1999 LULAC Resolutions

The following resolutions were passed by the LULAC National Assembly on July 17, 1999 at the LULAC National Convention in Corpus Christi, Texas:

State of Texas Resolution 1: To support Truancy Prevention Programs

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), is a national organization advocating for stronger educational opportunities for all Americans, especially for American students of Hispanic descent; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC accepts and acknowledges that education is the key to self empowerment, inclusion into mainstream society, and prosperity; and,

WHEREAS LULAC Council #4619, recognizes that educational opportunities for Hispanic students continues to increase at a very unacceptable slow pace and is mirrored by the slow gains in the decrease of Texas high school drop out rates; and,

WHEREAS, the high school drop out rate continues to receive perfunctory attention only despite the many historical efforts to correct the problem; and,

WHEREAS, the Alamo Area Visiting Teachers Association (Truant Officers) subscribes to the premise that in order for a student to learn, a student must be regular in attendance in school; and,

WHEREAS, Texas, like most other states, has a compulsory attendance law which requires that a child who is at least six years of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who is not yet reached the child's 18th birthday, shall be in attendance all day, every day, that school is in session; and,

WHEREAS, the Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 25.085 Compulsory School Attendance, outlines the requirements, exemptions, excused absences, and consequences for failure to attend school and thwarting the law; and,

WHEREAS, the Texas Family Code, Section 51.03 Delinquent Conduct; Conduct Indicating a Need for Supervision, also promulgates school attendance requirements for children; and,

WHEREAS, it is generally accepted that truancy is one of the major and earliest indicator or "Red flag" that is raised which can identify at-risk students in the earliest grade levels; and,

WHEREAS, it is also generally accepted that students who have excessive unexcused absences and are deemed truant, for the most part, have so much idle time that it is usually wasted on things such as watching television, playing video games, hanging with the wrong crowd or other non-productive activities which have a tendency to increase a child's chances of getting into trouble; and,

WHEREAS, this year, the 76th Texas State Legislature passed a monumental educational bill which will fund many politically correct programs, instead of, programs whose objectives include research for finding the root causes of problem areas and whose data can be effectively used for long-term problem solving; so

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the duly elected State Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), immediately after the conclusion of its State Conference and Convention in June 1999, articulate a letter to the President of the United States, every potential presidential candidate who desires LULAC access, every state elected official, and every appointed official who works with educational issues, requesting that they each adopt a stronger stance in education by including the prevention of truancy as a major campaign issue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Texas State Director of LULAC, who will lead the state delegation at the 1999 National LULAC Conference and Convention in Corpus Christi, Texas, insure that proper appropriate efforts are initiated so that this resolution may be voted on and accepted by the national assembly, and that she or he further request that a similar letter shall be written by the duly elected national president in support of this resolution and its edicts; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that LULAC adopt a strong, supportive stance in favor of new programs which may be initiated to address the need for students to be regular in attendance or for current programs which have demonstrated a strong record of positive impact on our communities, thus ensuring that each student may receive the full benefit of instructional learning, but more importantly, to create a counter measure against a root cause which impacts school drop outs; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that LULAC calls for the funding of research in the area of absenteeism/truancy and its impact primarily on a student's progression or failure in the post secondary educational pipeline, subsequent opportunities for future employment, whether or not absenteeism is a learned behavior, impact on the economic status of his/her future family and the Hispanic community, and how absenteeism impacts employers and the business community.

Submitted by Elia Mendoza, Council #4619.
Adopted at Texas State Convention 6-6-99

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 2: To Close the School of the Americas

The School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, has trained up to 2000 Latin American soldiers per year in counter-revolutionary tactics since 1984. Its graduates include former Panamanian dictator and convicted drug smuggler Manuel Noriega, as well as soldiers implicated in the slaying of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador in 1990. Numerous other graduates have been implicated in human rights abuses and the slayings of hundreds of civilians throughout Central America.

