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Tony Staunton (Children’s Rights Officer) speaks at the Baby P conference

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 07:33:25 -0500

Plymouth Children’s Rights Officer Tony Staunton discusses children's rights, child poverty and inequality and the ways children (especially poor children) are treated in modern britain.

Michelle Obama:America Needs A Home-Cooked Meal

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:45:00 -0400

MRS. OBAMA: Hey! (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you, all. Thank you so much. What a wonderfully warm welcome. I am just happy to be here. This is my first agency visit since we took a little break this summer, so this is the way to get back — started in the fall -- coming to HHS. I want to just thank Secretary Sebelius for that wonderful introduction. I think everyone can see that she hasn’t been giving -- given a very easy portfolio. (Laughter.) You know, when you think about just sort of all that she's had to deal with, and the grace and poise and intelligence that she's brought to her position, we are all just grateful to have her on our team leading us, guiding us. And she is indeed a dear, dear friend, and I want to thank her for all of the work that she's done -- between health insurance reform, preparing for H1N1, and all the other critical issues that she's laid out that HHS is working on that all of you are working on. I want to thank her and honor her for her work today. Let's give her a round of applause. (Applause.) But I am also here to thank and to honor all of you. It is something that I have enjoyed doing for the last nine and a half months that we've been in office, and that is to come around to the agencies, all the departments throughout Washington, and just to meet all of you and to make sure that you know, on behalf of the White House and our family, that we are so grateful for the work that you do. We're still new here. Nine and a half months -- it feels longer -- (laughter) -- but we're new. And when I come here, I come to listen, to ask questions, to use the information, the insight that I get from these visits, and take it back to the White House, to the West Wing, but also to help it inform the kinds of things that I do in my role as First Lady, because I know that many of you have spent a lifetime here devoting entire careers -- some of you a few years, but many of you for decades -- have spent your time devoted to the issues that are so important to this nation. And in fact I think that there are few people behind us who have been working here at HHS for more than 40 or 50 years. (Applause.) And there is one gentleman in particular, Mr. Donald Abramson -- where is Mr. Abramson? -- who has been here for more than 60 years. (Applause.) And he still looks good. (Laughter.) Man, you know, I can't imagine doing anything for 60 years. (Laughter.) But that's why it's so important for us to see all of you, and I want us to give everyone on this stage a round of applause for their dedication and commitment. (Applause.) So we all know we have something to learn from the folks on this stage, right? But whether it's fighting disease or promoting wellness; keeping our food and our drugs safe; protecting children and supporting families; or searching for the cures for the future; what you all do to help keep us healthy and strong is important -- every single one of you. And in many cases, it couldn't be more urgent than now what you're doing. And this is particularly true with an issue that I've taken on pretty vigorously and something that I want to just talk a little bit about today, and it's an issue that doesn't affect me just as First Lady but as a mother -- and that is the growing threat of obesity, particularly childhood obesity, in this nation. And I have pointed this out before, but right now -- and I repeat this statistic everywhere I go -- nearly a third of all children in this country are overweight or obese. One in three children in this country. And a third will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetimes. A third of children. And in the African American and Hispanic communities, that number goes up to one half. One half of those children. This has profound implications for not just their futures but ours as a nation. It is a major public health threat right now, so just imagine what we're going to be facing in 20 or 30 years if we don't get on this issue. We have to think about what kind of increases we'll be seeing in other obesity-related conditions like heart disease and cancer and high blood pressure. How much money will we be spending each year on the medical care, on the missed days of work, the loss of productivity? And how much will all of this diminish the quality of life for these children as they reach adulthood and then, you know, hopefully go on to sit where Mr. Abramson is sitting? (Laughter.) And what does it mean that medical experts are now warning that for the first time in the history of our nation -- for the first time in the history of our nation -- the next generation may be on track to having a shorter life span than this generation, than their parents? And none of us wants a future like that for our children. All parents -- and I don't care what political party you belong to, what race, what part of the country you're from -- we all care about the health of our children, and we would do anything to ensure their health. Everyone wants to make sure their kids eat right. Everyone wants to make sure that their kids are getting enough activity. And everyone is working as hard as they can in their own homes. But in many ways what I do know is that many families are starting to feel like the cards are stacked against them. It's really hard to make sure that your children are healthy and happy and safe and well fed. And maybe it's because some of -- some folks are working on a tight budget, and they feel like they just can't afford the kind of nutritious foods that are being recommended. Maybe it's because folks are working long hours. Can I get an "Amen" from HHS? AUDIENCE: Amen! (Laughter and applause.) MRS. OBAMA: And they struggle to find time to make a home-cooked meal. Maybe they live in a community that doesn't have access to a supermarket where there's good fresh produce, and maybe the best thing that they have available is a food stand or a gas station or a convenience store to get their food. Or maybe there aren't any safe places for kids to play, so it makes putting your kids in front of that Xbox a little more comforting and a little more of a better option. Those of you who are parents, probably if you're anything like me, you worry about this every single day. And many of you who are grandparents, who are in charge of things with your grandkids, are thinking about it. And I know this feeling. You've had a long day at work -- you know, I remember this two years ago before we got here. (Laughter.) While I was working and campaigning for my husband and trying to take care of two kids, I remember coming home from a meeting or from an event just tired -- tired -- (laughter) -- and knowing that you're going home to an empty refrigerator -- (laughter) -- and kids who are hungry -- (laughter) -- and fussy -- (laughter) -- and not wanting to eat anything you have in mind. (Laughter.) All