LULAC Presses Congressional Leaders on Eve of State of the Union

January 12, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. met with Senator Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader; Senator John Cornyn, Senate Majority Whip; and Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chairwoman, Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee. In addition, President Rocha held meetings with congressional staff from the leadership offices of U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

President Rocha urged Congress to stop the deportation raids that are tearing families apart and pressed congressional leaders to ensure that states are held accountable for the success of Latino students as mandated in the recently passed education law, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The LULAC leader also urged Members of Congress to work together to address mental health issues as they pertain to gun-related violence and assist Puerto Rico as it works to resolve its debt crisis. In addition, he discussed the need for greater diversity in the technology industry and urged reforms to the criminal justice system.

Lastly, with the upcoming presidential elections, the leaders spoke about the need to increase Latino civic participation; recognizing the decisive role Latinos will play in the upcoming elections. LULAC will continue to serve as a resource to these offices regarding the issues that impact the Latino community.

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 1000 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.