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SOUTH TEXAS BORDER
MIGRANT CHILDREN
All for the money
Influx creating problems
HSI: Smugglers have ‘disregard for human life’ By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
“Coyotes” have a lot to prey on with the recent influx of Central Americans flooding the South Texas border, according to local and federal authorities. A Mexican citizen pays a coyote anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or up to $3,000 to be smuggled into the United States while Central Ameri-
cans may pay up to $7,000 per person. Europeans and Asians pay $25,000 and $50,000 each, respectively, said Aristides Jimenez, Homeland Security Investigations deputy special agent in charge. “Coyotes are having a feast with so many people coming in,” he said. The Homeland Security Department announced last week a crackdown dubbed “Oper-
ation Coyote.” Its purpose was to slow down the recent influx of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children and families caught crossing the border illegally in South Texas, the Associated Press reported. The 90-day operation yielded 192 arrests from Laredo to Brownsville. In addition, authorities arrested 501 immigrants who had crossed the border illegally. “The purpose of this oper-
ation is to disrupt and dismantle smuggling organizations,” said Jimenez, who added that additional resources and boots on the ground were needed for the operation’s success. During the operation, Homeland Security said it seized $625,000 from human- and drug-smuggling groups that operated along the border. Federal authorities identified funnel
Zapatan claims crown By LOUIS SAN MIGUEL THE ZAPATA TIMES
See PAGEANT PAGE 9A
By DAVID NAKAMURA, JERRY MARKON AND MANUEL ROIG-FRANZIA THE WASHINGTON POST
‘A DREAM COME TRUE’ Falcon Lakes’ Vielka Gutierrez reacts on stage Saturday night after being coronated as Miss Teen Southwest at the Laredo Civic Center Auditorium.
Priscilla Elizondo is coronated on stage after being named Miss Pre-teen Southwest Saturday night at the Laredo Civic Center Auditorium.
Photos by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
The newly crowned Miss Southwest Cassandra Pe±a models her evening gown Saturday night during the 2014 Miss Southwest Pageant at the Laredo Civic Center.
Editor’s note: This is the final part of a three-part series on warnings of an influx of immigrant children into the United States.
See BORDER PAGE 9A
2014 MISS SOUTHWEST PAGEANT
A Zapata woman claimed the Miss Southwest 2014 crown Saturday night at the Laredo Civic Center. Cassandra Peña of Zapata was ecstatic as the crown was placed on her head. “Words cannot describe what I’m feeling,” Peña said “It’s a dream come true.” Girls from across Southwest Texas walked out on the Civic Center stage in dazzling gowns and topped with elegant coifs. The pageant, a preliminary event for the Miss Texas pageant, is a stepping-stone for girls looking to eventually claim the nationally recognized Miss America crown and move on to the Miss Universe contest. An enthusiastic crowd supported the contestants, with a couple in the crowd even holding small cardboard cutouts of their favorite contestant’s face and waving it proudly in the air as the girls crossed the main stage. The girls were split into four different divisions based on their age with crowns and scholarships awarded to Miss Little Southwest Texas, Miss Preteen Southwest Texas, Miss Southwest Texas Teen and
Strain on federal officials, agencies became focus
Little Miss Southwest 2014 Sophia Palacios smiles as she is officially coronated Saturday night on stage at the Laredo Civic Center Auditorium.
Ever-increasing numbers of immigrants entering the United States was creating problems for federal officials and the agencies whose personnel were directly involved in immigration matters. Among advocacy groups, the strain on the federal system became an increasing focus. In November 2013, a contingent of officials from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops took a week-long trip to Mexico and Central America to discuss the crisis with local officials and U.S. diplomats in the region. “The embassies did pay attention to us, and I think they also expressed interest in the issue,” said Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, who led the Catholic delegation. But, he added, “there are so many issues in these failing states, it’s hard to pick one. So it’s hard to assess, except with the light of hindsight, whether they should have known at that time this had become such a large exodus.” Upon their return, the bishops briefed State Department officials and produced a 16-page report of their findings and recommendations, which was sent to Cecilia Muñoz, Obama’s domestic policy advisor, via email in January. By the time Congress approved an omnibus budget in January, the line-item for the refugee office had increased significantly from Obama’s initial request of $495 million to $868 million — based on the larger projections of minors. In February, then-HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius approved an additional $44 million transfer, bringing the office’s budget to $912 million for the year. On Jan. 28, Obama delivered his State of the Union address, highlighting his push for a comprehensive immigration bill and pressing Republicans to join the effort. Three days later, Chris Crane, president of the union that represents Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, was asked about the president’s plan during an appearance on Fox News. “At this moment, we have a humanitarian crisis on our southern border,” Crane told host Mike Huckabee. “Most problematic, most troubling and alarming, is the number of children coming across our border all by themselves. . . . It’s so out of control that just one office is averaging over 2,000 of these unaccompanied children each and every month.” Muñoz said the government was prepared to handle up to 60,000 children in 2014 given the increases to the budget. The crisis point, she said, came only during another massive spike in the spring. The number of unaccompanied minors had been averaging just under 4,500 a month at the beginning of the year, then jumped to more than 7,000 a month in March and April before exploding to more than 10,000 a month in May and June, administration officials said. On a Mother’s Day trip to the McAllen Border Patrol station, Homeland Security
See CHILDREN PAGE 9A
GOODRICH, TEXAS
East Texas marijuana fields valued at $175M ASSOCIATED PRESS
GOODRICH, Texas — Authorities in East Texas said Tuesday that they have cleared more than two dozen marijuana fields that were discovered over the weekend in the woods and which contained about 100,000 plants worth an estimated $175 million. The fields near the town of Goodrich were part of a sophisti-
cated growing operation that used water from a nearby creek to hydrate the marijuana, Chief Deputy Byron Lyons from the Polk County Sheriff ’s Office told KHOU-TV in Houston. A campground was also found on the site, along with Styrofoam cups that were used to nurture small plants. Hoses were used to water the larger plants. “These guys are building
trenches, pumps, set up irrigation systems,” Lyons said. “They’ve got their own little camps, tents, tent cities. It’s a pretty elaborate set up.” Those who maintained the fields got to the property by taking the Trinity River and Long King Creek and then stayed at the location once they got there. A deer hunter stumbled across the fields Saturday. Goodrich is
about 70 miles northeast of Houston. Authorities say one man found in the woods has been arrested. The suspect’s name has not been released. Inmates from the county jail helped authorities pull up the plants and clear away the fields. The discovery of the marijuana fields was a surprise to Goodrich residents.
“I was amazed,” said Lauretta Patterson. “I couldn’t believe here in Goodrich that something like that would happen.” Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Livingston police department and Polk County constables also helped in the operation. A Department of Public Safety helicopter helped investigators spot additional fields.
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
AROUND THE NATION
TODAY IN HISTORY
Thursday, July 31
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org. Los Amigos Duplicate Bridge Club. 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Laredo Country Club. Contact Beverly Cantu at 7270589 for more information. Spanish Book Club. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Laredo Public Library – Calton. Contact Sylvia Reash 763-1810. “The Calling” series of Bible talks. 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Laredo Church of Christ Chapel, 1505 Calle del Norte, Suite 340. Contact Miguel Zuñiga at 286-9631 or mglzuñiga@yahoo.com. Laredo A&M Mother’s Club’s annual membership drive and get-acquainted party. 6 p.m. Commerce Bank, 5800 San Dario Ave. Club’s sole goal is to provide support for current and future students attending Texas A&M University in College Station, as well as to parents. Contact Diana T.E. Lopez at 236-9549, Veronica Villarreal at 744-6691 or any club member. Laredo Crime Stoppers Bowling Tournament, in memory of Ramiro Barrera Jr. 5:30 p.m. Jett Bowl North. Five person team $125. Free memorial towel. Contact 724-1876, email crimestoppers@att.net or visit laredocrimestoppers.org.
