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120354409
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[12/08/1999 – 02/16/2000]
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120354409
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[12/08/1999 – 02/16/2000]
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Presidential Electronic Mail from the Automated Records Management System (ARMS)
Automated Records Management System (ARMS) Email from the Office of Policy Development (OPD) Bucket
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42-t-26444780-20120371F-007-005-2017
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RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Paul Thornell ( CN=Paul Thornell/O=OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 8-DEC-1999 11:49:13.00 SUBJECT: Rep. Bob Menendez Call TO: Monica M. Dixon ( CN=Monica M. Dixon/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Wendy C. New ( CN=Wendy C. New/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP @ EOP [ OPD 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Paul J. Cusack ( CN=Paul J. Cusack/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Patricia A. McHugh ( CN=Patricia A. McHugh/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: David R Thomas ( CN=David R Thomas/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN 1) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Timothy P. Morningstar ( CN=Timothy P. Morningstar/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Kathy Weatherly ( CN=Kathy Weatherly/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN 1) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Brian A. Reich ( CN=Brian A. Reich/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN 1) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Kay Casstevens ( CN=Kay Casstevens/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN D READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Congresman Menendez called for the VP. He wants to discuss the rescue of the Cuban boy in Florida waters. Menendez is oppossed to the boy's being returned to Cuba. Irene, do you have any guidance/talking points for this issue?? I will work up a callsheet and pass it on once I get direction from OPD. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [OPD]) CREATION DATE/TIME:18-JAN-2000 13:42:25.00 SUBJECT: Re: Cuban boy TO: Lisa J. Macecevic ( CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP@EOP [ OMB ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: richard e. green ( CN=richard e. green/OU=omb/O=eop@eop [ OMB ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: okay From: Lisa J. Macecevic on 01/18/2000 01:41:14 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Richard E. Green/OMB/EOP@EOP bcc: Subject: Re: Cuban boy Thank you very much. Could you cc: Richard Green (my boss) on any emails too? Thanks, Lisa Irene Bueno 01/18/2000 01:39:33 PM Record Type: Record To: Lisa J. Macecevic/OMB/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Subject: Re: Cuban boy I will touch base with Wendy Patten, NSC on your questions - I had similar ones as well. From: Lisa J. Macecevic on 01/18/2000 01:36:59 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Subject: Cuban boy Hi Irene, Yes, more questions from me As it seems legislation could be brought up as early as next Monday when Congress comes back, concerning the Cuban boy, do you have any feel about the release of an Administration's position (versus that of just the Justice Dept) in order to get on the record (i.e., submit a letter). Around our office, we're not sure of the procedure for something like this. For instance, if Janet Reno makes a statement, would a letter still be sent to Congress, if legislation is proposed? (And, I know you gave me the name of someone from the NSC, so maybe they have the lead.) Just looking for any information that would help us make the process run more smoothly if a letter would come to be appropriate for the situation. Thanks, Lisa RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP [ NSC ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:18-JAN-2000 15:03:24.00 SUBJECT: Re: Cuban boy TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Irene -- I will talk to Justice and find out what the current thinking is. (I am still learning Lotus notes, so bear with me!) thanks -- WLP RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 13:02:54.00 SUBJECT: Re: OMB call re: SOP on Elian bill TO: Wendy L. Patten (CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [ NSC READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Thanks I mentioned the same to Lisa and her boss Richard. Wendy L. Patten 01/24/2000 12:59:13 PM Record Type: Record To: Maria Echaveste/WHO/EOP@EOP cc: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP, Joel K. Wiginton/WHO/EOP@EOP, Daniel B. Shapiro/NSC/EOP@EOP, Miles M. Lackey/NSC/EOP@EOP Subject: OMB call re: SOP on Elian bill Maria, An issue related to this afternoon's conference call: OMB (Lisa Macecevic) called me this morning to say that if we plan to prepare a Statement of Administration Position on a bill related to Elian Gonzalez, OMB would need a draft by early tomorrow. Their sense of urgency stems from word that such a bill may reach the floor as early as Wednesday. I let her know that there is an interagency process for developing our strategy to handle Elian legislation, and that your office was coordinating another conference call later today. thanks -- WLP RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 18:13:09.00 SUBJECT: Immigration Legislation TO: Wendy L. Patten (CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [ NSC ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Brian A. Barreto (CN=Brian A. Barreto/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO D READ:UNKNOWN CC: Maureen T. Shea ( CN=Maureen T. Shea/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Angie Kelly of National Immigration Forum called me back re: parity legislation as a possible amendment to the Elian Gonzalez bill but I missed her call. Do you want to try to schedule a conference call with her and Michael Hill of the US Catholic Conference at 11 am on Tuesday, 1/25 to discuss this issue? Please let me know. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Brian A. Barreto (CN=Brian A. Barreto/OU=WHO/O=EOP [ WHO ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 18:14:33.00 SUBJECT: Re: Immigration Legislation TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [OPD]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: I have an 11:00am meeting with the NSC. If this could happen a few minutes later say around 11:30am/12:00pm that would work. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:13:04 PM Record Type: Record To: Brian A. Barreto/WHO/EOP@EOP, Wendy L. Patten/NSC/EOP@EOP cc: Maureen T. Shea/WHO/EOP@EOP Subject: Immigration Legislation Angie Kelly of National Immigration Forum called me back re: parity legislation as a possible amendment to the Elian Gonzalez bill but I missed her call. Do you want to try to schedule a conference call with her and Michael Hill of the US Catholic Conference at 11 am on Tuesday, 1/25 to discuss this issue? Please let me know. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 17:11:36.00 SUBJECT: Immigration Legislation TO: Lisa J. Macecevic ( CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP@EOP [ OMB 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Richard E. Green ( CN=Richard E. Green/OU=OMB/O=EOP@EOP [ OMB ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Marjorie Tarmey ( CN=Marjorie Tarmey/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO 1) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [ NSC READ:UNKNOWN Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Here's an update from our conference call. INS and State Dept. are preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views on the concept of conferring citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez. They will send the letter to me and I will forward to you for clearance. With regard to a SAP, we believe it's premature to send a SAP since Congress will unlikley vote on any legislation until next week and we do not know yet what this legislation will look like when it gets to the floor. