Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009: She Changed the World for People with Mental Disabilities

VOA Learning English: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009: She Changed the World for People with Mental Disabilities

A member of one of America’s most famous families, she helped create the Special Olympics in 1968 PEOPLE IN AMERICA (download mp3)

Peace Corps Marks 50 Years of Promoting Peace, Understanding

VOANews: Peace Corps Marks 50 Years of Promoting Peace, Understanding

Fifty years ago, US President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote peace and friendship between the U.S. and other countries. But it wasn't until a year later, in August 1962, that the first group of Peace Corps volunteers left for Africa. Since then, 200,000 volunteers have served as health workers, teachers, and technical advisors in many countries.

Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Honored with Memorial

VOAVideo: Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Honored with Memorial

U.S. President Barack Obama leads the nation this Sunday (August 28th) in honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. -- with the dedication of a new national memorial in Washington, DC. King was the leading voice of the nation's modern day civil rights movement, and this is the first major monument built on the National Mall to honor an African American. VOA's Chris Simkins profiles the U.S. civil rights pioneer who had a dream for a better America.



VOANews: New King Memorial in Washington Draws Early Visitors

There's a new monument in Washington -- a little bit different, perhaps, from the ones people usually see. It's a tribute to the late American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Junior -- and it's the first memorial to an African-American on the National Mall. It opened to the public this week in advance of the official dedication scheduled for Sunday (Aug. 28). Mariama Diallo talked with visitors about their impressions of the man and the monument.

Alabama City Remembered as Climactic Battle of Civil Rights Movement

VOANews:Alabama City Remembered as Climactic Battle of Civil Rights Movement

Sunday, August 28, in Washington, President Obama leads the nation in dedicating a new national memorial to the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. King was a southern Baptist minister who rose to become the leading voice of the nation's modern day civil rights movement during the1950's and 1960's. His struggle for equal rights and those of millions of African Americans did not come easily. VOA's Chris Simkins has more on one of the pivotal events in the civil rights movement that brought national and international attention to King and his philosophy of non-violence.

West Wing Week: Mailbag Day, Summer Edition 2011

wh.gov: West Wing Week: Mailbag Day, Summer Edition 2011

Welcome to West Wing Week your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, Mailbag Day, Summer Edition 2011, where we take some questions from you and pose them to White House officials.

US Census Bureau Hispanic Recruitment Video

uscensusbreau: US Census Bureau Hispanic Recruitment Video

The Census is seeking creative individuals from diverse backgrounds, including talented Hispanics.

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-23

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

MORE PRACTICE

• Read: m638-10.pdf


• Listen: m638-10.mp3
  

New Deportation Policy

VOANews: Obama Administration Revamps Deportation Policy

The Obama administration says it will review the cases of more than 300,000 illegal immigrants facing deportation to determine if they can stay in the United States.

VOANews: Activists Cheer New Immigration Rules, Opponents Cry 'Amnesty'

Washington is buzzing following an announcement by President Barack Obama's administration that the U.S. now will focus its deportation efforts on illegal immigrants with criminal records or those who pose a threat to national security.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Preview

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

VOANews: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Preview

The King memorial is the first memorial on the mall dedicated to someone other than a president or a war

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

▪ fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans

USCIS N-648 Instructional Video

USCIS on YouTube: USCIS N-648 Instructional Video

N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

This form is intended for applicants for U.S. citizenship who seek an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization "because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment."

• Download Form N-648 (1171KB PDF)
• Download Instructions for Form N-648 (145KB PDF)
• View the N-648 instructional video to assist in the completion of this form.
• USCIS also produced a presentation Training for External Stakeholders for Form N-648.

West Wing Week: 8/19/11 or "Get On The Bus"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 8/19/11 or "Get On The Bus"

This week, The President welcomed the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers to the White House before embarking on a three day Rural Bus Tour across the midwestern states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. During his tour to the heartland, the President heard directly from Americans including small business owners, local families and private sector leaders while promoting a the need for faster economic growth, strengthening the middle class and accelerating hiring in communities and towns across the nation. That's August 12th to August 18th or "Get on the Bus."

Iowa Voters Focused on Economy

VOAVideo: Iowa Voters Focused on Economy

As Republican presidential hopefuls campaign in the Midwest state, Iowa, they are encountering voters increasingly concerned about the state of the economy. As VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports from Des Moines, the recent debate about raising the U.S. debt ceiling, followed by a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating by Standard & Poors, are among the concerns of voters in a key state for those seeking the Republican nomination for president.

