Hilda Duarte hramirezduarte@gmail.

com San Marcos, San Antonio, and the Future of LULAC My letter to Puertorican LULACers
Examen de Consiencia: to Rosa, BelenRobles8, Josefina.Ruiz, cmartinez65, rdovalina, aiditafernandez, magalucia2012 Borinqun, que tierra tan linda y encantadora! He tenido el placer de pasar vacaciones en varias ocasiones con familias muy bellas. La ltima vez que pase por Ponce, visite la Oficina de LULAC Que gente tan amable! Tengo entendido que su maravilloso pas ha sufrido mucho en manos de algunos gobernantes inescrupulosos que el pueblo ha elegido; por otro lado en Estados Unidos nuestros problemas se han enfocado ms bien en la intolerancia racial y la distribucin desigual de la riqueza. Sin embargo, ambos hemos contado con el respaldo y apoyo de una organizacin como LULAC, de reputacin intachable, donde hasta el momento nuestros lderes electos habian tenido transparencia e integridad. Por fortuna, he tenido la suerte de tener amistades puertorriqueas en el Estado de Texas en ciudades como Killeen, Dallas, Houston y San Antonio y he palpado su orgullo y amor por los logros individuales de sus coterrneos en diferentes sectores de la sociedad. Por este motivo y por qu me siento tan cerca de su bella Isla, siento la responsabilidad de informarles con dolor en alma de ciertas irregularidades que ocurrieron este fin de semana en la Convencin Estatal de LULAC en San Antonio, Texas. Por lo pronto, esta servidora conjuntamente con otros 700 delegados, fue testigo ocular de infinidad de violaciones a los derechos civiles que incluyeron el negacin al derecho voto, seguir los procedimiento Robert Rules of Order, el derecho a la libertad de expresin (Derecho Constitucional), irregularidades en el proceso eleccionario, y tcticas de intimidacin de parte la polica y ordenadas por la actual mesa directiva. Entre las tcticas de intimidacin utilizadas por la actual administracin incluyo la expulsin de delegados del saln de votacin bajo amenazas de ser arrestados con el propsito de nombrar personas que puedan someterse a las intenciones maliciosas de la presente administracin. Siendo ms especfica, los miembros de la mesa directiva, Sra. Elia Mendoza (Directora Estatal de Texas), Sr. Roger Rocha y El licenciado Luis Vera de una manera premeditada y maliciosa orquestaron este bochornoso espectculo. Primeramente, nuestra pseudo-lder nacional, Margaret Moran se ha impuesto un sueldo de $65,000! En los 84 aos de esta organizacin, ningn presidente se le ha pagado por el privilegio de su cargo. Han actuado de manera voluntaria y sin ningn inters lucrativo. Por otra parte, la Sra. Moran VENDIO algunos

propiedades pertenecientes a la organizacin y no dio cuenta alguna de tal transaccin. La pregunta que nos hacemos A DONDE FUE A PARA EL DINERO DE ESTA VENTA? Otro de los abusos de la Sra. Moran incluye el haber obtenido una tarjeta de crdito American Express Negra a nombre de LULAC sin el debido permiso. Esta tarjeta no tiene lmite compras y uno de los poseedores de esta tipo A.E.N. es el Sr. Tiger Woods, profesional multimillonario del Golf! En este momento nos sentimos defraudados, pues hemos depositado nuestra confianza en lderes electos para que nos guen con sabidura y honestidad con el fin de producir un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad Latina. Cuando ya es muy tarde nos damos cuenta que estos lderes pierden el enfoque de la misin de nuestra organizacin, interponiendo sus intereses personales. Les toca a ustedes como delegados de LULAC en Puerto Rico, digerir e investigar si esta informacin es correcta y hacer un examen de conciencia para tomar cartas en el asunto y rescatar la misin de nuestra organizacin con nuevos lderes consagrados a los propsitos para representarnos con dignidad. Esperando su respuesta,

Hilda Ramirez Duarte Vice Presidenta LULAC 4782 (214) 499-1508 ENGLISH TRANSLATION - BELOW Borinquen, that lovely and enjoyable island! I have had the pleasure of spending holidays with family several times in this very beautiful country. The last time I was in Ponce, I stopped to visit the Office of LULAC ... the staff was so friendly! I understand your wonderful country has suffered much at the hands of some unscrupulous politicians that the people have chosen by means of voting; on the other hand our problems in the United States have focused more on racial intolerance and the unequal distribution of wealth. However, we have both had the support and backing of the LULAC organization of unblemished reputation, which so far, has had our elected leaders with transparency and integrity. I have been fortunate to have friends in Puerto Rico for the State of Texas in cities like Killeen, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio and I felt their pride and love for your citizens individual achievements in different sectors of our society. For this reason I feel so close to your beautiful Island and people, I feel an immense responsibility to inform you, with great pain in my soul, and share with you certain irregularities that occurred this weekend May 31 through June 2, 2013) at the LULAC State Convention in San Antonio, Texas. For now, this servant, along with 700 other LULAC delegates, was an eyewitness to numerous civil rights violations that included the denial of the right to vote, the lack of following the procedures established by the "Robert's Rules of Order", the right to freedom of expression (a Constitutional right), irregularities in the electoral process, and tactics of intimidation by the police which were ordered by the current