As the School relies on federal funding to remain in operation, the 1999 Campaign to Close the School of the Americas is working to cut off funding in Congress for the School. Public support is needed to put pressure on Congress to cut funding and close the School.

WHEREAS, the School of the Americas has been training soldiers in tactics of terrorism and assassination for decades; and,

WHEREAS, the vast majority of the victims of such tactics have been innocent civilians in Central America; and,

WHEREAS, it is time to insist that our government put an end to this dangerous organization for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Central America;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens call on Congress to eliminate funding for the School of the Americas in 1999.

Submitted by Cookie Ortiz, Council 660

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 3: Jobs and Decent Wages for Oil field Workers

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC is an organization composed of volunteer members dedicated to gaining the same rights and opportunities for Hispanics as accorded to all Americans; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC supports the purpose of fostering and enlarging the opportunities for training, education, civil rights, job opportunities, housing, economic development and welfare of all Hispanics in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC is committed to exerting its efforts individually and cooperatively on behalf of those who need the help and protection of LULAC; and

WHEREAS, 50,000 oil and gas workers have lost their jobs because the oil and gas industry is in a severe depression and many of these workers are Hispanics; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC, urges all members of Congress to support efforts to insure that oil field producers in the United States get a fair price for the oil they produce; and,

WHEREAS, the noncompetitive (low) oil prices place a hardship on poor rural Hispanics who are losing their jobs in the oil fields; and,

WHEREAS some of America's small oil producers are on the brink of ceasing operations.

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that LULAC supports the efforts of the oil and gas industry on both the state and national level to help the industry recover from this severe depression and to put the Hispanic oil field worker back to work.

Submitted by Ruben Ramirez, Kermit LULAC Council

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 4: Opposition to Establishment of School Vouchers

WHEREAS, a private school voucher system that transfers scarce public tax dollars to private schools will not solve the real problems facing Hispanic school children in Texas, such as a shortage of qualified bilingual education teachers, poor facilities, and crowded classrooms; and,

WHEREAS, traditional voucher proponents who have been unsuccessful in obtaining public subsidies for private schools have adopted a new strategy that includes exploiting Hispanics' friendly sentiments towards Catholic schools and their frustration over the pace of reforms within the public school system; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanics will soon represent a majority of Texas school children in the early grade levels and account for rapid student growth that creates upward pressure on education funding needs; and,

WHEREAS voucher proposals would cut total education funding per qualifying child by $1,000 or more, resulting in reduced state funding for public schools and a severe negative economic impact in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Corpus Christi, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley; and,

WHEREAS, elite private schools are not willing to accept all at-risk Hispanic children; and,

WHEREAS, privatizing the public school system may attract some unscrupulous, for profit companies wishing to capitalize on a $20 billion public school industry; and,

WHEREAS, private schools may legally discriminate on the basis of academic performance and disciplinary background and most private schools do not serve students with disabilities; and,

WHEREAS, private schools are not accountable to the voters as are school districts through their elected school board members; and,

WHEREAS, a system of private school vouchers would further segregate society along religious, political, ethnic, and economic lines;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens strongly opposes state and federal legislation to establish any school finance system, voucher or otherwise, that transfers to private schools public tax funds, which should instead be used to reduce class size, hire qualified bilingual education teachers, and pay for adequate classroom facilities.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 5: Bilingual Education

WHEREAS, over 500,000 students enrolled in Texas public schools in the 1996-97 school year representing 13 percent of the total student population are identified as Limited English Proficient (LEP) students; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanic children who speak Spanish at home comprise 91 percent of Limited English Proficient students, yet only 87 percent of such students receive bilingual education or English as a Second Language services; and,

WHEREAS, the purpose of bilingual education is to transition LEP children into English language instruction while teaching them other academic subjects in a language they can understand and the purpose of English as a second language (ESL) programs is to provide all instruction in "simplified" English; and,

WHEREAS, the population of Texas students with limited English skills is growing at a rate more than three times higher than the general Texas student population; and,

