WASHINGTON, June 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has confirmed top leadership from Washington will be present at its 83rd annual National Convention to discuss this year's theme, America's Latino Community - Center Stage. The convention will take place June 25 through June 30, 2012, at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center.
Among the dignitaries who will speak at the convention are the nation's Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden. She will be the honored guest speaker at a Community Service Breakfast on Thursday 28. The same day, Attorney General Eric Holder will be a keynote at the Unity Luncheon along with George Sheldon, Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
The following day, returning for her second year in a row to speak at the LULAC convention, is Secretary Hilda Solis of the Department of Labor.
"We are bringing a very diverse and respected group of dignitaries and leaders to Orlando," stated LULAC Executive Director, Brent Wilkes. "Central Florida is home to more than half a million Latinos—one of the fastest growing Hispanic communities in the country. Florida's Latino population is the third largest in the nation and this diverse Latino community is re-defining the social, political and cultural landscape of the I-4 corridor and it creates the ideal setting for the LULAC National Convention."
This year's convention will feature LULAC's unprecedented voter registration and mobilization campaign that encompasses an on-the-ground grassroots effort to engage thousands of volunteers located in over 25 states and 40 cities. As part of these efforts, LULAC will be hosting a town hall on the Latino vote moderated by Homan Machuca, senior reporter for Telenoticias Orlando and contributor to the Election 2012 team on holaciudad.com.
As an organization with a large membership in Puerto Rico and a large number of members here in the mainland U.S. that trace their roots back to the island, LULAC is hosting a town hall on the future of Puerto Rico for the second year in a row and will be joined by distinguished guests from the White House, Michael Strautmanis, Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement to the Senior Advisor and James Albino of the Domestic Policy Council. Other members from the President's Task Force on the Status of Puerto Rico will also join LULAC at the convention.
Other confirmed speakers are Congressman Daniel Webster, Senator Bill Nelson, Liz Montoya, U.S. Office of Personnel Management; Lisa Pino, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture and John U. Sepulveda, Assistant Secretary, Department of Veteran Affairs each of whom will participate on Tuesday. Leon Rodriguez, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Health & Human Services; Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services; Wade Henderson, President & CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will be among the featured presenters on Wednesday.
"As the nation's premier Latino gathering, our convention attracts more than 20,000 participants for a week filled with renowned speakers, seminars, and entertainment," added Wilkes.
The 2012 LULAC Expo will feature 300 corporate partners, government agencies, colleges and universities, labor unions, armed forces, and non-profit organizations displaying their products and services while recruiting Latino employees at the LULAC Career Fair. Other events that are free and open to the public include a health fair offering free screenings, and the Concierto de la Gente, featuring Tito Nieves and Jesse & Joy, among others.
In addition, the LULAC Convention hosts the Federal Training Institute – an intensive and structured career development program open to all government employees. This year the FTI will also host concurrent community briefings/workshops for job seekers looking for opportunities in the Federal Government. The community workshops are free of charge and are open to all Veterans and the Orlando Metropolitan area community.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12386