Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize | LULAC-League of United Latin American Citizens

Press Release: Obama Awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

LULAC congratulates President Obama for using the award as a “call to action”.

October 9, 2009

Contact: Contact: Lizette Jenness Olmos
(202) 833-6130 ext. 16

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, congratulates President Barack Obama for winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons, creating a new international climate and for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people.

“I am deeply humbled and surprised,” said President Obama. “Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the prize was awarded to Mr. Obama for the president's outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.

“President Barack Obama is a fine example of leadership and we praise him for the work he has done,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “We call on all the countries to take action and help him achieve a better world for all peoples.”

The award comes at a crucial time for Obama, as he launched peace initiatives to key parts of the globe.

President Obama is only the third U.S. President to receive the Nobel Peace Prize while still in office. President Theodore Roosevelt won the prize in 1906, as did President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Former President Carter had been out of office for more than 20 years when he won in 2002. Former Vice President Al Gore shared the prize in 2007.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest and oldest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.

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