WHEREAS, the State Board for Educator Certification reports that between 38 and 58 percent of bilingual education teachers in grades 1 to 6 are uncertified to teach bilingual education; and

WHEREAS, 70 to 80 percent of the teachers hired by school districts to teach English as a second language in grades 1 to 6 are not certified while similar percentages of children in higher grades are also taught by unqualified teachers; and,

WHEREAS, a quality bilingual education program must have qualified bilingual education teachers,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) opposes any state law or regulation that allows the hiring and placement of uncertified teachers in classes serving students in bilingual education or English As a Second Language programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that LULAC opposes any efforts by elected officials to cut bilingual education funding at a time when additional funding is needed to reduce class size and recruit and retain qualified individuals in bilingual education programs.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 6: Support for Max Martinez

WHEREAS, Mr. Augustin "Guz" Martinez was employed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for twenty-seven (27) years attaining the highest rank (Major) of all Hispanics.

WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez was employed as a law enforcement officer in the State of Texas for over thirty (30) years;

WHEREAS, TABC imposed disciplinary action against Major Martinez on a non-sustained complaint, the only employee ever disciplined for a non-sustained complaint (November 97);

WHEREAS, Mr. Martinez filed national origin discrimination charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) January 1998;

WHEREAS, TABC continued their discriminatory practices by retaliating against Major Martinez, and again imposing disciplinary action; by demoting him to an agent and transferring him out of his home base and region the San Antonio and South Texas area;

WHEREAS, TABC did not provide a genuine appeals process thereby violating Major Martinez due process and equal protection rights;

WHEREAS, TABC by their discrimination and retaliatory action created a hostile work environment and forced Mr. Martinez to resign from his position in lieu of being demoted in order to retain his rank of Major (constructive Discharge);

WHEREAS, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on April 6, 1999 issued a determination on the merits of the charge;

WHEREAS, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined that there was sufficient and documented evidence and Mr. Martinez was discriminated against because of his national origin (Hispanic);

WHEREAS, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined there is reasonable cause to believe that TABC retaliated against Mr. Martinez because he filed a complaint.

WHEREAS, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined that TABC failed to articulate a non-pretextual reason to demote Mr. Martinez and because TABC did not give Mr. Martinez a genuine appeals process, the evidence supports that Mr. Martinez was forced to resign from his position in lieu of being demoted in order to retain his rank of Major. (Constructive Discharge) (Determination Enclosed);

WHEREAS, TABC, a tax supported institution has historically and presently discriminated against Hispanic employees and Hispanic small retail businesses.

WHEREAS, State LULAC by this resolution finds the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's (TABC) demeanor toward Major Martinez constitute deplorable, hostile, invidious discrimination, harmful, intentional and unacceptable. State elected and appointed officials must abide by their duties to represent all its citizens regardless of race, color or creed. The illegal employment discriminatory practices undertaken by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission against Mr. Martinez defame and libel his reputation for honesty in the community in which he lives;

WHEREAS, Texas State LULAC is committed to fully and proudly support Mr. Martinez in his efforts in the conciliation and judicial process to remedy the unjust, illegal, and discriminatory employment practices;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that TABC take immediate action to proceed to undertake good faith negotiations to provide relief and equity unjustly dealt to our brother Mr. Augustin "Gus" Martinez. LULAC, by this resolution is requesting the Governor of Texas, who publicly has stated his support to inclusiveness of Hispanic Citizens take immediate corrective action. Actions that will eliminate discriminatory employment practices of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;

THEREFORE, let it further be resolved that State LULAC by this resolution prays that the appropriate State Officials, namely the Governor, TABC Board of Commissioners, the Attorney General and other responsible officials take immediate corrective action to eliminate discriminatory employment practices that have existed and continue to exist within TABC, and that LULAC by this resolution will publicize and openly denounce the discrimination and illegal actions of TABC.

THEREFORE, let this be known that the State LULAC approves this resolution on this day of our Lord, June 6th, 1999.

