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Press Release

LULAC Praises New Mexico Governor’s Initiative to Save LNESC.
We hope this sets an example to inspire other Governors to follow.

August 22, 2006

Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos,
(202) 365-4553
ljolmos@lulac.org

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National President Rosa Rosales and LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) National Chair Roman Palomares want to extend our sincerest appreciation to Governor Bill Richardson for taking action to free up to $80,000 in federal fiscal relief to save the Albuquerque education center from closing its doors.

“This is about college access and working with communities that are underserved and unique. The centers help low-income and first generation students in order to prepare them to complete high school and enroll in a postsecondary institution of their choice. It really requires that extra mile to reach into the communities that are being served,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “Education is a lifeline to our future and the LNESC has proven itself successful since the 70's.”

LNESC has made an impact in Hispanic education through its 17 Educational Centers around the United States and Puerto Rico. The LNESC Centers assists over 12,000 students annually. The mission of the centers is to provide educationally disadvantaged and Hispanic communities with the highest quality academic opportunities needed for the development of lifelong learners and leaders through mentoring, financial aid assistance, counseling and academic advising among other services.

“We want to thank Governor Richardson and the community for the continued support and confidence in LULAC and the grassroots who are empowered to act and not just be acted upon,” President Rosales stated.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

Founded in 1973 LNESC has served more than half a million Latino students, many of whom have gone on to university and become leaders in their communities. We have recently been informed that the LNESC Talent Search funding had been cut after demonstrating success since they were first funded in 1979.

Please visit our web site at www.lulac.org and click on the Save LNESC link for more information on how you can get involved in our campaign to save the centers.

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