Today is Wednesday, July 30, the 211th day of 2014. There are 154 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On July 30, 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Virginia, by exploding a gunpowder-laden mine shaft that had been dug out beneath Confederate defense lines; the attack failed. On this date: In 1729, Baltimore, Maryland, was founded. In 1918, poet Joyce Kilmer, a sergeant in the 165th U.S. Infantry Regiment, was killed during the Second Battle of the Marne in World War I. (Kilmer is perhaps best remembered for his poem “Trees.”) In 1932, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Los Angeles. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill creating a women’s auxiliary agency in the Navy known as “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service” — WAVES for short. In 1945, the Portland class heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II; only 316 out of some 1,200 men survived. In 1953, the Small Business Administration was founded. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a measure making “In God We Trust” the national motto, replacing “E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of many, one”). In 1963, the Soviet Union announced it had granted political asylum to Harold “Kim” Philby, the “third man” of a British spy ring. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Medicare bill, which went into effect the following year. Ten years ago: Leaders of the September 11 commission urged senators to embrace their proposals for massive changes to the nation’s intelligence structure, warning that failure to act would leave America vulnerable to another devastating terrorist attack. Five years ago: Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, police officer who’d arrested him for disorderly conduct at his home, had beers with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the dispute that unleashed a furor over racial profiling in America. One year ago: to up to 35 years in prison.) Former Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr., 98, died in Winchester, Virginia. Today’s Birthdays: Actor Richard Johnson is 87. Actor Edd (correct) “Kookie” Byrnes is 81. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is 80. Blues musician Buddy Guy is 78. Movie director Peter Bogdanovich is 75. Feminist activist Eleanor Smeal is 75. Former U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder is 74. Singer Paul Anka is 73. Jazz musician David Sanborn is 69. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 67. Actor William Atherton is 67. Actor Jean Reno (zhahn rih-NOH’) is 66. Blues singer-musician Otis Taylor is 66. Actor Frank Stallone is 64. Actor Ken Olin is 60. Actress Delta Burke is 58. Law professor Anita Hill is 58. Actor Richard Burgi is 56. Thought for Today: “An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty.” — Sen. Eugene McCarthy (19162005).
Saturday, Aug. 2 Used book sale, hosted by First United Methodist Church. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1220 McClelland Ave. Hardback books are $1, paperback books 50 cents, and magazines and children’s books 25 cents. Laredo Northside Market Associaton’s market day. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Laredo North Central Park. School supplies drawing for PK4 to second grade students, from 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon. Contact enpelto@stx.rr.com.
Monday, Aug. 4 Laredo Soups monthly microfinance dinner. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holding Institute, 1102 Santa Maria Ave. $5 for soup, salad, bread and a vote to micro-fund a community project. Contact Tati Friar at attfriar@gmail.com or 771-9671.
Tuesday, Aug. 5 Monthly meeting of the Alzheimer’s Support Group. 7 p.m. Laredo Medical Center, meeting room 2, building B. The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s. Las Amigas Birthday Club monthly meeting. 11:30 a.m. Holiday Inn, across from the Civic Center. Honorees will be Maria Olivia Salinas, Hercilia Camina and Carmen Santos. Hostesses will be Thelma Sanchez, Christina Garza, Hernia Malina and Grace Stegman.
Thursday, Aug. 7 Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org. Sisters of Mercy “Conversations with the Sisters,” a series of discussions focusing on earth, nonviolence, women, racism and immigration. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 1000 Mier St.
Monday, Aug. 11
Photo by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office | AP
Emergency personnel are at the scene of a small plane crash in Caspersen Beach in Venice, Fla., on Sunday. A 9-year-old girl who was struck by a plane that crash-landed on a beach while she vacationed with her family died from her injuries, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. Oceana Irizarry’s father also was killed Sunday.
Girl struck by plane dies By TAMARA LUSH ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A 9-year-old girl who was struck by a plane that crash-landed on a beach while she vacationed with her family died from her injuries, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. Oceana Irizarry’s father also was killed Sunday. The two, of Fort Stewart, Georgia, were walking along Caspersen Beach in Venice on Sunday when the 1972 Piper Cherokee plane made an emergency landing after reporting problems. In a statement, the family thanked the emergency responders and beachgoers who helped them, and expressed gratitude for prayers and support from around the world. “There are no words to describe the suffering we are experiencing,” the statement said. “Their loss is devastating to our family
Officials: Indiana sheriff gave prostitute uniform NEW ALBANY, Ind. — A southern Indiana sheriff accused of patronizing a prostitute gave the woman a deputy’s badge and uniform so she could get hotel discounts, then later encouraged her to get rid of the evidence, authorities said Tuesday. A federal grand jury indictment charges Clark County Sheriff Daniel N. Rodden with lying to FBI agents and advising the woman to dispose of the credentials and uniform. Rodden’s arrest came just weeks after a suburban Indianapolis sheriff resigned over his own relationship with a prostitute. Prosecutors declined to say at a Tuesday news conference whether the cases are linked. But a person with knowledge of the connection told The Associated Press they involve the same woman. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the connection hasn’t been made
Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. to noon. Zapata County Courthouse. Contact Roxy Elizondo at 7659920.
Thursday, Aug. 14 Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org.
Thursday, Aug. 21 Grief support group. Noon to 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave. Free and open to public. Contact Patricia Cisneros at 722-1674 or pcisneros@mhm.org.
Saturday, Aug. 23 Annual Back to School Kid’s Fishing Tournament. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bravo Park Pond. Contact cbalderas@zapatachamber.com.
Monday, Aug. 25 Commissioners Court meeting. 9 a.m. to noon. Zapata County Courthouse. Contact Roxy Elizondo at 7659920.
and to everyone who knew them.” Ommy Irizarry, an Army sergeant celebrating his ninth anniversary with wife Rebecca, died at the scene. His daughter was airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. The Sarasota County Sheriff ’s Office said Tuesday they were notified by the medical examiner’s office of the girl’s death. “Oceana was a beautiful, intelligent and kind-hearted little girl,” the statement said. “She was a natural artist who loved to learn.” It was unclear how the plane or the debris hit the father and his daughter. Officials say the pilot radioed the airport that he was having trouble and was planning to land on the beach. The pilot was identified as Karl Kokomoor, 57, and the passenger was David Theen, 60. They were not injured.
public. Authorities wouldn’t say if the woman is cooperating with law enforcement. The indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges Rodden met the woman in mid-May 2013 at a Louisville, Kentucky, hotel, where he provided her “with law enforcement credentials and an official deputy’s badge” so she could obtain a government employee’s rate at hotels. The indictment also alleges Rodden met the woman again in late May and paid her $300 to perform a sex act. He faces seven counts of making false statements and one count of encouraging the destruction of evidence. Rodden, 60, has denied the charges. He has served as sheriff since 2007.
US appeals court blocks Mississippi abortion law JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi’s effort to close its last abortion clinic was overturned in federal appellate court on Tuesday. Advocates for the law said wom-
en with unwanted pregnancies could always travel to other states, but the judges said every state must guarantee constitutional rights, including abortion. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to block Mississippi’s 2012 law requiring abortion doctors to obtain admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Ten states have adopted similar laws, forcing a growing number of clinics to close. Many hospitals ignore or reject abortion doctors’ applications, and won’t grant privileges to out-of-state physicians. Both obstacles were encountered by the traveling doctors who staff Mississippi’s last clinic, the Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling from the conservative 5th Circuit was narrowly crafted to address the situation in Mississippi, but it could have implications for other states with similar laws and dwindling access to abortion whose officials have said women could cross state lines if clinics close, said the center’s litigation director, Julie Rikelman. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE WORLD 6 die when swept away by swollen river in Mexico HERMOSILLO, Mexico — Six people have died and four are missing in northern Mexico after their vehicles were swept away by a swollen river near the U.S. border. A statement from officials in Sonora state says more than 200 rescue crews were searching Tuesday for those missing in and around the Cabullona River in the municipality of Agua Prieta. It says a group of about 35 people in 4-wheel drive pickup trucks and ATVs were leaving the area Sunday when one of the vehicles got stuck in the river. When people in other vehicles tried to help them, the river swept them away.
