your weekend. >> buenos d^as y bienvenidos. good sunday morning. welcome once again to "tiempo." i'm joe torres. a major and historic appointment in new jersey. the new hudson county prosecutor is a latina, and that makes her a pioneer on two fronts. she's not only the first woman, but also the first person of hispanic heritage to be appointed as prosecutor. we'll talk to her about her new role in just a few minutes. first, though, a new statewide effort in new york to recruit veterans of the u.s. armed forces to volunteer and assist immigrants who want to become american citizens. veterans would teach newcomers english, help them prepare for the u.s. civics portion of the

naturalization exam. i think it's a fabulous idea. here with us this morning, jorge montalvo from the new york state office for new americans and deputy secretary of state and dia beshara, an afghan veteran and brooklyn platoon leader for the mission continues. he'll tell us about that in just a second. good to have you, sir. >> thank you for having us. >> this is, to me, win-win across the board. whose idea was this? >> you know, the governor gave us a broad mandate -- >> "us" being? >> us, the state government, all of us that work for him. governor cuomo looked at us and said, "we need to help immigrants, especially in this year." as you know, the conversation in the nation gets a little tight, intense. so, i think it's time that we do something that really kind of reminds about what makes us great, which is welcoming people. >> but that still doesn't tell me where the idea came from to bring three different departments of the state government together under this one roof. was it a brainstorming session? was it a guy drinking coffee who had an epiphany and said, "we got to run with this"? did you see it happening in another state and said, "let's poach the idea"?

where did it come from? >> this is the first of its kind. what happened was, at a cabinet meeting, we were leaving -- you know, sitting around with each other, the other agency heads, and we said, "you know, what should we do to --" you know, we had a new agency head at the department of veterans affairs. we had myself, and we had the secretary of state. and we're like, "well, you know, your population is integrating back into civilian life, and immigrants are integrating into life here in the united states. there's actually a commonality here. let's figure something out. i'm sure there's a way that we can help each other." >> okay, how to make the two work together. >> yeah. >> when did you serve, dia? >> so, i served up until two years ago -- so, between 2006 and 2013. >> okay. in what branch of the military? >> so, i spent the first seven years in the air force active duty and then the last two years in the reserves, and i actually still serve currently in the air national guard. your service. appreciate that very much. for the -- i think of the veterans, so many of them who are looking for not only something to do, but value, right, to what they're doing. how does this help them?

when you come back from war, when you come back to civilian life, you oftentimes find yourself wondering, you know, "what's my purpose now?" or "do i have a duty to my community anymore? am i doing anything meaningful?" and when i first came back, i know i was constantly feeling like i wasn't part of anything anymore. i had a corporate job here in new york city, but i didn't necessarily go home feeling the same sort of satisfaction that i felt when i was on active duty. >> when you were in service. all right, we've danced around the edges enough. how -- go ahead. >> this is actually closer to home than you think for dia because he is a naturalized citizen. >> yes. so it benefits him in more ways -- he can appreciate it in more ways than one. >> that's right. >> how does it work? bottom-line it for me. how do you get the two together? >> so, we have over 80 offices that help veterans throughout the state. >> yes. >> we also have our office for new americans, with 27 offices throughout the state we're in, where immigrants come and they learn english. so, that's the natural entry point for immigrants and for veterans. so, veterans are then referred to volunteer at these opportunity centers.

and on the immigrant side, we are recruiting immigrants from our opportunity centers to go volunteer at the v.a. hospitals and other veterans-servicing organizations, including with the mission continues. >> okay. have you helped out already some immigrants, and in what form? >> so, we're currently still setting up the process by which we'll be working together. >> right. >> but we do have an office here in brooklyn where we have about 65 veterans that are currently working on other community-service initiatives. i think the plan is, within the next month or two, to actually bring some of the veterans from the brooklyn platoon to team up with the new york department of state on these opportunity centers. >> and if all goes well, the veterans are -- and i mentioned a few things there at the top of the show. what will they specifically be helping immigrants with? >> so, we're looking for veterans to volunteer inside of our english classes, help people with digital literacy, with homework as they're learning english, and, i think more interestingly, having veterans teach civics, u.s. civics that is required as part of becoming a u.s. citizen. >> and what better person to teach it than someone who served, right? i see you smiling there. that's perfect. you can relate to this, as he

