Bush Administration Unveils New Bilingual Web Site Featuring Tools For 
Families, Information on Getting To College

New site will help Hispanic parents make college a reality for their 
children

Los Angeles, Calif. -- According to a recent study released by the Tomas 
Rivera Policy Institute, 96 percent of the Hispanic parents surveyed 
expected their children to go to college, but researchers found 66 
percent of the parents failed to answer four out of eight basic 
questions about what it takes to make college a reality for their 
family. The study indicates that Hispanic children are more likely to 
miss out on crucial steps leading to college unless these knowledge 
deficits are remedied.

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic 
Americans today took a first step to reverse these numbers and equip 
Hispanic families with the tools they need to help make a college 
education a reality for their children.20

Commission members Rosario Marin, the U.S. Treasurer, and Latin 
recording artist Jon Secada unveiled a new and exciting bilingual Web 
site that provides parents with a one-stop center for information to 
increase college knowledge. Marin and Secada made the announcement at 
the Puente Technology Center.

The launch is a nationwide grassroots effort, and includes a national 
public awareness campaign with the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation on 
their 55 Hispanic-focused radio stations, to make these tools available 
to parents, educators and community leaders.

"All children, whatever their circumstances, deserve a chance to learn, 
achieve academic success, and have the opportunity to go on to college," 
said Leslie Sanchez, director of the White House Initiative. 
"YesICan.gov <http://www.yesican.gov/>  [www.YesICan.gov 
<http://www.yesican.gov/> ; www.YoSiPuedo.gov 
<http://www.yosipuedo.gov/> ] offers parents and students resources on 
how they can make this a reality."

YesICan.gov <http://www.yesican.gov/>  provides information on the Myths 
and Facts about College Costs, 20 Questions to Ask Your Guidance 
Counselor, and Things You Need to Know About Paying for College. The 
initiative worked with collegeboard.com and Tormont Publishing to 
provide content.20

In addition, the new mascot, Pablo the Eagle, will host 
www.YesICanKids.gov <http://www.yesicankids.gov/>  and encourage reading 
and educational advancement among the Hispanic community's youngsters.

U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige will make a direct appeal to every 
public school principal, every college and university president 
including Hispanic-serving institutions, as well as community technology 
centers asking them to make these tools available to their constituents.

MALDEF Press Release

June 18, 2002

Senate Judiciary Committee to Act on Bipartisan Bill Providing Legal Status to Undocumented Students Who Graduate from High School and Allowing States to Determine College In-State Tuition Rates on Their Own.

On Thursday, June 20, 2002, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider,debate, and possibly amend Senators Orrin Hatch's (R-UT) and Richard Durbin's (D-IL) previous student adjustment bills under one newly combined,
bipartisan bill - the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), S. 1291.  The DREAM Act, if passed as proposed, would provide permanent immigration relief to undocumented youth of good moral character who have spent five years or more in the United States, who have graduated from a U.S. high school or received a GED, and who are at least 12 years old on the date of enactment.  Additionally, the DREAM Act also repeals a provision of federal law that complicates a state's ability to determine their in-state tuition structures free from federal interference. In essence, the DREAM Act would allow states to open advanced educational opportunities to all hardworking, diligent students regardless of their
immigration status.

Every year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students, most of whom have lived in the U.S. for five years or more, graduate from U.S high schools. Most were brought here at very young ages by their parents and played no part in the decision to enter and stay in the country illegally.  Courts have repeatedly prevented the actions of the parent from being held against
the child and have required elementary and secondary public schools to educate undocumented children.  Accordingly, almost all these students are reared and schooled to speak English and come to identify strongly with the United States.  For many they have lived the American dream -- graduating as class valedictorians or receiving straight "A's", and others are recognized
for their community involvement and leadership.  Yet, under current law, their lives are filled with uncertainty and hold little future so long as they cannot legalize their immigration status nor afford to go off to college.  The DREAM Act would fulfill the dreams of these deserving students.

Last year, Senators Hatch and Durbin introduced separate versions of student adjustment legislation, and now they seem willing to merge their proposals in a bipartisan effort.  In addition to the new Hatch-Durbin proposal in the Senate, several bills have been introduced in the House.  One is similar to the Hatch-Durbin proposal.  Representative Chris Cannon (R-UT) introduced
H.R. 1918, cosponsored by Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA).  Like the DREAM Act, H.R. 1918 would legalize the status of students present in the U.S. for five or more years, enrolled in 7th grade, and under 21 years of age.  Accordingly, support for the Hatch-Durbin proposal is key to seeing a student adjustment act signed into
law during the 107th Congress.

Action Needed:  Contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee listed below and let them know you support the passage of a bipartisan DREAM Act that will legalize the status of undocumented students and free states to
decide how to define in-state tuition on their own.

Senate Judiciary Committee
Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT)       (202) 224-4242
Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)        (202) 224-4543
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE)         (202) 224-5042
Herbert Kohl (D-WI)             (202) 224-5653
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)         (202) 224-3841
Russell D. Feingold (D-WI)          (202) 224-5323
Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)           (202) 224-6542
Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)            (202) 224-2152
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)           (202) 224-3441
John Edwards (D-NC)         (202) 224-3154
 Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT)    (202) 224-5251
Strom Thurmond (R-SC)           (202) 224-5972
Charles E. Grassley (R-IA)          (202) 224-3744
Arlen Specter (R-PA)                (202) 224-4254
Jon Kyl (R-AZ)              (202) 224-4521
Mike Dewine (R-OH)              (202) 224-2315
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)                (202) 224-4124
Sam Brownback (R-KS)            (202) 224-6521
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)          (202) 224-2541                                                  

Are you a big fan of Latino Music and Culture in Austin?

ALMA (Austin Latino Music Association) is producing made-for-television shows of their Sonidos Del Barrio series, which takes place during the fall 2001 and spring 2002.  We are looking for photos or documentation of AUSTIN Latino music culture to be considered for use during the opening and closing credits of these productions.  We are interested in any contemporary and traditional Latino music, everything from hip-hop to Tejano, to salsa.

To submit your documentation for consideration, call Celeste Serna Williams at 512 416 0986 or write to serna@io.com

All artwork and photography that is used on the program will receive due credit.  These shows will first be broadcast on the Austin Music Network, with plans for national distribution.