---Confirmation of Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court---
 The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) applauds the United States Senate's vote to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the nation's highest court. Representative Joseph Miro (DE), NHCSL's President, calls the historic confirmation "a proud moment for the entire nation, and an especially sparkling moment for Latinos, women, and all communities who have worked to achieve full representation in American civic life. Judge Sotomayor is a shining example of the results achievable through hard work, study and perseverance." Elizabeth Burgos, NHCSL Executive Director, said, "Judge Sotomayor's confirmation is a leap forward. We have the first-ever Latina Supreme Court Justice, whose life story, experience and qualifications embolden all Americans to believe that no barrier is unbreakable. Undoubtedly, the Supreme Court will be strengthened by the character, judgment, and intellect of its newest associate justice."  NHCSL's membership of over 300 Hispanic state legislators lauds the confirmation of the first Latina to the nation's highest court -- a long-awaited goal of the Latino community. Judge Sotomayor will strengthen the court as a faithful steward of the rule of law and a jurist who brings a real understanding of diverse American life.

Dalai Lama

John Payton

Aaron R. Andrews

Business World Index

---National Civil Rights Museum honors---
For the first time in the history of the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award ceremonial presentation will honor three individuals for their influence and commitment to peace, justice and equality. On September 23, the International Freedom Award, sponsored by the Hyde Family Foundations, will be presented to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The museum is awarding the prestigious International Freedom Award to the Dalai Lama for his "steadfast commitment to protecting and defending the rights of the oppressed people of Tibet and elsewhere in the world." The museum recognizes the Dalai Lama's contributions to world peace through promotion of human values, interfaith harmony and universal responsibility. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and temporal leader of six million Tibetans. In 1935, he was born the fifth of 16 children to a farming family in the village of Takster in the Amdo province of Tibet. Museum Board Chairman Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks said, "As a living example of Dr. Martin Luther King and Gandhi's non-violence in the face of political oppression and suffering, the Dalai Lama demonstrates life-long peaceful struggle against brutality and injustice. As the Tibetan people mark their 50th year in exile, the Dalai Lama's struggle serves as an inspiration for social justice movements everywhere."

---44th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act---
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) recently celebrated the 44th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act, a bill that is widely regarded as one of the most successful and effective civil rights laws in our nation's history. "No law has done more to help realize the goals of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments by opening up opportunities for minority voter participation at the local, state and federal levels," said John Payton. "LDF recognizes the central role that the Act has long played and continues to play in making our nation a more vibrant democracy. The Voting Rights Act remains critical to our democracy. Payton observed that "the 44th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act stands as a moment to reflect upon the tremendous progress our nation has made and the significant work that remains yet to be done. Our long march towards political equality is not yet complete."

---U.S. Department of Education Awards UNCF Special Programs Corporation Over $9 million---The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP) announced that it has received a grant for more than $9 million from the U.S. Department of Education in support of the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP). IIPP is part of a strong consortium of institutions of higher education whose purpose is to increase the representation of minorities in international service. With the specific mission to prepare minority students for careers in international affairs, IIPP was created by Congress in 1992 in Title VI, Part C, Section 621 of the Higher Education Act. For each year of the five-year grant period, UNCFSP will receive over $1.8 million to provide summer policy institutes, study abroad, intensive language training, internships, graduate study, student mentoring and career development opportunities for underrepresented minority students from across the nation. "Over the last 15 years UNCF Special Programs Corporation has had the honor to administer the IIPP Fellowship program," said Aaron R. Andrews, UNCFSP President and CEO. "It is a privilege to continue the stewardship of IIPP for the next five years as we work to broaden access to international education and training opportunities for underrepresented minority college students. We are training the leaders of tomorrow in the field of international affairs."

---Welcome to the National Association of Women’s Ministry---The National Association of Women’s Ministry (NAWM) was formed as a Christian education collaborative to focus on sharing role model examples of ministry, curriculum, bible study lessons, workshops, and event publications. Women who are pastors, co-pastors, ministers, missionaries, educators and ministry laypersons from all over the world are invited to share their ideas for ministry. Each person share their ministry calling, gifts, and talents so that Jesus would be glorified and the church edified. Ephesians 4:11 -13 (NIV) states, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Esther Pearson, Education Collaborative Leader comments. "With Ephesians 4:11-13 in mind, let us join together in unity to share our callings and service so that others may become mature in Jesus Christ and in His service. The NAWM Christian Education Collaborative welcomes submission of curriculum, lessons, workshop and retreat/event materials from across the nation. These materials will be posted on our website for all to enjoy and share. These materials will help to energize individuals, women's groups, organizations or congregations. Share your insights on prayer, faith, salvation, leadership, marriage, forgiveness, counseling women, and any other topics that are critical to Christian growth and development." For more info., contact Dr. Esther M. Pearson, Education Collaborative Leader, New England Region via email at: nawm_online@yahoo.com