FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

In a 5–4 vote today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prevents married same-sex couples from receiving federal marriage benefits.

“Today’s decision to recognize the marriages of LGBT couples as equal is a monumental step forward for this country,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “By striking down a central part of DOMA, the Supreme Court reaffirmed this country’s commitment to equality, sending a clear message that no person should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love. While there is undoubtedly still more work to be done to ensure that marriage equality is the law of the land, today is a reminder that the arc of history bends toward justice and that we must keep fighting for equal rights for all.”

This decision will affect the more than 73,000 same-sex couples living in the U.S. in which at least one member is Hispanic, as well as thousands more who are denied the same rights and benefits as other married couples. Recent polls indicate that the majority of Americans believe the federal government should recognize same-sex marriages, and according to a 2012 study released by NCLR, more than half of Latinos in this country support marriage equality.

A second decision handed down today on Proposition 8—the ban that specifically denied same-sex couples in California the right to marry—will also open the door for the most populous state in the country to once again begin recognizing and performing same-sex marriages. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower courts, which had previously ruled against the ban.

“By dismissing this case, the Supreme Court has undoubtedly cleared the path for marriage equality to be reinstated in California,” added Murguía. “The lower courts got it right the first time—the right to marry should be equally protected under the Constitution for all Americans, including our LGBT brothers and sisters.”

Learn more about NCLR’s work on LGBT issues by visiting our civil rights and justice web page.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.—At a news conference earlier this week, NCLR announced that First Lady Michelle Obama will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday, July 23 at the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference in New Orleans. Mrs. Obama’s address will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on the closing day of the nation’s largest annual conference focusing on issues that impact the Latino community.

“NCLR is excited to welcome Michelle Obama to our Annual Conference as a keynote speaker, where she will have the opportunity to speak to one of the largest gatherings of Latino leaders from across the country,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “Our community is eager to hear from such a prominent and passionate public figure who, in her time as first lady, has shown unwavering commitment to important causes for the growing Latino community such as children’s health, nutrition and education.”

Mrs. Obama’s participation adds a prominent voice to an already nationally recognized lineup of speakers that will make NCLR’s first national event in New Orleans historic. This year’s Conference also features legendary entertainer Rita Moreno, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, W.K. Kellogg Foundation President and CEO Sterling Speirn, Girl Scouts of America CEO Anna Maria Chávez, baseball great Minnie Miñoso and many more.

As part of the Conference experience, the National Latino Family Expo aligns well with Mrs. Obama’s efforts to encourage a healthy lifestyle, as the Expo provides activities that promote good nutrition and exercise. The Expo also includes free dental and health services, entertainment, exercise and dance classes, an inaugural soccer tournament and celebrity meet-and-greet opportunities such as a cooking demonstration by Chef Aaron Sanchez.

Learn more about or register for the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference in New Orleans.

To obtain media credentials for the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference, press may register at http://nclr.emsreg.com/nclr13/public/mediaregistration.aspx.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Latinos. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

It’s time for the House to decide between progress and obstruction

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Senate delivered a solid bipartisan vote on the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013” (S. 744). The Gang of Eight was joined by 60 senators to approve sweeping legislation that overhauls the nation’s immigration system, provides a boost to the economy and includes a roadmap to earned legality and citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the country.

“Today’s vote is a milestone for all those who worked so hard to bring a long-overdue solution to our country’s broken immigration system after decades of contentious debate. While this is far from the ideal bill, the Senate has weighed in with a vote which leaves no doubt that a bipartisan, comprehensive approach that includes a path to legality and citizenship and that creates an immigration system for the 21st century is both desirable and achievable,” stated Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza).

“We thank the Gang of Eight (Senators John McCain, R–Ariz.; Dick Durbin, D–Ill.; Marco Rubio, R–Fla.; Robert Menendez, D–N.J.; Lindsey Graham, R–S.C.; Charles Schumer, D–N.Y.; Jeff Flake, R–Ariz.; and Michael Bennet, D–Colo.) who worked tirelessly to craft legislation that could pass the Senate, and the vast majority of members who voted to advance a path forward.

“As with any compromise, this legislation included painful concessions and certainly puts our enforcement-heavy immigration policy into overdrive. But it also finally acknowledges that restoring the rule of law requires a legal immigration system that takes the legitimate traffic out of the black market, allows immigrants to arrive with visas rather than with smugglers and enables immigrants who are working and raising families in the U.S. to come forward, go through criminal background checks, get in the system and get on the books.

“As such, our community will continue to engage actively in this process, particularly to ensure that enforcement is accountable and smart, and to defend the roadmap to citizenship for aspiring Americans.

“Let me be very clear: Latino voters, who generated the game-changing momentum in this debate, will remember this vote. They will particularly remember those who stood with—and who stood against—our community and, most importantly, our country’s best interests. The question now is whether the House of Representatives will stand for progress or prevent it,” Murguía concluded.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                                         Contacto:
28 de junio, 2013                                                                     Julian Teixeira
                                                                                               (202) 776-1812
                                                                                               jteixeira@nclr.org

Es hora de que la Cámara decida entre el progreso o la obstrucción

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hoy, el Senado estadounidense demostró un sólido apoyo bipartidista cuando votó a favor de la ley de reforma migratoria, el “Acta de Seguridad Fronteriza, Oportunidad Económica, y Modernización Migratoria del 2013” (S. 744).  El Grupo de Ocho fue acompañado por 60 senadores quienes apoyaron la ley que reconstruye nuestro sistema migratorio, ayuda a estimular la economía e incluye un mapa hacia la legalización y ciudadanía para los inmigrantes indocumentados en el país. 

“El voto de hoy representa un logro increíble para todos aquellos que han trabajado tan arduamente para traer una solución a nuestro sistema roto de inmigración después de décadas de debate polémico.  Mientras que entendemos que este proyecto de ley está lejos de lo que consideramos ideal, el Senado ha dejado claro con su apoyo que un esfuerzo bipartidista y comprensivo que incluye un camino hacia la legalización y crea un sistema moderno para el siglo 21 es deseable y alcanzable,” dijo Janet Murguía, Presidenta y Gerente General del NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza por sus siglas en inglés).

“Le damos gracias al Grupo de Ocho (Senadores John McCain, R–Ariz.; Dick Durbin, D–Ill.; Marco Rubio, R–Fla.; Robert Menendez, D–N.J.; Lindsey Graham, R–S.C.; Charles Schumer, D–N.Y.; Jeff Flake, R–Ariz.; and Michael Bennet, D–Colo.) quienes trabajaron incansablemente para pasar esta ley en el Senado, y la mayoría de los miembros de esa cámara que votaron en favor de mover este tema hacia delante.”

Como es la realidad con cualquier compromiso, la legislación incluye concesiones dolorosas y ciertamente impone un sistema nuevo que se enfoca demasiado en el cuidado fronterizo.  Pero también reconoce que restaurar la ley requiere un sistema migratorio que elimine el trafico del mercado negro, permite que los inmigrantes lleguen a este país con visas en vez de un traficante y le da la oportunidad a aquellos inmigrantes quienes están trabajando y cuidando sus familias en el país que legalicen su estatus, después de que pasen un chequeo de su historial criminal. 

Como tal, nuestra comunidad seguirá involucrado activamente en este proceso, particularmente en asegurar que la aplicación de la ley se está llevando a cabo en una forma inteligente, y en defender el camino hacia la ciudadanía.