they want is some pizza and some burgers, right? (Laughter.) And you don't want to argue. You want a peaceful meal. (Laughter.) You want everyone to be quiet and just eat. (Laughter and applause.) And it is in those moments -- and for me there were many -- where you just give in and just get that take-out. (Laughter.) Get them what they want. See "Drive-thru." It's like heaven. You drive through. (Laughter.) It's quick, it's easy. As a mother of two little girls -- and working mother at one time, in a job that gave me benefits -- (laughter) -- I can relate. And oftentimes eating out is the cheaper alternative in many cases. So there was a time when I was living this life. And then I got a little tap on my shoulder from our kids' pediatrician who basically said, "You know, you may want to look at changing the way your children are eating," because he could see the effects. And I was shocked. I thought we all had our stuff together. (Laughter.) But it's a little startling when somebody tells you you need to, you know, rethink things. So you just try to figure out, well, where do you begin, what do you change, how can you change things? But what I found was that if we start small and not try to bite off too much, if we just added a few more fruits and vegetables into every single meal, if we cut down on sugary drinks and processed fruit -- foods, that we could see some changes. And one of the things we tried not to ever do was be totally rigid; you know, just make kids so afraid of vegetables -- (laughter) -- that they would never, ever want to enjoy a meal. But we worked on achieving moderation in our lives, teaching our kids about different types of foods, and what they do to their bodies, and eventually we got into a routine that worked for our family. And the biggest challenge was just figuring out where to start, and not letting it overwhelm you, or me. I'm talking to myself now. (Laughter.) And I think a lot of families out there feel that way. They'd like to do things differently. They know there's a problem. But when you're already overwhelmed with so much, with work and bills and everything on your plate, it's really hard to sort through all of the information that's out there to figure out how do you fundamentally change things in a way that's going to benefit your family. But here's this thing. So much research has been done on these issues. And a lot of it has been done by people who work right here. All of you have been working on these issues for so long. (Applause.) And part of the message that we're trying to impart nationally is that parents, families don't have to do this all by themselves. You know, they have all of you, they have all of us. We can offer them the tools and the information that they need to help them make the best decisions for their family. That's why Congress and the President included $1 billion for prevention and wellness programs in the Recovery Act –- (applause) -- and that includes funding for initiatives that will give communities the resources they need to address the obesity epidemic in their communities. This includes $373 million announced last month that would be available for communities that put together comprehensive plans to reduce obesity –- $373 million -- and that would include everything from incentivizing grocery stores to locate in underserved areas; it could include improving meals at school; to getting more healthy, affordable foods into vending machines; to creating more safe, accessible places for people to exercise and play; and a whole lot more. But in the end, of course, our government and our communities, as you all know, we can only do so much. There's only so much policy and even money can do. And no grant program can sit at the dinner table with a child, right, and convince them to eat what they're supposed to eat. (Laughter.) But we say in my household, "Just eat it." (Laughter.) "You're not going to like it. Just finish it." (Laughter.) "Get on with it." (Laughter.) No grant program can make sure that the kids step away from the TV and set down those videogames and figure out a way to move their bodies. Ultimately all of that is up to parents and families. Ultimately we're the ones who influence our kids. But there's good news: I've learned that, again, little changes can make a big difference. Little changes can make a big difference. Simply adjusting how we eat, like trying to cook one or two meals at home each week -- not every week, that's crazy -- (laughter) -- but one or two meals; switching from soda to water -- pretty simple; adding a vegetable or a fruit to a dinner plate, making that more the meal than the meat or the rice; and paying a little more attention to what's on the labels -- again, not totally evaporating your way of being as you know it today, just little changes -- and finding a way to get more exercise into all of our lives, including our kids. Walking instead of driving. Standing in front of the TV instead of sitting. (Laughter.) Small things. But all of this truly could have noticeable effects. (Laughter.) Small things. (Laughter.) All we're saying. But it isn't easy to change old habits. That's what we know. And it doesn't happen all at once. It doesn't happen overnight. But all of us want to live healthier lives. I know we all do. You don't get pushback on this issue. We all want the best for our children. We just need the right information, and we need all of you. The truth is, that's why the work that you do is so important to this nation. And don't ever forget that. The conversations that you can have -- not just in your own families and your communities, but the communities that you work with, the folks that you come in contact through the work that you do -- all of these little conversations, the steady drumbeat of small changes, make a difference. So we're going to need each and every one of you to stay pumped up, to stay healthy yourselves, which is why this program that the Secretary just mentioned, is a tremendous start. And I hope that every single one of the employees here takes advantage of it, because the best way to change your children's lives is to see them watching you change yours, because in the end -- (applause) -- but this is an issue that we're all going to need to work together on. And I am confident that we can begin to turn the tide on obesity. We can change the way that we see ourselves, our relationship with food and exercise, and we can pass on a whole 'nother set of habits to our children. Their fate isn't set yet. We still have everything in our power, because the other beautiful thing is that kids change quickly. Their habits are easily broken. They are so malleable, and they're waiting for the right information, the right opportunities, and once they have it, they just go. We've seen it with the children that we work with in the gardens. Many of the children in the public schools, they take this information, they understand it, they apply it to their lives, and they push their parents and their families to be different. That's one of the reasons why we start with kids oftentimes. They are ready for change sometimes when we're not. So I know that working together we can get this done. I want to thank you for your passion, for your commitment. It has been a pleasure to be here. I will be back soon. And get healthy! (Applause.) Thank you

