Rey Mysterio Is Named Ambassador For Combate Americas – The Live Event Fight That Will Air On NBC UNIVERSO On Wednesday, Dec. 16

December 9, 2015

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Decorated, former three-time WWE world champion Rey Mysterio has been named ambassador of Combate Americas, the first U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise in history founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-creator Campbell McLaren, and will debut in his new role at the much-anticipated “Road To The Championship Hollywood,” nine-bout professional fight card live on NBC UNIVERSO, the modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

In addition, former WWF and WCW superstar Konnan, often referred to as the “Mexican Hulk Hogan,” will serve as color commentator alongside play-by-play announcer Ricardo Celis and Andrea Calle, the hostess of the Imagen Award-winning Combate Americas reality television series.

“I am excited to join Combate Americas on NBC UNIVERSO, and look forward to building this incredible MMA sports brand and supporting the extremely talented athletes on its growing roster,” said Mysterio, whose exciting, high-flying style of wrestling helped him earn a total of 21 championships between his stints in the WWE and WCW.

“Combate Americas embraces the great Mexican tradition of Lucha Libre, so we are honored to bring Rey Mysterio, a global icon and one of the premier Hispanic figures in sports entertainment, on board as our ambassador and are confident that he can inspire our fans and fighters,” said McLaren.

Among the collection of rival superstars that Mysterio has defeated during his career are C.M. Punk, Shawn Michaels, and Kurt Angle. During an epic 2006 Royal Rumble Match, he battled for more than one hour, a WWE record for longest time spent in the ring, and dumped the likes of Randy Orton, Rob Van Dam and Triple H on his way to victory of the 30-man elimination contest.

Priced from $40, tickets for “Premier Insurance Services and Aspira Mas Present Combate Americas: Road To The Championship Hollywood,” are on sale at www.HollywoodFightNight.com.

All fighters will weigh-in for the event on Tuesday, Dec. 15, beginning at 5 p.m. PT at The Marriott, located at 2500 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, Calif. All 18 fighters competing on the nine-bout card will weigh in for their respective bouts.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) main event of the live, four-fight telecast on NBC Universo, 23-year-old sensation John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (8-2) of Mankato, Minn., fresh off his victory at the inaugural “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event in Las Vegas, Nev. on September 17, will square off with fellow striking sensation Federico “Kiko” Lopez (10-5) of Murrieta, Calif.

Castaneda is looking for his fourth consecutive win while Lopez is seeking his sixth straight win.

In the bantamweight co-main event, Combate Americas reality television series star and power puncher Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios (5-1), of Mission, Texas will square off with dangerous scrapper Anthony Paredes (3-2) of Murrieta, Calif.

In a featured women’s atomweight (105 pounds) attraction on the live telecast, 21-year-old Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (3-3) will collide with fellow Las Vegas resident “Lightning Liz McCarthy (2-3).

The live NBC UNIVERSO telecast will kick off with a featherweight (145 pounds) matchup between Urijah Faber protege and prolific finisher Erick Sanchez (5-2) of Sacramento, Calif. and fellow rising star “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (3-3) of Las Vegas.

Doors at Florentine Gardens open at 5 p.m. PT for the event, and the first of five preliminary bouts will begin at 6 p.m.

ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS
Combate Americas, LLC. is the first U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise in history, designed to build Latino fighting champions and serve Hispanic fans, one of the world’s most avid groups of prize fighting enthusiasts. The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.

About NBC UNIVERSO:
NBC UNIVERSO (www.nbcuniverso.com) is a modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, bringing the world’s top sports franchises and edgy programming to more than 40 million households in the U.S. As one of the most widely available modern cable channels for U.S. Latinos, NBC UNIVERSO delivers a thrilling mix of exclusive sports action – including FIFA World Cup™, Liga MX, Premier League, NASCAR Mexico Series, NFL and The 2016 Rio Olympics – along with signature series, blockbuster movies, music, must-see live events and strategic acquisitions, on TV, online and mobile devices. NBC UNIVERSO is part of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a division of NBCUniversal (www.nbcuniversal.com), one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (www.comcastcorporation.com). To find the NBC UNIVERSO channel number in your area, please visit www.nbcuniverso.com/encuentralo.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Witz End Communications (for Combate Americas) – Mike Afromowitz, [email protected], 917.566.8754
Star Public Relations (for Combate Americas) – Jen Wenk, [email protected], 702.635.0995
NBC UNIVERSO – Derrick Johnson, [email protected], 786.337.6033

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Paisano, Welcome to Laredo

December 9, 2015

City of Laredo to celebrate 18 years helping Mexican citizens return home for holidays

LAREDO, Texas, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the past 17 years, the City of Laredo has hosted a Paisano Rest Stop to help Mexican citizens returning home from throughout the U.S. have a smoother experience as they head home for the holidays. This unique bi-national project is offered only in Laredo, Texas. The City of Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau works with the Mexican Consulate General to set-up the rest stop; however, there are many city, state and federal departments and agencies from both sides of the border who come together to help the paisanos.

