Final Court Congressional District Plan

1.11.cv.5632.6762393.0 to view the ruling.

 

NOTED & QUOTED: Cómo afecta el nuevo mapa distrital a la comunidad hispana?

ACENTUACION OMITIDA

Tres representantes de la comunidad comentan sobre el nuevo mapa distrital creado por una juez para el estado de Nueva York, y expresan dudas de que beneficie a la comunidad hispana de la Ciudad. Juan Manuel Benítez entrevista a Néstor Montilla del Concilio Nacional Dominico Americano, María Teresa Feliciano, de la Mesa Redonda Dominico Americana, y Lucía Gómez Jiménez, del Instituto Nacional Política Latina.

 

Siga la discusión en Twitter y Facebook.

 

NOTED & QUOTED: “Articulo tomado del Periódico Diario Libre, por ser considerado de suma importancia para los dominicanos residentes en el exterior”.

Washington, DC (February 24, 2012). La Mesa Redonda Dominico Americana y el Concilio Nacional Dominico Americano (NDAC) sugieren a sus lectores leer el siguiente artículo publicado por el poderdigital.com y escrito por Mari Fernandez.

Entre las citas de interes que se destacan, se puede incluir la siguiente:

“En una reciente visita del presidente Fernández a Nueva York, en la que participó en una conferencia organizada por la reconocida Mesa Redonda Dominico-Americana, alabó los planes de dicha institución de agrupar 100 mil dominicanos en el famoso National Mall de Washington, D.C., para celebrar las contribuciones de la comunidad dominicana en ese país. Allí se puso de manifiesto el deseo de que contemos con un legislador de origen dominicano en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos”.

El artículo fue publicado el jueves 19 de enero del 2012 y esta disponible en el siguiente sitio: http://elpoderdigital.com/index.php/opiniones/296-opiniones/2387-la-politica-hacia-el-dominicano-en-el-exterior

La política hacia el dominicano en el exterior

Thursday, 19 January 2012 19:55

Mario Fernandez

Hits: 14

http://elpoderdigital.com/index.php/opiniones/296-opiniones/2387-la-politica-hacia-el-dominicano-en-el-exterior

La República Dominicana cuenta con una inmensa población residiendo fuera de su territorio. Tan sólo en los Estados Unidos, de acuerdo a los datos arrojados por el censo del 2010, viven alrededor de 1.4 millones de dominicanos, los cuales representan el tres por ciento de la totalidad de hispanos en ese país. La mayor concentración de nuestros criollos se encuentra en Nueva York (675 mil), Nueva Jersey (197 mil), Florida (172 mil), Massachusetts (103 mil), y Pennsylvania (62 mil). Del mismo modo, existe una gran cantidad de dominicanos en España, Italia, Suiza, Panamá, Venezuela y Argentina.

Los dominicanos residentes en el exterior son una parte integral del Estado dominicano. Representan el 15 por ciento del total de nuestra población y son responsables del envío anual de alrededor de 3 mil millones de dólares en remesas. Según la información publicada por el Banco Central en los últimos 12 años dichas divisas han alcanzado la suma de 31 mil millones de dólares, lo que las convierte en una de las principales fuentes de ingresos de nuestro país, creando esto una relación estrecha entre el desarrollo nacional y la diáspora dominicana.

Esas remesas son producto de un esfuerzo sobrehumano que realizan millares de criollos para poder ayudar a sus familiares en la isla. Esos dominicanos en el exterior también son miembros activos en sus comunidades e instituciones educativas destacándose en los deportes, el arte y la política, a la vez que se mantienen al tanto de todo cuanto ocurre en nuestro país. En Estados Unidos ya son alrededor de 35 los oficiales dominico-americanos electos en posiciones políticas de relevancia. Entre ellos senadores estatales, asambleístas, concejales, comisionados y delegados en Nueva York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland y Puerto Rico, así como también en puestos claves en las cortes y el gobierno federal.

Estos logros hacen a los dominicanos residentes en el exterior merecedores de una política de inclusión que les permita tener un espacio digno y permanente dentro de la estructura de gobierno de la República Dominicana. Consciente de esto, el presidente Fernández ha sido el promotor, en todas sus gestiones de gobierno, de una estrategia de revalorización de dichos dominicanos.

En 1999, promulgó la Ley No. 52-99, “sobre orientación y servicios a los dominicanos residentes en el exterior”, la cual creó la Oficina de Orientación y Servicios al Dominicano que reside en el Exterior, con el objetivo de establecer una política de orientación para todo dominicano que se encontrara residiendo en el extranjero y se aprestara regresar al país.

A finales del 2004, se crearon por decreto los Consejos Consultivos de la Presidencia para los Dominicanos en el Exterior (CCPDE), compuestos por miembros designados de manera honorífica, con la finalidad de organizar la diáspora en los territorios donde existiera una gran presencia nacional. La formación de 14 consejos consultivos representó un paso significativo en el reconocimiento de la diáspora como parte fundamental de la República Dominicana. Desde entonces sus acciones han generado resultados favorables en nuestras comunidades de afuera.

