Programs Events Attended

United We Prevail

Some Programs Events Attended by The Americas Foundation, and covered by: The Latin Quarter News and Hemispheric Forum

The following are some of the activities or events that TAF, The Latin Quarter News, Hemispheric Forum attend or participate:

Week October 18 to 24, 1999
US Marines Marathon, Sunday, October 24, 1999
Observed some of the complex details and logistics of the US Marines 26.2 miles Marathon. About 18,000 participants raced through a beautiful course in Washington, DC and Virginia on a picture perfect day. Over 2,500 US Marines volunteer to help stage the event. In the evening TAF joined with some of the organizers and over 400 happy successful participants in a Post-Raced Celebration near Union Station. TAF is in the planning stage to organize a race of the Americas; with proceeds going to La Casa de las Americas in Washington building project.

Rally for Colombian Peace, Sunday October 24, 1999
About 300 Colombians and some friends participated in a rally on the South side of the White House to call for peace in Colombia.

Washington, DC - A New Community Development Corporation, Saturday, October 23, 1999
TAF was invited to make a presentation on International Trade, Tourism and Investment potential from South America, rest of Latin America, Caribbean, Spain and Portugal in the District of Columbia to a group of business and community leaders in Ward 4 of the District of Columbia working to establish a Community Development Corporation.

White House First Conference on Philanthropy, Friday October 22, 1999
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton invited the top representatives, over 150, of the major philanthropic organizations of the country to the first White House conference on the subject. Representatives of the new high-tech philanthropic organizations like Steve Case of AOL Foundation were in attendance. President Clinton challenged the audience to find ways to reduce poverty in the US and throughout the world; and also to address the alarming growing disparity between the haves and the have-nots.
TAF suggested that we could start overcoming poverty, huge human resources waste, and underproductivity through Internet access and distance learning, including low-tech training, such as one of its programs, Americas Computer Literacy Training to Work, ACOLTWORK, program.

National Trust for Historic Preservation, Thursday October 21, 1999
50th Anniversary Celebration of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Gala at the National Building Museum. First Lady Hillary Clinton was the Keynote Speaker. TAF raised the issue as to why there is no Hispanic representation in this very important organization funded by the Federal government?

National Endowment for Democracy, Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Award ceremony at the US Senate, the Hart Senate Office building. Brief communication with US Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana.

Washington, DC -Ward 2 Democratic Commission Meeting, Tuesday October 19, 1999
Ward 2 Democratric Commission of the District of Columbia, where TAF's offices are located, had its monthly meeting. Ward 2 has 16 precincts with a population of about 78,000. Jack Evans is Ward 2 Councilmen.
TAF was invited by the Chairman of the Commission, Bud Lane. TAF raised the issue of the total lack of Hispanic representation in the Commission, and that except for TAF there is hardly any other community organization active with the Hispanic community in Ward 2, compared with other Wards, such as Ward 1. Ward 2 is no providing the support nor resources to Hispanics as other Wards. TAF stated the need and benefits to outreach to the growing Hispanic community in Ward 2. And, proposed a plan of action to successfully address this issue.
Hispanics are a significant and growing number in Ward 2. They are hard workers, law abiding, tax contributors. There is a growing number of Hispanic business in the District, with no support from the government representative. TAF reminded the Commission that taxation without representation is no democracy!
For 1998 District of Columbia Mayoral elections: Total Registered voters were about 42,000, of which about 29,000 were registered democrats and voted 8,791. City total registered voters were about 345,000 of which 268,361 were democrats and voted 87,531.

"Hemispheric Forum" TV program in Washington, DC, Monday, October 18, 1999
Started producing "Hemispheric Forum" TV program in Washington, DC. TAF had initially produced it in Miami, FL. The guest was Mr. William Nieto, the highest Hispanic official at the Department of the Interior in the National Capital Region of National Park Service. Numerous timely issues were addressed.