said, from both perspectives, can you not? >> that's correct. so, my family migrated here in 1984 from egypt. and i was just looking up some statistics. something along the lines of 600,000 veterans are actually born overseas. and so i think a lot of us, including a lot of members from my brooklyn platoon, would be ecstatic to help other immigrants begin their path to citizenship. >> many of the immigrants that we're talking about, of course, latinos. >> yeah. >> you have veterans who also speak spanish that might be able to bridge the gap, language-wise, between the two. >> yeah, and i think that, especially for a latino community in new york city and new york state, this is a fabulous opportunity really to, again, welcome each other. >> mm-hmm. >> you have, again, in the armed forces, as you said, latinos, and we have latinos in our community. and it's a great way to remind people that we're welcoming. >> okay. sit tight. a couple more questions for you. when we come back, more on the new statewide initiative that benefits immigrants and veterans. still ahead on "tiempo," hudson county's new prosecutor makes history. she'll tell you how when we chat with her in just a few minutes. also, in honor of hispanic heritage month and breast cancer

duty -- we'll talk to the peruvian artist behind a unique,

>> welcome back to "tiempo." veterans of the u.s. armed forces -- they volunteer and assist immigrants who want to become american citizens. how great is that? [ chuckles ] here this morning to tell us a little bit about this new statewide initiative, jorge montalvo from the new york state office for new americans and deputy secretary of state, dia beshara, afghan veteran and

mission continues. and he's gonna tell us about that in just a second. but i don't want to get away from the fact, jorge, that -- because so many people look at state government and say they get so little done or can't work together. well, in this instance, you have the office for new americans, division of veterans affairs, the commission on national and community service, three distinct departments all working together towards the same goal. >> that's exactly right. >> do you guys meet once a week? do you get together? i mean, how does it function? >> we meet as, like, a task force, and we get together regularly, either on the phone or up in albany or by video conference to make sure that, especially programs like this that really make a difference in people's lives, actually move forward and get done. >> and how does each department make sure the needs of each department are being met? >> ah. so, it's a beautiful thing. when you start working together, you start talking about operationally what you do and, more importantly, who you're trying to help. >> right. >> so, when you start looking at the actual populations and you're like, "oh, well, this is important to immigrants, this is important to veterans, and this here is our americorps and our,

immigrant programs and volunteer programs working together," it just works seamlessly. >> yeah. you work with the mission continues. tell me -- what is the mission continues, dia? and who's involved? >> so, the mission continues is a nonprofit organization. our mission is to empower veterans to get more involved in their community, to give back to their communities, to find a new way to serve their community. and it's mostly veterans. we've opened the doors recently to civilians, as well, to come and volunteer alongside us. and i think this is a perfect initiative, a way for us to get back involved in our communities upon returning from active-duty service. >> did the state find you, or you volunteered to the state and said, "you know, this is something we got to be a part of"? >> i think we found each other. it was a beautiful match at first, and as soon as we heard about it, i spoke about it to a bunch of folks in my platoon, specifically here in brooklyn, new york, and they seemed to enjoy the idea. and so -- >> so, the mission continues -- is it brooklyn only, or is it statewide or national? >> no, it's actually a national organization. >> right. >> i'm in charge of the local brooklyn chapter. but i think the idea now is to involve as many veterans from