Submitted by Henry Rodriguez, Texas 15 District Director, and Roman Palomarez, Texas State Directory.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 8: Distinguished Members

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) supports the purpose of fostering and enlarging the opportunities for training, education, civil rights, job opportunities, housing, economic development; and welfare of all Hispanics in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the Honorable United States Congressman Gene Green of the 29th Congressional District of the State of Texas and the Honorable Henry B. Gonzalez of the 20th Congressional District of the State of Texas, have been strong and loyal supporters of LULAC and the Hispanic community for many years; and,

WHEREAS, Congressman Green and Congressman Gonzalez have shown an exemplary commitment to all the issues that LULAC fosters and have a proven record of excellence in the advocacy of human rights; and,

WHEREAS, Congressman Green and Congressman Gonzalez have devoted their service of promoting and delivering unsurpassed service to immigrants and their efforts to become United States Citizens; and,

WHEREAS, Congressman Green and Congressman Gonzalez have played a major role in providing opportunities to qualified Hispanics including the presidential appointments of Hispanics such as Art Contreras, U.S. Marshall and Ruben Guerrero as the SBA Regional Administrator; and,

WHEREAS, the contributions of Congressman Ciro Rodriguez are hereby also recognized; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the 1999 LULAC National Assembly convened in Corpus Christi, Texas on the 17th day of July, 1999, support and bestow the highest and most honored title of "Distinguished Member" of LULAC to the Honorable Congressman Gene Green, the Honorable Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, and the Honorable Ciro Rodriguez in gratitude for their exemplary service to LULAC and the Hispanic community.

Submitted by Councils 4565, 12, 4621, 1, 4467, 4459, 4522, and 402.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 9: Dr. Hector P. Garcia Health Education Center

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) supports the establishment of the proposed "Coastal Bend Health Education Center" in Corpus Christi, Texas, the founding home 70 years ago of this, the oldest national Hispanic civil rights organization in America; and,

WHEREAS LULAC recommends naming such a center after the late Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a former president of Council No. 1 and later, the founder of the American GI Forum who, as a practicing physician in Corpus Christi, embodied in his practice the kind of care for the under-served that this center will bring to patients from throughout the Coastal Bend; and,

WHEREAS, updated statistics provided to the Teas Higher Education Coordinating Board shows that the Coastal Bend is 22 percent below the minimum recommended primary care physician-population ratio; and,

WHEREAS, the Nueces County Medical Society, the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance have formally endorsed the health education; and

WHEREAS, State Senator Carlos Truan has a bill co-sponsored by State Senators Ken Armbrister, D-Victoria, and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, as well as State Rep. Irma Rangel, D-Kingsville, and chairwoman of the House Higher Education Committee; and,

WHEREAS, it has long been the aim of LULAC to give our children access to career opportunities in the health and other professions and this bill is designed specifically to meet health needs that are under-served in the Coastal Bend; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that LULAC calls on the Teas Higher Education Coordinating Board to reconsider the earlier decision not to recommend the health education center to the Texas legislature and instead fully endorse and fully fund such a center for the long under-served citizens of the Coastal Bend.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution will be forwarded to Texas Governor George Bush who has nominated over half of the current members of the Higher Education Coordinating Board and will by August of this year would have nominated all but one of the 18 members, that he make clear to them his compassionate conservative concern for our community.

Submitted by Mary Helen Salazar, Council #1.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 10: To Support our Military Troops in Yugoslavia

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) was founded seventy years ago to counter racial, ethnic, and educational discrimination; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC was founded in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1929 by a group of Hispanics civil rights advocates; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC has been involved in promoting education, civil rights advocacy, and patriotic activism; and,

WHEREAS, throughout its existence, LULAC has been at the forefront, fighting to eliminate injustices in our society against Hispanic Americans; and,

