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Supporting the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA)

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is this nation’s oldest and largest Latino organization, founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on February 17, 1929; and

WHEREAS, LULAC throughout its history has committed itself to the principles that Latinos have equal access to opportunities in employment, education, housing and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA) is compromised of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission and its Board of commissioners and the Office of Ohio Latino Affairs and its Director; and

WHEREAS, OCHLA represents a vital and strong hold for the Hispanic/Latino community and is vital to a robust economy and necessary to assure a more prosperity; and

WHEREAS, The prosperity of each state and territory of the United States, including Puerto Rico, adds and is vital to the prosperity of the United States as a nation; and

WHEREAS, OCHLA has a statutory mandate to advise policy makers and elected officials on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans, connecting the diverse Latino communities across the state, and to build the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast growing Latino population of Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The OCHLA Board of Commissioners is the body in which rests the statutory responsibility and authority of the agency and it is comprised of eleven members appointed by the Governor of the State Of Ohio seeking to aid and lead with compassion, understanding and commitment that reflects and obligation to human and civil rights, and is consistent with American laws and values on behalf of all Ohioans residing in this great state as well as to all Hispanic/Latino residents in Ohio; and

WHEREAS, OCHLA is administered by Ms. Lilleana Cavanaugh, the Director of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, who together with the staff is accountable to the Commission whom have dedicated eagerly their time and sensitivity to represent the Board of Commissioners' in their pursuit of advising policy makers and elected officials on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans; and

WHEREAS, OCHLA is responsible for compiling and providing the Commission information about, and advice on, solutions to the problems of Hispanic and Latino people executing the tasks assigned by the Commission which shall include but not be limited to:
• Serve as a clearinghouse to review and comment on all proposals to meet the needs of Hispanic and Latino people that are submitted to it by public and private agencies
• Apply for and accept grants and gifts from governmental and private sources to be administered by the office or subcontracted to local agencies Office of Hispanic/Latino Affairs
• Monitor and evaluate all programs subcontracted to local agencies by the Commission
• Endeavor to assure that Hispanic and Latino people have access to decision-making bodies in all State and local governmental departments and agencies
• Submit a full written annual report of its activities, accomplishments, and recommendations to the Commission
• Establish advisory Committees on special subjects as needed to facilitate and maximize community participation in the operation of the Commission. The Committees shall be composed of persons representing community organizations and charitable institutions, public officials, and such other persons as the office determines
• Establish, with state and local governments and private business and industry, relations that promote and assure equal opportunity for Hispanic and Latino people in government, education, and employment; and

WHEREAS, OCHLA, and its cooperate dependencies are considered agents of change as well as an institution representing the State of Ohio and its residents, bridging the gap of the deficiencies of the system that has fostered a sense of divisiveness and fear, and an anti-immigrant sentiment that translates into an anti-Latino sentiment and thanks to their commitment have played a strong hold foundation in the mediation and understanding on behalf of the growing Hispanic/Latino community; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The League of United Latin American Citizens during its 82nd National Conference and Expo celebrated here in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 2nd of the current year of two thousand and eleven, would like to extend our support to the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (OCHLA), which is compromised Of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission and its Board of commissioners and the Office of Ohio Latino Affairs and its Director.

Approved this 1st day of July 2011.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President