Abstract
This paper describes the Mexican holiday known as Cinco de Mayo. It then goes on to place Cinco de May in its historical context, recounting the events that led to the Mexican victory at Puebla in 1862. Finally, it discusses Cinco de Mayo as a present day tradition and how it is celebrated both in Mexico and the United States.

From the Paper
"The Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more than just a day of celebration, it is a day when Mexicans around the world recall, maintain and reaffirm their roots. It is a tradition that marks the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla over the French. Since that time no foreign power has ever invaded Mexico and Cinco de Mayo has come to symbolize an end to foreign intervention. According to the American Heritage Dictionary Fourth Edition a tradition is defined as ..."

Tags:Cinco, de, Mayo, Battle, of, Puebla, tradition

Abstract
This paper discusses De-Mar's product strategy, and what the products and services are. It further describes how the company's marketing, finance, and personnel all support Del-Mar's product strategy. De-Mar's customer-centric service policies are also highlighted.

From the Paper
"De-Mar's product is plumbing, heating and air conditioning service. The tangible parts of this product include parts needed for plumbing, heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair. These are the least important parts of D-Mar's product however. The service components are the ones that garnered it the customers that previously thought of other similar companies first for meeting their service needs. Expertise, outstanding customer service the actual servicing of the plumbing heating and air conditioning systems and a commitment to long-term business rather than to..."

Tags:De-Mar, product strategy, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, customer service, OMs

Abstract
This paper examines the life of Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of the sixteenth century French king, Henry II. The author notes that Diane de Poitiers emerged as a power in the French court of King Henry II because of her beauty, great insight, and political astuteness, and used them skillfully to forge an ever stronger relationship with the King. As the years passed she acquired so much influence that she became the queen of France in all but name, was the brains behind the throne, and was even placed in charge of educating the royal children of Henry and Catherine.

Tags:EUROPEAN STUDIES (HISTORY, CULTURE) / FRANCE, diane de poitiers

Abstract
This paper examines De Sica's films in greater detail as well as the environment which shaped his views.

Tags:vitorio, de, sica

Abstract
This paper describes "Missa Pange Lingua" as a critical turning point in Renaissance music in particular and Western music in general. The author states that Josquin de Prez honed his art to perfection in this piece. The paper relates that, to surpass him, Western music had to change its entire structure.

From the Paper
""Missa Pange Lingua" is Josquin's greatest achievement in the art of paraphrase in polyphonic music. Set in the ridged structure of a Catholic Mass, Josquin uses the numerous short passages to highlight his variation on ..."

Tags:Missa, Pagne, Lingua, Josquin, De, Prez, renaisance, music, polyphonic, paraphrase, eclesiastic, church, music

Abstract
In early-April 2000, HSBC Holdings PLC agreed to acquire a majority holding in Credit Commercial de France (CCF). The proposed merger of the two banking firms is analyzed in this paper. The analysis focuses on strategic choices made by HSBC in developing its acquisition strategy, motivations by both firms for the merger, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the proposed merger, analysis of the proposed merger within the context of Porter's Five-Forces Model of Competitiveness and challenges that will be faced by HSBC in relation to differences in corporate cultures should the merger be completed.

From the Paper
"A major motivation for HSBC to acquire CCF was to dilute the company's risk exposure in the Asian market (considered by HSBC management to be highly volatile) by increasing the company's presence in the European banking industry ("S&P Affirms HSBC Holdings Plc," 2000).
CCF, a successful but medium-sized company, has been a takeover target for larger financial institutions in Europe for more than a year. The suitors and their proposals, however, were not attractive to CCF management. Realizing that acquisition was probable sooner rather than later, CCF management was amenable to an acquisition proposal that addressed their own needs and those of CCF shareholders. The HSBC offer, which came as a surprise, met each of these requirements and has been recommended to CCF shareholders by the CCF board ("HSBC "a Major Player in Europe,"" 2000). Job losses at CCF, as an example, are expected to be minimal in an HSBC-CCF merger."

Tags:Banque, Nationale, de, Paris, electronic, banking

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of homelessness, providing various statistics, some causes and offering solutions to the problem. It includes studies that have been carried out suggesting that one cause of homelessness is the de-institutionalization of the mentally ill, and how divorce, domestic violence, large medical bills, disabilities and natural disasters or fires often leave people financially crippled.