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 18:08:39.00 SUBJECT: Re: Elian Legislation TO: Eric P. Liu ( CN=Eric P. Liu/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: anna richter ( CN=anna richter/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: bruce n. reed ( CN=bruce n. reed/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: No such analysis exists yet since we have not yet received copies of all the legislation that has been introduced. I will draft a memo for you when I get the legislation which should be early tomorrow. Eric P. Liu 01/24/2000 05:31:40 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation Can you write us up a memo that lays out the immigration policy issues implicated by this case, and what specifically these bills would do? If such paper exists already, pls send it our way. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 05:25:08 PM Record Type: Record To: Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP, Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Anna Richter/OPD/EOP@EOP Subject: Elian Legislation Here's an update from a conference call today on this matter. Bills to confer citizenship and legal permanent resident status were introduced today. The bill will not be voted upon until next week. DOJ and State Dept. recommend that we oppose the legislation that would confer citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez for a number of reasons and there was agreement with this position. Since we have been asked our position by many Congressional members, INS and State Dept. is preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views. At this point, we are not stating whether or not we would veto the legislation. I will fax you the draft letter when I receive it. We have heard that Democrats may use the debate on this legislation as an opportunity to offer amendments on priority issues such as Patients bill of Rights, Minimum wage, etc. We also expect that they may offer as amendments on immigration legislation priorities such as our Central American Parity legislation to raise awareness about the legislation and extract some agreement to take up the legislation as some later date. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Eric P. Liu (CN=Eric P. Liu/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 18:34:42.00 SUBJECT: Re: Elian Legislation TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: anna richter ( CN=anna richter/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ) READ:UNKNOWN CC: bruce n. reed ( CN=bruce n. reed/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: OK on the legislation, but what about the issues that the INS has already had to reckon with in making their initial determination? If you could give us a primer on the issues and process in play (Elian's status, what guidelines drive the INS process, etc) that would be helpful. Thanks Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:08:36 PM Record Type: Record To: Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation No such analysis exists yet since we have not yet received copies of all the legislation that has been introduced. I will draft a memo for you when I get the legislation which should be early tomorrow. Eric P. Liu 01/24/2000 05:31:40 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation Can you write us up a memo that lays out the immigration policy issues implicated by this case, and what specifically these bills would do? If such paper exists already, pls send it our way. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 05:25:08 PM Record Type: Record To: Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP, Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Anna Richter/OPD/EOP@EOP Subject: Elian Legislation Here's an update from a conference call today on this matter. Bills to confer citizenship and legal permanent resident status were introduced today. The bill will not be voted upon until next week. DOJ and State Dept. recommend that we oppose the legislation that would confer citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez for a number of reasons and there was agreement with this position. Since we have been asked our position by many Congressional members, INS and State Dept. is preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views. At this point, we are not stating whether or not we would veto the legislation. I will fax you the draft letter when I receive it. We have heard that Democrats may use the debate on this legislation as an opportunity to offer amendments on priority issues such as Patients bill of Rights, Minimum wage, etc. We also expect that they may offer as amendments on immigration legislation priorities such as our Central American Parity legislation to raise awareness about the legislation and extract some agreement to take up the legislation as some later date. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 18:25:47.00 SUBJECT: Re: Immigration Legislation TO: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP NSC READ:UNKNOWN TO: Brian A. Barreto (CN=Brian A. Barreto/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Works for me. Wendy - is this okay for you? Brian A. Barreto 01/24/2000 06:14:28 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Subject: Re: Immigration Legislation I have an 11:00am meeting with the NSC. If this could happen a few minutes later say around 11:30am/12:00pm that would work. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:13:04 PM Record Type: Record To: Brian A. Barreto/WHO/EOP@EOP, Wendy L. Patten/NSC/EOP@EOP cc: Maureen T. Shea/WHO/EOP@EOP Subject: Immigration Legislation Angie Kelly of National Immigration Forum called me back re: parity legislation as a possible amendment to the Elian Gonzalez bill but I missed her call. Do you want to try to schedule a conference call with her and Michael Hill of the US Catholic Conference at 11 am on Tuesday, 1/25 to discuss this issue? Please let me know. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP [ NSC ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 23:49:45.00 SUBJECT: Re: Immigration Legislation TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: brian a. barreto (CN=brian a. barreto/OU=who/O=eop@eop [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: works for me. who will initiate the call? thanks -- WLP Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:25:42 PM Record Type: Record To: Brian A. Barreto/WHO/EOP@EOP, Wendy L. Patten/NSC/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Subject: Re: Immigration Legislation Works for me. Wendy - is this okay for you? Brian A. Barreto 01/24/2000 06:14:28 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Subject: Re: Immigration Legislation I have an 11:00am meeting with the NSC. If this could happen a few minutes later say around 11:30am/12:00pm that would work. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:13:04 PM Record Type: Record To: Brian A. Barreto/WHO/EOP@EOP. Wendy L. Patten/NSC/EOP@EOP cc: Maureen T. Shea/WHO/EOP@EOP Subject: Immigration Legislation Angie Kelly of National Immigration Forum called me back re: parity legislation as a possible amendment to the Elian Gonzalez bill but I missed her call. Do you want to try to schedule a conference call with her and Michael Hill of the US Catholic Conference at 11 am on Tuesday, 1/25 to discuss this issue? Please let me know. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 17:25:12.00 SUBJECT: Elian Legislation TO: Eric P. Liu ( CN=Eric P. Liu/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Bruce N. Reed ( CN=Bruce N. Reed/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [OPD]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Anna Richter (CN=Anna Richter/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Here's an update from a conference call today on this matter. Bills to confer citizenship and legal permanent resident status were introduced today. The bill will not be voted upon until next week. DOJ and State Dept. recommend that we oppose the legislation that would confer citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez for a number of reasons and there was agreement with this position. Since we have been asked our position by many Congressional members, INS and State Dept. is preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views. At this point, we are not stating whether or not we would veto the legislation. I will fax you the draft letter when I receive it. We have heard that Democrats may use the debate on this legislation as an opportunity to offer amendments on priority issues such as Patients bill of Rights, Minimum wage, etc. We also expect that they may offer as amendments on immigration legislation priorities such as our Central American Parity legislation to raise awareness about the legislation and extract some agreement to take up the legislation as some later date. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP [ NSC CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 12:59:16.00 SUBJECT: OMB call re: SOP on Elian bill TO: Maria Echaveste (CN=Maria Echaveste/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO READ:UNKNOWN CC: Miles M. Lackey (CN=Miles M. Lackey/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [NSC]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Joel K. Wiginton (CN=Joel K. Wiginton/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Daniel B. Shapiro ( CN=Daniel B. Shapiro/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [NSC]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Maria, An issue related to this afternoon's conference call: OMB (Lisa Macecevic) called me this morning to say that if we plan to prepare a Statement of Administration Position on a bill related to Elian Gonzalez, OMB would need a draft by early tomorrow. Their sense of urgency stems from word that such a bill may reach the floor as early as Wednesday. I let her know that there is an interagency process for developing our strategy to handle Elian legislation, and that your office was coordinating another conference call later today. thanks -- WLP RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Eric P. Liu (CN=Eric P. Liu/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:24-JAN-2000 17:31:53.00 SUBJECT: Re: Elian Legislation TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP OPD 1) READ:UNKNOWN CC: anna richter (CN=anna richter/OU=opd/O=eop@eop OPD READ:UNKNOWN CC: bruce n. reed [CN=bruce n. reed/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Can you write us up a memo that lays out the immigration policy issues implicated by this case, and what specifically these bills would do? If such paper exists already, pls send it our way. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 05:25:08 PM Record Type: Record To: Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP, Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Anna Richter/OPD/EOP@EOP Subject: Elian Legislation Here's an update from a conference call today on this matter. Bills to confer citizenship and legal permanent resident status were introduced today. The bill will not be voted upon until next week. DOJ and State Dept. recommend that we oppose the legislation that would confer citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez for a number of reasons and there was agreement with this position. Since we have been asked our position by many Congressional members, INS and State Dept. is preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views. At this point, we are not stating whether or not we would veto the legislation. I will fax you the draft letter when I receive it. We have heard that Democrats may use the debate on this legislation as an opportunity to offer amendments on priority issues such as Patients bill of Rights, Minimum wage, etc. We also expect that they may offer as amendments on immigration legislation priorities such as our Central American Parity legislation to raise awareness about the legislation and extract some agreement to take up the legislation as some later date. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [OPD]) CREATION DATE/TIME:26-JAN-2000 09:28:15.00 SUBJECT: Re: Elian Legislation TO: Eric P. Liu (CN=Eric P. Liu/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [OPD]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: anna richter ( CN=anna richter/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: bruce n. reed ( CN=bruce n. reed/OU=opd/O=eop@eop [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: will do this morning. Eric P. Liu 01/24/2000 06:34:36 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation OK on the legislation, but what about the issues that the INS has already had to reckon with in making their initial determination? If you could give us a primer on the issues and process in play (Elian's status, what guidelines drive the INS process, etc) that would be helpful. Thanks Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 06:08:36 PM Record Type: Record To: Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation No such analysis exists yet since we have not yet received copies of all the legislation that has been introduced. I will draft a memo for you when I get the legislation which should be early tomorrow. Eric P. Liu 01/24/2000 05:31:40 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: bruce n. reed/opd/eop@eop, anna richter/opd/eop@eop bcc: Subject: Re: Elian Legislation Can you write us up a memo that lays out the immigration policy issues implicated by this case, and what specifically these bills would do? If such paper exists already, pls send it our way. Thanks. Irene Bueno 01/24/2000 05:25:08 PM Record Type: Record To: Bruce N. Reed/OPD/EOP@EOP, Eric P. Liu/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Anna Richter/OPD/EOP@EOP Subject: Elian Legislation Here's an update from a conference call today on this matter. Bills to confer citizenship and legal permanent resident status were introduced today. The bill will not be voted upon until next week. DOJ and State Dept. recommend that we oppose the legislation that would confer citizenship or legal permanent resident status to Elian Gonzalez for a number of reasons and there was agreement with this position. Since we have been asked our position by many Congressional members, INS and State Dept. is preparing a letter to interested Members of Congress that will state our views. At this point, we are not stating whether or not we would veto the legislation. [ will fax you the draft letter when I receive it. We have heard that Democrats may use the debate on this legislation as an opportunity to offer amendments on priority issues such as Patients bill of Rights, Minimum wage, etc. We also expect that they may offer as amendments on immigration legislation priorities such as our Central American Parity legislation to raise awareness about the legislation and extract some agreement to take up the legislation as some later date. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Lisa J. Macecevic (CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP [OMB]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 1-FEB-2000 17:39:52.00 SUBJECT: Re: DOJ letter on Elian Gonzalez legislation TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: what is the suggested timing on this letter? RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [OPD]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 1-FEB-2000 17:28:48.00 SUBJECT: DOJ letter on Elian Gonzalez legislation TO: Wendy L. Patten ( CN=Wendy L. Patten/OU=NSC/O=EOP@EOP [ NSC ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Lisa J. Macecevic ( CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP@EOP [ OMB 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Maria Echaveste (CN=Maria Echaveste/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Leslie Bernstein ( CN=Leslie Bernstein/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN CC: Marjorie Tarmey ( CN=Marjorie Tarmey/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: I am faxing you a copy of this letter. FYI - DOJ is considering adding another sentence but there is not agreement at this time and they did not want to hold up the letter. Lisa - please send out for clearance. Thanks. