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Ahead of House votes on FY 2011 omnibus and FY 2012 budget, Hispanic leaders warn of dire consequences cuts will have on Hispanic community

WASHINGTON, DC – The NHLA will convene its members on Capitol Hill tomorrow for a news conference that will outline budgetary priorities for the Latino community and urge Congress to pass a responsible budget which protects programs vital to the community and our nation’s economic recovery. Crucial programs that Congress must not cut include early education, health care services, and investments that help small businesses innovate and grow.

As the nation continues on a path to economic recovery, Latinos who have suffered the greatest job loss and unemployment are just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Irresponsible cuts to programs that provide needed stability will further delay the recovery among Latinos. The cuts would stunt our economic recovery in the short term and threaten the future of our communities and nation.

WHO: Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX) Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, Chair, National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Rafael Fantauzzi, President & CEO, National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. Julian Martinez, Director, SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. Gumecindo Salas, Vice President for Government Relations, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

WHAT: Calling on Congress to pass a budget that protects programs crucial to the Hispanic community

WHEN: Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: House Triangle

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Established in 1991, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org