Latino Organization Asks Presidential Candidates for Diversity in Federal Government WASHINGTON, July 7
WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- As registration opened at the
Washington Hilton for the 79th Annual League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC) National Convention, the atmosphere was far from whimsical or
carefree. It was apparent that the first of the anticipated 15,000 political,
community and business leaders uniting in the nation's capital arrived intent
on making a strong impact on our country's future.
"Our 115,000-member organization is delighted to be here in our nation's
capital city in the midst of the most spirited presidential campaigns in
memory," said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. "We are at a turning
point for both Latinos and our country's leadership. This is the Latino
summer. Our vote will shape the fall Presidential elections, and the
candidates are embedding their footprints in our communities. Tomorrow, we
will give both John McCain and Barack Obama the stage to engage in dialogue
with Latino leaders from across the 50 states and Puerto Rico."
At a press conference today, LULAC President Rosa Rosales asked for both
Presidential candidates to reverse the under-representation of Latinos in the
federal government. The latest studies report only 7.4 percent of federal
employees are Hispanic versus 15 percent of the population. Although
Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority in the country,
Hispanics are the only under-represented minority group in the federal
government.
"LULAC recognizes that government and businesses need well-prepared and
motivated workers," Rosales stated. It was a LULAC supported lawsuit in
California decades ago that began to break down racial separation in school
assignments. Now, LULAC is asking key leaders to intensify efforts to
increase diversity within the federal government by reaching out to the many
highly qualified minorities and women ready and willing to serve our country
in public service."
The convention coincides with the LULAC Federal Training Institute, which
is conducted in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture Graduate School
and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Sessions conducted by the
Institute will help federal employees improve their job skills and advance to
senior management positions in their agencies.
Additionally, LULAC is offering a three-day youth conference, job fair and
college fair, all designed to provide Hispanics with better opportunities for
success and career advancement.
Since that time, LULAC has fought for voting rights and full access to the
political process, and equal educational opportunity for Hispanic children.
It has been a long and often difficult struggle, but LULAC's record of
activism continues to this day, as its councils across the nation hold voter
registration drives and citizenship awareness sessions, sponsor tutorial
programs, and raise scholarship money for the LULAC National Scholarship Fund.
This fund, in conjunction with the LULAC National Educational Service Centers,
has assisted almost 10 percent of all Latino students who have gone to
college.
Contact:Lizette J. Olmos
(202) 365-4553, ljolmos@lulac.org
Deborah C. Vallejo
(210) 381-1846, Deborah.vallejo@bromcomm.com
SOURCE League of United Latin American Citizens