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 1-FEB-2000 18:06:47.00 SUBJECT: Re: DOJ letter on Elian Gonzalez legislation TO: Lisa J. Macecevic (CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP@EOP [ OMB 1) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: I'll call you in a few minutes From: Lisa J. Macecevic on 02/01/2000 05:39:49 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Subject: Re: DOJ letter on Elian Gonzalez legislation what is the suggested timing on this letter? RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Lisa J. Macecevic (CN=Lisa J. Macecevic/OU=OMB/O=EOP [ OMB ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 2-FEB-2000 15:20:38.00 SUBJECT: DoJ letter on Elian TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Hello again, I wanted to pass along comments before your conference call --from Mark Magana on this INS letter he suggests giving a little more background in the second paragraph. So instead of just saying "Elian...is a six-year-old child who has lost his mother." Say something like "On November 26th, 1999, Elian Gonzales was found and his mother died..." and to add he is a Cuban child. Also, he wasn't sure if INS had the power to label Elian's father as the "custodial" parent--if so, this would be helpful later when/if custody was the main issue. --From me do we know the correct spelling of Elian's last name State spells it "Gonzales" and INS says "Gonzalez" I would assume they are not interchangeable. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Brooke B. Livingston ( CN=Brooke B. Livingston/OU=OMB/O=EOP. [ OMB ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 2-FEB-2000 15:01:14.00 SUBJECT: conf call TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: I have heard that there may be a conference call this afternoon on the Elian Gonzalez letter. I am the person in OMB who coordinates the clearance of these items after they have been released by the agancy. Would it be possible for me to get on the call? I thought it may be helpful (and timesaving) for me to hear background on people's revisions to the letter for when I have to formally clear it through omb and the west wing. If it is inappropriate for me to listen on the call, please let me know. Thanks. 5-4790. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Brooke B. Livingston ( CN=Brooke B. Livingston/OU=OMB/O=EOP [ OMB ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 2-FEB-2000 15:05:03.00 SUBJECT: Re: conf call TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: will do. thanks. Irene Bueno 02/02/2000 03:04:22 PM Record Type: Record To: Brooke B. Livingston/OMB/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Subject: Re: conf call You have to check with Maria Echaveste's office. She leads these calls. Brooke B. Livingston 02/02/2000 03:01:13 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Subject: conf call I have heard that there may be a conference call this afternoon on the Elian Gonzalez letter. I am the person in OMB who coordinates the clearance of these items after they have been released by the agancy. Would it be possible for me to get on the call? I thought it may be helpful (and timesaving) for me to hear background on people's revisions to the letter for when I have to formally clear it through omb and the west wing. If it is inappropriate for me to listen on the call, please let me know. Thanks. 5-4790. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irma L. Martinez ( CN=Irma L. Martinez/OU=WHO/O=EOP [ WHO ]) CREATION DATE/TIME: 4-FEB-2000 19:15:03.00 SUBJECT: Race Weekly TO: Reynaldo Valencia ( CN=Reynaldo Valencia/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Laura Efurd ( CN=Laura Efurd/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Alvin Brown ( CN=Alvin Brown/O=OVP@OVP [ UNKNOWN READ:UNKNOWN TO: Marsha Scott ( CN=Marsha Scott/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Monica M. Dixon ( CN=Monica M. Dixon/O=OVP@OVP UNKNOWN ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: monica m. dixon ( CN=monica m. dixon/O=ovp@ovp [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Trooper Sanders ( CN=Trooper Sanders/O=OVP@OVP [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Jonathan M. Young ( CN=Jonathan M. Young/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Jena V. Roscoe ( CN=Jena V. Roscoe/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Maureen T. Shea ( CN=Maureen T. Shea/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Sondra L. Seba ( CN=Sondra L. Seba/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Andrew J. Mayock (CN=Andrew J. Mayock/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: JOHNSON_R@A1 (JOHNSON_R@AI @ CD @ LNGTWY UNKNOWN ) (WHO) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Minyon Moore ( CN=Minyon Moore/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Kris M Balderston ( CN=Kris M Balderston/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP. [ WHO 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Marjorie Tarmey ( CN=Marjorie Tarmey/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Bob J. Nash ( CN=Bob J. Nash/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Lisa M. Brown (CN=Lisa M. Brown/O=OVP@OVP [ UNKNOWN ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Bethany Little ( CN=Bethany Little/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP [ OPD ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Kathleen K. Ahn ( CN=Kathleen K. Ahn/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: David W. Beier ( CN=David W. Beier/O=OVP@OVP [ UNKNOWN 1) READ:UNKNOWN TO: maurice daniel ( CN=maurice daniel/O=ovp@ovp [ UNKNOWN READ:UNKNOWN TO: charles W. burson ( CN=charles W. burson/O=ovp@ovp [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Broderick Johnson ( CN=Broderick Johnson/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: [email protected] ( [email protected] @ inet [ UNKNOWN ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Tania I. Lopez (CN=Tania I. Lopez/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Christine A. Stanek ( CN=Christine A. Stanek/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Deborah B. Mohile ( CN=Deborah B. Mohile/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO D READ:UNKNOWN TO: Mateo B. Naldo ( CN=Mateo B. Naldo/OU=OA/O=EOP@EOP [OA ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: [email protected] ( [email protected] [ UNKNOWN ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Leslie Bernstein ( CN=Leslie Bernstein/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Thurgood Marshall Jr ( CN=Thurgood Marshall Jr/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TO: Maria Echaveste ( CN=Maria Echaveste/OU=WHO/O=EOP@EOP [ WHO ]) READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: February 4, 2000 MEMORANDUM FOR MARIA ECHAVESTE BEN JOHNSON FROM: THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR. IRMA MARTINEZ SUBJECT: Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly Report Department of Justice Congress Considers Fate of Elian Gonzalez: Staff from the Office of Legislative Affairs distributed the Government,s brief in the Elian Gonzalez court hearing to Hill leadership offices. In addition, staff from OLA, the Office of Legal Counsel, and the INS are working on a views letter in the event Congress decides to move legislation to make Elian a citizen. The House and Senate have both slowed down their consideration of such a bill. Over the weekend, Chairman Hyde said the bill would not move in the House Judiciary Committee until the Federal court proceedings are finished. Resolution of Indian Takeover of Government Offices in Pine Ridge, SD: A CRS regional team is on site in Pine Ridge, SD, and is continuing efforts to bring about mediation between representatives of the &Oyate8 group of Indians occupying the Red Cloud Tribal Building and members of the Tribal Council and Executive Committee. CRS,s primary focus is to help the parties meet face to face and discuss specific demands and perspectives. Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 7 Department of Interior AK Native Veterans Regulation to be Published: BLM anticipates publishing a proposed rule implementing recently-approved legislation allowing for certain AK Native veterans to apply for a 160-acre allotment under the 1906 Native Allotment Act. On October 21, 1998, Congress amended the 1906 law to allow eligible veterans an 18-month period in which to again apply for allotments. The proposed rule would allow AK native veterans to apply for an allotment if they served between January 1, 1969, and December 31, 1971, and were otherwise eligible under the 1906 Act as it was in effect before December 18, 1971. Congress required that BLM publish final regulations by April. Progress on Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units at Universities: NPS has been active in an interagency working group establishing Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs). Each CESU consists of several Federal agencies, a host university, and partner institutions that bring additional expertise to the CESU to complement the skills of the host university. Each CESU also includes at least one university that primarily serves minority students or that attracts minority students to its environmental science programs. CESUs provide research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies. The four CESUs established in 1999 include 31 host and partner institutions and seven Federal agencies. They are making progress on a variety of projects, including studies of hazardous materials at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site and the development of web-based training for resource managers. Currently, proposals are being received for five additional CESUs in new biogeographic regions. The goal is to have the new CESUs operational on Earth Day 2000. United States Department of Agriculture On February 3, Deputy Secretary Rominger will open USDA,s Black History Month Observance ceremony. On February 8, Under Secretary Miley Gonzalez will address participants at the &Showcase of Model Programs Implementing Executive Order 12900, Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans8 at the White House Conference Center. Department of Commerce Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Press Conference: Deputy Secretary Robert Mallett held a press conference today to announce the Department,s MSI initiative. The Department is requesting $28 million in the FY 01 budget ($17 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and $11 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology) to assist MSIs in expanding their scientific capacity and to attract more minorities to scientific fields of study. Minority Business Website Proposal: Staff from the Minority Business Development Agency,s New York Regional Office met with John Wang, President of the Asian Business Development Center, to discuss establishment of a Web site for African-American, Asian and Hispanic businesses to share opportunities and gain access to valuable information. These three ethnic communities envision establishing &New Majority Business8 exchanges to encourage and facilitate business dealings across ethnic lines. Commerce Information Technology Solutions (COMMITS): On January 28, DOC,s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) held a pre-proposers meeting with companies participating in the COMMITS program, DOC,s information technology contract-awarding system for minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. The NIST meeting sought proposals for the first contract under COMMITS. Department of Labor HBCU Alumni Brown Bag Session: On February 3, DOL,s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni hosted a Brown Bag Lunch featuring prominent Memphis, TN Pastor and Civil Rights Activist Samuel Billy Kyles as speaker and discussant. African American History Month Program: DOL is developing a celebration in honor of African American History Month with One America Director, Ben Johnson as the featured speaker. Department of Health and Human Services On February 9, Dr. David Satcher, Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General will deliver the opening address to the Biennial Symposium on Minorities. The theme for the conference is &Addressing the Unequal Burden of Cancer8 in Washington, D.C. On February 9, Thomas Perez, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Director, will speak at the opening ceremony of the Intercultural Cancer Center,s symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved and Cancer in Washington, D.C. On March 1, Thomas Perez, OCR Director, will speak at the Plenary Session of the Child Welfare League, National Council of Latino Executives, &The Emerging Power of Latinos,8 in Washington, D.C. On March 2, Thomas Perez, OCR Director, will participate in the South Carolina Hispanic Health Issues conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeownership Hits Record Rate: A record 66.8 percent of American households owned their own homes in 1999)a higher percentage than in any year in American history. The percentage of households owning their homes has risen steadily since President Clinton took office, jumping from 64 percent in 1993 to 66.3 percent in 1998 before setting another new record in 1999. As a result of the rising homeownership rate and the nation,s growing population, a total of 70.1 million families owned homes in 1999. There were 8.7 million more homeowners at the end of 1999 than when President Clinton took office in 1993. There were 57.7 million white, 6 million African American, 4.2 million Hispanic, and 2.2 million Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander homeowners in 1999. These are all record high annual numbers and annual percentage rates, according to Census Bureau statistics. HUD and NAR to Renew Cultural Diversity Training Agreement: The Director of FHEO,s Policy and Program Evaluation Office met with a representative from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to begin preparations for the renewal of the One America Cultural Diversity Training Agreement signed by Secretary Cuomo and then NAR President Layne Morrill in June, 1998. The two-year agreement is due to expire this June. Already more than 2500 real estate professionals have taken this training on how to deal more effectively with racial and ethnic diversity while at the same time opening up new business opportunities. Those who take the course earn the right to use HUD,s trademarked &One America8 logo on business cards, letterhead and print advertising. To continue using the logo, a refresher course must be taken every two years and the user must remain free of any complaints or violations under any Federal, State or local fair housing laws. FHEO will be reviewing the basic training course as it has evolved through experience and working with NAR on the content of the refresher course. On February 19, Secretary Cuomo will travel to Albany, NY for remarks to the annual legislative convention of the NY Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. Department of Transportation Meeting On Disparate Impact Study of Airline Security Selection Criteria: DOT staff are scheduled to meet on February 15, 2000, with representatives of a number of organizations, including the Arab-American Institute, ACLU, American-Arab Anti -Discrimination Committee, and Council on American-Islamic Relations. This meeting is to discuss preliminary plans to conduct a disparate impact study of the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System criteria. Another meeting with the National Bar Association is scheduled for February 11. The Department is seeking comments from these groups on a proposed approach to the disparate impact study, in which the Department will request information from airline passengers regarding race, religion, and ethnicity. Department of Energy Black History Month Celebration: DOE is finalizing plans for their Black History Month Celebration, scheduled at DOE headquarters on February 9. The featured speaker will be Thurgood Marshall, Jr., Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary. Department