WEDNESDAY, JULY 9th, 2008

Smart Edge by GMAC: Train the Trainer Session
Room: Georgetown East
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

WORKSHOP
Latino financial empowerment has been of great importance to LULAC and the Smart Edge Program will continue to address this need. This session will train LULAC Councils and Technology Centers on the Smart Edge Financial Literacy Program with a focus on budgeting, credit lines, mortgages, banking and automotive loans. An expert trainer will educate participants on the best techniques for conducting financial literacy workshops in their respective communities and councils.
(Pre-Registration Required for Training)

Trainer: Don Ferguson

Census 2010: Ensuring Your Right to be Counted
Room: Georgetown West
10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

SEMINAR
Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the country. According to the latest U.S. Census population figures, Hispanics comprise 15% of the general population or 45.5 million people. Historically, however, minority populations have disproportionably been miscounted and left out. This seminar will present the challenges that exist in census counting and the remedies needed to ensure that every Latino vote is properly counted.

Moderator: Mary Almendariz, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Steven Murdock, Director, US Census Bureau
2.) Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, U.S. House of Representatives
3.) Representative Ana Sol Gutierrez, Maryland State Delegate
4.) Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, NALEO
5.) Angelo Falcon, President and Founder, National Institute for Latino Policy

Home Buying Seminar: The State of Fair Housing
Room: Georgetown East
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

The National Fair Housing Alliance presenters will discuss housing discrimination based on national origin. This will include an examination of real estate steering practices, restrictive ordinances that target certain groups, selective enforcement of housing codes, and harassment and intimidation of rental housing tenants by landlords.

Moderator: Richard Martinez, President, R.J. Martinez Group

Speakers:
1.) Anne Houghtaling, Director of Enforcement, National Fair Housing Alliance
2.) Dan Sullivan, Director, Senior Enforcement Program, National Fair Housing Alliance
3.) Michael Caesar, Systemic Project Manager, National Fair Housing Alliance

The Campaign for High School Equity
Education Reform: The Campaign for High School Equity,
Room: International Ballroom West
2:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

PLENARY
Every school year, about 1.2 million students drop out of our nation’s high schools. Only 58% of African American, Hispanic and Native American students will graduate with a regular diploma. This panel will discuss the need to invest in high schools through meaningful education reform. Topics to be discussed include policy changes that will ensure equitable learning conditions for all students including those with limited English proficiency, federal program initiatives that will encourage parental and community involvement in our nation’s high schools, and strategies to redesign the American high school so that all students are motivated to succeed.

Moderator: Iris Chavez, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Peter Zamora, Regional Counsel, Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
2.) Sandra Licòn, Policy Officer, US Program Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
3.) Dr. John Arnold, Chair, National LULAC Education Commission
4.) Hilary Shelton, Director, NAACP Washington Bureau
5.) Dr. Joel Gomez, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Interim Associate Dean for Research, George Washington University
6.) Roberto Rodriguez, Senior Education Advisor, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP)
7.) Emma Violand-Sanchez, Arlington County School Board Candidate

THURSDAY, JULY 10th, 2008

TRACK I: LULAC Health Commission

Nutrition & Obesity
Room: Jefferson East
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

HEARING
LULAC’s National Health Commission strives to increase awareness and educate the Latino community about access to health care, disease prevention and treatment programs. This hearing will feature expert testimony to inform and educate Latinos about nutrition and reducing obesity in our community. It will also feature overweight and prevention initiatives to stopping childhood obesity.

Moderators: LULAC Health Commissioners (INVITED)
1.) Rev. Deacon Sal Alvarez M.S.W (Chair)
2.) Jaime Martinez (Co-Chair)
3.) Blanca Vargas
4.) Michelle Pelayo

Speakers:
1.) Dr. Mary Beth Bigley, Department of Health and Human Services
2.) Dr. Elena Rios, M.D., M.S.P.H, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association
3.) Ignacio Romero, Marketing Manager, Network for a Healthier California-Latino Campaign, California Department of Public Health

Election 2008: Mobilizing the Latino Vote
Room: Georgetown East
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

SEMINAR
Historically, Latino voter results have generally gone unnoticed. However, in this year’s primary elections, Latinos have proven to be a pivotal voting bloc, influencing election results and delegate counts. This panel will focus on mobilizing the Latino vote in the 2008 General Election and addressing the outreach efforts from community organizations and political parties.

