By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— You see, as one hymn writer put it: I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more, but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I….  Yes, Love lifted me, when nothing else could help… Love lifted me…”  Death bound me with chains, and the floods of ungodliness mounted a massive attack against me. Trapped and helpless, I struggled against the ropes that drew me on to death. In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help. And he heard me from heaven; my cry reached his ears [Psalm 18:4-6]. “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.”[Amazing Grace – John Newton].

And what I see is that Sin has many people today shackled, bound, disenfranchised, and incarcerated. Despite how many times we might say, “This is the last time I will do this.” It is often that very thing we find ourselves doing! Paul wrote in [Romans 7:19-21], “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Paul even asks in [Romans 7:24], “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

 I submit to you today my brothers and sisters, freedom can be attained. For th Lord says, “Come now, and let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool [Isaiah 1:18]. Tell me, what is it that is keeping you from walking out of your prison doors? Jesus wants you to be free [Acts 16:16-34]. Don’t you want to be freed from your shackles today?

If so, do what David did in [2 Samuel 12]. Come clean with God. Ask God for forgiveness. Own responsibility for your sin. Accept God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Request a fresh work of grace. Then resolve to use past failures for ministry. David tells God, when you do this new work in me “then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Open my lips, Lord and my mouth will declare your praise. [v. 13, 15].

Over and over in Scripture we are reminded that we serve a God who, although doesn’t treat sin lightly, understands that we are mortal and struggle with sin. And out of His love for us, He wants to forgive us. I want you to know that God promises forgiveness for our sins.  Jesus said in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

I admonish you to “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6-7]

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1 John 1:9]

“ …Let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted.” [Isaiah 43:25-26]

“Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” [Revelation 7:12]

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes honored the Inland Empire Community News Group as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 47^th Assembly District today at the State Capitol.

The Inland Empire Community News (IECN) Group started out as the “El Chicano” newspaper founded in 1968 by a group of young activists in San Bernardino and Riverside who were determined to reinvent public perception, provide a voice to, and tell the stories of, the underserved and underrepresented Mexican-American community.  For half a century, El Chicano has created a news platform for the community and has received countless recognitions.  The expansion of IECN to include news outlets in Colton, Rialto, the Inland Empire and beyond, has elevated its reach in the community.

Today the Inland Empire Community News Group is comprised of the Colton Courier, the Rialto Record, Inland Empire Weekly and El Chicano.

Over 70 nominations were received, with 26 finalists selected from throughout the community for the Small Business of the Year award which honors small businesses of the 47^th Assembly District.

This year’s Small Business of the Year Finalists for the 47^th District includes:

Colton Advanced Silkscreen (Colton)

Hour Glass & Mirror, Inc. (Colton)

Tacos La Central (Colton)

Inland Empire Community News Group (Colton)

Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Services (Colton)

Rialto Flooring (Rialto)

Rosie’s Preschool (Rialto)

Dollish Polish Nail Studio (Rialto)

Benitez Family Daycare (Rialto)

Forum Blues Café (Rialto)

Rise Above Skate Shop (Rialto)

Esquivel Auto Depot, Inc. (Rialto)

Jaynes Bee Products (Bloomington)

Felipe’s Truck Repair (Bloomington)

La Pasta Italia (Grand Terrace)

Woody’s Classic Grill (Grand Terrace)

Chillz Froyo (Grand Terrace)

Technical Employment Training, Inc. (San Bernardino)

Black Chamber of Commerce (San Bernardino)

Adela’s Beauty, Barber & Nails (San Bernardino)

Roger’s Burgers (San Bernardino)

Clay Counseling Solutions (San Bernardino)

Empowering Success Now (Fontana)

AAA Container Sales & Rentals (Fontana)

Dawn’s Barber Shop (Fontana)

Good Choice Tires (Muscoy)

“Congratulations IECN for being chosen as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 47^th Assembly District and all of the small businesses who were nominated this year,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy, together we must renew our commitment to small businesses in the State of California, because as they thrive so do our local economies.”

For more information on the Small Business of the Year and finalists contact District Representative Daniel Peeden at (909) 381-3238 or email at Daniel.Peeden@asm.ca.gov.

Patient shares her story during Loma Linda University Cancer Center’s 28^th annual Celebration of Life event 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)– LOMA LINDA, CA– Feathered hats, photo booths, inspirational chalk walls and words of wisdom were seen and heard throughout Loma Linda University Cancer Center’s 28^th annual Celebration of Life Event on June 2. The event offered a community that is battling, or that has survived cancer, strength for the journey. 

