HISPANIC HERITAGE
The Salvation Army—
Eastern Territory
About
Sermon
The
The Salvation Army In
The Salvation Army Lifts
People
The Salvation Army—
Eastern Territory
About
Sermon
The
The Salvation Army In
The Salvation Army Lifts
People
We thank God and glorify Christ’s name for the growth and development of the Hispanic Ministries of the Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory.
From September 15 to October 15, 2022, we wish to focus our attention on the Hispanic work and cultural fusion present among the ranks of the Salvation Army in this territory.
This is an invitation to celebrate our achievements and reflect upon our journey during this time. It has been a time of challenges, struggles, and difficulties as well as one of achievements, triumphs, and victories.
Today we can state and affirm that despite everything, all in all, God has been and will continue to be our “Ebenezer.” Today we can proclaim, without a doubt: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
I invite you to create a plan to celebrate, within the context of our cultures, identity, and idiosyncrasies, the achievements of our Hispanic roots for the glory of Christ.
Every year, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, recognizing the history, culture, and contributions of United States citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
The celebration began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson and President Ronald Reagan extended it in 1988 to cover a thirty-day period that begins September 15 and ends October 15. It was issued as a law on August 17, 1988, when Public Law 100-402 was approved.
September 15 is an important date because Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Furthermore, Columbus Day, which is October 12, is celebrated within this thirty-day celebration.
• Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country thanks to their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have highlighted and molded our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their communities.
• The term “Hispanic” or “Latino” refers to a North American (Mexican), Central American (including the Caribbean), South American or another culture of Spanish origin independent of its ethnicity. In the Census 2010 form, people of Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.”
• According to the United States Census, as of July 2018, 59.9 million people or 18.3% of the country’s population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase compared to the results of the census in the year 2000, which registered the Hispanic population to be 35.3 million or 13% of the total population of the United States.
• Even though both terms are used indistinctively, there is a difference between Hispanic and Latino. Hispanic is a word that originally denoted a relationship with Spain and with Spanish as its original language. Latino refers more to people or communities of Latin American origin. Although there is an important overlap between the groups. Brazilians are a good example of Latinos who are not Hispanic. Both terms were designated to refer to the ethnicity, not the race. Nonetheless, in the United States, they are randomly used to refer to the race.
To obtain more information and ideas, please visit hispanicheritagemonth.gov
Participate in this special annual tribute by learning with generations of Hispanics and Latin Americans and celebrating with them for having positively influenced and enriched our country and society. Some of the activities that you can do are:
• Special worship services or a get-together in the afternoon (or a family night) which include elements of the Hispanic/Latino culture.
• Sermons and Sunday School classes with topics related to Hispanic heritage.
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A lunch where each guest brings a dish, or a formal dinner (sponsored by a local Hispanic restaurant) with traditional dishes and music from the Hispanic/Latino countries represented in their congregations and communities.
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Outdoor activities for the corps and the community which include traditional dishes, music, and arts and crafts (on display or for sale).
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A fashion show o exhibit of flags and traditional outfits of the countries represented not just in the congregation but also in the communities and the country.
• A Christian parade through the surrounding community with floats, banners, people in their costumes and traditional outfits, regional music, everything sharing a Christian message with Hispanic/Latino flavor (this can be coordinated with the nearby corps or other churches in the community).
• An exhibit for books (see the suggested readings in this packet), crafts, and resources available to the community that show the contributions of Hispanics/Latinos.
• A painting contest that shows the Hispanic/Latino heritage, its countries, and its cultures (a chalk painting contest on the sidewalk or the parking lot).
• Musical concerts with Hispanic/Latino local artists.
• Guest speakers or community forums about the problems that Hispanic/Latinos face.
• A coloring book for children that shares the Hispanic/Latino heritage. education.com/worksheets/hispanic—heritage—month/
Below you will find several outreach activities you may use to promote unity and inclusivity among cultures.
DESCRIPTION: Ask members from your congregation to present art or crafts made by artist representing their culture. Include a backdrop with the art (and artist) if possible. Encourage the congregation to invite friends and neighbors to participate in the event if they wish. If you know of any local artist invite them to present their work and cultural background.
ACTIVITY FOR CONNECTION: Motivate the congregation to see the art accompanied by at least one other person, in this way they can share their personal experience at the conclusion of the event.