“Déjame ser bien clara: Los votantes latinos que ayudaron a que llegáramos a este momento que ha cambiado el juego, recordaremos este voto.  Particularmente, se acordarán de aquellos quienes apoyaron—y aquellos quienes descartaron—los mejores intereses de nuestra comunidad y del país. La pregunta ahora es si la Cámara de Representantes se alineará con el progreso o tratará de prevenirlo,” concluyo Murguía.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org/ o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA

Contacto:
Julián Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A principios de esta semana durante una conferencia de prensa el Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció que la Sra. Michelle Obama, Primera Dama de los Estados Unidos, será la oradora principal durante la ceremonia de clausura de la Conferencia Anual del NCLR 2013 a llevarse a cabo en Nueva Orleans el martes 23 de julio de 2013 a las 11: 30 am en el Centro de Convenciones "Ernest N. Morial" . Con la ceremonia de clausura se finaliza la realización de la conferencia anual más grande de la nación donde se tratarán temas que afectan a la comunidad latina. 

“El NCLR se siente muy entusiasmado de dar la bienvenida a Michelle Obama a nuestra Conferencia Anual para que ella al ser la oradora principal tenga la oportunidad de dirigirse a una de las audiencias más grandes de líderes latinos en todo el país". dijo Janet Murguía, Presidenta y CEO del NCLR. “Nuestra comunidad está ansiosa por escuchar las palabras de una figura pública de tal importancia y apasionamiento que, siendo la Primera Dama, ha demostrado seguir sosteniendo un inquebrantable compromiso con las causas importantes para la creciente comunidad latina, como lo son la salud, la nutrición y la educación de los niños hispanos".

Michelle Obama suma su voz a la de un grupo de oradores, de reconocida trayectoria nacional, quienes harán que el primer evento nacional del NCLR en Nueva Orleans sea de una trascendencia histórica. Este año la Conferencia cuenta también con la presencia de legendarias figuras como la de la gran artista Rita Moreno; Marc Morial, Presidente y CEO de National Urban League; Sterling Speirn, Presidente y CEO de W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Anna María Chávez, CEO de Girl Scouts of America; Minnie Miñoso, el gran jugador de béisbol y muchas otras personalidades de destacada actuación.

Como parte de la experiencia de la Conferencia, la Feria Nacional de la Familia Latina se alinea bien con los esfuerzos de Michelle Obama que fomentan al público a llevar un estilo de vida saludable, ya que durante este evento se pondrá a disposición de quienes asistan a esta feria actividades que promueven la buena nutrición y el ejercicio físico. Asimismo se incluyen servicios gratuitos de exámenes dentales y sobre el cuidado de la salud, entretenimientos, clases de gimnasia y danza, un torneo inaugural de fútbol y la oportunidad de conocer y saludar destacadas personalidades, aparte de poder asistir a la presentación del Chef Aarón Sánchez sobre una demostración de cocina.

Obtenga más información o cómo registrarse para la Conferencia Anual 2013 de NCLR en Nueva Orleans.

Para obtener sus credenciales de prensa para la Conferencia Anual 2013 de NCLR, puede registrarse en http://nclr.emsreg.com/nclr13/public/mediaregistration.aspx.

El Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles en los Estados Unidos que trabaja para mejorar las oportunidades de los hispanos. Para obtener mayor información sobre NCLR, por favor, visite nuestra página www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          Contact:
July 3, 2013                                                                                                   Jessica Mayorga
                                                                                                                     (202) 776-1768
                                                                                                                     jmayorga@nclr.org

Soccer tournament, free dental and health screenings and scores of free giveaways await families
of the Gulf South at this fun, informative weekend event

NEW ORLEANS—NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will celebrate the growing Latino community of the Gulf South and the power of the national Hispanic consumer at the 2013 National Latino Family Expo on July 20–22 in New Orleans. NCLR brings this annual event to New Orleans for the first time ever, held in conjunction with the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Children and adults alike will find something educational, entertaining and potentially lifesaving at this completely free event. From dental and health screenings to Zumba classes, celebrity autograph sessions and cooking demonstrations to games and musical entertainment, every member of the family will find something to do. Families can cheer on their favorite dancers in a competition or root for the home team in the COPA-NCLR soccer tournament. 

In addition to nationally renowned talent, speakers and entertainers, the Expo will welcome Nickelodeon characters Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego along with other costumed characters such as Curious George, the Cat in the Hat, Doky, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Buzz Bee from Honey Nut Cheerios and the Lucky Charms Leprechaun.

The National Latino Family Expo, title-sponsored by UPS, is a unique and exciting weekend attraction that appeals to participants of all ages. The largest event of its kind in the country, focused on providing resources and activities for the Latino family, it will feature more than 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. The Expo is open to the public, and attendance is free of charge.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:   2013 NCLR National Latino Family Expo, offering entertainment, free community health services, giveaways and fun family activities.
              Admission is free.        

WHEN:   Saturday, July 20, 2013, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
              Sunday, July 21, 2013, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
              Monday, July 22, 2013, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
              The Great Hall
              900 Convention Center Blvd.
              New Orleans, LA 70130

NOTE:    The convention center has parking available for a fee. 

Great photo opportunities! 

For more information, please contact Jessica Mayorga at (202) 776-1768 or jmayorga@nclr.org. Registration for reporters is free at http://nclr.emsreg.com/nclr13/public/mediaregistration.aspx.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                                                               Contacto:
3 de julio, 2013                                                                                            Jessica Mayorga
                                                                                                                  (202) 776-1768
                                                                                                                  jmayorga@nclr.org

Torneo de soccer, revisiones dentales y de salud gratis y decenas de regalos esperan a las familias del Golfo Sur en este divertido e informativo evento de fin de semana

NEW ORLEANS, La. —El Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR, por sus siglas en inglés) celebrará en New Orleans, del 20 al 22 de julio, la creciente comunidad latina del Golfo Sur y el poder del consumidor hispano en su Feria Nacional de la Familia Latina. Por primera vez en la historia, el NCLR realiza este evento anual en New Orleans junto con su Conferencia Anual 2013 en el Centro de Convenciones Ernest N. Morial. Niños y adultos por igual encontrarán algo educacional, entretenido y potencialmente salva vidas en este evento sin costo. Cada miembro de la familia encontrará algo que hacer, desde revisiones dentales y de salud hasta clases de Zumba, sesiones de autógrafos de celebridades, demostraciones de cocina, juegos y entretenimiento musical. También podrán animar a sus bailarines favoritos en el concurso de baile o apoyar al equipo local en el torneo de fútbol soccer COPA-NCLR.

Además de artistas, oradores y animadores reconocidos a nivel nacional, la Feria le dará la bienvenida a los personajes de Nickelodeon: Dora la Exploradora y a su primo Diego, así como a otros personajes disfrazados tales como Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Doky, y el Pillsbury Dough Boy .

La Feria Nacional de la Familia Latina, patrocinada oficialmente por UPS, es una atracción emocionante y única de fin de semana que atrae a participantes de todas las edades.

El evento más grande en el país que se enfoca en proporcionar recursos y actividades para la familia latina. Habrán más de 200 expositores que mostrarán sus productos y servicios. La Feria está abierta al público y la entrada es gratuita.

AVISO DE PRENSA

QUÉ:             Feria Nacional de la Familia Latina 2013 del NCLR que ofrece entretenimiento, servicios comunitarios de salud gratis, regalos y
                    actividades divertidas para la familia. La admisión es libre de costo. 

CUÁNDO:     Sábado 20 de julio, 2013, 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
                    Domingo 21 de julio, 2013, 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM
                    Lunes 22 de julio, 2013, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

DÓNDE:        Centro de Convenciones Ernest N. Morial
                    The Great Hall
                    900 Convention Center Blvd.
                    Nueva Orleans, LA 70130

NOTA: El centro de convenciones cuenta con aparcamiento disponible con costo.

¡Gran oportunidad de sacar fotografías!

Para más información, póngase en contacto con Jessica Mayorga llamando al (202) 776-1768 o en el correo electrónico jmayorga@nclr.org. Los miembros de la prensa pueden registrarse gratis en http://nclr.emsreg.com/nclr13/public/mediaregistration.aspx.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter.