Elegant Louvre Garden in Paris infested with rats PARIS — Rats are on the rampage in the elegant garden of the
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A carnival queen greets people from the top of a parade float during the "Carnival of Flowers" celebrations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Monday. Revelers poured into the downtown area for the Caribbean nation’s third "Carnival of Flowers." Louvre Museum, so bold they romp onto the grass in broad daylight, defying sanitation workers and scaring tourists visiting the site. The hot weather in Paris has brought out many picnicking visitors, whose garbage left in the
garden is a feast for the rats. Jean-Claude Ndzana Ekani, a museum employee, said the vermin have also been helped by animal lovers who dig up the poison and “give water to the rats.” — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
State
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Gay marriage ban
Immigration concerns
AG: State’s ban on same-sex marriage allows promotion of birth and children in ‘stable, lasting relationships’
Poll: 62 percent say illegal immigration a serious problem
By NOMAAN MERCHANT
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN AND JENNIFER AGIESTA ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage allows the state to promote the birth and upbringing of children in “stable, lasting relationships,” the state’s attorney general argued Tuesday while asking a federal appeals court to reinstate the ban. Attorney General Greg Abbott, the Republican nominee for governor, said the views of ban opponents could be considered “rational.” But he argued that Texas voters have the right under the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause, the same amendment often cited by ban opponents, to define marriage in a way that best supports children. “There are good, wellmeaning people on both sides,” he wrote to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, echoing previous sentiments in the case. But he argued that opposite-sex couples are better suited to have and raise children, and thus help reduce “societal costs.” “Because same-sex relationships do not naturally produce children, recognizing same-sex marriage does not further these goals to the same extent that recognizing oppositesex marriage does,” the brief said. Mark Pharriss, a longtime friend of Abbott’s who along with his partner sued the state over the ban, argued that the real harm to children is done when their parents aren’t granted “the benefits and protections of a marriage.” “Our constitutional rights are not up for the vote of Texas citizens,” he said. “That point has been made unanimously by ev-
Photo by Max Faulkner/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram | AP
People hold signs during a same sex marriage rally outside the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, June 5.
Texas’ ban was declared unconstitutional but is staying in effect during the appeal process. ery district court and now two circuit courts who have looked at this issue.” A federal judge declared Texas’ ban unconstitutional in February but allowed it to remain in effect during the appeal process. Gay marriage proponents have won more than 20 legal decisions around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year, though most are under appeal. Lawsuits challenging such bans have been filed in all 31 states that prohibited same-sex marriage, while 19 states and the District of Columbia allow such marriages. Abbott is the front-runner to replace Texas Gov. Rick Perry, also an opponent of gay marriage. His Democratic opponent, state Sen. Wendy Davis, has applauded the ruling invalidating the gay marriage
ban. In its motion filed Tuesday, Abbott’s office said its argument — that oppositesex couples provide the best environment for newborn children — doesn’t violate the U.S. Constitution because it treats all couples the same. The office also argued that voters, not courts and attorneys, know what’s best for their state. “Issues are often more complex than judges and lawyers think, and their legal training gives them no comparative advantage in resolving the complex value judgments and empirical questions that go into deciding questions such as whether same-sex marriage should be legal,” the brief said. The brief was filed a day after an appeals court in Virginia upheld another lower court’s ruling striking down the state’s gaymarriage ban.
McALLEN — For nearly two months, images of immigrant children who have crossed the border without a parent, only to wind up in concrete holding cells once in United States, have tugged at heartstrings. Yet most Americans now say U.S. law should be changed so they can be sent home quickly, without a deportation hearing. A new Associated PressGfK poll finds two-thirds of Americans now say illegal immigration is a serious problem for the country, up 14 points since May and on par with concern about the issue in May 2010, when Arizona’s passage of a strict anti-immigration measure brought the issue to national prominence. Nearly two-thirds, 62 percent, say immigration is an important issue for them personally, a figure that’s up 10 points since March. President Barack Obama’s approval rating for his handling of immigration dropped in the poll, with just 31 percent approving of his performance on the issue, down from 38 percent in May. More than 57,000 unaccompanied immigrant children have illegally entered the country since October. Most of the children hail from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, where gang violence is pervasive. Many are seeking to reunite with a parent already living in the United States. Since initially calling the surge an “urgent humanitarian situation” in early June, Obama has pressed Central American leaders to stem the flow and has asked Congress
for $3.7 billion in new money to hire more immigration judges, build more detention space and process children faster. House Republicans on Tuesday put forward a bill costing $659 million through the final two months of the fiscal year that would send National Guard troops to the U.S.Mexico border and allow authorities to deport children more quickly. By a 2-to-1 margin, Americans oppose the current process for handling unaccompanied minors crossing the border, which requires that those who are not from Mexico or
inally from the border city of Eagle Pass. “It needs to be done only because we need to send a message saying our borders are closed. You need to apply for citizenship. You need to apply to come to the United States. You can’t just cross the border illegally. “My problem is, ‘Who’s going to take care of them?”’ Moncada said. “There comes a time when we have to say enough is enough.” Moncada, however, does support creating a pathway to citizenship for many of the 11 million immigrants who already en-
“
My problem is, ‘Who’s going to take care of them?’ There comes a time when we have to say enough is enough.” SANTIAGO MONCADA, AUSTIN RESIDENT
Canada stay in the U.S. and receive a hearing before a judge before they can be deported. Changing the law to allow all children crossing illegally to be sent back without such a hearing drew support from 51 percent of those polled. Obama’s proposal for emergency funding, in comparison, was favored by 32 percent and opposed by 38 percent. Santiago Moncada, a 65year-old Austin resident who is retired from a state human resources job, said he had considered both proposals and ultimately believes the children need to be deported. “My heart goes out to them,” said Moncada, a political independent orig-
tered the country illegally. He said many are contributing and should be given a way to become citizens. A majority of Americans still support such a path to citizenship, though that has slipped to 51 percent from 55 percent in May. Strong opposition to that proposal grew to 25 percent in the new poll from 19 percent in May. Patricia Thompson’s life has intersected in myriad ways with immigration over the years. She was living in South Florida when thousands of Cubans crossed the Florida Straits fleeing communism. As an assistant professor of nursing and a college student adviser for four decades, she counseled many immigrant students.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
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COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Redistricting a gift that still gives
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KEN HERMAN
SAN ANTONIO — Hey kids (and we all know today’s kids covet advice from upper-middle-aged newspaper columnists), looking for a career with a guaranteed future? I’ve got two for you: Tattoo removal. Redistricting lawyer. Both are can’t miss, the first because of inevitable tattoo remorse and the second because redistricting (the source of much evil today) never ends. The Texas Legislature’s 2011 redrawing of the state House and Texas U.S. House districts has been through some courts, including a recent trial (decision pending) in front of a three-judge panel in federal court in San Antonio. This will drag on, possibly for years and probably at the U.S. Supreme Court. And then it will almost be time to redistrict again. And then there will be years of lawsuits. And then it will almost be time to redistrict again. Etc. Come to think of it, this may be better than tattoo removal. On a recent day, starved for summer entertainment (pathetic, I know), I sat in the San Antonio courtroom for a few hours of testimony. My least favorite thing about redistricting is the math and the references to census tracts and precincts and other soulless numbers. My most favorite thing is the animal, baked good and other references. Stick around, we’ll get back to that. Redistricting trials are something of a reunion for redistricting lawyers, many of whom, I guess, also sometimes practice other forms of law. But to some extent, it’s the same lawyers (and the same expert witnesses) decade after decade after decade, lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit. I chatted outside the courtroom with Austin lawyer David Richards about redistricting battles of yore. His first was in 1971, (which I believe was a battle between the Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans) and he’s been involved in every one since. Richards, the ex-husband of the late Gov. Ann Richards, is 81 now, and, as he has been throughout his legal career, he’s a warrior for minorities and the underprivileged. His son Clark is working this case with his dad. Pro bono, Clark said. Redistricting happens on two levels: the conceptual and the real. Conceptually, congressional and legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years to guarantee fair representation for all and truth, justice and the American way. The reality about redistricting is that the party in power uses it to make sure it can party on. It’s a classic case of screw unto others because someday others are going to screw unto you. When Dems ran the Texas Capitol, they drew as few Republican districts as legally and geographically possible. Repubs have been doing likewise since they’ve been running the joint. But, thanks to good laws that protect the voting rights of racial and ethnic minorities, Repubs may
find out that the fun and games available to Dems when they were large and in charge are not available to the GOP. In this case, the U.S. Justice Department is arguing, along with plaintiffs representing minority interests, that Repubs, in violation of federal law, drew maps to marginalize minority voters. The state’s lawyers, in defending the maps, are arguing there was no intentional discrimination against minorities. “No one in the Texas Legislature discriminated on the basis of race,” Texas Assistant Attorney General Patrick Sweeten said in his opening statement. That may be true. What the Repubs did was discriminate on the basis of
“
That looks like a dragon’s head to the right …” REP. JOE PICKETT, D-EL PASO
party, which is kind of what they’re supposed to do. There are rules and laws about that, but there are even tighter rules against discriminating based on race. And it just so happens that an overwhelming majority of Hispanics and African-Americans vote Democratic. So, by bank shot if nothing else, discriminating against Democrats often equals discriminating against Hispanics and African-Americans. So the fact may be that the GOP, when it’s running the show, has less freedom to mess with Dems than when it’s the other way around. That’s because Repubs tend to be white people. There’s nothing wrong with white people as a group, but there are fewer laws protecting them in such matters. Some lawyers believe motive doesn’t matter in redistricting, all that matters is the outcome, and districts that dilute Hispanic or AfricanAmerican voting strength cannot stand. Interesting, yes? As is this: 1960s federal laws about voting rights were enacted for places (like Texas) with long histories of discrimination. In Texas, that discriminating was done back then by Democrats. So, today’s Democrats could benefit from good laws put on the books to counter bad actions by yesterday’s Democrats. Now to the animals and baked goods. For whatever reason, perhaps boredominduced hallucinations, some people tend to see animals or baked goods or other things when they look at redistricting maps. “That looks like a dragon’s head to the right,” Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, testified as he looked at a map. He also spoke of a district that looked like “a dog with its two ears.” Yes, said attorney Nina Perales, mixing animals by noting the dog had no “antlers.” Later, Perales, said her staff referred to a portion of a district as the “chef’s hat.”