DESCRIPTION: Play different types of cultural music in common areas.
ACTIVITY FOR CONNECTION: Ask the congregation to bring samples of their cultural music and heritage. Encourage the congregation to invite family and friends to participate. During the activity ask if anyone can name the music, the country it originated from and offer musical background. For the musical pieces that are not guessed they should be identified by the person who shared them. If possible, use different musical genres to represent the cultural diversity in America.
DESCRIPTION: Display a map of the world and ask people to identify their country or places they have visited with a color tack. Select one of the countries to discuss at the beginning of the meeting. The states within the United States can be included..
ACTIVITY FOR CONNECTION: Discuss the similarities and differences of the places in terms of history, culture, climate, etc.
DESCRIPTION: Encourage the congregation to bring the flag of the country where they were born to include in a flag exhibition. Ask the congregation to provide information about the colors and symbols of the flag and any other important relevant information.
ACTIVITY FOR CONNECTION: Move from flag to flag to share information, ask questions about the flags and learn.
DESCRIPTION: With the understanding that many countries share similar foods (rice, breads, beans, etc.) each country still has unique dishes. Ask the congregation to bring a dish to represent their country. Provide posters and fliers identifying the dish and the recipe. Share who provided the dish, the country it comes from and any other important information about the dish (ex. sweet beans and it is eaten during Holy Week, etc.)
ACTIVITY FOR CONNECTION: Ask people to talk about the food they enjoy and why they enjoy it or any similar foods their families prepare. A collection of recipes can be made and arranged into a book to distribute as a gift.
This is an example of a reading that can be used during a Holiness Sunday service in the call for worship. You can use the same one for four Sundays or create one to your liking.
LEADER “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalms 133:1)
PEOPLE “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (Acts 17:26)
LEADER “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, (Ephesians 2:19)
PEOPLE “For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.”. (Acts 17:28)
LEADER For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” (Ephesians 2:14)
PEOPLE “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands…
ALL “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”. (Revelations 7:9, 12)
LEADER “Praise the Lord, all you nations;
PEOPLE “extol him, all you peoples.”
LEADER “For great is his love toward us”
ALL “and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Hallelujah!”
• Let’s cross limits - Acts 1:8 - Lieutenant Renato Sarmiento (Cuba)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV).
• Extend our borders - 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 - Lieutenant Ismael Ortiz (Puerto Rico)
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. (NIV).
• Embrace others with the Gospel – Judas 1:22-23 – Lieutenant Joel Monasterio (Guatemala)
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (NIV)
{a} – Some manuscripts say: “Convince some that doubt”
• May we be one in Christ – Galatians 3:28 – Mayor Valentín Acosta (Dominican Republic)
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (NIV)
Reading: Acts 1:8
Objective: Evaluate and examine ourselves as believers and Church in light of the mission Christ gave his Church and consequently us as believer.
Introduction: It is key to remember our calling and mission as His people and Church. When we analyze our origins as the Church of Christ in the light of His birth and beginning of the early Church…(expand)
a. Consider the example of the Early Church
• Its beginning
• Breaking away from paradigms and cultural and social barriers
b. An Inclusive Gospel
• All are welcomed (Publicans, prostitutes, the sick, the needy, all in all the marginalized, those rejected from society)
• Not limited to only the Jews (They broke social and cultural barriers – Samaritans and Gentiles)
c. The message is the same
• How can we also break away from prejudice and paradigms?
• How can we become instruments God can use?
• How can we show justice, love, and the God of provision to the present world?
Transition: What are some of the…?
a. No longer concentrate on limitations but only on opportunities
b. They are trusting the Lord
c. Han puesto su confianza en el Señor
d. They are obedient to the call
e. They are available and ready
f. They are full of the Holy Spirit
g. Prepared to complete the mission God has called them for.
Conclusion: We saw in the words of Jesus…. (Expand idea with calling/exhortation)
Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Objective: Just like Paul, we are called to become servants, extend grace by sharing the Gospel of Christ.
Introduction: Speak about what “freedom” represents for many people and the times when the fine line of this meaning and turning it into licentiousness distorts the true meaning. (Present illustrations https://es-la.facebook.com/renuevachihuahua/posts/1861473810846973/
Transition: First, What are…?
• Paul writes: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
a. What made him take on this attitude?
• The difference between his prior life and the present one.