###
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to pass the “Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act” (H.R. 2642), known as the farm bill, which addresses agricultural policy issues such as farm subsidies but leaves nutrition policy to be dealt with in separate legislation. The farm bill has historically included both farm and nutrition policy, with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) constituting almost 80 percent of funding in the bill. Given that the House of Representatives has previously proposed deep cuts and other damaging changes to the vital food assistance program that serves millions of Latino families, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is incredibly concerned that parceling out separate legislation for SNAP will result in the program losing critical funding.

“Latino children make up about two-fifths of all children living with hunger in this nation; reductions in funding for SNAP will have a very direct and damaging impact on the health of our kids and communities,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “We should be working toward ending hunger in this nation, not exacerbating the problem. Policies that aim to take food off of the tables of millions of struggling families are misguided and heartless.”

Approximately one in six Americans relies on SNAP, and almost 17 percent of those participants are Latino. The program not only serves as a means of providing food assistance but also helps to keep families from falling into poverty.

“Every dollar counts for struggling families,” added Murguía. “Moving forward, we urge Congress to prioritize the nutrition and health of our children and communities, and to protect critical funding for SNAP.”

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Univision—A toda máquina campañas por la reforma migratoria con ciudadanía
Lluvia de llamados y mensajes al Congreso para que ambas cámaras aprueben cuanto antes una vía de legalización para indocumentados
Políticos, empresarios, cantantes, actores y hombres de negocios, entre otros, se suman cada día a la campara digital iMarch para presionar al Congreso que apruebe una reforma migratoria que incluya una vía de legalización para millones de inmigrantes indocumentados. Read more here…

Telemundo—Consejo nacional de la Raza sobre Reforma Migratoria [Video]
Entrevista a Janet Murguia, presidenta del Consejo Nacional de la Raza, sobre las negociaciones para la conformación de la propuesta legislativa para una reforma migratoria. Read more here…

Univision—Comité Judicial del Senado aprobó plan de reforma migratoria del Grupo de los Ocho
El Comité Judicial del Senado aprobó el martes por 13 votos a favor y cinco en contra el plan de reforma migratoria del Grupo de los Ocho.El proyecto de ley S. 744 fue entregado al Comité la segunda semana de abril y recibió más de 300 enmiendas, la mayoría dirigidas a modificar el camino a la ciudadanía para millones de inmigrantes indocumentados. Read more here…

Voz de América— Reforma migratoria “no se está dilatando”
Las audiencias sobre la reforma migratoria en el comité judicial del Senado se retomaron nuevamente este jueves y se discutieron las enmiendas que contemplan las nuevas visas de trabajo, que incluye las visas W y W-2 para trabajadores agrícolas, así como la implementación del programa de verificación de empleo conocido como “E-Verify”. Read more here…

Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts)—States that skip Medicaid expansion may favor new immigrants over US citizens
The Republican governors who decline to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act may give not-yet-naturalized immigrants a benefit that American citizens in their states can't get. Specifically, those immigrants may be able to purchase federally subsidized health insurance that will be unavailable to the poorest American citizens. Read more here…

Politic365—Day Without Sugar Challenges Latino Eating Habits but not Food Advertising
As reported by KUHF, Arte Público Press, a publishing house known for promoting Latino authors and maintaining Latinos' literary history, is sponsoring aDay Without Sugar, challenging Latino children to change their eating habits for just one day. The purpose is to make Latino kids aware of just how much sugar is in their diets, not just in the obvious places like soda but also in the less obvious, non sweet snack foods like spicy hot snacks. Read more here…

The Texas Observer—Senate Passes Bill Cutting High School Tests, Creating New Diploma Paths
The Senate finally passed House Bill 5, the session’s big education bill, on Monday afternoon after weeks of waiting and a last-minute delay over the weekend. The bill limits the number of end-of-course exams required in high school and alters high school graduation plans to emphasize career skills. Read more here…

Voxxi—Latino unemployment rate hits four-year low, but it's not all good news
The Latino unemployment rate reached 9.0 in April, trailing behind the national unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. The U.S. employment report released Friday shows the Latino unemployment rate in April dropped to 9.0 percent, down from 9.2 in March. Read more here…

Voxxi—Immigration bill denies undocumented immigrants access to healthcare
The notion of citizenship offers a future of opportunity for 11 million undocumented immigrants, 81 percent of which are of Latino origin. Bittersweet is exactly what leading minority rights groups are feeling these days regarding Washington's major immigration reform discussion. Read more here…

Yahoo! News—What Services Should Immigrants Get?
What are immigrants in the United States entitled to? Tax breaks? Health care? Disability insurance? Food stamps? As the Senate Judiciary Committee wades through a major immigration bill, it is clear that there is no consensus, even among the bill's sponsors, about how to treat the immigrants who would become legal residents under the legislation. Read more here…
 

The New York Times—A Speech in Spanish Is a First for the Senate
When Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, took the Senate floor on Tuesday to deliver a speech insupport of an immigration overhaul bill, he did it in a way no senator had done before: entirely in Spanish. “We are going to have hours upon hours of debate about this on the floor of the Senate, and taking 15 minutes to explain the bill in Spanish just seemed like a good idea,” Mr. Kaine said. Read more here…

The Hill—Green groups to Obama: Designate lands to stop drilling
Environmental lobbyists are pressing President Obama to turn more western lands into national monuments to prevent oil-and-gas companies from drilling there. The Sierra Club is leading the charge and is sweetening its message with political sugar, saying Obama could thereby help Democrats win House and Senate seats in midterm elections year. Read more here…

USA Today— Immigration bill faces tough path in full Senate
As the Senate heads back into session Monday, it is poised to take up a sweeping immigration bill that would offer earned citizenship to many of the 11 million immigrants who entered the United States illegally before 2012. Read more here…

ABC News Online--Study: Citizenship Linked to Financial Engagement
Right now, Latinos are among the most unbanked residents of the United States, meaning they don't have a traditional bank account. But comprehensive immigration reform might change that. A new report from the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation's largest Latino advocacy organization, found that immigrants who become citizens are more likely to use financial institutions like banks than those who do not naturalize. Read more here…

Voxxi.com—Latinos are majority in Texas schools, but can the state handle them?
Latinos are now the largest ethnic group in Texas public schools, surpassing non-Hispanic whites in Lone Star State enrollment for the first time in history. The dramatic change, though, has not been without major pressures on the already financially stressed school systems throughout the state, which ranks 48th in per-student spending. Read more here…

NBCNews.com— Cuban-American Democrat is Rubio counterweight on immigration
As the Senate debates the most far reaching immigration bill in a generation, all eyes are on Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio, wondering if he might walk away from it. There are concerns that the rising political star from Florida, crucial to attracting Republican support for the legislation, may decide it doesn't do enough to bolster security on the U.S.-Mexico border - a priority for conservatives. Read more here…

The Washington Post— Republicans trying to use health-care law to derail Obama's immigration reform efforts
After spending years unsuccessfully trying to overturn “Obamacare,” Republicans are now attempting to use President Obama's landmark healthcare reform law to derail his top second-term initiative — a sweeping overhaul of the nation's immigration system. Read more here…

MSNBC— Immigraton reform: Nine groups to watch
While only 100 Senators will vote on the Gang of Eight immigration reform bill, there are thousands of staff at various advocacy organizations who have been working hard to push their group's agenda–either for or against–the comprehensive immigration bill that would provide a path to citizenship. Here are some basics about the leading organizations working to influence the legislation that is likely to dominate this summer's congressional calendar. Read more here…

The Associated Press (Baton Rouge Bureau)— First Lady Michelle Obama to address conference
First Lady Michelle Obama will give the keynote speech at a Latino conference next month in New Orleans. Obama will be the keynote speaker at the National Council of La Raza's annual conference that will be held July 20-23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Read more here…