2011 Milpitas Adult School ESL and Citizenship Registration

2011 Milpitas Adult School ESL and Citizenship Registration is August 8, 10, 12, 15 or 17. For more info, click here. For other schools in your area, see the Literacy Directory.

Berlin Wall: 28 Years of Confrontation

USCIS 100:83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?



VOAVideo: Berlin Wall: 28 Years of Confrontation

On August 13, 1961, the window in the 'Iron Curtain' was shut. In a single night, the border between the two parts of Berlin was closed. Thousands of people were cut off from their families, work, and homes. The Berlin Wall stood for 20,315 days. For 28 years it separated the city into two. More importantly, it divided the world.

USCIS 100:83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

▪ Communism

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-15

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

USCIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

MORE PRACTICE:
LISTEN: USCIS 100:08-09 mp3
READ: USCIS 100:08 document
READ: USCIS 100:09 document
Direct download: m638-08-09.mp3

Rev.B.F.Perkins-Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness-photo by AVAM

President Obama Honors Muslim-Americans

wh.gov: Obama Honors Muslim-Americans

VOANews: Obama Honors Muslim-Americans

U.S. President Barack Obama said Muslim-Americans have made great contributions to the "strength and character" of the United States, as he welcomed guests to the White House for an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. (read more)

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-13

USCIS 100:08. What did the Declaration of Independence do?

USCIS 100:08. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

MORE PRACTICE:

LISTEN: USCIS 100:08-09 mp3
READ: USCIS 100:08 document
READ: USCIS 100:09 document
Direct download: m638-08-09.mp3

West Wing Week: 8/12/11 or "Made In America"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 8/12/11 or "Made In America"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President announced new initiatives to put unemployed veterans back to work as well as new fuel economy standards for work trucks, buses and other heavy duty vehicles that will reduce oil consumption and pollution, traveled to Holland, Michigan to visit an advanced battery facility highlighting innovative technologies that help America achieve these historic new fuel standards and addressed the nation on the budget deficit and creating jobs. That's August 5th to August 11th or "Made In America."

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-11

USCIS 100:07. How many amendments does the Constitution have?


USCIS 100:07. How many amendments does the Constitution have?

▪ twenty-seven (27)

MORE PRACTICE:

• LISTEN: USCIS 100:07 mp3


• READ: USCIS 100:07 document


• READ: USCitizenPod's Easy Interview pdf


• Direct download: m638-07.mp3

Welcome to the USCIS Library!

USCIS on YouTube: Welcome to the USCIS Library!

The Immigration and Naturalization Historical Reference Library collection focuses primarily on the history of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and its predecessor agencies (INS, Bureau of Naturalization, etc.), then on the history of immigration to the United States and the history of the federal government.

• The USCIS Library website.

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-09

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government

MORE PRACTICE:

• LISTEN: USCIS 100:05-06 mp3


• READ: USCIS 100:05 document


• READ: USCIS 100:06 document


• Direct download: m638-05-06.mp3

2011 ESL Registration and Placement Testing

2011 ESL Registration and Placement Testing at Milpitas Adult School

August 8, 10, 12, 15 or 17

MORNING AND EVENING CLASSSES for Academic and Career Students
Registration 9 am - 12 Begins on time. No late entry!
eTest 1 - 4 pm

Bring a picture ID and a $40 non-refundable test fee. (Exact change
only)
Plan to be here approximately 3 hours for registration and 3 hours for
the eTest. No Children Please!

The next ESL Registration/Placement test will be August 8, 10, 12, 15 and 17. Please click one of the language version listed below for registration and testing times.

• English Version of ESL Registration/Testing for August 2011


• Spanish Version of ESL Registration/Testing for August 2011


• Chinese Version of ESL Registration/Testing for August 2011


• Vietnamese Version of ESL Registration/Testing for August 2011

School starts on August 29th

MORNING ESL CLASSES
ESL - Career & College Students Mon - Fri 8:45 am - 12 noon

EVENING CLASSES
ESL - Career & College Students Tue/Thu 5:45 pm - 9 pm
ESL Citizenship Preparation Tue/Thu 5:45 pm - 9 pm
Next Registration/Test Date: Oct 25, 2011.
Check the website https://adulted.musd.org/ for ESL updates.