the entire state of new york to get involved with this mentorship. >> i don't want people to lose sight of the fact that this is all the way around a volunteer operation, correct? >> that's exactly right. i think that it reminds us of -- we as new yorkers -- we come together. we help each other. and we've had past waves of immigrants. this is a new wave of immigrants, and all they want to do is be here and be successful and have a family life that's happy. and so volunteering, helping each other is a very new york thing. >> and we've mentioned how the veterans are helping the immigrants in many different areas, but you were telling me during the break there's one particular area where the the veterans. talk to me about that. >> that's right. we've started -- as we launched the initiative, we started -- immigrants were like, "oh, this is exciting. we want to help. we want to be a part of this. we want to volunteer and help the veterans as they're transitioning in." so, in fact, in a couple weeks, we have a group of dreamers and others on staten island. they're gonna go volunteer at their local v.a. hospital, you know, conversing with people, helping out around the hospital, of things. >> have you gotten phone calls

from other states or other places who -- and i know it's still new -- who are watching what you're doing here and saying, "we think that's fabulous -- we want to incorporate that in our area"? >> even more interesting -- the white house... >> [ chuckling ] oh, my. >> ...e-mails, like, "this is fabulous. this is something we need to lift up as a national model because it really does connect to populations that are going through something similar." >> yes, and it helps both at the same time -- win-win. for more information, i think we've got a full-screen that we can show viewers at home, numbers to call. there it is -- new york state office for new americans. what's the website there? >> newamericans.ny.gov. we also have a hotline -- 1-800-566-7636. >> you call the hotline, and someone there will answer in english, perhaps spanish also? >> yeah, we cover 200 languages call anytime. >> and more information about how you can get involved in this program. >> yes, either from the side. >> and the website, as well. and the mission continues probably has its own website, too. track it down. >> that's correct. >> dia, thanks again for your service, of what you're doing, and, you guys, again, a great program. >> thank you.

all right, still ahead on "tiempo," the new hudson county prosecutor makes history.

>> esther suarez's appointment as hudson county prosecutor marks a historic moment in new jersey history. she's not only the first woman, but also the first person of hispanic heritage to be appointed as a prosecutor. [speaking spanish] esther suarez. felicidades. congratulations. >> thank you. >> do you still get goose bumps when that happens? >> it's beginning to wear off a little bit. >> yes? >> yeah, a little bit, yeah. >> are mom and dad still -- >> oh, so proud, so proud. >> who's more proud -- they are or you are? >> no, no, mom and dad for certain, yes. >> how did you break the news to

them? >> well, it's always a little bit slowly. so, because i was a judge before, they didn't quite understand why i would want to give that up. so i had to do it delicately. >> okay. >> but they love it. they think it's fantastic, and they're happy about it. >> you know, we've had people on the show before who were "pioneers." we had a police chief from westchester county, the first in his department. we've had people from nypd, the first latinos. it's wonderful. it's great. it's groundbreaking. how do you look at it, and how do you absorb it all? well, i mean, the way i would look at it initially is -- and i sort of said this in jest during my swear-in speech -- "what took so long?" in that i am the first woman, i am the first hispanic woman, first hispanic individual. having said that, it's just a wonderful opportunity to be able to be somewhat of a reflection of our community within the office, for me to be a proper reflection of what hudson county is. and that is a mix between men and woman and a mix between all of the very different cultures

>> but do you find yourself constantly reassuring people who ask that you didn't get the job because you're latina? you got the job, and you happen to be latina. >> i think it's the latter. fortunately, i think most people understand that. i've had quite a history in hudson county. most people know me. they know my work. >> okay. >> and i think that it's gone rather smoothly, where they know why i'm there and it so happens that i happen to be a woman and i happen to be a latina. >> which is a nice commentary on society, that it's become more and more accepted and it's become, "well, you know, forget the fact she's latina. she's great at what she does, and she deserves the job." >> much more progressive. >> yes. >> and it's a pleasure, and it's really nice to see that, refreshing. >> you mentioned that people in hudson county certainly know your background. we don't, so educate us a little bit. born and raised in bayonne. >> bayonne, new jersey. >> que buena. >> beautiful bayonne, new jersey, yeah. i went to douglass college, worked in d.c. for a little while... >> okay. >> ...rutgers law school, but then i moved around quite a bit. i was in a private law firm, hoboken corporation counsel, bergen county counsel, and then i was a judge.

