Rep. Mike Honda supports United We Serve

Rep. Mike Honda supports United We Serve

Having served in the Peace Corps himself, Rep. Honda (who represents San Jose/Milpitas in the US House of Representatives) calls all others to service. In these unprecedented economic times, volunteering just a few hours of your day, can make a huge difference in someone's life. To find a project in your area, visit serve.gov today.

Pittsburgh's Renewal Draws a New Wave of Immigrants

VOANews: Pittsburgh's Renewal Draws a New Wave of Immigrants By Kane Farabaugh Pittsburgh, 24 September 2009

Over the past 50 years, however, heavy industry has been leaving Pittsburgh, the "Steel City", along with tens of thousands of jobs. But over time Pittsburgh essentially "reinvented" itself, and the city is now best known for high-technology enterprises, medical specialties, banks and universities. That transformation has prompted a new wave of immigrants, this time including many from south Asia. Families originally from India now are one of Pittsburgh's largest ethnic communities, and they are thriving.

• Video: Pittsburgh Immigration Download (WM)
• Video: Pittsburgh Immigration Watch (WM)
• Print Version

New York City Celebrates 400th Anniversary

VOANews: New York City Celebrates 400th Anniversary By Martin Phillips 26 September 2009

Four hundred years ago this month, Henry Hudson, looking for a sea route to Asia, sailed into what is now New York Harbor. His arrival is celebrated as the beginning of Dutch settlement in North America. A few years later, Dutch traders established New Amsterdam to trade animal furs with local Indians. Today that settlement is known as New York City.

• Phillips report Download (WM)
• Phillips report Watch (WM)
• Print Version

ELCivics: New York City and Statue of Liberty

USPS: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places and Events on US Stamps

Arago: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places and Events on Stamps

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Arago: the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has just added a new online exhibit: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: People, Places and Events on Stamps. Check it out!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Sân Khấu Việt Cali: “Dream and Life”

Based on true stories of once successful immigrants suddenly facing financial insecurity, divorce and suicide in the current economic crisis, SKVC performers stage the bilingual Vietnamese-English drama “Dream and Life” on Saturday, September 26, at 2:30 pm. Playwright /Artistic Director Van Pham Mai and Consultant Director Dr. Victoria Rue want the play “to provide hope and help in the midst of cultural and economic upheaval.” Since the drama is reality-based, each actor contributes to the script by writing their own scenes.

Dream and Life is presented as part of ARTiculate! Expressions of Global Arts and Cultures at Evergreen Valley College, September 21-26. Check their Events Schedule for further details. Teacher Jennifer's note: as an EVC aluumni, I am proud to support this festival.

Dream and Life
Evergreen Valley College Arts Theater
3095 Yerba Buena Road,San Jose, CA 95135
Driving Direction: http://www.evc.edu/maps/index.htm
Saturday, September 26, at 2:30 pm.
Tickets: $10/Student & Senior
$15 General Admission

Videos Created on the Meaning of Democracy

VOAVideo: Videos Created on the Meaning of Democracy

What is democracy? That is the question more than 900 people from 95 countries answered by submitting original, short videos to the first Democracy Video Challenge. The competition was sponsored by several private groups in the United States as well as the U.S. State Department. Six winners were selected from different regions of the world. VOAs Deborah Block has more.

2009 Winning Videos:

• Chansa Tembo, Zambia: Democracy is like a smoothie
• Aissa Peñafiel, Philippines: Long Live The Fearless Man
• Lukasz Szozda, Poland: democracy is... animation
• Tsering Choden, Nepal: Democracy Is....
• Rodin Hamidi, U.A.E.: The Path
• Anna Carolina dos Santos Israel, Brazil: In a democracy, we're all parts of the same body

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Congratualtions to Laura Jimenez Gomez

the first new citizen of the Milpitas Adult School Citizenship Class 2009-2010.

National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

VOANews: For Hispanics in US, the 'Fierce Urgency of Now'
National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States began September fifteenth. Events are being held throughout the country to celebrate the history, culture and success of America's Hispanic population. This year's theme is the 'Fierce Urgency of Now' .