• The Damascus experience (His encounter with the Man of the Cross)
a. What does the Word freedom mean for those who profess service to Christ?
• The implication we completely understand which should be the order of our priorities (the ego has to be put aside)
• The implication we understand what is the purpose and mission of that freedom we acquire through Christ (win souls for Christ)
Transition: Second, let’s consider…
The apostle writes in 1 Corinthians 9: 20- 22 “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some..”
a. Acquire a new vision and purpose of what the dimension of his calling should be (V.20)
• A Gospel that is inclusive not exclusive
• God is a God for all
b. A new style of life (V.21 - 22)
• Paul’s attitude changes (past-present)
• Paul understands the ultimate purpose is to present Christ through the Good News of the Gospel.
• His purpose and objective (reach people without caring about race, culture or belief)
• The paradox of the Gospel, when we decide to become slaves of Christ is when we begin to experience the true dimension and perfect freedom.
Transition: Third and to end let’s consider…
The apostle says in verse 23 “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
a. What does Gospel mean?
• Good News
• As believers we are called to proclaim this message
b. The result of this proclamation
• We participate in the blessing
• “…‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
Conclusion: Calling/Exhortation
Reading: Judas 1: 20-23
Objective: As believers we are called to safeguard and preserve our faith and to follow the example of Christ, showing mercy and going the extra mile in search of the lost.
Introduction: The person who wrote this was Jesus’s half-brother. Someone who was raised and lived with Him. Judas speaks to the faithful, those that in spite of their difficulties they continue to persevere firmly in faith. We may ask: What should be according to Judas for us believers, as Hispanic community while we celebrate together our heritage the course to follow? (Develop the introduction)
Transition: You are invited to first….
Judas begins with an exhortation to the faithful: 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.”
a. What does it mean to make the “holy faith” the firm foundation of our lives?
• An implication that we are building upon de basis of what we know and experienced.
• An implication of the importance to make firm foundations that will sustain us to move forward.
• An implication we understand that our lives should be modeled around the fact we acknowledge Christ as our Lord and Sovern of our lives.
b. How can we do this?
• Judas summarized it perfect and simply when he said: “…praying in the Holy Spirit”
• The secret of a robust, healthy, and victorious life in Christ can only be obtained with prayer, and consequently being covered by the presence and power given by the Holy Spirit.
Transition: Second, Judas exhorts …
Judas says in verse 21: “keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
a. To keep indicates continuity
• It is imperative to understand that apart from the branch the fruit dies and will not grow.
• No one can give away what they don’t have
• The person who lives by appearances is only fooling themselves.
b. To Keep in love help us grow and strengthen our hope
• Recognizing the unmeasurable mercy of God
• Appreciating and valuing the undeserved gift of grace and favor
Transition: In closing, Judas exhorts…
Verse 22 and 23 say: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
a. Compassion is a quality or virtue of a true believer
• Because we recognize it comes from Christ
• Because we recognize we are not worthy
• Because we can recognize our mistakes and remember the times we have failed.
b. The message is to look through the eyes of Christ
• Supporting the weak
• Exhorting and not judging
• Showing the same mercy and compassion Christ showed us
Conclusion:
We are one people, the people of Christ, we have confessed and recognized Him as Lord and King. Our purpose is the same to give honor and glory to the Sovern one of the nations. Our purpose is one as people of God and Church of Christ, to one day meet him and be with Him forever. We can celebrate our Hispanic Heritage without concerns of where we come from, because in Christ, we are one, therefore let us embrace one another and help each other to reach the promised prize for those who persevere to the end. (Develop the idea)
Reading: Galatians 3:28
Objective: “We are One in Christ”
Introduction: To introduce the topic, regarding the biblical passage Galatians 3:28, “go beyond our culture” we must reflect on the history and culture the Church of the Galatians lived.
Transition: Starting with the idea of unity in Christ, we should reflect on three important truths:
1. We were all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
a. In Christ there are no racial or cultural barriers
b. Sin destroyed equality among humans
2. We are all before God and have a calling for unity in Christ.
a. Unity that leads to freedom and not condemnation (Romans 8:1)
b. Unity that leads to agreement (1Corintians 1:10)
3. Those that believe in Christ are one body (Romans 12: 5)
a. A body in Christ with diverse capabilities and functions
b. A body with different opportunities
Conclusion: Our intention with this message is to focus on how important is for the people of God to understand: we were all created in God’s image and no matter the challenges we must face we must keep the unity in Christ to be able to form a body where Christ is the head.