Moderator: Angel Luevano, National VP of the Farwest, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Mike Duncan, Chair, Republican National Committee
2.) Congressman Mike Honda, Vice Chair, Democratic National Committee
3.) Juan Otero, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Comcast
4.) Alicia Menendez, Political Outreach Manager, Rock The Vote
5.) Dr. Juan Andrade, President, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI)
6.) Maria Teresa Petersen, Executive Director, Voto Latino

The Transition to Digital Television: Don’t Get Tuned Out
Room: Georgetown West
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

SEMINAR
On February 17, 2009, every television across the United States will be switching from analog signal to digital. As a result, this analog switch off decision will render all non-digital televisions obsolete. While the federal government has supported the adoption of digital converters through free coupons, this critical information has not been widely circulated to the Latino community. This seminar will discuss the critical strategies that currently being phased in to address this issue and how Latinos will not be “Tuned Out.”

Moderator: Victor Cabral, NBC Universal

Speakers:
Keynote: Jonathan S. Adelstein, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

1.) Susan Gonzales, Vice President, Senior Director, Federal Government and External Affairs, Comcast Foundation
2.) Jose Luis Rodriguez, President and CEO, Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network, Inc.
3.) Ivelisse Estrada, Vice President, Corporate and Community Relations, Univision
4.) Jonathan Collegio, Vice President, Digital Television Transition, National Association of Broadcasters
5.) Brad Gille, Director and Senior Counsel, EchoStar Corporation

The Media Objectivity in Covering Immigration
Room: Georgetown East
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

SEMINAR
Does the Hispanic viewpoint get fair and adequate coverage in today’s media? Top media experts will discuss how immigration, economy, health became one of hottest topics in this presidential campaign. Comprehensive immigration reform was derailed in large measure to the political controversy as the Presidential campaign season heated up. Talk radio and cable television network personalities Lou Dobbs, O’Reilly and Glenn Beck played a role in getting candidates to take a tougher stand on immigration.

Moderator: Ray Suarez, Correspondent, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer (INVITED)

Speakers:
1.) Fernando Pizarro, Correspondent, Univision
2.) Eleanor Clift, Contributing Editor, Newsweek (INVITED)
3.) Monica Navarro, Reporter, Univision
4) Miguel Medina, News Analyst, Miguel Medina and Associates

Critical Civil Rights Issues for the Next Administration
Room: Georgetown West
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

SEMINAR
The next President of the United States will take the reins of a government that has emphasized national security over civil rights. This panel will offer concrete policy changes that the incoming administration can take to restore the Federal Government’s historic role as a defender of civil rights. Particular attention will be paid to the federal government’s role in deterring discrimination and hate crimes, defending voting rights and civil liberties, and protecting our right to privacy.

Moderator: Ray Velarde, General Counsel, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) The Honorable John Conyers Jr, U.S. House of Representatives
2.) John Trasviña President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
3.) Wade Henderson, President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR)
4.) Karen K. Narasaki, President, Asian American Justice Center
5.) Ruchi Bhowmik, Legislative Counsel, Senator Barack Obama
6.) Pedro Rosselló, M.D., Former Governor of Puerto Rico and Senator of Puerto Rico

TRACK II: LULAC Health Commission
Chronic Diseases
Room: Jefferson East
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

HEARING
This hearing will increase awareness and educate the Latino community about chronic disease prevention and proactive treatment. It will feature expert testimony to inform and educate Latinos about chronic diseases that affect the community disproportionately.