State (and National) LULAC board members. The tactics of intimidation used by the current administration included the expulsion of all the voting delegates under threat of arrest; for the sole purpose of appointing people who would be hand-picked (once again) who would be in agreement and in line with the malicious intentions of this administration. Being more specific, the members of the board, Mrs. Elia Mendoza (Texas State Director), Mr. Roger Rocha and Attorney Luis Vera in a willful and malicious conspiracy, orchestrated this embarrassing spectacle. First, our pseudo-national leader, Margaret Moran has imposed a salary of $ 65,000! In the 84 years of this organization, no president has ever been paid for the privilege to hold office. They have acted voluntarily and without any profit basis. Moreover, Ms. Moran SOLD some property belonging to the organization and has not reported any such transaction. The question we ask ... WHERE IS THE MONEY FOR THIS SALE? Another abuse of Ms. Moran includes having obtained an BLACK American Express credit card using the name LULAC without permission or subject to vote. This BLACK AMERICAN EXPRESS card has no limit to purchases and is the same one used Mr. Tiger Woods Professional Golf billionaire! At this time I am disappointed because we put our trust in elected leaders to guide us with wisdom and honesty in order to produce a positive impact on the Latino community. Too late we realize that these leaders lose focus of the mission of our organization, to provide themselves with personal gains and interest. I put this before you, as a delegates of LULAC in Puerto Rico, digest and investigate whether this information is correct and make an examination of your conscience to take action on the matter at hand and rescue the mission of our organization with new leaders who will be devoted to the purposes of the organization and to represent with dignity .

On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 7:28 AM, Gloria Suarez Sasser <gloriassasser@gmail.com> wrote: Cynthia, well said! Inaction only breeds more of the same.

gloria suarez sasser

On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 2:10 AM, Hector Carrillo <hcarrillo29@hotmail.com> wrote: A very outstanding and beautiful article Cynthia, we love you, and you certainly spoke on our behalf... Hector Carrillo

To: florindachavez@sbcglobal.net; joey_cardenas@hotmail.com; bamrealtor@aol.com; rmvillasana@yahoo.com; herlinda.segura@comcast.net; marylramos@hotmail.com; aaliyah504@gmail.com; hcarrillo29@hotmail.com; marycanales50@suddenlink.net; gloriassasser@gmail.com; casconst81@yahoo.com; agsonny35@yahoo.com;

arturogutierrez23@hotmail.com; jejaques1@yahoo.com; bnymtz@aol.com; rapidruben@sbcglobal.net; oggiedoggie5@gmail.com; vbtena@yahoo.com Subject: San Marcos, San Antonio, and the Future of LULAC From: cvaladezmata@aol.com CC: genaroc2004@yahoo.com; rbon1@swbell.net; rdovalina@comcast.net; hflores@lulac.org; cvaladezsr@gmail.com; jyb5789@aol.com; GARCIADtx@aol.com; maryalmendarez@aol.com; maldonadofonz@aol.com; ray@manceragroup.com; xicanasoul@gmail.com; cmoreno@maldef.org; roman.pena73@yahoo.com; psalazar9@satx.rr.com; hramirezduarte@gmail.com; kaiwi1948@gmail.com; valenz@austin.utexas.edu; e.zamora@austin.utexas.edu; jaimedgarciaabs@yahoo.com; rlh0812@gmail.com; carolsambulance@yahoo.com; di1952sam@centurylink.net; rubenalbares@aol.com; jmartt7777@att.net; jflores@lafepolicycenter.org; hsgarcia77022@yahoo.com; bernardo@eurestelaw.com; rccola01@hotmail.com; johns_floresville@msn.com; perezjoefrancris@aol.com; japerezconsult@aol.com; inocenciarey@satx.rr.com; mjsbook@swbell.net; alco1969@aol.com; mariahutson2@aol.com; justogarciasr1@gmail.com; rbon1@swbell.net; jcastrolaw@hotmail.com; ariammacias@gmail.com; unalaborista@gmail.com; george.moralesiii@gmail.com; orta_jose@hotmail.com; yolie@austin.rr.com; epedraza@austin.rr.com; montserrat_garib@hotmail.com; martinez.leonard@sbcglobal.net; fcortega@att.net; sanchez.paula@sbcglobal.net; lejuarez_91@yahoo.com; sylvia.kauffman@earthlink.net; francesacuna70@yahoo.com; koymkg@gmail.com; artgarcia1963@yahoo.com; ldycindy@yahoo.com; edwardcrm@aol.com; alycarmona2@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 00:20:24 -0400 To Those Naysayers, Doubters, Boycotters, and Others:
What happened in San Antonio was an extreme case of "abuse of power". Those that were in control did exactly what was expected and abused their authority due to the corrupt nature of their characters and because it was the only way "they" were going to retain control at the top. It was clear and obvious "they" did NOT have the votes to elect the very person who was unable to perform her duties diligently as the previous State Treasurer. THAT person was the very person that walked out of the Embassy Suites hotel last year, after emptying the safety deposit box containing our state LULAC convention proceeds, while WE were still taking care of LULAC business. THAT person did NOT pay the Embassy Suites hotel as LULAC tradition requires be done so that LULAC maintain its financial creditibility and financial obligations per our Constitution and Contracts. THAT person was the very person that Margaret Moran and her annointed "panel" appointed to head our Texas State Board. THAT person was the person on the stage in San Antonio looking lost, almost as if she was struggling with dementia, and unable to exercise any leadership from the podium. THAT person, Luis Vera, Margaret Moran cronies, and others are the very persons that BY DESIGN created the HOTHOUSE environment leading up to the forced ending of the ONLY opportunity that our LULAC Constitution requires of our general membership: the annual meeting of the general assembly to elect state officers, pass resoultions, and conduct State LULAC business. By denying us this sacred opportunity, these corrrupt individuals inflicted great damage on our LULAC organization, on the general membership that was present (even though we had to jump through great hurdles to register to vote), and to those candidates that sought leadership positions within our state. Be aware that there were many challenges to the "lack of process" exercised, to the credentialling of persons that DID NOT register early but were seated with delegate badges and ribbons anyway, and to the Luis Vera style of commando politics that requires the placement of hired guns at every door, around the stage, and on the floor of the LULAC annual convention to harass, intimidate, and threaten our

