Rep. Steve King’s Anti-Immigrant Remarks Appalling and Unwarranted

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 23 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Washington—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) strongly condemned Rep. Steve King (R–Iowa) for his latest attack on Latinos and other immigrants, during which he equated immigrants with a litter of dogs.  NCLR also stated that Rep. King’s long history of outrageous and bigoted statements should call into question his leadership role among congressional Republicans and his visibility as a spokesperson on the issue of immigration.

“It is no surprise that Steve King—in saying that we should pick immigrants the way we pick dogs in a litter—has once again crossed the line,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.  “For those of us who have followed Representative King’s troubling career, he obliterated that line years ago.”

“Representative King has amply demonstrated his contempt for common decency over his career.  Among his many lowlights, he has called for an electrified fence along the border because ‘we do that with livestock all the time.’  He has compared undocumented immigration to a ‘slow-motion holocaust.’  And he was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution honoring the slaves who worked to build our nation’s Capitol building,” continued Murguía.

“We know from the great work of the Anti-Defamation League and others that these statements are not gaffes, but are instead deliberate attempts to dehumanize and demonize immigrants.  It is clear that Rep. King has nothing constructive to offer in this debate, only a misinformed and bigoted viewpoint that goes beyond the pale.  So the questions for us are:  why is this man the Vice Chair of the House immigration subcommittee?  Why were the Republican presidential candidates falling all over themselves to win his endorsement in Iowa?  And why is he continually on television, touted as an ‘immigration expert’?”

“It is long past time for his fellow Republicans and the news media to stop looking the other way whenever King spouts off another outburst of prejudiced nonsense.  The Latino community knows what he thinks.  What they need to know is if the continued support of his Party means they agree with him,” concluded Murguía.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

###

Issues: Immigration, Immigration Reform, What People are Saying
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Rep. Steve King’s Anti-Immigrant Remarks Appalling and Unwarranted

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 23 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Washington—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) strongly condemned Rep. Steve King (R–Iowa) for his latest attack on Latinos and other immigrants, during which he equated immigrants with a litter of dogs.  NCLR also stated that Rep. King’s long history of outrageous and bigoted statements should call into question his leadership role among congressional Republicans and his visibility as a spokesperson on the issue of immigration.

“It is no surprise that Steve King—in saying that we should pick immigrants the way we pick dogs in a litter—has once again crossed the line,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.  “For those of us who have followed Representative King’s troubling career, he obliterated that line years ago.”

“Representative King has amply demonstrated his contempt for common decency over his career.  Among his many lowlights, he has called for an electrified fence along the border because ‘we do that with livestock all the time.’  He has compared undocumented immigration to a ‘slow-motion holocaust.’  And he was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution honoring the slaves who worked to build our nation’s Capitol building,” continued Murguía.

“We know from the great work of the Anti-Defamation League and others that these statements are not gaffes, but are instead deliberate attempts to dehumanize and demonize immigrants.  It is clear that Rep. King has nothing constructive to offer in this debate, only a misinformed and bigoted viewpoint that goes beyond the pale.  So the questions for us are:  why is this man the Vice Chair of the House immigration subcommittee?  Why were the Republican presidential candidates falling all over themselves to win his endorsement in Iowa?  And why is he continually on television, touted as an ‘immigration expert’?”

“It is long past time for his fellow Republicans and the news media to stop looking the other way whenever King spouts off another outburst of prejudiced nonsense.  The Latino community knows what he thinks.  What they need to know is if the continued support of his Party means they agree with him,” concluded Murguía.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

###

Issues: Immigration, Immigration Reform, What People are Saying
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Healthy Swimming

AppId is over the quota AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

 

Read More

The Violence Against Women Act Must Protect All Victims

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 14 2012

By Laura Vazquez, Legislative Analyst, Immigration Policy Project

The NCLR Affiliate Network includes organizations that provide critical services to victims of domestic violence and abuse. When the House Judiciary Committee debated H.R. 4970, the “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012” (VAWA), I was thinking of them. I was thinking of the survivors of domestic violence who have come through their doors. It is these clients that Congress has sought to protect in its history of reauthorizing VAWA. However, H.R. 4970 eradicates protections desperately needed for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. The Latin American Community Center’s Domestic Violence Program, an NCLR Affiliate in Delaware, said, “we witness firsthand how immigrant victims are already at a disadvantage when getting victim protections.” It is because of these stories and because of the fact that far too many immigrants are victims of domestic violence that NCLR strongly opposes H.R. 4970.

In 1994, VAWA was enacted to protect victims of domestic violence. Recognizing that abusers often exploit a victim’s immigration status, Congress created tools to assist survivors in coming forward to report the crime and assist law enforcement in prosecuting the abusers. Community-based organizations, including some NCLR Affiliates, have taken these tools not only to protect immigrant women, but to assist in the prosecutions of the abusers. According to the Department of Justice, since the passage of VAWA, incidences of domestic violence have decreased by more than 50%.

H.R. 4970 seeks to take those tools away, putting victims at risk and giving power to perpetrators of domestic violence, stalking, sex crimes, and human trafficking. H.R. 4970 would effectively prevent immigrant victims from applying for protection from their abusers. It radically changes the current application process for immigrant women and puts steep new hurdles to eligibility in the path of immigrant survivors seeking protection under VAWA. We urge the House of Representatives to reject H.R. 4970 because it denies victims protection and deters victims of crime from cooperating with law enforcement. We hope that Congress can return to the long-standing intent of VAWA and pass a bill that protects all victims of domestic violence.

Issues:
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

The Violence Against Women Act Must Protect All Victims

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 14 2012

By Laura Vazquez, Legislative Analyst, Immigration Policy Project

The NCLR Affiliate Network includes organizations that provide critical services to victims of domestic violence and abuse. When the House Judiciary Committee debated H.R. 4970, the “Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012” (VAWA), I was thinking of them. I was thinking of the survivors of domestic violence who have come through their doors. It is these clients that Congress has sought to protect in its history of reauthorizing VAWA. However, H.R. 4970 eradicates protections desperately needed for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. The Latin American Community Center’s Domestic Violence Program, an NCLR Affiliate in Delaware, said, “we witness firsthand how immigrant victims are already at a disadvantage when getting victim protections.” It is because of these stories and because of the fact that far too many immigrants are victims of domestic violence that NCLR strongly opposes H.R. 4970.

In 1994, VAWA was enacted to protect victims of domestic violence. Recognizing that abusers often exploit a victim’s immigration status, Congress created tools to assist survivors in coming forward to report the crime and assist law enforcement in prosecuting the abusers. Community-based organizations, including some NCLR Affiliates, have taken these tools not only to protect immigrant women, but to assist in the prosecutions of the abusers. According to the Department of Justice, since the passage of VAWA, incidences of domestic violence have decreased by more than 50%.

H.R. 4970 seeks to take those tools away, putting victims at risk and giving power to perpetrators of domestic violence, stalking, sex crimes, and human trafficking. H.R. 4970 would effectively prevent immigrant victims from applying for protection from their abusers. It radically changes the current application process for immigrant women and puts steep new hurdles to eligibility in the path of immigrant survivors seeking protection under VAWA. We urge the House of Representatives to reject H.R. 4970 because it denies victims protection and deters victims of crime from cooperating with law enforcement. We hope that Congress can return to the long-standing intent of VAWA and pass a bill that protects all victims of domestic violence.

Issues:
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Breathe Easy

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Read More

The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

AppId is over the quota
The request channel timed out while waiting for a reply after 00:01:00. Increase the timeout value passed to the call to Request or increase the SendTimeout value on the Binding. The time allotted to this operation may have been a portion of a longer timeout.

View the original article here

Read More

The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

AppId is over the quota
The request channel timed out while waiting for a reply after 00:01:00. Increase the timeout value passed to the call to Request or increase the SendTimeout value on the Binding. The time allotted to this operation may have been a portion of a longer timeout.

View the original article here

Read More

Get Your Flu Vaccine

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Read More

The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

AppId is over the quota
The request channel timed out while waiting for a reply after 00:01:00. Increase the timeout value passed to the call to Request or increase the SendTimeout value on the Binding. The time allotted to this operation may have been a portion of a longer timeout.

View the original article here

Read More

The @NCLR Weekly Top 10

AppId is over the quota
The request channel timed out while waiting for a reply after 00:01:00. Increase the timeout value passed to the call to Request or increase the SendTimeout value on the Binding. The time allotted to this operation may have been a portion of a longer timeout.

View the original article here

Read More

Everything in Moderation

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Read More

Summer Vacation Is Nice, but Is It Worth the Loss?

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 30 2012

By Karen Hopper, Policy Fellow, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, NCLR

Memorial Day has come and gone and the unofficial start of summer is upon us.  With the last day of school not far behind, students everywhere are dreaming of warm weather, fun summer activities, and—let’s not forget—no school. 

When Americans first began formal schooling for their children, school calendars were designed to fit the needs of each community.  Agricultural communities gave students time off in the spring and fall to help with planting and harvesting, while urban schools operated on an 11- or 12-month calendar.  The nine-month calendar we know today emerged when there was a need to standardize schooling nationwide; 85% of Americans were working in agriculture, and climate control in school buildings was limited—factors which made it unbearable and impractical to have children in school during the hottest and busiest months of the year. 

But what about today?  Only 3% of Americans work in agriculture, and air conditioning comes standard—so shouldn’t we keep kids in school longer to maximize their learning potential as they grow?

The more I think about it, the more summer breaks don’t make sense.  Long vacations lead to students forgetting what they have learned in school.  In fact, research shows that children forget up to two months of grade-level material over the summer.  Unstructured time for children can also be bad for their health; crime, obesity, drug use, and risky sexual behavior skyrocket over the summer months when supervision is at a minimum. 

Long summer breaks have a greater negative effect on students who are from low-income families or who are English language learners (ELLs).  Researchers find that middle-income students are able to access educational opportunities such as summer camps and travel, and their parents stay engaged in keeping their skills up over the summer.  We all know about the achievement gap between affluent White students and minority and low-income students, but did you know that by ninth grade, two-thirds of that gap can be attributed to unequal learning opportunities during summer months in the elementary school years? 

When kids go back to school in the fall, teachers must spend a significant amount of time reviewing material from the previous year before moving on to new material, and students struggle to get back into the rhythm of classroom learning and proper school behavior.

Schools and communities should be maximizing time, especially out-of-school time, to give students opportunities to keep learning.  We can’t expect to close the achievement gap between Latino students and their White peers unless struggling children are given ample resources to learn, and we certainly can’t expect it to close while allowing learning to lapse during the summer. 

This summer, make it a priority to keep your children engaged in learning—even if you don’t have access to traditional summer camp, summer school, or community-based programs. There are hundreds of free resources out there, and many are available in English and Spanish! Here are a few to get you started: 

Reading

Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble by reading:  www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570

Log your reading minutes to earn prizes! www.scholastic.com/summer

Recommended reading by grade level, from Just Read, Florida!: www.justreadfamilies.org/SummerReadingList.pdf

Find a library near you:  summer reading programs are fun and often come with great rewards!

Resources for families in both English and Spanish

Math

Math challenges, also in Spanish:  www.figurethis.org/index.html

Keep skills sharp at any level:  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml

Many more math resources here:  http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/newsletter/0704/math.cfm

Issues: Education, K-12 Education
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Summer Vacation Is Nice, but Is It Worth the Loss?

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

May 30 2012

By Karen Hopper, Policy Fellow, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, NCLR

Memorial Day has come and gone and the unofficial start of summer is upon us.  With the last day of school not far behind, students everywhere are dreaming of warm weather, fun summer activities, and—let’s not forget—no school. 

When Americans first began formal schooling for their children, school calendars were designed to fit the needs of each community.  Agricultural communities gave students time off in the spring and fall to help with planting and harvesting, while urban schools operated on an 11- or 12-month calendar.  The nine-month calendar we know today emerged when there was a need to standardize schooling nationwide; 85% of Americans were working in agriculture, and climate control in school buildings was limited—factors which made it unbearable and impractical to have children in school during the hottest and busiest months of the year. 

But what about today?  Only 3% of Americans work in agriculture, and air conditioning comes standard—so shouldn’t we keep kids in school longer to maximize their learning potential as they grow?

The more I think about it, the more summer breaks don’t make sense.  Long vacations lead to students forgetting what they have learned in school.  In fact, research shows that children forget up to two months of grade-level material over the summer.  Unstructured time for children can also be bad for their health; crime, obesity, drug use, and risky sexual behavior skyrocket over the summer months when supervision is at a minimum. 

