Vieques Bombing Suit Dismissed
On Thursday, January 3, the lawsuit filed by Puerto Rico seeking to halt Navy training exercises on the island of Vieques was dismissed by US District Judge, Gladys Kessler. The suit was filed in April 2000 and sought to force Navy compliance with a new noise-limit law in Puerto Rico and the 1972 Federal Noise Control Act. Puerto Rican officials plan to appeal the ruling. The Navy says that Vieques is crucial to U.S. battle readiness in that it provides naval, aerial and amphibious exercises all at once. President George W. Bush stated that, the Navy shall continue using the site until May 2003 when it is scheduled to end all military exercises on the island. However, in December of 2001, Congress passed legislation barring the Navy from closing the 900 acre training range until a suitable replacement is found, thus canceling the referendum that was scheduled to take place later that month. The referendum would have allowed the residents of Puerto Rico to vote on whether the Navy would cease training on the Vieques training range. The Navy plans to resume firing live shells sometime in January at the range. The current heightened military alert enabled the Navy to gain some flexibility in the use of the Vieques practice range. The decision was part of the fiscal 2002 appropriations report.

Two Latinos Run for TX Governor Primary
Former Attorney General, Dan Morales (D) will challenge Tony Sanchez in the Democratic race for '02 governor of Texas. Sanchez had been heavily favored to win and was endorsed by the party. Morales had originally intended running for the Democratic Senate primary, but filed for the Governor's race minutes before the 6 p.m. filing. Sanchez was not informed by Morales about his decision prior to his filing. It is thought that Morales will prove a formidable competitor against Sanchez because of name recognition and his political experience as Attorney General.

Richardson to Run for N.M. Governor
Former Energy Department Secretary Bill Richardson will seek the Democratic nomination for governor of New Mexico. Richardson, 54, is scheduled to make the formal announcement Jan. 12. Richardson represented northern New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District for 14 years and was the highest ranking Latino in Congress during his tenure. He was tapped to head the Energy Department in 1998, making him the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Clinton administration. Richardson also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. At the 2000 National Convention in Washington, DC LULAC passed a resolution expressing its strong support for Secretary Richardson for his exemplary record of public service and his contributions to the United States. As the most senior Latino in President Clinton's Cabinet, he promoted Hispanic outreach efforts to engage the Latino community in energy, community, and business development, the rights of immigrants, health care legislation for Latinos and educational opportunities for Latino students. Secretary Richardson was recognized in particular for his efforts to urge oil producing nations to increase oil production in an effort to reduce gas prices; to reduce electricity costs; and for the acceleration of the cleanup of contaminated Department of Energy sites.

Dr. Rodriguez-Trias Dies: Health Advocate
Helen Rodriguez-Trias, 72, a pediatrician and past president of the American Public Health Association who was a nationally recognized health care advocate, died Dec. 27 at her home in Santa Cruz, CA from lung cancer. Dr. Rodriguez-Trias was born in Puerto Rico and was a 1960 graduate of the University of Puerto Rico's medical school. While serving her pediatrics residency at the university's hospital, she created the island's first center for neonatal care. Dr. Rodriguez-Trias, an authority in maternal and family health, received a Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bill Clinton for her work on behalf of women, children, AIDS patients and the poor in 2000. LULAC expresses its condolences to her family and friends.