New Slate of Officers Elected, Legislative Platform Adopted and Top Awards Given By National President Rosa Rosales at LULAC 79th Convention

National Latina leader re-elected as National President of the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the country

July 21th, 2008

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

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) conducted its national elections the final day of the 2008 convention and LULAC National President Rosa Rosales from San Antonio, Texas was unanimously re-elected to a third term.

Cincinnati is chosen as the site of the National Convention for 2011.

The following members were elected to the LULAC Executive Committee by the National Assembly:

Rosa Rosales, President
Jessica Martinez, National Youth President
Jaime P. Martinez, National Treasurer
Regla Gonzalez, National Vice President for Women
Bertha Urteaga, National Vice President for Youth
Vivian Feliciano, National Vice President for Southeast
Michelle Pelayo, National Vice President for Young Adults
Richard Fimbres, National Vice President for the Elderly
Toula Politis Lugo, National Vice President Northeast
Ray Mancera, National Vice President Southwest
Alicia Rios, National Vice President Midwest
Angel Luevano, National Vice President Farwest

Ms. Rosales reappointed Luis Vera as National Legal Advisor, Ray Velarde as General Counsel and Theresa Filberth as National Secretary.

The following awards were presented at the President’s Banquet:
The Man of the Year Award, Fred Diaz, Council 2, San Antonio, Texas
The Women of the Year Award, Martha Chavarria, Council 2907, North Monterrey, California
The Angie Garcia Award, Connie Rodriguez, District 15 Deputy Director for the Elderly, Council 4619, San Antonio, Texas
Council of the Year Award, Council 14012, Camuy, Puerto Rico
Felix Tijerina Award, Darryl Morin, LULAC Wisconsin State Director
Cesar Chavez Award for Leadership and Community Service, Jaime Martinez, LULAC Treasurer
Anita Del Rio Award for Latina Leadership and Women’s Advocacy, Margaret Moran
Raymond Telles Award for Education, Ana Valenzuela
Aztec Award for Civil Rights, Angel Luevano
J. C. Martinez Award for Membership and Expansion, Elsie Valdes
The National President recognized William D. Bonilla, Ruben Bonilla and Tony Bonilla, the immediate past LULAC National Presidents for their contributions to the Hispanic community.
Presidential medals were given to Manuel Marquez from Orange County, California for serving LULAC for over 50 years, Henry Gorham, Ramiro Gamboa, Raul Vasquez, T.J. Jimenez and David Marquez from Council 1 for their contributions and support of LULAC.

The following resolutions were adopted by the National Assembly and establish LULAC’s positions on major issues impacting the Latino community on issues as civil rights, education, government, health, labor, science and technology at http://www.lulac.org/advocacy/resolutions/resolve08.html .

The League of United Latin American Citizen 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.