Latino Leaders Convene on Capitol Hill Outline Dangers of 2012 Budget

April 13, 2011

Contact: Estuardo Rodriguez, estuardo@rabengroup.com, (202) 631-2892
Chris Espinosa, cespinosa@hispanicfederation.org, (202) 641-7186

Ahead of House votes on FY 2011 omnibus and FY 2012 budget, Hispanic leaders warn of dire consequences cuts will have on Hispanic community

WASHINGTON, DC – The NHLA will convene its members on Capitol Hill tomorrow for a news conference that will outline budgetary priorities for the Latino community and urge Congress to pass a responsible budget which protects programs vital to the community and our nation’s economic recovery. Crucial programs that Congress must not cut include early education, health care services, and investments that help small businesses innovate and grow.

As the nation continues on a path to economic recovery, Latinos who have suffered the greatest job loss and unemployment are just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Irresponsible cuts to programs that provide needed stability will further delay the recovery among Latinos. The cuts would stunt our economic recovery in the short term and threaten the future of our communities and nation.

WHO:
Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX)
Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, Chair, National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA)
Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Rafael Fantauzzi, President & CEO, National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc.
Julian Martinez, Director, SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
Gumecindo Salas, Vice President for Government Relations, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

WHAT:
Calling on Congress to pass a budget that protects programs crucial to the Hispanic community

WHEN:
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE:
House Triangle

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Established in 1991, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org .

ASPIRA Association, Inc.
Cuban American National Council
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
Hispanic Federation
Hispanic National Bar Association
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
League of United Latin American Citizens
MANA, A National Latina Organization
Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives
National Association of Hispanic Publications
Nat'l Assoc. of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials
National Council of La Raza
National Conference of Puerto Rican Women
National Hispana Leadership Institute
National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators
National Hispanic Council on Aging
National Hispanic Environmental Council
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts
National Hispanic Media Coalition
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Image, Inc.
National Institute for Latino Policy
National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc.
Self Reliance Foundation
SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce