The statistics are grim for Hispanics and diabetes. Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. The disease can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, amputations and death. Yet, diabetes can be prevented and its dire complications avoided.

On September 28, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and the Council of State Governments will host a Web Conference titled “Preventing Diabetes and Its Complications: What Works in the Hispanic Community.” The Web Conference is a part of the Healthy States Initiative and will bring state legislators and health experts together to discuss best practices, effective diabetes prevention programs and strategies for Hispanic communities.

The Web Conference speakers include:
• Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY), President of NHCSL
• State Representative Amanda Aguirre (AZ)
• Jane Kelly, M.D., Director, National Diabetes Education Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation
• Betsy J. Rodríguez Zayas, BSN, MSN, CDE, National Diabetes Education Program – (NDEP), Associate Service Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation

Join us on September 28, 2005, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EDT. Visit www.nhcsl.org to register.

The Healthy States Initiative is designed to help state leaders make informed decisions on public health issues. The enterprise brings together state legislators, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state health department officials, and public health experts to share information, analyze trends, identify innovative responses and provide expert advice on public health issues.
 


The NHCSL announces the creation of the “John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership” Award to honor the legacy of the late, former president of NHCSL, Representative John S. Martinez of Connecticut. Representative Martinez was a trailblazer in the Connecticut State legislature, serving in office for more than five years.

Martinez initiated local legislation in those areas of most concern to our constituents, mainly education and economic development. He worked across the country to promote the efforts of the Fatherhood Initiative, which addresses the needs and concerns of all fathers with limited access to education and employment. When Martinez took the helm as NHCSL President in 2001 and during his tenure, doubled NHCSL’s membership and successfully garnered national corporate support.

Representative Martinez left a legacy of a career in public service that transcended all people. In 2002 Representative Martinez passed away in a tragic automobile accident.

The “John S. Martinez Excellence in Leadership” Award will be granted annually to a Hispanic elected official currently in office in the United States and currently a member of the NHCSL. The award will be selected by an independent panel of judges and presented at the NHCSL National Summit November 10–13, 2005, in Tampa, Florida. For deadlines, information about criteria and eligibility requirements visit www.nhcsl.org

Healthy States Initiative Web Conference
September 28 -- Topic: Diabetes

Third National Summit of Hispanic Legislators
November 10-13, 2005, Tampa, Florida

Visit www.nhcsl.org

The NHCSL will host its Third National Summit on November 10-13 in Tampa, Florida. The theme of the Summit is “Legislative Challenges, Policy Solutions.” The Summit agenda will include a Corporate Partner Policy Hearing, New Member Orientation, Leadership Luncheon, and Policy Priorities Plenary focusing on health, immigration and education issues. The NHCSL Summit provides participants an opportunity to engage one-on-one with Hispanic legislators, corporate executives, government/legislative affairs officials and public policy experts from the public/private industry who are expected to attend. To register visit www.nhcsl.org or call 202-434-8070 for more information.

NHCSL is also offering various sponsorship opportunities that can provide visibility targeted to a unique Hispanic audience at the Summit. The sponsorship opportunities include:

Summit Title Sponsor - $50,000
 • Opportunity to present remarks during the Gala Event
• Sponsor signage/logo display at the gala on stage
• Two (2) reserved VIP tables of 10 at the gala
• One reserved table of 10 at all other meal events
• Opportunity to serve as a speaker at the plenary session
• Sponsor signage/logo display at the plenary session
• Message and ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials
• Mention in publicity and media relating to the event, including participation during scheduled press conferences
• Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Inclusion into the NHCSL Summit Steering Committee

Summit Gala Sponsor - $35,000
 • One reserved table of 10 at the Gala Event
• Opportunity to present remarks during the Gala Event
• Sponsor signage/logo display at the gala
• Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Sponsor logo on NHCSL welcome event signage
• Message and ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials
• Mention in publicity and media relating to the event
• Inclusion into the NHCSL Summit Steering Committee

Summit Gold Sponsor - $25,000
 • One reserved table of 10 at all meal events
• Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Sponsor logo on NHCSL welcome event signage
• Message and ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials
• Mention in publicity and media relating to the event
• Inclusion into the NHCSL Summit Steering Committee

Summit Patron Sponsor - $15,000
 • One reserved table of 10 at all meal events
• Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Sponsor mention on NHCSL welcome signage
• Ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials

Summit Event Sponsor (Excluding Gala) - $20,000
 • Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Sponsor signage at the event
• Sponsor remarks at the event
• Sponsor mention on NHCSL welcome signage
• Message and ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials

Summit Key Card Sponsor - $15,000
 • Ten (10) registrations to the Summit
• Sponsor logo on ALL hotel key cards
• Sponsor mention on NHCSL welcome signage
• Ad in the Commemorative Journal
• Sponsorship mention/recognition in all marketing materials

For more information on Sponsorship Opportunities and Benefits contact:
George Herrera at george@herrera-cristina.com or Juana Pacheco at juana@herrera-cristina.com or call 202-263-4625

The Congressional Black Caucus Education Braintrust will present the NHCSL with a special award in recognition of its work on the “Closing the Gaps” education initiative.  The award will be presented to Assemblyman Felix Ortiz at the CBC Conference on September 23 in Washington, DC.
 


NHCSL members attended the Health Disparities Conference last week where they participated in discussions, workshops and sessions that addressed the racial and ethnic inequalities in healthcare. In addition to the legislators, the conference discussants included healthcare practitioners and medical experts from across the country. The Health Disparities Conference was held in conjunction with the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and sponsored by AstraZeneca.  A summary of the conference will be released.