LULAC members! THIS was the environment that forced our membership into action...the ONLY action that could be expected when so many affronts to our basic civil rights and LULAC Constitution occurred. This leadership vacuum strategy was honed in the discussions and minds of those very persons in control of this convention and serves as EVIDENCE that LULAC is NOT in the hearts and souls of those at the top. Nosotros somos "los de abajo". To those who believe that the only course of action is NON-action, be aware that YOU are part of the problem, NOT the solution. Your silence and your failure to participate fully (when able) in LULAC relegates you to the sidelines of this organization. Know that we understand completely that there are many who have overcome great obstacles to be present or are only able to participate at the local levels for various reasons, and you are to be commended, but this is a critical time in our LULAC history when we MUST rise to our feet and shout: "NO MORE! YA BASTA!" We can NO LONGER sit in silence while our LULAC organization is destroyed by the corrupt, greedy, power-hungry individuals whose only concern is keeping control and serving as puppetmasters of our membership. Remember that what has happened in Texas can happen in any other state and at any level of our organization...no one is safe. We are going to support the LULAC fundamental philosophies and mission, as our founding fathers intended, and travel to the site that was NOT selected by our general membership to serve as the location of our upcoming national convention...Las Vegas. El Paso was disqualified, by design, by those at the LULAC national level who took yet ANOTHER illegal action to eliminate an opportunity for TEXAS to elect one of its own leaders to the position of LULAC National President on its duly selected turf. AGAIN...the LULAC general membership is forced, by strategic design, to overcome financial and other barriers, to go to Las Vegas and seek justice. Whether or not we are successful, it is the ACTION that sends the message: WE WILL NO LONGER SIT IN SILENCE WHILE THE CORRUPT DESTROY LULAC! There is much to answer for: the illegal sale of our LULAC housing projects whereby the husband (Oscar Moran) of the seated National President rakes in the money and benefits personally; the passage of LULAC Constitutional amendments whereby the puppetmaster himself, Luis Vera, is allowed to retain his "legal advisor" position for life and Margaret Moran is allowed to benefit (again) financially by paying herself a salary and benefits; the failure to incorporate "DUE PROCESS", "FREEDOM OF SPEECH", AND basic "CIVIL RIGHTS" to the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States known as LULAC. To sit idly by as the LULAC alleged leadership continues to dismantle our LULAC Constitution and hold our membership hostage is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!! Fighting for civil rights, fighting against injustice at all levels, fighting for equity in society, and fighting for economic/educational/political equality is hard. It often requires great personal sacrifice. It requires each and every one of us to look into our hearts, minds, and souls to do what is right. It requires us to look in the mirror every day and know that we can sleep at night. It requires that we EACH know that today might be the last day of our lives...so we must live it by doing what is fair and just. JOIN US as we go to exercise our LULAC rights as members...JOIN US in Las Vegas! SI SE PUEDE!!

ALL FOR ONE - ONE FOR ALL, Cynthia Valadez-Mata Jr. LULAC District VII Director

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." ~ George Bernard Shaw "Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not

whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. It's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere." Barack Obama

-Gloria Suarez Sasser 830-401-0168 830-556-2887 gloriassasser@gmail.com