COMMENTARY
The golden age of books? Books on various areas of education have been published; next up is one centered on an effort to improve the teaching of teaching By JOE NOCERA NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
I’m starting to wonder if we’ve entered some kind of golden age of books about education. First came Paul Tough’s book, “How Children Succeed,” about the importance of developing noncognitive skills in students. It was published in September 2012. Then came “The Smartest Kids in the World,” by Amanda Ripley, which tackled the question of what other countries were getting right in the classroom that America was getting wrong. Her book came out just about a year ago. And now comes Elizabeth Green’s “Building a Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (and How to Teach It to Everyone),” which will be published next week, and which was excerpted in The New York Times Magazine over the weekend. The first two books made the New York Times best-seller list. My guess is that Green’s book will, too. It certainly ought to. Over the past few decades — with the rise of charter school movement and No Child Left Behind — reformers and teachers’ unions have been fighting over how to improve student performance in the classroom. The reformers’ solution, notes Green, is accountability. The unions’
solution is autonomy. “Where accountability proponents call for extensive student testing and frequent on-the-job evaluations, autonomy supporters say that teachers are professionals and should be treated accordingly,” Green writes. In both schemes, the teachers are basically left alone in the classroom to figure it out on their own. In America, that’s how it’s always been done. An inexperienced teacher stands in front of a class on the first day on the job and stumbles his or her way to eventual success. Even in the best-case scenario, students are being shortchanged by rookie teachers who are learning on the job. In the worstcase scenario, a mediocre (or worse) teacher never figures out what’s required to bring learning alive. Green’s book is about a more recent effort, spearheaded by a small handful of teaching revolutionaries, to improve the teaching of teaching. The common belief, held even by many people in the profession, that the best teachers are “natural-born” is wrong, she writes. The common characteristic of her main characters is that they have broken down teaching into certain key skills, which can be taught. “You don’t need to be a
genius,” Green told me recently. “You have to know how to manage a discussion. You have to know which problems are the ones most likely to get the lessons across. You have to understand how students make mistakes — how they think — so you can respond to that.” Are these skills easier for some people than others? Of course they are. But they can be taught, even to people who don’t instinctively know how to do these things. One of Green’s central characters is a woman named Deborah Loewenberg Ball, who began her career as an elementary school teacher and is now the dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Education. “Watching Deborah teach is like listening to chamber music,” Green quotes an admirer. But she didn’t start out that way. She struggled as a young teacher, and, as she became a better teacher, she began to codify, in her own mind at first, the practices that made her successful. And she asked herself, “Why hadn’t she learned any of this before?” Green has a chapter about why schools of education value things other than the actual teaching of teachers. But the University of Michigan under Ball is one place that is trying to reverse that trend, not just at Michigan but across
the country. Ball is pushing the idea that teachers should be prepared to teach — that they should have the tools and the skills — when they walk into that classroom on the first day on the job. That is rarely the case right now. “We need to shift teaching to be like other fields where you have to demonstrate proficiency before you get a license,” Ball told me not long ago. “People who cut hair and fly airplanes get training that teachers don’t get.” One thing that Ball and Green both stress is the importance of scale. I’ve also come to see the ability to scale successful programs as the single biggest issue facing public education. It is great that there are charter schools that give a small percentage of public schoolchildren a chance for a good education — and a good life. And it’s all well and good that Michigan graduates maybe 100 or so teachers a year who genuinely know how to teach by the time they get out of school. But these small-scale successes won’t ultimately matter much unless they are embraced by the country at large. You can’t teach every kid in a charter school. And schools of education need to change their priorities. Learning on the job just shouldn’t cut it anymore.
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ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
National
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Slimmed-down bill Skin cancer report House to vote on shorter bill for immigration crisis By ERICA WERNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — House Republicans unveiled a slimmed-down bill Tuesday to address the immigration crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border by sending in National Guard troops and speeding migrant youths back home. The electionyear measure would allow Republicans to say they tried to solve the humanitarian problem in South Texas, even though it stands no chance of becoming law. The bill would cost $659 million through the final two months of this fiscal year, far less than the $3.7 billion requested by President Barack Obama for this year and next, and a sharp reduction from the $1.5 billion initially proposed by the House spending committee. The cuts were designed to win over skeptical conservatives and give lawmakers something they could pass before leaving Washington at week’s end for their annual August recess. The measure also includes policy changes rejected by most Democrats that would allow unaccompanied youths who’ve been arriving by the tens of thousands from Central America to be turned around quickly at the border and sent back home. “I think there’s sufficient support in the House to move this bill,” House Speaker John Boehner told reporters after meeting with rank-and-file lawmakers on the issue, though he said there was more work to do. A vote was set for Thursday. Even if it does pass the House, the bill is certain to be rejected by the Democratic-run Senate, which was set to take a procedural vote on its own $2.7 billion border package Wednesday. The Senate bill, which
does not include the policy changes embraced by the House, lacks GOP support and seemed unlikely to move forward. The Senate bill also includes money for Western wildfires and Israeli defense that was left out of the House version. So there appeared to be no path to a compromise that could send a bill to Obama’s desk ahead of the fiveweek congressional recess. Complicating matters further, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid floated the idea of using the House measure as a vehicle for advancing a comprehensive immigration reform bill including a path to citizenship for millions now here illegally. That legislation passed the Senate a year ago but stalled in the House. “Maybe it’s an opening for us to have a conference on our comprehensive immigration reform,” Reid told reporters. House conservatives have warned repeatedly that anything they pass could become a vehicle for the Senate’s immigration bill, and Reid’s comments seemed to confirm their worst fears. Perhaps that was intentional, since the result could be to limit conservative support for the border spending bill in the House.