Over 200 attendees heard patient testimonials and updates on the latest advances in cancer care.

One of the many stories presented featured Marsha Bradley, who survived Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer twice, thanks to Loma Linda University Cancer Center, surgical oncologist Maheswari Senthil, MD. Bradley has worked as an educator for 34 years and never thought she would develop Stage 4 Colon Cancer.  After a successful round of chemotherapy in 2005, Bradley was cancer-free for the first time. When it returned the second time, in 2010, she came to Loma Linda University Health, where she partnered with Senthil to undergo a complex surgery called Cytoreductive surgery that was paired with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Senthil is only a handful of surgeons in Southern California who can perform this surgery. 

Bradley’s Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer journey was shared through a video testimonial during the event.

Senthil also shared the latest advances in cancer care, saying that genomic and precision medicine has allowed physicians to customize treatment to an individual patient. Through advances in cancer science, physicians have learned that behavior of cancer is different in everyone, even if it has the same name and stage. With the ability to personalize care through more precise diagnostics, as well as other advancements in treatment, the mortality rate has decreased for the three most common cancers in men and women. 

Regardless of new scientific frontiers, Senthil said compassion must remain the constant.

“If we do not care for our patients with compassion and kindness, what do any of these advances mean?” Senthil said. “It all comes down to basic human kindness and compassion in which the care is delivered, no matter how advanced the science is. At Loma Linda University Health, we have already done that, and the scientific advances are added to this regimen.”

In addition, two oncology nurses were given the Courage to Care Award for their exemplary compassionate care.

By IQBAL PITTALWALA

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— Nicholas V. DiPatrizio of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, has received a grant of $744,000 from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, administered by the UC Office of the President, to investigate the impact of long-term cannabis exposure on metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes.

People in good metabolic health have ideal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Those with poor metabolic heath, on the other hand, have increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Researchers do not have a clear picture of the long-term impact cannabis use has on metabolic health, including diseases like Type 2 diabetes, which is marked by higher-than-normal levels of glucose in the blood.

DiPatrizio’s lab will study how cannabis affects the stable equilibrium of glucose — its “homeostasis” — in health and disease using a variety of cutting-edge technologies, such as tandem mass spectrometry.

“Scientists are still not sure how exactly long-term, or chronic, cannabis use affects health and a variety of tobacco-related pathologies, such as Type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic diseases,” said DiPatrizio, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences. “We will investigate in wild-type mice whether cannabis exposure is linked to higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes. We expect the knowledge we will gain in this project will help guide science-based public policy associated with the health impact of short-term and long-term cannabis use.” 

The three-year grant is the first cannabis grant received on campus, requiring DiPatrizio to acquire a Drug Enforcement Agency Schedule 1 license to perform the research — also a first for UCR.

DiPatrizio explained that while short-term cannabis exposure in rodents and humans increases eating, long-term cannabis use is paradoxically linked to lower body weights. Indeed, long-term cannabis use in humans can lead to improvements in some metabolic parameters, such as raising high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, often called “good cholesterol.” As such, his lab will also explore possible benefits of long-term cannabis use to metabolic health.

“We will also investigate how important the endocannabinoid system, which cannabis hijacks, is for maintaining glucose homeostasis and if cannabis exposure dysregulates the process,” DiPatrizio said.

The endocannabinoid system is located throughout the mammalian body, including the brain and all peripheral organs. It participates in the control of many physiological functions, including food intake, energy balance, and reward. Endocannabinoids, the body’s own “natural cannabis,” are lipid signaling molecules that enhance eating by binding to cannabinoid receptors located on cells throughout the body — similar to keys (endocannabinoids) turning open locks (receptors).

DiPatrizio explained that glucose homeostasis in mammals is controlled by the nutrient-induced release in the small intestine of incretins, metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels by driving insulin secretion, which is necessary for maintaining stable glucose levels.

His research group will assess the impact of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, exposure on incretin release in wild-type and transgenic mice that are engineered to lack cannabinoid receptors in the lining of their small intestines and in pancreatic beta cells. The small intestines and pancreas, both heavily involved in controlling metabolism, are known targets of cannabinoids. 

DiPatrizio explained that THC, the main ingredient of cannabis, activates cannabinoid receptors on cells throughout the body and controls energy homeostasis. Some of the mice, making up the “control group,” will be fed a normal diet and remain lean; the rest will be put for 60 days on a high-fat and high-sugar diet, also called a Western diet, to turn them obese. Whole cannabis oil extracts, which naturally contain THC, and pure THC will be used in the experiments.

