CNC Honors Velazquez and Diaz-Balart

On March 11, 2009 ALPFA-DC Board members Angela De Jesus and Noel Nazario (KPMG) attended the Cuban-American National Council’s (CNC) Hispanic Leadership Celebration honoring Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL). The Cuban American National Council (CNC) is a non-profit organization providing human services to persons in need from all racial and ethnic groups. CNC assists individuals to become self reliant, and builds bridges among America’s diverse communities. (http://www.cnc.org/)

Guarione M. Diaz, President and CEO Cuban-American National Council and Alicia Díaz, Director Legislative Policy & Government Relations welcomed everyone and introduced the honorees. Congresswoman Velázquez and Congressman Diaz-Balart recognized the CNC’s achievements, particularly in providing affordable housing and supporting the education of
Hispanic students at risk.

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (pictured here with Mr. Nazario) has represented New York's 12th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since 1993. Congresswoman Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress, is the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee. She oversees federal programs and contracts totaling $200 billion dollars annually. She also serves on the House Financial Services Committee and is the current chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. (http://www.house.gov/velazquez/)

In her remarks, Congresswoman Velázquez said that there has been "no better time to be a Latino in this country" and added that there is now a record of 24 Hispanics in Congress and that 10 million Hispanics voted in the last election. In the midst of these positive developments many problems still remain. Of the 47 million uninsured in the US, one third are Hispanics and the school drop-out rate of Hispanics is twice that of the general population. She also said our immigration system is broken and called for reform and an end to the immigration raids.

Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart has represented Florida's 21st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since 1993. In 1994, Congressman Diaz-Balart became the first Hispanic to be named to the powerful House Rules Committee, which decides what legislation may reach the House Floor and what amendments may be debated. Congressman Diaz-Balart is a senior member of the House Rules Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process. (http://diaz-balart.house.gov/)

In his remarks, the Congressman praised the work of the CNC and thanked them for their impact in areas such as Little Havana and Hialeah. He also noted he had visited the low-income housing developed by the CNC and seen first hand the impact it has made in many lives.