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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 9, 2008


PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES JOHN MCCAIN AND BARACK OBAMA TO SPEAK AT 2008 NCLR ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO

San Diego, CA—The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., announced today that presumptive presidential nominees Senators John McCain (R–AZ) and Barack Obama (D–IL) will speak at the 2008 NCLR Annual Conference held at the San Diego Convention Center, July 12-15. Other speakers at the Conference include San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former NCLR President and CEO Raul Yzaguirre, CEO of Freddie Mac Richard F. Syron, New York Times best-selling author Alisa Valdés-Rodríguez and internationally renowned motivational speaker Samuel Betances.
 
“NCLR is excited to be in San Diego as we celebrate 40 years of strengthening America by promoting the advancement of Latino families. The presumptive presidential nominees and other government and business leaders speaking at NCLR’s Annual Conference will address a Latino community that is strengthening its political voice and engaging in campaigns, voter registration, and citizenship drives as never before,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.
 
The NCLR Annual Conference is the single largest gathering of its kind in the Latino community. More than 20,000 community organization leaders, activists, and volunteers; elected and appointed officials; members of the corporate, philanthropic, and academic communities; senior citizens; college students; and youth are expected to participate this year. A popular Conference attraction is Latino Expo USA with more than 250 exhibits from leading Fortune 500 companies, Hispanic-owned businesses, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and government agencies.
 
Some highlights of the 2008 NCLR Annual Conference include:
 
Saturday, July 12
  • The NCLR Diabetes Dash—a 5k fun run—will kick off this year’s Health Fair, which will provide free health screenings, information, and counseling on key health and lifestyle issues affecting the Hispanic community.
  • A naturalization session, sponsored by ConAgra Foods, will provide information on the citizenship application process and step-by-step guidance on how to complete the required forms to become a U.S. citizen. 
  • Artists from MTV, MTVtr3s, and Sí TV along with NCLR youth leadership participants will participate in a youth-led Town Hall sponsored by GEICO and Microsoft that explores the growing influence of youth in the media.
 
Sunday, July 13
  • A HOME Clinic, held in partnership with the San Diego Housing Opportunities Collaborative, will offer pro bono legal advice, housing counseling, and loan negotiation to help families facing foreclosure identify resources and assistance.
  • A Town Hall presented by the Office of Minority Health and led by a panel of health experts, will address the need to reform a health care system in which millions of Latinos remain uninsured.
 
Monday, July 14
·          Government and community leaders will come together in a Town Hall presented in part by Freddie Mac aimed at finding a solution to the national foreclosure crisis.
·          The Heroes & Heritage Award for Valor and Service to Country will be presented to Sergeant Major Irene Zamora O'Neal. 
 
Other workshops and activities will examine issues such as education, workforce development, community and family wealth-building, voting,juvenile justice, children’s health, the impact of immigration enforcement policy,and nonprofit management. 
 
“Our Conference reflects the broad interests and involvement of Latinos in this great nation. We are working for better policies and programs in everything from education and health care to homeownership and financial security. When Latino families can get opportunities to advance, it strengthens America,” said Murguía.
 
PBS characters Maya and Miguel and The San Diego Padres’ Swinging Friar will make appearances at Latino Expo USA. The Expo will feature a Housing Fair, with representatives from area banks, real estate agents, housing counselors, and others in the homebuying field to provide individuals with information and advice on every step of the homebuying process. A Health Fair, presented by Pfizer Helpful Answersand local community health organizations, will also be held offering free health screenings and information. In addition, Latino Expo will feature a kids’ trail sponsored by McDonald’s that will lead children and their families to child-friendly booths and a talent showcase of San Diego’s emerging talent to find the next budding Christina Aguilera, Carlos Mencia, or Jennifer Lopez. The Expo is free, family-friendly fun that is open to all.
 
Every year, NCLR concludes the Conference by honoring individuals and organizations at its Awards Gala for their contributions to, and work on behalf of, the Latino community. Antonia Hernández, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, will receive the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award. Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers will be honored with the Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence. Maria Contreras-Sweet, Gilda Bojorquez-Gjurich, Carmela Lacayo, Minnie Lopez-Baffo, Olga E. Moreno, and Maria Salinas, founders of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), will receive the Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership. Juan Williams, writer and radio and television correspondent will receive the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications. The Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award will be given to Gara LaMarche, President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies. The Affiliate of the Year Award goes to the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families.
 
Our feature entertainment for Conference delegates will include comedian Willie Barcena; we will also tap in to San Diego’s talent pool to showcase local entertainment.  The workshops, Town Halls, and Latino Expo USA are free of charge and open to the public. For all other events, there is a registration fee. For media registration and more information, please visit www.nclr.org/conference.
 

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