“We will explore if THC makes the obese mice leaner with improvements in metabolism,” DiPatrizio said. “We expect to find the endocannabinoid system in the small intestines of the lean mice controls incretin release and glucose homeostasis. Further, we suspect the endocannabinoid system becomes dysregulated in the obese mice and participates in cannabis-induced changes in metabolic function.”

DiPatrizio will be joined in the research by doctoral students and staff in his lab.

The Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program funds research that enhances understanding of tobacco use, prevention and cessation, the social, economic and policy-related aspects of tobacco use, and tobacco-related diseases in California. Solely funded through the tobacco tax and individual contributions, the program has funded more than 1,200 research grants on tobacco-related studies, with 95% of the revenue going directly to funding research and education efforts.

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

The 26th Annual Armed Forces Celebration was held at Kansas SDA Church in Riverside.

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— There are three topics you’re not supposed to discuss in polite conversation: religion, politics, and money. Luckily, this isn’t a conversation, and we’re not super strict on politeness either. So while there’s plenty to be said about all three topics, we’re particularly interested in money—more specifically, what people are googling about money.

After all, if you can just google your questions about money (or lack thereof), why would you need a financial advisor?

OK, there are a lot of reasons to use a financial advisor (more on that below). For now, have fun learning which financial questions people who live near you are googling most often.

Our methods

We turned to Google Trends and gathered all the financial topics people are googling. Then we looked at their search popularity based on geography. What we discovered are the most googled financial topics by state during the past year.

Interesting correlations and key findings

1. Income tax was the most googled term in 23 states. That’s a very high percentage, but perhaps not as surprising when you remember that new tax laws took effect this year.
2. New York’s most googled term was estate planning. That’s probably partly because the state ranks among the top ten worst for estate tax laws. It’s also likely because New York City is home to more millionaires than any other place in the world.¹
3. Retirement was the most googled term in Wyoming, the state with the fastest growing senior population in the United States.
4. DC (not technically a state, but included like it is for our purposes) had a five-way tie for the most googled terms. Those top contenders were beneficiaries, long-term care, emergency fund, debt, and retirement.
5. Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Washington all googled “mortgage” the most, possibly because they’re among the top 10 fastest growing states in the US.

In addition to googling financial terms, we found people are searching for answers to many of the same questions on Google. Here are a few of the most-asked financial questions, along with their answers:

Why do I need mortgage insurance?

Mortgage insurance protects your home lender in case you default on the loan—basically, if you can’t make payments, they can recoup their losses through the insurance policy. Most lenders require you to have mortgage insurance if they lend you more than 80% of the home’s value.

Here’s where saving comes in handy: If you can put at least a 20% down payment on the home, you won’t typically need mortgage insurance. And, even if you can’t get the full 20% right away, once you reach it through payments, you can apply and usually are allowed to drop the mortgage insurance, as long as you have been making your payments on time.

How do income taxes work?

Oh, it’s super simple. Well, the principle is simple. The federal income tax is a percentage of money that the government takes out of (“withholds” from) each paycheck you get from your employer. Come every April 15, you settle accounts to make sure you paid enough. If you paid too much throughout the year, you get a refund. If you paid too little, you owe Uncle Sam some dough.

Can college students get Medicaid?

It’s not impossible, but it’s uncommon for a college student to get Medicaid. Eligibility depends on income and varies by state, so if your family is at a lower income level, you’re more likely to qualify for Medicaid. To learn about your eligibility for Medicaid, you can check here.

What is an estate plan?

An estate plan is created to make sure all your possessions and money are handed out the way you want when you die. Estate planning can be complicated, involving all sorts of moving pieces like trusts, or it can be relatively simple, including a will and a life insurance policy for your family.

Are childcare expenses tax deductible?

They can be, as long as the child is 12 or under (older if they have a disability). Expenses like babysitters, daycare centers, or even housekeepers that care for your child can all apply toward a tax credit.

Wrap-up

Google is a fantastic tool, but when it comes to finances, it can’t tell you everything. That’s why a financial advisor comes in handy. Whether it’s taxes, getting out of debt, investing, estate planning, or all of the above, a financial advisor can help get your money and your life on track. If nothing else, they’ll have better advice than “buy low, sell high” or “buy term, invest the rest.”