En el 2007 se creó en Suiza la escuela gratuita Profesora Salomé Ureña para que los niños nacidos en ese país, hijos de padres dominicanos, aprendieran el idioma español, conocieran sus símbolos patrios, su cultura y sus raíces.

En el 2008 el Consejo Consultivo radicado en Bélgica facilitó el envío de libros escritos por escritores dominicanos a la feria del libro de Bruselas, una de las actividades culturales más importantes de Europa al ser visitada por más de 30 mil personas. Anteriormente, los autores que aspiraban participar debían pagar los costos de transporte de sus obras.

Los frutos cosechados por los Consejos Consultivos motivaron la elaboración y aprobación de la actual Ley No. 01-08, que crea el Consejo Nacional para las Comunidades Dominicanas en el Exterior (CONDEX). Este organismo fortalece la gestión que realizan dichos consejos sirviendo de ente facilitador entre la diáspora con las instituciones del Estado dominicano y el sector privado, con la finalidad de impulsar la relación de proyectos conjuntos. La creación del CONDEX le da un sentido institucional a los vínculos del país con sus comunidades en el exterior.

Con la nueva Constitución de la República, y en cuya elaboración también participaron los dominicanos en el exterior, se alcanza un logro trascendental para la diáspora. El Art. 81 establece la escogencia de siete diputados de ultramar que representarán y serán elegidos directamente por la comunidad dominicana en el extranjero, siendo esto algo innovador nunca antes visto en ningún otro país de América Latina.

A raíz de esto se aprobó la Ley 136-11 que crea el mecanismo institucional para elegir a esos diputados y que establece su distribución entre todos los territorios donde existe presencia criolla. A partir de agosto de 2012 tendremos legisladores para Canadá, Estados Unidos, el Caribe y Europa, y será su deber legislar activamente por el desarrollo del país procurando una mayor participación de nuestro talento en el extranjero. En sus manos caerá el compromiso histórico de continuar la obra que se encuentra realizando el gobierno en beneficio de sus ciudadanos en el exterior.

En una reciente visita del presidente Fernández a Nueva York, en la que participó en una conferencia organizada por la reconocida Mesa Redonda Dominico-Americana, alabó los planes de dicha institución de agrupar 100 mil dominicanos en el famoso National Mall de Washington, D.C., para celebrar las contribuciones de la comunidad dominicana en ese país. Allí se puso de manifiesto el deseo de que contemos con un legislador de origen dominicano en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos.

Ese acontecimiento no tarda en llegar y pronto estaremos celebrando un logro más de una comunidad que por su trabajo honesto y constante se ha ganado el respeto y la admiración de todas las sociedades donde se encuentra.

Articulo tomado del Periódico Diario Libre, Por ser considerado de suma importancia para los dominicanos residentes en el exterior.

 

NOTED & QUOTED: Hundreds Attend New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs

Espanol

Newark, NJ (Monday, February 20, 2012).-Over three hundred participants from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, attended the 12th Annual New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs held yesterday at the Rutgers School of Law in Newark, New Jersey.

“The Dominican community in New Jersey has reached a level of political sophistication that allows them to stay focused on its interests, above political affiliation or other interests,” said Dr. Maria Teresa Montilla, President of the NJ Conference on Dominican Affairs (CODA).  “I think we are ready to come together and elect political representation at the state level in New Jersey.”

“We, CODA staff and volunteers, are very happy we have been able to successfully put together the 12th Annual Conference on Dominican Affairs,” said Amiris Perez, CODA Executive Director.  “Our mission is to provide a forum by which all Dominicans residing in New Jersey can evaluate and assess their role in the New Jersey community and create a proactive agenda to improve their economic, educational, social/cultural, and political well-being.”

The conference started with a welcome reception at Newark City Hall, where volunteers and CODA leadership shared an exclusive moment with acclaimed journalist Alicia Ortega.

On Sunday, February 19th, the Conference program included concurrent workshop sessions, and a plenary forum featuring Journalist Alicia Ortega and Rhode Island State Senator Juan M. Pichardo, who were the main presenters.  Their participation attracted dozens of followers, including students, leaders, peers, and people from surrounding communities.

United States Congressman Steven Rothman (D-9) delivered welcoming greetings in both English and Spanish and congratulated President Maria Teresa Montilla for her leadership and unrelenting commitment to the empowerment of Hispanics in the State of New Jersey and beyond. 

Then, Senator Pichardo delivered a keynote address titled “Participation, Contribution and Empowerment.”

“I want to thank Dr. Maria Teresa Montilla, President of CODA, President of DANR and Amiris Perez, Executive Director and the entire board of CODA for inviting me to speak here at your conference at Rutgers School of Law,” said Senator Pichardo. “Also, I want to acknowledge my colleagues and friends from this wonderful City who are here and those who could not make it due to prior commitments outside of the state. They exemplify the ideals of serving others and empowering a community.  This is what I believe in…” For a printable copy of his speech, click here: Senator_Juan_M._Pichardo_remarks_for_the_Annual_Conference_on_Dominican_Affairs

Onstage at the plenary luncheon session, President Maria Teresa Montilla interviewed journalist Ortega about the challenges and rewards of a professional woman working as a journalist in the Dominican Republic. She shared her beginnings as a journalist, her settling in the Dominican Republic, and some of the social changes her investigative reporting have caused in the country.

