LULAC Celebrates Its 83rd Anniversary with Legislative Conference and Awards Gala

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Renewing America's Promise

The Annual Legislative Conference provides a unique opportunity for LULAC members to meet with Members of Congress and have a meaningful exchange regarding the impact that today's policies have on the Latino community as a whole. The troubled economy, high unemployment rates, health disparities and educational inequalities provide the backdrop for LULAC to lay out its legislative agenda for overcoming those challenges.

This year marks the 15th Annual LULAC National Legislative Awards Gala for key leaders who have served the Hispanic community, to be recognized. At this year's Awards Gala, a Legislative Award will be presented to the Honorable Richard Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader; and to the Honorable Jorge A. Santini Padilla, Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Presidential Award will be presented to Joaquin Avila, Esq., Director of the National Voting Rights Advocacy Initiative at Seattle University School of Law.

Members of Congress in attendance include, The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer, Democratic Whip; The Honorable John D. Dingell; The Honorable Lloyd Doggett; The Honorable Al Green; Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton; The Honorable John Lewis; The Honorable Ben Ray Lujan; The Honorable Lucille Roybal Allard; The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee; The Honorable Joe Baca; and The Honorable John Conyers.

"We are a passionate community of volunteers, staff, and partners, empowering Latinos at the local and national level," said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "This year's Annual Legislative Conference and Awards Gala is especially meaningful because it also falls on LULAC's 83rd Anniversary. Since the formation of our organization 83 years ago, we continue to serve our community as the nation's premier Latino empowerment organization. The 2010 Census unequivocally demonstrated that the Hispanic community, now 50.5 million strong, is the nation's largest minority group. In the upcoming 2012 elections Latino voters will play a decisive role in determining who will occupy the Oval office. It is up to us to make sure that policymakers address the issues critical to the advancement of the Latino community in order to win our votes."

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is a volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org .

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