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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2006

Media Contact:
D
aniel Díaz
 (202) 548-5876
ddiaz@chci.org

Rebecca Dreilinger
(202) 543-5413
rdreilinger@chci.org


 

Nation’s Most Prestigious Hispanic Heritage Month Events to Celebrate “Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy”

Members of Congress and Hispanic Luminaries to Lead
Over 25 CHCI Panel Discussions and Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premier Hispanic youth leadership development and educational organization, announced “Celebrating Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy,” as this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, commemorating three anniversary milestones: the 25th Public Policy Fellowship; 20th Congressional Internship and 5th Annual Scholarship Awards.

CHCI’s 2006 Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy Night, and 29th Annual Gala will be held in Washington, D.C., from October 2 – 4. Note to editors: For details, see “schedule” at end of press release or visit www.chci.org.

“The week of October 1, is the week to be in Washington, D.C.,” said CHCI President and CEO, Esther Aguilera. “This year’s events will be the most attended yet, celebrating significant milestones and gathering the nation’s top elected officials and Hispanic luminaries to achieve a common goal: help develop the next generation of Latino leaders – Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy.”

CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month events are the organization’s primary annual fundraisers, benefiting its nationally recognized leadership development programs and educational services.

“Over the last 25 years, CHCI has played a critical role in empowering Hispanic youth with opportunities to grow and gain valuable experience about our nation’s policy making process.”

“As young Hispanics begin their careers, we empower them to assume critical leadership roles in State, Local and Federal Government, Corporate America, and their respective communities,” added Aguilera.

Kicking off CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month events, is the Public Policy Conference, to be held this year at the Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, October 2 and 3. The conference includes timely policy panel discussions, lead by Hispanic Members of Congress, on immigration, labor and capital markets to events honoring veterans, Latina leaders and other Hispanic luminaries.

CHCI’s signature comedy event, Reyes of Comedy Night, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3 at the Washington Warner Theater. The evening promises to be an unforgettable evening of laughter as Hispanic comedians take the stage of the historic Warner Theater for two non-stop hours. In the past, Reyes of Comedy Night has featured comedians such as Carlos Mencia of Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia.

Closing the week is CHCI’s 29th Annual Gala, taking place Wednesday, October 4 at the Washington Convention Center. More than 2,000 guests will help honor prominent Hispanics for their excellence in and dedication to leadership, community service, and unparalleled contributions to this great nation.

CHCI Hispanic Heritage Month Detailed Schedule:

Monday, October 2, 2006
Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel


7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.
Opening Breakfast: “Celebrating Labor Leadership”
Hon. Ed Pastor - Moderator

8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Opening Plenary: “State of Hispanic America: A Demographic Overview”
José Díaz-Balart, Telemundo - Moderator*
Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano - Panel Chair

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Summit Panels – Lead by Members of Congress

  • Education I - Hon. Rubén Hinojosa
  • Banking & Finance - Hon. Loretta Sanchez
  • Civil Rights - Hon. Charlie Gonzalez
  • Livable Communities - Hon. Raúl Grijalva
  • Health I - Hon. Hilda Solis
  • Mental Health - Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano
  • Housing - Hon. Nydia Velasquez

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Opening Lunch: Capital Markets & Wealth Creation
Hon. Loretta Sánchez - Moderator*

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
General Session: “State of Latino Youth: Struggling at
the Margins”

4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Latina Leaders Celebration
Hon. Hilda Solis - Moderator

6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception: “Alumni Reunion”

Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel


7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Closing Continental Breakfast: “Salute to Hispanic Veterans”
Hon. John Salazar – Moderator

8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Closing Plenary: “Town Hall on Immigration”
María Elena Salinas, Univisión’s National News Anchor - Moderator*
Hon. Luis Gutierrez – Panel Chair

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Summit Panels – Lead by Members of Congress

  • Health II - Hon. Hilda Solis
  • Technology, Communications & the Arts - Hon. Xavier Becerra
  • Labor - Hon. Ed Pastor
  • Education II - Hon. Rubén Hinojosa
  • International Relations - Hon. Silvestre Reyes
  • Small Business - Hon. Nydia Velasquez
  • Corporate America - Hon. Joe Baca

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Emerging Leaders’ Series

12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Emerging Leaders’ Series Keynote Lunch

12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Closing Lunch with Senatorial Leaders
Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano

2:00 pm. - 4:30 pm
Emerging Leaders’ Series - Issues Campaign Training

8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Reyes of Comedy - Washington Warner Theater

Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Washington, D.C. Convention Center

5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
29th Annual Gala Reception

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
29th Annual Gala

10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
After Dinner Dessert Reception

* Invited.

About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit www.chci.org.
 

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