In New Mexico, our children live in a STATE of crisis. Will you help make them our #1 priority?

In a recent interview with Joe Chavez, an Albuquerque Police Officer, Jose' Armas reported (Albuquerque Tribune, January 5, 1999) that the Albuquerque Public School (APS) district was assigning police officers to the city's middle schools. APS has maintained police in the city's high schools for years. Chavez added that Albuquerque's elementary schools were in need of officers as well. He believes we have the option of investing immediately in our children or we risk losing another generation.

It is time for Hispanics everywhere to become pro-active. While individuals of Spanish decent make up nearly 50% of the local Albuquerque population, less than 10% write letters to local newspapers (Armas, Albuquerque Tribune, Jan. 5, 1999). Write a letter or send a postcard. Prove that you exist. Prove that you want a better New Mexico. The most popular Hispanic in 1999 should not be the Taco Bell Chihuahua...