CONTACT, Selena Walsh, (202) 833-6130

For Immediate Release, 7/29/97

WASHINGTON -- The League of United Latin American Citizens, this countryís largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization, expressed disappointment with the Clinton Administrationís failure to increase Hispanic representation in its ranks of political appointees.  "While more than 12% of the U.S. population including Puerto Rico is Hispanic, Hispanic Presidential appointments during this term are only at 7%óabout half of what they should be." states Belen Robles, LULAC National President.  "While LULAC does not support the use of quotas in any manner, the fact that Hispanics hold a little more than 50% of the positions that an unbiased appointment process would generate, one has to wonder if quotas are being used to the detriment of Hispanic appointees."

LULAC leaders met with President Clinton last month and stressed the importance of ensuring adequate representation of Hispanics in Presidential appointments.  The President expressed disappointment himself that his administration had not done as well with Hispanic appointments as he had hoped and pledged to work on new appointments to close the gap.

"LULAC calls upon President Clinton to take action to increase the representation of Hispanic appointees in his administration," stated Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director.  "While the Hispanic population continues to grow, the representation of Hispanic Presidential appointees remains flat.  More must be done to address the disparity."