Boehner responded angrily, accusing Reid of “making a deceitful and cynical attempt to derail the House’s common-sense solution.” “So let me be as clear as I can be with Senator Reid: the House of Representatives will not take up the Senate immigration reform bill or accept it back from the Senate in any fashion,” Boehner said in a statement. If Reid’s ploy was intended to upset Boehner’s efforts, it was unclear that it would succeed. Numerous House Republicans have said that they did not want to go back to their districts to face voters without acting to deal with the influx of kids and teens showing up at the South Texas border without their parents, mostly from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. More than 57,000 have arrived since October, many fleeing vicious gangs and trying to reunite with family members, but also drawn by rumors that once here, they would be allowed to stay. Ahead of Reid’s remarks, GOP lawmakers said that their measure appeared to enjoy widespread support, although some conservatives said they remained opposed.
By ANNE FLAHERTY ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Stop sunbathing and using indoor tanning beds, the acting U.S. surgeon general warned in a report released Tuesday that cites an alarming 200 percent jump in deadly melanoma cases since 1973. The report blames a generation of sun worshipping for the $8 billion spent to treat all forms of skin cancer each year. Rear Adm. Boris Lushniak said state and local officials need to do more to help people cover up, such as providing more shade at parks and sporting events. Schools should encourage kids to wear hats and sunscreen and schedule outdoor activities when the sun is low in the sky. And colleges and universities should eliminate in-
Photo by Gregory Bull/file | AP
People swim on a sunny day at Mission Beach in San Diego, on Tuesday, June 24. door tanning beds on campus much as they would prohibit tobacco use, he added. “We need more states and institutions on board with these policies that discourage or restrict indoor tanning by our youth,” Lushniak said. “Tanned skin is damaged skin.” The surgeon general’s “call to action” plan is part of a broader push this
year by government officials and public health advocates to raise awareness on what they say has become a major public health problem. While other cancers such as lung cancer are decreasing, skin cancer is rising rapidly. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year.
PÁGINA 6A
Zfrontera
Agenda en Breve LAREDO 07/31— Estudiantes que asistirán a Texas A&M University en College Station, durante el Otoño, así como sus padres, están siendo invitados para participar en una reunión social organizada por Laredo A&M Mother’s’ Club, de 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m. en Commerce Bank, 800 E. Mann Road. 07/31— Taller de Desarrollo Comunitario UTSA Eagle Ford Shale, de 11 a.m. a 3 p.m. en el aula 108 del Edificio De la Garza en el Laredo Community College, Fort McIntosh. 07/31— El Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU, estará proyectando “Zula Patrol: Down to Earth” a las 2 p.m.; “The Little Star that Could” a las 3 p.m.; “Star Signs” a las 4 p.m.; “Black Holes” a las 5 p.m. Costo de admisión general es de 3 dólares para niños y 4 dólares los adultos. 07/31— Torneo de Boliche en Memoria de Ramiro Barrera Jr., organizado por Crime Stoppers de Laredo, a partir de las 5:30 p.m. en Jett Bowl North. Para ser patrocinador o inscribir a su equipo, comunicarse al (956) 724-1876 o escribir al crimestopperstips@att.net. 07/31— Club de Libro en Español se reúne de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E. Calton Road. Informes con Sylvia Reash al 763-1810 08/01— “The Little Mermaid Jr” de Disney se presenta en Laredo Little Theatre, 4802 Thomas Avenue, a las 8 p.m. Costo: 10 dólares, adultos, y 5 dólares, niños. 08/02— Venta de libros usados en First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. Libros de pasta dura a 1 dólar; pasta blanda a .50 centavos; revistas y libros infantiles a .25 centavos. 08/02— La Asociación Laredo Northside invita al Mercado de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. en el área de juegos del North Central Park. Habrá venta de productos naturales, de jardinería, comida, manualidades y organizaciones comerciales y sin fines de lucro. 08/02— Reunión de grupo de Autism Ties Support Central Inc. de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m. en Laredo Autism Center & Kids Rehab, Santa Maria Plaza, 3210 Jaime Zapata Memorial Highway. Informes al 255-0713. 08/02— “The Little Mermaid Jr” de Disney se presenta en Laredo Little Theatre, 4802 Thomas Avenue, a las 8 p.m. Costo: 10 dólares, adultos, y 5 dólares, niños.
INMIGRACIÓN
Tráfico humano POR CÉSAR G. RODRÍGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Los “coyotes” tienen una gran oportunidad de hacerse de presas con la reciente afluencia de centroamericanos inundando la frontera del sur de Texas, de acuerdo a autoridades locales y federales. Un ciudadano mexicano paga a un coyote cualquier cantidad desde 500 a 1.500 dólares o hasta 3.000 dólares para ser introducido de manera ilegal a Estados Unidos mientras que los centroamericanos pueden pagar hasta 7.000 por persona. Los europeos y los asiáticos pagan 25.000 y 50.000 dólares, respectivamente, dijo Arístides Jiménez, oficial especial a cargo de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional. “Los coyotes están teniendo un festín con tanta gente llegando”, dijo. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional anunció la semana pasada una campaña denominada “Operación Coyote”. Su propósito era re-
ducir la reciente afluencia de decenas de miles de menores sin compañía y familias atrapadas cruzando la frontera de manera ilegal en el sur de Texas, reportó Prensa Asociada. La operación de 90 días dio como resultado 192 arrestos de Laredo a Brownsville. Además, las autoridades arrestaron a 501 inmigrantes quienes habían cruzado la frontera ilegalmente. Los números para el área de Laredo no fueron dados a conocer. “El propósito de esta operación es interrumpir y desmantelar las organizaciones de contrabando”, dijo Jiménez, quien añadió que recursos adicionales y personal en el campo eran necesarios para el éxito de la operación. Durante la operación, Seguridad Nacional dijo que decomisó 625.000 dólares de grupos de contrabando humano y de drogas que operaban a lo largo de la frontera. Las autoridades federales identificaron cuentas donde la gente depositaba dine-
ro en otros estados. El efectivo, eventualmente llegaba a los bancos de Texas para que los contrabandistas lo retiraran, dijo Jiménez. Pagar la tarifa de contrabando no garantiza un viaje libre de riesgos durante la travesía a los Estados Unidos. “La mayoría de las organizaciones, tienen un total desprecio por la vida humana. No les importan las personas. Su interés es estrictamente de dinero”, dijo Jiménez. “El viaje a través de México desde América Central es peligroso”. A principios de este mes, las autoridades dijeron que descubrieron a un supuesto inmigrante indocumentado muerto cerca de la línea condal divisoria Webb-Zapata mientras otros tres inmigrantes requirieron atención médica después de haber sido abandonados por los coyotes. La Patrulla Fronteriza de EU detuvo a dos supuestos contrabandistas de personas y a 12 inmigrantes indocumentados. Los inmigrantes indocumentados
que son transportados en vehículos por los contrabandistas también han muerto en volcaduras y se sabe que los coyotes son conocidos por violar a las mujeres y dejarlas abandonadas. Los traficantes operan en casas de seguridad donde albergan a los inmigrantes, donde algunas veces los contrabandistas los torturan mientras demandan más dinero de los familiares. Otros contrabandistas separan a los menores de sus familias para extorsionarlos por más dinero, dijo Jiménez. Berin Salas, agente de supervisión de la Patrulla Fronteriza, de Enlace Comunitario de la Frontera, exhorta a las personas para que piensen en su familia antes de aventurarse en un viaje tan riesgoso. “Los peligros de su viaje inician en el segundo que ponen un pie afuera de sus casas con la esperanza de alcanzar el sueño americano. Ingresar a Estados Unidos es un crimen, pero no tiene que ser una sentencia de muerte”, dijo Salas.
