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Press Release

Mayor and City Leaders Welcome LULAC to Chicago for National Convention.

The largest Hispanic organization in the United States will tackle immigration, health care, education and civil rights during its historic 78th Annual Convention.

July 3, 2007

Contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos (202) 365-4553
Cesar Rolon (773) 251-3329
 

Chicago, Illinois —The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization in the United States, kicked of its 78th Annual National Convention and Exposition in Chicago, IL. The convention promises to be its best ever with an estimated attendance of more than 15,000. We have confirmed some fantastic speakers including Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Senator Bob Menendez, USDA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Annabelle Romero, AT&T Group President Ralph de la Vega, NLCR President Janet Murguía, MALDEF CEO John Trasvina, Navy Assistant Secretary William A. Navas, Executive Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores Eduardo Castro Wright, USHLI President Juan Andrade, Chicago Bears Roberto Garza, GM Racing Program Manager, Alba Colon and Actress Alex Meneses. Our entertainment features the three-time Grammy award-winning musical group La Mafia, salsa and cumbia sensation Grupo Niche and Tejano superstar Rubén Ramos.

The theme of this year’s convention is “Empowering Latinos: Building Prosperity Through Partnerships.” “We want to invite everyone from Chicago and the nation to join us as we set the nation’s Latino agenda and come forth with powerful resolutions,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “This convention will help the communities that want to make a change in education, immigration, health, housing and employment.”

Latinos make up more than 25 percent of the city’s population and almost 40 percent of the enrollment of the Chicago Public Schools. There is a growing influence of Latinos in both the public and private sectors.

“Chicago is the ideal location for this convention,” said Chicago Mayor Richard Richard Daley. “Latin Americans have been an important part of Chicago’s economic and social fabric since the early part of the 20th century.”

“Once again, we will move forward on meeting the challenges facing Latinos on such issues as immigration reform, education, health care, civil rights, and a full participation of Latinos in government programs, employment and services,” said Convention Co-Chairs Darryl D. Morin and Blanca Vargas.
Participating in the three-day Expo are over 300 corporations, government agencies, employers, colleges, and non-profit organizations. Opening on Wednesday, July 11th, the LULAC Exposition features a corporate plaza, a job fair, a federal government plaza, a health fair, a housing fair and a college fair. Admission to the expo, workshops and community concert is free and open to the public. Please call 1-888-LULAC-01 for more information or visit our web site at www.lulac.org.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is largest and oldest Hispanic membership 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.

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