CHCI Announces its 35th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Month Events
Comedian George Lopez to Receive Medallion of Excellence Award at Awards Gala, Univision's Maria Elena Salinas to Celebrity Host
WASHINGTON, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CHCI today announced September 10-13 as the dates for its 35th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Washington, D.C. with the theme "CHCI at 35: Keeping the Founders' Promise." CHCI hosts the nation's premier events commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), which draws more than 3,000 Latino leaders from across the country to its Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy, and Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. Registration for CHCI HHM events is now available at www.chci.org.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110506/MM97615LOGO)
Actor, producer, comedian, and writer George Lopez will receive one of CHCI's highest honors, the Medallion of Excellence Award, at the 35th Anniversary Awards Gala on September 13. The event will be celebrity hosted by Emmy Award-winning Univision News anchor and 2006 CHCI Chair's Award recipient Maria Elena Salinas. PepsiCo is the Host Sponsor and Univision is the Exclusive Media Partner of the CHCI 35th Anniversary Awards Gala.
"As we celebrate CHCI's 35th anniversary, it is fitting that this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme and events reflect our founders' original vision to create opportunities for Latino youth and celebrate the immense contributions of Latinos to the United States," said Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez, CHCI Chair. "We expect a record turnout this year to hear Members of Congress, Cabinet Secretaries, and other national leaders address the integral role Latinos will play in the future success of America."
"What a great honor to be recognized by CHCI for doing work that I love," said George Lopez. "I look forward to joining the many distinguished recipients of the Medallion of Excellence Award and celebrating CHCI's anniversary and the great work they do."
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 - October 15. For CHCI, it also represents an opportunity to feature its highly competitive and nationally acclaimed Latino youth leadership development programs, including two fellowship programs, a congressional internship program, scholarship awards, and a college readiness program, Ready to Lead (R2L) for high school students.
CHCI kicks off its 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month events with its annual Public Policy Conference at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on September 10-12. The conference assembles Latino leaders, experts and scholars to participate in timely discussions of major policy issues affecting the Latino community. This year, CHCI Chair Charles A. Gonzalez will be joined by administration officials, Congressional Hispanic Caucus members, and national leaders in their fields. Key issues on the agenda include: corporate America, economy and workforce, education, health, immigration, labor, media, mental health, STEM, telecommunications, and much more. To complement the conference, CHCI's Ready to Lead (R2L) program educates and engages high school students in policy discussions while preparing them for college. Job and internship seekers can visit CareerLider LIVE on September 12 to interact with recruiters about employment opportunities and strategic initiatives spearheaded by participating companies and organizations.
On September 12, CHCI will hold its 12th Annual Reyes of Comedy, taking place at the Ronald Reagan Building. This popular event features both established Latino comedians as well as emerging Latino talent for a night of exceptional entertainment. This year's event is a sponsor benefit only and all proceeds support CHCI's youth leadership development programs
The closing and premier event of the conference is CHCI's 35th Anniversary Awards Gala to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 13. This prestigious dinner recognizes CHCI's highest honors and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of Latino leaders who are giving back to their communities. The Gala draws more than 2,500 guests including federal and local elected officials, corporate and nonprofit leaders, and celebrities.
2012 35th Anniversary Hispanic Heritage Month Registration is now available.
Important Dates
September 10-12
CHCI Public Policy Conference
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.
September 11
Ready to Lead (R2L)
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.
September 12
12th Annual Reyes of Comedy
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.
September 13
CHCI 35th Anniversary Awards Gala
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
About CHCI
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, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci), LinkedIn, and YouTube.
SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Share this article