PRESS
RELEASE from Colorado Campaign for Change
September 6, 2008
Obama Campaign Announces Colorado Latino Advisory Council
DENVER, CO - Today, the Obama Campaign announced the formation of its
Colorado Latino Advisory Council, highlighting the continued growth of
support Senator Obama is receiving in the Latino community statewide.
The advisory council is made up of key labor, community and faith
leaders and elected officials from across the state, who will advise
the campaign on issues important to the Latino community, as well as
play an active role engaging and mobilizing Latino voters in their
local communities.
"I am honored to have the support of these
leaders that have dedicated their lives to advancing opportunity - not
just for Latinos; but for all Americans. They've all fought tirelessly
for an economy that rewards work and the workers who create it, a
quality education for our children, access to affordable health care,
civil rights and voting rights," said Senator Obama. "With their
counsel and support, we will continue building our movement for change
in every community in Colorado and across the country."
"Latino voters will play a pivotal role in the November election, and
our job is to ensure we are communicating Senator Obama's message to
this key community," said National Council Chair, Federico Peña.
"The
members of the advisory council bring a breadth of knowledge,
experience, leadership, and action to mobilizing Latinos here in
Colorado. Over the next two months, we will be out talking about the
contrast between Senator Obama's commitment to changing the direction
of our country and putting in place an economic plan that works for
America's middle class families and McCain's plan to continue the
failed Bush economic policies of the last eight years."
Former
State Senator Polly Baca said, "Senator Obama represents the kind of
leadership that will fight for America's working families and will help
create opportunities to empower our communities across America at this
critical moment in history."
"As the Latino community
continues to get to know Senator Obama, it is clear that he is the
right candidate for our issues and is the best candidate to deliver the
change that America desperately needs," said State Senator Abel Tapia.
"Senator Obama not only understands the struggles and diversity of our
community but because of his personal history and background he will
stand with us and be a fighter for our issues."
Basil
Sabbah, Chairman of the Board of Solera National Bank, said, "He will
create jobs here in America, lower taxes on the middle class, reform
our education system, and ensure that all Americans have access to
quality, affordable health care. I look forward to continuing to work
to elect Senator Obama as the next President of the United States."
Colorado Latino Advisory Council Members:
Katherine Archuleta, Senior Policy Advisor to Denver Mayor John
Hickenlooper; President of the Board of Directors, Latina Initiative
Polly Baca, Former State Senator
Richard Baca, Retired Higher Education Administrator, Mesa State
College
Patricia Barela Rivera, Former CO District Director, U.S. Small
Business Administration
Adrienne Benavidez, Attorney, District Director with the State
of Colorado
Celina Benavidez, Director, Division of Human Resources and
Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation
Juana Bordas, President, Mestiza Leadership International
State Representative Ed Casso, House District 32
Zee Ferrufino, Owner, KBNO Radio
Debra Gallegos, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Colorado
Department of Transportation
Rick Garcia, Denver City Council Member, District 1
Dr. Eric Gonzalez Juenke, Professor of Political Science
Lucia Guzman - Pastor, United Methodist Church; Director, Denver
Council of Human Rights/Community Relations; Former Executive Director,
CO Council of Churches
Arturo Jimenez, Denver Public School Board Member, District 5
Paul Lopez, Denver City Council Member, District 3
Rich Lopez, Owner, Greeley Printers
Denise Maes, Chairwoman, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Debbie Marquez, DNC Member, Eagle County
Chris Martinez, Chairman, RTD Board of Directors
Ramona Martinez, Chair, DNC Hispanic Caucus
James Mejía, CEO, Denver Preschool Program
Christopher Meza, Denver Business Owner
Judy Montero, Denver City Council Member, District 9
Keith Montoya, Owner, Doc 1 Solutions
Dianne Ortiz, Vice Chair, Pueblo Chicano Democratic Caucus
Gil Ortiz, Political Director, Laborers Union, Local 578,
Colorado Springs
Dan Pabon, Attorney, Holland and Hart; Denver Young Democrats
Federico Peña, Chair, National Hispanic Advisory Council;
National
Obama Campaign Co-Chair; Former Mayor of Denver; Former U.S. Secretary
of Energy and Transportation
Theresa Peña, School Board President, Denver Public
Schools