Key Latino Leaders Meet to Form Policy Agenda for California
Policy recommendations presented to Gubernatorial Candidates

To download the Latino Summit brochure, click here.

Los Angeles, CA - Key Latino leaders and organizations will meet throughout the state to form a Policy Agenda for California. The statewide Latino Summit in Los Angeles will mark the historic formation of a coalition of multiple Latino organizations. The coalition of organizations will present a Latino Policy Agenda on which the Latino community can assess the platforms of California gubernatorial candidates.

"It is time that key Latino leaders and organizations throughout the state unify around a process that leads to a consensus Latino Agenda for California. This agenda will be used to inform the election and legislative processes, and lead to advocacy on meaningful legislation and commitments from candidates for state offices", stated Antonio Gonzalez, President of the William C. Velásquez Institute.

Regional summits will be held in San Diego on Saturday, August 17, 2002 from 1-6pm at the Holiday Inn Embarcadero; in San Jose on Saturday, August 24, 2002 from 1-6pm at the San Jose Hyatt Hotel; and finally, in Fresno on Saturday, September 7, 2002 from 9am-2pm at the Ramada Inn University and in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 21, 2002 from 9 am- 2 pm at the Bonaventure Hotel where local and statewide policy proposals will be presented. Over 10,000 members from the community have been invited to attend. The goal is to build intellectual agreement that builds toward a statewide Latino Summit. The paramount goal will be to inform the public debate regarding the November 2002 elections. Candidates for Governor in California will be invited to receive and respond to the Statewide Latino Agenda for California on Saturday, October 12, 2002 at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

"It's extremely important for us to formulate a statewide agenda for Latinos," said Maria Blanco, National Senior Counsel and Director of MALDEF's Sacramento Public Policy office. "We need to bring Latino issues to the forefront of all legislators' minds when it comes to the state's role in areas of critical importance to all Californians."

The coalition, that consists of key Latino leaders and organizations includes Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE); the Latino Issues Forum (LIF); La Raza Lawyers Association (LRLA); the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF); and the William C. Velásquez Institute (WCVI).

"Latinos need to be at the forefront of the policy reform agenda since many of California's challenges disproportionately impact Latino communities. We need to channel our passion, energy and frustration with the current political environment and design the policy solutions that will benefit Latinos and all Californians", stated Luis Arteaga, Associate Director, Latino Issues Forum.

The Latino Agenda will consist of issues important to the Latino community including public education, election reform, health care reform, affordable housing, sentencing reform, and environmental justice.

"HOPE, as a coalition member, is excited about the prospect of developing a statewide Latino Agenda that reflects the views, opinions, and needs of not only the Latino community, but the Latina community as well. When the "sleeping giant" awoke, politicians became aware of the Latino voting impact, but have only rhetorically addressed the needs of the community. The policy agenda will provide a tangible document with a variety of purposes: to inform our elected officials, provide a measurable benchmark, and hold elected officials accountable. This is a landmark achievement, HOPE is pleased to be at the table," stated Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros, HOPE President.

"The under-representation of Latinos among our elected officials, judges and other professionals is appallingly low when compared to our overall population in the state," said Christopher Arriola, President of the California La Raza Lawyers Association. "Until we unite the various parts of our community and demand changes, either through policy makers or the voting booth, we will not be able to achieve the equality of opportunity we so desperately seek in this great country."