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-07

USCIS 100:05. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

USCIS: 05. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

**the Bill of Rights



LISTEN: USCIS 100:05-06 mp3
READ: USCIS 100:05 document
READ: USCIS 100:06 document
Direct download: m638-05-06.mp3

West Wing Week: 8/5/11 or "Disaster Averted"

VOAVideo: West Wing Week: 8/5/11 or "Disaster Averted"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama announced a bi-partisan compromise to reduce the deficit and avoid default, announced a historic fuel efficiency standard that will save American families money, welcomed the crews of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and International Space Station expedition 26, held a cabinet meeting and celebrated his 50th birthday.

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-05

USCIS 100:04. What is an amendment?

"Patchwork Flag" at the 2008 Pacific International Quilt Festival, Santa Clara, CA

USCIS 100:04. What is an amendment

▪ a change (to the Constitution)
▪ an addition (to the Constitution)

MORE PRACTICE

• LISTEN: USCIS 100:03-04 mp3


• READ: USCIS 100:04 document


• Direct download: m638-03-04.mp3

Happy 50th Birthday, President Obama!

"Yes We Can!" Cake decorated by the Larson Family of San Jose, CA
in honor of the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, January 2009.

VOANews: Obama Celebrates 50th Birthday with White House Party

President Obama will host an afternoon party with family and friends at the White House Rose Garden. At a Chicago birthday gala and campaign fundraiser Wednesday, the president defended his economic record while admitting more work needs to be done. (watch video)

O! Say Can You See 2011-08-03

USCIS 100:03. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

"We the People" by Loree Marquardt, Colorado Springs, C0

USCIS 100:03. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

▪ We the People

MORE PRACTICE

LISTEN: USCIS 100:03-04 mp3

READ: USCIS 100:03 document

Direct download: m638-03-04.mp3

Debt Ceiling Plan Clears Both Houses of Congress

VOAVideo: Debt Ceiling Plan Clears Both Houses of Congress

Voting on a deficit reduction plan is over in the U.S. Congress. Legislation raising the debt ceiling and cutting spending passed the U.S. House of Representatives Monday night and the U.S. Senate Tuesday, just in time for the August 2 deadline. On that day, economists had warned the U.S. would no longer be able to service its debt payments. Meantime, global market analysts seem to be several paces ahead, pondering how far the agreement goes in saving a weak U.S. economy. VOA's Laurel Bowman explores.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Returns to the House

CSPAN: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Returns to the House

Seen on C-SPAN: During the final vote on the debt ceiling bill, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) returns to the House. This is her first time back in the House since surviving an assassination attempt in January of this year.

US Congressional Vote Looms on Debt Ceiling Deal

VOAVideo: US Congressional Vote Looms on Debt Ceiling Deal

Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress have reached agreement on increasing the debt ceiling and cutting spending after months of political fighting. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate plan to vote on the measure Monday, just a day ahead of the deadline for reaching a deal. VOA's Laurel Bowman has more.

Bipartisan U.S. Debt Deal Reportedly Taking Shape

VOAVideo: Bipartisan U.S. Debt Deal Reportedly Taking Shape

The U.S. Senate has blocked a Democratic proposal to raise the federal borrowing limit and avoid a potential default on America's $14.3 trillion national debt. With both Republican and Democratic plans now defeated, focus shifts to last-ditch negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House. VOA's Michal Bowman reports lawmakers are expressing cautious optimism that a bipartisan deal may soon be at hand.

President Obama Delivers a Statement on Deficit Agreement

wh.gov: President Obama Delivers a Statement on Deficit Agreement

President Obama delivers a statement to the press on announcing that the leaders of both parties have reached an agreement that will reduce the deficit and avoid default. July 31, 2011.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I want to thank the American people. It’s been your voices -- your letters, your emails, your tweets, your phone calls -- that have compelled Washington to act in the final days. And the American people's voice is a very, very powerful thing.

We’re not done yet. I want to urge members of both parties to do the right thing and support this deal with your votes over the next few days. It will allow us to avoid default. It will allow us to pay our bills. It will allow us to start reducing our deficit in a responsible way. And it will allow us to turn to the very important business of doing everything we can to create jobs, boost wages, and grow this economy faster than it's currently growing.

That’s what the American people sent us here to do, and that’s what we should be devoting all of our time to accomplishing in the months ahead.

Thank you very much, everybody.