Long summer breaks have a greater negative effect on students who are from low-income families or who are English language learners (ELLs).  Researchers find that middle-income students are able to access educational opportunities such as summer camps and travel, and their parents stay engaged in keeping their skills up over the summer.  We all know about the achievement gap between affluent White students and minority and low-income students, but did you know that by ninth grade, two-thirds of that gap can be attributed to unequal learning opportunities during summer months in the elementary school years? 

When kids go back to school in the fall, teachers must spend a significant amount of time reviewing material from the previous year before moving on to new material, and students struggle to get back into the rhythm of classroom learning and proper school behavior.

Schools and communities should be maximizing time, especially out-of-school time, to give students opportunities to keep learning.  We can’t expect to close the achievement gap between Latino students and their White peers unless struggling children are given ample resources to learn, and we certainly can’t expect it to close while allowing learning to lapse during the summer. 

This summer, make it a priority to keep your children engaged in learning—even if you don’t have access to traditional summer camp, summer school, or community-based programs. There are hundreds of free resources out there, and many are available in English and Spanish! Here are a few to get you started: 

Reading

Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble by reading:  www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570

Log your reading minutes to earn prizes! www.scholastic.com/summer

Recommended reading by grade level, from Just Read, Florida!: www.justreadfamilies.org/SummerReadingList.pdf

Find a library near you:  summer reading programs are fun and often come with great rewards!

Resources for families in both English and Spanish

Math

Math challenges, also in Spanish:  www.figurethis.org/index.html

Keep skills sharp at any level:  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/numeracy.shtml

Many more math resources here:  http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/newsletter/0704/math.cfm

Issues: Education, K-12 Education
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Healthy Little Hearts

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Read More

NCLR Urges California Lawmakers to Pass “Homeowner Bill of Rights”

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

June 01 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

As Californians continue to struggle with record high foreclosures, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) urges the swift passage of the California “Homeowner Bill of Rights,” a set of proposed laws aimed at protecting California homeowners from unfair foreclosures. This week, the California State Senate and Assembly’s Conference Committee on Banking and Finance will vote on one crucial piece, the “dual track” bill, which will help prevent unnecessary foreclosures that are stalling California and the nation’s economic recovery.

“Latino families have borne the brunt of California’s devastating housing collapse, and it’s incredibly frightening to think that we are only halfway through the mortgage crisis,” said Delia de la Vara, Vice President of the California Region at NCLR. “We need lawmakers to put an end to unfair banking practices that are leaving families out on the street and, instead, give them a fair chance to save their homes from foreclosure.”

NCLR and its California Affiliates met with Senator Ron Calderon (D–Montebello), a member of the conference committee, to share stories of families who have lost their homes to foreclosure as a result of being dual tracked. Dual tracking is a common bank practice of moving a homeowner through both the foreclosure and loan modification processes at the same time, causing many borrowers to lose their homes to foreclosure even though they are still being considered for a loan modification.

“Homeowners playing by the rules should be given a fair chance to secure a loan modification,” said Senator Ron Calderon. “I am committed to crafting a bill that puts an end to dual track and includes a strong enforcement mechanism, such as giving victims the right to sue, to ensure that families do not continue to fall through the cracks.”

Despite the fact that HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program)—the Obama administration’s signature foreclosure prevention program—and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have established rules to end this practice, many banks still dual track customers.

“The families we represent are honest, hardworking people, seeking assistance that will allow them to continue making payments and stay in their homes,” said Maria Cabildo, President of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC). “Many of the clients we work with have experienced lost paperwork on behalf of the lender, violations of existing dual track rules, and constant solicitation from scam artists. Lenders need to be held accountable and provide families a fair process where they can apply for assistance.”

NCLR believes that every foreclosure costs taxpayers, local governments and the state economy money—the ones that can and should be prevented must be stopped.

“There are far greater consequences than the actual cost of a foreclosure for hardworking families,” said Robert Monzon, President and CEO at the Montebello Housing Development Corporation (MHDC). “We are seeing an increasing number of clients who suffer from stress and health issues due to the foreclosure process, clients who are now separated or divorced from their spouses, as well as grades dropping for children faced with this situation. Passing this bill will alleviate some of that stress for clients by halting the foreclosure process until the loan modification is considered.” MHDC and ELACC have each provided counseling to more than 3,000 families within Senator Ron Calderon’s district since the beginning of the housing crisis.