WHEREAS, at the end of World War II, upon their victorious return, thousands of Hispanic veterans discovered they were not welcome in the same public establishments as Anglo Saxons; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanics in the United States throughout history have been in the forefront when duty is called upon to serve in harms way in foreign wars; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics have been among the highest decorated ethnic groups in the United States in service to our country since its inception; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanics continue to serve this country faithfully, patriotically and devotedly; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanics continue to sacrifice their commitment and devotion for our country in making the ultimate sacrifice to preserve democracy and freedom; and

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that we recognize and appreciate U.S. Spec. Steven M. Gonzalez; Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez; Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone, and their personal sacrifices that these three captive military soldiers have had to endure in order to preserve democracy in foreign lands to stop ethnic cleansing so that history cannot repeat itself.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 11: Naming of a New School: Project Mireles

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) supports the naming of a new school in Corpus Christi Independent School District, in Corpus Christi, Texas, the founding home seventy years ago of this oldest national Hispanic civil rights organization in America; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC has been involved in promoting education, civil rights advocacy and justice for all people; and

WHEREAS, throughout its existence, LULAC has been in the forefront, fighting to eliminate injustices in our society against Hispanic Americans; and

WHEREAS, LULAC, recommends the naming of the new school in honor of E.E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles have more than 40 years as Texas Educators; and,

WHEREAS, E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles founded "La Escuela de 400" in an effort to help students make a transition to a better education; and

WHEREAS, E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles wrote breakthrough books on bilingual education from Spanish to English; and,

WHEREAS, E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles served as president of the Texas Folklore Society; and

WHEREAS, E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles authored two breakthrough novels, "Caballero" and "Dew on the thorn"; and,

WHEREAS, E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles are recognized by Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi and where their archive are stored for future educators reference; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that LULAC Council 1 supports Project Mireles in its efforts to name a school in the Corpus Christi Independent School District in honor of E. E. Mireles and Jovita Mireles.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 12: Renaming of Agnes Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), supports the renaming of Agnes Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue in Corpus Christi, Texas, the founding home seventy years ago of this oldest national Hispanic civil rights organization in America; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC has been involved in promoting education, civil rights advocacy and justice for all people; and,

WHEREAS, throughout its existence, LULAC has been in the forefront, fighting to eliminate injustice in our society against Hispanic Americans; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC, recommends the renaming of the Agnes Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue who founded the United Farm Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, dedicated his life for justice on the job for the farm workers. Throughout his dedication, Cesar Chavez built not only a union, but a movement of all races to continue the never-ending struggle of defending workers rights, civil rights, and human rights; and,

WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez has become a role model to the Latino children schools; and

WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez has taught us to march, protest, and use our strength in non-violence, and principles to secure justice for our people in the labor movement; and,

WHEREAS, his passing away has united the Latino community to continue fighting for his goals, ideals, and principles for justice on the job and to secure a better life through organizing unions at the work place; and,

WHEREAS, Cesar Chavez's legacy must continue.

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the Corpus Christi City Council Members to rename Agnes Street to Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 13: Improvement of the situation in Edroy

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens has long fought for the rights of the poor, disadvantaged citizens of this country; and

WHEREAS, citizens of the community of Edroy, San Patricio County, Texas, reside in an unincorporated community that provides few safeguards for their protection; and

WHEREAS, a cattle feedlot is located at and near the residential area occupied by the citizens of Edroy; and

WHEREAS, said feedlot causes a discharge of pollutants into the environment that include cattle waste, pesticides, and other chemicals used to feed and treat the cattle; and

WHEREAS, a disproportionately large percentage of the population in Edroy suffer from respiratory and other health-related problems; and

WHEREAS, the environmental pollution caused by the feedlot in question has caused a diminution of the value of the property of these citizens; and

WEHREAS, neither local, state or national regulatory bodies have investigated the health problems of these citizens and/or the impact the feedlot is having on these citizens; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Edroy have a constitutional right to enjoy their property and have access to clear air and clean water in their community;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens meeting at its national convention in Corpus Christi, Texas, call upon the local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to send the appropriate investigative bodies to this community to determine the cause and effect that the operation of this feedlot has upon the citizens of Edroy;

AND LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED, that the League of United Latin American Citizens call upon the Center for Disease and Control in Atlanta, Georgia, to send an investigative group to examine the individuals in this community suffering from health problems and thereafter determine the adverse impact that the proximity of the feedlot to private homes is having upon the citizens of Edroy.

