Wednesday, March 31, 2010

April is National Poetry Month!

USCIS 100:95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

1983horizons1: "The New Colossus" March 07, 2010

"The New Colossus" is a poem written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 and was engraved inside the Statue of Liberty. The poem talks about the millions of immigrants who came to the United States (many of them through Ellis Island at the port of New York).

The title of the poem, "The New Colossus" and the first two lines refer to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The "air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame" refers to New York City and Brooklyn, which were two separate cities in 1893.

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, 1893

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*

  • New York (Harbor)
  • Liberty Island
  • [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]

Cesar Chavez Day!

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?



UFW: Cesar Chavez: Embrace the Legacy (5 min. UFW video)

Learn about the legacy of Cesar Chavez from Martin Sheen, Edward James Olmos, Edward James Olmos and others and get involved in keeping Cesar's dream alive!

Cesar Chavez started the United Farm Workers union, because farmworkers did not have

"the legal right to organize and to vote for collective bargaining.
They didn't have the right to have clean drinking water,
access to portable toilets, lunch breaks, or short rest breaks during workdays.
And they were not entitled to the minimum wage or unemployment insurance."


*NEW* César E. Chávez Memorial Walkway Opens in San Jose.

For more info, visit the United Farm Workers website.

51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

  • freedom of expression
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of assembly
  • freedom to petition the government
  • freedom of worship
  • the right to bear arms

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast:

Monday, March 29, 2010

Recovery Act Tax Savings Tool

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*



WH.gov: Recovery Act Tax Savings Tool

Did you know that there are more than a dozen Recovery Act tax cuts working families can take advantage of this tax season? Check out this online tool www.whitehouse.gov/recovery and find out how much you can save. (Public Domain)

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

  • April 15

Sunday, March 28, 2010

President Obama's Message to Immigration Marchers


WH.gov: President Obama's Message to Immigration Marchers (March 21, 2010)

The President reaffirms his commitment to forging a bipartisan consensus on a framework to repair the nation's immigration system in a message to those participating in the immigration march in Washington, DC.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

What Health Reform Does This Year: In 3 Minutes



WH.gov: What Health Reform Does This Year: In 3 Minutes

While it will take about 4 years for health reform to be fully implemented, there are several benefits you can expect to see this year. Learn about them in just 3 minutes. See: www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform

Friday, March 26, 2010

Health Care Reform




The U.S. Congress has passed legislation to fix problems with the health care reform bill President Barack Obama signed into law on Tuesday. The corrections measure cleared both the House and Senate Thursday.


The bill aims to insure 32 million additional Americans. But costs worry health care providers.
  • Listen: ECONOMICS REPORT MP3

VOANews: Obama Promotes Health Care Reform in Iowa March 25, 2010

President Barack Obama traveled across the country Thursday to promote the landmark health care reform plan he signed into law this week. His first stop was in Iowa City where he was met with support and opposition.

  • Listen: Farabaugh reportMP3

The Iowa Independent: Text of Obama’s Iowa City speech March 25, 2010

Full text of the speech given Thursday in Iowa City by President Barack Obama.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Obama Signs Historic Health Care Bill



"Everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care," the president said. The measure will require Americans to have insurance.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

All the President's Pens

USCIS 100: 33. Who signs bills to become laws?



WH.gov: All the President's Pens

Why do presidents use so many pens to sign legislation? White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown explains.

USCIS 100: 33. Who signs bills to become laws?

  • the President

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Obama Signs Health Care Reform Into Law



VOANews: Obama Signs Health Care Reform Into Law

Measure intends to extend health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans currently without it

Victory in Hand, Obama Must Now Sell Healthcare Changes to the Public



VOAVideo: Victory in Hand, Obama Must Now Sell Healthcare Changes to the Public

The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a Senate-passed healthcare bill late Sunday. The bill is designed to make health insurance available to an additional 32 million Americans. How big a win this was for President Obama is a matter for the analysts. VOA's Laurel Bowman has more.

Health Care Reform Clears US Congress



VOAVideo: Health Care Reform Clears US Congress

Health care reform has cleared the U.S. Congress after roughly a year of legislative drama on Capitol Hill. VOA's Paula Wolfson reports the necessary legislation passed the House of Representatives on a tight, party-line vote - handing President Barack Obama a crucial victory.

VOANews: Obama to Soon Sign Major Health Care Reform

Health care reform has cleared the U.S. Congress after roughly a year of legislative drama on Capitol Hill. The House of Representatives passed the necessary legislation, on a tight, party-line vote, handing President Barack Obama a crucial victory. Mr. Obama is to soon sign the bill into law.

Monday, March 22, 2010

President Obama On the Passage of Health Reform



WH.gov: President Obama On the Passage of Health Reform

President Obama speaks moments after the historic passage by the House of Representatives of the Senate's health reform legislation.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

HEALTHCARE PASSES!