My World of Work by Herise Francis

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:19:29 -0400

As young children we worked very hard. I picked cotton. I was pulling a cotton sack by the age of 6. All my brothers and sisters worked too.I came to Los Angeles in 1944 my father and stepmother bought me back. I had my first job in Los Angeles. I worked for Dr Humphrey. I left Los Angeles, CA in 1946. I lived with a family for 1 year and worked as a maid. I came to San Francisco in 1946. I worked very hard as young single lady. I was off on Wednesdays and Sundays. My pay was $ 100.00 a month $ 50.00 every two weeks. I didn’t forget God. I went to church every Sunday. In 1953 I worked at Peerless Laundry in San Francisco.I used a mangle which was like a dryer.The mangle was set on 100 and the clothes came out so fast. I worked on the mangle’s that folded towels, sheets, and pillow cases. I was very independent, I didn’t look for handouts. I worked very hard and some days it was hot in the laundry.I could hardly take the heat and, my boss stayed on me about working fast and I worked as fast as I could.At night I would pray about this problem...The prayer was answered. I got a new job. My second job in San Francisco was a line of jobs for Mr. and Mrs. Good Drin Key. I took care of two small boys The boys were nice. I had a nice room. I worked there 8 months.I was tired of living in, and met Attorney Goldsmith. I left the Key family and I worked for the attorney’s family.I was off Sundays. I only worked 5 days per week $50.00 per week after living in for so many years then I changed over days. I eventually got tired of that kind of work. I later got married. I had 3 lovely children, 1 daughter and 2 Sons. The marriage didn’t last long. It was very hard but, by the grace of God I made it. I had a sister who kept my children after I went back to work. I did laundry work again.I Worked at Polio Restaurant it was a very exclusive restaurant. I also worked for mayor Alito. I served parties for him and his family. I worked across the Golden Gate Bridge for a lawyer every Saturday Serving parties. Then I registered with Aunt Ann agency. I got jobs through her agency. A friend of mind had a nursing home. I worked there for her. She had about 20 patients. I like the work that I was doing for my friend. I decided to go to school and take up nursing. I worked at MT Zion hospital in San Francisco. I did private Duty nursing. I helped the nurses when my patient was asleep they wanted me to work on staff with them.And this is my story from years ago.

