|
The state’s growing Hispanic population attracted the attention of a Chicago-based national advocacy group, which met with Hispanic leaders in Delaware this month.
As the 2010 U.S. Census nears, advocates say the state’s legal Hispanic population, if counted correctly, could affect voter redistricting. They also discussed Hispanic buying power and its contribution to the Cape Region economy.
Leaders of U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) also challenged state leaders on Dec. 8, to disprove the idea that Hispanics don’t vote by involving them in elections at the local and national level.
More than 50 local advocates, including Hispanic elected officials, civic leaders and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs (GACHA), met in Christiana with the institute’s president, Juan Andrade. He told the crowd it’s important to get out the Hispanic vote in upcoming elections.
Wanda Lopez, GACHA’s executive director since 2003, said, “I’m very pleased with the turnout. We had a nice group of folks from the grassroots level to our highest level of Hispanic elected officials.”
She said she will invite USHLI to return to Delaware - next time for a meeting downstate.
Lawmakers respond
GACHA member Margaret Reyes of Lewes chairs the council’s social justice commission.
“We know there’s been incredible growth in the Hispanic population, especially in eastern Sussex County,” she said. “But, we also know the numbers are underreported.”
If higher numbers are recorded in the next Census, Hispanics may change the political landscape, she said, as redistricting may lead to representative changes.
“Let’s look at the facts: Hispanics are six times more likely to register to vote than the general population and five times as likely to get out and vote. They’re also opening businesses three times faster than the general population,” Reyes said, citing U.S. Department of Commerce statistics.
Eli Ramos of Lewes is also a GACHA member and founder of the Cape High’s Latin American Student Association. “We need to begin some sort of an organized initiative down here to move ahead with some agendas of the Latino community,” said Ramos.
In Delaware, according to the 2000 Census, roughly 6 percent of the population is of Hispanic origin, about 51,000 people.
“The Census is the sole basis of the allocation of federal dollars and the sole basis for allocation of power,” said Ramos.
He said Hispanics – whether undocumented or not - contribute greatly to the Cape Region’s local economy. “We’re putting in much more than we’re taking out,” Ramos said. “The media is being fed a lot of negative stuff, which is misleading and causes resentment.”
He said some undocumented immigrants – many of whom pay into Social Security benefits and other taxes – are said to weigh down the state’s health and educational services, which is simply not true.
“They bring cultural diversity to the nation, state and towns. These people come here to work. If they’re not citizens, they can’t apply for entitlements. The notion that they come to use services, like health and education, is a misconception the people need to know,” said Ramos.
Plans for census
Georgetown Town Manager Gene Dvornick said his office is already planning to reach potentially underrepresented populations. His office is starting the recruitment process early in 2008, which will include Spanish-speaking pollsters.Summit
Continued from page 17
Dvornick also noted the significance of Sussex County’s Hispanic buying power.
“I think if you were to look in Georgetown at El Mercado and businesses along North Railroad Street, there is certainly a need for those services. They’re spending their dollars in the local community,” he said.
Candidates reach out
Spokesmen for two 2008 Democratic gubernatorial candidates attended the conference. Andrew Roos, campaign manager for state Treasurer Jack Markell, said, “One thing that jumped out at me was the emphasis on the Census and buying power. Hispanics are already a huge, vibrant force in the community. The force is already here and we’re learning how to work with that,” he said.
Larry Morris, a spokesman for candidate and Lt. Gov. John Carney, said that integrating the state’s diverse community is necessary. He said Carney wants to help bridge a disconnection, which often occurs between minority communities and government.
Lopez said she plans on inviting USHLI back to the state soon. “We’re bringing it to the community we want to speak to. We need to come to the people.” Said Lopez, “I think it was a wonderful beginning of what will be an ongoing dialogue with this national organization and GACHA.”
GACHA will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, in the majority caucus room at Legislative Hall.
For more information, email Lopez at wandalopezWML@comcast.net.
~
GACHA seeks to join national group
Delaware officials may join officials from seven other states in an effort to form a national strategic and legislative coalition to bring awareness of issues affecting Latinos.
Members of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs (GACHA) announced the proposed national commission after a meeting with the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) last week.
“The commitment is about collaborating and sharing ideas with other Hispanic councils,” said Wanda Lopez, GACHA executive director.
“I think their hope is that eventually, once it’s out there, other U.S. councils will join,” Lopez said.
Other states include Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska Ohio, Utah and Washington.
“There are a lot of differences among the state councils”, said Lopez. “One of the biggest differences is that most councils have full-time state employees including support staff. It’s something for us to aspire to.” If an agreement is reached, USHLI might announce Delaware’s inclusion at USHLI’s 26th annual conference, Wednesday, Feb. 13, in Chicago.
Contact Kevin Spence at kevin-spence@hotmail.com
|