The Paisano Rest Stop will be at IH-35 southbound, just off Mile Marker 13, beginning Friday, December 18, at 12 noon and closing at 12 noon on Sunday, December 20, 2015. For 48 continuous hours, the rest stop has individuals who help review documents necessary for travelers, as well as any goods or vehicles they may be taking into Mexico. Information on bridge wait times, directions, simple mechanic help, refreshments, restroom facilities and simply, an opportunity to rest and stretch their legs is free and offered at the site.

Additional information given includes:

Hotel and restaurant listings;
U.S. Customs regulations for return trip;
Legitimate nationalization processing business listing;
Complaint and crime reporting procedures with Mexican Consulate and local agencies;
Volunteer mechanic on-call to do initial inspection, minor car repairs;
Mexican immigration regulations and forms;
Free copies.

All is done with a smile and in Spanish. In fact, to help welcome the paisanos as they stop off at the rest stop will be Laredo’s own Ambassadors, who will be a part of the volunteers providing helpful information and assisting in any way possible to help make their stop at the rest area a pleasant one.

“Laredo welcomes paisanos,” said Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz. “We want their experience in Laredo to be positive, restful, and beneficial before they continue into Mexico. We host the Paisano Rest Stop to help facilitate their crossing experience here because Laredo, Texas does appreciate the work these Mexican citizens are doing in the United States,” Saenz concluded.

Motorists will see signage and hear radio messages posted from San Antonio on south. Local, state and federal officials patrol the roadside on IH-35 South, to offer assistance to paisanos that need help, including security, traffic control, and road side assistance. This year, the exit to the rest stop will be marked with extra signage and lights, especially for those traveling at night or who may not be familiar with the turn-off to the facility. Motorists who have not stopped before are encouraged to do so before continuing on their journey.

The Texas Department of Transportation is offering the Texas Travel Center, located on the north-bound side of IH-35 at Mile Marker 18 as an overnight parking facility with restrooms available 24 hours.

“Our effort to mount this city-wide welcome to Laredo is to facilitate the travel experience and help our visitors have a safer, more positive time each year that they chose to come back through our community,” stated Blasita J. Lopez, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau Director. “While we will offer a variety of services across town, overnight parking is of particular importance because we have traditionally seen our hotels fill to capacity. I encourage all of our travelers to book a hotel reservation early so that they can benefit the most from the stop in Laredo before they continue their journey into Mexico.”

Paisanos returning to Mexico through Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas should take Bridge I to avoid traffic congestion along IH-35 at Bridge II. Motorists exit Del Mar Exit #4 and will be on Santa Maria Avenue; follow Santa Maria south to Bridge I.

Along the alternate route to Bridge I, off of Santa Maria Avenue, the parking lot and bathroom facilities at Veteran’s Field will be available to paisanos. Hours of operation are Friday, December 18 at 12 noon, through 12 noon on Sunday, December 20, 2015; Laredo officials have planned to have the facilities be available throughout the week leading up to Christmas.

Additional overnight parking facilities will also be available at the Laredo Civic Center, located at 2400 San Bernardo Avenue where portable restrooms facilities will be available. Thanks to the Laredo Independent School District, whose two parking lots will be patrolled be Laredo and L.I.S.D. Police.

Paisanos wishing to avoid congestion all together can take Colombia Solidarity Bridge (Bridge III) into Nuevo Leon. The extended holiday hours of operation for Bridge III will be: Friday, December 18 opening at 8:00 a.m. It will begin operating continuously for 24 hours through midnight, Monday, December 21, 2015 and remain open until all traffic is processed. For regular AVI motorists who cross daily, there will be a special designated crossing route for them to take to Bridge II, to avoid the downtown paisano and shopping traffic congestion. AVI motorists should take San Eduardo south to Hidalgo, turn west on Hidalgo and then turn south again on Santa Ursula.

Local traffic should be aware of the additional holiday traffic in the upcoming days and exercise caution and patience when traveling in the downtown areas and around major retail centers.

