Press Release

For Immediate Release, May 18, 2004
Contact: Lorraine Quiroga, 202-833-6130

San Antonio—An estimated 10,000 Hispanic political, community and business leaders from across the nation will converge on the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center from July 6-11 2004 for the 75th Annual League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention to celebrate the legacy and define the future of the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the United States.  President George W. Bush, Senator John Kerry, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson, Henry Cisneros, and Mexican First Lady Martha Sahagun de Fox among many others are expected to attend the 6-day event. 

In keeping with the theme “Celebrating our Legacy, Defining Out Future,” convention participants will discuss the progress Latinos have made since LULAC was founded in 1929, the challenges still facing us, and strategies that will move the Latino community forward in the years to come. Speakers and panelists will address pressing Hispanic issues including education, employment, immigration, health, trade policy, federal representation, civil rights and political empowerment. 

Over 500 corporations, government agencies, employers, colleges, and non-profit organizations will participate in the 3 day LULAC Expo which is open to the public and free of charge. Opening on Wednesday, July 7, the LULAC Expo features a corporate plaza, a job fair, a government plaza, an armed forces plaza, a health fair, a college fair, a media plaza and an entertainment stage. The LULAC Expo is an excellent venue for the San Antonio Hispanic community to get information about products, services, career, health, housing and educational opportunities. 

“LULAC is extremely proud to be coming home to San Antonio, one of our founding cities, to celebrate 75 years of accomplishments on behalf of the Hispanic community,” said Hector M. Flores, LULAC National President. “This historic convention marks an important milestone in the civil rights struggles of Latinos in the United States. We will use this opportunity to assess our progress and forge a new Hispanic agenda for the future.” 

The convention kicks off with the opening of the LULAC Federal Training Institute.  This two-day event is an intensive training program for government and public sector employees with a focus on enhancing career development, strengthening employee relations and promoting diversity in the workforce.  This forum and workshops serve as an opportunity to discuss the status of the federal government’s Hispanic Employment Initiative and the under-representation of Hispanics in federal employment. 

 On Wednesday, July 7, LULAC begins its empowerment workshops and seminars aimed at providing Latinos with information and training about important issues affecting their communities. A separate series of workshops are targeted to middle school, high school and college students. 

On Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services will host seminars on a variety of topics affecting the health and well being of the Hispanic community.  

Friday will wrap up the issue-oriented portion of the convention, which will focus on protecting our communities.  There will be a series of workshops that will address the exploitation of minors; the No Child Left Behind Act and how it affects education; trade agreements and how they affect immigration and job displacement; and health issues that concern Hispanics.   

While the LULAC Expo and workshops are open and free to the public, paid registration is required to attend the various luncheons and social functions.  Registration will be held each day between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. and again between 2 p.m. and 5p.m.  Tickets are available for individual events and discounted packages are available for the entire week.  For more information please visit www.lulac.org or call (202) 833-6130. 

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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