WASHINGTON, DC - The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) announced today that Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, the presumptive Republican and Democratic presidential nominees, will address the nation’s Latino leadership at the organization’s 25th Annual Conference next Saturday, June 28, in Washington, D.C.

“We’re delighted that Senators McCain and Obama will meet directly with Latino officials who represent millions of Americans across the country,” said Adolfo Carrión, Jr., NALEO President and Bronx Borough President.  “Latino voters are going to play a decisive role in the general election and the community is ready to hear both candidates make their case.  This is the first step in a necessary process of getting to know each other better.”

The format of the appearances is being finalized with the campaigns.

The appearances will take place during a four-day convention of nearly 1,000 Latino public officials working at all levels of government in communities across the nation.  Conference participants will join political and policy leaders for panel discussions on education, mental health, affordable energy, the growing economic crisis, community investment and the growing clout of Latino voters on American politics.

The conference comes at a moment when the Latino community is poised to exercise extraordinary influence in the November elections.  Unprecedented numbers of Latinos – now nearly nine percent of all eligible voters – have turned out in Democratic and Republican primaries, supplying the margin of victory in several contests.

NALEO leaders will hold a kick-off press conference on the morning of June 26 to present new data on Latino voters and unveil plans for a major voter turnout effort in November, made possible in part by a major gift from State Farm Insurance Companies. 

That afternoon, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Robert Menendez and Sen. Ken Salazar will participate in a national leadership luncheon with conference attendees.  Other conference dignitaries include U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, United States Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral and Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros. 

That evening, the group will also honor New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson with its Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service. 

For a full conference agenda and registration information, please visit http://www.naleo.org/annualconference.

NALEO 25th Annual Conference

NALEO, the nation’s membership organization of Latino elected officials, and NALEO Educational Fund, the leading organization that empowers Latinos to participate in the American political process, will host nearly 1,000 elected and appointed officials and their supporters at the nation’s Latino political convention.

June 25-28, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

NALEO Kick-Off Press Conference on Thursday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Auditorium, Meeting Room Level

National Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, June 26 at 12:00 p.m. in Grand Ballroom, Ballroom Level featuring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Robert Menendez, Senator Ken Salazar and Rep. Xavier Becerra

Appearance by Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
on Saturday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Appearance by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
on Saturday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. 

Details and logistics to follow.

The Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala honoring Governor Bill Richardson on Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, in Washington, D.C.