NATIONAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Senate approved a bipartisan bill that could lead to the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino. A 23-member commission will be created to study a museum dedicated to the art, culture and history of American Latinos.
"I believe we must celebrate the diversity of our nation, and Latinos have been a significant part of American history," said Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., one of three co-authors of the bill.
"They have contributed to nearly every facet of our culture including the arts, and business, and have served in our nation's military with distinction."
Congressman Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, applauded the bill, which requires some minor work before being sent to the president for his signature.
He called the bill "a very important first step in the process to finally recognize the value of the Latino culture" in the U.S.
The Senate also approved legislation directing the Secretary of the Interior to determine appropriate methods for preserving and interpreting sites that are significant to the life of César E. Chávez and the farm labor movement.
TV show on Aztecs
'Secrets of the Dead: Aztec Massacre,' a program that looks at the unearthing of 400 mutilated bodies found in a mass grave, will be shown at 8 p.m. April 23 (Wednesday) on the PBS television network. (Check local listings).
The program follows leading Aztec expert Elizabeth Baquedaño as she investigates the macabre discovery and sheds new light on the violent relations between the Conquistadors and the Aztec empire.
STATE
CMB convention
NEWMAN -- Frank T. Rivas, past president and founder of the Comité Mexicano de Beneficencia in Crows Landing, will be honored at the 21st annual Comité Mexicano Beneficencia state convention Saturday (April 19). The convention will start at 8 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 10 a.m. and lunch at noon.
Rivas, 92, served on the CMB statewide executive board in the 1970s and has held elected office at the local chapter.
Among the chapters that will be represented at the state convention are those from Woodland, Roseville, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Fresno, Sanger, Tulare, Fowler, and Calwa.
Convention details: Martha Rodríguez at (209) 604-2804.
Honor for Oropeza
SACRAMENTO -- Cancer survivor State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, will be honored by three anti-cancer groups for her pro-consumer efforts to protect public health.
Last week, she was given the first-ever American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network leadership award, and the Legislator of the Year award from the Southern California Public Health Association.
Oropeza is scheduled to receive the Torch Award from the Coalition to Protect All Californians from Tobacco on April 21.
Tax delinquencies, the IRS publishes names
SACRAMENTO -- The state Franchise Tax Board's recently released list of the top 250 taxpayers with state income tax delinquencies greater than $100,000 includes several Spanish-surnamed individuals, led by Eric S. Rodríguez of North Hills who owes $1.17 million.
Others on the list include Juan J. Ramírez of Watsonville ($545,947), Jaime Sifuentes of Selma ($423,879), and Fidel S. Lavarias of Fresno ($304,898).