Submitted by Tony Bonilla, former LULAC National President

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 14: Opposition to illegal investigation by FBI on Hispanic advocates

WHEREAS, in the past, local law enforcement personnel, CIA, and FBI, have placed Chicanos, who are community leaders and outspoken against injustices against Hispanics, under scrutiny and investigation until railroaded with unfounded charges;

BE IT RESOLVED, that being outspoken against injustices against Hispanics is not a crime and be it understood that being outspoken is a constitutional right; and

BE IT RESOLVED, that this type of action against any Hispanic in part of law enforcement be interpreted as outright harassment and against his civil rights;

AND WHEREAS, this action be dealt with charges against any law enforcement committing this unlawful act.

Submitted by Al Saldivar, Council #4664, Fort Worth, Texas

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 16: Financing "drop-out prevention" and recovery programs for Hispanics

WHEREAS, in the past, and in the future for sure, school districts around our nation have tried to undermine or dismantle the district's bilingual programs; and,

BE IT STRONGLY RESOLVED, that all districts be compelled to carry out the district's bilingual programs as specified by public school law; and,

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that any person's attempt to undermine or dismantle the district's bilingual programs be charged and prosecuted for civil rights violations against these bilingual children; and,

WHEREAS, in the past and surely in the future, all districts have refused and/or failed to do anything about the Hispanic dropout in middle school which has reached about 50%; and

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that all school districts be mandated to set aside sufficient money to encourage students to stay in school and thus deter Hispanic student dropout. Districts should immediately channel funds, "monies", into this concern. While in the next year's budget request, they can request a much bigger amount of money from the state and federal government to remedy the Hispanic dropout rate.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 18: Support for SBC Ameritech Merge

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens, since its inception on February 17,1929, been at the forefront of policy issues that affect the Hispanic community in the areas of education, employment, economic development, civil rights and political empowerment; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC has convened in Corpus Christi, Texas, July 14-17, 1999 to prepare its agenda on issues of concern and interest in our communities; and,

WHEREAS, the general assembly has representatives from the councils throughout the United States and Puerto Rico; and,

WHEREAS, the FCC has accepted the conditions for the proposed SBC-Ameritech merger and requested public comment through Public Notice DA99-1305; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC recognizes that the proposed merger will enhance competition in all telecommunication markets, including local residential and small business markets. It will promote growth of high wage, high skill jobs in many of our communities. And, it will advance affordable, quality telecommunication services to all Americans; and,

WHEREAS, LULAC further recognizes that SBC and Ameritech have actively promoted the quality of life in the communities they serve. Whether one is viewing corporate philanthropy, involvement in community causes, workforce diversity, vendor diversity, or progressive personnel policies, these firms are among the top tier of American industry.

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the 1999 LULAC National Assembly go on record in full support of the SBC-Ameritech merger.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded immediately to Magalie Roman Salas, FCC Secretary, Room TW-A325, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554 and a copy to each member of the Commission.

Submitted by Fermin Darado, Council 132

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 19: Restructuring Board of Directors of LNESC

WHEREAS, in researching and reviewing documentation, that prior to 1991, the Board membership was composed of twenty-five members: eight (8) voting LULAC members and 17 business and education community representatives.

