CHC Prepares for Next Steps on Immigration Reform

For Immediate Release	Contact: Miguel Ayala
June 25, 2009	miguel.ayala@mail.house.gov

(Washington DC) -Today, President Barack Obama hosted a bipartisan, bicameral group of Members of Congress in an effort to open the discussion on a concrete and achievable plan to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) that took part in the meeting believe the President strongly articulated his commitment to moving immigration reform and look forward to working with Secretary Janet Napolitano and leaders in Congress to get a reform bill passed this year. "For the first time since I've been a Member of Congress, I'm seeing a genuine effort to bring together the diverging views on immigration and move past the rhetoric, so that we can have an honest and open conversation with the end goal being true comprehensive immigration reform. I am excited that the President has named Secretary Janet Napolitano to be the point person of his Administration on this reform, and I believe that selection speaks volumes to the level of commitment the White House has to resolving this crisis," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez, the Chairwoman of CHC. "The American people want meaningful reform and, after today's meeting, I believe that we have a group of legislators who are ready to make that happen. Complex and sensitive issues, such as immigration, require the leadership of the President and on behalf of the CHC, I want to thank him for bringing us together." "From a national security perspective, we need comprehensive immigration reform to bring the estimated 9 to 12 million people out of the shadows so we can focus our efforts on the select few who may pose a security risk," Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said. "The President reiterated his commitment to moving forward with comprehensive immigration reform legislation and sought a commitment from both Republicans and Democrats to seek common ground on vital issue." "President Obama understands the importance of the issue and has put the weight of the White House behind our efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform," said Congressman Xavier Becerra, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. "I believe the American public has the will to support a comprehensive reform of our immigration laws. They are tired of the broken immigration system and want to see something done. We will continue working with the President and in a bipartisan manner to finally come forth with a bipartisan solution." "Today, a lot of cynicism and a lot of doubt were left behind," said Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez, Chair of the CHC Immigration Task Force. "President Obama said he wants to get this done this year. The President convened a meeting, he brought together a group of lawmakers who are serious and committed to comprehensive immigration reform, and he led. He was the President of the United States, and he led today."

Barney Frank Introduces Sweeping Reform of Federal Marijuana Laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 18, 2009

Barney Frank Introduces Sweeping Reform of Federal Marijuana Laws
Measure Comes as Growing Chorus Calls for End to Prohibition

CONTACT: Bruce Mirken, MPP director of communications ............... 415-585-6404 or 202-215-4205

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With criticism of marijuana prohibition rising, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has introduced legislation to end federal criminal penalties for possession or not-for-profit transfer of small amounts of marijuana.

"Congressman Frank's bill represents a major step toward sanity in federal marijuana policy," said MPP director of government relations Aaron Houston. "Calls for rethinking our marijuana policies are coming from all quarters, and for good reason. Our decades-long war on marijuana has given us the worst of all possible worlds -- a drug that's widely used and universally available but produced and sold entirely by unregulated criminals who obey no rules and pay no taxes."

Frank's bill would remove federal criminal penalties for possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of up to 1 ounce (28.3 grams) of marijuana. It would not change marijuana's status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act and would not change federal laws prohibiting the cultivation of marijuana, sale of marijuana for profit, or import or export of marijuana. It also would not affect any state or local marijuana laws or regulations.

As recently as 2005, no national opinion survey had ever found a level of support for making marijuana a legal, regulated product above 36 percent. This year, a succession of major surveys have found levels of support for "legalization" ranging from 40 percent (Rasmussen) to 46 percent (ABC News/Washington Post) and even as high as 52 percent (Zogby). A June 12 report from CQ Researcher noted that opposition to legally regulated marijuana "appears to be weakening."

With more than 27,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Applauds Historic Supreme Court Nomination

CHC Applauds Historic Supreme Court Nomination

(Washington DC) -President Barack Obama today nominated Federal Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the next Justice on the United States Supreme Court, which would make her the first Hispanic and only the third woman on the highest court of the land, once confirmed. The CHC celebrates this historic nomination and believes that Judge Sotomayor brings with her the experience and credentials to be an excellent addition to the Supreme Court.

"Judge Sotomayor brings with her the experience, discipline, integrity, commitment and intellectual prowess she has cultivated throughout an extensive career," said Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Chairwoman of the CHC. "She has consistently demonstrated a balanced, clear-minded respect for our laws and our Constitution. She embodies our shared belief that, if you are talented and willing to work hard, the American dream is within reach. Throughout her life, she has overcome a series of challenges, leaving the Bronx housing projects to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and receive her law degree from Yale. We look forward to working with her and the White House to ensure a fair and smooth confirmation process."

Judge Sonia Sotomayor was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, raised in a public housing project. She graduated as her high school valedictorian and won a scholarship to Princeton University, where she went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa as well as summa cum laude. In 1976, she was accepted to Yale Law School and served as editor of the Yale Law Journal. She served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. She then went into private practice in 1986. If confirmed, Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the last 100 years, and more overall judicial experience than anyone in the past 70 years. She was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George H.W. Bush and promoted by President Bill Clinton to the Second Circuit in 1998.

Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, 1st Vice Chair of the CHC, stated "the nomination of such an overwhelmingly qualified judge to serve on the Supreme Court should be celebrated by all Americans. The additional fact that the President Obama's nominee will be the first Hispanic on our nation's highest court is significant and is tangible proof of the strength derived by the diversity represented in American society. This is proud day for all who believe that our country offers unlimited opportunity to those who are willing to work hard and tirelessly."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Hispanic descent. Since 1976 the CHC has been addressing the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life. For more information on the CHC, call (202) 225-2410.

111th Congress, 1st Session- Congressional Hispanic Caucus 

Congressional Hispanic Caucus, 2466 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Direct Phone: (202) 225-2410

For Immediate Release	Contact: Miguel Ayala
May 26, 2009	miguel.ayala@mail.house.gov