NAD DIVORCED ASL/ DR. L. SIMMS

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:01:13 -0400

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) divorced ASL… and Deaf people. The Leadership at NAD needs to make a big change in its philosophy. Some recent presidents of NAD “abused” the title that gave them the appearance of responsibility and acted with arrogance. It was a title that would hide their real indifference to the Deaf community. I feel that they didn’t do everything in their power for saving our education when we were children. We were stuck in the middle of battle with Oralism that really hurt our education and NAD didn’t do anything to save the education for Deaf children. I feel Dr. Laurene Simms will make a difference in our community if she runs as a President at NAD. She is not afraid of showing who she is and the Deaf community. She doesn’t kiss people’s butts and give them what they want to hear/want. She knows that SOCIAL JUSTICE is a hard work to maintain that. She isn’t a quitter. She knows how to work the range from ignorant people to educated people. She knows how to work with ignorant organization or people and bring them to better understanding level about Diverse Deaf community/culture and Diverse Deaf identity. Please do not give up the membership at NAD. We need each other to voice and to push NAD to get back the original mission and work together toward to new mission that work with diverse groups in Deaf community. We need to demand NAD to be viewed as cultural model. Don’t give up and to be persistence with our mission at NAD. Be creative!!!!

Baghdad Hospital Children's Ward

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:52:56 -0400

In war and peace children are always amongst the most vulnerable of communities.Iraq has been no exception.In this episode, Alive in Baghdad takes you to the children's ward of Baghdad Hospital, to make visible the plight of some very sick children, stricken with cancer by the presence of Depleted Uranium munitions, left over from the last to US wars in Iraq.Despite official claims that so-called "Depleted" Uranium is mostly harmless, evidence continues to mount to the contrary. Rates of cancer and deformities in Iraq's children have sky-rocketed since 1991.Here are just a few of their stories.Please remember that Alive in Baghdad depends on donations to continue. If just a fraction of our readers would contribute $10-25 per month, our work might continue indefinitely.To pay our correspondents in Baghdad and continue to expand our work, we must raise money, our basic expenses are approximately $2000/month at this time, not including the eventual necessities of new and replacement equipment, or the expanison of our work.Please donate what you can at http://www.aliveinbaghdad.org

