Spring Break
Organizations advocate Hispanic rights
Lindsey Pruitt
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
Members of two UA Latino organizations visited the nation's capital for Advocacy Day with the National Council of La Raza, according to a press release.
"This trip gave me the opportunity to voice out the disparities that exist among our community to our representatives in Washington, D.C.," said Luis Manjarrez, founding member of Phi Iota Alpha.
Phi Iota, the first Latino fraternity in Arkansas, and the League of United Latin American Citizens sent members to receive policy briefings by the National Council of La Raza.
While in the district, member of the organizations were briefed by the NCLR on specific pieces of legislation in Congress that would improve the economic and social status of all Hispanics, said Phi Iota President Danny Diaz.
"We thanked Senator [Blanche] Lincoln for always being on board with the DREAM Act and pressed Senator [Mark] Pryor for an explanation on why he changed his support this last session," Diaz said.
The DREAM Act is a piece of proposed federal legislation in the U.S. that would provide eligibility for legal status to high school students who are undocumented immigrants and wish to attend college or serve in the armed forces.
"We continued the dialogue with Congressman [John] Boozman, who has never supported the DREAM Act, and urged him to hear the outcry of desperation of potential Razorbacks in his backyard," Diaz said.
Manjarrez expressed interest in attending the NCLR Awards, a briefing day on which pieces of legislation NCLR will focus.
"Everyone that attends meets with their states' senators and congressman to talk to them about issues that are affecting their communities," Manjarrez said.
"Since I am the vice president of LULAC, I was invited and we all raised funds with LULAC so that we could attend," he said.
Alejandro Aviles, philanthropy chair and founding member for Phi Iota, organized the trip to the capital.
"It is our fraternity's mission to promote economic and social mobilization, and we traveled to our nation's capital bringing with us a passion for the amelioration of those in need and we hope to continue this endeavors for years to come," Aviles said.
"This trip gave me the opportunity to voice out the disparities that exist among our community to our representatives in Washington, D.C.," said Luis Manjarrez, founding member of Phi Iota Alpha.
Phi Iota, the first Latino fraternity in Arkansas, and the League of United Latin American Citizens sent members to receive policy briefings by the National Council of La Raza.
While in the district, member of the organizations were briefed by the NCLR on specific pieces of legislation in Congress that would improve the economic and social status of all Hispanics, said Phi Iota President Danny Diaz.
"We thanked Senator [Blanche] Lincoln for always being on board with the DREAM Act and pressed Senator [Mark] Pryor for an explanation on why he changed his support this last session," Diaz said.
The DREAM Act is a piece of proposed federal legislation in the U.S. that would provide eligibility for legal status to high school students who are undocumented immigrants and wish to attend college or serve in the armed forces.
"We continued the dialogue with Congressman [John] Boozman, who has never supported the DREAM Act, and urged him to hear the outcry of desperation of potential Razorbacks in his backyard," Diaz said.
Manjarrez expressed interest in attending the NCLR Awards, a briefing day on which pieces of legislation NCLR will focus.
"Everyone that attends meets with their states' senators and congressman to talk to them about issues that are affecting their communities," Manjarrez said.
"Since I am the vice president of LULAC, I was invited and we all raised funds with LULAC so that we could attend," he said.
Alejandro Aviles, philanthropy chair and founding member for Phi Iota, organized the trip to the capital.
"It is our fraternity's mission to promote economic and social mobilization, and we traveled to our nation's capital bringing with us a passion for the amelioration of those in need and we hope to continue this endeavors for years to come," Aviles said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Sonia Gutierrez
posted 3/14/08 @ 10:34 AM CST
It is wonderful to know that our hispanic college students are getting involved in politics, forming new social and networking organizations, and becoming visibile in the community. (Continued…)
Donald larussi
posted 3/14/08 @ 4:15 PM CST
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It was a bit of a surprise this morning to see so many white anti Mexican strategists meet at a Bozeman, Montana coffee shop to not just figure out ways to end illegal immigration. (Continued…)
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