EFE World News Service— 84 Pct of Puerto Rican children live in high-poverty areas.
The proportion of Puerto Rican children living in high-poverty areas stands at 84 percent, seven times the comparable figure for the continental United States, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT[R] Data Book. Even so, the report documents an improvement in health and education indicators among Puerto Rico's children. Read more here…

The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)— Michelle Obama to give keynote speech at Latino conference next month in New Orleans
The National Council of La Raza's National Latino Family Expo will be held July 20-23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The conference is designed to draw attention to the growth of the Latino population in New Orleans and elsewhere across the United States, organizers said. Read more here…

NPR—Health Exchange Outreach Targets Latinos
Andrea Velandia, 29, is just the sort of person the architects of the new health insurance marketplaces had in mind when they were thinking about future customers. She's young, in good health, uninsured and Latino. "We're very healthy. We don't have many issues," she says of her family. Read more here…

Voxxi.com— Latinos outraged by Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act
Latino advocates are deeply concerned about the Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act. In a 5-4 decision, led by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, the court ruled that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. The section contains the formula used to determine which jurisdictions are subject to preclearance by the federal government should they want to change their voting laws. Read more here…

The Hill— Supreme Court decision triggers massive overhaul of regulations
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the ban on federal benefits for gay couples is sure to trigger a mammoth effort to change hundreds of regulations and laws across the breadth of government. The scope of the high court's ruling goes far beyond Social Security checks and joint tax returns. Read more here…

Press-Enterprise— VOICES: Gay marriage an emotional issue on both sides
“Today's landmark Supreme Court decisions are monumental victories for our community and our country, moving us one step closer to realizing our nation's foundational belief that all people are created equal.” — Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert Read more here…

Las Vegas Sun— Local immigration reform advocates pleased with victory in Senate but preparing for tougher battle in House
After the Senate voted Thursday afternoon to pass a sweeping immigration reform bill, the mood among immigration reform advocates in Las Vegas was one of tempered enthusiasm.
Another, likely much tougher, battle lies ahead for immigration reform in the GOP-led House of Representatives. Read more here…

ABC News— Analysis: What's Next For Immigration Reform?
The Senate passed immigration reform with an impressive 68-32 margin, including 14 Republican votes, hoping to pressure the GOP-led house to follow. “The strong bipartisan vote we took is going to send a message across the country. It's going to send a message to the other end of the Capitol as well,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said yesterday following the vote. Read more here…

The New York Times— Varied Alliance to Press House on Immigration Bill
Even as they were popping corks on Thursday night after a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate to pass an immigration bill, supporters of the overhaul were laying plans for the far more difficult task of moving something similar through the Republican-controlled House. Read more here…

La Opinión— Bancos de California desatienden al consumidor latino
Cuando se le pregunta a quién acudiría para un préstamo de dinero de emergencia, Ile Caravelez no lo piensa dos veces: " a un familiar". Caravelez, de 23 años de edad y mesera en Mama's Hot Tamales, en el área de Pico Union, frente al parque MacArthur, considera que un banco no le prestaría más de 500 dólares, porque apenas está tratando de establecer su crédito. Read more here…

Washington Hispanic— Michelle Obama participará en conferencia hispana
La primera dama estadounidense Michelle Obama pronunciará el discurso de apertura en una conferencia hispana el mes próximo en Nueva Orleáns. La conferencia anual del Consejo Nacional de La Raza se realizará del 20 al 23 de julio en el Centro de Convenciones Ernest N. Morial. Read more here…

Vox de América— Primera dama en reunión hispana
La primera dama de Estados Unidos, Michelle Obama, pronunciará el discurso inaugural de una deliberación hispana en Nueva Orleáns, Luisiana. La conferencia anual del Consejo Nacional La Raza se llevará a cabo del 20 al 23 de julio próximo en el Centro de Convenciones Ernest Morial. Read more here…

El Sentinel— El 84 % de los niños puertorriqueños vive en áreas de alta pobreza
El 84 % de los niños puertorriqueños vive en áreas de alta pobreza, siete veces más que en Estados Unidos, según datos recogidos en el informe Libro de Datos Nuestros Niños Cuentan 2013, publicado hoy por la Fundación Annie E. Casey. Read more here…

EFE— Ofrece reforma migratoria de EEUU camino "estrecho" a legalización
El proyecto de ley de migración aprobado por el Senado de Estados Unidos la semana pasada ofrece un camino estrecho a la legalización y altos costos para la seguridad fronteriza. El camino a la legalización y ciudadanía estadunidense para unos 11 millones de indocumentados "es muy estrecho y duro", declaró a Notimex la directora del programa de Inmigración del Consejo Nacional de la Raza (NCLR), Clarissa Martínez. Read more here…

El Nuevo Día—Viven en alta pobreza el 84% de los niños puertorriqueños
A pesar que las condiciones educativas y de salud de los niños en Puerto Rico han mejorado en los últimos años, los indicadores económicos pintan un cuadro preocupante en torno a la calidad de vida de los menores de edad en la Isla. Read more here…

Voxxi.com— Hirono-Murray amendment in immigration reform hopes to help women
Women advocates are asking that the immigration reform bill currently making its way through the legislative halls of Capitol Hill be less gender-biased. Last week, a group of female senators introduced the Hirono-Murray amendment, which seeks to address the disparities between men and women who are admitted to the United States. Read more here…

NBC Latino— Latinos key in new task force to link internet and learning
How to ensure the Internet can truly enhance learning in the nation's public educational system, libraries and museums isthe goal of a new Aspen Institute task force composed of twenty members of diverse business and ethnic backgrounds. Read more here…

The Pumphandle— Sequestration and OSHA: Impact so far seems minor, but advocates brace for an uncertain future
Every Tuesday night, the Austin-based Workers Defense Project welcomes standing room-only crowds to its Workers in Action meetings. During the weekly gatherings, low-wage, primarily Hispanic workers learn about their wage and safety rights, file and work on wage theft complaints, and organize for workplace justice. Read more here…

NBC Latino— Attention Congress: Immigration top Latino voter priority among all parties
Without prompting or getting a choice of answers, more than half of Latino registered voters – 55 percent – say immigration reform should be the top priority for the President and Congress. This is a “very” or “extremely important” priority for almost 8-in-10 Hispanics. Read more here…

Tallahassee Democrat— Moms urge Scott to support paid sick leave
Mothers who say paid sick leave is essential to them maintaining their jobs and proper care for themselves and their families took to the state Capitol on Tuesday to fight for that benefit. Working mothers and their supporters from across Florida delivered 11,000 petitions to Gov. Rick Scott’s office in resistance to HB 655, which would prevent local ordinances that provide earned sick time to employees. Read more here…
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today NCLR announced that it has joined with the NAACP, National Urban League (NUL), National Action Network (NAN) and other civil rights organizations in asking to meet with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss possible action by the U.S. Department of Justice following the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial on Saturday.

“While we respect the legal process and the jury’s decision, we are deeply disappointed and saddened by this verdict. However, we believe that it is still possible to achieve some measure of justice for Trayvon Martin and his family, so we are joining with our brothers and sisters in the Black community in calling on the Department of Justice to weigh in more forcefully on the matter,” stated Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR.

“We also believe it is critical to see this case as a teachable moment; we must continue to educate our fellow Americans on what racial profiling really is and the toll it takes on all communities of color in this country,” Murguía concluded.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           Contact:
July 16, 2013                                                                                                  Joseph Rendeiro
                                                                                                                     (202) 776-1566; jrendeiro@nclr.org
                                                                                                                     NCLR Conference Press Office
                                                                                                                     (504) 670-5602 (as of July 19)
 

Participants join New Orleans youth in community service project to renovate distressed home

NEW ORLEANS—NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will host hundreds of Latino youth leaders at the 2013 NCLR Líderes Summit on July 20–23 as part of the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference held at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Participants will kick off the Summit on Friday, July 19, by partnering with local youth from the nonprofit organization Youth Rebuilding New Orleans to help renovate a distressed home on Salcedo Street.

