Join us for the 2009 Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala

NALEO’s Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel, located at 999 Ninth Street, NW. A reception will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to be immediately followed by the Gala from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and a dessert reception from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $250; individual tables and sponsorships begin at $2,500. Black Tie Optional/Cocktail Attire

NALEO’s annual Washington, D.C., social event is aptly named in honor of the many contributions the late Congressman Edward R. Roybal made to the nation, NALEO and the NALEO Educational Fund, of which he is Founder Emeritus. Congressman Roybal served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1949 to 1962, and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1963 to 1992. In 1976, Congressman Roybal and several of his colleagues founded NALEO. He served as NALEO’s President until 1999, when he was named President Emeritus. Congressman Roybal’s legacy lives on in the work of those bestowed with the prestigious Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service.

The Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala will provide entertainment, fine cuisine and distinguished guest speakers. Additionally, the Gala will offer a memorable setting to honor this year’s recipient of the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service: Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte.



About Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte
As one of the most effective and influential state legislators in the country, Senator Van de Putte is known as a strong advocate for children, veterans, improved access to health care, quality education, and economic development, and has consistently authored and sponsored bills to assist families in securing opportunities. Senator Leticia Van de Putte, a pharmacist for more than 29 years, represents a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County, Texas. A former five-term state representative, she is now serving her fifth term as a Texas State Senator. Nationally, Senator Van de Putte has been actively involved in the National Conference of State Legislatures, serving as President from 2006 to 2007. She is now serving on the American Legacy Foundation Board, which oversees states' tobacco settlements. Senator Van de Putte is also a member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, where she served as President from 2003 to 2005. Through her respective advocacy and representation, Senator Van de Putte has advanced and given voice to the interests of all her constituents and the Latino community.

On February 10th, Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte will be presented with the Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service. The NALEO Board of Directors established the NALEO Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service in tribute to the organization’s founder. The award will provide the organization the opportunity to recognize Senator Van de Putte for her exemplary leadership.

The NALEO Educational Fund would like to especially recognize the Chair of our Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala, Comcast; our Titanium sponsor, Southwest Airlines; and our Platinum Sponsors, BlueCross Blue Shield Association, Election Systems and Software, Inc., Energy Future Holdings, and Univision Communications Inc.

A special thank you to all of the sponsors below who at the time of this writing have made this event possible with their support:


Chair of the 2009 Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala

Titanium Sponsor
Southwest Airlines

Platinum Sponsors
BlueCross BlueShield Association
Election Systems and Software, Inc.
Energy Future Holdings
Univision Communications Inc.

White Gold Sponsors
AARP
AT&T
The Coca-Cola Company
CFSA
ING
National Beer Wholesalers Association
SEIU
USA Funds

Silver Sponsors
Abbott Laboratories Inc.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC
Hon. Gerri Guzman, Board President,
City of Montebello School District, California
Mario Diaz & Associates
Mickey Ibarra & Associates
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
PG&E
Pre-K Now
The Raben Group
Together Rx Access

To purchase tickets and obtain additional information visit www.naleo.org/RoybalGala.html

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Taking Action: Helping Families in the Recent Economic Downturn

During the country’s current economic downturn, families are finding it increasingly more difficult to achieve economic success and remain economically viable. Latino families have been disproportionately affected by the current state of the financial and housing markets. To help weather the economic crisis, The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the NALEO Educational Fund are working together to help our members build strong financial futures for families and communities. NALEO members are helping to identify the economic needs of their constituents and developing strategies and local partnerships to address these needs and support the economic success of the families living in their jurisdictions. This includes helping struggling families to secure adequate incomes, stabilize their finances, accumulate savings and live in vibrant, economically viable neighborhoods. It also includes developing strategies to help families build wealth and save for the future, ensuring that public and private supports are available to help families establish credit, reduce debt, and increase their financial security as well as providing workforce development assistance so that individuals can obtain the skills and education necessary for good-paying jobs and successful careers.

The collaborative between The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the NALEO Educational Fund in helping our members to further the economic success of families is just one example of efforts being made to assist families during these tough economic times. There are also examples of NALEO members around the country working on solving these issues for their constituents, including Mayor Pedro Gonzalez of the City of South Francisco and Santa Ana Councilmember Michele Martinez.