$5 Billion To Do Work Private Sector Won’t Do

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:50:41 -0400

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you so much. Francis, thank you for the extraordinary introduction. I want to echo what has just been said about my Secretary of HHS. She is, I just think, outstanding. She hit the ground running, and with all the burdens that she carries, she always has a sense of fun and energy, and is just good to be around. So please give Kathleen Sebelius a big round of applause. (Applause.) I want to acknowledge that we are in Congressman Chris Van Hollen’s district, a Democrat from Maryland, and Chris is here and a great supporter of NIH historically. We are very grateful for him. And we are so happy to have Senator Arlen Specter, who is directly responsible for so much of the funding for NIH research. He is a huge champion for your cause. And I know you already gave him a rousing round of applause, but I just want to echo what a great job he's been doing and what a great partner he's been. Finally, somebody who's not here but deserves a little credit is my Vice President, Joe Biden, who is managing the stimulus process — (microphone screeches) -- whoa! That's Joe trying to call in. (Laughter.) Joe is doing a great job, but he is pretty tough when it comes to tracking the money and so he's going to be paying attention -- Doc -- (laughter) -- to make sure that it's going where it's supposed to be going. Before I begin my remarks about this extraordinary institution I want to say a word about the tragic events that took place yesterday in America Samoa. My deepest sympathies are with the families who've lost loved ones and the many people whose lives have been affected by the earthquake and the tsunami. To aid in the response I declared this a major disaster to speed the deployment of resources. And FEMA -- the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- is working closely with emergency responders on the ground, and the Coast Guard is helping to provide immediate help to those in need. We also stand ready to help our friends in neighboring Samoa and throughout the region, and we'll continue to monitor the situation closely as we keep the many people who've been touched by this tragedy in our thoughts and in our prayers. Now, today I'm here to talk about our nation's commitment to research. I want to thank Dr. Collins and his team for showing me and Kathleen some of the extraordinary groundbreaking research being done at the National Institutes of Health. The work you do is not easy. It takes a great deal of patience and persistence. But it holds incredible promise for the health of our people and the future of our nation and our world. That’s why I’m here today. For decades, the NIH has been at the forefront of medical invention and innovation, helping to save countless lives and relieve untold suffering. And yet, if we’re honest, in recent years we’ve seen our leadership slipping as scientific integrity was at times undermined and research funding failed to keep pace. We know that the work you do would not get done if left solely to the private sector. Some research does not lend itself to quick profit. And that’s why places like the NIH were founded. And that’s why my administration is making a historic commitment to research and the pursuit of discovery. And that’s why today we’re announcing that we've awarded $5 billion -- that's with a "b" -- in grants through the Recovery Act to conduct cutting-edge research all across America, to unlock treatments to diseases that have long plagued humanity, to save and enrich the lives of people all over the world. This represents the single largest boost to biomedical research in history. (Applause.) Now, one of the most exciting areas of research to move forward as a result of this investment will be in applying what scientists have learned through the Human Genome Project to help us understand, prevent, and treat various forms of cancer, heart disease, and autism. And having been a leader of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins knows this promise all too well. And it's a promise that we've only just begun to realize. In cancer, we're beginning to see treatments based on our knowledge of genetic changes that cause the disease and the genetic predispositions that many of us carry that make us more susceptible to the disease. But we've only scratched the surface of these kinds of treatments, because we've only begun to understand the relationship between our environment and genetics in causing and promoting cancer. So through the Recovery Act, the NIH is expanding the Cancer Genome Atlas, collecting more than 20,000 tissue samples to sequence the DNA of more than 20 types of cancer. And this has extraordinary potential to help us better understand and treat this disease. Cancer has touched the lives of all Americans, including my own family's; 1.5 million people will be diagnosed in the next year. Half a million people will lose their lives. We all know the terrible toll on families and the promise of treatments that will allow a mother to be there for her children as they grow up; that will make it possible for a child to reach adulthood; that will allow countless people to survive a disease that's claimed far too many lives. Through these investments in research, we will also have the opportunity to make strides in the treatment and prevention of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Since 1948, for example, researchers have been following generations of residents in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, to better understand the cause of cardiovascular illness. Now, we have a chance to study the DNA of these participants and connect what we know after decades of observation to what we'll soon know about their genetic