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Saint Paul MN 55103

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clac.desk@state.mn.us

©2010 The Chicano Latino Affairs Council. All rights reserved.

Thank you to all who made this historic event

successful first in Minnesota Latino history!

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Chicano Latino Affairs Council hosted the state’s first Latino Legislative Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. With some 200 Latino community members, leaders, supporters, and longtime advocates, the day at the Capitol was success as it addressed the council’s priorities for the 2009 Legislative Session and important policy issues for Minnesota’s Latino community, such as Pre K-12 education, higher education, and health. “I am so happy to see so many members and leaders from our community here engaging in the legislative process,” stated state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-62. Other state legislators present for the event were state Senate Majority Leader Sen. Larry Pogemiller, DFL-59; state Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-22; and state Reps. Al Juhnke, DFL-13B and Carlos Mariani, DFL-65B.

The event program focused on improving health access for the Latino community and higher education opportunities for Latino students in Minnesota. Further, the event also featured the release of the council’s health report entitled, A Latino Health Report: Identifying Barriers and Solutions to Reduce Health Care Disparities. According to Mario Vargas, CLAC Council Member, “We’re in this boat together; when we address the needs of the Latino community, we’re helping all Minnesotans.”

Following the event program, 25 Latino community groups advocated with lawmakers. Each group consisted of 5 or more Latino community members and supporters and met with state legislators for one on one issue briefings on the legislative priorities for the Latino community this session. “Overall, the event was successful in that Latinos participated in the state legislative process to have their voice heard for their community,” stated Rogelio Muñoz, CLAC’s executive director.

Event Program (pdf)

2009 Legislative Day at the Capitol Community Exhibitors

¡GRACIAS! to the student volunteers of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

State Rep. Al Juhnke along with fellow legislators Sens. Jim Vickerman and Patricia Torres-Ray listen attentively to Rogelio Munoz during the presentation of the CLAC legislative agenda     A Latino community legislative team discusses strategy before engaging Pre K-12 briefings with legislators

Attendees in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda     A group of Latino students from the Twin Cities, Austin and Mankato preparing to advocate on behalf of Latinos in higher education

Offering health, CLUES was one of 12 participating agencies     An event leader prepares her team to advocate on behalf of Latino health issues

-Email Oscar Echandi or call (651) 296-9587 with questions or feedback.