This year’s Líderes Summit—entitled “The Power of WE”—aims to showcase the resilience and spirit of the Latino community and encourage young people to become positive agents of change in their communities. As a population growing in size and influence, Hispanics aged 18–35 played a critical role in the 2012 presidential election and are active in the national debate over immigration reform. Recognizing that the employment prospects of this demographic have been greatly affected by the economic downturn, Summit organizers will offer valuable job training this year, with 12 workshops on topics such as résumé writing, practice interviews and job searches. All workshops are free and open to the public.

The NCLR Líderes Initiative is a national youth leadership program designed to increase opportunities for Latino youth to elevate their influence as leaders in the U.S. To learn about NCLR leadership and education opportunities for young people, please visit lideres.nclr.org.

Youth Rebuilding New Orleans is a nonprofit organization that engages local youth in reducing blight and rebuilding distressed and foreclosed homes in New Orleans which, when completed, are sold to teachers to help stabilize neighborhoods and have a positive impact on the education system.

To cover this event, press must register, free of charge, for the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:     2013 NCLR Líderes Summit: “The Power of WE”
               Community service project with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans

WHO:       200 Latino youth leaders from across the United States

WHEN:     Saturday, July 20–Tuesday, July 23
                Community service project on Friday, July 19, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

WHERE:   Líderes Summit:
                Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
                900 Convention Center Blvd
                New Orleans, LA 70130

                Community service project:
                316 Salcedo Street
                New Orleans, LA 70119

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter. Follow events on Twitter at #Lideres13 and #NCLR13.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

Earlier today, the Senate voted 66 to 34 to confirm Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the government agency responsible for ensuring that financial products and services are safe and reliable for American consumers. NCLR (National Council of La Raza) applauds the Senate for confirming Cordray, who has a stellar track record of improving accountability among financial institutions and pushing back against deceptive lenders.

“Since the first day he stepped into his role as Director of the CFPB, Richard Corday has unquestionably shown that he has the good judgment and acumen to lead the agency and be the advocate that the American consumer needs. The effectiveness of the CFPB in protecting Americans from fraud, unfair lending and other deceptive practices that occur all too often in the financial marketplace is directly dependent on the strength of its leader, which is why this confirmation was so critically important,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.

Under Cordray’s leadership, the CFPB has defended consumers and military families, returned nearly half a billion dollars to customers cheated by credit card companies, advanced new protections and disclosures for remittances and issued new mortgage rules that will keep homeownership opportunities open to Hispanic families.

“We are eager to see the CFPB continue its essential work under the direction of Richard Cordray,” said Murguía. “He has proven himself a champion that Latinos and all other consumers and homeowners deserve.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ricky Garza
(202) 776-1732; rgarza@nclr.org

NCLR Conference Press Office
(504) 670-5602 (as of July 19)

Dora, Diego, Curious George and more will join NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía

NEW ORLEANS—Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, one of the nation’s most beloved television characters, will join Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), and local leaders at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 20, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to open the 2013 NCLR National Latino Family Expo®, the largest Latino consumer show in the nation. Joining them at the Expo will be costumed characters including Dora’s cousin Diego, Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Doky, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Buzz Bee from Honey Nut Cheerios and the Lucky Charms Leprechaun.

Take advantage of great photo opportunities at the NCLR National Latino Family Expo as participants play in the Copa NCLR 2013 Soccer Tournament, receive free dental and health screenings, meet celebrities and enjoy live music, exercise classes, cooking demonstrations, prizes and much more. The event is part of the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference, which is being held in New Orleans for the first time. The Conference runs from July 20 to July 23.

UPS is the Title Sponsor of this year’s National Latino Family Expo.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO:
Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO
Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Diego, and many other costumed characters

WHAT:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 2013 NCLR National Latino Family Expo, which offers free activities including dental and health screenings, a soccer tournament and dance competition, local celebrities, live music, games and prizes, cooking demonstrations, exercise classes and more

WHEN:
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony:
Saturday, July 20, 10:30 a.m.

2013 National Latino Family Expo:
Saturday and Sunday, July 20–21, 2013, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Monday, July 22, 2013, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Camila Gallardo
(305) 215-4259
cgallardo@nclr.org
NCLR Conference Press Office:
(504) 670-5602

NEW ORLEANS HOSTS 2013 NCLR ANNUAL CONFERENCE FEATURING FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA, NATIONAL LEADERS AND DYNAMIC NATIONAL LATINO FAMILY EXPO
Special guests include Senator Mary Landrieu, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, actress and activist Eva Longoria, National Urban League President and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, baseball legend Minnie Miñoso, Latina screen star Rita Moreno and many more

The Crescent City will play host to the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference, kicking off on July 20 with the NCLR National Latino Family Expo and culminating on July 23 with a special keynote address from First Lady Michelle Obama and the NCLR Awards Gala. Latino leaders from across the U.S. will join prominent national figures from the private, government and nonprofit sectors at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the annual gathering, which addresses critical issues in the Latino community, highlights its accomplishments and provides a dynamic, interactive experience aimed at Latino consumers.

The Conference will offer more than 40 workshops and three town halls, which are free and open to the public and tackle a wide range of issues including health care, education, immigration, personal finance and workforce development, among many others. Meal and evening events require tickets; the general public can register for ticketed events on site at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, located at 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70130. Members of the news media can register early online or on site at the NCLR Press Room.

A free NCLR mobile app provides exclusive content, promotions, prizes and navigation tools to help users guide their way through the Conference and Expo. Beginning July 19, the NCLR press team can be reached on site at (504) 670-5602 and in Room 204–205 of the convention center for the duration of the Conference. The latest information is available on Twitter using #NCLR13.

NCLR will host dynamic and informative activities during the Annual Conference. Here are just a few of the highlights you can expect:

Friday, July 19

9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Líderes Community Service Project
316 Salcedo Street
New Orleans, La. 70119
Hundreds of Latino youth who will gather in New Orleans for the NCLR Líderes Summit—held July 19–22 as part of the NCLR Annual Conference—will partner with local youth from the nonprofit organization Youth Rebuilding New Orleans to help renovate a distressed home. This organization rebuilds distressed and foreclosed homes in New Orleans which, when completed, are sold to teachers to help stabilize neighborhoods and have a positive impact on the education system.

Saturday, July 20

9:00–10:30 a.m. WORKSHOP
The New Crescent City, After the Storm: Rebuilding, Recovering, and Revitalizing
Room 227
Seven years after the levees broke, New Orleans continues its comeback journey. Discover how the city has changed and how it has been able to preserve its rich culture and colorful flair. Moderator: Mikel Schaefer, News Director, WVUE-TV Fox 8 New Orleans. Panelists: Beth Fussel, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Washington State University; Luz Molina, J.D., Jack Nelson Distinguished Professor of Law, College of Law, Loyola University New Orleans; Martin O. Gutierrez, Vice President, Community Services Ministry, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans; Timolynn Sams, Executive Director, Neighborhoods Partnership Network.

Noon NATIONAL AFFILIATE LUNCHEON
The Great Hall
Emcee: Azucena Diaz, News Anchor, Telemundo 42. Affiliate Roll Call: Sonia M. Pérez, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, NCLR; Victor Leandry, Chair, NCLR Affiliate Council. Welcome Remarks: Hon. Mary L. Landrieu, U.S. Senator for Louisiana; Hon. Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor, City of New Orleans. Welcome and Introductory Remarks: Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. Keynote Speaker: Former Mayor of New Orleans and current President and CEO of the National Urban League, Marc H. Morial. Awards Presentation: Jorge Plasencia, Chair, NCLR Board of Directors. Featured Speaker: Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers.