The House passes the healthcare reform bill,
219-212, and sends it to President Obama to sign into law!

San Jose March for Comprehensive Immigration Reform



San Jose March for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

In support of the 03/21/10 MARCH FOR AMERICA in Washington DC, cities across America held their own marches for COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

Here are some pictures from the March from San Jose. Plaza de Cesar Chavez was packed!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

US Congress Waging Fierce Final Battle over Health Care Reform



VOAVideo: US Congress Waging Fierce Final Battle over Health Care Reform

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Democratic Party allies in Congress are making one last push for health care reform after more than a year of debate. Republicans and grass roots conservative activists are making their own last ditch attempt to block the health care bill, and the passionate battle over reform has spread from the halls of Congress into the streets surrounding the Capitol. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The 2010 US Census Multimedia Resources



US Census Bureau: It's Easy (English)

The 2010 Census is easy, important and safe. This English-language video shows you how to fill out and mail back your census form. When you take 10 minutes to answer 10questions, you help your community get what it needs for the next 10 years.

The US Census Bureau has a collection of OUTSTANDING videos about the 2010 US Census. Please visit the US Census Bureau Channel on YouTube for videos in multiple languages about every aspect of the 2010 Census.

The 2010 US Census Story Wall is an AMAZING collection of short videos. Watch the real life stories which make up America. You can also watch these videos individually on the Real Life Stories playlist of the US Census Bureau Channel on YouTube.


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Policies, Politics and Dollars Rest on US Census

Milpitas was founded in 1954.
Some of the historical artifacts on display at the Great Mall
include a US flag with 48 stars (Alaska & Hawaii are added in 1959)
and a city limit signs--Milpitas, population: 834!

VOANews: Policies, Politics and Dollars Rest on US Census

Every 10 years the government has to count the population. But some people would rather not be counted
  • Listen: IN THE NEWS MP3

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The 2010 US Census in 4 minutes

We're growing! The Census 2000 population for Milpitas was 62,840.

2010 US Census questions:

  1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?

  2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?

  3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent?

  4. What is your telephone number?

  5. Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a person here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living here. This will be Person 1. What is Person 1's name?

  6. What is Person 1's sex?

  7. What is Person 1's age and Date of Birth?

  8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?

  9. What is Person 1's race?

  10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
(source: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/text/text-form.php)

Monday, March 15, 2010

THE 2010 US CENSUS!

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?


Today I got my 2010 Census. Join me as I fill out my census and talk about how the Census is linked to the number of representatives that each state has in the US House of Representatives. for more info, see: 2010.census.gov.

25. Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
  • (because of) the state’s population
  • (because) they have more people
  • (because) some states have more people

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Friday, March 12, 2010

Hillary Clinton: 'Women's Progress Is Human Progress'



VOAVideo: Hillary Clinton: 'Women's Progress Is Human Progress'

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday urged the world's women to continue building on advancements made over the last 15 years since the Beijing Declaration on empowering women was signed. She told the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women that lasting progress is not possible if women and girls are denied their rights. VOA's Margaret Besheer reports from the conference at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The US Council on Women and Girls

The US Council of Women & Girls is chaired by Valerie Jarrett
and Tina Tchen serves as the Executive Director.

WH.gov: The US Council on Women and Girls

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. In his remarks at the signing, the President underscored that the purpose of the Council is "to ensure that each of the agencies in which they're charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create, the legislation they support" and that the true purpose of our government is "to ensure that in America, all things are still possible for all people."

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

In Honor of International Womens Day



WH.gov: In Honor of International Womens Day

The President and the First Lady speak about the achievements of women around the world at a reception marking International Womens Day. March 8, 2010.

Read President Obama's Presidential Proclamation for Women's History Month

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

UN Conference Looks at Progress in Women's Rights

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?



VOAVideo: UN Conference Looks at Progress in Women's Rights

More than 2,000 women gathered this week at the United Nations headquarters in New York to review progress on women's rights since the Beijing Declaration was signed 15 years ago. That document set out a framework for advancing equality and development for the world's women. VOA's Margaret Besheer reports.


USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

  • freedom of expression
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of assembly
  • freedom to petition the government
  • freedom of worship
  • the right to bear arms

Monday, March 8, 2010

Women's Rights ARE Human's Rights!

Happy International Women's Day!

USIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?



In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence which was the first document to talk about the rights of Americans.

In 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt and members of the United Nations wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which protects the rights of all human beings.

Inspired by the work of Thomas Jefferson and Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Rodham Clinton, then the First Lady of the United States, spoke to the UN 4th Conference on Women on September 5, 1995 in Beijing, China. She boldly proclaimed "Women's Rights ARE Human's Rights!" uniting the delegates and NGO representatives to work on behalf of all women and girls.

I attended the UN conference in Beijing and Huairou as part of the IGC internet support team and daily posted reports on my listervs BEIJING95-L and BEIJING95-WOMEN.