TAMAULIPAS
ECONOMÍA
NUEVOS ELEMENTOS
Emiten consejos; apoyaría empleos
Policía contará con 247 oficiales
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Después de permanecer alrededor de dos meses en el Centro de Adiestramiento Regional de la Sexta Región Militar ubicado en Mazaquiahuac, Tlaxcala, México, Un total de 247 policías estatales regresaron a Tamaulipas para incorporarse a las labores de seguridad y vigilancia en el vecino Estado, anunciaron autoridades tamaulipecas la semana pasada. “Este grupo de policías fue evaluado y capacitado para servir mejor a la ciudadanía tamaulipeca”, dijo el general Arturo Gutiérrez García, Secretario de Seguridad Pública de Tamaulipas. “Tenemos una nueva oportunidad de mostrarle a la ciudadanía tamaulipeca que deseamos servir mejor, que nos tengan confianza”. Gutiérrez García mencionó que de 250 policías evaluados en Tlaxcala, solo tres de ellos no aproba-
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
Un total de 247 policías regresaron a Tamaulipas para incorporarse a las labores de seguridad y vigilancia del vecino Estado, dijeron autoridades tamaulipecas. En la imagen una muestra de lo aprendido, durante la ceremonia de recibimiento, en Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México. ron el examen de confianza y anunció que continuarán enviando grupos de policías hasta completar las evaluaciones de los casi 2.000 elementos de la corporación. El 13 de mayo el Secretario de Gobernación, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong y el Gobernador Egidio Torre Cantú, anunciaron la nueva fase en la estrategia de seguridad en Tamaulipas, en Reynosa, México, durante la cual de resaltó la evaluación y
depuración de los cuerpos policiales estatales y municipales “Este adiestramiento es un escalón más, es disciplina”, dijo Cecilia Balderas Vázquez, oficial de policía desde hace 15 años. Al hablar de su experiencia sobre este curso, dijo que recibió mucha disciplina, valores bien reafirmados y regresa con más ganas de trabajar. El oficial Ricardo Ló-
pez Hernández, que tiene siete meses como policía estatal acreditable, comentó que el adiestramiento que recibieron les permite tener una mayor capacitación para la aplicación de acciones en la vida diaria. “Fue una gran experiencia para mí. Nuestro Gobierno nos ha apoyado, ha estado pendiente de nosotros y doy gracias por este curso, que nos ha permitido estar mejor capacitados”, concluyó.
COLUMNA
NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO 07/30— Cine Club Carmen Montejo presenta “Siempre a tu lado”, en el auditorio de Estación Palabra, a partir de las 6 p.m. 07/31— Programa Jueves de Teatro presenta “Luna para Dos”, a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco, dentro de la Casa de la Cultura. 07/31— Cine en tu barrio presenta “Kon-Tiki: Un Viaje Fantástico”, en el polivalente INFONAVIT, a partir de las 5 p.m. 08/01— Presentación del libro “Dirección Opuesta”, en Estación Palabra a las 6 p.m. 08/02— Estación Palabra presenta “Bazar de Arte”, a las 10 a.m.; “Te leo a la Una”, a la 1 p.m.; “Festival Infantil: El Cielo”, a las 2 p.m.; Eventos gratuitos. 08/05— El Grupo de Teatro Laberintus presentará el musical “Te Amo, Eres Perfecto... ¡Pero Cambia!” a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro del IMSS, entre las calles Reynosa y Belden.
MIÉRCOLES 30 DE JULIO DE 2014
Define Estado a través eventos POR RAUL SINENCIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Tamaulipas termina definiéndose a contrapelo de la incuria gubernamental y el expansionismo de Estados Unidos. Detengámonos en tres distintos momentos de este proceso y exploremos otros tantos lugares del área.
Población Aunque Nuevo Santander (hoy Tamaulipas) se extendía al norte, sobre el flanco izquierdo del río Bravo la única villa es la de Laredo. El medio hostil le regatea tierras agrícolas y recursos maderables, pero los pastos y aguas favorecen la ganadería extensiva. Hacia 1767 llega el ingeniero militar Nicolás de Lafora, de España. “Del lado septentrional
anduvimos por lomas que van en aumento cubiertas de bastantes nopales, y mezquites; pasamos por el arroyo de San Ignacio, siguiendo el bosque más espeso hasta la villa de Laredo, sin otra cosa reparable que el arroyo Chacón, que está inmediato a ella”, señaló en un escrito. “En San Agustín de Laredo la población se reduce a unos 60 jacales, situados en ambas orillas del río Grande en que habitan 70 vecinos armados [contra los indios rebeldes], gobernados por un capitán miliciano, sujetos al gobernador de Nuevo Santander”. Lafora por supuesto habla del ahora Laredo, antes de que perteneciera a EU.
Comunidad El
alemán
Eduard
Mühlenpfordt, vive en la frontera una temporada, oportunidad que le permite conocerla a detalle. Observa que cerca de 1834 Matamoros, Tamaulipas “tiene algunas casas lujosas y cuenta con 10.000 habitantes, entre ellos un gran número de extranjeros: . La ciudad está trazada a cordel con calles rectas, que se entrecruzan en ángulo recto. El germano resalta positivas características del municipio. “Entre todas las localidades portuarias de México, Matamoros tiene la ventaja de un clima saludable. En ella no se conocen las fiebres mortales que atacan todos los años A Veracruz y Tampico. Los fuertes vientos que soplan del mar desde la primavera hasta el otoño aminoran el calor durante los meses de julio y agosto”, indica Mühlenpfordt.
Economía En “marzo de 1858 por un decreto del gobierno del estado sancionado por el gobierno general, se concedió la zona libre a los puertos de la frontera de Tamaulipas”, refiere Alejandro Prieto en 1873. Según esto, iba en aumento “el movimiento mercantil”. No obstante el proporcionar ingresos acaba clausurando las aduanas de Reynosa y Guerrero, México. Aparte de la aduana de Matamoros, sobreviven las de Camargo y Mier, México, que exportan pieles, ganado y “vino mezcal”. Joven aún, Nuevo Laredo, México, apenas reúne a 1.283 vecinos, pero ocupa el segundo lugar en las importaciones regionales. (Relato proporcionado por el autor, según publicado en La Razón, Tampico, Tamaulipas)
AUSTIN— La Contralora de Texas Susan Combs, indicó a través de un informe que existe la necesidad de ampliar y diversificar nuestros itinerarios y formación educativa para satisfacer la demanda de los empleadores para los trabajadores altamente cualificados. El informe “Fuerza Laboral” explora la promesa de la población joven de Texas y el crecimiento económico que ha creado escasez de trabajadores en algunos sectores. Así mismo se establecen recomendaciones que ayudarían a la fuerza laboral de Texas. “Para cerrar la brecha de habilidades, debemos asegurarnos de que nuestros jóvenes puedan adquirir las habilidades que buscan los empleadores de Texas y ayudarles a perfeccionar y actualizar esas capacidades a lo largo de sus carreras”, dijo Combs. Entre 2000 y 2010, la población menor a 18 años de Texas creció en más de 979.000, o el 17 por ciento – 6.5 por ciento más rápido que el promedio de 2.6 por ciento en Estados Unidos. “Antes de que el déficit de competencias llegue a un punto de ruptura, es importante que nos demos cuenta que los mejores puestos de trabajo hoy requieren cada vez un mayor nivel de conocimiento especializado y experiencia técnica”, señaló Combs. Las recomendaciones de Combs son las siguientes: Texas necesita una acción de información permanente para animar a los estudiantes a seguir los programas de certificación específicos de la industria de Carreras y Educación Técnica (CTE por sus siglas en inglés); Texas debería considerar continuar para aumentar el número de campus de Colegio Temprano en Secundarias, aprobado por la TEA; Se debería aumentar la accesibilidad de los servicios de proveedores de educación de adultos; Se debería realizar un seguimiento de la participación y terminación de los programas de certificación basados en la industria; Texas debería considerar incentivos para las empresas que adoptan el aprendizaje, y también debería desarrollar una campaña de información para fomentar la adopción del programa. “El tremendo crecimiento de Texas y el excelente clima de negocios han creado una amplia oportunidad en nuestro estado”, dijo Tony Bennett, presidente de la Asociación de Fabricantes de Texas.Para obtener más información y una copia del informe, visite www.txworkers.org.