Pedro Gonzalez, Mayor, City of South San Francisco

Mayor Pedro Gonzalez is utilizing community partnerships with city departments, the media, and community-based organizations to help families in South San Francisco remain economically viable during the current economic recession. These partnerships have helped the mayor disseminate information on programs and services he learned about at NALEO Policy Institutes to his constituents. Specifically, Mayor Gonzalez was able to take information he received on the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) and worked with his Community Development Coordinator to help ensure the city was helping constituents take advantage

of this benefit. The mayor also actively worked with local media to urge banks and finance companies to forego foreclosures for thirty days in order to allow homeowners time to re-finance or find other alternatives which will enable families to keep their homes. Having strong working relationships with community-based organizations has proven to be an asset to the mayor’s work of serving his constituents. Through partnerships like the one with North Peninsula Neighborhood Services, the mayor is able to make sure that the city and organizations serving the economically vulnerable in South San Francisco are able to maximize the support systems they can offer residents.

Michele Martinez, Councilmember, City of Santa Ana

As a an elected official with a long-record of serving under-privileged youth and families, Santa Ana Councilmember Michele Martinez recognizes the value of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as a tool to assist families in their efforts to achieve economic success. She uses her monthly newsletter as a vehicle to deliver information to residents regarding who can benefit from the EITC, what the process is to receive it, and who they can contact for further information regarding the credit. She will also be participating in the many events that the City of Santa Ana has scheduled throughout the city in the next few months to outreach to the community regarding tax preparation assistance and the EITC. In their efforts to assist families in Santa Ana with tax preparation as it relates to the EITC, the City has partnered with the IRS, Legal Aid Society of Orange County, and the OC United Way.

For more information, please visit The Annie E. Casey Foundation web site to learn about current initiatives designed to help families navigate through the current economic downturn. Also, visit the Internal Revenue Service web site to learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and how it can assist families in your community achieve economic success.

2009 NCHLP Class
& NELI Policy Institute on School Governance

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund announced the launch of an innovative year-long initiative designed to enhance the effectiveness of a select group of California Latino elected officials, and their ability to advance successful health policy. Called the NALEO California Health Leadership Program (NCHLP), its year-end goal is for the 15 participating elected officials to become leading advocates and experts around the critical health issue of obesity and chronic disease prevention in the state and have an enhanced capacity to promote effective health policy and reform.

Policymakers have a unique role in educating their constituents on current health issues, and promoting an effective health agenda within their communities through policymaking and related investments.

The 15 California Latino elected officials chosen to participate in 2009 are: Councilmember Ruben Abrica, City of East Palo Alto; Board Member Rene Aguilera, Roseville City School District; Councilmember Luis Ayala, City of Alhambra; Mayor Blanca Figueroa, City of South El Monte; Mayor Eduardo Garcia, City of Coachella; Councilmember Ronald Garcia, City of Brea; Board Member Ronald Gonzalez-Lawrence, Little Lake City School District; Board President Gerri Guzman, Montebello Unified School District; Councilmember Roger Hernandez, City of West Covina; Mayor Pro Tem Steven Hernandez, City of Coachella; Councilmember Tony Madrigal, City of Santa Cruz; Councilmember Michele Martinez, City of Santa Ana; Councilmember Suzi Picaso, City of Lindsay; Councilmember Rudy Ramirez, City of Chula Vista; and Board Member Benjamin Tamez Jr., Parlier Unified School District.

These individuals, called the 2009 Leadership Group, are charged with developing and implementing effective policies and action plans to address the target issue of obesity in their communities. Throughout the coming year, the NALEO Educational Fund will sponsor four two-day workshops for the Leadership Group, and also provide technical assistance, including site visits to each member’s jurisdiction. Members of the Leadership Group will learn to strengthen their skills on data analysis, governance, coalition-building, policymaking, message development, media relations, and advocacy. Congratulations to the incoming 2009 class for their acceptance into this program.

The Constituency Services Department also invites school board members to apply for its upcoming National Institute on School Governance, Serving our Students in Troubled Economic Times, March 6-8, 2009, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The purpose of the Institute is to enhance board members’ knowledge of budgets and increase their ability to make tough policy decisions in challenging economic times.

According to a recent report, 43 of our nation’s fifty states are experiencing a budget shortfall. When states face economic downturns, there are real implications for students, teachers, and schools. States often try to protect K-12 spending during tight budget times. However, states spend such a large portion of their discretionary spending on education (about 34 percent for K-12 and 11 percent for higher education) that it is difficult to make cuts entirely in other areas. Already this year 10 states have proposed or implemented funding cuts to K-12 education. School board members have a critical role to play to ensure that our schools continue to be the epicenter of every community’s development, regardless of the economic challenges we face.

