WASHINGTON, D.C.- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of the thirty leading Hispanic organizations in the nation, delivered a letter to CNN's Candy Crowley, moderator of the Presidential Debate to take place on October 16th, 2012, encouraging her to include Latino issues and questions. Below is the letter the NHLA sent to Mrs. Crowley.

Download the .PDF of the letter here.

NHLA Letter to Candy Crowley

Candy Crowley Chief Political Correspondent CNN 1 Time Warner Center New York, NY 10019

Dear Mrs. Crowley,

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of the 30 leading national Hispanic organizations, strongly urges you to encourage the discussion of Latino issues in your position as moderator in the next Presidential debate. We are extremely concerned that the first debate’s narrow scope failed to address important key domestic and foreign issues, like immigration reform, health and education disparities among Latinos, state-based anti-immigrant laws, and the need for diversity in our federal workforce, all of which are important to our community.

In the course of 90 minutes, the Latino community was virtually ignored. There were absolutely no mentions of immigration, the disproportionate impact the recession has had on Latino families, or the difficulties that the community faces in terms of overcoming barriers to education and finding employment. The NHLA believes that the debate topics chosen by the moderator should reflect the diversity, multiculturalism, and changing demographics of the United States. With over 12 million immigrants in the United States and Puerto Rico and a Latino population that exceeds 50 million, a complete blackout of Latino and immigrant-related issues is absolutely unacceptable. As the country climbs out of recession, it will be Latinos who make up a bulk of the workforce and help form the foundation for a robust economic recovery.

We ask that you and the commission make a concerted effort to be inclusive of all topics and questions, including those that are of concern to Latinos, a crucial segment of the electorate. In many swing states, Latinos could very well cast the deciding vote in the upcoming presidential election and Hispanics are anxious to know the candidates positions on the issues that affect them most. No president since Reagan has won the presidential election without at least obtaining 33% of the Latino vote and the same holds true for this November.

While the debate will focus on foreign policy, there are key Latino issues that are intertwined with this area, including border security, comprehensive immigration reform, and other issues. This debate will be a prime opportunity to address key Latino issues, clarify the candidates positions, and engage the over 50 million Latinos who are anxious to watch this critical exchange between the candidates vying for the Presidency.

Sincerely, Hector E. Sanchez Chair