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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
February 26, 2015 Julian Teixeira
(202) 776-1812
jteixeira@nclr.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 28th annual NCLR (National Council of La Raza) Capital Awards gala, which recognizes elected officials who promote legislation and public policies that benefit Hispanic Americans, will honor Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.) for his work to reform the nation’s juvenile justice system.
This year, Sen. Booker is expected to reintroduce bipartisan legislation, the “REDEEM Act,” which will help end the school-to-prison pipeline for young Latinos and give nonviolent criminals a better chance to find employment after they have served their sentences. NCLR has long fought at both the national and state levels to overhaul outdated “tough-on-crime” policies that have led to a disproportionate number of Latino youth being ensnared in the juvenile justice system. The organization is proud to recognize the efforts of Sen. Booker to work across party lines to find a commonsense solution.
NCLR will also honor Frank Sharry, Founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice, with the NCLR Capital Award for Public Service. Under Sharry’s leadership, America’s Voice has spearheaded advocacy efforts to push for comprehensive immigration reform and administrative action from the president, often working hand-in-hand with NCLR. Sharry has been a critical ally in this debate and a champion for all American families threatened by deportation.
More than 750 corporate, legislative and community leaders will be in attendance as NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía presents the awards to the 2015 recipients.
Erika Gonzalez, Consumer Reporter/Anchor for NBC4 Washington, will serve as master of ceremonies at the event. Hyundai Motor America and Wells Fargo are event co-chairs. Additional sponsorship is provided by BP America Inc., Univision Communications Inc. and UPS as vice chairs, along with Bank of America, Comcast/NBCUniversal/Telemundo, Ford Motor Company and PepsiCo, Inc., among others. Last year’s award recipients included the Senate “Gang of Eight” and Fast for Families.
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR
Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.)
Frank Sharry, Founder and Executive Director, America’s Voice
WHAT: 2015 NCLR Capital Awards Gala
WHEN: Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
WHERE: National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
To attend and cover, please contact Julian Teixeira, Director of Communications, at jteixeira@nclr.org or (202) 776-1812.
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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