|
Greetings MACA members and friends,
My name is Daniel Harrigan and I am pleased to accept the title of Webmaster for the statewide Mexican American Correctional Association website. Together with Mr. Alex Rodriguez of Los Angeles County Probation, we hope to bring you updates, new photos of events and most importantly, timely information about furthering the goals of this organization which has been an influential part of the communities we serve in Corrections, Law Enforcement and Community and Civic leadership.
This is the most exciting time in our country's history with regard to changes and "moving ahead" to better the overall landscape of our lives.Mexican Americans, Latinos and Hispanics face a daunting task of not only being recognized, but of leading the way so that the hard work of all our predecessors does not lose momentum. Regardless or your affiliation, your ethnic self-identification or desires, we all must band together for the better good of all persons we call hermanos y hermanas. I will be anxiously awaiting former and current contributors to this web site in the way of articles, comments and issues which will continue the discussions that began prior to the establishment of MACA back in the 60's...
.Due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit, abbreviate or delete some portions of comments and memories and suggestions, however our pledge to you as members is to be inclusive and respectful as long as the ultimate message is "Unity" and "Togetherness." Again, welcome to the 2009 MACA which promises to be a voice for all Latinos...Daniel Harrigan LAMACACHAPTER@AOL.COM
In 1965, Deputy Probation Officers (DPO's), mainly from the East Los Angeles Area Office, began meeting to discuss the lack of Los Angeles County Probation Department programs geared to the Latino Community, and the lack of hiring and promotional opportunities for Latinos. The Officers started holding meetings in their homes to discuss goals and objects, develop a constitution, and select a name for the group. Some of the first planning members were Bill Sias, Richard Calderon, Henry Alonzo, Mike Duran, Dave Torres, Mike Avila, Ted Rodriguez, Richard Armendariz, Bob Medina and Virgil Garcia.
During the planning stage, DPO's throughout Los Angeles County Probation Department were encouraged to join. The name "Mexican American Correctional Association" (MACA) was selected, and as a result, membership started growing. One year after the Association was officially started, Al Gomez, California Youth Authority (CYA) Parole Agent, became the first state employee invited to join.
Ted Rodriguez, DPO, was elected as the first official "presidente" of MACA. Since MACA had originated with a group of DPOs in East Los Angeles, the meetings were held in their local Area Office. In 1967 the meeting site was changed to the CYA Esperanza Office. One of our first Board installations took place at East Los Angeles Junior College where the Board being installed out numbered the members in attendance.
During the late 60's there was a great deal of conflict within the United States due to the Vietnam War, Watts riots, East Los Angeles demonstrations, and affirmative Action confrontations. As a result , MACA also started pushing forth on its four major objectives:
- 1. The development and implementation of effective programs in the Latino Community.
- 2. Employment and promotional opportunities via legislative and legal proceedings.
- 3. Professional development of its members via seminars, conferences and academic study.
- 4. Scholarships for Criminal Justice majors.
In the early 1970s, the idea of expanding MACA throughout California was conceived. It is uncertain as to who made the initial overture, but regardless, correspondence and negotiations started. The prime movers in the North were Henry Mercado, Greg Zermeno, Enrique Aguilar, and Eugene Reyes. A Southern committee consisting of Ruben Villagrana, Ralph Sorkin, Gloria Sanchez, and Henry Corrales met with the Northern contingent. After many meetins, debates, and give-and-take sessions, an agreement was reached to become a Statewide organization.
On November 19, 1972, the Los Angeles Chapter, San Bernardino Chapter and the Northern Chapter came together for the first Statewide conference, held at Francisco Torres in Goleta, California. Ricardo Cardoza was appointed the interim President. R. Villagrana and H. Corrales from the South met with Tony Ruiz and H. Mercado from the North for the purpose of preparing a constitution and bylaws.
MACA was then officially recognized as Statewide organization on March 16, 1973. At its first conference in Sacramento, Greg Zermeno was elected State President. Since that time, chapters have been developed in Stockton, Paso Robles, Fresno, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Chino, San Diego, Bakersfield, Sacramento, Idaho, and ad-hoc groups in Arizona, Texas, Washington D.C., and of course the root-Los Angeles.
What started out as a small frustrated group of Deputy Probation Officers in East Los Angeles has grown into a formidable organization whose professionalism is known not only in California but nationally. The Mexican American Correctional Association takes great pride in being the first professional Latino Criminal Justice organization, and in also encouraging other Latino law enforcement groups to organize and become a strong voice. |
