Vice President Mike Pence Delivers Address on the Expanding Power of U.S. Latinos at Legislative Summit Co-Hosted by The Latino Coalition and Job Creators Network

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 6, The Latino Coalition (TLC), the nation's leading non-partisan advocacy organization representing Hispanic businesses and consumers, and Job Creators Network (JCN), hosted Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) during their Legislative Summit at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C.

"These are exciting economic times for our community— a surge in job growth has brought Hispanic unemployment rate to the lowest in American history, and small-business optimism means more people are starting, growing and thriving as entrepreneurs. In fact, about 1.2 million business owners are Latino immigrants," said Hector Barreto, TLC's Chairman and former U.S. Small Business Administrator.  "Vice President Mike Pence applauded the entrepreneurial power and success of our Latino community and emphasized the importance of unleashing even more of its dynamic potential."

"We were honored to co-host this summit with the Latino Coalition. It was a day full of inspiration for small business owners thanks to Vice President Pence, Secretary Perry, Senator Cruz and so many others who were able to offer insight regarding the importance of job innovation and protecting our free enterprise system," said Job Creators Network CEO, Alfredo Ortiz. "Public policy can have a detrimental impact on the success of America's job creators and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide input as to how the public and private sector can successfully work together to ensure our robust economy continues to thrive."

Addressing The Latino Coalition, Vice President Pence pointed out how in just two years, under the leadership of President Trump and with the support of businesses large and small, 5.3 million new jobs have been created all across America.

"America is back and we're just getting started, my friends.  And nowhere [is that] more true than in the Latino community.  As President Trump has said, Latino business leaders are 'living proof that the American Dream is back bigger and stronger than ever' before," Vice President Pence said. 

He went on to emphasize how "today, more Hispanic Americans are working than ever before in American history.  And Latino-owned businesses employ more than 2 million Americans and contribute nearly half a trillion dollars to our economy every year."

During the event, attendees were able to build professional and personal networks, while enjoying informative panels and breakout sessions on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and fair trade, tax cuts, deregulation, accessing capital and much more.

The day-long summit included an announcement about TLC's new procurement portal MatchPoint.  This new tool will apply technology to the concept of business matchmaking, where small-business owners are connected directly to procurement officers in government and corporations.  Barreto said the new procurement tool "will put small-business owners in the drivers' seat of finding what every business owner wants and needs: more business!"  The organization anticipates launching the procurement portal at the Small Business Administration's Procurement conference in June.

The Legislative Summit also boasted a notable lineup of speakers including: James E. Campos, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity for the U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-39); Martha Bárcena Coqui, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States; U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (TX); U.S. Rep. William Hurd (TX-23); Jennifer Korn, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director for the Office of Public Liaison; Ambassador C.J. Mahoney, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative; William Manger, Associate Administrator for the Office of Capital Access, U.S. Small Business Administration; U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (FL-9), to name a few.

Echoing the Vice President's message, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said, "American ingenuity is accelerating a revolution in energy that is nothing short of spectacular.  From exploration and production, to transportation and delivery, to opportunities in fast-emerging clean technology applications, America is open for business…and I want Hispanic-owned businesses to be a part of our great energy renaissance."

"The story of America is a story of risking everything for freedom, a freedom that is right at the heart of what America is.  Any one of us, doesn't matter where we come from, doesn't matter what we started with, doesn't matter if we could speak English when we got started, doesn't matter if we were washing dishes, what matters in America is how big your heart is and how big your dream is and how hard you are willing to work to achieve that dream, and how hard you are willing to work when you fail," added Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). 

During the Legislative Summit, The Latino Coalition Leadership Award was given to WellMed Medical Management COO, William Connolly for his unwavering commitment to the Hispanic community throughout his executive career.  The prestigious "Ganas Award" was presented to the lead singer of Latin Legendz Roger Velasquez for his leadership and patronage to the Latino community.  And, renowned Mexican singer and actor Vicente Fernandez was bestowed the Tributo Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his life's work and contributions.

"This year's Legislative Summit is proof that entrepreneurial opportunity and Latino success has no limits.  We look forward to carrying on our engagement with this Administration to ensure the pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda they have ushered in continues expanding opportunities for the engine of our economy," Barreto concluded.

The Latino Coalition would like to thank the following Title Sponsors: Walmart, Wells Fargo and AT&T. TLC also acknowledges and is grateful for all its partners: AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Altria Client Services, California Resource Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, East West Bank, Edison Electric Institute, Herbalife, Hispanic Business Roundtable Institute, Intuit, MasterCard, PhRMA, The Latino Coalition Foundation, T-Mobile, Tributo Tequila, Univision, Verizon. 

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos.  TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico.  Established to address and engage on key issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC's agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos.  Visit www.thelatinocoalition.com or follow us at #TLCJCNsummit.

SOURCE The Latino Coalition

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