NCLR and its California Affiliates applaud Senator Ron Calderon for his commitment to passing a bill with strong enforcement mechanisms to put an end to the dual track process once and for all.

###

Issues:
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

NCLR Urges California Lawmakers to Pass “Homeowner Bill of Rights”

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

June 01 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

As Californians continue to struggle with record high foreclosures, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) urges the swift passage of the California “Homeowner Bill of Rights,” a set of proposed laws aimed at protecting California homeowners from unfair foreclosures. This week, the California State Senate and Assembly’s Conference Committee on Banking and Finance will vote on one crucial piece, the “dual track” bill, which will help prevent unnecessary foreclosures that are stalling California and the nation’s economic recovery.

“Latino families have borne the brunt of California’s devastating housing collapse, and it’s incredibly frightening to think that we are only halfway through the mortgage crisis,” said Delia de la Vara, Vice President of the California Region at NCLR. “We need lawmakers to put an end to unfair banking practices that are leaving families out on the street and, instead, give them a fair chance to save their homes from foreclosure.”

NCLR and its California Affiliates met with Senator Ron Calderon (D–Montebello), a member of the conference committee, to share stories of families who have lost their homes to foreclosure as a result of being dual tracked. Dual tracking is a common bank practice of moving a homeowner through both the foreclosure and loan modification processes at the same time, causing many borrowers to lose their homes to foreclosure even though they are still being considered for a loan modification.

“Homeowners playing by the rules should be given a fair chance to secure a loan modification,” said Senator Ron Calderon. “I am committed to crafting a bill that puts an end to dual track and includes a strong enforcement mechanism, such as giving victims the right to sue, to ensure that families do not continue to fall through the cracks.”

Despite the fact that HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program)—the Obama administration’s signature foreclosure prevention program—and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have established rules to end this practice, many banks still dual track customers.

“The families we represent are honest, hardworking people, seeking assistance that will allow them to continue making payments and stay in their homes,” said Maria Cabildo, President of the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC). “Many of the clients we work with have experienced lost paperwork on behalf of the lender, violations of existing dual track rules, and constant solicitation from scam artists. Lenders need to be held accountable and provide families a fair process where they can apply for assistance.”

NCLR believes that every foreclosure costs taxpayers, local governments and the state economy money—the ones that can and should be prevented must be stopped.

“There are far greater consequences than the actual cost of a foreclosure for hardworking families,” said Robert Monzon, President and CEO at the Montebello Housing Development Corporation (MHDC). “We are seeing an increasing number of clients who suffer from stress and health issues due to the foreclosure process, clients who are now separated or divorced from their spouses, as well as grades dropping for children faced with this situation. Passing this bill will alleviate some of that stress for clients by halting the foreclosure process until the loan modification is considered.” MHDC and ELACC have each provided counseling to more than 3,000 families within Senator Ron Calderon’s district since the beginning of the housing crisis.

NCLR and its California Affiliates applaud Senator Ron Calderon for his commitment to passing a bill with strong enforcement mechanisms to put an end to the dual track process once and for all.

###

Issues:
Geography:California, Far West, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Texas

View the original article here

Read More

Check Out Those Eyes

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

April 6, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. RR–2
Good Laboratory Practices for Biochemical Genetic Testing and Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
CE Available

This report provides recommendations for good laboratory practices for biochemical genetic testing and newborn screening for inherited metabolic disorders. The recommended practices address the benefits of using a quality management system approach, factors to consider before introducing new tests, establishment and verification of test performance specifications, the total laboratory testing process, confidentiality of patient information and test results, and personnel qualifications and responsibilities for laboratory testing for inherited metabolic diseases. These recommendations are intended for laboratories that perform biochemical genetic testing to improve the quality of laboratory services and for newborn screening laboratories to ensure the quality of laboratory practices for inherited metabolic disorders. These recommendations also are intended as a resource for medical and public health professionals who evaluate laboratory practices, for users of laboratory services to facilitate their collaboration with newborn screening systems and use of biochemical genetic tests, and for standard-setting organizations and professional societies in developing future laboratory quality standards and practice recommendations.

View the original article here

Read More