossary of terms:

■ Kibbutz

A communal farm in Israel

■ Ulpan

A school for learning Hebrew

■ Aliyah

The Hebrew term for immigrating to the homeland, Israel, described as “moving up”. (For example, to make Aliyah is to “move up” your station in life.)

■ Shalom

Hebrew word for “peace” also used as a greeting.

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September - October 2008

George V. Voinovich United States Senator • Ohio

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Lowering Gas Prices: Find More, Use Less

A

ll of us know that Ohio families are hurting terribly from sky-high gasoline prices and everything else that goes up along with rising fuel costs, including food prices, travel expenses and the overall cost of living. It’s impossible for me to visit a gas station these days without coming across people who are downright angry and frustrated. I’m working to craft a comprehensive plan focused both on short- and longterm solutions and, last month, I co-

sponsored the Gas Prices Reduction Act – a bill that would increase American production through offshore exploration and western states oil shale. It also aims to reduce imported oil by making it easier for millions of Americans to drive plug-in electric cars and trucks. These steps will put America on the path toward lower gas prices and energy independence while stopping the transfer of billions of American dollars overseas to buy oil from countries whose leaders hate us and are harboring and supporting terrorists. We must act now to tap the 10 billion

barrels of oil in ANWR and 85 billion barrels in the Outer Continental Shelf, and the Department of Energy estimates that America’s total oil shale resources could top 800 billion barrels. It’s our duty to use the resources we have while coming up with alternatives for the future. We shouldn’t be begging other countries for their oil when we are sitting on vast, untapped supplies of our own. You can rest assured that I am working tirelessly in the Senate to help us explore our own resources and move toward a permanent solution to the crisis with the help of alternative and renewable fuels and conservation.

Sherrod Brown United States Senator • Ohio

An Energy Policy To Lower Gas Prices Now House admit that drilling today would not produce oil for many years.

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n 2001, Ohio drivers paid $1.40 for a gallon of gas at the pump. Today, gas prices in many areas of the state top $4.00 a gallon. School districts, local governments, truckers, police departments, fire departments, and Ohio families are all feeling the sting of high gas prices. Earlier this summer, members of Congress offered strategies to help bring down gas prices. Unfortunately, these efforts were blocked. Oil companies claim - and their supporters in Congress back them up - that drilling - anywhere, anytime - is the cure-all for our energy woes. Yet, even energy experts working for the White 22 / The HOLA Journal

More importantly, drilling today will do nothing to bring down gas prices this summer - or even this year. To help communities and families in Ohio - and across the country - the President should tap into our nation’s oil supply by opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That will help bring down gas prices now. Congress and the White House should also hold Wall Street accountable and go after oil speculators that game the system. According to a former top official at the Commodity Futures Exchange Commission, oil speculation accounts for up to 50 percent of the price of oil per barrel.

The federal government also must commit to accelerating the development of renewable and alternative energy sources. Alternative energy is not only the key to energy independence for our nation, it is an economic powerhouse that can revitalize Ohio’s manufacturing sector. Big Oil would like nothing better than for our nation to continue to rely on more and more drilling. It has helped Exxon and others earn unbelievable profits. But Congress must stand up for American families and stand up to Big Oil. When Congress returns to Washington in September, I will continue to work with my colleagues on an energy policy that acts in the best interest of our nation, not the oil companies. September - October 2008

Subscribe to The HOLA Journal TODAY! Visit us online at

www.holatoday.org The editor’s Mom, on the beach, Tampico, Mexico, Sept. 16, 1959. This issue is dedicated to you. (1936 – 2008) Latinos Visit Israel (continued from page 21)

to the Latino delegation about arriving in Israel in the 90s with the wave of Russian immigrants after he had spent years in the Siberian Gulag. He became an immigrant leader in Israel, and started an immigrant political party with the slogan, “Let Me Drive,” a reference to giving immigrants a voice and control on issues. The Latino delegation also met Shlomo Mulo—an Ethiopian Jew. He had arrived alone in Israel, an immigrant with “zero,

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nothing” after walking 680km through Sudan. Today, he speaks several languages and has been elected to serve in the Knesset.

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