conference wrap-up - LULAC
80th National Convention and Expo
Deemed Major Success
By: Josh Truppman
T
housands of LULAC members from
of the White House Council on Environ-
across the country joined a hefty con-
mental Quality.
stituency of local LULACers for the
Major participants from Puerto Rico
organization’s 80th National Convention
included Kenneth McClintock, Secretary of
and Exposition in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
State of Puerto Rico; Juan Carlos Puig,
July 13-18.
Secretary of the Treasury Department of
More than 25,000 participated in what
Puerto Rico; Raul Gay· and President Elect
LULAC National President Rosa Rosales
of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.
called one of the organization’s most excit-
Also, Juan Rodriguez, Under-Secretary
ing and successful gatherings. She was re-
of Education of Puerto Rico; Jose Rico,
elected to a final term as National President
Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary
2009 Women Commissioners
at the LULAC General Assembly held at
of Elementary and Secondary Education;
the conclusion of the convention on Satur-
Alma Riojas, President of MANA; Lucy
day.
Arce, Senate of Puerto Rico; Lisa Spickers,
President Rosales and LULAC National service to the Latino community. Conven-
Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and
Executive Director Brent Wilkes congratu- tion participants heard from outstanding
Dolores Huerta, President of the Dolores
lated Convention co-Chairs Haydee Rivera, speakers at more than 50 policy workshops,
Huerta Foundation. The policy workshops
LULAC Puerto Rico State Director, and 15 banquets, a job fair, a three-day exposi-
garnered support from LULAC members,
Elsie Valdes, Senior Advisor to the LULAC tion and the annual Federal Training Insti-
the local Puerto Rican community and con-
President, for helping make the convention tute.
vention sponsors.
such success. Many participants expressed Workshops at the convention addressed
Special events that took advantage of
their pleasure with the convention hotels, key topics such as Puerto Rico status,
this San Juan setting included a welcoming
the transportation system, the impressive immigration, civil rights, technology in the
breakfast hosted by Mayor Jorge Santini-
facilities at the San Juan Convention Center Latino community, the environment, the
Padilla at City Hall, an opening reception at
and the hospitality and friendliness of the economy and healthcare.
the historic Arsenal de la Puntilla in Old
residents of San Juan. One dynamic workshop, ìBeyond Sta-
San Juan, a LULAC 80th anniversary cele-
High-ranking administration officials tus: The Future of Puerto Rico,î examined
bration at the Capitol Building hosted by
who traveled to San Juan to participate in ways for Puerto Rico to move forward
Thomas Rivera-Schatz, president of the
the convention included White House regarding political status. Environmental
Puerto Rico Senate, and an evening recep-
Director of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrion, workshops, such as ìGlobal Warming and
tion at the Trump International Golf Club.
White House Director of Intergovernmen- its Consequence for Latinos,î featured
Some 100 exhibitors participated in the
tal Affairs Cecilia MuÒoz, White House experts on green technology. Environmen-
convention’s annual exposition, which
Office of Environmental Quality Nancy tal experts suggested new ways for Latinos
included health screenings and a Job Fair
Sutley, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, to improve the environment in their com-
that generated considerable local participa-
Environmental Protection Agency Admin- munities.
tion.
istrator Lisa Jackson, Puerto Rico Governor LULAC also held policy workshops on
The annual Federal Training Institute
Luis Fortuno, San Juan Mayor Jorge Santi- ensuring that Latinos are properly counted
provided federal employees with training
ni among others. in the upcoming 2010 Census. In the past,
sessions to help them improve their job
The media in San Juan gave major cov- minority populations have been under-
skills and advance their careers. Subjects
erage to the convention, including exten- counted. LULAC insists that Latinos must
ranged from employee recruitment to con-
sive live broadcasting of major events by be properly counted to influence public
flict resolution.
Univision, Telemundo, WAPA Radio and policy.
Former LULAC National President
Television and El Nuevo Dia. Much of the Workshops stimulated discussions
Eduardo Pena was honored with a special
coverage was picked up by stateside media. between panelists and participants and led to
video recounting his many years of service
Notable events included a LULAC 80
th
policy resolutions to advancement Latino
in promoting the fair labor treatment of
Anniversary Celebration at the Puerto issues. Expert panelists included high-rank-
Hispanic Americans.
Rican Capitolio, a rally to support the con- ing Washington officials such as Lisa Jack-
President Rosales thanked all the spon-
firmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the son, Administrator of the Environmental
sors of the convention, especially Wal-
Supreme Court, and events emphasizing Protection Agency; and Nancy Sutley, Chair
Mart, which was a Diamond supporter of
the event. HNM
14 Celebrating over 15 Years of Embracing Diversity WWW.HNMAGAZINE.COM
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