WHITE HOUSE: Latino Update
(WASHINGTON DC - March 13, 2012) - Last week a new report on the White House Hispanic Community Action Summits was released by the White House Office of Public Engagement and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
According to the report, the engagement with Hispanic community leaders at last year’s regional meetings have helped establish dozens of new partnerships; provide technical assistance and support to small businesses and educate employers and employees on workplace protections; improve access to quality health care under the Affordable Care Act; expand nutrition assistance; promote diversity and inclusion in federal programs and workforce; and protect civil rights in education, housing and immigration. To read the full report, click here.
Last week, Vice President Biden traveled to Mexico and Honduras as part of the administration’s sustained, high-level engagement with the Americas. The Vice President’s visit comes in advance of the President’s participation in the Summit of the Americas this April in Colombia, which will focus on leveraging hemispheric connections and partnerships to improve the lives of people throughout the region. To read more about Vice President Biden’s visit to Mexico, click here and to see clips of the Vice President's interviews following his trip, click here.
On February 29, 2012 President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden welcomed a group of true American heroes to the White House for a formal dinner that paid tribute to our Iraq veterans and marked the end of the war.
In his remarks, the President welcomed veterans home, praised their bravery and dedication to their mission, and thanked them on behalf of more than 300 million Americans.
Among those in attendance were Hispanic veterans Army Staff Sgt. Miguel Cruz, Army Cpl. Clara Surita, and Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva recognizing the important role Hispanics have and continue to play throughout our armed forces. Hispanics serve in our military in record numbers—over 1.33 million Hispanics currently serve in our armed forces and an estimated 1.2 million of our Nation’s veterans are Hispanic.
Also, on Tuesday March 6th, 2012 the President took another step to make refinancing easier for millions of Americans who have government-sponsored mortgages. He's cutting fees -- to help families save money and make refinancing more attractive. To read more, click here.
We also want to share some important agency updates that have a direct impact on the Latino community across the nation in the areas of civil rights, labor, housing, and consumer protection.
Agency Updates
Justice Department Files Letter Regarding Texas Voter Identification Law
March 12, 2012
Yesterday the Justice Department determined that Texas did not meet its burden under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of showing that the law will not have a discriminatory effect on minority voters, and therefore the department objects to the Texas voter identification law. According to the state’s own data, a Hispanic registered voter is at least 46.5%, and potentially 120%, more likely than a non-Hispanic registered voter to lack the required identification.
U.S. Department of Education Highlights Educational Inequities Around Teacher Experience, Discipline and High School Rigor
March 6, 2012
According to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) minority students across America face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school curricula, and are more often taught by lower-paid and less experienced teachers, To read more, click here. To read in Spanish, click here.
Justice Department Recovers More Than $900 Million in Consumer Protection Cases in 2011
March 5, 2012
The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch recovered more than $913 million in criminal and civil fines, penalties, and restitution in 2011 announced Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. To read more, click here.
Growing America’s Outdoor Heritage and Economy
February 29, 2012
On Tuesday, a report issued by the National Park Service showed that visitors to the National Park System contributed more than $31 billion to local economies and supported 258,000 jobs in 2010, an increase of $689 million and 11,500 jobs over 2009. To read more, click here.
Millie Herrera named regional representative for Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis
February 28, 2012
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Millie Herrera as her regional representative in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Herrera is based in Miami, Fla. To read more, click here.
Obama Administration Announces Commitments to Protect the Health of Every American
February 27, 2012
Today, federal agencies, led by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released environmental justice strategies, implementation plans and progress reports, outlining steps agencies will take to protect communities facing greater health band environmental risks. To read more, click here.
Blog Highlights
Vice President Biden interviewed with Telemundo, Univisión and CNN en Español
March 9, 2012
Vice President Biden interviewed with Telemundo, Univisión and CNN en Español after returning from a visit to Mexico and Honduras as part of the administration’s sustained, high-level engagement with the Americas. To read more, click here.
Our Dependence on Foreign Oil Is Declining
March 1, 2012
America’s dependence on foreign oil has gone down every single year since President Obama took office. In 2010, we imported less than 50 percent of the oil our nation consumed—the first time that’s happened in 13 years—and the trend continued in 2011. To read more, click here.
MBDA: Strengthening Support to Minority-Owned Firms
February 24, 2012
In his blog, David A. Hinson, National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, discusses the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned. To read more, click here.
Upcoming Conference Calls and Events
Summer Jobs+ Initiative Conference Call
President Obama and Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis recently announced the Summer Jobs+ Initiative, a call-to-action for American business, nonprofits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012. Our goal is to provide 250,000 young Americans employment opportunities this summer. Over 180,000 commitments have been made to date by our partners. Please join us on a Briefing Call on the Summer Jobs+ Initiative to discuss how employers can participate in the Summer Jobs+ initiative and help connect young people to a summer employment opportunities and a better future.
- What: Briefing Call on the Summer Jobs+ Initiative
- When: Thursday, March 15, 2012
- Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
- Call In: 1-800-230-1059
This call is off the record and not intended for press purposes
National Stakeholder Engagement on USCIS's 2012 Priorities
On Thursday March 15, 2012, Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), cordially invites you to attend a national stakeholder engagement to discuss the agency’s 2012 priorities. If you have any questions or would like to confirm attendance please contact the Office of Public Engagement at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov by March 14, 2012.
- When: Thursday, March 15, 2012
- Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
- Call In: 1-888-769-8923
- Passcode: Priorities
Get Involved
The White House Internship: A Public Service Leadership Program
The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities.The application period for the Fall 2012 White House Internship Program is now open. Applicants have until April 1, 2012 to apply for a Fall 2012 White House Internship. See “Apply Here” for more details.
Opportunities are Open at the Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (DOL) is excited to invite interested applicants across the nation to apply to internships that will provide students with unique opportunities to interact with dynamic leaders and learn how Department of Labor agencies operate to protect America’s workforce. All application materials must be submitted by April 6, 2012. For more information, please visit the Department of Labor Internship Program website at www.dol.gov/internships or email students@dol.gov.
Have a great week!
Julie Rodriguez
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement
Julie_C_Rodriguez@who.eop.gov