of Education African-American History Month: In February, DOEd's Office of Educational Research and Improvement is sponsoring a series of events to celebrate African American History Month. On February 8, staff will participate in "What do African Americans Know and Learn -- Facing the Achievement Gap." Also, on February 9, Don Wendell, from DOEd's Office for Civil Rights, will be the featured speaker at the Department's African American History Month celebration. Students Speak on Diversity Issues: DOEd is planning a first-floor exhibit and video presentations of the recently produced Court TV show, "Opening the Door to Diversity: Voices from the Middle School." This show, which documents middle school students speaking about diversity issues, is the result of a partnership announced by the President in April at a hate crimes prevention event. The partnership includes DOEd, the National Middle School Association, Court TV, AT&T, Cable in the Classroom, and the Anti-Defamation League, with assistance from DOJ. Court TV aired the program live from Littleton, CO, in thousands of middle schools during school hours on October 26 and later as part of Court TV's one-day dedication to diversity. Department of Veterans Affairs African-American History Month: On February 1, the Department kicked off its celebration of African-American History Month with a special program for employees at VA,s Central Office. Later in the month, VA has schedule addresses by Dr. Richard Levinson of the American Public Health Association and Dorothy Phaire, author of &Almost Out of Love.8 Small Business Administration Small Disadvantaged Businesses: SBA and other federal agencies are working with the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (MBELDEF) and the Science and Engineering Alliance (SEA) in an effort to recruit small disadvantaged businesses to attend the National Small Business Innovative Research Conference to be held February 27 through March 1 in Biloxi, MS. This will be the third such endeavor undertaken by MBELDEF and SEA. Participants will have the opportunity to form strategic alliances with one or more of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions attending the conference. Economic Development: On January 20, SBA held the second Arizona Native American Conference on Economic Development in Phoenix (Region 9). Forty participants from eight Arizona tribes came together as a follow-up from the December 7, 1999 conference. The conferences have resulted in the development of four economic development goals which include the formation of an SBA loan partnership with the tribes; the establishment of a Native American Small Business Information Center; the creation of a new Native American microloan program; and training a loan packager on the reservations. The next phase will involve working with SBA,s Office of Native American Affairs to determine which programs are beneficial to tribes. Office of Personnel Management On February 10, Deputy Director Sepulveda will address an African American History month celebration at OPM with the Ambassador from Barbados. General Services Administration GSA Region 6 Holds 100th Minority Business Networking Breakfast: Almost 200 people attended the milestone 100th Kansas City Minority Business Networking Breakfast started by the GSA Region 6 in 1991. The breakfast is supported by more than 25 co-sponsoring organizations representing small, minority, and women-owned businesses, plus local and federal government agencies. Similar networking breakfasts in St. Louis; Des Moines and Davenport, Iowa; and Omaha, were also initiated by the Region. Social Security Administration &Government on Display Expo 8: On February 5 ) 6, SSA ,S Chicago Regional office, along with other Federal and State government agencies, will participate in the 2nd Annual Government on Display Expo 8 at Minnesota ,S Mall of America. The Expo will begin with an Immigration and Naturalization ceremony at which SSA staff will assist newly naturalized citizens in updating their Social Security numbers to reflect their new status. Regional staff will also provide information and exhibits regarding SSA programs in the public areas of the Mall. Visit Seminole Indian Headquarters Complex: On February 17, Myrtle Habersham, SSA ,S Atlanta Regional Commissioner, will visit the Seminole Indian Headquarters Complex in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. During the visit, Ms. Habersham will lead a focus group on service delivery to Native Americans. Seminole leaders, social service workers, tribal members and representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs will join her in discussing how SSA can work with Seminole leaders to enhance service delivery to Native Americans. During the visit, the Seminole Tribune and the Seminole Broadcast Cable Network, which broadcasts throughout Florida, will interview Ms. Habersham. Annual Black History Program in Broward County (FL): On February 17, Myrtle Habersham, SSA ,S Atlanta Regional Commissioner, will participate in Broward County's Annual Black History Program, which is sponsored by the Broward County Black Advisory Council and the Hollywood, FL Social Security office. Ms. Habersham will be joined by a number of local Broward County civic leaders, including Gwendolyn Boyd, the African-American Chief of Police from the City of Miramar, FL. The Broward County event is one of the most celebrated Black History programs in South Florida. ATTACHMENT 1 ATT CREATION TIME/DATE: 0 00:00:00.00 TEXT: Unable to convert ARMS_EXT:[ATTACH.D6JARMS29607534V.046to ASCII, The following is a HEX DUMP: END ATTACHMENT 1 February 4, 2000 MEMORANDUM FOR MARIA ECHAVESTE BEN JOHNSON FROM: THURGOOD MARSHALL, JR. IRMA MARTINEZ SUBJECT: Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly Report DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Congress Considers Fate of Elian Gonzalez: Staff from the Office of Legislative Affairs distributed the Government's brief in the Elian Gonzalez court hearing to Hill leadership offices. In addition, staff from OLA, the Office of Legal Counsel, and the INS are working on a views letter in the event Congress decides to move legislation to make Elian a citizen. The House and Senate have both slowed down their consideration of such a bill. Over the weekend, Chairman Hyde said the bill would not move in the House Judiciary Committee until the Federal court proceedings are finished. Resolution of Indian Takeover of Government Offices in Pine Ridge, SD: A CRS regional team is on site in Pine Ridge, SD, and is continuing efforts to bring about mediation between representatives of the "Oyate" group of Indians occupying the Red Cloud Tribal Building and members of the Tribal Council and Executive Committee. CRS's primary focus is to help the parties meet face to face and discuss specific demands and perspectives. 1 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AK Native Veterans Regulation to be Published: BLM anticipates publishing a proposed rule implementing recently-approved legislation allowing for certain AK Native veterans to apply for a 160-acre allotment under the 1906 Native Allotment Act. On October 21, 1998, Congress amended the 1906 law to allow eligible veterans an 18-month period in which to again apply for allotments. The proposed rule would allow AK native veterans to apply for an allotment if they served between January I, 1969, and December 31, 1971, and were otherwise eligible under the 1906 Act as it was in effect before December 18, 1971. Congress required that BLM publish final regulations by April. Progress on Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units at Universities: NPS has been active in an interagency working group establishing Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs). Each CESU consists of several Federal agencies, a host university, and partner institutions that bring additional expertise to the CESU to complement the skills of the host university. Each CESU also includes at least one university that primarily serves minority students or that attracts minority students to its environmental science programs. CESUs provide research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies. The four CESUs established in 1999 include 31 host and partner institutions and seven Federal agencies. They are making progress on a variety of projects, including studies of hazardous materials at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site and the development of web-based training for resource managers. Currently, proposals are being received for five additional CESUs in new biogeographic regions. The goal is to have the new CESUs operational on Earth Day 2000. