I asked Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich how the Republican Party Platform would benefit migrant and seasonal farmworkers and low income workers. He responded that the first approach was through education: providing an education system through the Internet that would provide continuity for children crossing from one state to another. The second approach was through electronic medical records that would provide a person's medical information anywhere they traveled. My next question was whether they had a plan to improve the wages and working conditions, especially those conditions that were life threatening. He had no information to provide.
Former U.S. Treasurer Anna Cabral and current AARP Family Finance Ambassador comes from three generations of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Her response to my questions included an outline of the many ways AARP is reaching out to families and providing financial basics. This includes a Spanish web site, a Spanish publication and incorporating all family members, including children, in financial planning information and education.
U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius emphasized the greater number of persons who will have access to affordable health insurance and the importance of the Spanish-language site, www.CuidadodeSalud.gov to compare private health care options across the nation in a single place. The site in English: www.HealthCare.gov .
The last two interviewees of the day, Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happiness (also a movie starring Will Smith) and Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show were simply special for the inspiration they provided from their own lives. Chris Gardner said when he was at his worst, the help from a church that had the vision to help him find solutions to all his needs, not just one, was his turning point. He also made the decision that he would rise above his challenges to give his son the best life possible. He is now a successful financier who provides internships in his company that help young people improve their lives. Tom Joyner sponsors a Foundation for students to attend Historically Black Colleges and has started an online approach to education that is more nurturing than the traditional online university. Both of these gentlemen were approachable, generous with their time, and charismatic, inspirational speakers.
I listened to a presentation by Stedman Graham (of Oprah fame) and enjoyed his comment about labels. He said one of the great things about the United States is the freedom we have to decide who we are. No label can hold us back unless we let it. What matters is who we believe we are. Each day we have 24 hours that we can use well or poorly. How we choose to live during that 24 hours will accumulate to a life of our own choosing, or a life directed by someone else limiting us by giving us a label. He, Stedman Graham, defines who he is, not by his relationships or his color or his history but rather by who gets up in the morning to a new 24 hours. He challenged the audience to decide who they want to be and claim themselves. It's never too late to take ownership and discover the real you. A fitting ending.
Filed by D. Christianson, Orlando, 10/01/2010
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