Over 40,000 bilingual educational leaflets to be distributed in Washington DC, San Antonio and Los Angeles, with local MALDEF hotlines

WASHINGTON,  -- Fundacion Azteca America is joining forces with the Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) for a targeted 2010 Census push that includes the distribution of 40,000 bilingual educational leaflets in Washington DC, San Antonio and Los Angeles.

"We're coming down to the final stretch of the 2010 Census activities and we want to continue to bring home to our community the importance of this year's count," said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Fundacion Azteca America and Azteca America Network.

The leaflets include three principal messages about the upcoming count: 1) Important, 2)Safe and 3)Easy; as well as the "Cuentate" or "Be Counted!" slogans that have been used by Fundacion Azteca America and MALDEF in different campaigns, in addition to the official U.S. Census "It's in our hands" or "Esta en nuestras manos" slogan.

Also included in the information are the local MALDEF Census hotlines in each of the three target markets.

"The 2010 Census will shape the nation for the next decade, determining political representation as well as the availability of important government services. Being counted is critical to the future progress of the Latino community," said Thomas A. Saenz, President & General Counsel of MALDEF.

The leaflets will be distributed at places and events with high concentrations of Latino residents, including festivals, conferences, food banks and senior citizen centers, to name a few.

About Fundacion Azteca America

Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community currently in the U.S. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For more information, visit www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the alternative choice in broadcast television for Spanish speaking families residing in the United States. As the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, Azteca America operates in 66 markets nationwide. Azteca America can also be seen on DIRECTV Mas Channel 441 (AZA 441) and DISH Network Channel 825. Wholly owned by Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V., Azteca America has access to the best programming from TV Azteca's three national networks, including a library with over 200,000 hours of original programming and news from local bureaus in 32 Mexican states. The network complements Mexican programming with an innovative line-up of shows from international producers and distributors to ensure the finest programming for Spanish-speaking viewers and unique advertising solutions for partners seeking to reach the most dynamic market in the country.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to building the middle class of the countries where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

About MALDEF

MALDEF strives to implement programs that are structured to bring Latinos into the mainstream of American political and socio-economic life; providing better educational opportunities; encouraging participation in all aspects of society; and offering a positive vision for the future. Unique to MALDEF is an approach that combines advocacy, educational outreach, and litigation strategies to achieve socio-economic change.

MALDEF has achieved significant legal victories with the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Plyler v. Doe. The Court struck down a Texas law that allowed districts to charge tuition to children of undocumented immigrant parents. MALDEF's victory opened school doors to all students equally. In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court heard seven challenges to a Texas Congressional redistricting plan. Only MALDEF's prevailed. The New York Times described it as "the most important voting rights case of the decade, rejecting the statewide gerrymandering claim brought by...other plaintiffs while accepting the Voting Rights Act challenge in Southwestern Texas, brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund." The case resulted in new lines drawn for the 23rd Congressional District and a special election (where a MALDEF suit opened the polls early) resulting in the Latino community having the opportunity to elect its candidate of choice to Congress.

MALDEF is headed by President and General Counsel Thomas A. Saenz and is governed by a 30-member national Board of Directors. Headquartered in Los Angeles, MALDEF operates four regional offices in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

    Visit: www.maldef.org/census2010

    Fundacion Azteca America Media Contact:

    Daniel McCosh
    011 52 55 1720 0059
    dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

    MALDEF Contact:

    Nancy Agosto
    MALDEF National Census Director
    (213) 629-2512
    Nagosto@MALDEF.org

SOURCE Fundacion Azteca America; Grupo Salinas; MALDEF

RELATED LINKS
http://www.aztecaamerica.com/