Speech #1090080849

I inducted the festival into the Library of Congress as a local legacy in the State of California. Individuals in my district are the motivating force behind the remarkable organizations that promote civic engagement among Latinos in the 9th Congressional District. Leaders like Jesus Rodriguez. an Oakland Community Organization field representative. who organizes informational town hall meetings on health care. education. and immigration for the Latino community. Belen Pulido. an Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action field representative. helps BOCA fulfill its mission of creating a coalition of interfaith congregations throughout the city of Berkeley to come together to dialog the need of faith support in the wider Berkeley area. Belens leadership has been instrumental in having BOCA meeting the needs of the Latino community by persuading Berkeley High School in the English Language Learners program to translate forms and documents into Spanish for parents. In addition. Belen has organized immigration town halls and fundraiser for the School of the Americas organization. Mr. Speaker. these are just a few examples. but I hope that this Congress will acknowledge the contributions of the Latino community to our nation.