Finally, for up-to-date changes to laws regarding Mexican citizens returning home to Mexico for the holidays and vehicle import laws, as well as for U.S. or other foreign nationals traveling into Mexico, concerning the documents they must have to facilitate this process, please consult Mexican authorities. For more information, follow the link http://www.paisano.gob.mx/pdfs/Guiapaisano.pdf which can be downloaded on smart-phones, for up-to-date and accurate information.

Paisanos making the trip through Laredo come from throughout the United States, including Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, New York, North Carolina, and South Carolina, to name a few, citing the welcoming experience as they cross in Laredo and once in Mexico, the safety and ease of travel on the highway through this route.

For more information about the Paisano Rest Stop, paisanos should call the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-361-3360 or visit www.paisano.gob.mx or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/welcomepaisanostoLaredo or visit the City of Laredo website at www.cityoflaredo.com.

Goya Foods Donates 50,000 Pounds Of Food To Catholic Charities In Washington, D.C.

December 9, 2015

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, donated 50,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington to support their food pantries and emergency food programs throughout the archdiocese. The donation is part of a 150,000-pound donation equally distributed to food pantries and emergency food programs through Catholic Charities in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. in honor of His Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to the United States.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151208/294471

“Supporting our communities and those who need help the most has always been a part of who we are and what we do at Goya Foods,” said Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations. “We believe in the work of Catholic Charities and know that our food donations go a long way in providing a warm meal to those who are hungry during the holiday season and throughout the year. For us, it’s not just about giving a donation, but it’s about making a difference and inspiring others to do the same.”

“Catholic Charities served more than 123,000 men, women and children last year right here in the Washington, DC region,” said Msgr. John Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. “While we help people with many different needs in their lives, it almost always involves helping families put food on the table. I am so thankful to Goya for choosing to Walk with Francis and partner with Catholic Charities.”

The donation will help stock the shelves in several locations run by Catholic Charities, including the food pantry at the McCarrick Family Center in Montgomery County, the Southern Maryland Food Bank in Waldorf, MD, and several food pantries run in partnership with local parishes.

The donation is part of the Goya Gives campaign, a series of annual donations that serves to encourage others to participate in the message and act of helping those in need. In 2015, Goya will have donated over three million pounds of food to organizations worldwide. The public can also share the #GoyaGives message with friends and family through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information about Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com. For more information about Catholic Charities, please visit www.CatholicCharitiesDC.org

About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,200 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington: Catholic Charities meets the most pressing human needs, serving tens of thousands of people annually through 65 programs in 47 locations throughout the District of Columbia and Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties in Maryland. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesDC.org.

Press Contact: Natalie Maniscalco / [email protected]/ 845.659.6506

(Español) MÁS DE 70 EMPRESAS LÍDERES APOYAN LA CAMPAÑA THANKS AND GIVING DEL HOSPITAL ST. JUDE, INCLUYENDO ALGUNAS DE LAS PRINCIPALES MARCAS EN COMERCIO MINORISTA, TRANSPORTE, HOTELERÍA Y MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN

December 9, 2015

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Markel completes acquisition of assets of CATCo Investment Management Ltd.

December 9, 2015

RICHMOND, Virginia, LONDON and HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Markel Corporation (“Markel”) (NYSE: MKL) and CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (“CATCo”) jointly announced today the completion of the acquisition by Markel of substantially all of the assets of CATCo.

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The business, which provides collateralized protections to over 35 global reinsurance buyers, will now operate as Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. (“Markel CATCo“). Every member of the CATCo team, led by Chief Executive Officer Tony Belisle, has transferred to Markel CATCo.

Richard R. Whitt, President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Markel, commented, “We welcome Tony and the CATCo team into the Markel family. The reception by existing CATCo reinsurance buyers and investors to the newly established Markel platform has been overwhelmingly positive. We truly will be hitting the ground running.” Whitt further remarked, “Joining CATCo’s insurance linked investment management capabilities alongside Markel’s traditional reinsurance capabilities should make for a powerful combination.”

Tony Belisle, Chief Executive Officer of Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd., said, “I am delighted with the successful closure of the transaction and the bringing together of two fantastic organisations that share similar goals and cultures.

“The extra support our new owner brings will enable us to offer enhanced product ranges and secure capital efficiencies for our growing number of reinsurance buyers. With a significant amount of next year’s renewals already committed and projected AUM expected to exceed $3bn, 2016 is shaping up to be a positive and exciting year.”