makeup. And perhaps we can identify those who are likely get high blood pressure or high cholesterol and find ways to intervene before heart disease even develops. And finally, we'll also provide the largest-ever infusion of funding into autism research. Across the country, grant recipients will have the opportunity to study genetic and environmental factors of a disease that now touches more than one in every 150 children. What we learn will hopefully lead to greater understanding, early interventions, more effective treatments and therapies to help these children live their lives and achieve their fullest potential, which is extraordinary. (Applause.) Now, we know that these investments in research will improve and save countless lives for generations to come. And as I was taking a tour with Dr. Collins and Dr. Fauci and others, just listening to the possibility of a HIV/AIDS vaccine, or hearing the latest treatments of cancer that allow people who previously only had resort to the most violent types of radiation or chemotherapy, now being able to take pills and seeing extraordinary progress, it is something that is entirely inspiring. But we also know that these investments will save jobs, they'll create new jobs -- tens of thousands of jobs -- conducting research, and manufacturing and supplying medical equipment, and building and modernizing laboratories and research facilities all across America. And that's also what the Recovery Act is all about. It's not just about creating make-work jobs; it's about creating jobs that will make a lasting difference for our future. From the beginning, our goal has been to rescue the economy at the same time as we're laying a new foundation for lasting economic growth. And central to that foundation is a health care system that can deliver the treatments and cures you discover in an affordable way. After all, decades of research make no difference to the family that is dropped from an insurance policy when a child gets sick. And breakthroughs with the potential to save lives don't matter when your insurance doesn't cover a pre-existing condition. And as costs rise and rise, that leaves less and less for the kinds of investments in health care and in basic research that will actually improve our well-being. That's why we're working so hard to pass long-overdue reforms. Now, I should point out there are some who have opposed the reforms we’re suggesting, saying it would lead to a takeover by the government of the health care sector. But this concern about the involvement of government I should point out has been present whenever we have sought to improve our health care system. Here’s an interesting quote from FDR -- he addressed it nearly 70 years ago right here at the dedication of NIH. And he said -- and I quote -- "Neither the American people, nor their government, intends to socialize medical practice any more than they plan to socialize industry. In American life the family doctor, the general practitioner performs a service which we rely upon and which we trust as a nation, and there can be no substitute for the personal relationship between doctor and patient which is a source of strength of [our] medical practice in our land." FDR was being accused of a government takeover of health care. (Laughter.) But he thought NIH was a pretty good idea. And think about everything that's happened and all the lives that have been saved and all the progress that's been made -- and all the commercial activity that's been generated as a consequence of that early investment. These words are a reminder that while we’ve made great advances in medicine, our debates haven’t always kept pace. And these words remind us that there have always been those who argued against progress, but that at our best we’ve never allowed our fears to overwhelm our hopes for a brighter future. That’s been at the heart of the work of the National Institutes of Health for decades. It was here that Dr. Roy Hertz would develop the first successful cure of metastatic cancer through chemotherapy -- as a group of women who would have surely died began actually to get better. It was here that Dr. Nina Braunwald -- the first woman ever to be board-certified in cardiothoratic [sic] surgery -- conducted some of the earliest operations to replace heart valves. It was here, in the years after President Roosevelt's visit, that polio vaccines would be tested to end a scourge that affected millions, including obviously the President that helped make the research possible. We can only imagine the new discoveries that will flow from the investments we make today. Breakthroughs in medical research take far more than the occasional flash of brilliance, as important as that can be. Progress takes time; it takes hard work; it can be unpredictable; it can require a willingness to take risks and going down some blind alleys occasionally -- figuring out what doesn't work is sometimes as important as figuring out what does -- all of this needs the support of government. It holds promise like no other area of human endeavor, but we've got to make a commitment to it. And here at the National Institutes of Health, and at universities and research institutions across this country, you are demonstrating our capacity not just as a nation but as human beings to harness our creativity and our ingenuity to save lives, to spare suffering -- to build a better world for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. That is our great promise. And it is one that we've once again begun to fulfill. So thank you for your extraordinary work. And we are going to keep on providing the support that you need. The American people are looking forward to the next set of discoveries that all of you are working on today. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Giving the Children of Roseville a Headstart