Ortega concluded her intervention quoting President Theodore Roosevelt:

“Be practical as well as generous in your ideals.  Keep your eyes on the stars, and keep your feet on the ground.  Courage, hard work, self-mastery, and intelligent effort are all essential to a successful life. Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.”

Ortega was presented with a plaque by coordinator Radhames Perez and a delegation of leaders from Dominican party “Alianza Pais”, in recognition of her successful career in journalism and for her excellence in journalism.

The list of participating leaders included Congressman Steven Rothman, West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque, Allentown Pennsylvania Councilman, and President of City Council Julio Guridy, Paterson Councilman, and Council Vice President Julio Tavarez, West New York Councilwoman Fiordaliza Frias, and West New York Councilman Ruben Vargas, Bergenfield Councilman Carlos Aguasvivas, Newark Councilman Luis Quintana, Commissioner and Perth Amboy Board of Education President Samuel Lebrault, Perth Amboy Board of Education Commissioner Milady Tejeda, Teaneck Board of Education Commissioner Sebastian Rodriguez, Commissioner and Roselle board of Education President Erick Cedano, Bronx District Leader Yudelka Tapia, Brooklyn District Leader  Arelys Martinez, Paterson Board of Education commissioners Alex Mendez and Wendy Guzman, Martin Perez, President of the New Jersey Latino Leadership Alliance, Elsa Mantilla, President of NJ State Dominican Parade, Rafael Marte, President of COPODO, President Ramon Guzman, and his delegation from Dominicans for Political Representation (DOPOR), Perth Amboy High School Principal Dr. Nestor Collazo and his delegation of over 45 students, and among others, community leader Juan Luis Jimenez.

In addition, attending were leaders of the National Dominican American Council (NDAC) and the Dominican American National Roundtable from Massachussets, Candem, NJ, New York and New Jersey.

The Women’s Leadership workshop burst with enthusiasm and encouragement from participants as well as panelists Univision Presenter Nilda Rosario, Nutritionist Dinorah Mendez, District Leader Yudelka Tapia, and Journalist Alicia Ortega.

The Political Empowerment workshop drew on the knowledge and experience of seasoned elected officials who served as panelists, such as Rhode Island Senator Juan Pichardo, Councilmen Julio Tavarez and Wilson Terrero, Commissioners Wendy Guzman and Alex Mendez, Businessman and community leader from Perth Amboy Frank Salado, and Community Leader Thomas Gomez.

Additionally, non-profit organization Citizens Campaign offered a road map to empowerment through participation in the structure of political parties.

Distinguished Plastic Surgeon Dr. Franklin de Jesus, Dr. Diogenes Fermin and Rosa Saldana headed the Health Professionals workshop to discuss exchange of medical services between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

The Conference premiered also the latest thought-provoking Nestor Montilla’s original documentary titled “Dominican Civilization, Diaspora and Identity,” which sheds light on how the Dominican Diaspora is creating and accentuating the new identities of the Dominican people.  The documentary features historian Frank Moya Pons, Ph.D, Irma Nicasio, Ph.D., and Odalis Perez, Ph.D. from Universidad Autonoma de Santo Dominigo, Sylvio Torres-Saillant, Ph.D. from Syracuse University, Lorraine Altagracia Cortes-Vasquez, the Honorable Claribel Martinez Marmolejos, the first Dominican woman ever elected to public office in Puerto Rico, Dr. Nasry Michellen, praised for becoming the first President of Hostos Community College, the Guzman Family, and testimony of other individuals who ascertain their Dominican identity despite being born in the United States.

At the end, a group of panelists offered their reaction to the documentary and shared feedback with producer and researcher Montilla.  Among them were re-known Dominican singer and composer Fernando Echavarria, who led popular musical group La Familia André, and a group of national young college student leaders from several universities including Pennsylvania State University, Brown University, Yale, Essex County Community College, Bergen County Community College and Middlessex Community College. The list of panelists included Professor. Rafael Brito from Newark NJ, Elías Alcántara, Amaris Guzmán, former DANR Youth President, Augusto Suarez, Bergen Community College, Franklin Ventura, Essex County Community College, Diandra Fermín, Yale University, Joel Fernández, Yale DSA President. They responded questions from the audience comprised of dozens of students and conference participants. Professor Alejandro Benjamin, who confessed in the Documentary he didn’t know he was black when he came to the United States in 1973, actively participated in the discussion and answered questions.

The 12th Annual New Jersey State Wide Conference was made possible thanks to a committed team of volunteers including Amiris Pérez, Directora Ejecutiva, Amiramis Pérez, Josefina Mercedes, María Beras, Nerys Polanco, Julio Tavárez, Consuelo Evans, Francisco Castro, Gregorio Torres, Victor Coronado, Dr.  Aritmedes Restituyo, Juan Familia, Alba Mateo, Augusto Suarez, Franklin Ventura, Erick Cedano, Oneida Vidal and Elba Familia. Other volunteers included Valentin Silverio, Altagracia Gatón, Margarita Gutierrez, Miladys Familia, Tatiana Guzmán, Freddy Read, Haydee Tió, Niurkis De la Rosa, Rosa Svelti, Jose Garcia, Josefina Torres and photographer Nelson Valentin.