Willis Capital Markets & Advisory served as exclusive financial advisor and Hogan Lovells International LLP served as legal advisor to CATCo. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Markel.

About Markel Corporation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company’s principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company’s businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Visit Markel Corporation on the web at www.markelcorp.com.

About Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd.

Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is a specialist investment management business. From its headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda, Markel CATCo manages retrocession and traditional reinsurance portfolios for clients around the world, including financial institutions, charities, pension funds, family offices and investment funds. Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s beliefs, plans or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Markel’s and Markel CATCo’s current plans, estimates and expectations. There are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements. Neither Markel nor Markel CATCo assumes any obligation to update this release (including any forward-looking statements herein) as a result of new information, developments or otherwise. This release speaks only as of the date issued.Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73238

Statement by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)/CONEL Regarding Presidential Candidate Donald Trump’s call for ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’

December 8, 2015

SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “As American Christians committed to being light in a world darkened by sin, terrorism and fear, we must affirm our commitment to religious liberty as the proverbial firewall against totalitarianism.

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For that matter, while our government must protect our citizenry from individuals committed to terror, death and destruction, we cannot and must not embrace policies that incorporate a religious litmus test for those legally responding to the compassionate invitation written on the Statue of Liberty.

It behooves all of us to revisit those powerful words:

‘Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’

For that matter, no presidential candidate, elected official or branch of government carries the authority to extinguish the aforementioned lamp. With a commitment to building a firewall against Islamic extremism and protecting our most cherished of values, we must make certain that the lamp will shine the light of freedom for Christians, Jews, Muslims and all others yearning to breathe free.”

NHCLC/CONEL is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization. It serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and another 500,000 congregations spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.

Victor Manuelle Nominated For 2016 Grammy Award

December 8, 2015

MIAMI, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “Que Suenen Los Tambores” continues to triumph as one of the biggest Latin albums of 2015, with the announcement of nominations this morning from The Recording Academy for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Victor Manuelle along with Ricky Martin are the only two Puerto Rican artists nominated this year for the GRAMMY Awards which are set to take place February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles. Que Suenen Los Tambores is nominated for Best Tropical Latin Album.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151207/293942

This nomination solidifies the album as one of the most successful of the year along with his U.S. tour of the same title, which visited 18 U.S. cities this past fall and will continue next year throughout Latin America. Victor Manuelle is currently preparing to depart for Colombia where he has scheduled performances in El Choco and will be closing the Feria de Cali along with Daddy Yankee and Juan Luis Guerra.

About Victor Manuelle:
VICTOR MANUELLE has sold more than six million records worldwide, two million of them in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. He’s had four RIAA-certified multiplatinum albums, six platinum, and six gold. He’s had an incredible 46 charting singles on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, and 26 #1 Tropical Airplay singles, most recently 2015’s “No Queria Enganarte.” He’s notched eleven #1 Tropical albums and one #1 Latin Pop album (2009’s Muy Personal). Awards include four Billboard Latin Music Awards, four Premios Lo Nuestro, the Premio del Diario La Prensa, the ASCAP Golden Note Award, a Proclamation from the City of New York, and many others.

Sigue VICTOR MANUELLE en / Follow VICTOR MANUELLE on:

www.facebook.com/victormanuelleonline
www.twitter.com/victormanuelle
www.instagram.com/victormanuelleonline
www.youtube.com/victormanuelleVEVO

New Honda Road Readers Program Designed to Encourage Children to Use Their Imaginations During Drives

December 8, 2015

TORRANCE, California, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The average family spends about four hours per week in the car. Honda wants families to put that time to good use. Today the brand is launching Honda Road Readers, a new app (available on Apple^® and Android™) providing Honda drivers free access to children’s audiobooks to expose children to great literature and foster their imaginations. An introductory video to the program will be promoted on Honda’s social channels, using the hashtag #HondaRoadReaders.

“The goal for the Honda Road Readers program is to provide an educational and entertaining alternative to the usual car ride and inspire young listeners to vividly imagine,” said Susie Rossick, Assistant Vice President, Honda/Acura Regional Media and Marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This effort is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the brand’s ‘Power of Dreams’ philosophy by encouraging our customers and their families to dream big together.”

To add to the experience, most books are supported with critical-thinking questions aimed at getting parents and children to dive deeper into each story. Honda has also teamed up with the National Teacher of the Year Program run by the Council of Chief State School Officers to provide a curated selection of books that will be both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

“Students learn best when they have enthusiastic teachers, and parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. Honda Road Readers will help families share the infectious fun of reading together on journeys of the mind, the imagination and the heart,” says Rebecca Mieliwocki, the 2012 National Teacher of the Year and 7^th-grade English teacher in Burbank, Calif. “Reading not only boosts academic success but also awakens a person’s social and civic sense. They help us know and be mesmerized by the world around us and give us a sense of how we fit in. Simply put, books change lives for the better.”

