APRIL 19, 2018

NHLA DEMANDS RESIGNATION OF EPA ADMINISTRATOR SCOTT PRUITT

Coalition adopts unanimous motion demanding Pruitt's removal based on ethics failures and refusal to protect public health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 46 of the nation’s preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, is demanding the resignation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt for his failure to protect public health and the environment, as well as his violations of ethical standards.

NHLA’s board of directors unanimously adopted the following motion at its April 17 board meeting, introduced by Mark Magaña, President and CEO of GreenLatinos, and seconded by a fellow co-chair of NHLA’s Energy and Environment Committee, Hispanic Federation: “Because Scott Pruitt has failed to uphold the EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment, squandered public resources, and failed to meet the standard of conduct required by a public official, NHLA finds that he is unfit for office and demands Scott Pruitt's resignation.”

“In the fourteen months since Scott Pruitt’s confirmation as EPA Administrator, which NHLA opposed, we have witnessed his lack of a moral and ethical compass and complete disdain for protecting the clean air and water of Latino communities and all communities across the country. Scott Pruitt has made himself ineligible to continue to serve in this position. He should resign immediately,” said Mark Magaña, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Energy and Environment Committee and President and CEO of GreenLatinos.

“Scott Pruitt’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard for rules and regulations that protect Latino communities, including farmworkers and their families, from toxins and environmental contamination. We need an Administrator who truly believes in the Agency’s mission to protect public health and the environment,” said Virginia Ruiz, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Energy and Environment Committee and Director of Occupational and Environmental Health at Farmworker Justice.

“Since his first day as EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt has put his dirty allies first at the expense of our health and the environment, especially at the expense of communities of color and low income communities. From rolling back critical health safeguards, to squandering taxpayer dollars on first class flights and pay raises for his top political aides, to letting polluters off the hook, it’s clear that Pruitt is not fit to lead the EPA and must resign. His attack on pollution limits is an attack on those who are already disproportionately impacted by dirty air and water. We cannot wait any longer - the health of our children and families is at stake,” said Laura Esquivel, Co-Chair of NHLA's Energy and Environment Committee and Director of National Advocacy of the Hispanic Federation.

###

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

| Michael Torra | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 425-0582 |

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA:

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 46 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino 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.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS:

Alianza Americas | American G.I. Forum | ASPIRA Association | Avance Inc. | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Farmworker Justice | GreenLatinos | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanics in Philanthropy | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund | Mi Familia Vota | National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Day Laborer Organizing Network | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina/o Psychological Association | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | Presente.org | SER Jobs for Progress National | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | UnidosUS | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.- Mexico Foundation | Voto Latino