CODA conference is sponsored by UNIVISION, Cibao Meat Products, HealthFirst, Rutgers School of Law, El Merengue Restaurant in Newark, Jersey Easy Construction LLC, the Institute for Latino Studies (ILS), and the Common Roots Project.

The NJ Conference on Dominican Affairs is the major Dominican state gathering on the Dominican and Latino calendars in the United States. During this Conference, attendees are able to participate and learn from experts, share experiences, network with professionals from around the New Jersey, the Tri-State Region and beyond.

For more information visit www.thelatinoinstitute.org or write to thelatinoinstitute@gmail.com

 

NOTED & QUOTED: RI Senator Juan M. Pichardo to Speak at the 12th NJ Dominican Affairs Conference

Espanol

Newark, NJ (February 16, 2012).-–Rhode Island State Senator Juan M. Pichardo will be the keynote speaker at the 12th Annual Dominican Affairs Conference (CODA) slated to take place this Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 8:30am to 4:00pm at Rutgers School of Law located at 123 Washington Street Newark, NJ 07102.

At noon, during the Conference Plenary Luncheon, senior Senator Pichardo will deliver his keynote address titled: Participation, Contribution and Empowerment of our Community. His speech will be about how the Dominican community can seize the times, and ultimately position itself, politically, in the US.

“We invite all Dominicans and people from our diverse communities to join us in this special occasion to welcome senior Senator Pichardo, a distinguished leader of ours, praised for having the distinction of being named the first Latino elected to a R.I. Senate seat and the first Dominican-American elected to a State Senate seat in the United States,” said Dr. Maria Teresa Montilla, President of CODA.

On January 7, 2003, Juan M. Pichardo was sworn in as a State Senator representing the 2nd Senatorial district in the State of Rhode Island. Located in Providence, Senate District 2 encompasses the neighborhoods of Elmwood, Reservoir Triangle and the West End.

Senator Pichardo is currently Rhode Island Senate President Pro Tempore, 2nd Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Member, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, Member, Senate Committee on Housing and Member of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation.

In the General Assembly, he serves as Senate Deputy Majority Leader and as a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Services and Transportation. In addition, Sen. Pichardo serves as Secretary of the Health and Human Services Committee. For a complete copy of his biography and exemplary services to the State of Rhode Island and the United States of America, visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/pichardo/Biography.html

Senator Pichardo will be welcomed by a sizeable delegation of leaders from northern, central, and southern New Jersey, the neighboring states of New York and Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of high school and college students, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, members of the National Dominican American Council, and people from our diverse communities will join President Maria Teresa Montilla, CODA Executive Director Amiris Perez and over forty CODA volunteers to welcome senior Senator Pichardo to the Great State of New Jersey.

The 12th Annual NJ Conference on Dominican Affairs includes a welcome reception on Friday, February 17 at 6pm at the Newark City Hall, two plenary sessions, five concurrent workshops, and the premiere of the latest thought- provoking Nestor Montilla’s original documentary “Dominican Civilization, Diaspora and Identity,” which sheds light on how the Dominican Diaspora is creating and accentuating the new identities of the Dominican people.  For a copy of the Conference program visit www.thelatinoinstitute.org.

In addition, Senator Pichardo will present as a leading panelist at the workshop After the elections, What? (Despues de la Eleccion, Que?), an interactive session dealing with the relationship between voters (the community) and their elected officials for best results.  The list of panelists includes Dr. Felix Roque, Mayor of West New York, Councilman Julio Tavarez, and NJ Commissioners Alex Mendez and Wendy Guzman. This Workshop takes place from 10:00am to 12:00 pm.

To register for the Conference click here or visit www.thelatinoinstitute.org

The NJ Conference on Dominican Affairs is the major Dominican state gathering on the Dominican and Latino calendars in the United States. During this Conference, attendees are able to participate and learn from experts, share experiences, network with professionals from around the New Jersey, the Tri-State Region and beyond.

For more information visit www.thelatinoinstitute.org

Press Contact:

www.thelatinoinstitute.org

 

NOTED & QUOTED: Dominican group eyes gains in redistricting

Article is also available online at: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/uptown/2011/09/01/2011-09-01_dominican_group_eyes_gains_in_redistricting.html#ixzz1WkJDANcZ

For a printable copy of the article, click the following link: Dominican group eyes gains in redistricting in ‘Silk Stocking District’

Para leer artículo en español, pulse aquí.

Dominican group eyes gains in redistricting in ‘Silk Stocking District’

BY FRANK LOMBARDI

DAILY NEWS UPTOWN POLITICAL COLUMNIST

Thursday, September 1st 2011, 4:00 AM

Advocates who dream of electing the country’s first Dominican-American member of Congress want to do it at the expense of upper East Side Rep. Carolyn Maloney.

Known as “the Silk Stocking District,” Maloney’s 14th Congressional District (CD) currently represents portions of Manhattan and Queens. Its population is 65.7% white to 13.7% Hispanic, based on new Census figures.

