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LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS National Office |
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610 PRESS RELEASE |
| For Immediate Release August 9, 2002 |
Contact: Lorraine Quiroga |
Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens today praised Mexican President Vicente Fox following his announcement of an historic initiative on behalf of millions of Mexicans living abroad. At the center of his new program is the creation of a new cabinet-level agency which he will personally oversee.
“We congratulate President Fox for his bold decision to lead the National Council of Mexican Communities living Abroad (NCMCA), an umbrella organization that will bring together the heads of various key Cabinet-level agencies,” said Hector Flores, LULAC President. “This truly sets out the priority he places on the needs, concerns and issues of his citizens living in the United States and elsewhere outside Mexico. It is a significant step forward that brings the totality of Mexico’s governmental resources into this most important and timely undertaking affecting millions.”
The announcement was made before 400 leaders from throughout Mexico and the United States who met with President Fox in Mexico City. Flores was among those in the U.S. delegation who were invited to witness the announcement and to begin discussions with Mexican government officials on the implementation of this new program.
“It is vital that people on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border work together to realize the full potential of this commitment which President Fox is making. This new agency will have the staff and support necessary to help Mexican immigrants living in the United States. Now, it is up to us to reciprocate by participating in this evolving process that will result in better coordination with the Mexican community on a more permanent basis,” said Flores.
In outlining NCMCA, President Fox explained that the project will be administered through a newly-formed Institute of Mexicans Living Abroad (IMLA) which will be headed by a Mexican emigrant. This assures NCMCA that President Fox will closely monitor and have direct involvement in the program’s progress.
“LULAC wants to give President Fox and NCMCA every measure of support we can including a fair and reasonable time to see this project take hold and succeed. It is in the interest of both Mexico and United States that it work and we are committed to helping make that happen,” concluded Flores.
LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic-Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide and in Puerto Rico. The organization involves and serves all Hispanic nationality groups.