Nation's Most Prestigious Hispanic Heritage Month Events to Celebrate 'Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation's premier Hispanic youth leadership development and educational organization, announced "Celebrating Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy," as this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme, commemorating three anniversary milestones: the 25th Public Policy Fellowship; 20th Congressional Internship and 5th Annual Scholarship Awards.

CHCI's 2006 Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy Night, and 29th Annual Gala will be held in Washington, D.C., from October 2 - 4. Note to editors: For details, see "schedule" at end of press release or visit http://www.chci.org/.

"The week of October 1, is the week to be in Washington, D.C.," said CHCI President and CEO, Esther Aguilera. "This year's events will be the most attended yet, celebrating significant milestones and gathering the nation's top elected officials and Hispanic luminaries to achieve a common goal: help develop the next generation of Latino leaders -- Our Youth, Our Future, Our Legacy."

CHCI's Hispanic Heritage Month events are the organization's primary annual fundraisers, benefiting its nationally recognized leadership development programs and educational services.

"Over the last 25 years, CHCI has played a critical role in empowering Hispanic youth with opportunities to grow and gain valuable experience about our nation's policy making process."

"As young Hispanics begin their careers, we empower them to assume critical leadership roles in State, Local and Federal Government, Corporate America, and their respective communities," added Aguilera.

Kicking off CHCI's Hispanic Heritage Month events is the Public Policy Conference, to be held this year at the Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, October 2 and 3. The conference includes timely policy panel discussions, lead by Hispanic Members of Congress, on immigration, labor and capital markets to events honoring veterans, Latina leaders and other Hispanic luminaries.

CHCI's signature comedy event, Reyes of Comedy Night, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3 at the Washington Warner Theater. The evening promises to be an unforgettable evening of laughter as Hispanic comedians take the stage of the historic Warner Theater for two non-stop hours. In the past, Reyes of Comedy Night has featured comedians such as Carlos Mencia of Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia.

Closing the week is CHCI's 29th Annual Gala, taking place Wednesday, October 4 at the Washington Convention Center. More than 2,000 guests will help honor prominent Hispanics for their excellence in and dedication to leadership, community service, and unparalleled contributions to this great nation.

             CHCI Hispanic Heritage Month Detailed Schedule:

  Monday, October 2, 2006
  Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

   7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.    Opening Breakfast: "Celebrating Labor Leadership"
                            Hon. Ed Pastor - Moderator

   8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.    Opening Plenary: "State of Hispanic America:
                            A Demographic Overview"
                            Jose Diaz-Balart, Telemundo - Moderator*
                            Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano - Panel Chair

   10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.    Summit Panels - Lead by Members of Congress
                            Education I - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
                           --  Banking & Finance - Hon. Loretta Sanchez
                           --  Civil Rights - Hon. Charlie Gonzalez
                           --  Livable Communities - Hon. Raul Grijalva
                           --  Health I - Hon. Hilda Solis
                           --  Mental Health - Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano
                           --  Housing - Hon. Nydia Velasquez

   1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.   Opening Lunch: Capital Markets & Wealth Creation
                            Hon. Loretta Sanchez - Moderator*

   2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.   General Session: "State of Latino Youth:
                            Struggling at the Margins"

   4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.    Latina Leaders Celebration
                            Hon. Hilda Solis - Moderator

   6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.   Welcome Reception: "Alumni Reunion"


  Tuesday, October 3, 2006
  Washington, D.C. Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

   7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.   Closing Continental Breakfast: "Salute to
                            Hispanic Veterans"
                            Hon. John Salazar - Moderator

   8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.    Closing Plenary: "Town Hall on Immigration"
                            Maria Elena Salinas, Univision's National News
                            Anchor - Moderator*
                            Hon. Luis Gutierrez - Panel Chair

   10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Summit Panels - Lead by Members of Congress
                           --  Health II - Hon. Hilda Solis
                           --  Technology, Communications & the Arts - Hon.
                               Xavier Becerra
                           --  Labor - Hon. Ed Pastor
                           --  Education II - Hon. Ruben Hinojosa
                           --  International Relations - Hon. Silvestre
                               Reyes
                           --  Small Business - Hon. Nydia Velasquez
                           --  Corporate America - Hon. Joe Baca

   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. Emerging Leaders' Series

   12:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.  Emerging Leaders' Series Keynote Lunch

   12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.  Closing Lunch with Senatorial Leaders
                            Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano

   2:00 pm. - 4:30 pm      Emerging Leaders' Series - Issues Campaign
                            Training

   8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  Reyes of Comedy - Washington Warner Theater


  Wednesday, October 4, 2006
  Washington, D.C. Convention Center

   5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.   29th Annual Gala Reception

   6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  29th Annual Gala

   10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. After Dinner Dessert Reception


  * Invited.


  About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org/.