Holding Up the Mirror: 50th Anniversary of the U. S.

Civil Rights
Commission Hearing on Mexican American-Americans in the Southwest
November 17, 2017
10AM NOON
The Library Community Room
Our Lady of the Lake University

Website Link: www.50yearslater.org

MINUTES
Introduction of members present:
J Richard Avena George Korbel
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal Mark A. Nerio
Jose Bolanos Dr. Bertha Perez
Rosie Castro Ignacio Perez
Maria C Compean Dr. Rogelio Saenz
Mike Garcia Linda Wilson
Walter Herbeck Barbara Aguirre
PRESS UPDATE
Richard explained the Executive Committee decided to forgo the November 20 press conference. Ken
Rodriguez had proposed the idea that might yield better media coverage than a press conference. He
recommended we pitch the story of our 50th anniversary national conference in 2018 in the form of a
media release on civil rights. Ken felt we would be able to get stories in the San Antonio Express-News,
the Rivard Report and other print and digital publications. Also, we would ask Rosie and Richard to
appear on morning news programs, such as Great Day SA, Telemundo and Univision. Richard asked that
Bertha, Bob, George, Ignacio, Maria Antonietta and Mario join him and Rosie in making TV appearances.
Rosie suggested Ken meet with them and review talking points prior to any appearances. The
committee voted to use the term Mexican Americans rather than Hispanics in press advisories in
order to be consistent.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
Richard mentioned considering, as a contact, Dr. Gerald Poyo, Chair of the History Department and
OConnor Chair for the History of Hispanic Texas and the Southwest, a position he also held from 1992
to 1996 as a visiting professor before accepting a full-time position in the Department of History at St.
Marys University. He teaches courses in colonial and modern Latin American history as well as U.S.
ethnic and immigration history and the history of Latino communities in the United States. Richard
recommended Dr. Cynthia Orozco, professor of History and Humanities at Eastern New Mexico
University-Ruidoso. Dr. Orozco is a two-time Ford Foundation fellow and author of No Mexicans,
Women or Dogs Allowed: The Rise of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement, a history of the
origins of LULAC, and co-editor of Mexican Americans in Texas History. Bertha mentioned Dr. Alonso
Perales. Dr. Perales' life was dedicated to defending Mexican-American civil rights. From the 1920's
until his death he remained a prominent political leader founding several civil rights organizations such
as League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Independent Voters Association.
He helped write the LULAC constitution and was elected as their second president in 1930.
Dr. Perales played a major part in helping defeat the Box Immigration Bill which would have put a quota
on Mexican immigration in the United States. Dr. Perales was an educator in the San Antonio
Independent School District. Bertha also stated that Our Lady of the Lake University was the first
university to provide teacher education training for bilingual education in the Summer of 1968.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Maria Antonietta made the motion and seconded by Rosie that Bertha chair the Conference Schedule
Committee. Bertha suggested grad students be encouraged to submit paper presentations. The Call for
Conference Presentations has been posted on the website. Bertha will contact Candace about reaching
out to students at the national level. Richard will contact Dr. Blandina Cardenas on presenting a major
address during the conference. Richard stated he sent a copy of our proposal to Dr. Luis Fraga, and will
follow-up with a phone call. Dr. Luis Ricardo Fraga is the Director of the Institute for Latino Studies, and
Acting Chair of the Department of Political Science, at Notre Dame. In 2011 President Barack Obama
appointed him to the Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Dr.
Fraga is also one of six principal investigators on the Latino National Survey (LNS), the first-ever state-
stratified survey of Latinos in the U.S. George suggested Dr. Chandler Davidson, Research Professor and
Tsanoff Chair of Public Affairs Emeritus, who taught at Rice from 1966 to 2003. Dr. Davidson's
scholarship on voting rights has been cited at least seven times in U.S. Supreme Court opinions and
numerous times in lower court opinions. George also recommended David Richards, a prominent liberal
activist and civil rights lawyer in Texas. Mr. Richards handled the redistricting case (White v Regester)
that led to the first black being appointed to a county commissioner position in Texas in 1978. Now, this
U. S. Supreme Court decision was applied to other states, as well.

BUDGET REPORT
The committee voted unanimously to amend the Book Exhibit, under Publication, Entertainment, Venue
and Security, as well as, the Fundraising Staffing under General Project Expenses. The committee also
will be asking OLLU for monthly statements as provided in the Memorandum of Understanding.

FUNDRAISING REPORT
Over 200 letters and emails have been sent between October 30 and November 10. Mark stated follow-
up will be crucial. Barbara distributed a list of donor names to each committee member who had
submitted donor names, along with contact information. Rosie suggested a reception for agencies with
Latino organizations like the City Public Service (CPS), San Antonio Water System (SAWS), etc. George
stated this would be a way of recognizing positive changes under the leadership of minority CEOs. Dr.
Norma Cantu, the Murchison Endowed Professor at Trinity University, has stated she will place our
conference in her budget in Spring 2018. Erika Prosper Nirenberg has mentioned our conference on her
Face Book page and encouraged participation. Ms. Prosper Nirenberg is director of Customer Insights
for H-E-B. and serves on the H-E-B Corporate Diversity Council and Health and Literacy Task Forces.
Barbara stated John was working with the IT staff at OLLU on setting up the Donation Page on the
website. She said Amanda will begin working on seeking grants on November 27, 2017. Walter
suggested we develop a program booklet and offered to be on a committee. It was decided this would
be a sub-committee under the Fundraising Committee.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER BUSINESS

Richard has spoken with Mauro Morales, Director of the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights. Richard will
try to set-up a conference call between Mr. Morales and the executive committee. It was suggested the
call take place at the offices of Congressman Joaquin Castro. Discussion with Mr. Morales will include:
Dates of the conference
The U. S. Commission on Civil Rights convening their meeting at OLLU during the conference
Publishing our report

The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. The next meeting will take place on December 15, 2017 at the
Sister Elizabeth Anne Sueltenfuss Library in the Library Community Room.