A redistricting plan crafted by the Dominican American National Roundtable would radically change the 14th CD’s lines to take in Dominican-heavy Washington Heights and Inwood and then range through a Hispanic-friendly Bronx corridor into south Yonkers, Westchester County, with a growing Dominican population.

Just like that, the new 14th CD’s population would flip, becoming 60% Hispanic to 16.2% white.

While Maloney, who was first elected in 1993, could still run in such a new district, she presumably could lose to a Dominican.

A spokesman for Maloney said, “Congresswoman Maloney has not seen the plan and therefore can’t comment.”

The Dominican Roundtable, a national advocacy group for the country’s 1.4 million Dominican-Americans, will present its plan next Thursday at Bronx Community College to the state’s Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.

The proposed Maloney mauling is coupled with a major – but largely benign – redrawing of the 15th CD, long represented by Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel.

Currently, Rangel’s district is virtually all within upper Manhattan, and includes Washington Heights and Inwood. The district has undergone a demographic transformation over several decades, and is now: 26.5% black; 46.1% Hispanic; 20.9% white and 4.2% Asian. At least half of the Hispanics are Dominicans, according to Census data.

Up to now, the Dominican Roundtable had favored a redistricting of the 15th CD that would have picked up some additional Hispanic constituents in the South Bronx. But that version had the potential of pitting blacks and Hispanics against each other for political control.

Nestor Montilla, chairman of the Dominican Roundtable, said the new redistricting plan would preserve the 15th CD as an African-American district, while also crafting a new Hispanic-majority district with the 14th CD.

The 15th CD’s new lines would pick up neighborhoods along the southern crescent of the Bronx to roughly Interstate 678, at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. The lines would then proceed north through a corridor of Bronx turf along I-678, and pick up a chunk of the northeast Bronx (including Co-op City) and much of Mount Vernon in Westchester County, all areas with sizable African-American populations.

Again, just like that, under the Dominican Roundtable’s proposed new lines the 15th CD’s demographics would become 41.2% black, 23.7% Hispanic, 27.9% white and 4.7% Asian.

Ostensibly, the new lines would be more favorable to a post-Rangel African-American candidate. Rangel hasn’t commented, but is said to view the proposal as basically a nonstarter.

Maria Teresa Feliciano, president of the Dominican Roundtable, said that based on population gains by Hispanics one or more additional new Hispanic-majority districts are warranted.

The state will lose two of its current 29 seats due to reapportionment after the new Census.

“We have two seats; we’ve had two for the past 20 years,” Feliciano lamented. “Based on demographics, the Task Force will be hard-pressed to come up with a map that doesn’t include at least one additional Latino-majority district, whether it’s our or some other proposal.”

flombardi@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/uptown/2011/09/01/2011-09-01_dominican_group_eyes_gains_in_redistricting.html#ixzz1WkJDANcZ

————

About the DANR

The Dominican American National Roundtable is the only non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c) (3) Corporation based in Washington, DC advocating for the educational, socio-economic and political development of our diverse communities and all people of Dominican origin in the United States of America, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

ABOUT the National Dominican American Council (NDAC)

NDAC is the national civic-engagement-community relations organ of the Dominican American National Roundtable.

NOTED & QUOTED from NY DailyNews: In line for nation’s 1st Dominican Rep?

For a printable copy of the Daily News article -In line for nation’s 1st Dominican rep? by Frank Lombardi click here

Following is a transcript of Frank Lombardi’s article “In line for nation’s 1st Dominican Rep?” published today Thursday, August 4, 2011 by the New York Daily News.

In line for nation’s 1st Dominican rep?

by Frank Lombardi

UPTOWN POLITICS

Daily News NYDailynews.com

BRONX NEWS

Thursday, August 4, 2011 (page 40)

In these dog days of summer there’s not much urgency among uptown politicos about the impending redistricting of state legislative and congressional districts.

But that doesn’t mean there’s not much interest in what could happen, especially to the 15th Congressional District, which for 65 years has been represented by just two African-American men.

Incumbent Charles Rangel (D-Harlem) has held the seat for 40 years, ever since deposing Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who held the seat for 25 years, going back to 1945.

Though commonly referred to as the Harlem seat, and mistakenly believed by some to be a majority black district, the 15th CD’s demographics long ago tipped in favor of Hispanics, predominantly Dominicans in this case.

According to the 2010 Census, the Dominican population of Manhattan – which is largely concentrated in Rangel’s district -grew by 14% since 2000.

There are 155,971 Dominicans in the borough now, compared to 107,774 Puerto Ricans and 41,965 Mexicans. And the raw numbers distinctly show that if redistricting were strictly based on demographics, and not politics and incumbency, the 15th CD’s lines could be adjusted to provide a shot for electing the country’s first Dominican congressional representative.

Consider: the 15th CD’s population was 48% Hispanic in the 2000 Census, compared to 30.5% black, 16% white and 3% Asian. Based on the 2010 Census, the Hispanic share has decreased slightly to 46%, but the black population decreased even more, to 26.5%. The white share has increased to 21% and the Asian to 4%.

