Press Release: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa To Receive Legislative Award.

LULAC to honor top national leaders at the 12th Annual National Legislative Awards Gala.

January 29, 2009

For more information contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos, (202) 833-6130 ext. 16
Jazmin Ortega, Mayor's Office (213) 978-0741

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest and largest Latino membership organization in the United States, will honor Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at its 12th Annual National Legislative Awards Gala to be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, DC.

"Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is known for his exceptional skill at building broad bi-partisan coalitions and is considered one of the leading progressive voices in the country," said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. "His mayoral platform emphasizes finding solutions to the major issues facing Los Angeles including education, transportation, public safety, economic development and ethics."

Mayor Villaraigosa is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since 1872. Villaraigosa was elected mayor of Los Angeles in a run-off election on May 17, 2005.

Prior to his service as mayor, Villaraigosa served as Los Angeles City Councilman representing the 14th District, and the Speaker of the California State Assembly. Before being elected to public office, Villaraigosa had a long career as a labor organizer.
Villaraigosa also served as a member of President Barack Obama's Transition Economic Advisory Board and previously as one of four national co-chairmen of Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 Presidential campaign.

The Legislative awards were established to recognize individuals who have championed the issues that are most important to the Latino community.  Attendees include Members of Congress, ambassadors, federal officials and Hispanic leaders to honor the award recipients.

Tickets to the black-tie gala and table sponsorships are available. The reception begins at 6 p.m. and the awards program at 7 pm with dinner at 8 pm. For tickets or table sponsorships, call (202) 833-6130 or go to our website at www.LULAC.org.

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

# # #