Moderator: LULAC Health Commissioners

Speakers:
1.) Christopher Bates, Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2.) American Cancer Society INVITED
3.) Marilyn Pietri, Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association
4.) Albert Collazo, PhRMA
5.) Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD

Divided We Fail: Ensuring Financial Security and Health Care for All
Room: Georgetown West
2:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

SEMINAR
AARP will convene a panel of financial security experts to discuss the changes needed to ensure long-term financial security for current and future generations. Key ideas that will be showcased include: Systemic changes by employers and Congress (e.g., Automatic 401k plans, Auto-IRA), and changes made by individual consumers (e.g., lessons learned from behavioral finance, the case for financial education / literacy programs). The panel will also address predatory mortgage lending issues.

Moderator: Monica Gonzales, Director of Public Outreach, AARP

Speakers:
1.) Chuck Rainville, Senior Research Advisor, AARP
2.) Aracely Panameno, Director, Latino Affairs, Center for Responsible
3.) Enrique Carrillo, Senior Vice President and Director of Hispanic Banking, Chevy Chase Bank
4.) Dubis Correal, Director, Office of Financial Education, Department of the Treasury
5.) David John, Senior Research Fellow, Retirement Security Project and Heritage Foundation

Global Warming and its Consequences for Latinos
Room: Georgetown East
2:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

SEMINAR
The future health and welfare for millions of Latinos is at risk. This panel will examine global warming and its ramifications on the Latino community. As air pollution continues to increase it manifests itself in the forms of floods, wildfires, heat waves and other deadly natural disasters. Panelist will address why the Latino population is overwhelming vulnerable to this phenomenon, the impact it could have on our health and social well being, as well as the preventative steps to discontinue the harmful costs of polluting our earth.

Moderator: Gabriela Lemus, Executive Director, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)

Speakers:
1.) The Honorable Hilda Solis, U.S. House of Representatives
2.) The Honorable Raul Grijalva, U.S. House of Representatives INVITED
3.) John Coequyt, Senior Washington Representative on Global Warming and Energy, Sierra Club
4.) Bryan Arroyo, Assistant Director, Endangered Species Program, Department of the Interior
5.) Roger Rivera, President, National Hispanic Environmental Council

TRACK III: LULAC Health Commission
Reforming Our Healthcare System
Room: Jefferson East
2:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

HEARING
This third and final forum of the LULAC National Health Commission will feature expert testimony to lay the groundwork needed to improve health equity for all underserved communities and provide guidance for effectively reforming our healthcare system. The second component to this Track will allow LULAC members the opportunity to voice their concern on the state of Latino health in the US and around their council.

Moderator: LULAC Health Commissioners

Speakers:
1.) Nick Unger, Director, Healthcare Reform Project, AFL-CIO
2.) Dr. Jaime Torres, DPM, National Coordinator, Latinos for National Health Insurance
3.) Joel Segal, Office of Congressman John Conyers
4.) Annette B. Ramirez de Arellano, DrPH, Health Researcher, Health Research Group, Public Citizen
5.) Terris King, Deputy Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Center for Medicaid and Medicare Studies

LULAC Chapter Testimony:
1.) Dr. Juan Sanchez, South West Key, Inc.
2.) Nancy Pelayo, LULAC National Hispanic University Council

Latinos and the Robert’s Supreme Court: How Have We Fared?
Room: Georgetown West
4:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.

SEMINAR
This panel will analyze the recent Supreme Court decisions rendered under the direction of Chief Justice John Roberts. Panelist will dialogue on the critical Supreme Court decisions such as the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Inc, the Indiana Voter Identification (Crawford) decision and the MA v. EPA (Clean Air) case; that have drastically impacted the civil rights of Latinos and the general population at large.

Moderator: Luis Vera, Legal Advisor, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Douglas T. Kendall, Founder and Executive Director, Community Rights Counsel
2.) Sam Jammal, Legislative Staff Attorney, Mexican American Legal and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
3.) Tova Andrea Wang, Vice President, Research, Common Cause
4.) José Garza, Litigation Director, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Preserving Your Home: Strategies to Avoid Foreclosure
Room: Georgetown East
4:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.

SEMINAR
The LULAC Housing Commission strives to make homeownership a reality for all Latinos. The recent controversies in lending practices have resulted in record breaking foreclosure rates and predatory lending nationwide. Unfortunately, a disproportionate number of Latinos are now facing possible foreclosures because of high interest sub-prime loans. Presenters will discuss ongoing intervention efforts to help more borrowers sustain homeownership. Many practical tools used by these organizations to avoid foreclosure will be discussed in this workshop. The workshop will be presented by three different entities; a major banking institution, the Federal Government and Freddie Mac, one of the largest mortgage investors.