Are you surprised by our results? Have you typed some of these questions into Google yourself when you were looking for answers? Let us know in the comments!

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— A little over 2.2 million African Americans call California home.

Of that number, 72 percent lives in southern California with the greatest concentration (about 36 percent) in Los Angeles County, followed by the Inland Empire, and then, the San Diego area.

The other 28 percent lives in the northern part of the state with the densest clusters of African Americans in and around the Bay Area, and a little bit east, centered around Sacramento and Central Valley.

California also has the fifth highest number of Blacks in the United States.

But when you look at percentages, California’s Black population compared to the total state population, makes up a little over 6.6 percent of the almost 40 million people living in the Golden State – ranking it 31st in the nation.

Two new reports, “Counting Black California” and “The State of Blacks In California” provided most of those numbers above and they dissect them in interesting ways, too. Created to instruct and support the work media publications, public affairs firms, community groups and others will do to educate Californians about participating in the 2020 Census, the surveys provide hyper-localized data on where Blacks live, who they are and a gives a scale of the areas of the state that census workers have had the hardest time counting with accuracy in the past.

The other 28 percent lives in the northern part of the state with the densest clusters of African Americans in and around the Bay Area, and a little bit east, centered around Sacramento and Central Valley.

California also has the fifth highest number of Blacks in the United States.

But when you look at percentages, California’s Black population compared to the total state population, makes up a little over 6.6 percent of the almost 40 million people living in the Golden State – ranking it 31st in the nation.

Two new reports, “Counting Black California” and “The State of Blacks In California” provided most of those numbers above and they dissect them in interesting ways, too. Created to instruct and support the work media publications, public affairs firms, community groups and others will do to educate Californians about participating in the 2020 Census, the surveys provide hyper-localized data on where Blacks live, who they are and a gives a scale of the areas of the state that census workers have had the hardest time counting with accuracy in the past.

“We approached this project thinking, ‘which data will be most useful to our network and partners when they are creating content to get the word out about the 2020 Census?,’” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media which commissioned the “Counting Black California” report.

“We’re equipping our network. We have a combined reach of more than 1 million people in the state – through print, digital and broadcast media,” Wilson said. “Now, they have the info they will need to develop super-targeted content for every segment of Black Californians living in every corner of the state.”

The “Counting Black California” report offers a county-by-county breakdown of demographic details and other data, including inflows of federal dollars into California and how many Blacks in the state are foreign born. It also identifies 8,057 census tracts in the state and ranks them on a scale from 1 to 9 – from the least to the most likely to respond to next year’s census survey. A number of social and economic factors are used to determine that rating.

“Now editors and journalists can look at a specific neighborhood or even a region, maybe, and find out who lives there, and where, and how difficult that place would be for census workers to count. Then, build a relevant informational campaign based on that knowledge,” said Walter Hawkins, a senior research associate at NewHawk, a southern California-based data collection firm. He conducted the research for the “Counting Black California” report.

“The State of Blacks in California” report provides “quality of life” data like income, marital status, poverty rates, levels of education, etc., that can be layered on top of the information in “Counting Black California” to gain a sense of the psychographics of Black California.

“Our report provides a deeper snapshot of the communities that have the largest Black populations in the state as well as the factors that need to be considered when engaging Black Californians,” said Kellie Todd, who authored the report. She is the founder of Sistallect, Inc., a statewide organization created to empower women of color.

“Although the Black community in California is concentrated in 10 counties, connecting with residents can be difficult without understanding that there are geographical and cultural differences from region to region, city to city, and even from neighborhood to neighborhood,” said Todd. “Using a coalition approach has proven to be the most effective way, as well as partnering with local Black media outlets, to have maximum impact.”

“The State of Blacks in California” report is packed with stats that reveal pertinent tidbits about different communities. For example, African Americans in Contra Costa, Orange and Solano counties have the highest average income in the state – all three at $53k – but Orange County has the lowest Black poverty rate at 15 percent. Orange County also has the most African Americans with college degrees (37 percent) followed by Contra Costa County (25 percent).

“There are so many exciting ways the end user can slice and dice the information in both reports,” said Wilson. “It arms us with everything we need to know to run a strong Census 2020 education campaign. It gives us really actionable data that allows us to effectively follow-through, check how well we’re doing and change course if we need to.”

https://www.sobwca.com/report-outs-1

https://www.sobwca.com/

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—Now I know that for many of you Fathers’ Day is not easy. Some of you had bad relationships with your fathers. A few of you may not have known your Dad – even if you lived with him. And this day  is difficult for some of you because your dad is no longer here. Some of you have a dad who has deserted you. Some have abusive or violent fathers. But I want you to know that you are a child of the Most High and he loves you soooo much and he would never leave you or treat you badly. Believe that!

