U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Disavows McCain-Palin Press Release

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the national representative for approximately 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses, today disavowed a press release issued on October 8 by the McCain-Palin campaign claiming that a majority of the Board of Directors of the USHCC endorsed Senator McCain as candidate for President of the United States. The press release erroneously suggested that the USHCC itself endorsed Senator McCain. The press release was not authorized by the USHCC nor by all of the individuals cited in the release.

“Let it be clear that the USHCC has made no endorsements of political candidates and our board has not taken a position to endorse any candidate,” stated David C. Lizarraga, Chairman of the USHCC Board of Directors.

“As a matter of fairness, we wrote to the McCain-Palin campaign on October 8 urging a retraction. In lieu of such a retraction, we felt the need to publicly disavow their release to avoid any misunderstanding,” said Lizarraga.

“The USHCC is a non-partisan organization. The only things we endorse are public policy issues affecting the Hispanic business community,” stated Augustine Martinez, President and CEO of the USHCC.”

The USHCC has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with both Senators McCain and Obama. Whoever becomes president following the November elections will have our full cooperation in order to ensure that the views of the Hispanic business community are well represented at the policy table,” added Lizarraga.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of approximately 2.5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate almost $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay. “

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