The are 125,824 more Hispanics than blacks in the 15th CD than 10 years ago. And by voting age population, Hispanics outnumber blacks nearly two to one.

Moving the district’s lines north into Dominican-populated sections of the Bronx, such as Kingsbridge, the percentage of Dominicans would grow considerably.

“The numbers are there to make the case,” said Jose Ramon Bello, the former executive director of the Dominican American National Roundtable (DANR), which advocates nationally for more than 1 million Dominicans.

Because of reapportionment tied to the new census, the state is losing two of its 29 congressional seats. One is likely to be eliminated upstate and the other in the city, which now has 13 districts. All surviving districts will have to be redrawn to encompass an average of 717,707 constituents, compared to 654,372 currently.

That means the 15th CD will have to grow, one way or another. Rangel, who intends to run for a 22nd term next year, has said he wants to keep his district within Manhattan.

The redistricting is to be completed next year before candidates file for the fall elections. Albany legislative leaders who normally control the process have largely ignored Gov. Cuomo’s call for an independent redistricting commission. Cuomo has vowed to veto any plan that prioritizes “partisan and incumbent interests,” which would force the courts to do the redistricting.

Hearings by the New York State Legislature Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment are underway, with one scheduled in each of the five boroughs next month.

The DANR’s proposed redistricting of the 15th CD and several other city districts will be presented to the task force at those hearings, said DANR President Maria Teresa Feliciano. She stressed the intent is to “facilitate the creation of a district that reflects the changes in demographics.”

flombardi@nydailynews.com

ESTUDIANTES INMIGRANTES EN MARYLAND PROGRESAN CON UNA VICTORIA CLAVE PARA LOS DERECHOS CIVILES

NOTE & QUOTED

Comunicado de Prensa: Para su publicación inmediata.

12 de abril, 2011

Contactar a Susana Flores, sflores@casamd.org 240-706-2624

ESTUDIANTES INMIGRANTES EN MARYLAND PROGRESAN CON UNA VICTORIA CLAVE PARA LOS DERECHOS CIVILES

 

CASA DE MARYLAND LE PIDE AL GOBERNADOR QUE FIRME LA LEGISLACION RAPIDAMENTE

 

Annapolis MD- Anoche la asamblea general de Maryland paso una legislación para darles a estudiantes indocumentados acceso a pagar la matrícula estatal, una medida que, si ratificada por el Gobernador O’Malley, haría que Maryland sea el 12avo estado en el país en pasar la reforma.  La legislación 167 en el Senado le permite a estudiantes que han atendido al menos 3 años de secundaria en Maryland, recibieron un diploma de Maryland, atendido un colegio universitario comunitario en los últimos 4 años, luego una universidad de 4 años con su licenciatura de asociado, y que puedan comprobar que ellos o sus padres han declarado impuestos en Maryland para cada uno de esos años.

“Palabras no pueden expresar lo orgullosa que estoy de Maryland en este momento,” dijo Jackie, una estudiante activista del la secundaria High Point y líder del comité de jóvenes de CASA.  “El gobierno federal aun no reconoce lo valioso que somos, pero hoy día la asamblea general de Maryland lo hizo, y ahora tenemos una oportunidad de probar que somos una buena inversión para el resto del país.”

SB167 paso ambas cámaras tarde anoche, después de un día de incertidumbres, en el cual las cámaras estuvieron ida y vuelta con distintas versiones de la legislación.  La medida ha sido introducida durante 5 años, desde el 2002.  En el 2003 fue aprobada por la asamblea general solo para que esta sea vetada por el Gobernador Ehrlich.  En el 2007, una legislación similar también paso la cámara de representantes solo para ser detenida en el Senado.

“Esta victoria tiene muchos años haciéndose y cada año que esperamos estábamos perdiendo el talento de nuestros próximos cirujanos, trabajadores sociales, y profesores – habilidades y compromisos que ningún estado se puede dar el lujo de perder,” dijo Gustavo Torres, Director Ejecutivo de CASA de Maryland, la organización más grande del estado para los derechos de los inmigrantes.  “Pero aun mas importante, este pase demuestra que en Maryland estamos comprometidos en confrontar de manera más humana las fallidas acciones federales sobre inmigración y otras crisis de derechos civiles, que las acompañan; reconociendo la dignidad básica de todas las familias inmigrantes.”

La legislación recibió apoyo político tempranero, de los ejecutivos de los condados Rushern Baker (Prince George’s) y Isiah Leggett (Montgomery), también de la ciudad de Baltimore.  El gobernador O’Malley declaro desde el comienzo de la sesión que firmaría la legislación para hacerla ley, y la elección del primer senador Latino en el estado, Víctor Ramirez, el patrocinador de la legislación; con la condición que haya un apoyo en conjunto de la cámara que era lo que faltaba cuando mataron a la legislación en el 2007.  Pero, la organización en el campo fue considerada por observadores políticos al igual que apoyadores, de ser la fuerza que logró la meta.

