LULAC Makes Impact In DC With 23rd Annual Legislative Awards Gala

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Celebrates Courage & Trailblazers

Washington, DC - The historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium located just blocks from the White House, was transformed by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Wednesday evening with a magical celebration honoring elected members of Congress for their advocacy on behalf of Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico. The event was accented by the iconic LULAC seal splashed as a gigantic mural in tones of blue on the three-story high dome overlooking a sold out audience.

“LULAC is back!” clamored Domingo Garcia, National President before an audience of nearly 500 people. “We are being seen, heard and felt in every corner of America and LULAC is taking action on the issues that matter most to Jose y Maria. This morning before dawn millions of Latinos were already in the fields picking the food that’s on our table, they went into our homes to care for our children and they went to work in construction, hotels, restaurants and other work sites in our towns, cities and states all across the nation. They are why LULAC is helping register tens of thousands of new voters, making an impact in Wisconsin, Iowa and Nevada with presidential town halls and we’re winning in the nation’s federal courts to stop those trying to keep Latinos from voting in 2020,” he added.

Dignitaries present for the program, “Vote, Our Lives Depend on It” recognized the service of three members of Congress: Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) from Houston, Veronica Escobar (D-TX) from El Paso and Will Hurd (R-TX). Garcia and Escobar are the first two Latinas ever elected to represent Texas after successful political careers in their respective cities. Hurd is the sole African-American in the House of Representatives who has defended people of color including Latinos against racial hate baiting, called for the fair application of laws in sanctuary cities and supported a proposed national Latino Museum in Washington to celebrate the contributions Latinos are making to America.

“We are American! Somos Americanos,” Sindy Benavides, National Chief Executive Officer, reminded the audience to make a point. “Our blood, sweat and tears have been shed for this country. Even when we are called names, we must lift our heads proudly towards our Creator, rise up against the ignorance and hate, rise up to tear down the walls of division, rise up to overcome bigoted racial pride and the sickness of cult individualism. Yes, we will rise up to uphold our belief in equality and free ourselves from fear of those who do not see us for who we are,” she added.

LULAC’s WeRun National Campaign Training Institute concludes the week of activities on Friday.

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 https://lulac.org/