i was a judge in hudson county and passaic county. this is home. this is where i'd like to be. >> only because i don't know, is this a job that you aspire to, that you lobby to, or you just get it because someone feels you'd be good for it? >> well, it's a little of both. it just depends on what your situation is. and in my case, i was a judge and i was happy and i was good. and somebody sort of approached it?" and at first, my reaction was >> okay. >> and then as soon as the words "wait a minute. why wouldn't i consider it? i think i would really enjoy that. i think i'd be good at that." >> do you enter the position with any goals in mind that esther suarez wants to accomplish for your term, which is five -- >> five years. >> five years. >> yes. >> what are they? >> improvement for the office so that there's an improvement for the community. >> okay. get more specific when you say "improvement." >> the office has had very little change over the last several years. and i think just having me there in the office -- that brings about quite a bit of change. and hopefully with that change is an improvement, just in terms

of conviction rate, improvement, more reach-out for the community. what we are doing now is having a lot more community outreach, meeting with members of the community, either religious leaders or community leaders, and making sure that they know what the hudson county prosecutor's office does >> okay. >> ...and how we're involved in hudson county and why they want to be a part of this, as well. >> how do you think that education helps you do your job better? >> the more communication there is, it's better for us. at the end of the day, that's who we represent. and by having them there with us, lockstep with us, hopefully in a partnership with us. when things go sour -- and sometimes they do -- and we haven't had that yet, and, god willing, we won't see that -- but when something does happen, we've already known each other. we've already had that conversation. we already know who we are. so, it's a better way for us to improve our relationship and have a relationship. >> so, a lot of the foundation, a lot of the legwork has already been paved, if you will, by the time that situation comes.

more specific because you say there haven't been a lot of changes and you're gonna bring changes. to me, that opens up the questions -- changes in personnel? changes in wallpaper? changes in furniture? changes how? >> well, wallpaper -- it's funny that you're saying that. yes, with wallpaper. there's been -- >> it needs a redo, doesn't it? >> it needs a redo in a desperate way. i mean, when i tell you no change, i'm talking lots of years of no change. >> paneling. >> and i think what i'm trying to instill in all the members of the hudson county prosecutor's office is, you need to take pride in everything you do, including the fact that that office needs to better represent us. and then there's more stuff, too. it obviously involves the conviction rate in hudson county, the cases that we choose to investigate, the cases that we choose to take to trial. >> mm-hmm. >> in every sense. it's re-evaluating how we've been doing things, and do we want to continue or do we want to change it? >> well, congratulations. >> thank you. happy to be here. >> oh, i'm glad you came on "tiempo" and educated us, and keep us posted. >> thank you so much. >> maybe in five years, we'll re-evaluate how you've done. >> sounds good. i'll be here. [ speaking spanish ] >> coming up next on "tiempo,"

in honor of hispanic heritage month and breast cancer awareness month together, we'll talk to the peruvian artist behind a pink l.e.d. display on fifth avenue. it is fabulous. it is unique in many ways. we will chat with her next. are you getting the internet speed you need? [excited yelling] ah, yes! you cannot stop it! aww...your mom liked my post. you're friends with my mom? we all use it differently. so why should we get it all the same way? now you don't have to. with time warner cable, you get speeds from 3 megs, all the way up to ultra-fast 300 megs. with no data cap. no long term contract. even wifi you can use