WHEREAS, at the present time, there are twenty-five members: 19 LULAC members and six business representatives. The Board membership has changed from previous years, therefore, it is our recommendation that the LNESC Board membership be restructured from twenty-five members to nineteen members listed as follows:
33. National President
34. National Vice-president for Women
35. Vice-president for Youth
36. Five regional vice-presidents
37. Four elected members-at-large (two year term)
38. Six business/education members (selected by the board)
39. One member appointed by the National president

WHEREAS, the restructuring recommendation was based on the following:
o Need for more business/education representation to balance the working board;
o Current board membership is excessive (twenty-five members) which is ineffective in governance.
o Covering the Board to transact business is not cost effective

WHEREAS, recommendations were made to strike the VP for Women and VP for Youth, to eliminate education representatives, and/or to have the educators selected at large.

WHEREAS, after approximately 30 minutes of various points of view and discussion, including an amendment to eliminate education members from Points 5 and 6 above, and to add elected members at-large/education, the Chair was receptive to a motion regarding the recommendation of restructuring the LNESC Board.

WHEREAS, a motion was made by Roman Palomares that we accept the recommendation on the modification of the 6 business/education members to the elected members-at-large/education, and that we keep business members, and that the 4 elected members at large include education members.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 20: Safety in Mexico and other countries

WHEREAS, that LULAC take an active part in securing the safety of all Americans while traveling into Mexico and other places; and,

WHEREAS, if they accuse you of something you are at the discretion as to how long and how much money it will cost you to obtain your freedom;

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that we have an information packet to bring more attention to our rights and safety while traveling in Mexico and other places.

Submitted by Bertha Castillo, Council 4648

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 21: Immigration - Wichita Falls, Texas

WHEREAS, it is the right of every U.S. resident to be secure in their person and home; and,

WHEREAS, the law of the land requires that a person be considered innocent until proven guilty; and,

WHEREAS, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) officers entered the home of Juanita Arreolo of Wichita Falls, Texas, brandishing weapons as they pursued suspected undocumented workers in July, 1999; and,

WHEREAS, there is strong evidence that the INS entry into the Arreolo home was unlawful; and,

WHEREAS, an INS spokesman for the INS has stated that this case is not considered a "big deal"; and,

WHEREAS, illegal search and seizure, an unlawful entry into a person's home is a "big deal" to all Americans; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLED, that the LULAC National Office will demand a full and complete investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and other appropriate agencies regarding the alleged unlawful entry of the Arreolo family home in Wichita Falls, Texas.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the LULAC National office request the U.S. Justice Department Office of Civil Rights to review the INS policies and procedures and recommend and enforce changes to ensure that the rights of all persons within their jurisdiction be protected.

Submitted by Council #85, Austin, Texas.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 22: Against Guns and Violence

WHEREAS, violence and death involving the use of guns in American schools throughout our nation has increased because of easy access to guns; and,

WHEREAS, anti-minority gangs prone to violence have easy access to guns; and,

WHEREAS, gun manufacturers have failed in their responsibility to American society in that they have not placed sufficient safety mechanisms on the deadly weapons they produce; and,

WHEREAS, Latinos are dying needlessly on a daily basis because of the lack of sufficient safety mechanisms on the deadly weapons gun manufacturers produce; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the League of United Latin American Citizens will encourage efforts to use litigation to bring about a more responsible gun manufacturing industry.

Submitted by Council No. 85, Austin, Texas

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President

State of Texas Resolution 23: Census 2000

WHEREAS, the U.S. Census that is used to count the American population every ten years is extremely important in drawing local, state, and national legislative districts; and,

WHEREAS, the more Hispanics are counted in the census, the more congressional and state legislators our communities get; and,

WHEREAS, Hispanic communities receive more federal dollars and other benefits if more of us are counted in the census; and,

WHEREAS, over 5 percent of Hispanics in the U.S. were undercounted in the 1980 census; and,

WHEREAS, the undercount resulted in over $1 billion in loss of revenue for Texas schools, housing, elderly programs, job training and roads; and,

WHEREAS, California also lost $2 billion of revenue; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that LULAC will promote full participation in the Census 2000 by the Latino community using whatever means available.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that LULAC will work in partnership with the Census Bureau in these endeavors.

Resolution passed by General Assembly, July 17, 1999.

Rick Dovalina, National President