International
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
Israel hits symbols of Hamas; scores killed By KARIN LAUB AND PETER ENAV ASSOCIATED PRESS
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel unleashed its heaviest bombardment in a 3-week-old war against Hamas on Tuesday, striking symbols of the militant group’s control in Gaza and firing tank shells that Palestinian officials said shut down the strip’s only power plant. The fighting came as diplomatic efforts to forge a truce remained stalled despite a death toll that Palestinian officials said rose above 1,200 on Tuesday. The shadowy leader of the Hamas military wing said his group will not cease fire until its demands are met. On Tuesday evening, residents of the sprawling Jebaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza reported intense tank shelling. Ten members of an extended family were killed and 50 other people wounded in the area, Palestinian health officials said. Two brothers driving in a car with markings of a U.N. aid agency were killed by shrapnel, an area resident said. “It was like an earthquake,” Moussa al-Mabhouh, a volunteer for Gaza’s Civil Defense, said of the scene. “Roofs collapsed, walls cracked and wounded people everywhere.” The heavy strikes — which
Photo by Hatem Moussa | AP
Smoke and fire from the explosion of an Israeli strike rise over Gaza City, on Tuesday. Israel escalated its military campaign against Hamas on Tuesday, striking symbols of the group’s control in Gaza. came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned of a “prolonged” campaign against Hamas — were a new blow to international efforts to reach a sustainable truce in the fighting. Israel has vowed to stop the Hamas rocket and mortar fire that has reached increasingly deeper into its territory and to
destroy a sophisticated network of tunnels that have been used by the militants to infiltrate the Jewish state. For its part, Hamas has so far rejected cease-fire efforts unless its demands are met, including a lifting of a punishing blockade. The rare remarks by the Hamas military wing’s leader, Mohammed Deif, were broadcast
late Tuesday on Al-Aqsa TV, the satellite station of Hamas. “There is not going to be a cease-fire as long as the demands of our people are not fulfilled,” he said. Deif ’s voice was recognizable in the audio statement. He has survived repeated Israeli assassination attempts and has operated from hiding for years.
Al-Aqsa also broadcast a videotape it said showed an infiltration by Hamas fighters into Israel on Monday through a border tunnel. At least 1,210 Palestinians have been killed, including 109 on Tuesday, and 7,000 wounded since the start of fighting July 8, said Palestinian health official Ashraf al-Kidra. He said 16 other people died of wounds sustained on previous days. The dead included multiple members of at least five families who were pulled from the rubble Tuesday after airstrikes and tank shelling struck their homes, including the mayor of a refugee camp and his 70-year-old father, according to Palestinian health officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Israel has reported 53 soldiers and three civilians killed. Already, the intensity and the scope of the current Gaza operation is on par with an invasion five years ago, which ended with Israel unilaterally withdrawing after hitting Hamas hard. On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of attacks, leveling the home of the top Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, and damaging the offices of the movement’s Al-Aqsa satellite TV station, a central mosque in Gaza City and government offices.
Tough sanctions on Russia By JULIE PACE AND JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Spurred to action by the downing of the Malaysian airliner, the European Union approved dramatically tougher economic sanctions Tuesday against Russia, followed swiftly by a new round of U.S. penalties targeting key sectors of the Russian economy. The coordinated sanctions were aimed at increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his country’s support for separatists in eastern Ukraine whom the West blames for taking
down the passenger jet nearly two weeks ago. President Barack Obama and U.S. allies also warned that Russia was building up troops and weaponry along its border with Ukraine. “Today Russia is once again isolating itself from the international community, setting back decades of genuine progress,” Obama said. “It does not have to be this way. This a choice Russia and President Putin has made.” Europe’s actions were particularly significant given that the continent has a far stronger economic relationship with Russia than the U.S. does Until this week, the EU sanctions had
lagged behind American penalties, in part because of leaders’ concerns about a negative impact on their own economies. But Europe’s calculus shifted after a surface-to-air missile brought down the passenger jet, killing nearly 300 people including more than 200 Europeans. European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said the sanctions sent a “strong warning” that Russia’s destabilization of Ukraine cannot be tolerated. “When the violence created spirals out of control and leads to the killing of
almost 300 innocent civilians in their flight from the Netherlands to Malaysia, the situation requires urgent and determined response,” the two top EU officials said in a statement. Yet it remains uncertain whether the tougher penalties will have any impact on Russia’s actions in Ukraine — nor was it clear what other actions the U.S. and Europe were willing to take if the situations remains unchanged. U.S. officials said they believe economic pressure remains their most effective tool, and Obama reiterated his opposition to sending lethal aid to the Ukrainian military.
Photo by Felipe Dana/file | AP
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin arrives for an official group photo during the BRICS summit at the Itamaraty palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday, July 16.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
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Sports&Outdoors NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: OAKLAND RAIDERS
San Antonio Raiders? SA talks relocation with Mark Davis By JOSH BAUGH, TOM ORSBORN SAN ANTONIO-EXPRESS NEWS
SAN ANTONIO — Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis and two top lieutenants met recently with several San Antonio officials to discuss the potential of moving his NFL team from the Bay Area to the Alamo City, local leaders involved in the talks confirmed Tuesday. On the weekend of July 18, Davis met with the officials, including Henry Cisneros, then-Mayor Julián Castro, City Manager Sheryl Sculley, Mario Hernandez of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, and both Richard Perez and David McGee, the president and chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, respectively. Late Tuesday, after the ExpressNews published a version of this story on its websites, Sculley issued a memo to the City Council. “I was asked to meet two weeks ago with the owner of the Oakland Raiders, Mark Davis, and members of his staff. Mr. Davis has expressed interest in a possi-
File photo by Marvin Pfeiffer | San Antonio-Express News
The Alamodome could become a temporary home for the Raiders if they relocated to San Antonio. ble relocation of his NFL team to San Antonio and we are engaged in preliminary due diligence,” she wrote. “The agenda for this visit included a tour of the Alamodome and meetings with local business leaders.” Sculley wrote that those discussions were preliminary and confidential and that she would update the council as things progressed. San Antonio has often been used as a bargaining chip for pro
sports franchises trying to negotiate better deals in their own respective cities, but sources have characterized Davis’ interest in San Antonio to be at least somewhat more serious. He is clearly perturbed with his current situation in Oakland, where the team’s lease expires after the 2014-15 season. Cisneros, who led the charge to build the Alamodome when he was mayor, has been described by
sources as the architect of the meeting. His son-in-law, Brad Badger, is in corporate sponsorship sales for the Raiders. When reached by the San Antonio Express-News, he tempered the significance of the meetings. Cisneros said that over the years, he’d become friends with Davis, who was already coming to San Antonio for an event. Cisneros said he wanted to take the opportunity to make a pitch to Davis in
case he decides to relocate the team. “So we spent the weekend and took advantage of the opportunity to show him San Antonio in the event if it ever became necessary to consider a site other than Oakland,” Cisneros said. “We know they have lease issues with Alameda County, so it was a good opportunity to show him facilities in San Antonio as well as have him meet key leaders in San Antonio.” Davis and his associates spent two or three days here, visiting the Alamodome and other places, sources familiar with the talks said. They also took an aerial tour of the city in a helicopter, arranged by developer Marty Wender. With some upgrades, the Alamodome could be ready for a 201516 NFL season, though it would be a temporary home at best. NFL teams likely would need 100 suites, and the Alamodome currently has 52. It physically could facilitate the addition of 48 more, but funding has yet to be earmarked by the city for such upgrades. If the Raiders moved here, though, Davis is expected to seek a new stadium within a few years. Davis told San Antonio civic and business leaders he isn’t seeking a “Jerry Jones-type facility” and prefers “a small, intimate” stadium that he can place “a statue of his father in front of,” a source said.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Fed weighing key issues Federal Reserve to make another cut in monthly bond purchases By MARTIN CRUTSINGER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — This much is clear: The Federal Reserve will make another cut this week in its monthly bond purchases, which have been aimed at keeping long-term loan rates low. This much is not: When will the Fed start tightening its interest-rate policy to thwart any runaway inflation? How will it do so? And when will the Fed start paring its enormous $4
trillion-plus investment portfolio — a step that will put upward pressure on interest rates? On those questions, expect no definitive signals today, when the Fed issues a statement after a two-day policy meeting. In many ways, the improving U.S. economy no longer needs so much help from the central bank. Yet in other ways the economy the Fed will assess this week is less than fully healthy.
