Postings for the month of June for Walker Report, 6-30

"Just a Thought" Column continues in La Prensa of ...
Democratic Voter Registration @ Pride SA, 6-29
Rally for Stand With Women @ High Noon @ Capitol, ...
Anniversary of Texas ratifying 19th amendment, 6-2...
Comedian Cleto ("Where's Cleto") Rodriguez @ Marth...
Women's Brunch supporting Jon Gary Herrera for Rey...
Photos from Vietnam by local photographer Le Lowry...
100 Club Spaghetti Dinner coming July 13th & July ...
"Just a Thought" column continues in La Prensa of ...
Alamo Asian Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Gala, ...
3rd Annual Sustainable Urban Development Luncheon,...
District 4 Graffiti Wipeout With Councilman Saldan...
SA Association of Hispanic Journalists hosts Gala,...
Local Actor Jesse Borrego to teach acting seminar,...
Fundraisisng Reception for Congressman Lloyd Dogge...
Dedication of statute of Frederick Douglass in Cap...
Juneteenth Celebration, June 19th, celebated in Au...
West SA Chamber of Commerce to host breakfast mixe...
Thank You from District 8 Councilman-Elect Nirenbe...
"Just a Thought" continues in La Prensa of SA, 6-1...
More Councilman-Elect Nirenberg's victory party, 6...
Candidate Ron Nirenberg wins District 8 Council Se...
American Legion # 336 Flag Retirement event, 6-15
More NW Democrats meeting with Legislators, 6-15
Northwest Democrats host legislators update, 6-15
Summer Reading Programs @ the San Antonio Library
Happy 238th Birthday United States Army, 6-14
America celebrates Flag Day, Saturday, June 14th
Northwest Bexar County Democrats Meeting @ Luby's,...
Free Community Health Fair @ Davis Scott YMCA, 6-1...
West SA Chamber of Commerce Networking Mixer, 6-28...
Rio Max invites you to taste real "Mole," 6-14/15...
"Nuns on the Bus" on Immigration Reform draws crow...
"Just a Thought" continues in La Prensa of San Ant...
Nuns on the Bus Texas Tour for Immigration Reform,...
Sons of the American Revolution shoot muskets, 6-8...
San Antonio Spurs play tonight at Miami @ 8 p.m.
NBA finals tonight, game time 8 p.m. from Miami, 6...
June 6th, 1944 D-Day Invasion on the beaches of No...
An Evening in Vegas with John Gary Herrera for Rey...
"Just Thought" column continues in La Prensa of S...

"Just a Thought" Column continues in La Prensa of SA, 6-30

Just a Thought: Rosa Rosales
By Steve Walker

Continuing on my mission to write about local and national Hispanic icons for the past 10 weeks, today, I choose another female, a well-known activist for immigration reform and Latino issues, Rosa Rosales.

A beloved member of the local community she is revered by many to include myself for her willingness to stand up for the weak and disenfranchised and fight for human dignity when she sees it is being abused.

She is the immediate Past National LULAC President having served two terms as the organization’s national spokesperson.

A woman who doesn’t mince words, Rosa Rosales has been at the forefront along with the likes of United International Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez, and local activist and member of LULAC, Jaime Martinez. “Just a Thought” has covered both Chavez & Martinez in recent weeks.

What makes her so unique is her dignified and maternal demeanor that at times can quickly escalate into passionate fiery rhetoric when challenged to defend the underdog and those she feel are being discriminated against. 

When necessary, she lets her adversaries know that she is not to be trifled with or summarily dismissed as someone not familiar with the issue at hand.

When she addresses Latino issues she is prepared, speaks articulately, passionately and will not hesitate to take her antagonist to task.

CNN Financial Anchor Lou Dobbs, (now Fox News Talk Show host) hosted a town forum entitled "Broken Borders" at the Empire Theatre, October 25^th, 2006. The hour long live show featured then LULAC President Rosa Rosales, David Trasvina, a lawyer from MALDEF, Austin Republican Congressman Mike McCaul and various experts on immigration in America from Washington.

Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazelton, Pennsylvania showed up to blast illegal immigration and told the audience of his city's recent ordinance prohibiting citizen's from renting or hiring "illegal aliens" who he says is taking over his town.

The debate became heated when Dobbs asked Rosales if she thought Mexico was doing its part in the war on illegal immigration. Charges of racism were hurled in the debate with the panel which was airing live on CNN from 6 -7 p.m. Rosales also took exception to the term "illegal alien" vs. undocumented worker.

She took him to task reminding him that Hispanics were not aliens from outer space as he unsuccessfully tried to cut her off. She didn’t flinch, holding her own while continuing to speak. He shook his head laughing and rolling his eyes and let her finish her comments. She was roundly cheered by the local attendees.

I also had the pleasure of her presence in my courtroom once when I was a Judge. She successfully and articulately spoke against an illegal eviction of a tenant who had actually paid their rent. She was eloquent, focused on the issue referencing the law and saving the lady from being wrongfully evicted.  

I have been fortunate to hear her speak on many occasions and take her photos as well. A woman of integrity, dignity and class, I am honored to know her and just be in the same room with her. She definitely belongs in the group of icons appearing in this column for weeks.         

Anyway, as always, what I write is “Just a Thought.”

Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and former Justice of the Peace and Journalist.

Democratic Voter Registration @ Pride SA, 6-29

L-R: CASA, David Plylar, Lauryn Farris, Ana Alicia Perez, Jesse Garcia Mari Sandoval, attendees, booths, crowd @ Crockett Park on Main

Anniversary of Texas ratifying 19th amendment, 6-28

On this date in 1919, Texas became the 9th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. It would not be law nationwide until Tennessee (No. 36) ratified it in 1920. Texas was once at the forefront of advancing women's rights.

Comedian Cleto ("Where's Cleto") Rodriguez @ Martha's, 6-27

Tonight! Thursday June 27th come join me at Martha's Mexican Rest.(Broadway and 410) for my NEW Comedy Night!

Come see some of San Antonio's funniest comedians work on their material they perform all across the country! You never know who will show up and perform! Food and Drink specials! Comedy show will start at 7:30 p.m! Thanks folks for the support! Call for reservations.

Women's Brunch supporting Jon Gary Herrera for Rey Feo, 7-13

Photos from Vietnam by local photographer Le Lowry

L-R: San Antonian Le Lowry is travelling around Vietnam for a month and sends these photos back to share with Walker Report. His father is a retired Army Colonel and Vietnam Veteran and his mother is Vietnamese. As a Vietnam Veteran these photos bring back memories of my tour 42 years ago in Phu Bai Vietnam.