Members of Congress, U.S. Senators Headline CHCI Public Policy Conference

Emmy Winner America Ferrera of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” also to Appear

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced details of its 2007 Public Policy Conference, part of its 30th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Month events. Hispanic Members of Congress and prominent Latino experts and national leaders will participate in more than 30 separate events taking place on September 30 – October 3, 2007, at the Washington DC, Convention Center, under the theme Hispanic America: A Legacy of Honor.

“This year we honor the accomplishments and contributions of Latinos to the fabric of our nation,” said Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43), CHCI Chairman. “Latinos have a rich history in this country and America’s future legacy will be greatly affected by the success and achievements of the growing Latino community.”

Members of Congress will lead discussions on various issues of importance to Latinos, including summits and plenary sessions on education, business, civil rights, health, housing, immigration, labor and technology. The following is the Summit schedule:

Monday, October 1, 2007 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Banking & Finance – Cong. Loretta Sanchez (CA)
Corporate America – Cong. Joe Baca (CA)
Education A – Cong. Rubén Hinojosa (TX)
Health A – Cong. Hilda Solis (CA)
Mental Health – Cong. Grace Napolitano (CA)
Workforce – Cong. Ed Pastor (AZ)

Tuesday, October 2, 2007 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Civil Rights – Cong. Charles Gonzalez (TX)
Econ. Dev. & Housing – Cong. Albio Sires (NJ)
Education B – Cong. Rubén Hinojosa (TX)
International Relations – Cong. Henry Cuellar (TX)
Technology – Cong. Joe Baca (CA)
Veterans – Cong. Ciro Rodriguez (TX)

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Ken Salazar (CO) headline the Opening Lunch on October 1. Other key events that day include a Labor Breakfast honoring Linda Chavez-Thompson, the Opening Plenary honoring Latina women in Congress, and a General Session on education with Cong. Baca and Hinojosa. Monday evening features a special performance by the East LA Classic Theater.

Tuesday’s highlights include the Closing Plenary on immigration with Cong. Luís Gutierrez (IL), a Salute to Veterans with Cong. Solomon Ortiz (TX), Silvestre Reyes (TX), John Salazar (CO) and others, and the Latina Leaders Celebration with Cong. Hilda Solis and honoring several prominent Latinas, including America Ferrera of ABC’s hit series Ugly Betty and Gloria Molina, LA County Supervisor.

CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events also include Reyes of Comedy night, featuring Carlos Mencia on Tuesday evening, and the Presidential Candidates Forum and 30th Annual Gala on Wednesday, October 3, 2007.

The 2007 Public Policy Conference is proudly hosted by Citigroup and benefits CHCI’s nationally recognized youth leadership development programs. For a complete agenda and more information, please go to www.chci.org, or call 202-543-1771.

CHCI Hispanic Heritage Month Schedule of Events:

Sunday, September 30, 2007

CHCI Welcome Reception Honoring House Congressional Committee Leaders:
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Location: 101 Constitution Ave, Rooftop

Guest Performance: Ms. Jennifer Baca

Monday, October 1, 2007

CHCI Public Policy Conference
Washington, DC Convention Center

7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Opening Breakfast: “Celebration of Labor Leadership – Honoring Linda Chavez-Thompson”

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Ready to Lead MONDAY (high school youth) – Session A

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Opening Plenary: “Paving the Way:
Hispanic Women of Congress”

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Summits
BANKING & FINANCE – Hon. Loretta Sanchez
CORPORATE AMERICA – Hon. Joe Baca
EDUCATION A – Hon. Rubén Hinojosa
HEALTH A – Hon. Hilda Solis
MENTAL HEALTH – Hon. Grace F. Napolitano
WORKFORCE – Hon. Ed Pastor

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Opening Lunch: “Lunch with Hispanic Senators”
Hon. Robert Menendez (NJ
Hon. Ken Salazar (CO)

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Ready to Lead MONDAY (high school youth) – Session B

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall OPEN

3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. General Session: “Leading Practices: Latinos Achieving in Education”

5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m Public Policy Conference Reception
Featuring Tony Plana and the East LA Classic Theater
5:30 p.m. Transportation Begins to off-site Reception
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. East L.A. Classic Theater
Performances from: “Romeo & Juliet”
& “Much Ado About Nothing”

CHCI Alumni Association Fundraiser
10:00 p.m. Location: IdeBlue, 707 G Street, NW
*held by CHCI Alumni Association

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

CHCI Public Policy Conference
Washington, DC Convention Center

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Expo / Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Ready to Lead (high school youth) - Session A

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Summits
CIVIL RIGHTS – Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Hon. Albio Sires
EDUCATION B – Hon. Rubén Hinojosa
HEALTH B – Hon. Hilda Solis
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – Hon. Henry Cuellar
TECHNOLOGY – Hon. Joe Baca
VETERANS – Hon. Ciro Rodriguez

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Closing Plenary: “Achieving Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Where Do We Go From Here?”

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Ready to Lead (high school youth) - Session B

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Salute to Veterans: “Latino Veterans In Their Own Words”

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ready to Lead (high school youth) – Keynote Lunch

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Closing Lunch: “Latinos behind the Camera”

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Ready to Lead (high school youth) – Session C

2:00 p.m. –3:30 p.m. Latina Leaders Celebration
Hon. Hilda Solis (CA-32)
America Ferrera of ABC’s Ugly Betty
Gloria Molina, LA County Supervisor

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Reyes of Comedy Night
Warner Theater
Featuring Carlos Mencia, Cheech Marin, Lisa Alvarado, Alex Reymundo and Kiki Melendez

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Alumni Breakfast
Washington Convention Center – RM 201A

9:00 a.m. – 11:00a.m. “Presidential Candidates Forum”
Washington Convention Center - RM 146ABC

5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. 30th Annual Gala
Washington, DC Convention Center