3:00–4:30 p.m. TOWN HALL
Beyond Immigration Reform: Education as the Catalyst for Integration
Riverside Rooms RO2–RO4
The United States could soon have a much-awaited comprehensive immigration reform, providing the opportunity to legalize millions of immigrants in our nation. Schools will play an integral part along with community-based organizations, government programs and private entities to help prospective citizens on their road to naturalization.
Moderator: José Díaz-Balart, News Anchor, Noticiero Telemundo. Panelists: Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO; Eva Longoria, Actress and Activist; Dr. Marcelo-Suarez Orozco, Dean, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies; Reyna Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent, Center for Language and Early Child Development, Illinois State Board of Education; Cecilia Muñoz, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council; Gina Pupo Walker, Parent Coordinator, Nashville Public Schools and Board Member, Conexión Américas.

Sunday, July 21

9:00–10:30 a.m. WORKSHOP
Conversation on Crime and Safety in the Latino Community: Philadelphia and New Orleans
Room 222
Learn how a handful of simple tools and community-based strategies along with true cultural awareness can help Latino communities improve relations with law enforcement and take ownership of their own neighborhoods.
Moderator: Rick Olmos, Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM). Panelists: Eva Hurst-San Martin, Community Liaison and Language Access Advocate; Honorable Nelson Diaz (Ret.), Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; Rose Gray, Senior Vice President, Community and Economic Development, APM; Nilda Ruiz, President and CEO, APM; Officer Janssen Valencia, Hispanic Liaison, “El Protector” program, New Orleans Police Department; Salvador Longoria, Board Chair, Puentes New Orleans.

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. LATINAS BRUNCH
Juntas Alcanzamos: Together We Rise
The Great Hall
Emcee: Giselle Fernandez, NCLR Board of Directors. Welcome Remarks: Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. Featured Speaker: Maria Celeste Arrarás, Al Rojo Vivo, Telemundo. Keynote Speaker: Rita Moreno, Actress and Entertainer.

1:30–3:00 p.m. WORKSHOP
Latinos and the ACA: Fighting for the Healthiest Generation
With full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nine million Latinos in the U.S. will be eligible for health coverage and opportunities for benefits through state and federal programs—how do we get them the information they need to get on the road to better health?
Opening Remarks: Karen Carter Peterson, Louisiana State Senator, District 5. Moderator: Vanessa Gonzalez-Plumhoff, Director of Latino Leadership and Engagement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Panelists: Teresa Niño, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Yvonne Gutierrez, Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Inc.; Alana Sutherland, Health Program Coordinator, League of United Latin American Citizens; Ashley Allison, J.D., M.Ed., Director of Constituency Engagement, Enroll America.

Monday, July 22
9:00–10:30 a.m. WORKSHOP
Avoiding Housing Discrimination in Immigration Reform
Room 227
Each year, more than four million incidents of housing discrimination occur nationally, and recent state and local legislation—which seeks to address immigration-related issues—may be putting Hispanic families at risk of increased levels of discrimination. Families impacted by federal immigration reform may be in transition, making it essential to learn more about the types of housing discrimination that Latinos could be subjected to. In addition, NCLR will release new fair housing testing data from three southern cities.
Moderator: Lindsay Daniels, Deputy Director of Housing and Wealth-Building Initiatives, NCLR. Panelists: Don Kahl, Executive Director, Equal Rights Center; James Perry, Executive Director, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center; Marlene Alfaro, Intake/Assessment/ Referral Counselor, Dalton-Whitfield Community Development Corporation.

3:00–4:30 p.m.
TOWN HALL
Immigration: The Moral, Economic, and Political Imperatives for Winning Reform
Immigration is a galvanizing issue for the nation’s Hispanics, 75% of whom are U.S. citizens. The toxic rhetoric on immigration has affected this community deeply, and that is why Latino voters last November generated a game-changing moment for this debate, creating an opportunity to arrive at a solution. Fair and effective immigration reform will not only benefit immigrants and America’s Hispanics, but is in the best social and economic interest of our country.
Moderator: Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. Panelists: Joe Trauger, Vice President, Human Resources Policy, National Association of Manufacturers; Hilary O. Shelton, Washington Bureau Director and Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy, NAACP; Julie Kitka, President, Alaska Federation of Natives; Ana Navarro, Republican Political Strategist.

Tuesday, July 23

10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. LUNCHEON
The Great Hall
Keynote Speaker: Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America. Featured Speaker: Sterling K. Speirn, President and CEO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Special Remarks: Mel Martinez, Chairman, Southeast and Latin America for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Military Tribute: Heroes & Heritage Award Presented by Fernando Rey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Heroes & Heritage.

8:00–10:30 p.m.
AWARDS GALA
New Orleans Marriott, Grand Ballroom
NCLR will present six awards in honor of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments, both in their fields and in service to the U.S. Hispanic community.
This year’s winners: NCLR Affiliate Southwest Key Programs, a nonprofit community organization based in Austin, Texas; Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA; Salvador Longoria, New Orleans attorney and community activist, as well as Founder and Board Chair of Puentes New Orleans, an NCLR Affiliate; Rocsi Díaz of Entertainment Tonight and Founder of the RocStar Foundation; Minnie Miñoso, baseball legend and former Chicago White Sox player; and Luis Ubiñas, President of the Ford Foundation.

These are just some highlights of the four exciting days of the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference in New Orleans! For more details, additional information about workshops, town halls and more, please contact the NCLR Communications Department at (202) 785-1670; you may reach us at the on-site Press Office July 19–23 at (504) 670-5602.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       Contact:
July 18, 2013                                                             Joseph Rendeiro
                                                                                (202) 776-1566
                                                                                jrendeiro@nclr.org

Community service providers cite a complex process and lack of information and resources as obstacles to prepare Latinos to enroll in January 2014

NEW ORLEANS—Today, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) announced the results of a survey of 135 community-based organizations and community health centers in 23 states that was developed to understand their practices and strategies for informing and helping Latino families enroll in public or subsidized health insurance under the ACA (Affordable Care Act).  In response to the survey, senior executives at these organizations reported that obstacles to successful implementation include a lack of knowledge about coverage options and eligibility, unfamiliarity with the complex enrollment process and the need for technical assistance and resources for community service providers to reach Hispanics with information and support.

The survey—conducted in partnership with JSI (JSI Research &Training Institute, Inc.), a nonprofit public health management consulting and research organization—is the first to examine what community-based organizations and community health centers are currently doing, and plan to do in the future, to reach Latinos as part of a national effort to help millions of uninsured Americans gain health coverage. 

Hispanics in the United States are disproportionately uninsured, with about 15.6 million lacking health coverage.  According to Rodolfo Vega of JSI, “the challenge is not only how to help Latino families enroll in health coverage, but how to stay enrolled during renewals and how to navigate the complex health care system.”  Jim Maxwell, his collaborator at JSI, elaborated, “many insured Latinos have never had coverage before the ACA so this whole process will be very unfamiliar to them.”

Survey results showed that the top three most prevalent methods of enrollment assistance currently being provided by Latino-serving CHCs (community health centers) and other CBOs (community-based organizations) are 1) notifying existing patients of their potential eligibility, 2) aiding eligible patients in filling out the paperwork and 3) assisting patients in completing enrollment forms in Spanish.  CHCs and CBOs play a critical role in reaching the most vulnerable and underserved among the Latino community.  These organizations are well-suited to reach Hispanics in ways that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and are trusted sources of information and services for enrollment, navigating care and reenrollment. 