Now I know being a Dad isn’t easy these days because there are some dads who feel discouraged and others who’ve been dissed by their kids. But my message to the Father’s today, is to step it up, man up, be strong, and  be courageous. Wear the pants! You got to know that there is an epidemic of weakness that is sweeping into our family. Yes its true, that the culture is infiltrating the family, leaving some fearful of leading and making decisions, but I tell you God is looking for you [men] to step up to the plate and be who He has intended you to be. Children are out of control and needing role models. Your wives need you to be godly. Your children are needing you to be godly. Your church is needing you to be godly. Every avenue of your life cry for you to be godly. Families are falling apart- Society is suffering because men are failing in their God given roles as spiritual leaders. If you [men] would just be as God intended, you would change this world!

God is looking for some men to take back their homes, their churches, their communities for Jesus Christ and snatch some from the flames of Hell as God leads them. Do you want to be a part of that moment of God? If so, take back the power God gave you. You are to lead your family (by example). First, you are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. Second, Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church. Third, you are to train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. Step up, man up, be strong,  be courageous, wear the pants! Understanding that instructions and disciplines should be in the love that Christ has for us and that you should never present yourself as the ultimate authority that rules with an iron fist.That’s it and that’s all!

Now for those of you who don’t have a Father…I want to leave you with a love letter from God…. You may not know me, but I know everything about you …I know when you sit down and when you rise up …I am familiar with all your ways …Even the very hairs on your head are numbered …For you were made in my image …In me you live and move and have your being …For you are my offspring…I knew you even before you were conceived …I chose you when I planned creation …You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book …I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live …You are fearfully and wonderfully made …I knit you together in your mother’s womb …And brought you forth on the day you were born …I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me …I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love …And it is my desire to lavish my love on you …Simply because you are my child and I am your father …I offer you more than your earthly father ever could …For I am the perfect father…Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand …For I am your provider and I meet all your needs …My plan for your future has always been filled with hope …Because I love you with an everlasting love …My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore And I rejoice over you with singing …I will never stop doing good to you …For you are my treasured possession …I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul …And I want to show you great and marvelous things …If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me …Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart …For it is I who gave you those desires … I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine …For I am your greatest encourager …I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles …When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you …As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes …And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth …I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus …For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed …He is the exact representation of my being …He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you …And to tell you that I am not counting your sins …Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled …His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you … I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love …If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me …And nothing will ever separate you from my love again …Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen …I have always been Father, and will always be Father …My question is…Will you be my child? …I am waiting for you…Love, Your Dad. Almighty God

The ache in your heart that convinces you that there is more to this life than what you can see Ecc 3:11 can begin to be fulfilled now by reconnecting to our Father God, maker of heaven and earth who created us and all humanity to walk in the garden with Himself. The Father awaits you.

(EMPIRE NES NETWORK—ENN)— U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently congratulated seven area high school students accepted to the U.S. military service academies. The students were nominated by a panel of judges with military backgrounds. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the judges made their recommendations to the respective service academies for final approval.

“Attending the nation’s military service academies is an incredible honor, and it’s one of my greatest privileges as a Member of Congress to nominate the best candidates the 35th district has to offer,”said Torres. “Students who graduate from these distinguished institutions don’t just leave with a degree in their hands, they also gain the skills, maturity, and connections to embark on a successful career in service to this country.”

The following are this year’s nominees, their city of residence, and the academy to which they have been accepted:

United States Naval Academy

·         Ryan Alexus, Pomona

·         Justin Chu, Pomona

·         Joshua Reyes, Ontario

United States Naval Academy Prep School

• Jessica Felix, Ontario

Air Force Academy

• Ryan Torres, Chino

United States Military Academy (West Point)

• Alexander Ramos, Chino

• Jacob Turner, Chino

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 

This year’s class of students collectively received the equivalent of $3.5 million in scholarships to attend the military academies, or $500,000 per student. In addition to a free college education, the honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Congresswoman Torres will nominate, through a competitive process, one individual for each vacant academy slot allotted to the 35^th district.

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— Derren may have developed the ‘rules’ for the Community of Family and Friends but THEY are the people who are maintaining them;   a wonderful model! 

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