In the 11th edition, number 4 of the magazine Buenas Noticias, we find an article titled “Dios más una mujer” about how Angelita de Rosario was the instrument God used to bring the ministry of the Salvation Army to Dominican Republic, but did you know, there were two prior tries?
The first time was in the twenties. According to the magazine “War Cry” on September 3, 1928, a salvationist, Envoy O’Neal, immigrated to the Dominican Republic with her husband and went to reside in the city of San Pedro de Macoris. As a good salvationist, she immediately started conducting meetings. A few salvationists that had also immigrated there joined in. An Officer from the Territorial Headquarters in Jamaica went to visit and see the work and decided to officially recognize it as a place to conduct Corps meetings.
Thanks to the Envoy’s husband an adequate place was prepared with the necessary furniture to inaugurate the Corps. When Brigadier Charles Smith came to visit, 22 soldiers were enrolled and 10 Junior Soldiers. A total of 150 people were regularly attending the meetings. We then might ask, what happened? No one knows for sure, but the work did not last.
In the same article we read about another attempt to start the salvationist work in 1971 and it also did not last. In the Caparra Corps in Puerto Rico in the years 1967 to 1970, there was a young man that came weekly to the meetings, especially the Bible Studies, named Moris. Suddenly, the young man was arrested as he was in Puerto Rico illegally, he was originally from Dominican Republic.
The Corps Officers could not speak on his behalf since the authorities had decided to deport him. However, they took on the responsibility to make sure he left the country on the proper date. After some time, they released him to give him time to resolve details related to his apartment and job. It is interesting he had always refused when asked to become a soldier, but once he was released from jail he accepted and was enrolled as a soldier. Surely, knowing his status he had refused to avoid dishonoring the name of The Salvation Army.
Before he went back to his country, he asked what could he do to help the Salvation Army arrive in his country? The Officer responded, “start a Bible Study, but you must not call it The Salvation Army. After writing to the Headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico to request someone to open the work there”. Moris was not the adequate person to lead a Bible Study therefore he did the most feasible things. He developed several community centers for the youth and placed a big sign that read, The Salvation Army. The authorities were alarmed, they thought it was a military invasion of some sort. Once more, Moris went to jail. And again, pastors who knew the work of the Salvation Army advocated on his behave and he was released.
Shortly after, Moris wrote to the Officers in Caparra not the Headquarters in Puerto Rico. The Officers were not in the position to do anything and therefore they sent the letter to salvationist leaders and after some time it reached the Headquarter in Jamaica, they decided to investigate the possibility. The Territorial Leader of Jamaica flew to this Caribbean Island with another Officer who served as a Spanish translator. Moris was not able to lead a Bible Study, but he could do public relations. The Officers from Jamaica were surprised when they arrived at the airport in Santo Domingo and found reporters waiting. The leader of the Red Cross, other pastors were present and even a Government Official showed up to apologize for putting Moris in jail.
As a result of that visit, the Headquarters of Jamaica sent a female Officer and cadet to take over the work Moris had started in Moca. Unfortunately, they were sent back less than a year later. For the next 25 years, Moris continued to ask when the Army would return to his island. It wasn’t until Angelita Rosario started the meetings on her own around 1990. Moris had a strong character and was not always in agreement or wanted to comply with the Officers plans, this created tension. Nevertheless, he always considered himself a salvationist and continued to try and move the work of the Army forward. In 2010, he was commissioned Sergeant of the Social Work for the Moca Corps. A year later, Moris was promoted to glory on July 27, 2011. The salvationist were not the only ones to honor him, so did municipal authorities and others of the community. Moris always fought for the marginalize through the Salvation Army or any way possible.
—Good News! Vol.17 No.9 Published March 16, 2015
The Salvation Army began work in Cuba in the early 1900s with missionary officers, and was officially recognized in 1918 and operated until 1958 when the last overseas officer left the island upon signs of revolution, according to Captain Julio Moreno, divisional commander in Cuba and a former inspector for the government. For 10 years, Moreno said, Cuban people continued the Army’s work without the knowledge of International Headquarters.