Despite their outreach efforts to Latinos, the survey found that CBOs and CHCs face many barriers to effectively reaching Latinos and enrolling them in health care coverage.  Approximately 92% of CHCs and 84% of CBOs noted that their patients’ lack of awareness of eligibility was the primary barrier to successfully enrolling them in health care coverage.  The second barrier reported by 83% of CHCs and 78% of CBOs was that patients were not knowledgeable about the enrollment process.  Only 13% of CBOs and 25% of CHCs reported patients being extremely familiar with the application process.  Other barriers include a lack of information from the state about plans, rules and regulations; a shortage of bicultural, bilingual enrollment staff trained in the enrollment process; and—especially true for CBOs—insufficient funding for outreach and enrollment efforts. 

NCLR’s health experts concluded that current and future outreach and enrollment efforts are unlikely to meet the needs of Hispanics unless there is additional capacity-building work, funding for CBOs and more culturally appropriate information.

“Latinos are one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the United States, so their participation in the health exchanges and Medicaid expansion made possible by the Affordable Care Act is critical to national efforts to expand coverage to millions of Americans who are currently uninsured,” said Delia Pompa, Senior Vice President, Programs.  “It is important to all of us that community organizations and health centers have the information and resources they need because they have an essential role in informing Hispanics about the options available and helping them enroll in health insurance plans.”

The survey was conducted online with participation from health organizations in 23 states that belong to NCLR’s Affiliate Network of Hispanic-serving CBOs nationwide and CHCs in states with large Latino populations, including Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico.  Researchers examined how NCLR Affiliates provide assistance to patients in accessing and utilizing the health care system, the challenges their clients face in enrolling in coverage, the challenges the organizations face in providing these services and additional resources they need, as well as outreach and enrollment experience among survey participants.  Of the organizations surveyed, 96 are located in states that will expand Medicaid and 34 are located in states that will not expand Medicaid.

The results were unveiled at the national Health Summit, hosted by NCLR's IHH (Institute for Hispanic Health) with contributions from Eli Lilly, on July 18–19, 2013, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  The IHH Health Summit precedes the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference, which runs July 20–23 and is being held in New Orleans for the first time.

NCLR’s IHH Health Summit attracts nearly 200 participants; this year’s focus is educating participants on the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act and how immigration reform may play a role.  IHH partners with NCLR Affiliates, government partners, private funders and other organizations to deliver quality health interventions that improve Latinos’ access to and use of culturally competent and linguistically appropriate health and disease prevention programs.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Follow the conversation about the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference on Twitter using #LatinoHealth #NCLR13.

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA                             Contacto:
18 de julio, 2013                                                          Camila Gallardo
                                                                                       (305) 215-4259
                                                                                       cgallardo@nclr.org

Los proveedores de servicios comunitarios citan como obstáculo un complejo proceso y una falta de información y recursos para preparar a los latinos a inscribirse en enero 2014

NEW ORLEANS—Hoy, el NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza por sus siglas en inglés) anunció los resultados de una encuesta sometida a 135 organizaciones comunitarias y centros de salud en 23 estados, que tenía como propósito entender su trabajo y estrategias para informar y ayudar a las familias latinas a inscribirse en el seguro de salud bajo la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible (ACA, por sus siglas en inglés). En respuesta a la encuesta, los ejecutivos de estas organizaciones reportaron que entre los obstáculos que evitan una implementación exitosa están: la falta de conocimiento de las opciones de cobertura y elegibilidad; el desconocimiento del complejo proceso de inscripción; y la necesidad de asistencia técnica y recursos de los proveedores de servicios comunitarios para llegar a los hispanos con información y apoyo.

La encuesta—realizada en colaboración con JSI (JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.), una organización no lucrativa de investigación y consultoría para la administración de la salud pública—es la primera que examina lo que están haciendo actualmente las organizaciones comunitarias y los centros de salud, y lo que planean hacer en un futuro, para llegar a los latinos como parte del esfuerzo a nivel nacional para ayudar a millones de estadounidenses sin seguro a obtener un plan de cobertura de salud.
 
Los hispanos en Estados Unidos carecen de seguro médico en números desproporcionados cuando comparado a la población general. Aproximadamente 15.6 millones están falta de cobertura de salud.  Según Rodolfo Vega de JSI, “el reto no es solamente cómo ayudar a las familias latinas a inscribirse en la cobertura de salud, sino cómo mantenerse inscritos durante las renovaciones y cómo navegar por el complejo sistema de cuidado de salud”.  Jim Maxwell, su colaborador de JSI, añadió, “muchos latinos sin seguro nunca han tenido cobertura  y todo este proceso es desconocido para ellos”.

Los resultados de la encuesta mostraron que los tres principales métodos que utilizan más frecuentemente los centros de salud comunitarios (CHCs, por sus siglas en inglés) y otras organizaciones comunitarias (CBOs, por sus siglas en inglés) que atienden a los latinos son: 1) notificar a los pacientes existentes de su posible elegibilidad; 2) ayudar a los pacientes elegibles a llenar las planillas; y 3) asistir a los pacientes para completar los formularios de inscripción en español. Los CHCs y las CBOs juegan un papel crítico para llegar a los más vulnerables y desfavorecidos de la comunidad latina.  Estas organizaciones son ideales para llegar a los hispanos de manera cultural y lingüísticamente apropiada, y también son fuentes fidedignas de información y servicio para la inscripción y reinscripción, así como para navegar por el sistema de cuidado de salud.

A pesar de sus esfuerzos para llegar a los latinos, la encuesta encontró que las CBOs y los CHCs enfrentan muchos obstáculos para llegar a estos de manera efectiva e inscribirlos en un plan de cobertura de salud.

Aproximadamente un 92% de los CHCs y un 84% de las CBOs se percataron que la falta de concienciación de sus pacientes era el principal obstáculo para inscribirlos en un plan de cobertura de salud.  El segundo obstáculo reportado por el 83% de los CHCs y 78% de las CBOs fue que los pacientes no tenían conocimiento del proceso de inscripción. Solamente el 13% de las CBOs y el 25% de los CHCs reportaron pacientes extremadamente familiarizados con el proceso de solicitud.  Entre otros obstáculos se encontraron la falta de información por parte del estado sobre los planes, reglas y regulaciones; una escasez de personal bicultural y bilingüe capacitado en el proceso de inscripción; y fondos insuficientes, principalmente en las CBOs, para los esfuerzos de alcance e inscripción.
Los expertos en salud del NCLR concluyeron que no es probable que los esfuerzos actuales y futuros de alcance e inscripción sean suficientes para cumplir con las necesidades de los hispanos, a menos de que se hagan esfuerzos adicionales para la creación de capacidad, financiación de las organizaciones comunitarias y desarrollo de más información culturalmente apropiada.

“Los latinos son una de las poblaciones más jóvenes y de más rápido crecimiento en los Estados Unidos, por lo tanto, su participación en los intercambios de seguro de salud y la extensión de Medicaid gracias a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible es crítica para los esfuerzos a nivel nacional de extender la cobertura a millones de estadounidenses que actualmente no tienen seguro”, dijo Delia Pompa, vicepresidenta de programas. “Es importante para todos que las organizaciones comunitarias y los centros de salud tengan la información y los recursos que necesitan porque su participación es esencial para informar a los hispanos sobre las opciones disponibles y ayudarlos a inscribirse en los planes de seguro médico”.

La encuesta fue realizada en línea con la participación de organizaciones de salud de 23 estados que pertenecen a la Red de Afiliados del NCLR de organizaciones comunitarias a nivel nacional que dan servicio a los hispanos y centros de salud de estados con una gran población latina, tales como Arizona, California, Colorado y New Mexico.  Los investigadores examinaron cómo los afiliados del NCLR proporcionan asistencia a los pacientes para acceder y utilizar el sistema de cuidado de salud, los problemas que enfrentan sus clientes para inscribirse en un plan de cobertura, los retos que las organizaciones enfrentan para proveer estos servicios y los recursos adicionales que necesitan, así como el alcance y las experiencias con la inscripción entre los participantes de la encuesta.  De las organizaciones encuestadas, 96 se encuentran ubicadas en estados que ampliarán el Medicaid y 34 en estados que no lo ampliarán.

