JANUARY
Congresswoman Giffords resigns January 25 was a sad day for Arizonans; U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford of Tucson resigned. Just after the oneyear anniversary of her being shot in the head in front of a Tucson supermarket, she announced on Facebook that she was resigning her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. “My district deserves to elect a representative that can give 100 percent of their time,” she wrote in a prepared statement read by a colleague on the House floor because the shooting affected her speech. The shooter, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, killed six people and shot a dozen others who had gathered to greet Giffords on that tragic day. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole this year. After the shooting, state politicians eased up on the bitter debate between the political parties – at least for a while.
FEBRUARY Phoenix celebrates Arizona’s statehood Valentine’s Day 2012 was a salute to the special relationship between Arizona and the rest of the United States. That was the day the Grand Canyon State turned 100 years old, and Centennial projects 20
Latino Perspectives Magazine
¡ January 2013!
latinopm.com
MARCH
and festivities blossomed in cities across Arizona. The events were organized by the state’s Arizona Centennial Commission and the non-profit Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation. Its vision was to “inspire all Arizonans to appreciate our state’s rich past, celebrate the present, and, together, create a vibrant and sustainable future.” In downtown Phoenix, Washington Street was turned into an area for Centennial events. The nearby Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center mounted an exhibition titled, “100 Years of Latinos in Arizona” to honor our state’s Hispanic history and legacy.
Gay Mexican lover derails sheriff’s campaign The second month of 2012 was when ultraconservative Pinal County sheriff, Paul Babeu, had his campaign train to Arizona’s 4th Congressional District seat derailed after he was – literally – caught with his pants down. Media exposés claimed that the elected lawman threatened his Mexican, male and undocumented lover with deportation. One investigative article revealed that the then-popular Pinal politician had sent a near nude photo of himself to a gay magazine. Babeu claimed
he was the “victim,” but his campaign contributions dried up, his poll numbers plummeted, and he was forced to settle for his eventual re-election to sheriff.
MARCH Disgraced legislator admits he stole from non-profit In mid-March, longtime lawmaker, Richard Miranda, admitted that he looted $145,000 while serving as executive director of a west Phoenix non-profit. Forced to resign his elected position in February, he pleaded guilty in court to charges of wire fraud and tax evasion in March. A Democrat from Tolleson who represented state Senate District 13, Miranda had sold a building owned by the non-profit, Centro Adelante Campesino, and used a big chunk of the stolen money to pay off his credit card debts. He had served 13 years in the Arizona legislature. He was subsequently sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
Garcia named Phoenix top cop On March 26, Daniel V. Garcia, previously Dallas’ assistant police chief,