http://www.elpueblo.org/

El Pueblo Receives National Advocacy Award
National Council of La Raza Recognizes NC Latino organization’s work

Phoenix, AZ - El Pueblo is the recipient of the 2004 National Affiliate Award for Advocacy from the National Council of La Raza. The award was given to the organization today in Phoenix, Arizona by NCLR Executive Director Janet Murguia.

“El Pueblo is an extraordinary organization that leads the charge on Latino priorities in North Carolina,� stated NCLR President Raul Yzaguirre, “The staff of El Pueblo illustrate wisdom, determination, and courage it takes to create social change and empower our community.�

The National Council of La Raza, based in Washington, DC, is the nation’s most influential Hispanic civil rights organization. “Being recognized by this leading group is quite humbling,� stated El Pueblo Executive Director Andrea Bazán-Manson, “we work closely with NCLR in legislation affecting our community, and they have mentored our advocacy efforts from the very beginning.“

El Pueblo was founded in 1995 as a statewide Latino advocacy and public policy organization based in Raleigh. El Pueblo hosts several high-profile events yearly, such as the festival La Fiesta del Pueblo, and the conference Latino Issues Forum. It has advocacy and educational programs in health, literacy, voter registration, youth leadership development, tobacco prevention, and public safety. The non profit organization has three lobbyists on staff working with the state General Assembly, as well at the national level.

The award was given at the NCLR’s annual meeting, a gathering of over 20,000 Latino leaders and activitists from around the US. The event is also drawing significant political participation, with US Presidential Candidate John Kerry, the Senior Senator from AZ, John McCain, and many other dignitaries and national leaders in attendance.