San José Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival
Now in its 18th year, the San José Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival presents a weeklong schedule of music and educational events by internationally renowned mariachis and maestros of ballet folklórico. The Festival closes with an outdoor feria, featuring music, arts, cultural activities and food in a celebration of Mexican heritage and cuisine.

El Grito de Milpitas
Viva Mexico! Viva Milpitas! Viva San Jose! Viva Milpitas Adult School! Happy Mexican Independence Day from Milpitas Adult School!

The New USCIS Website!

The USCIS has re-designed their website to make it more user-friendly. check it our by clicking the picture above or by going to USCIS.gov.

The Obama Plan in 4 Minutes

The Obama Plan in 4 Minutes
Learn the basic principles of President Obama's health insurance reform plan as presented to Congress on September 9, 2009.

Secret to Avoiding Summer Crowds in Washington: Wait for Fall

Secret to Avoiding Summer Crowds in Washington: Wait for Fall

On THIS IS AMERICA: Some things to see on an autumn visit to the nation's capital and beyond.

• MP3 (Tip: Left-click, or right-click and choose "Save...") Download (MP3)
• MP3Stream (MP3)
• Print Version

CIA Makes Recruiting Trip to Arab-American Community

VOAVideo: CIA Makes Recruiting Trip to Arab-American Community

CIA* Director Leon Panetta told Arab-American and Muslim leaders this week to join efforts to reduce the threat of terrorism in the U.S. Speaking in the heart of Michigan's large Middle Eastern community, he said the country is safer than it was when it was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, though al-Qaida still remains a threat. The speech is one of the CIA's highest-profile recruiting efforts aimed at Arab-Americans and Muslims, as the agency seeks to boost Arabic and other languages it deems critical to its work. VOA's Jeff Swicord reports.

*CIA: Central Intelligence Agency

For more information, see: CIA Career Opportunities: Language Positions

Many New American Citizens Are Foreign-Born Members of US Military

VOANews: Many New American Citizens Are Foreign-Born Members of US Military

Since the terrorist attacks on the United States eight years ago, 52,000 foreign-born members of the American military have become naturalized U.S. citizens. According to the Pentagon, more than 100 of these new Americans have been killed in action fighting for the United States.

• Buel Report Download (MP3)
• Buel Report Listen (MP3)
• Print Version

We Signed the Constitution!

Presidential Proclamation Constitution Day, Citizenship Day and Constitution Week

WhiteHouse.gov: Presidential Proclamation Constitution Day, Citizenship Day and Constitution Week
The Press Office Presidential Proclamation Constitution Day, Citizenship Day and Constitution Week. The proclamation describes the principles and guarantees of our liberties established by the Constitution as a "beacon of hope for Americans and those who seek new lives in the United States." That’s why today, we also celebrate our citizenship and recognize those who came to our country and are today becoming U.S. Citizens, coming one step closer to the American Dream.

WhiteHouse.gov: Día de la Constitución y la Ciudadanía
La proclama describe los principios y las garantías de nuestras libertades establecidos por la Constitución "como un rayo de esperanza para los estadounidenses y quienes buscan una nueva vida en Estados Unidos". Por eso también celebramos nuestra ciudadanía y reconocemos a aquellos que se han unido a nuestro país y hoy se convierten en ciudadanos estadounidenses, llegando un paso más cerca al sueño Americano.

Twenty-seven Questions about the US Constitution from the new USCIS 100 History and Government Test

Twenty-seven Questions about the US Constitution from the new USCIS 100 History and Government Test (.doc) in honor of Constitution & Citizenship Day

OVERVIEW
01. What is the supreme law of the land? (01)
a) the Constitution
b) the Declaration of Independence
c) the Federalist Papers

02. What does the Constitution do? (02)
a) sets up the banks
b) sets up the government
c) sets up political parties

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
03. What happened at the Constitutional Convention? (65)
a) The Bill of Rights was written.
b) The Constitution was written.
c) The Federalist Papers were written.
d) The Star Spangled Banner was written

04. When was the Constitution written?
a) 1776
b) 1787
c) 1791

05. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
a) Jefferson
b) Washington
c) Hamilton

PREAMBLE
06. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? (03)
a) Freed the slaves
b) We the People
c) Yes, We Can!

BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT
07. Name one branch or part of the government.* (13)
a) Legislative
b) The Police
c) USCIS

08. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? (14)
a) banks
b) checks and balances
c) the internet

ARTICLE I: THE LEGISTLATIVE BRANCH
09. Who makes federal laws? (16)
a) Congress
b) The President
c) The Supreme Court

10. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*(17)
a) the Senate and House (of Representatives)
b) the Democrats and the Republicans

11. Who does a U.S. Senator represent? (24)
a) all people of the state
b) all citizens of the state
c) all voters of the state

12. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states? (25)
a) They have more land
b) They have more money.
c) They have more people

ARTICLE II: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
13. Who is in charge of the executive branch? (15)
a) Speaker of the House
b) the Chief Justice
c) the President

14. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? (30)
a) the Chief Justice
b) the Speaker of the House
c) The Vice President

15. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military? (32)
d) the Chief Justice
e) the President
f) The Vice President

16. Who signs bills to become laws? (33)
a) the Chief Justice
b) the President
c) The Vice President

17. What does the President’s Cabinet do? (35)
a) advises the President
b) vetoes the President
c) checks the President

ARTICLE III: THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
18. What does the judicial branch do? (37)
a) explains laws
b) enforces laws
c) makes laws

19. What is the highest court in the United States? (38)
a) The Supreme Court
b) The Superior Court
c) The Traffic Court

ARTICLE IV: STATE POWERS
20. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? (42)
a) give a driver’s license
b) make treaties
c) print postage stamps

ARTICLE V: THE AMENDMENTS
21. What is an amendment? (04)
a) a change to the Constitution
b) a change to the Pledge of Allegiance
c) a change to USCIS test

ARTICLE VI: FEDERAL POWERS
22. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? (41)
a) to print money
b) to control the internet
c) to sell stock

AMENDMENTS 1-10
23. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution? (05)
a) the Bill of Rights
b) the Oath of Allegiance
c) the Pledge of Allegiance

24. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?* (6)
a) Education
b) Healthcare
c) Speech

25. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? (51)
a) freedom of speech
b) freedom of assembly
c) freedom of work

AMENDMENTS 11-27
26. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. (48)
a) Any citizen can vote.
b) Any permanent resident can vote
c) Anyone can vote.

27. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms? (56)*
a) April 15
b) June 30
c) December 31

Twenty-seven Questions about the US Constitution from the new USCIS 100 History and Government Test (.doc)

Creating the Constitution

The NCC: Creating the Constitution via TeacherTube



Clinton Middle School: The Constitution via TeacherTube

Please go to TeacherTube for more videos about the US Constitution.

More games from the National Constitution Center:

Bill of Rights Game
Help restore the Bill of Rights!

Seize the Vote!
Test your knowledge of voting rights and gain the right to participate in the ultimate act of citizenship for your characters!

Interactive Constitution
The U.S. Constitution, including detailed explanations of the text is just a click away.

Citizenship Timeline
This online experience highlights some of the key dates and events that mark more than 200 years of U.S. constitutional history.

Lincoln’s Crossroads
What would you have done in Abraham Lincoln’s shoes?

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day!!!

A New US Citizen from Milpitas in front of the Campbell Heritage Theater

USCIS.gov: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be celebrating Citizenship Day Thursday Sept 17 at special naturalization ceremonies throughout the country. See List of Citizenship Day Ceremonies.

In the San Jose area, 1150 people will take the Oath of Allegiance at Campbell Heritage Theater Campbell, Calif. in three separate ceremonies at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Congratulations!

Prep for Constitution Day #17

Today's Topic: More about the Government: The 17th, 23rd, 27 Amendments

The US Senate in the Capitol

US Senators from the State of California:

Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein

17th Amendment says that the people--not the state legislature--can elect US Senators.

US Senate Website

Wiki Senate

• 100:16. Who makes federal laws?
• 100:17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
• 100:18. How many U.S. Senators are there?
• 100:19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
• 100:20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators?*
• 100:24. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
• 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

23rd Amendment gave US Citizens in the District of Columbia have the right to vote for President. 1961.