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:18:08 -0400

I came to Roseville from Mexico in 1951 and married a man by the name of Leonard Trevizo, who had just moved here from Texas. We just happened to meet here. We had eight children, five girls and three boys; Maria, Margie, Lupe, Leonard Jr., Antonio, Albert, Isabel, and Olga. My husband passed away in 2005. He retired from the Southern Pacific Railroad. I started getting involved in the community because I had children in three schools; Kaseberg, Woodbridge, and Warren T. Eich. That was how you got out of the house in those days. Between 1960 and 1970, I saw the necessity for translating for the Latinos in the community. The Head Start program initiated me by sending me to school for training. We started canvassing the neighborhood house-to-house with a few other women enrolling children in the Head Start program. We had more problems convincing the mothers to let their children go than it was getting the children to attend the program. The mothers had a hard time letting go. By 1969, we already had enough children to start five centers in Placer County. It got to the point where we had to educate the parents side by side with the children. I became a member of the Placer County Concilio with a few other members from Loomis, Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville. Concilio sponsored several services for children and adults such as summer camps, breakfast for low income children, interpretation, a food bank, and emergency services. It became for all races, but 80% was for Latinos. One of the things that we did for the low income community was help them fill out forms and hold adult ESL classes. Now if you want to see a politician you have to make appointments, but in those days you could pick up the phone at 4 o’clock in the morning because of the three hour time difference in Washington D.C. and you could talk to Congressman "Biz" Johnson. Biz Johnson had been employed by the PFE Ice Plant before he was a congressman. He worked with my husband, they were co-workers. Later, my husband moved to work at the the Southern Pacific. On one particular occasion when I needed to contact Congressman Johnson, my phone call with him was very friendly and I explained to him that I needed help. One of the problems was that my daughter was going to lose her house. That issue was resolved in a week after he took care of it. In fact, his attorney had the loan taken away from the bank and gave it to another bank and my daughter was able to keep her house. On another occasion I needed a favor from him which was that I wanted him present at the first breakfast we held for low income children, sponsored by the Placer County Concilio. My wish came true. He came over and took pictures for the Roseville Press-Tribune and he told me we needed to pretend we were having champagne at 8 o'clock in the morning. He said, "Campaño will be very jealous." That's what he called my husband. Now I see my daughters, four of them are very active in the community. Lupe is active in Rancho Cordova, Margie in Sacramento, and Maria is super active with the Native community in Washington state. Olga is employed with an organization that provides advocacy and services for abused children and she also volunteers in politics. My late son Antonio started an AIDS service charity and he was also involved with the AIDS Foundation in San Francisco. His program was called the Godfather Service Fund Project. I'm really proud of all of my children because they are always helping someone else. When I look at my children it reminds me of forty years ago when I first became active in the Roseville community.

We Are the Targets of the Burma Army

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:34:55 -0400

When The Burma army comes to visit the ethnic minority citizens in eastern Burma, it is usually to take men for forced labor, to commandeer food and livestock, to extort the villagers for the privilege of living within their area of operations, or to take women to work in the military barracks. Most forced laborers will not be paid nor even fed for their grueling work , and many of these women, and the other forced laborers will never return to their villages. Just as often the Burma army may announce their presence by simply mortaring and machine-gunning the village. If this is the case any villagers still alive in the village may be taken away along with the livestock, beaten, tortured, or summarily executed on the spot.The Burma army soldiers will then loot the villagers' homes, and burn them along with the rice barns. The days of genocide are for the most part passed now, and the Burma army soldiers will seldom even chase the vilagers into the jungle, they know where they are, and that they will return to search for food, and other items to help them survive. Landmines will be placed throughout the village and around any remaining crops in the field. These landmines kill or maim many men, women, and children each year. Rather than using genocide, the Burma army commanders prefer to let the jungle claim as many lives as are needed to make the villagers more compliant in the future, at which point the commanders will make a good living by extortion, forced labor, and forced quotas of food and building materials which the commanders will sell at 100% profit while the villagers do without. Whatever work needs to be done from road repair, to maintenance around the army bases, to hauling ammunition and supplies up and down the jungled mountains to army outposts which will be the staging points for further attacks on their own people. Or, in some cases the village rice paddies are confiscated and converted into castor oil, palm oil, or rubber plantations, which are then leased to private companies to run, and supplied with villagers to work for nothing, in the fields which used to supply their food.The villagers' only option if they have any warning is to grab their children, and a few survival necessities and head off into the jungle. From there they will take their chances with nature, which over the long run may be commiting suicide to save their lives. If it is the rainy season they will be suffering an even worse fate, but with the Burma army around, there are few options.