FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 1999 Lisa Navarrete
John P. Ximenes
(202) 785-1670

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER RICHARD GEPHARDT TO BE HONORED AT 1999 NCLR CAPITAL AWARDS

Washington, D.C. - The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) - the nation's largest constituency-based Hispanic organization - will honor two members of Congress for their staunch support of the Hispanic community at its tenth annual Capital Awards, formerly known as the Congressional Awards, on Tuesday, March 2, 1999. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MO) will be recognized for their work on civil rights, immigration, education, and other issue areas affecting Latinos, at a gala event to take place at the National Building Museum, 401 F Street, N.W., beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Soledad O'Brian, an MSNBC news anchor, and Nestor Carbonell, co-star of the NBC comedy, Suddenly Susan, will serve as co-emcees. Florenzia Lozano, from the ABC daytime television program One Life to Live, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Lucille Roybal-Allard will be the award presenters. Mezzo-soprano Susanna Guzman and Broadway performer Perry Laylon Ojeda will perform to an expected audience of 1000, representing the public, corporate, and nonprofit sectors.

"It is a great pleasure and honor for NCLR to recognize Senator John McCain, a longtime friend of the Hispanic community. Throughout his tenure in both the House and

Senate, John McCain has been a strong voice for compassion, fairness, and inclusion in his party," noted Raul Yzaguirre, NCLR President.

"During the past few years Representative Richard Gephardt has brought Latino issues to the forefront of the House minority leadership's agenda. He has gone out of his way to be a leader who is both knowledgeable about the Latino perspective and inclusive of the Latino community," continued Yzaguirre.

The 1999 Capital Awards is hosted by Frito-Lay, Inc., Fannie Mae Foundation, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). For tickets and table information, please contact John P. Ximenes, NCLR Marketing & Promotions, at (202) 776-1709.

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