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>> in honor of hispanic heritage month and breast cancer awareness month, a large-scale, site-specific light sculpture by peruvian artist grimanesa amor_s has been installed on the facade of the peninsula new york in honor of breast cancer awareness month this october. in keeping with the breast cancer initiative's pink theme, amor_s used l.e.d. lights to create a pink lotus flower that is attached to the peninsula new york's landmarked facade. it's located at 5th avenue and 55th street in manhattan. we are pleased to have here with us grimanesa amor_s to talk about her inspiration, her

what inspired you to create this beautiful, beautiful piece of artwork? >> well, it was -- i was approached by the peninsula because, you know, they take pride to celebrate breast cancer month awareness. and they call it the art of pink, which actually it goes through the peninsulas throughout asia... >> yes. >> ...europe, and north america. >> okay. >> and so when circa 1881, which is the curatorial institution that approached me... >> yeah. >> ...i immediately focused on the facade. and they have this amazing palladian window and also, next to it, the two goddesses, roman goddesses. one is ceres, and the other one is diana. >> uh-huh. >> and i love what it represents. one represents abundance, and the other one represents, you know, childbirth, hunt, and the moon. >> yes. >> and i thought that that had a

lot of tightness with the pink lotus, which i, you know, love... >> yes. >> ...since the first time i saw it in shanghai, walking through the pond. and it has a lot of associations with creativity, the oneness, and rebirth that has to do with breast cancer. >> so, in terms of the logistics of being able to hang or install a piece of artwork like that, what do you need answers to before you create it? >> well, it's a wonderful collaboration with our teams, right? and we had to work very closely with their engineers and the permits, necessary permits, of course, famous in new york city. >> electricity, i think. >> of course, of course. it has to withstand the 100-miles-per-hour winds that we get in new york sometimes. but it was a wonderful collaboration. we have the proper measurements, you know, especially for the palladian window, and it all worked out wonderful. >> it's beautiful.

>> it will work until november 17th, actually. besides, it's gonna be through the whole month of october, of course. so, it's hard to miss. you have other sculptures, right, and other pieces of work if people are interested in not just this, but more from you. where can people go to see that? >> well, for now, i would like them to focus... >> on this one. >> ...on the pink lotus. so much love. i always wanted to have the opportunity to honor women around the world. >> yes. >> and this project came to me as such a miracle. what an amazing opportunity to make my dream a reality. >> do you -- does it come to you in the form of an idea, or do you have the idea and it means fine-tuning? >> no. basically, i work -- i go to the site, the location, in this case, you know, the facade of the peninsula. and then i make a lot of studies about, what do people -- when they're walking, what do they do?

and then i go and study the history of the building. and all that brings together the inspiration that i'm gonna create. and in this case, the peninsula, of course, has a lot of ties with asia... >> yes. >> ...you know, and one of my dreams was always to make an installation about the pink lotus that caused such an impression on me. like, i just came back from arizona actually yesterday afternoon, and the grand canyon now is in my system. >> in your mind and in your system, right. so, it's amazing, the amount of research and history you do. >> in fact, i was reading somewhere that you really look to scientific research, social history, critical theory, all part of your inspirations. and that shows in this artwork, as well. >> correct, yes. i always very interested in the new technologies, you know, the new electrical hardwares that they are. and then i collaborate sometimes directly with some of the

companies about how -- telling them, you know, how somehow they could make a better software. >> yes. so, l.e.d. lighting in this -- have you used l.e.d. lighting before? >> yes, many, many times. it's part of my artwork already. >> well, congratulations. this is fabulous. you have your own website -- grimanesaamoros.com. >> correct. >> and people can find out more about you there. >> yes. >> congratulations. >> thank you. >> i love the piece of work. it'll be there till november. be sure to go check it out, folks. before we go, we're gonna take a look at our "tiempo" community calendar for this week. today in queens -- you don't want to miss this -- the bolivian day parade. it starts at noon on 37th avenue and goes from 69th street to 86th street -- again, in queens. plenty of music, plenty of dance, as well. also today, this time in new jersey, the annual hispanic day parade. this one starts on bergenline avenue and goes from 32nd street to 80th street in union city. it all gets under way at 11:30 and goes through the afternoon. much^simas gracias. we thank you for spending a part of your sunday with us.

if you missed any part of our show, you can watch it at abc7ny on the web, on your tableta, even on your smartphone, as well. how great is that? that wraps another edition of "tiempo." i'm joe torres. we thank you for watching.