Quote of the Week and Thanksgiving Weekend!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I think what JFK meant by this quote was that actions are louder than words and I agree. Anyone can just say nice things or say they will do things but by them showing it will speak for its self. I think this quote says it all, be about it or don't say anything about it. I try to live by this quote. To me actions do speak louder than words and when I see this in a person they have my respect and gratitude. Also when it's the holidays gifts isn't the gift someone must give to you I think time being spent is more valuable and cherishing the moments spent together is priceless. 

For Thanks Giving I'm going to spend it with my family at my moms sisters house. My grandparents will be there and my grandma will make all the delicious food we will eat, she's the best cook ever! My grandparents came from Guatemala last night so I'm looking forward to seeing them. We will just enjoy each others company and feast.  I will pretty much be with family and do college apps. I am thankful for my grandparents coming all this way and the food we will be blessed with. I am thankful for everything I have and the people I have in my life. 

Serving your community (part II)

Elderly Abuse

The problem that my proposal will address is how most of our elderly adults are in retirement homes or are being taken care of at home and could be or are secretly abused by their care takers.

Anyone can be affected by abuse of their care takers but elderly are more prone to this abuse like infants because they can't defend themselves.

Elder abuse, like other types of domestic violence, is extremely complex. Generally a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors, along with the mental and physical conditions of the victim and the perpetrator, contribute to the occurrence of elder maltreatment.

• Physical Abuse—Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder, or depriving them of a basic need.
• Emotional Abuse—Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
• Sexual Abuse—Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind, coercing an elder to witness sexual behaviors.
• Exploitation—Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
• Neglect—Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
• Abandonment—The desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person.

Many people who abuse the elderly are close family members and are dealing with so much stress and sometimes do things to get rid of some of the anger or just don't do anything at all which is neglect. People who have had an abusive life tend to abuse others.

This is an ongoing battle that is worldwide. Of course it has be addresses all over the world but still seems to happen, it's like racism it will never go away but we can voice it out and let it be know and also provide help for families who have a hard time taking care of their grandparents or parents and provide some helpful solutions. 

I believe that everyone in my community feels that this is very important. It can happen to anyone and maybe even one of us in the future. 

There are some possible solutions that can help better the issue:

1. If they see abuse or neglect repot it immediately.

2. Volunteer at old people homes and give joy to those who don't have much of it.

3. Voice out that the issue is here and real.

4. Join or make a group to advocate the issue and gather volunteers to help out the communities elderly homes.

Do we have a security system that catches these elderly abuses on the act at retirement homes?

Are people educated on this issue and how?

There are lots of websites that have information on this issue and can lead you to groups that help try to spread the word and volunteer to help the retirement homes. 

Current Bills in Congress

• Sponsor: Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-14] (introduced 2/26/2013)     
• San Francisco Bay Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide funding to state and local agencies, special districts, and public or nonprofit agencies, institutions, and organizations for activities, studies, or projects identified in an annual priority list, including restoration projects and habitat improvement for fish, waterfowl, and wildlife, that advance the goals and objectives of the comprehensive management plan for the San Francisco estuary. Limits funding amounts to 75% of the total cost of eligible activities to be carried out using those amounts. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator to carry out this Act for each of FY2013-FY20. Prohibits such amounts from being used by a management conference under the National Estuary Program.
• restoration projects and habitat improvement for fish, waterfowl, and wildlife, that advance the goals and objectives of the comprehensive management plan for the San Francisco estuary.
• This bill is for the benefit of the environment and the animals that are becoming scarce because we have taken over their homes. They are dying off because there is no space for them or food for them. 
• Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

I don't think that support for the bill divided along political party lines because in reality it benefits     all of us because they keep the habitats going and flowing making things run smoothly. Each animal has a job that they do which contributes to the environment that we benefit off.

Committee/Subcommittee:		Activity:
House Transportation and Infrastructure		Referral, In Committee
	Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment	Referral Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-18] - 2/26/2013  Rep Garamendi, John [CA-3] - 2/26/2013  Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-17] - 2/26/2013  Rep Huffman, Jared [CA-2] - 2/26/2013  Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-13] - 2/26/2013  Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-19] - 2/26/2013  Rep McNerney, Jerry [CA-9] - 2/26/2013  Rep Miller, George [CA-11] - 2/26/2013  Rep Pelosi, Nancy [CA-12] - 2/26/2013  Rep Swalwell, Eric [CA-15] - 2/26/2013  Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-5] - 2/26/2013 I think this bill is important and shouldn't be ignored. If we lose our natural habitats it can impact our environment in a negative ways. So it's in our best interest to stay aware of how our environment is doing and how we can help stay healthy or ways we can improve it.

Your Idea can Become a Law!

A bill is just an idea at first then it is written on paper and becomes a bill. Next it has to be voted on by the house or the senate, but both say yes. Once approved it is sent to the sub committee then the committee after being approved by all of them it is voted again by the full house ( conference committee and senate ) then it is sent for the president to vote for it. If he vetoes it they vote again to see if it is wanted and it yes it becomes a law. If president doesn't veto it it becomes a law. That's how the bill is processed to become a law.  Anyone can make a bill.

Getting Back On Track!

1. My 3 day weekend was pretty chill. I went to go see my brother box on Friday, Saturday I went to a party then mall and movie theatre with Brenda, Sunday and Monday I just stayed home relaxing. My weekend was nice and fun.

2. My academic goals to achieve before thanksgiving is finish Phoenix and submit my college applications. So far classes at M-A are the worst I have had so far. I miss some classes from last year but this year the classes are down the toilet. I'm not so worried about the classes it more of the fact that no one is organized. Wish things could be better but they won't so I have to stick it out with what I'm stuck with.

The Birth of our Constitution

What I learned about the constitution and many other things to help run this country was:

• Census is done every 10 years to count the people of each state.
• Veto means to reject
• President can veto a bill
• 2/3 of the congress can vote for it it become law even after veto
• To become president they must: be 35 and older, natural born citizen, and must have lived in the u.s for 14 years straight.
• 1787 the constitution was approved by the convention
• 27 amendments 

Election Day!

1) To improve local schools and protect high quality math, science, reading and writing instruction with funding that cannot be taken by the State, shall San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District upgrade classrooms, science labs, and libraries, relieve school overcrowding, update classroom technology for higher 21 st
- century academic standards, and repair, construct, or acquire equipment, classrooms, sites and facilities by issuing $130,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, with citizen oversight, no money for administrators, and all funds staying local?

2) The Board of Trustees of the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District has proposed this measure, which would authorize the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $130 million. The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in a maximum of 25 or 40 years from the date of issuance of the bonds, depending on how they are issued. The District's best estimate of the average tax rate levy per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation to fund this bond is $19.00 for fiscal year 2014-2015 and also for fiscal year 2021-2022. The District's best estimate of the highest average tax rate levy per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation to fund this bond is $19.00.

3) 55% Approval Required

4) Yes, I think the vote should be passed because it will benefit the children who will be funded for a better education and focus on them more. I also believe that they should distribute the money to the schools who need it a lot more and so on. Once all in equal or near equal we can focus on the programs needed for the students like music programs ect.