EL Civics: Washington DC Tour
EL Civics: Washington, D.C. Crossword Puzzle Answer Key
EL Civics: Washington, D.C. Quiz

US House of Representatives in the US Capitol

Speaker Nacy Pelosi & Rep Mike Honda (San Jose/Milpitas)

27th Amendment: Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid. 1992.

In January 2009, many elected federal employess got a 2.5% COLA (cost of living) increase. Their last raise was in January 2008.

Congress members annual salaries were raised from $169,300 to $174,000. See Salaries and Benefits of US Congress Members.

US House of Representatives Website
Wiki House of Representatives

• 100:21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
• 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
• 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.
• 100:25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
• 100:47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Happy Mexican Independence Day!

Viva Mexico!
Viva Milpitas!
Viva San Jose!
Viva Milpitas Adult School!
Happy Mexican Independence Day from Milpitas Adult School!

Prep for Constitution Day #16

Today's Topic: More Rights & Responsibilities: the 16th, 18th, and 21st Amendments

Too smal? Click the photo.

The 16th amendment says that Congress can tax income. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the government that collects taxes. Every year on April 15th, millions of citizens and non-citizens fill-out the 1040 Federal Income Tax form and send it to the IRS on April 15th. People must send in 540 State Tax forms, too.

Compare the IRS 1040 to the USCIS N400. Both forms ask similar questions: name, address, marital status, etc. Furthermore, the N400 not only asks about job history (Part 6B), but also asks about income tax:

• Part 10 A 5. Do you owe any Federal, state or local taxes that are overdue?
• Part 10 C 13. Have you ever called yourself a ''nonresident'' on a Federal, state or local tax return?
• Part 10 C 14. Have you ever failed to file a Federal, state or local tax return because you considered yourself to be a "nonresident"?

Did you know that the most important use of a social security number is to identity a tax payer? The SSN not only identifies you as a taxpayer on the 1040 & 540, the SSN appears on your other financial papers: W-2, W-4 form, paychecks, and bank statements.

It is very, very important to keep your SSN safe and guard against identity theft. It is very very, very important to pay taxes evey year to support your local, state, and federal government.

ESL Podcast 364 – Filing Taxes
This is the first year I haven’t been exempt or filed an EZ tax return. Ricky: No problem. ... I’d like to get a tax refund, rather than have to pay. ...

VOANews: Tax Time in America
Americans must send their tax documents to the government by April 15th. But most will not have to pay anything. In fact, most Americans get money back from the I.R.S. 14 April 2006

• 56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

The 18th and 21st Amendments

18th Alcohol is illegal. (Prohibition). 1919.

21st Alcohol is legal. Each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol. 1933.

The 18th Amendment was passed to protect the health and safety of the American people. Instead of preventing alcoholism, Prohibition contributed to the rise of organized crime. The 21st Amendment made the alcohol legal and controlled by many federal, state, and local laws.

Although a US citizen can vote at the age of 18 years, the legal drinking age can be older. In the State of California, a person must be 21 years old to drink alcohol.

On the N-400, and during the Citizenship interview, you will be asked:

• Part 10 D 22a: Have you ever been a habitual drunkard or alcoholic?


• Follow-up question: What is a habitual drunkard or alcoholic?

The USCIS is not asking: Have you ever been drunk?

• The USCIS is concerned that alcohol abuse prevents citizens from freely exercising the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
• Example: if a person is drunk when they vote, they cannot make a good decision.
• Alcohol abuse can also lead to crimes such as drunk driving or maintaining a safe work place.

Here are some groups that help alcoholics and people affected by alcoholism:

• Alcoholics Anonymous: is an informal meeting for recovering and recovered alcoholics.


• Al-Anon/Alateen: Al-Anon is an informal meeting for friends and family members of alcoholics. Alateen is an informal for young adullts (12-24).


• MADD Mothers Against Drunk Driving: is a group that works to stop drunk driving, supports those affected by drunk driving, and prevents underage drinking.