RNHALA.ORG - Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Greater Los Angeles

July 3, 2010

RNHA Independence Day Statement

Lakeland, Florida – In 1776 John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, during the Second Continental Congress:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4, 1776.

Republican National Hispanic Assembly National (RNHA) Chairman Alci Maldonado released the following statement, "As we celebrate with family and friends, we must remember the strength and fortitude of our Forefathers who fought for freedom. Today as we continue our fight for liberty, we remember the members of our Armed Forces who serve us here at home and abroad to enable us to have free elections, to celebrate with our families and friends, and to express our disagreement with the current administration and to express our concerns about the path our Nation is following at present. The Declaration of Independence is as relevant today as it was 234 years ago."

Chairman Maldonado concluded: "I would like to congratulate the hundreds of individuals, at different venues throughout the country this Independence Day weekend who are being sworn in as naturalized U.S. Citizens. I commend them on their efforts to abide by the rule of law and we welcome them into our country, with full rights, guaranteed by our Constitution. God bless our service men and women, their families and God bless America!"

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

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July 2, 2010

RNHA National Chairman Continues Call for Border Security

Lakeland, Florida – In response to the shootout that occurred yesterday close to the U.S./Mexico border, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) Chairman Alci Maldonado said, "Violent acts like the one that occurred yesterday, 12 miles from the U.S./Mexico border, are exactly why our federal government must act on securing our border before worrying about anything else."

A gun battle between two drug and migrant trafficking gangs near the U.S. border left 21 people dead and at least six others wounded near the city of Nogales, which is considered a prime corridor for immigrant and drug smuggling into Arizona. Violence near the border has led to calls from officials in the U.S. for greater control of the border. One U.S. official, Sen. Jon Kyl (R – Arizona) has said "You don't have to have comprehensive reform to secure the border, but you have to secure the border to get comprehensive reform."

According to recent news accounts, drug violence has killed more than 4,300 people in recent years in Ciudad Juarez, which borders El Paso, Texas and more than 23,000 people have been killed by drug violence since late 2006, when President Felipe Calderon began deploying thousands of troops and federal police to drug hot spots. "The Mexican Government is failing to deal with their own criminals who now are coming across the border to commit on American soil against the American people the very same crimes these criminals have perpetrated against Mexican citizens: drug trafficking, murder, rape, and theft. " said Chairman Maldonado. "It is time that we stand and demand that our federal government do its job to secure our border and to protect our fellow citizens. An unsecured border makes America unsafe!"

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Lakeland, Florida – In his speech at the American University School of International Service in Washington D.C. today, President Obama called out Republicans in the effort to lay the ground work for blaming the GOP if immigration reform fails, yet again.

Responding to the President's speech, Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) National Chairman Alci Maldonado said, “While I welcome President Obama's attention to the immigration issue, I am disheartened by his inability to lead. His polarizing demeanor is the cause of the lack of bipartisanship we see in Washington D.C."

As usual, the President blamed Republicans in his speech for prolonging the immigration problem. He suggested states like Arizona took up the immigration issue because Republican senators backed away from immigration reform following the debate a few years ago led by Sen. John McCain, (R-Arizona), and Sen. Ted Kennedy, (D-Massachusetts).

Chairman Maldonado continued by saying, “States are addressing this issue without the input of the Federal Government because the Federal Government, no matter if it was led by Republicans or Democrats, repeatedly dropped the ball. At least President George W. Bush advocated immigration reform. It's time that the Democrats as well as the Republicans in Congress and the President pick that ball up and lead as they promised they would."

Chairman Maldonado concluded by stating, “It should be noted that if immigration reform fails while the Democrats hold control of both houses of Congress and the White House, it is not because of the Republicans but rather due to the President's incompetence as a leader. The American people are waiting for leadership on this issue and we can not tolerate the President's blame game any longer. Do your job Mr. President!"

Lakeland, Florida – The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) takes exception to Senator Harry Reid's (D Nevada) comparisons of opponents to government run health care to supporters of slavery. This offensive statement by the Democrat Leader of the Senate is not only beyond the pale, it is a comparison to which all decent, fair minded Americans take offense. “Senator Reid is clearly seeking to stifle debate by playing the race card and history” said RNHA Chairman Maldonado. No American who objects to inefficient and bureaucratic meddling with the world's best health care system should be labeled a supporter of slavery. Chairman Maldonado continued, “It is a sad attempt by Democrats to intimidate, and unfairly label opponents to stifle debate.” The RNHA concurs with RNC Chairman Steele that Senator Reid should immediately apologize for his comments and we also question the Democrats' commitment to equity and justice if they do not condemn Senator Reid's comments.

For a historical retrospect, it was a Republican President who signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." It was the Republican members of Congress who joined President Lyndon Johnson in support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Democrats initially filibustered this legislation. Republicans believe in giving a hand up, not a hand out. Republicans believe in less tax, a less invasive government, and more freedom for all Americans.

Rosemead - Members of the Board of Directors of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Greater Los Angeles (RNHA LA) met this week and unanimously selected Luis Alvarado to serve as their Chairman.

A lifelong Republican, Mr. Alvarado brings his organizational, business and political experience to the chairmanship. In this voluntary position, he will oversee the implementation of the organization's mission and the formation of new chapters across Los Angeles county. He will continue to build a membership fostering the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, encourage Hispanic Americans to assume influential roles in Republican party activities and to increase the number of elected Hispanic Republican officials while developing and maintaining an effective network of Hispanic Republican leaders.

Mr. Alvarado is a native of Los Angeles, the eldest of 5 children, and descendant of migrant parents from Mexico and El Salvador, Central America. A product of the local public schools, he attended West Los Angeles College before transferring to Cal State Los Angeles to study Political Science. Like Los Angeles Councilmembers Tom La Bonge and Wendy Greuel and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Alvarado served a 2 year term on the Los Angeles Youth Advisory Council to the Mayor representing the 10^th District. He served his country in the US Army Reserve 311 COSCOM for 4 years.

Mr. Alvarado is President of La Nueva Luz Communications and Agents Commercial Insurance Services. He is a member of the Board of Directors and serves as Chairman of the Education Subcommittee of the Latin American Insurance Agents Association. Previously he worked in the hotel and retail industries, serving as Director of Safety and Security at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, and serving as President and Boardmember of the Southern California Directors of Security Association.

An avid political activist, his involvements date back to the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush campaigns and most recently he served as the Los Angeles Region Chairman for McCain/Palin. Alvarado assisted the communication component of the McCain/Palin campaign as a surrogate speaker for both the English and Hispanic media and was selected as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention.

In his little spare time, Luis is in avid boater, golfer and a certified BBQ Pit-Master. He is has been married for 14 years to Lupe Munoz-Alvarado, President of CORE (Communities Optimizing Resources in Education) Consulting in Los Angeles.

"I'm looking forward to sharing the Republican values of hope and opportunity for all thoughout the Hispanic community, encouraging others to become involved and, if they choose, become the elected decision makers for our future," Alvardo said.