Giuliani to Address The Latino Coalitions 2007 Small Business Economic Summit

“The Board of Directors of The Latino Coalition announced today that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be a keynote speaker at the 2007 Small Business Economic Summit to be held at the Four Season’s Hotel in Washington, D.C. on May 1-2, 2007.

“We are honored that Mayor Giuliani will address Latino business and community leaders from across the country at this summit,” said TLC Chairman Hector Barreto. “As Mayor, Rudy Giuliani received strong support among Latinos due to his leadership in growing the economy in New York City and resurrecting the inner city neighborhoods where many Latino families reside. Sharing his ideas about the future with the attendees in a town-hall format will help open up a serious national discussion on the issues affecting Latinos in our overall economy.”

Also, Angela Braly, the incoming President and CEO of Wellpoint, Inc., the nation’s largest health insurance company, confirmed her address to this economic summit. “The uninsured levels among U.S. Latinos are three times higher than the rest of the population, making this one of the most important issues affecting our community,” said TLC President Robert Deposada. “Having the nation’s largest health insurance company participate in a town-hall meeting format will help our members and attendees understand the problems with the system and share potential solutions to this crisis.”

Addressing the issue of comprehensive immigration reform is one of the top priorities of the Latino business community. Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), a leader in Congress on this critical issue, has also confirmed his participation. “Representative Gutierrez has been one of the most responsible and common-sense voices in Congress seeking immigration reform,” Deposada added. “Luis has pushed aside partisan extremists in order to seek common ground and legislative language that can pass Congress and be signed by the President, in order to help solve this crisis. We are very excited to count on his participation.”

Giuliani is the first of several of the major presidential candidates who are expected to address this conference. Other invited guests to the Summit include President George W. Bush, U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barrack Obama, and Governor Bill Richardson, among other corporate leaders and elected and appointed officials.

Contact: Martha Lozada, 202-546-0008

Latino Coalition”

• Hispanic lawmakers say an old adversary, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, has his fingerprints all over a push to prohibit illegal immigrants from buying health insurance plans in a new market for people who don’t get insurance through their employers.
• Immigration Reform: The Phone Call Heard Around the Country – On the call were Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y.; and Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz. Immigrant rights advocates from various parts of the country also spoke.
• In Virtual Town Hall with Immigration Reform Activists, Gutierrez Promises Bill By December
• Obama answers top Cuban blogger – Yoani Sanchez
• Why do Hispanics Lack Life Insurance?
• More Than 60,000 Americans in 45 States Organize for Immigration Reform
• The purchasing power of Hispanics is growing at a rate nearly 3 times as fast as that of the general population in Arizona and nationwide, said an Arizona State University business expert who has studied the market for 14 years.
• Latino population growth adds to House seats – 6 states expected to gain congressional slots due to surge in Hispanic numbers
• Eleventh-hour criticism is arising over President Obama’s nomination for United States attorney in northern Iowa of a prosecutor who had a leading role in the criminal cases against hundreds of illegal immigrants arrested in a May 2008 raid at a meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa. – Stephanie Rose
• Latinos make up a combined 77% of the population growth in the eleven states projected to lose a House seat – would have fared worse had Latinos not moved there in record numbers
• After the 2010 Census, new Members of Congress in states like Georgia and South Carolina as well as Arizona and Texas will owe their positions, in part, to the expanding Latino population.
• ASU, ALRE release major study on Arizona’s Latino population – (direct link to report & powerpoint)
• Hispanic Organizations Unite To Address Major Problems with Health Care Legislation – Ten national Hispanic groups sent a joint letter to Congress about the devastating impact of the health care legislation on Hispanic small businesses, seniors and families.
• Think you’re obsessed with President Barack Obama and the many challenges he faces at home and abroad? – Well, you’re not alone. – Fidel Castro appears to have a fascination with the American leader that would make Obama Girl jealous, writing obsessively not only about his politics, but of his youth and vigor.
• Initially waved off, Hispanic advocates jump into health debate – Effort centers on ensuring reform doesn’t shortchange immigrants
• Health Net of California Expands Pioneering Cross-Border Health Plan into San Diego County – Health Net de California ofrecera un programa de salud fronterizo en el Condado de San Diego
• Poll: 41 percent say Obama has not improved race relations
• House Passes Landmark Health Care Reform Bill That Leaves Intact Provisions Increasing Immigrants’ Access to Health Insurance
• Hispanic population growing in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Like California’s 30 years ago, Oregon’s growing Latino population is reaching a tipping point: A critical mass of Latino professionals is starting to organize and influence state and local politics. – dubbed Latino Agenda for Action