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE On February 3, Deputy Secretary Rominger will open USDA's Black History Month Observance ceremony. On February 8, Under Secretary Miley Gonzalez will address participants at the "Showcase of Model Programs Implementing Executive Order 12900, Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans" at the White House Conference Center. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Press Conference: Deputy Secretary Robert Mallett held a press conference today to announce the Department's MSI initiative. The Department is requesting $28 million in the FY 01 budget ($17 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and $11 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology) to assist MSIs in expanding their scientific capacity and to attract more minorities to scientific fields of study. Minority Business Website Proposal: Staff from the Minority Business Development Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 2 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] Agency's New York Regional Office met with John Wang, President of the Asian Business Development Center, to discuss establishment of a Web site for African-American, Asian and Hispanic businesses to share opportunities and gain access to valuable information. These three ethnic communities envision establishing "New Majority Business" exchanges to encourage and facilitate business dealings across ethnic lines. Commerce Information Technology Solutions (COMMITS): On January 28, DOC's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) held a pre-proposers meeting with companies participating in the COMMITS program, DOC's information technology contract- awarding system for minority-owned and women-owned small businesses. The NIST meeting sought proposals for the first contract under COMMITS. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HBCU Alumni Brown Bag Session: On February 3, DOL's Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni hosted a Brown Bag Lunch featuring prominent Memphis, TN Pastor and Civil Rights Activist Samuel Billy Kyles as speaker and discussant. African American History Month Program: DOL is developing a celebration in honor of African American History Month with One America Director, Ben Johnson as the featured speaker. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES On February 9, Dr. David Satcher, Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General will deliver the opening address to the Biennial Symposium on Minorities. The theme for the conference is "Addressing the Unequal Burden of Cancer" in Washington, D.C. On February 9, Thomas Perez, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Director, will speak at the opening ceremony of the Intercultural Cancer Center's symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved and Cancer in Washington, D.C. On March 1, Thomas Perez, OCR Director, will speak at the Plenary Session of the Child Welfare League, National Council of Latino Executives, "The Emerging Power of Latinos," in Washington, D.C. On March 2, Thomas Perez, OCR Director, will participate in the South Carolina Hispanic Health Issues conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Homeownership Hits Record Rate: A record 66.8 percent of American households owned their own homes in 1999-a higher percentage than in any year in American history. The percentage of households owning their homes has risen steadily since President Clinton took Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 3 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] office, jumping from 64 percent in 1993 to 66.3 percent in 1998 before setting another new record in 1999. As a result of the rising homeownership rate and the nation's growing population, a total of 70.1 million families owned homes in 1999. There were 8.7 million more homeowners at the end of 1999 than when President Clinton took office in 1993. There were 57.7 million white, 6 million African American, 4.2 million Hispanic, and 2.2 million Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander homeowners in 1999. These are all record high annual numbers and annual percentage rates, according to Census Bureau statistics. HUD and NAR to Renew Cultural Diversity Training Agreement: The Director of FHEO's Policy and Program Evaluation Office met with a representative from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to begin preparations for the renewal of the One America Cultural Diversity Training Agreement signed by Secretary Cuomo and then NAR President Layne Morrill in June, 1998. The two-year agreement is due to expire this June. Already more than 2500 real estate professionals have taken this training on how to deal more effectively with racial and ethnic diversity while at the same time opening up new business opportunities. Those who take the course earn the right to use HUD's trademarked "One America" logo on business cards, letterhead and print advertising. To continue using the logo, a refresher course must be taken every two years and the user must remain free of any complaints or violations under any Federal, State or local fair housing laws. FHEO will be reviewing the basic training course as it has evolved through experience and working with NAR on the content of the refresher course. On February 19, Secretary Cuomo will travel to Albany, NY for remarks to the annual legislative convention of the NY Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Meeting On Disparate Impact Study of Airline Security Selection Criteria: DOT staff are scheduled to meet on February 15, 2000, with representatives of a number of organizations, including the Arab-American Institute, ACLU, American-Arab Anti -Discrimination Committee, and Council on American-Islamic Relations. This meeting is to discuss preliminary plans to conduct a disparate impact study of the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System criteria. Another meeting with the National Bar Association is scheduled for February 11. The Department is seeking comments from these groups on a proposed approach to the disparate impact study, in which the Department will request information from airline passengers regarding race, religion, and ethnicity. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 4 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] Black History Month Celebration: DOE is finalizing plans for their Black History Month Celebration, scheduled at DOE headquarters on February 9. The featured speaker will be Thurgood Marshall, Jr., Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION African-American History Month: In February, DOEd's Office of Educational Research and Improvement is sponsoring a series of events to celebrate African American History Month. On February 8, staff will participate in "What do African Americans Know and Learn -- Facing the Achievement Gap." Also, on February 9, Don Wendell, from DOEd's Office for Civil Rights, will be the featured speaker at the Department's African American History Month celebration. Students Speak on Diversity Issues: DOEd is planning a first-floor exhibit and video presentations of the recently produced Court TV show, "Opening the Door to Diversity: Voices from the Middle School." This show, which documents middle school students speaking about diversity issues, is the result of a partnership announced by the President in April at a hate crimes prevention event. The partnership includes DOEd, the National Middle School Association, Court TV, AT&T, Cable in the Classroom, and the Anti-Defamation League, with assistance from DOJ. Court TV aired the program live from Littleton, CO, in thousands of middle schools during school hours on October 26 and later as part of Court TV's one-day dedication to diversity. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS African-American History Month: On February 1, the Department kicked off its celebration of African-American History Month with a special program for employees at VA's Central Office. Later in the month, VA has schedule addresses by Dr. Richard Levinson of the American Public Health Association and Dorothy Phaire, author of "Almost Out of Love." SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Small Disadvantaged Businesses: SBA and other federal agencies are working with the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (MBELDEF) and the Science and Engineering Alliance (SEA) in an effort to recruit small disadvantaged businesses to attend the National Small Business Innovative Research Conference to be held February 27 through March I in Biloxi, MS. This will be the third such endeavor undertaken by MBELDEF and SEA. Participants will have the opportunity to form strategic alliances with one or more of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions attending the conference. Economic Development: On January 20, SBA held the second Arizona Native American Conference on Economic Development in Phoenix (Region 9). Forty participants from eight Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 5 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] Arizona tribes came together as a follow-up from the December 7, 1999 conference. The conferences have resulted in the development of four economic development goals which include the formation of an SBA loan partnership with the tribes; the establishment of a Native American Small Business Information Center; the creation of a new Native American microloan program; and training a loan packager on the reservations. The next phase will involve working with SBA's Office of Native American Affairs to determine which programs are beneficial to tribes. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT On February 10, Deputy Director Sepulveda will address an African American History month celebration at OPM with the Ambassador from Barbados. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION GSA Region 6 Holds 100th Minority Business Networking Breakfast: Almost 200 people attended the milestone 100th Kansas City Minority Business Networking Breakfast started by the GSA Region 6 in 1991. The breakfast is supported by more than 25 co-sponsoring organizations representing small, minority, and women-owned businesses, plus local and federal government agencies. Similar networking breakfasts in St. Louis; Des Moines and Davenport, lowa; and Omaha, were also initiated by the Region. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION "Government on Display Expo": On February 5 - 6, SSA's Chicago Regional office, along with other Federal and State government agencies, will participate in the 2nd Annual Government on Display Expo" at Minnesota's Mall of America. The Expo will begin with an Immigration and Naturalization ceremony at which SSA staff will assist newly naturalized citizens in updating their Social Security numbers to reflect their new status. Regional staff will also provide information and exhibits regarding SSA programs in the public areas of the Mall. Visit Seminole Indian Headquarters Complex: On February 17, Myrtle Habersham, SSA's Atlanta Regional Commissioner, will visit the Seminole Indian Headquarters Complex in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. During the visit, Ms. Habersham will lead a focus group on service delivery to Native Americans. Seminole leaders, social service workers, tribal members and representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs will join her in discussing how SSA can work with Seminole leaders to enhance service delivery to Native Americans. During the visit, the Seminole Tribune and the Seminole Broadcast Cable Network, which broadcasts throughout Florida, will interview Ms. Habersham. Annual Black History Program in Broward County (FL): On February 17, Myrtle Habersham, SSA's Atlanta Regional Commissioner, will participate in Broward County's Annual Black History Program, which is sponsored by the Broward County Black Advisory Council and the Hollywood, FL Social Security office. Ms. Habersham will be joined by a number of local Broward County civic leaders, including Gwendolyn Boyd, the African-American Chief of Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly. page 6 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] Police from the City of Miramar, FL. The Broward County event is one of the most celebrated Black History programs in South Florida. Cabinet Affairs Race Initiative Weekly, page 7 [Automated Records Management System Hex-Dump Conversation] RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP [OPD]) CREATION DATE/TIME:15-FEB-2000 14:36:09.00 SUBJECT: Re: DoJ letter on Elian TO: lisa j. macecevic (CN=lisa j. macecevic/OU=omb/O=eop@eop [ OMB ] ) READ:UNKNOWN Irene Bueno ( CN=Irene Bueno/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EO [ OPD READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: The other major comment I have on the DOJ letter is that is does not comment on legislation that would make Elian a lawful permanent resident. DOJ needs to add this issue to this letter. Please send me the revised drafts of the State Dept and DOJ letter. Thanks. Irene Bueno 02/15/2000 02:26:25 PM Record Type: Record To: Lisa J. Macecevic/OMB/EOP@EOP cc: bcc: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP Subject: Re: DoJ letter on Elian Based on Mark's comments, I suggest rewriting the first two sentences of the second paragraph as follows: "On November 26, 1999, Elian Gonzalez , a six-year-old Cuban national, arrived in the United States without any parents. Elian lost his mother and his only surviving parent is his father, Juan Gonzalez, who lives in Cuba." Let me know if DOJ is okay with this. Are you waiting for any other comments? I would like to have these letters ready to go if necessary. Please let me know. Thanks. From: Lisa J. Macecevic on 02/02/2000 03:20:36 PM Record Type: Record To: Irene Bueno/OPD/EOP@EOP cc: Subject: DoJ letter on Elian Hello again, I wanted to pass along comments before your conference call --from Mark Magana on this INS letter he suggests giving a little more background in the second paragraph. So instead of just saying "Elian is a six-year-old child who has lost his mother." Say something like "On November 26th, 1999, Elian Gonzales was found and his mother died..." and to add he is a Cuban child. Also, he wasn't sure if INS had the power to label Elian's father as the "custodial" parent--if so, this would be helpful later when/if custody was the main issue. --From me do we know the correct spelling of Elian's last name State spells it "Gonzales" and INS says "Gonzalez" I would assume they are not interchangeable. RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL (NOTES MAIL) CREATOR: Brian V. Kennedy ( CN=Brian V. Kennedy/OU=OPD/O=EOP [ OPD ]) CREATION DATE/TIME:16-FEB-2000 16:39:35.00 SUBJECT: TO: Gigi E. Georges (CN=Gigi E. Georges/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP OPD D READ:UNKNOWN TO: Melissa G. Green ( CN=Melissa G. Green/OU=OPD/O=EOP@EOP OPD READ:UNKNOWN TEXT: Meeting with Representative Shelia Jackson-Lee. The focus of the meeting was on other immigration issues: late amnesty, INS restructuring and Elian Gonzalez. We did discuss H-1B. She expressed concerned that the White House keep more closely alligned with Committee Democrats than in the past. She expressed concern about the need to focus on job training, and job opportunities for older workers. She indicated that training in computer fields is growing in HBCU's. I advised her that our orientation to the issue was focused on training American workers, and that Gene would be leading a White House process on the issue. She indicated that she would like to meet with Gene prior to the White House settling on a position on the issue.