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Contact: David Cruz |(818) 689-9991 Mobile | DavidCruz@LULAC.org

LULAC Youths Hit Capitol Hill On

Day 3 Of Emerge Latino Conference
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization
Takes Vital Latino Issues to Congress
Washington, DC - A delegation of young Latino leaders took their concerns and questions to
Capitol Hill Thursday to meet with elected leaders and their legislative staffs. The group of more
than 80 Emerge participants and other LULAC members held discussions to raise awareness and
seek action from elected leaders on the critical issues facing our community.
“This is truly a transformative experience for our new generation of Latino men and women
advocates, some of whom are still in high school but already influencers in their home
communities,” says Sindy Benavides, National Chief Executive Officer. “The response from
members of Congress is equally significant because hearing passionate firsthand personal stories
from young constituents on the environment, immigration, education, healthcare and similar
concerns often puts a human face to an issue and can shift their views and votes,” she adds.
The sixth annual Emerge Latino Conference is part of the 2020 State of Latino America Summit, a
week-long program created by LULAC to highlight the top concerns confronting Latinos in the
United States and Puerto Rico. Also, to expose Latino youths to important issues and decision-
makers in an intensive series of leadership development sessions. The visits to Congress are an
opportunity to apply what they’ve learned.
“One of the matters we presented was the issue called advance parole for DACA recipients. These
are people who are needing to travel outside the country for humanitarian reasons or work permits,
job opportunities, training or to study abroad,” says Laura Muñoz, a student who traveled from
Miami, Florida and was part of a student delegation that visited the office of U.S. Representative
Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). “This experience helped me to learn about the challenges our
community faces in other regions. I will be better prepared to make sure that everybody’s included
and helps to make me more thoughtful and nuanced in my discussions on issues of the day,”
added Muñoz.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights
volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino
communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and
Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for
Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
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