The housing rebound appears to be faltering. Workers’ pay remains flat. Turmoil overseas poses a potential threat. Accordingly, the Fed is expected to reaffirm its plan to leave its key short-term rate at a record low near zero “for a considerable time” after it ends its bond purchases. The statement the Fed will release will almost surely announce a sixth $10 billion cut in its monthly bond purchases to $25 billion.
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/file | AP
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gestures as she testifies before the House Financial Services Committee hearing entitled: "Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy," on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Wednesday, July 16.
CHILDREN Continued from Page 1A Secretary Jeh Johnson, who took office in December, saw the desperation for himself. A young girl tearfully told him she had come to the United States in an attempt to be reunited with her father. Interviews by Border Patrol agents with the young immigrants and their families revealed a perception among them that the United States had relaxed its policies and would grant them “permisos” to remain in the country. U.S. officials said the permisos are actually formal notices to appear at immigration hearings that are issued to the minors when they are placed with relatives to await court dates. Many of the minors also told
border agents they believed the cutoff date for permisos was June 2014, which federal officials said could explain the dramatic surge in the spring, which they said has since tapered off. In McAllen, Sister Norma Pimentel, director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, received an urgent telephone call June 10 from operators of the local bus station. An avalanche of migrants was arriving, she was told, and many were exhausted and ill. The sister set up a shelter that same day at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The consequences were spreading beyond Texas, as the refugee office began shipping the youths to shelters across the country.
Government buses full of families and children began arriving in Tucson in May, said Dan Wilson, a volunteer with Casa Mariposa, a migrant aid organization. Wilson said migrants told aid workers that human smuggling cartels had cut their rates to spur business, driving demand for the trips north atop buses and on trains. In Washington, Johnson briefed Obama, who authorized an integrated government response. By then, the inadequacy of the government’s previous efforts was becoming apparent. Mark Greenberg, HHS’ acting assistant secretary in charge of the unaccompanied minors program, told senators this month
BORDER Continued from Page 1A accounts wherein people deposit money in other states. That cash would eventually make it to Texas banks for the smugglers to withdraw it, Jimenez said. Paying the smuggling fee does not guarantee a risk-free ride during the trek to the United States. “Most organizations, they have complete disregard for human life. They don’t care about people. Their interest is strictly in money,” Jimenez said. “The journey through Mexico from Central America is a dangerous one.” Earlier this month, authorities said they discovered a suspected illegal immigrant dead near the Webb-Zapata county line while three other immigrants required medical attention after being left behind by coyotes. U.S. Border Patrol detained two alleged human smugglers and 12 illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants being smuggled in vehicles have also died in rollovers and coyotes are known to rape women and leave them behind. Smugglers operate in stash houses harboring immigrants, where sometimes they torture them while demanding more money from relatives. Other smugglers separate children from their families to extort more money, Jimenez said. Laredo police has
seen its fair share of cases involving coyotes holding immigrants against their will. “There have been incidents where people come running to us,” said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, Laredo Police Department spokesman, referring to an incident involving a group of people who escaped their captor who was armed with a knife at a Central Laredo home. Baeza said coyotes prey upon the fear of migrants, citing gang affiliation or cartel membership to intimidate them and lure their relatives into sending more money. “From time to time, we get three or four extreme cases a year, where several people are held for more money,” Baeza said. Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Berin Salas, of the Border Community Liaison, encourage people to think about their family before venturing in such hazardous trek. “The dangers of their journey start the second they step out of their home in hopes of reaching the American Dream. Entering into the United States is a crime, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence,” Salas said, adding there are no permits for those who enter the country illegally. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
that the growing influx had “greatly exceeded the number of available places for children in HHS’ shelters, negatively impacting our ability to timely accept custody of these children” from Homeland Security. Wolfe, the HHS spokesman, said that as of last Thursday, the backlog of children waiting to be placed in the agency’s care had been cleared. The president’s emergency proposal would devote $1.8 billion for HHS to house the children and families and $1.6 billion for the departments of Homeland Security and Justice to speed immigration hearings and deportations. Another $300 million would be slotted for the State Department
to help repatriate the minors and warn Central American families not to send them north. Republicans have balked at the proposal, saying they are not willing to give Obama more money without changes to the 2008 antitrafficking law to make it easier to deport the minors. Obama, meanwhile, has ended his push for comprehensive immigration legislation in Congress, announcing that he intends to use his executive authority to amend the nation’s border laws. But the crisis in Texas has complicated that political calculation, with Republicans contending that Obama’s weak enforcement helped create the crisis in the first place.
PAGEANT Continued from Page 1A Miss Southwest Texas. Winner of Miss Southwest Texas Teen was Vielka Gutierrez of Falcon Lake. In addition to Miss Southwest Texas, Zapata also claimed the winner of the Miss Preteen Southwest, Priscilla Elizondo. The crown for Miss Little Southwest was awarded to Sophia Palacios of Central Laredo. In addition to the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the pageant that the crowd sees on stage, the contestants are also put through a rigorous interview before the event with the judges. Judges look for poise, confidence, elegance, commitment to fitness, dedication to their social platform and good character during the contest when deciding their ultimate winner. Contestants had to capture not only the attention of the judges, but also the crowd as they pranced on the stage in their beautiful gowns. The crowd voted on a People’s Choice award through $1 ballots available at the door, with part of the proceeds going to Bethany House of Laredo.
The audience was also invited to vote for their favorite contestant with their smartphones through an Instagram contest. Past winners of the crown and winners of the Miss Southwest Texas pageant were also on hand to share their experiences and end their reign with the crowning of the 2014 winners. “I’ve met so many people. I’m now modeling for a dress line. None of that would have happened if I never won Miss Texas Teen 2013,” Daniela Rodriguez said. “It’s surprised me so much. It’s opened up so many opportunities.” Semifinalists for the Miss Little Southwest Texas 2014 crown, in order from winner to last runner-up, included Palacios, Brianna Andrews (Laredo), Abigail Garza (Falcon Lake), Delilah Sendejo (Central Zapata) and Jannel Esquivel (Zapata). Miss Preteen Southwest Texas semifinalists were Elizondo, Melanie Jaime (Laredo), Katia Gomez (North Laredo) and Barbara Garcia (Central Laredo). Miss Southwest Texas Teen semifinalists were
Gutierrez, Sydney Salinas (Laredo), Sheanne Geis (Del Rio), Rebekah Terrance (Port Laredo), Annakaren Rios (Central Laredo) and Alyssa Vera (North Laredo). Miss Southwest Texas semifinalists included Peña, Victoria Young (Laredo), Genesis Almanza (North Laredo), Clara Ochoa (Central Laredo) and Samantha Serna (Border City). Additional awards that were given to the contestants included Best Fashion/Best Swimsuit, Most Photogenic, Best Evening Gown, Best Participation, Miss Congeniality (an award chosen by the contestants themselves) and the already mentioned Instagram and People’s Choice awards. The winners are as followed: Little Miss Southwest Texas Fashion – Brianna Andrews (Laredo) Photogenic – Carissa Gonzalez (North Zapata) Participation – Heidi Benavides (Port Laredo) Best Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality, Instragram – Sophia Palacios (Central Laredo) People’s Choice – Melida Rodriguez (North Laredo)
Miss Preteen Southwest Texas Fashion – Barbara Garcia (Central Laredo) Photogenic, People’s Choice, Instagram – Priscilla Elizondo (Zapata) Evening Gown – Melanie Jaime (Laredo) Participation – Samantha Gonzalez (City of Seven Flags) Congeniality – Caitlyn Cisneros (Port Laredo) Miss Southwest Texas Teen Swimsuit – Sheanne Geis (Del Rio) Photogenic – Sydney Salinas (Laredo) Evening Gown – Rebekah Terrance (Port Laredo) Participation – Gisel Garza (Webb County) Congeniality – Alyssa Vera (North Laredo) People’s Choice – Annakaren Rios (Central Laredo) Instagram – Raquel Almaguer (Zapata) Miss Southwest Texas Swimsuit, Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality, Instagram – Cassandra Peña (Zapata) Photogenic, People’s Choice – Victoria Young (Laredo) Participation – Genesis Almanza (North Laredo)
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2014