Honda recently commissioned a surveyⁱ of more than 1,500 parents with one or more children ages 5 to 16 and learned that 77 percent of parents think listening to books or stories read aloud is very important for children’s cognitive development and developing listening skills. The survey also revealed that parents (69 percent) are concerned that their children are spending too much time in front of screens (cell phones, computers and TV). They are equally aware that their children are not reading books for fun and have fewer opportunities to use their imagination these days.

A Honda Road Readers infographic summarizing the survey findings can be viewed on Honda’s Pinterest and Tumblr pages.

Any Honda owner can easily access the Honda Road Readers program. First, owners go to www.hondaroadreaders.com to register. Owners will then be directed to download the Honda Road Readers app in the Apple or Android store. Next, owners will either scan or key in their 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). Honda owners will have access to five free audiobooks per Honda VIN aimed at children 5 to 16 years old for one year, the first being J. M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan and followed by four other titles of their choice.

The app experience features 10 rotating National Teacher of the Year featured books and several audiobook categories including fantasy/adventure, mystery, science fiction and teens.

To further support Honda Road Readers in December, the brand will debut a social video, titled “Imagination Inspiration,” featuring Jeff Kinney, the bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Honda spoke with the author, just before he departed on a global tour for book 10, about his new bookstore, imagination and the Honda Road Readers program.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive automobiles for American car buyers through approximately 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Accord, Civic, Fit and CR-Z, along with the Pilot, CR-V and HR-V sport/utility vehicles and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has the longest-lasting cars¹ of any mainstream automotive brand in America, and more models achieving an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating than any other automotive nameplate.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 30 years and currently operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2014, more than 97 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

¹ Longevity based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. vehicles in operation registration statistics 1988–2012 for Honda and non-luxury competing brands.

ⁱ Sample base: 1,516. Live in the U.S., over 18, have at least one child age 5–16, own at least one non-luxury vehicle, regularly drive their children and own a smartphone.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151208/293977

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Cal/OSHA Cites Employer for Electrocution Fatality and Serious Injury

December 8, 2015

VAN NUYS, California, Dec. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Cal/OSHA announced today that water well services company M&W Pumps, Inc., from Santa Maria was at fault for an electrocution accident that killed one worker and seriously injured another in June when a pump hoist made contact with a live overhead power line.

The investigation revealed that the team failed to maintain the minimum 10-foot distance requirement to prevent accidental contact with overhead lines carrying between 600 – 50,000 volts.

“When employers send their workers near overhead power lines with hoists or other high equipment, they must take special precautions to keep their workers safe,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “If M&W Pumps had put required safety measures in place, these workers’ lives would not have been put at risk.”

The two workers were using the pump hoist on June 6 to install an underground well on rural land east of Santa Maria. Cesar Montelongo-Pulido, a 21-year old rig operator’s assistant, was holding the hoist line while Daniel Moreno, a 25-year old rig operator, manned the controls on the hoist. The pump hoist made contact with a live 12,000 volt power line overhead during the operation, killing Montelongo-Pulido and severely injuring Moreno.

Cal/OSHA cited M&W Pumps, Inc. $16,895 for six violations including one serious and one serious accident-related in nature. M&W Pumps, Inc. was found at fault for failing to follow high voltage safety orders, requiring that employers notify the high-voltage power line company if equipment will approach closer than 10 feet – this serious violation was determined to contribute directly to the accident.

The other serious violation was issued for failing to evaluate hazards and implement necessary safeguards to minimize workers’ exposure to harm, including the potential contact with overhead power lines. Serious violations are cited when there is a realistic possibility that death or serious harm could result from the actual hazardous condition.

Citations were also issued for the employer’s failure to mark controls on the pump hoist to indicate the function or direction of motion, and for failure to establish a program of preventative maintenance of the pump hoist.

Cal/OSHA has an extensive online library of safety fact sheets and publications such as the Cal/OSHA Guide to Electrical Safety on how to work safely near overhead power lines.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers and employee organizations to improve their health and safety programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers’ Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Peter Melton at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

(Español) ¡A decorar con seguridad! Llegó la temporada de fiestas navideñas.

December 8, 2015

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

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