NCLR Annual Conference in San Diego to Feature Prominent Speakers and Current Newsmakers

On July 15, 2008, Gara LaMarche, President of The Atlantic Philanthropies, and The Atlantic Philanthropies received the Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award from the National Council of La Raza. Below is the press release.

NCLR ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO TO FEATURE PROMINENT SPEAKERS AND CURRENT NEWSMAKERS

Senators McCain and Obama to Address Conference Attendees at the Largest National Latino Event of the Year Washington, DC The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., will draw some of the nation’s foremost business and community leaders, government officials, and entertainers to participate in the NCLR Annual Conference July 1215 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

For a list of workshops, including speakers, dates, and times, visit http://www.nclr.org/conferenceworkshops.  All members of the media interested in attending any of the following events can register on site. Workshops, Town Halls, and Latino Expo USA are free and open to the public. Members of the general public can register for all other events on site at the San Diego Convention Center.

UPDATED SCHEDULE OF KEY SPEAKERS AND EVENTS

Saturday, July 12

7:00 a.m. NCLR Diabetes Dash: 5K fun run, free and open to the public; registration begins at 5:30 a.m., with special guest Tania Luviano from NBC 7/39’s Noticias Mi San Diego, a representative from the American Diabetes Association, and a mobile health clinic provided by San Ysidro Health Center Embarcadero Marina Park

9:30 a.m. U.S. Citizenship Application Processing Session: Conducted by NCLR and the ya es hora Campaign, with sponsorship from ConAgra Foods Hall C

10:15 a.m. Latino Expo USA Opening Ceremony and Ribbon-Cutting: Free and open to the public, Latino Expo USA features more than 200 exhibitors plus a Housing Fair and a Health Fair Hall D Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO PBS’ Maya and Miguel, Sea World’s Shamu the Whale, and Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer

12:30 p.m. National Affiliate Luncheon Cosponsored by Citi, FedEx Corporation, PepsiCo, Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., and State Farm Insurance Companies Ballroom 20AD Speakers: Samuel Betances, a national educator and motivational leader, Betances and Associates, Inc. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles Janet Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza

3:30 p.m. Town Hall: A New Voz, A New Vote: Latino Youth and the Media: Cosponsored by Microsoft and GEICO Room 29 AD Moderator: Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Director, Immigration and National Campaigns, NCLR: Panelists: Ruben Navarrette, Jr., Nationally Syndicated Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune Maria Perez-Brown, Senior Vice President, Programming, Sí TV Felipe Vargas, Founder, Film Inquiry Research Media Education (FIRME) Leslie Sanchez, Political Analyst, Republican Strategist, CNN Reynaldo Casas, Manager, Public Affairs, MTV Tr3s

6:00 p.m. Catch the Wave Welcome Reception: Cosponsored by American Airlines, American Family Insurance, Wachovia Corporation, and Heineken USA San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, Marina Ballroom EG, Third Level, South Tower

Sunday, July 13

10:00 a.m. HOME Clinic:NCLR is partnering with the San Diego Housing Opportunities Collaborative to host a HOME Clinic. The HOME Clinic will combine pro bono legal advice, housing counseling, and loss mitigation to help those families who are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments identify resources and assistance Hall C Featuring a series of workshops with Financial Expert Julie Stav, presented with support from State Farm Insurance Companies. For a complete listing of workshops, visit www.nclr.org/specialsessions

11:00 a.m. Sunday Brunch: The Power to Change History:Cosponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, The Chrysler Foundation, Shell Oil Company, Sodexo, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Ballroom 20AD Emcee:Maggie Rodriguez, Co-Anchor, CBS Early Show Featured Speakers: Tom Nelson, Chief Operating Officer, Divided We Fail/AARP Governor Bob Wise Advisor to Strong American Schools President of The Alliance for Excellent Education Author, Raising The Grade Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), 2008 Democratic Presumptive Presidential Nominee

3:30 p.m. Town Hall: Providing Health Care for All: Making a National Priority Reality: Lead Sponsor: Office of Minority Health (OMH); cosponsored by Catholic Healthcare West Room 29AD Moderator:Cecilia Muñoz, Senior Vice President, Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation, NCLR Panelists: Maria Gomez, Executive Director, Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care Services Tom Perez, Campaign Representative, Obama for America Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Senior Policy Advisor to Senator John McCain, John McCain 2008 Garth Graham, MD, MPH, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, Office of Minority Health, Department of Health and Human Services

6:00 p.m. Rockin’ Oldies Happy Hour: Cosponsored by Aramark San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina

Monday, July 14

12:30 p.m. Monday Luncheon Honoring Service, Courage, and Leadership:Cosponsored by BP America, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, and Univision Communications, Inc. Ballroom 20AD Emcee: Maggie Rodriguez, Co-Anchor, CBS Early Show Featured Speakers: Raul Yzaguirre, Former President and CEO, NCLR Mayor Jerry Sanders, City of San Diego Senator John McCain (R-AZ), 2008 Republican Presumptive Presidential Nominee Sergeant Major Irene Zamora O’Neal, U.S.M.C., recipient of the Heroes and Heritage Award for Valor and Service to Country to be presented at Monday Luncheon

3:30 p.m. Town Hall: Foreclosures and the Mortgage Mess: How Do We Save Latino Homeownership?Lead Sponsor: Freddie Mac; cosponsored by Fannie Mae Room 29AD Moderator: Evy Ramos, Anchor, Reporter, Digital Correspondent, 10News, ABC (San Diego) Panelists: Rosario Marin, Secretary of State and Consumer Services, CA Alan Fisher, Executive Director, California Reinvestment Coalition Martin Gruenberg, Vice Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Carol Ornelas, Executive Director, Visionary Homebuilders

Tuesday, July 15

8:30 a.m. Tuesday Luncheon: Cosponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, GEICO, General Mills, TOYOTA, and Wachovia Corporation Ballroom 20AD Welcome:Andrea Bazán, President, Triangle Community Foundation, NCLR Board Chair Featured Speaker: Empowering a Community, Empowering a Nation: The Latino Vote in 2008 Janet Murguía, President and CEO, NCLR Panel Discussion: Latinas in the Arts: Transforming Stereotypes and Awakening the Spirit Moderator: Giselle Fernandez, Journalist, Producer, and Filmmaker; Former CBS and NBC Television Journalist and Emmy Award winner Panelists: Alisa Valdez-Rodriguez, New York Times Bestselling Author Ligiah Villalobos, Head Writer, Go Diego, Go!; Screenwriter; and Producer Sonia Nazario, Author Kate del Castillo, Actress

7:30 p.m. Awards Gala/Dinner: Cosponsored by Amtrak, Ford Motor Company, U.S. Postal Service, and WaMu Ballroom 20AD Awards presentations: Antonia Hernández, President of the California Community, Foundation will receive the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award The Founders of HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) will receive the Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers will receive the Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence Radio and television correspondent Juan Williams will receive the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF) will receive the NCLR/Ford Affiliate of the Year Award Gara LaMarche, President of The Atlantic Philanthropies, and The Atlantic Philanthropies will receive the Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award