Washington Leaders Headline Conference "Latinos Leading in a Global Society"

Washington, DC – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) 2009 Public Policy Conference kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month on September 13-15, 2009, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  More than 20 Members of Congress, Cabinet Secretaries, national policy leaders and experts will discuss Latinos leading in key issue areas such as the 2010 Census, education, the economy and workforce, the green economy, energy, immigration reform, health care reform, rural America, Western hemisphere diplomacy and prosperity, and much more.

“The Public Policy Conference is an opportunity for leaders from every sector to come together and address the most important issues we face as a community,” said Rep Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-12), CHCI Chair.  “Along with more than twenty of my colleagues in Congress, high-level Administration officials and national leaders from every field, we look forward to discussing how Latinos are leading the way to ensure our nation’s future success.”

Monday’s highlights include:

·       Launch of CareerLider Live, CHCI’s first ever job and intern fair for young professionals

·       Leading in Education Luncheon, with Education Secretary Hon. Arne Duncan

·       Latinos Leading Immigration Reform with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (IL-4)

·       and the Arts & Culture Reception, honoring filmmaker Gregory Nava and the 25^thanniversary of his film, “El Norte.”

Tuesday’s highlights include:

·       Latinos Leading on the Economy and Workforce, with HUD Secretary Hon. Shaun Donovan and Labor Secretary Hon. Hilda Solis.

·       The Global Energy Revolution and Solution, with EPA Administrator Hon. Lisa Perez Jackson

·       Latinos Leading in the Green Economy, with the White House’s Nancy Sutley.

Hispanic Members of Congress also will convene the Latinos Leading Summit Series:

Monday, September 14, 2009   11:00am-12:30pm 

Challenges and Opportunities for Latinos in Rural America

Healthcare Reform: Impact on the Latino Community

Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)   

Latino Labor in the New Economy

Hon. Linda T. Sanchez (CA-47)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009   11:00am-12:30pm  

Cuidando Nuestros Niños: Early Childhood Education for Latinos

Hon. Raul Grijalva (AZ-7)

Corporate America: The State of Latinos as Corporate America and America's Top Law Firms and Technology: Broadband--The Effects on the Latino Community

Hon. Joe Baca (CA-43) and Hon. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16)

Strengthening Relationships in the Western Hemisphere: Building on the Summit of Americas

Hon. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15)

Salud Mental: Discussing Youth and the Public System

Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA-38)

Hon. Albio Sires (NJ-13)

For the complete Public Policy Conference agenda, please click here.

CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events also include Reyes of Comedy night on Tuesday, September 15 at the Warner Theatre, and the 32nd Annual Gala on Wednesday, September 16.

For more information, please go to http://www.chci.org/events/page/hispanic-heritage-month-events or call 202-543-1771. 

For press credentials, please visit http://www.chci.org/news/page/2009-hhm-media-credentials. Please contact Scott Gunderson Rosa at 202-548-5876 or via email at sgrosa@chci.org with any questions.

About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders.  The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives.  For more information, call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit www.chci.org.