La campaña este año fue apoyada por una gran red de estudiantes, activistas inmigrantes, fe, derechos civiles, y lideres sindicatos, e instituciones educacionales.  Activistas llegaron de colegios, incluyendo: Annapolis High School, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore City College, Baltimore City Community College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Bladensburg High School, Broadneck High School (Annapolis), Chesapeake High School (Essex), Community College of Baltimore County, Digital Harbor High School (Baltimore), Dundalk High School, Glen Burnie High School, Goucher College, Hampstead Hill Academy (Baltimore), Highlandtown Middle School (Baltimore), High Point High School (Beltsville), Kennedy High School (Wheaton), Montgomery College, Morgan State University, Northwest High School (Pasadena), Owings Mills High School, Patterson Park High School (Baltimore City), SouthSide Academy (Baltimore), Springbrook High School (Silver Spring), Stevenson University, St. Paul Episcopal School (Brooklandville), Towson University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland College Park, y Wheaton High School. 

Estudiantes se involucraron en actividades desde tocando puertas hasta urgir a residentes que llamen a legisladores claves, grupos que hacían llamadas telefónicas y faxes, presentaciones frente a potenciales aliados, y más.  Juntos con el personal de CASA, jóvenes tocaron en 1493 puertas de constituyentes de legisladores claves, 53% de los cuales inmediatamente llamaron para solicitar que aprueben la legislación.  El 7 de marzo, mas de 1000 personas inundaron Annapolis para la Noche de Acción de Inmigrantes, que se dedico a las voces de los estudiantes, donde participantes y políticos oyeron de un coro de motivados estudiantes de varios rincones de todo el estado.  Finalmente, ola tras ola de estudiantes inundaron Annapolis para atender las múltiples audiencias que culmino con el drama sine dei, de todo el día.

Apoyo clave también fue proveído por Fundación de Afiliados Industriales de Áreas de Maryland (IAF): Accion en Montgomery (AIM), Baltimorenses Unidos en Desarrollo de Liderazgo (BUILD), y Personas Actuando Juntas en Howard (PATH), Conferencia de Católicos en Maryland, Asociación de Colegios de Maryland, y muchos más.  Pueden encontrar una lista completa de aliados: http://bit.ly/hvzRQp.  Estas organizaciones, junto con CASA, enviaron más de 45,000 emails, e hicieron miles de llamadas telefónicas, e hicieron presión política de los rangos más altos para asegurar el pasaje de la legislación.

Para coordinar entrevistas con estudiantes, organizaciones, y mas, contactar a Susana Flores, al 240-706-2624 o sflores@casamd.org.

2011 Women to Watch: Claritza Abreu, a DANR MA Board Member

NOTED & QUOTED

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

By Jim Schakenbach, Special to Mass High Tech

Available at: http://www.masshightech.com/stories/2011/03/14/weekly27-2011-Women-to-Watch-Claritza-Abreu.html
Claritza Abreu, DANR State Vice President/MA, is the first Latina to hold a senior technology position with the city of Boston and the commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has assumed numerous leadership roles in her professional career and her private life, dedicating time and energy to the health and well-being of Massachusetts residents as well as to a variety of Latino, women’s, and community causes. Abreu has spent her professional career in various positions within public agencies. She is responsible for a $13 million budget and an IT department with more than 75 staff members and the support of 33 sites across the state, including five large mental health hospitals.

Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in computer science from Santo Domingo Institute of Technonoloy and Boston University, respectively, and graduate studies from New York University (NYU) and Suffolk University.

Getting started in technology: “My math teacher in high school back in the Dominican Republic actually inspired me to go into an engineering career. I was 16 years old, one of the top students in his class, and he said I’d make a great engineer. I was going to be the first to graduate from college in my family, and I’d never even met a woman engineer.”

Her toughest challenge: “Coming here to the U.S. in my 20s, speaking just a little English, was tough. More than just the language, I had to learn the culture and how to get ahead to where I needed to be. As a recent immigrant with a college degree, I just had to work harder.”

Mentor: “While I was in college I had an internship in computer science working with a professor of systems and computer engineering at the University of the Andes, Joaquin Oramas. He took the time to encourage students like me to pursue advanced degrees and achieve our goals. He said technology was useless unless it was used to improve people’s lives.”

What accomplishment she is most proud of: “I helped adapt digital pen technology that the Boston Public Health Commission used to collect data from at-risk families in our Healthy Baby, Healthy Child program. This device made it faster, safer, and more efficient to gather data, reducing time, paperwork and cost while helping mothers provide the data necessary to help their children stay healthy.”
 

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Robert Peterson, retired director of application development, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health 

“She really cares about people, that’s her main concern. She’s a self-starter and has worked extremely hard. She’s very motivated to help people.

“She has natural leadership ability. It’s hard for her to sit back, she naturally likes to volunteer. She comes from a background of strong values — she would get to work at 7 o’clock in the morning and leave at 8 at night and still have time for her kids. People look up to her.”

Embajador Dominicano en USA Participará en la 11ava Conferencia Para Asuntos Dominicanos en NJ

NOTED & QUOTED FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR LATINO STUDIES

http://thelatinoinstitute.org/

Embajador Dominicano en USA Participará en la 11ava Conferencia Para Asuntos Dominicanos en NJ

El programa incluye dignatarios, líderes, políticos, estudiantes y expertos en diversas áreas

Newark, NJ. (17 de febrero del 2011).– Su Excelencia Roberto Saladin, Embajador de la República Dominicana en Los Estados Unidos, confirmó su asistencia a la 11ava Conferencia Para Asuntos Dominicanos en New Jersey a llevarse a cabo de 8:30 am a 4pm el domingo 20 de febrero del 2011 en Rutgers School of Law localizada en el 123 Washington Street Newark, NJ.

