NATIONAL LATINO CONGRESO

National Latino Congreso

The Politics and Policy Convention of the Latino Community

Brent Wilkes, LULAC, (202) 833-6130

John Trasviña, MALDEF, (213) 629-2512

Nativo Lopez, MAPA, (323) 269-1575

Oscar Chacon NALACC, (773) 991-9760

Chris Newman, NDLON, (323) 717-5310

Roger Rivera, NHEC, (703) 683-3956

Lydia Camarillo, SVREP, (210) 922-0225

Antonio Gonzalez, WCVI, (323) 222-2217

Latino Leaders Commend President-Elect Obama on Solis Nomination as Labor Secretary Obama Honors Pledge for Cabinet Diversity

Washington, D.C. [December 19, 2008] – The Conveners of the National Latino Congreso (NLC) commend President-Elect Obama today on the appointment of Latinos to his Cabinet. The NLC applauded the recent appointments of U.S Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA) as Labor Secretary, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) as Secretary of the Interior, and Governor Bill Richardson (D – New Mexico) as Commerce Secretary.

NLC Conveners applaud President-Elect Barack Obama for his commitment to having Cabinet-level nominees that reflect American diversity. By naming three qualified Latinos to Cabinet posts, the President-Elect shows the highest levels of inclusion and excellence in selecting his leadership team.

NLC Conveners plan to continue to dialogue with the Obama administration on further appointments as well as critical issues for the country including foreign policy, healthcare, education, environmental equity/justice, economic development, and immigration reform. Many prominent Latinos are prepared with the proper experience and skill to serve President-elect Obama at all levels of government. In a recent national Latino leaders' meeting with Presidential Transition Team leader John Podesta, the NLC Conveners urged the incoming administration to continue to place Latinos in sub-cabinet positions.

The National Latino Congreso is a paramount annual national policy and political gathering of thousands of Latino organizations and elected officials convened by nine national organizations including:

Hispanic Federation (HF);

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC);

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF);

Mexican American Political Association (MAPA);

National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC);

National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

National Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC);

Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP)

William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI).

For Immediate Release For More Information Contact: 

Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, HF, (212) 233-8655