Moderator: Jose Garza, Executive Director, LULAC Housing Commission

Speakers:
1.) Ronald Branch, Vice President, West Region Homeownership Preservation Office , JP Morgan Chase
2.) Amelia Ruiz, Senior Customer Liaison, U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development
3.) Robin Stout Migala, Customer Outreach Manager, Freddie Mac

FRIDAY, JULY 11th, 2008

Supersize Me: Strategies for Growing Council Membership
Room: Georgetown West
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

SEMINAR
As LULAC celebrates 79 years of advancing the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States, it is important that we continue to expand our grassroots membership. LULAC Panelists will discuss their successful strategies for increasing membership and offer tips on coalition building and grassroots organizing to maximum our ability to mobilize our community.

Moderator: Berta Urteaga, Vice President for Youth, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Darryl Morin, State Director-Elect, Wisconsin
2.) Elsie Valdes, Former Vice President for the Southeast, LULAC
3.) Alicia Rios, National Vice President of the Midwest, LULAC
4.) Jaime Martinez, National Treasurer, LULAC
5.) Karen Somerville, AARP Multicultural Membership Development

Immigration: Redefining the Debate
Room: Georgetown East
9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

SEMINAR
For far too long the dialogue on immigration has focused overwhelming on border enforcement-only policies or visa renewal programs, which have led to ineffectual 287g regulations, racial profiling, hate crimes, workforce raids, and inhumane treatment of immigrant detainees. Expert panelist will offer insight on reframing the immigration debate, as well as discuss the latest policy strategy to passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Moderator: Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director

Speakers:
1.) Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Senate INVITED
2.) Congressman Xavier Becerra, U.S. House of Representatives INVITED
2.) Mauricio Farah, Quinto Visitador General, La Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos de Mexico
3.) Frank Sherry, Executive Director, America’s Voice
4.) Tamar Jacoby, President and CEO, Immigration Works USA
5.) Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch
6.) German Trejo, Chair of the LULAC National Commission on Immigration Affairs

The Economic and Political Future of Puerto Rico
Room: Georgetown West
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

SEMINAR
This seminar will examine the complex issues facing Puerto Rico as it works towards economic and political development. Four million U.S. Citizens currently live in Puerto Rico, this is a pivotal bloc of the Latino population who is struggling with the consequences of its complex history. Making sure this society continues to progress should be a top priority. This is a community full of unique possibilities and opportunities, helping with its economical and especially political progress will ensure the formation of a cultural center that will greatly contribute to the Hispanic community around the world. Expert panelist will offer key insights on what steps are needed to ensure Puerto Rico’s stability and progress.

Moderator: Senator José Garriga Picó, Senate of Puerto Rico

Speakers:
1.) Pedro Pierluisi, J.D., Candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
2.) Edwin Irizarry Mora, J.D., Puerto Rico Gubernatorial Candidate, Puerto Rican Independent Party
3.) Senator Sila Marie González Calderon, Senate of Puerto Rico
4.) Rogelio Figueroa, Puerto Rico Gubernatorial Candidate, Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party

High Powered Latinas and the Challenges They Face
Room: Georgetown East
10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

SEMINAR
This seminar will focus on the historic and ongoing contributions that Latina leaders have made to our country, as well offer insight on the difficulties in achieving success as minority women. Panelists will discuss prominent issues facing Latinas; topics will cover the evolution of societal expectations placed on women as professionals, mothers, and wives.

Moderator: Maria D. Rodriguez-Salazar, National Vice President of Northwest, LULAC

Speakers:
1.) Rosa Rosales, National President, LULAC
2.) Dolores Huerta, Dolores Huerta Foundation
3.) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, U.S. Army
4.) Lydia Camarillo, Vice President, South West Voter Registration Education Project
5.) Alma Riojas, President and CEO, MANA
6.) Nielsen Media Research