“Cuba was without any link to The Salvation Army outside the country,” Moreno said, until a Cuban officer went to an event in Jamaica. It, soon after, joined the Caribbean Territory until the formation of the Latin America North Territory in 1999.
In the early years of rule by Fidel Castro, who claimed control of Cuba following the 26th of July Movement in 1959, religion was suppressed—including nationalizing church property, distributing anti-religious propaganda, and preventing believers from professions—for decades to seemingly avoid any ideological threat to the regime.
The Cuban Communist Party removed atheism as a prerequisite for membership in 1991 and permitted religious believers to join for the first time. A year later it amended the constitution to deem itself a secular state rather than an atheist state—“opening” religion, many believe, as a result of the end of Soviet Union supplies. Yet to each faith community, the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) assigns representatives to sporadically attend events and bring any concerns to government attention.
Today, The Salvation Army in Cuba operates 22 corps and two social service projects—a senior home and an addictions recovery program—with 24 officers. The Army is a member of the Cuban Council of Churches.
“According to the constitution we guarantee the freedom of religious expression as in any other part of the world,” Perec said the ORA approved 9,000 religious visas for foreigners coming to Cuba in 2012. “As the government, we appreciate the church, but we know the community appreciates it more,” she said. “The Salvation Army is a church for service to the people, the community. The best thing Cuba has is the people.”
— The Salvation Army Active in Cuba Fall issue The Salvation Army Caring Magazine — May 28, 2013
The trip, during the weekend of February 20, 2016, was the first time The Salvation Army USA officers from the contiguous US have traveled to the once closed off communist country in nearly 60 years.
Since Cuba was closed off to many foreigners for decades, particularly from the United States, The Salvation Army USA had been unable to visit until recently. Upon taking in the sights and culture of Cuba – a mixture of beautiful aging architecture, deteriorating infrastructure, late-model vehicles, poverty, and lack of access to modern technology – Lt. Col. Banfield was especially moved by the spirit of the people. “This was a great opportunity,” said Ferreira. “We sensed despite the humble living circumstances, the people of Cuba are very joyful about living, music and serving.”
The Salvation Army of Cuba is headquartered in Havana, with 22 Corps Community Centers located across the island. The Salvation Army of Cuba has little opportunity to fundraise, so it depends on the sale of things such as fruits, vegetables, and eggs to help sustain the ministry.
In addition to worship services, The Salvation Army operates a housing program for seniors, an adult rehabilitation center and a feeding center. Its Officer Training School is meager, comparable to a one-room schoolhouse, with a small shelf of books for a “library” and one guitar for music instruction.
Sunday brought Salvationists from across Cuba together for one big worship service, a rarity, since The Salvation Army there only owns one vehicle. Expensive buses were rented to transport people from across the island to the service. Nearly 300 packed the church to worship and sing together. The New York Staff Band played its traditional British-Brass style, as well as Latin inspired music to liven up the audience.
Reverend Bonnie Camarda, Director of Partnerships, The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, is originally a native of Cuba who left the country with family members in 1967. Now a U.S. citizen, this was the first time she had been back to the country in more than 30 years.
“It was heartbreaking to see the deterioration of the country, but I felt like God was with us the entire time. The country was so open to The Salvation Army. It was very impressive,” she said. “We left with hope that we are able to provide support to The Salvation Army of Cuba.”
A sentiment echoed by Lt. Col. Banfield. “We have a strong desire to return to help The Salvation Army of Cuba, so they are able to provide better service and programs and to help them help themselves to be more sustainable.”
— The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE Blog, March3, 2016
• ¡Triunfarán! El ministerio hispano del Ejército de Salvación”, by Frank E. Payton (available in Spanish and English)
• Atravesando Fronteras: Un Periodista en Busca de Su Lugar en el Mundo (Spanish Edition) Spanish Edition | by Jorge Ramos
• La Otra Cara de América / The Other Face of America SPA: Historias de los Inmigrantes Latinoamericanos que Están Cambiando a Estados Unidos (Spanish Edition)
• Latinx. En busca de las voces que redefinen la identidad latina / Latinx. In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity (Spanish Edition)
• Hispanic Nation: Culture, Politics, and the Constructing of Identity by Geoffrey Fox | Aug 1, 1997
• “100 Hispanic – Americans who Shaped American History”, por Rick Laezman