El Embajador Saladin fue nombrado por Su Excelencia Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, Presidente de la República Dominicana, como Embajador en Los Estados Unidos de América el 20 de marzo del 2009.  En mayo del mismo año, el Embajador Saladin presentó sus credenciales al Presidente Barack Obama.

El programa de la 11ava Confencia Para Asuntos Dominicanos (CODA) incluye dignatarios, líderes, políticos, estudiantes y expertos en diversas áreas (para una copia del programa visite  http://thelatinoinstitute.org/).

El Senador del Estado de New York Adriano Espaillat será el orador principal y pronunciará el discurso titulado “Trabajando con Nuestros Líderes para Fortalecer Nuestras Comunidades”.

La lista de oradores e invitados incluye Su Excelencia Roberto Saladin, Embajador de la República Dominicana en Los Estados Unidos, Malín Falú, comunicadora por más de 30 años; Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Ph.D., Catedrática y Experta en Dinámica de Grupo de Rutgers University; la Dra. Geanilda Vasquez, Secretaria de Organización del Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD); la Sra. Peggy Cabral de Peña del PRD; Dra. Dilcia Granville, la primera inventora dominicana en los Estados Unidos; Dr. Jorge Piña, Decano Escuela Periodismo Digital; el Dr. Alberto Correa, Matemático e Instructor en Liderazgo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico; el Dr. Ramón Antonio Veras, escritor y panfletero sobreviviente; y entre otros, la Dra. Irma Nicasio, socióloga y catedrática de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo y asesora del Excelentísimo Señor Presidente de la República Dominicana, el Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna y el Dr. Hugo M. Morales, Síndico de la Universidad de la Ciudad de Nueva York (CUNY).

La conferencia presentará además, una feria del libro y talleres de profesionales de la salud, liderazgo femenino, liderazgo juvenil, escritores y periodistas, re-distribución de distritos electorales en EEUU, y el tema del 4% del presupuesto de la República Dominicana para la educación.

Este año, CODA se une a la Dominican American National Roundtable para publicar el libro Cuatro Décadas de Migración Femenina y su Impacto en la Economía Dominicana por la Dra. Irma Nicasio. En su investigacion academica la Dra Nicasio postula que las mujeres dominicanas ha contribuido más que los hombres dominicanos a la economia del país. El libro estará disponible en la Cumbre.

La Recepción de Apertura del 11avo. Aniversario de CODA tomará lugar el sábado 19 de febrero a las 12:00 pm, en el Passaic Community College’s Paterson Room, localizado en One College Boulevard Paterson, NJ 07505.

Inmediatamente después de la Recepción, a la que asistirán los oradores y panelistas de este año, se presentará y se pondrá a circular en DVD el documental original Los Panfleteros de Santiago, en el teatro del Passaic Community College.  Estará disponible para adquisición. Esta presentación incluye la participación del Dr. Ramón Antonio Veras quien viajará desde República Dominicana para testificar sobre el caso de los Panfleteros y el significado histórico del documental.

Para ver y escuchar su testimonio, pulse aqui

Avance del documental Los Panfleteros de Santiago.

La Presidenta de CODA María Teresa Feliciano homenajeará Merijoel Duranl, quien recientemente celebró sus veinte años de carrera en comunicación. Actualmente labora como presentadora en UNIVISION.

La Conferencia es posible gracias a la generosidad de UNIVISION, Cibao Meat Products, HealthFirst, Merengue Restaurant, The Common Roots Project, y TD Bank, entre otros amigos y auspiciadores de CODA.

Para más información e inscripción, pulse aqui o visite  www.thelatinoinstitute.org, envíe un correo electrónico a thelatinoinstitute@gmail.com, o llame al 973-345-3624.

About CODA

Established in 2000, The New Jersey Conference on Dominican Affairs (CODA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves as the state forum for analysis, strategic planning and project development on behalf of over 250,000 Dominicans in New Jersey. It has held ten annual conferences and implemented the following programs and projects:  Dominicans: a Community on the Move, the first visual exhibit of New Jersey Dominicans at the Newark Public Library; The First Socio-Demographic Study of New Jersey Dominicans; Tu Cuentas! Naturalization Project; Youth Leadership & Mentoring Program (LAMP); The Latino Leadership Academy (LALEA); The Book & Documentary Los Panfleteros de Santiago (Santiago’s Pamphleteers), and the first research study film documentary and book entitled New Jersey Dominicans: A Decade of Accomplishments. The most recent book published in partnership with the Dominican American National Roundtable is Cuatro Decadas de Migracion Femenina y su impacto en la economia de la República Dominicana por Dra. Irma Nicasio, catedrática de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. All publications and documentaries will be available at this year’s conference at the Rutgers School of Law on Sunday, February 20, 2011, 8 am to 4 pm.

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