The Race Track Chaplaincy of America awarded Chaplain Israel “Izzy” Vega its annual Community Service Award, on November 1, 2012 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

Vega has 40 years of ministry experience in evangelism, event coordination and media relations in Latin America and the United States. Vega has worked with the Hispanic Access Foundation to bring our programs to the employees of the Race Track Industry at four racetracks in California and Texas.

According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society and the Intercultural Cancer Council, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanic adults after heart disease. Hispanic women have two to three times the cervical cancer rates of non-Hispanic white women. Hispanic men and women have higher rates of stomach cancer than non-Hispanic populations. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the deadliest cancers among Hispanic men and Hispanic women, respectively.

For Latinos, the 2012 tax return presents significant opportunity. In fact, the potential impact of key legislative changes for the nation's fastest growing population is unprecedented. Starting in 2014, many people -- not just Latinos -- who do not have health insurance may be able to receive a subsidy based on their household income and family size to help with the cost.

Paying your taxes is not only an obligation for all those working in this country, but also one of the best ways to show your generosity and loyalty to the country that has welcomed you. Without an efficient tax system, a modern society cannot exist. But, like about everything else in life, there are many out there ready to take advantage of other people’s goodwill and good heart by scamming them through fraudulent tax schemes.

In the wake of the 2012 presidential election, the Latino vote in states like Colorado has been held up as a critical and influential factor. Latino voters turned out in record high numbers and their 75% vote for President Obama nationally set a new high for a Democratic presidential candidate. While much of the attention has been on changes to immigration policy, Latino voters, like all voters, are paying attention to a wide variety of issues.

Remember: the deadline to submit your tax return documents is April 15. And there is a lot at stake for Latinos, regardless of your immigration status. It’s not only the satisfaction of fulfilling your civic duties. Filing and paying your taxes is also a legal obligation that must be met with strict regularity. If you are a legal resident, and you fail to declare your taxes, you can be deported.

The Hispanic Access Foundation Juntos Podemos Contra El Cancer workers prepare outreach initiatives. The Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) was founded with the goal in mind of improving opportunities for Hispanics in the United States in all aspects of life, from citizenship and financial stability to the reduction of health disparities. The non-profit organization strives to improve overall quality of life through efforts based on responsibility, respect, integrity, innovation, and diversity.

There is a long history of controversy concerning the Dinosaur National Monument - in Colorado - in regard to the land leases to exploit oil and gas, and how these operations could impact the ecosystem and the beauty of the region. Meanwhile, only 9 percent of the nation’s approximately 54 million Latinos visit our country’s national parks each year.

While most Americans are talking about the viability of the new Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, not many understand the tax implications that this new law might have on their next year’s tax returns.

By Father Jesus Martinez for Las Cruces Sun News

I am the parish priest of Santa Rosa de Lima in Las Cruces, and I believe that our community must speak up to preserve the Gila River. Recently, a group of our parish's youth took a trip to hike along the Gila River and understand the threats to the river and its habitat. We learned that the Gila River is the last natural and free flowing river in New Mexico, and is a tremendous resource providing water to irrigate farms and ranches, a home for wildlife, and a place for people to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.