NHCSL Energy Briefing
Friday, April 25 (11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
EEI Headquarters - Washington, DC
With oil prices above $100 a barrel and gasoline prices at record highs it is imperative that we focus our attention on energy consumption, conservation and alternative sources of renewable energy. This briefing will address the current energy crises affecting all Americans and will focus on  our responsibility to find solutions  to combat environmental destruction and  alleviate economic pressures. The briefing is being made possible by Edison Electric Institute and is for NHCSL legislators only.

Ensuring Latino Student Success: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from ENLACE Programs
Saturday, April 26 (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill – Washington, D.C.
During the last decade, state policymakers have seen dramatic changes in the demographic make-up of their public schools. Latinos now represent the fastest growing segment of the nation's school-age population. Currently, numerous educational initiatives are occurring to narrow the achievement gap for Latino students. This session will highlight the ENgaging LAtino Communities for Education program that has seen tremendous success by taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the educational needs of the Latino community. Co-sponsored by NHCSL and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

NHCSL Executive Committee & Business Board of Advisors Meeting
Saturday ,April 26 (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill – Washington, D.C.
Closed meeting for members only

To register please visit www.nhcsl.org/legislatorform-dc-08.php

Be a Sponsor of the NHCSL Sixth National Summit:

“Noche de Celebración”
$50,000
Gold Sponsor
$25,000
Patron Sponsor
$15,000

Different levels of sponsorship are now available on a first come first serve basis. Sponsorship of NHCSL National Summit offers a series of great benefits for you and your company. Visit www.nhcsl.org for more information.

Members of our Business Board of Advisors (BBA) were listed among the Top 50 Corporations for Supplier Diversity in the March issue of Hispanic Enterprise Magazine. NHCSL congratulates the following community oriented companies and thank them for their continued support of Hispanic entrepreneurship and our community.

During the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Capital Awards on March 4 in Washington, D.C. Janet Murguía, NCLR President & CEO announced NCLR’s We Can Stop the Hate campaign which is focused on stopping hate speech during immigration debates and urged for support.

“Anti-immigrant rhetoric has filled the debate with code words that demonize and dehumanize Latinos as a threat to the American way of life. They depict us as ‘an army of invaders’ and ‘a massive horde’ that brings disease and crime to our country” said Janet Murgia during her speech at NCLR’s Capital Awards.

NHCSL applauds this initiative whose goal is to stop those individuals who label immigrants and Hispanic Americans as a threat to American culture. Hispanic organizations and advocacy groups must unite and denounce the use of these code words by main stream media, publications, commentators and other public figures as these attacks are demeaning and create resentment against immigrants and our community.

We Can Stop the Hate website www.wecanstopthehate.org documents hate groups and vigilantes who are active in the anti-immigrant debate. It catalogs the code words they use to demonize undocumented workers. The site demonstrates how those in the mainstream media are complicit in providing access to the airwaves to spokespeople tied to hate groups and vigilantes, and catalogs many of the hate crimes committed against Hispanics. Visit their website for more information and stop the hate today!

The National Museum of the American Latino Commission Act of 2007, H.R. 512 was co-authored and introduced by Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31) and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18) in response to millions of Americans who believe that our national museums should reflect the rich diversity that is America.

The bill was approved by unanimous voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 6, 2007. Senators Ken Salazar (CO), Mel Martinez (FL), and Robert Menendez (NJ) introduced an identical companion bill, S. 500 in the U.S. Senate the same day. It was reported favorably out of the U.S. Senate's Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and is awaiting further action. This bill is at a crucial stage and needs your support.

The legislation would create a commission to study the feasibility of and plan for a new national museum in the nation’s Capital that is dedicated to portraying the art, history, culture and contributions of the Latino community in the United States.

The contributions of the Hispanic community to the United States date back to 1565, when the Spanish established the first permanent settlement in the territorial U.S. in St. Augustine, Florida, four decades before the establishment of Jamestown and Plymouth Rock. Latinos have served and given their lives in every American military conflict, earning a larger proportion of Congressional Medal of Honor awards than any other ethnic group. American Latinos have soared into space, served in influential government positions, and received national and international acclaim by winning awards like the Nobel Prize, the Grammy, and the Oscar.

Latinos in the United States have influenced and enriched this country since its founding and continue to make significant contributions. Latinos’ contributions and role in this country’s history should and must be recognized.

About the museum:
The National Museum of the American Latino will create a home for the historical artifacts, images, and personal stories documenting over 500 years of American Latino contributions to the United States. The Museum will serve as an educational tool for the thousands who visit the museum each year, as well as instilling a sense of pride in the Latino community today and in the future.

To learn more about how you can support this long over due initiative, please visit www.americanlatinomuseum.org/index.html
 

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is the preeminent organization representing the interests of 300 Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. Founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3, NHCSL is a catalyst and advocate for joint action on issues of common concern, such as health, education, immigration, homeownership and economic development to all segments of the Hispanic community. NHCSL also works to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities; serves as a forum for information exchange and member networking; an institute for leadership training; a liaison with sister U.S. Hispanic organizations; a promoter of public/private partnerships with business and labor; and a partner with Hispanic state and provincial legislators and their associations representing Central and South America. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org