Los resultados se dieron a conocer en la Cumbre de Salud, organizada por el Instituto para la Salud Hispana (IHH, por sus siglas en inglés) del NCLR con contribuciones de Eli Lilly, el 18 y 19 de julio en el Centro de Convenciones Ernest N. Morial.  La Cumbre de Salud de IHH precede a la Conferencia Anual 2013 del NCLR que tiene lugar del 20 al 23 de julio por primera vez en New Orleans.

La Cumbre de Salud de IHH del NCLR atrae a casi 200 participantes; el enfoque de este año es educar a los participantes en la implementación continua de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible y cómo la reforma de inmigración puede desempeñar un papel. IHH se asocia con afiliados del NCLR, organismos del gobierno, financiadores privados y otras organizaciones para proporcionar a los latinos servicios de cuidado de salud de calidad que mejoren su acceso y uso de programas de salud y prevención de enfermedades cultural y lingüísticamente apropiados.

El NCLR (Consejo Nacional de La Raza) es la organización nacional más grande de apoyo y defensa de los derechos civiles de los hispanos en los Estados Unidos y trabaja para mejorar sus oportunidades. Para más información sobre el NCLR, por favor visite www.nclr.org o síganos en Facebook y Twitter. Siga los eventos en Twitter en #LatinoHealth y #NCLR13.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org

In a 54 to 46 vote today, the Senate confirmed Thomas E. Perez as the next Secretary of Labor. Perez, who previously served as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, is currently the only Latino in the president’s second-term cabinet and the first-ever Dominican American to serve in a presidential cabinet.

“Today’s decision to confirm Tom Perez as the next Secretary of Labor is a critical victory for hardworking families across this nation,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza). “Perez’s decades of service as an elected and appointed official have shown him to be a staunch supporter of workers’ rights with the keen ability to build consensus among stakeholders. We are confident that Perez has the unique expertise and leadership experience to successfully oversee the work of the Department of Labor, which is especially important for struggling Latinos who face high levels of unemployment.”

During his time at the Civil Rights Division, Perez defended military families and victims of hate crimes, prioritized the enforcement of civil rights statutes such as the National Voting Rights Act, Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act and settled three of the largest lending cases in the Fair Housing Act’s history. He previously worked at the Maryland Department of Labor, where he helped struggling families avoid foreclosure and revamped the state’s adult education system.

“We should note that the process to confirm a qualified candidate like Perez should not have taken nearly as long as it did and that, despite his stellar track record, Perez was subject to a number of unfair attacks on his reputation and career, which unjustifiably delayed this process. We are pleased that the Senate ultimately saw beyond this baseless criticism and made the right choice for the American people,” added Murguía.

“Tom Perez has demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting our civil rights and building opportunity for all Americans. In fact, millions of Hispanics across this country have been directly impacted by his work,” concluded Murguía. “We thank the Senate for, at long last, confirming Mr. Perez and we encourage President Obama to continue adding strong, diverse candidates to his cabinet.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Camila Gallardo
(305) 573-7329/(305) 215-4259
cgallardo@nclr.org
NCLR Conference Press Office
(504) 670-5602

NCLR President and CEO to be joined by Director of White House Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Muñoz, Actress and Activist Eva Longoria and other distinguished speakers

On Saturday, July 20, 2013, NCLR (National Council of La Raza) will host the town hall "Beyond Immigration Reform: How Education is the Catalyst for Integration" during its 2013 Annual Conference held in New Orleans. As the nation awaits passage of a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will provide the opportunity to legalize millions of immigrants currently the country, no institution will have the same place in history or have the same kind of impact on immigrant families as schools will have. This town hall brings together researchers, government officials and thought leaders to discuss the implications of immigration reform for the entire education system from preschool through college. Community members are invited to attend the town hall free of charge and will have an opportunity to interact, share impressions and concerns, and ask questions.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO:

Moderator: José Díaz-Balart, News Anchor, Noticiero Telemundo
Panelists:   Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO
                      Dr. Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, Dean, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
                      Reyna Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent, Center for Language and Early Child Development, Illinois State Board of Education
                      Cecilia Muñoz, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council
                      Eva Longoria, Actress, Activist, and Philanthropist
                      Emilio Vicente, DREAMer
                      Gina Pupo Walker, Executive Director of Family and Community Partnerships, Metro Nashville Public Schools
                            and Board Member of Conexión Americas

WHAT:          TOWN HALL—"Beyond Immigration Reform: How Education is the Catalyst for Integration"
                      Exclusive Sponsor, Comcast/NBCUniversal/Telemundo

WHEN:          Saturday, July 20, 2013, 3:00–4:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE:        Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
                      Riverside Rooms R02–R04
                      900 Convention Center Boulevard
                      New Orleans, LA 70130

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PARA DIVULGACIÓN INMEDIATA

Contacto:
Camila Gallardo
(305)573-7329/(305)215-4259
cgallardo@nclr.org
NCLR Oficina de Prensa en la Conferencia
(504) 670-5602

El lunes, 22 de julio del 2013, durante la Conferencia Anual del NCLR 2013 en New Orleans, el Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Centro de Igualdad de Derechos darán a conocer un nuevo estudio sobre el tratamiento discriminatorio de viviendas en el taller titulado "Cerrando Puertas: Retos en la Vivienda para los Hispanos". Cada año a nivel nacional se detectan más de cuatro millones de casos de tratamiento discriminatorio de viviendas y la reciente legislación estatal y local que trata de abordar cuestiones relacionadas con la inmigración pueden poner a las familias hispanas en un riesgo adicional.

Bajo encargo del NCLR, la investigación que realizó el Centro de Igualdad de Derechos trató de investigar el grado diferencial o trato desfavorable de los posibles clientes y compradores latinos de viviendas en tres ciudades del sur, mediante la aplicación de una metodología de comparación de datos entre hispanos y no hispanos. Para lograr el resultado del estudio se utilizaron diferentes escenarios con personas blancas, virtualmente teniendo idénticos perfiles a los hispanos, para que interactuaran con representantes de empresas inmobiliarias.

Un panel de expertos en vivienda, que incluye a James Perry, Director Ejecutivo del Greater New Orleans Fair Action Center y Don Kahl, Director Ejecutivo del Egual Rights Center, abordarán el importante tema sobre la intersección de las leyes sobre viviendas justas y la discriminación contra los inmigrantes. Ellos compartirán el análisis del estudio sobre la discriminación resaltando los aspectos críticos de las leyes federales sobre la vivienda justa y proporcionar a los participantes de la comunidad las herramientas importantes para presentar, cuando sea necesario, demandas por tratamiento discriminatorio.

AVISO DE PRENSA

QUÉ:               Taller: "Puertas Cerradas: Retos en la Vivienda para los Hispanos".

QUIENES:

Moderadora: Lindsay Daniels, Directora Asociada sobre Iniciativas de Creación de Riquezas y Viviendas, NCLR
                         Don Kahl, Director Ejecutivo del Equal Rights Center
                         James Perry, Director Ejecutivo, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
                         Marlene Alfaro, Consejera de Intake/Assessment/Referral, Dalton-Whitfield
                             Community Development Corporation

CUÁNDO:       Lunes, 22 de julio de 2013
                        9:00 a.m. a 10:30 a.m.

DÓNDE:          Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
                         Room 227
                         900 Convention Center Blvd.
                         New Orleans, LA 70130

Todos los talleres son gratuitos y están abiertos a los medios de comunicación. Para obtener más información o para responder a esta invitación, póngase en contacto con Camila Gallardo, Directora Adjunta de Comunicaciones al teléfono (305) 215-4259 y a partir del 19 de julio en el Salón de Prensa de la Conferencia Anual de NCLR 2013 en el teléfono: (504)670-5602.

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