GOVERNMENT
On the Money
Anna Escobedo Cabral’s name soon will be on your money. She was sworn in on Jan. 26 as the nation’s 42nd U.S. treasurer. Treasury Secretary John Snow did the honors in the Treasury Department’s ornate Cash Room during a brief ceremony that was attended by another of Bush’s prominent Hispanic nominees, Alberto Gonzales, nominated to be attorney general. Cabral, who had served as a longtime aide to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, will succeed Rosario Marín, who resigned in May 2003 to return to California. The signature of the treasurer, along with that of the treasury secretary, appears on all U.S. currency.

SPORTS
Leading the Way
In this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a Hispanic held one of the most important roles on the field: quarterback. More importantly, Mark Sánchez is the first Hispanic chosen to lead the West against the East. Praised for his exceptional quarterbacking skills, the Mission Viejo High School star is already being sought by college recruiters. The All-American Bowl stars 78 of the nation’s top high school football players. Sánchez was also nominated for the Ball Park National High School Player of the Year.

LITERATURE
Happy 400th, Don Quixote
Read in high schools and college literature classes, Miguel de Cervantes’ best-selling Don Quixote de La Mancha is one of the most recognized epics of all time. This year, the daydreaming knight turned 400 years old. Cervantes wrote his masterpiece in 1604, but it was not available to the public until January 16, 1605. Although the actual anniversary date has long passed, cities like London, Madrid and Washington, D.C., are commemorating this milestone with film screenings, exhibitions, lectures and plays throughout the year. Other events have been scheduled in Dallas, Houston and Albuquerque. Check your local arts listings for details.

TRAVEL
They Love L.A.
Latino stars are just praising and raving about Los Angeles—and with good reason. See My L.A., a new tourism campaign launched by the city’s official marketing firm, features Hispanic stars such as Edward James Olmos and Cheech Marin. They appear in ads and commercials, expressing what attracts them to the City of Angels. The campaign, which includes print, radio and television, intends to show off the city and what it has to offer. Boxer Oscar De La Hoya and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos have also joined the campaign. A website has also been set up to spread the news; for more information, visit www.SeeMyLA.com

IMMIGRATION
Ridge Visits Mexico, Prepares to Pass Baton
Before stepping down as Homeland Security secretary, Tom Ridge said that any immigration reform enacted during President Bush’s second term would need to better secure U.S. borders and guard against terrorist attacks as well as combat cross-border drug-trafficking. Among provisions likely to be included, he said during a February trip to Mexico, are a temporary worker program and some kind of “recognition,” but not amnesty, for undocumented people working in the United States. Any new measure also must include penalties for companies that hire undocumented workers, he said. Ridge met with Mexican Interior Secretary Santiago Creel to open a special lane at the Calexico State commercial border crossing. Trucks enrolled in the special clearance program can cross more quickly. But the officials also addressed key elements that are likely to be part of an immigration reform President Bush will ask Congress to pass this year. Bush has nominated federal appeals court judge Michael Chertoff to succeed Ridge.

POLITICS
Running for Mayor—Again
It may seem like 2001 all over again, but there are differences this time around. Despite the facts that Los Angeles Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa is once more running against James K. Hanh, who is now mayor, and that the race is again drawing much media attention, Villaraigosa is in a much better spot. For one, he’s widely recognized. Plus, the number of Latino voters have spiked since the last election. Villaraigosa received 80 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2001. A victory in this month’s election would make him the first Hispanic mayor L.A. has had in 120 years.

TECHNOLOGY
Beautiful (digital) Latina
It’s no secret that Latinas are known for their exotic beauty. Which is why it was really no surprise that the 2004 Miss Digital World contest winner was Katty Ko from Chile. Her creator, Flavio Parra, designed her to look like Chilean actress Katty Kowaleczco. The increasingly popular online contest drew contestants from countries around the globe, including Spain, Mexico, Canada and the United States. Katty Ko is the first Miss Digital World and beat out 39 other contestants. Entry forms are now available for the 2005 competition. Entries must be in the form of high-resolution pictures and videos. To vote or submit entries for MDW 2005, visit www.missdigitalworld.com

INAUGURATION
Hispanic Moments
The Hispanic presence at the year’s presidential inauguration was greatly felt. Starting with Oscar de la Renta’s exclusively designed evening gown for first lady Laura Bush. The silver and light blue V-neck ensemble with matching overcoat drew the attention of fashionistas everywhere. Another Hispanic moment in the White House came when Ana Cristina Alvarez, a Cuban-American singer with a four-octave range, delivered a show-stopping a cappella version of The Star-Spangled Banner. The young performer became the first Hispanic to perform at a presidential inauguration.