Week October 11 to 17, 1999
El Pantanal Conference, Friday-Sunday, October 15-17, 1999
Second World Conference on Preservation and Sustainable Development in the Pantanal. The Pantanal in the 21st. Century: For the World's Largest Wetland, an Uncertain Future.
Pantanal is a beautiful, unique wetland enclave located in three countries: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.
TAF communicated with and strengthened working relationships, among others with: US Senator Richard Lugar; Paulo Baltazar, Brazilian Deputado Federal; Carlos Aguirre, President, Academia Nacional de Ciencias de Bolivia; Dr. Marcelo Alonzo, Chairman, World University Federation; Lawrence Baer, Member Board of Directors, Biofarm; Jaime Hughes, UTE; Jose P Rodriguez Goncalves, VP, Ecotropica; Joao P Cuthi Dias, Sophus, Campo Grande, Brazil;Douglas Trent, Focus Tours; Dr. Ginger Smith; George Washington University; and many others.
Organized and sponsored by: World University Federation, Ecotropica Foundation, University of Bridgeport, Soon Moon University, Washington Times Foundation
Venue: Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Washington, DC

March for Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants, Saturday, October 16, 1999
About 5,000 marched in Washington, DC from Meridien Park to Lafayette. TAF's legislative agenda on Immigration, for years has been that all Hispanic and other immigrants working and contributing to the economic growth and sustainable development of the United States must be given permanent resident visa status.
TAF participated in the about 30 blocks march; and invited Brazilian Federal Deputado, Paulo Baltazar and Ing. Jaime Hughes from Montevideo, Uruguay.
TAF congratulates the organizers of the event, whom worked hard. TAF offered its logistics support and meetings took place in its offices. However, TAF recommends to the organizers of future similar programs to be truly open and all inclusive in their outreach to community organizations. And, welcome those that are willing to contribute and participate in the program.

US Secretary of Transportation, Rodney Slater, Friday, October 15, 1999
Press conference to announce his Business Mission trip to Brazil, Chile and Peru. Secretary Slater said he was travelling with numerous companies representatives to promote business in South America -which is a critical market for the United States.
TAF asked Secretrary Slater which US citizens of South American origin, experienced and sensitive to the idiosyncrasies, were invited and accompanying him in his South American trip, and also which Hispanic companies were included in his delegation?
Secretary Slater did not have a clear answer. He agreed that it was a fair and very important issue to his Federal Department. He promised to give specific answers at a later date. TAF will follow up.

Building Peace with Human Rights in Colombia at the Capitol, Friday, October 15, 1999
Briefly attended conference at the Rayburn House Office Building. Had the opportunity to explore some ideas with US Congressman Sam Farr.

National Park Service -Closing Hispanic Heritage Month, Friday, October 15, 1999
Attended invitation of the closing event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the Capital. This event is organized as it has become a costume by the US National Park Service under the excellent direction of our friend, Mr. William Nieto. The event takes place at the US Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Assembly of Petworth, Thursday, October 14, 1999
Made a presentation to the members of the Assembly of Petworth in Ward 4 of the District of Columbia. TAF's presentation dealt with International Trade and the District of Columbia's great potential particularly to South America and rest of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal.

US Congressmen vs Lobbyist Match, Tuesday, October 13, 1999
Attended invitation of the unique First Annual Congressional vs. Lobbyists Charity Basketball Game at George Washington University. The US Congressmen led by Jack Quinn of NY, Jay Dickey of AR, Tom Barrett of WI, Frank LoBiondo of NJ, Ronnie Shows of MS, among others, resoundly beat the fine team made up of Lobbyists led by Paul Miller, John Busher, Robert Drummer and others.

Ecuador Embassy Reception, Wednesday, October 13, 1999
Attended invitation to an art exhibit of a Swiss school teacher who worked in Ecuador.

Roosevelt High School Presentation, Wednesday, October 13, 1999
TAF made a presentation and sought to enroll volunteer students at Roosevelt High School in the District of Columbia.

PAHO Art Auction, Tuesday, October, 12, 1999
Pan American Health Organization Art Auction for the benefit of philanthropy in Jamaica.

Presentation at Cesar Chavez Charter School-Public Policy, Tuesday, October 12, 1999
TAF made a presentation and established a partnership with the Cesar Chavez Charter Public Policy High School in the District of Columbia.

US Army Annual Convention, October 11-13, 1999
At the Omni Shoreham Hotel and Marriott Woodley Park Hotel. Unique huge gathering of the military army establishment with participation of manufacturing companies from around the world.

The Americas Foundation, Hemispheric Forum, and The Latin Quarter News welcome your comments, suggestions and fee-back. Additionally, we offer exciting local, national and hemispheric opportunities to volunteers, interns and anyone interested in becoming an active member of a dynamically growing global network. Sponsors, Donors and Contributors welcome. You may communicate with us via email, phone or fax at the offices of the Foundation.

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