Outline:
Extent of the Problem
Homelessness as a Socio-Economic Injustice
Solutions For Change
Data Systems
Prevention
Outreach
Shortening Homeless Time
Links to Services
Challenges and Stumbling Blocks

From the Paper
''According to the Almanac of Policy Issues (n.d.), between 700,000 and 2 million people are without a home each night. By far, the adult homeless population is responsible for most of that number. Single men constitute 44% of the homeless population and single women 13%, while the rest of the population consists of families and children living, homeless, on their own. Donohoe (2004) argues that the issue of homeless has been "largely ignored by the mainstream press and the general public" despite its growth. According to Donohoe, (2004), seven percent of Americans have experienced homelessness, while 2.5 to 3.5 have been homeless at some point during each year. Ten percent of the homeless population can be classified as chronically homeless. These are the people who tend to "cycle between homelessness, hospitals, jails, and other institutional care" (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2007a). These people generally have a serious mental or physical disease such as an addiction or psychiatric problem. There are between 150,000 to 200, 000 of these people in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2007a). Contrary to the often-espoused ideas that the adult homeless population live on the streets because they do not have jobs, or have problems with drugs and alcohol, Donohoe (2005) argues that 20% of the homeless population have full or part-time jobs, although the 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers found that 66% did have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or mental illness (National Almanac of Policy Issues, n.d.).''

Tags:population, drugs, illness

Abstract
This paper provides evidence through studies and reports that mental illness shares a powerful relationship with homelessness. The mentally ill often suffer from symptoms that alienate them from supportive networks, thus leading them to homelessness. Bereft of stable living conditions, the mentally ill thus have an even more difficult time obtaining treatment to improve their condition. The paper shows that on the streets, these people are victimized by traumatic situations -- assaults by criminals and harassment by police. Concomitantly, social policies have contributed to the plight of many homeless people through de-institutionalization without providing support through community mental health services and the housing market. The paper shows that with the implementation of cost-effective and well-researched intervention, the relationship between homelessness and mental illness can be increasingly weakened.

From the Paper
"However, in O"Dwyer's study (1997), the schizophrenic participants in the study also had an unhealthy and unstable home life (p. 301). Many of the younger participants ran away from home due to conflict with their parents (p. 301). The older respondents, who were more than fifty years old, led an itinerant lifestyle because of their work situations. They never considered themselves to be homeless even though their lifestyle meant that they never formed close and supportive relationships. Therefore when their illness prevented them from working, they did not have any supportive networks to assist them (O"Dwyer, 1997, p. 303)."

Tags:schizophrenia, CTI, psychiatric, housing, Zoning

Abstract
This paper analyzes mental illness as a social problem. The paper studies this issue from the interactionist, conflict and functionalist perspectives. The paper asks how mental illness impacts the individual sufferer and society. The paper also looks at the concept and impact of de-institutionalization.

From the Paper
"The challenge of mental illness in society may be viewed as a social problem. Mental illness is a source of serious social problems, not just because of the number of people affected by it but also due to the extent to which social ..."

Tags:mental illness, functionalist, conflict theory, interactionist, health care, psychology, social problems

Abstract
This paper discusses the problem of homelessness in the United States, particularly with regard to the mentally ill. The paper focuses on how the mentally ill homeless can be helped. It discusses the solution according tothe government, which is to de-institutionalize those who have mental illness and then looks at the problems associated with that solution.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
History of Mental Illness
The Problems of Homelessness
De-institutionalizing the Mentally Ill
A Study of Homelessness, Mental Illness, and Citizenship

From the Paper
"The solution according to the government is to deinstitutionalize those who have mental illness, but in reality many of these patients are released from the institutions and become homeless. The process of deinstitutionalization sounds easy and most professionals believe the mentally ill can adjust to the community (Zissi, 2006). Few people understand the problems of the mentally ill when it comes to social environment factors and living in the community. A major problem with the mentally ill adjusting to the community is the stigma of the labels they receive once they are diagnosed. "The stigma of mental illness remains a serious social problem and critical impediment to treatment seeking among diagnosed individuals" (Teachman, Wilson, and Komarovskaya, 2006, p. 75). People who have mental health problems have trouble adjusting to the community because it is not easy for them to make friends and even for family members to develop close relationships with them. Many homeless people who have mental health issues would rather return to the environment of being homeless because they have friends who are also homeless and they are not treated as abnormal."

Tags:de-institutionalization, unemployed, housing, shelter