U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to Address Nation's Latino Policymakers at NALEO 31st Annual Conference in San Diego

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) today announced that U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez will address the largest gathering of Latino policymakers in the country on Thursday, June 26 at the NALEO 31^st Annual Conference.  Considered the nation's annual Latino political convention, the event will take place June 26-28 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego, California.

The keynote remarks will occur during the conference's National Leadership Luncheon, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Commodore Ballroom of the hotel.  The former Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez was the first Latino to be confirmed to President Obama's cabinet in his second term.  During his time in office, Secretary Perez has committed to making good on the promise of opportunity for all, giving every working family a chance to get ahead, and putting a middle-class life within reach of everyone willing to work for it.

This year's conference will include nearly 1,000 Latino public officials and supporters from communities across the country.  Conference participants and policy leaders will participate in panel discussions on national agenda issues, including immigration reform, education (with an emphasis on STEM), healthcare, voting rights, Latina political leadership, U.S.-Mexico bi-national issues, water, pensions and an in-depth overview of the influence of Latinos on the upcoming midterm elections.  

The program will also include the presentation of two prestigious awards to national Latino leaders on Saturday, June 28. Former California State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny will be recognized by the Government of Mexico with the Premio Ohtli, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual for service to Mexicans living abroad.  Former Ford Foundation President Luis Antonio Ubiñas will be presented with the NALEO President's Award by NALEO President and California State Senator Alex Padilla for his outstanding contributions to furthering the organization's mission.

The NALEO conference has emerged as the preeminent forum for our nation's leadership to engage Latino officials and the millions of constituents NALEO members represent.  Other notable speakers include Governor of California Jerry Brown, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, Mexico's Ambassador to the United States Eduardo Medina Mora, Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Fox News Anchor Juan Williams, Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta, U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, California Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, California State Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Nora Campos, and California State Senator and California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair Ricardo Lara.

The NALEO 31^st Annual Conference is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsors, Southwest Airlines, Official Airline Sponsor of NALEO Educational Fund, and Toyota. For information about the conference and registration, please visit the NALEO website at http://www.naleo.org/sandiego2014/.

What:  NALEO 31^st Annual Conference

Who:  NALEO, the leadership organization of the nation's more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials.

When:  June 26 – 28, 2014

Where:  Loews Coronado Bay Resort
4000 Coronado Bay Rd
San Diego, CA

Media:  Advance registration is required.  For more information or to register, please contact Amanda Bosquez ([email protected]; 202-546-2536) and Paula Valle Castanon ([email protected]; 213-765-9414).

About NALEO
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials is the leadership organization of the nation's more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials.

Contact: Amanda Bosquez, [email protected]
(202) 546-2536 ext. 12, (361) 548-6989 (cell)

Paula Valle Castanon, [email protected] 
(213) 747-7606 ext. 4414, (323) 253-6431 (cell)

SOURCE National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)