I will never, ever forget my teammates, the conference attendees, the hospitality of the Chinese governement, and the POWER of Hillary's speech.

USIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

  • life
  • liberty
  • pursuit of happiness

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast:

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Vice President Biden swears in Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Joining Secretary Clinton is her husband, former President Bill Clinton,
their daughter Chelsea Clinton, & the Secretary's mother Dorothy Rodham.


Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26, 1947) is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama.

As the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department and the Foreign Service of the United States.

Hillary Clinton was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009.

In the 2008 election, Hillary Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Hillary also served as the First Lady of Arkansas when Bill was Governor of the state. She previously worked as a law professor and a lawyer specializing in children advocacy.

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

  • Secretary of Agriculture
  • Secretary of Commerce
  • Secretary of Defense
  • Secretary of Education
  • Secretary of Energy
  • Secretary of Health and Human Services
  • Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  • Secretary of the Interior
  • Secretary of Labor
  • Secretary of State
  • Secretary of Transportation
  • Secretary of the Treasury
  • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
  • Attorney General
  • Vice President

LISTEN TO US CITIZENSHIP PODCAST:

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi!

USCIS 100:47. What is the name of
the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Madame Speaker Pelosi has five grown children and seven grandchildren.

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi (born March 26, 1940) is the 60th and current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

She is the first female Speaker of the House, the first Californian, and the first Italian-American to hold the post.

As Speaker, Pelosi is second in the line of presidential succession, following Vice President Joe Biden, which makes her the highest-ranking female politician in American history.

A member of the Democratic Party, Pelosi has represented the 8th Congressional District of California, which covers most of the City and County of San Francisco, since 1987.

USCIS 100:47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

  • (Nancy) Pelosi

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Friday, March 5, 2010

US Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York

USCIS 100:21. The House of Representatives
has how many voting members?

Congresswoman Shirley Chihsolm: UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED!

Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was US a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983.

In 1968, she became the first African-American woman elected to Congress. She supported education, health care, social services, and reductions in military spending.

Shirley Chisholm hired only women for her office staff. Chisholm said that during her political career, she faced much more discrimination because she was a woman.

Shirley Chisholm created controversy when she visited George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama, in the hospital soon after his shooting in May 1972. Although they had opposite political views, Wallace deeply appreciated her kindness.

Several years later, when Congresswoman Chisholm worked on a bill to give domestic workers the right to a minimum wage, Governor Wallace helped get the votes of enough Southern congressmen to pass Chisholm's bill.

Shirley Chishom will always be remembered as "Unbought and Unbossed."


21. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
  • four hundred thirty-five (435)

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Thursday, March 4, 2010

US Congresswoman Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink of Hawaii

USCIS 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative
for how many years?

PATSY MINK: Ahead of the Majority

Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink (Japanese: パッツィー・T・ミンク; December 6, 1927–September 28, 2002) was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.

Mink served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a total of 12 terms, representing Hawaii's first and second congressional districts. She also was the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.

In 1972, Congresswoman Mink wrote the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, which guaranteed equal opportunity for both men and women in education and school sports.

For more info about influence of Patsy Mink and Title IX, see

USCIS 100:22. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

  • two (2)

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

US Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin of Montana

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin speaks out for women's right to vote.

On March 3, 1917, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives and the first female member of the Congress. Because she loved peace and hated war, she voted against the entry of the United States into both World War I and World War II.

On Feb. 23, 2009 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) introduced H. R. 1124: Honoring Female Pioneers Act that creates a U.S. postage stamp honoring four female Congressional pioneers: Jeannette Rankin (R-MT), Mary Teresa Norton (D-NJ), Patsy Mink (D-HI), and Shirley Chisholm (D-NY). The bill is awaiting a commitee vote. Thanks to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for honoring out political foremothers!

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

  • Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]
  • Check www.house.gov/ for the name of your US Representative.
  • Also see USPS Zip+4.

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Eleanor Roosevelt

USCIS 96:90 Name of the purposes of the United Nations.


a special 4-part online exhibit from Arago,
the Smithsonian Postal Museum--AMAZING!

VOANews: Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962: She Was the Most Influential Wife of Any American President

On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: She became one of the most important people in America. She fought for equal rights for all people -- workers, women, poor people, black people. And she sought peace among nations. 20 September 2008

VOAVideo: First Lady's Role Shaped by Tradition and the Individual

ESL Discussions: United Nations

  • How has the United Nations changed the world?

USCIS 96:90 Name of the purposes of the United Nations.

  • For countries to discuss and try to resolve world problems or to provide economic aid to many countries

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

Monday, March 1, 2010

March is National Women's History Month

The National Women's History Project (NWHP) teaches people about the important activites of women. NWHP sponsors Women's History Month. This year's theme is Writing Women Back into History .


USCIS 100:77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

  • fought for women’s rights
  • fought for civil rights

LISTEN to US Citizenzenship Podcast: