Our Government/Nuestro Gobierno

White House

The Supreme Court hears arguments this week on the constitutionality of the health care law passed two years ago under President Obama’s administration.

Casa Blanca

La Corte Suprema escucha los argumentos esta semana sobre la constitucionalidad de la ley de salud aprobada hace dos años bajo la administración del presidente Obama.

Colorado’s Governor

Gov. John Hickenlooper announced he will lead 40 Colorado delegates on an economic development mission this week to Mexico City. The delegation will meet with current and potential buyers of Colorado products. They will also tour Mexico’s main agricultural distribution market, meet with government officials to discuss bilateral trade agreements and explore how Colorado can help with Mexico’s renewable energy needs. Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar and Ken Lund, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), will join the governor on the trip.

Gobernador de Colorado

El gobernador, John Hickenlooper, anunció que llevará 40 delegados de Colorado en una misión de desarrollo económico esta semana a la Ciudad de México. La delegación se reunirá con los compradores actuales y potenciales de los productos de Colorado. También realizará una gira por México, principal mercado de la distribución agrícola, reuniendose con funcionarios gubernamentales para discutir acuerdos comerciales bilaterales y explorar cómo Colorado puede ayudar con las necesidades de energía renovable en México. El Comisionado de Agricultura de Colorado John Salazar y Ken Lund, Director Ejecutivo de la Oficina del Gobernador de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio Internacional (Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade OEDIT, por sus siglas en inglés), se unirá al gobernador en el viaje.

Denver’s Mayor

Mayor Michael B. Hancock is launching a public engagement process to hear about Denver residents’ priorities on how the City funds its essential services. You will weigh in on important questions regarding the City’s future. A Public Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 31 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 Cherry Creek Drive, South. Unable to attend? Submit your input to Mayor Hancock at DDF@DenverGov.org or try your hand at eliminating the budget gap at DeliveringDenversFuture.org. RSVP for the meeting with your name, email address and number attending to Delivering Denver’s Future address at DDF@DenverGov.org. For questions, call the Mayor’s Office at 303-865-9090.

Alcalde de Denver

El alcalde Michael B. Hancock pone en marcha un proceso de participación pública para conocer acerca de las prioridades de los residentes de Denver sobre cómo la ciudad funda sus servicios esenciales. Usted puede opinar sobre cuestiones importantes sobre el futuro de la ciudad. Una reunión pública se llevará a cabo el sábado, 31 de marzo, 9-10:30 am en el Cook Park Recreation Center, 7100 Cherry Creek Drive, South. ¿No puede asistir? Envía sus preguntas para el alcalde de Hancock en DDF@DenverGov.org o pruebe su suerte en la eliminación de la brecha presupuestaria en DeliveringDenversFuture.org. Confirmación de asistencia a la reunión con su nombre, dirección de correo electrónico y el número de asistentes a la entrega de la dirección futura de Denver en DDF@DenverGov.org. Si tiene preguntas, llame a la Oficina del Alcalde al 303-865-9090.

Colorado Politics

Bennet tours RAAP

Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet stopped by the Rape Awareness and Assistance Program (RAAP) in Denver. Bennet toured the facility and sat down with advocates and victims to highlight the need to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which Bennet is cosponsoring.

“RAAP is an incredible resource and source of support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse,” Bennet said. “The Violence Against Women Act supports organizations like RAAP, as well as our law enforcement, in their efforts to prevent crimes against women, and that work is just as important now as it was when this law was first written. Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act will help ensure these critical protections remain available.”

Latino Leadership Summit

High school sophomores and juniors are encouraged to attend the Adams State College’s Latino Leadership Summit. Fifty students will be selected to participate in the summit’s events on July 2, 3, and 4, which will provide an opportunity to obtain a scholarship to Adams State and a single concurrent enrollment credit in leadership.

Activities will include leadership workshops led by current Adams State students and the opportunity to experience the school’s unique environment. Students will also be able to network with other potential students before attending or selecting to attend the college.

For more information or to apply, contact Aaron Miltenberger, the Adams State Coordinator of Student Activities, at aaronmiltenberger@adams.edu or visit studentlife.adams.edu.

Colorado organics go global

Colorado organic producers may find it easier to export to the European Union (EU) following the announcement of an historic equivalency agreement between the US and EU. Beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in Europe or in the US may be sold as organic in either region.

Previously, growers and companies wanting to trade products on both sides of the Atlantic had to obtain separate certifications beyond the USDA National Organic Standards, which could mean a double set of fees, inspections, and paperwork. This partnership eliminates significant barriers, especially for small and medium-sized organic producers. All products meeting the terms of the equivalency agreement can be traded and labeled as certified organic produce, meat, cereal, or wine.

Saint relics exhibit returns

As area Christians prepare to mourn the death of Jesus Christ on the cross on April 6, Good Friday, they have an opportunity to venerate one of the largest relics believed to exist of that cross.
Father Carlos Martins, CC, a Vatican-appointed expert on saint relics, will return to northern Colorado this week, through April 1, with an exhibit of more than 150 relics of saints canonized by the Catholic Church. It is highlighted by one of the largest relics of the True Cross as well as a piece of the veil that, according to sanctioned tradition, is believed to have belonged to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Father Martins first visited seven Catholic churches in northern Colorado last December. After hearing of the standing-room-only crowds at each location, Bishop James Conley, apostolic administrator, quickly invited Father Martins to return for a second tour.

Father Martins begins each exposition with a 60-minute presentation that provides the catechetical and spiritual basis for the procession of veneration that follow.

For more information, contact Jeanette DeMelo at jeanette.demelo@archden.org or visit www.treasuresofthechurch.com.

Las reliquias santas regresan

Asi como los cristianos se preparan para llorar la muerte de Jesucristo en la cruz el 6 de abril, Viernes Santo, tienen una oportunidad para venerar a una de las mayores reliquias que se cree que existen de esa cruz.

Padre Carlos Martins, CC, un experto en reliquias santas del Vaticano, volverá al norte de Colorado esta semana, a través del 1 de abril, con una exposición de más de 150 reliquias de los santos canonizados por la Iglesia Católica. Se destaca por una de las mayores reliquias de la Verdadera Cruz, así como un trozo del velo que, según la tradición, sancionado, se cree que pertenecía a la Santísima Virgen María.

Padre Martins visitó por primera vez siete iglesias católicas en el norte de Colorado en diciembre pasado. Después de escuchar a la multitud que estaba de pie, el Obispo James Conley, administrador apostólico, de forma rápida invitó al Padre Martins para volver para un segundo período.

Padre Martins comienza cada exposición con una presentación de 60 minutos de duración que proporciona la base catequética y espiritual de la procesión de la veneración que le siguen.

Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Jeanette DeMelo en jeanette.demelo@archden.org o visite www.treasuresofthechurch.com.

USCCB grants to Latin America

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America announced the approval of funding, totaling over $3.5 million in grants, to aid the work of the Church in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Antilles. The funding was approved during the Subcommittee’s meeting on March 21.

The Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America oversees the annual Collection for Latin America as part of the USCCB Committee on National Collections. It provides support for the USCCB grant-making program, including the management of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake Recovery Fund, as well as the Conference’s international policy work.

More information on the Collection for the Church in Latin America and the projects it funds can be found at
www.usccb.org search for “Latin America.” The subcommittee delegated several bishops to attend the Holy Father’s visit to Mexico and Cuba.