We encourage school board members from across the nation to take advantage of this unique opportunity. There is no fee for current NALEO members ($100 annual membership fee) to attend the Institute and travel scholarships are available to cover roundtrip airfare, as well as a two-night hotel stay. However, note that scholarships are limited and available through a short application process. Completed application forms must be submitted by February 6, 2009.

For more information contact:
Samuel Robles, Constituency Services Program Manager at (213) 747-7606, ext. 4421, or srobles@naleo.org.

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Voces del Pueblo Contributes to Historic Latino Voter Turnout in 2008 Election

In the run-up to the historic 2008 General Election, the NALEO Educational Fund’s Voces del Pueblo voter engagement program launched an unprecedented national campaign to engage Latino voters from coast to coast, through a multi-faceted strategy that included information, invitation, and protection of the Latino electorate. In addition, the NALEO Educational Fund also served as a leader in the second phase of the historic ya es hora civic participation campaign, ya es hora ¡Ve y Vota!, which brought together Spanish-language media giants Entravision Communications, ImpreMedia, and Univision Communications, along with national community partners like Mi Familia Vota Education Fund, and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); and many more local community organizations across the nation. These efforts also received support from other important partners including State Farm, AARP, and the We Are America Alliance.

To provide simple answers to all voting related questions, the NALEO Educational Fund’s (888) Ve-Y-Vota bilingual voter ran year-round, with extended hours around primary elections and the weeks prior to the General Election. Over the course of the year, 35,745 calls were placed to the hotline, with over 8,000 on Election Day alone. The hotline also served as the official Spanish-language hotline for the ya es hora ¡Ve y Vota! campaign and the Election Protection Coalition, and opened 139 staffed phone lines across the country on November 4th, which included a dedicated voter protection team of volunteer attorneys from MALDEF and legal experts.

In addition to the hotline, the NALEO Educational Fund launched it’s web site (www.veyvota.org) mid-2008 in collaboration with the ya es hora ¡Ve y Vota! campaign, to provide state-specific election information, help locate polling sites, and provide an easy-to-use voter registration tool. From the site’s launch to Election Day, more than 50,000 visited the site, and more than 26,000 used the voter registration tool.

With $1 million dollars in support from State Farm, the NALEO Educational Fund was able to aggressively expand its direct outreach efforts to expand the Latino electorate. In what is very likely the largest single effort to encourage Latinos to register and vote, the NALEO Educational Fund along with ImpreMedia, our ya es hora partners, and State Farm, distributed nearly 1,000,000 voter registration forms in Spanish Language newspapers across seven states and thirteen different markets. Additionally, the NALEO Educational Fund carried out an aggressive multi-state “Get OutThe Vote” program, through live phone canvassing. The program sought to mobilize Latinos who were registered to vote but had not regularly voted in major elections, those Latino voters least likely to vote. The campaign spanned eight states, contacting voters in over 16 communities, through 14 distinct operations. With the exception of Las Vegas, Nevada, all calls were placed locally in partnership with regional CBOs. Overall, more than 275,000 phone calls were made to low-propensity, young, and newly registered Latino voters across the country. These efforts contributed significantly to the historic Latino voter turnout we witnessed on November 4th.

A full analysis of the impact of the NALEO Educational Fund’s 2008 GOTV efforts will be released in early 2009. For a preliminary analysis of overall Latino participation on November 4th, please click here.

 

Join us for the NALEO 26th Annual Conference

Register now and join us for the NALEO 26th Annual Conference which will be held in Hollywood, California,
June 25-27, 2009. Recognized as the nation’s premier “Latino Political Convention,” the NALEO Annual Conference is the largest convening of Latino elected and appointed officials from across the nation.

The NALEO Conference provides:

The success of the NALEO Annual Conference depends on the support and participation of our Conference Host Committee. Traditionally comprised of the local elected and appointed leaders in the Conference host city, the NALEO Educational Fund is excited to announce that this year, members from across California and the country can participate in the planning and success of the NALEO 26th Annual Conference. NALEO Membership Meetings will be held in key California regions and other parts of the country in the coming months.

If you are interested in learning more about upcoming Membership Meetings, please contact Ms. Marcella Martinez, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at (213) 747-7606, ext. 4424, or at mmartinez@naleo.org or Mr. Julio Esperias, Membership Coordinator, at (213) 747-7606, ext. 4432, or at jesperias@naleo.org.