Press Release

For Immediate Release, March 9, 2004
Contact: Miguel Fernandez, 202-833-6130

Washington, DC—Ford Motor Company Vice President for Corporate Affairs Ziad Ojakli will announce a $1 million contribution to the League of United Latin American Citizens during the LULAC National Legislative Awards Gala to be held on Tuesday at the J.W. Marriott hotel. The contribution will kick off LULAC’s 75^th Anniversary Leadership Initiative with a substantial portion of the funding going to support the LULAC Ford PAS Science Corps program, an after-school program that provides middle school students with an opportunity to experience a variety of science fields through presentations, mentorship, lab experience and field trips. 

“This landmark contribution will support our efforts to increase volunteerism and improve LULAC’s core services to Hispanic communities nationwide,” stated Flores. “We are grateful that Ford Motor Company has stepped up to the plate with this leadership contribution to support the LULAC Ford PAS Science Corps program.” 

LULAC 75^th Anniversary Leadership Initiative is an ambitious project to revitalize Hispanic neighborhoods from within by creating innovative grass roots programs in over 500 Hispanic communities served by LULAC Councils.  The initiative will utilize LULAC’s nationwide network to increase volunteerism in the Hispanic community and deliver programs and services to those in need.  The LULAC Ford PAS Science Corps program will now become an integral part of the initiative. 

“Ford Motor Company is proud to partner with LULAC during its 75^th Anniversary Leadership Initiative and support students in their quest for education,” states Ojakli. “The LULAC Ford PAS Science Corps program is built around academic knowledge, interpersonal skills and business concepts that will provide middle school students with skills necessary to succeed in the future.” 

“Ford Motor Company’s support will benefit thousands of Latinos across the country,” stated Flores. “This is another great example of why Ford Motor Company is setting the standard for outstanding corporate citizenship in the Hispanic community.”

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents.  With more than 328,000 employees worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo.  Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, supports programs that enhance and enrich the communities where Ford Motor Company does business.  Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to creating educational opportunities that stimulate creativity and promote cultural diversity.  For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, visit www.ford.com.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights 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.

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