LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE- 1st Qtr; 2008 Volume 7 No. 1 | Page 10

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Does My Vote

Count ?

By Al Frederick
I think this year it is time for everyone to vote . It is time to leave the apathy at home . Florida is a diverse state and is always crucial in determining who will be the next President of the United States .
Look at the 2000 and 2004 elections on how close the vote was and you realize how important our state ’ s vote is . In past elections only 6 percent of the actual voters were Hispanic . I hope this condition changes this time as most of the present issues directly target concerns in the Hispanic community such as the Iraq War ( there is an inequitable and unbalanced proportion of Hispanic soldiers in comparison to the general population demographics ) and Immigration ( need I say more ?).
Does my vote count ? Yes it does , in Florida all elections have been close . Mel Martinez won with less than 1 % difference . President Bush won with only 3000 votes ( and I will not go into detail about how contested that election was ). The closer the election the more important the individual vote . Always remember Adolf Hitler won by only one vote . Just think what the world would have been like if it did not suffer World War II . This election is especially important to the immigrants . Whoever wins will set the immigration policy of the USA for years to come . Will it be a humane and fair policy or will it be based only on security concerns ? Do you care or did you forget all of our families except the Native Americans had ancestors that were immigrants at one time ? It is your decision and yes you can make a difference .
10 LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE | February - april 2008

Top House , Senate , FCC , FRB Leaders to Headline USHCC Legislative Conference , March 11-13

Before the historic 2008 elections take place , the USHCC invites you to participate in the leading legislative forum representing the interests and agenda of the Latino and Latina business community . The 18th Annual USHCC Legislative Conference brings together Hispanic elected officials , members of Congress , government leaders , influential Hispanic entrepreneurs and members of corporate America .
Don ’ t miss this critical Legislative Event , Hispanic Business - Shaping Tomorrow ’ s Policy , and dedicate March 11-13 , 2008 to the top issues that are at the forefront of the national economic agenda .
The USHCC Legislative Conference has drawn world leaders including President George W . Bush , President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic , and then-President Felipe Calderon of Mexico in past years .
Hispanic-owned businesses are fastest growing business segment in the country . There are more than

Sun Trust Mortgage

Steps Up To The Plate Ready To Help Tampa Bay ’ s Hispanic Community with Mortgage needs
Jaime A . Yepes is a Mortgage Loan Consultant at SunTrust Mortgage , Inc . His goal for 2008 is to help 125 new families achieve the dream of owning a home . Along with this goal , Jaime wants to educate the Hispanic community on the steps necessary to becoming a homeowner .
A retired First Sergeant for the United States Army , Jaime spent more than 22 years in the military , 11 of those years recruiting our nations finest . Through his military background , Jaime A . Yepes brings extensive leadership experience , ethical standards and discipline to his business , and dedication his community .
Through Jaime ’ s knowledge of the retail lending market , he provides his customers with an easy and educated home purchase experience . With constant communication , support and follow-up , he ensures that all of his clients make informed , educated decisions .
As a cancer survivor , Jaime supports the American Cancer Society . He is a proud single dad of two beautiful children and resides in the Town and Country area .
For assistance with your mortgage needs , please contact Jaime @ his office : 813-224- 2949 , or on his cell phone : 813-695-3868 , or email him at : Jaime . Yepes @ SunTrust . com . Website : www . suntrustmortgage . com / jyepes
2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the US , which collectively generate more than $ 388 billion in revenue annually . Additionally , Hispanic-owned firms in the United States expected to grow to 3.2 million by 2010 , with total revenues surging to more than $ 465 billion
Legislative issues and agenda-setting will focus on : Hemispheric Trade , Economics of Energy Efficiency ( going green ), Small Business and Federal Procurement , Telecommunications /
Technology , Immigration , Education and Healthcare .
For more information , or to register to attend this exciting event , please visit : USHCC . com
Latin Times is a media partner in this event . We will be attending and participating in the event schedule . If you are interested in attending as part of our group , please contact Jolie @ ( 813 ) 901-5292 .