LULAC Holds Successful 16th Annual Legislative Conference and Awards Gala!

February 20, 2013

Contact: Paloma Zuleta
202-833-6130
PZuleta (at) LULAC.org

Washington DC - LULAC’s Annual Legislative Conference and Awards Gala was a tremendous success. Over 500 people attended the event including many Members of Congress; the U.S. Secretaries of Transportation, Agriculture, and Labor; and leadership from the country’s leading civil rights organizations.

“The LULAC Legislative Conference was a great success thanks to the many contributions made by our members,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “They collected over 10,000 cards urging their respective Members of Congress to support comprehensive immigration reform. We also appreciate the support from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Journalist and Noticiero Anchorman for Telemundo, Jose Diaz-Balart, who attended the day-long legislative conference.”

At the Legislative Conference, LULAC members participated in panel discussions that elicited intense and insightful discussions on issues such as immigration reform, education and healthcare inequities, as well as, online privacy. LULAC believes that education is the cornerstone of any democracy and it’s important we educate our members on these critical issues.

At the Awards Gala, LULAC paid tribute to highly respected leaders who have worked diligently on issues of concern to the Hispanic community. The Honorable Raúl Grijalva, U.S. House of Representatives received the National Legislative Award for his commitment to health care, immigration, education and employment opportunities. The Honorable Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary for Transportation, also received the National Legislative Award for his commitment to improving public transportation, airline safety procedures and sustainable communities. The Honorable Joaquín Castro, U.S. House of Representatives received the National Presidential Award for his commitment to increasing educational opportunities for the Latino community in Texas. LULAC also recognized Utah State Senator Luz Robles with the Outstanding Achievement Award for her commitment to immigration reform, work place safety and education. And finally, LULAC recognized Tom Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, with an Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his commitment to civil rights of all Americans.

During the Awards Gala, National LULAC President, Margaret Moran, urged the audience to get involved and support LULAC’s “I Voted for Immigration Reform” campaign focused on fair and just immigration reform. President Moran further explained that as the country moves towards comprehensive immigration reform, the Latino community is at the precipice of significant change that could impact future generations for years to come.

“It is of the upmost importance that we [the Latino community] engage in the debate on issues that will decide the future well-being of our community,” continued Moran in her remarks at the Awards Gala. “It is equally important that we have a seat at the table on such vital issues as immigration reform, education, and economic opportunity. Legislation that affects our communities must represent our views and needs. So tonight, I pledge to you, that LULAC will continue to fulfill its historic role of being the voice of Latino communities across the nation and empowering the next generation of Latino leaders.”

Officials who attended this year’s Awards Gala included: The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer, Democratic Whip; The Honorable Joyce Beatty; The Honorable Bruce L. Braley; The Honorable Tony Cardenas; United States Senator Daniel Coats; The Honorable Diana DeGette; The Honorable Lloyd Doggett; The Honorable Tammy Duckworth; The Honorable Donna Edwards; The Honorable Eni Faleomavaega; The Honorable Blake Farenthold; The Honorable Pete Gallego; The Honorable Joe Garcia; The Honorable Al Green; The Honorable Gene Green; The Honorable Alan Grayson; The Honorable Raul M. Grijalva; The Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham; The Honorable Ann Kirkpatrick; The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee; The Honorable Ben Ray Lujan; The Honorable Gwen Moore; The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano; The Honorable Raul Ruiz; The Honorable Paul Ryan; The Honorable Loretta Sanchez; The Honorable Allyson Schwartz; The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema; The Honorable Dina Titus; The Honorable Marc Veasey; and Texas State Representative, The Honorable Rafael Anchia. We were also joined by the Ambassador of Mexico His Excellency Eduardo Medina-Mora; and the Ambassador of Nicaragua His Excellency Francisco Campbell. As well as, the Mayor of D.C. The Honorable Vincent Gray.

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org