| Published on February 19, 2004 |
At an invitation-only event, newly appointed HACR president and CEO, Alfonso E. Martinez, was formally introduced to an enthusiastic crowd composed of Members of Congress, corporate America, and national Hispanic leadership. The event was co-sponsored by the HACR board of directors and the Library of Congress, and provided an opportunity for Alfonso to share his vision and plans for the organization.
The event was attended by Congressmen Ciro Rodriguez and Joe Baca representing the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and CHC Corporate America Task Force, respectively. Both Congressmen lauded the work that HACR has been doing during the past 18 years, and shared their willingness to work with the organization on issues that affect the Hispanic community and corporate America. Rep. Baca gave an impassioned speech about the importance of diversity and corporate responsibility in the Hispanic community.
Alma Morales Riojas, HACR board member, served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Ms. Riojas also is the president and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization. The event also featured Gilbert Sandate, director of workforce diversity for the Library of Congress, as one of the speakers.
Mr. Martinez speech focused on the power of the Hispanic market and the imbalance between the Hispanic economic power and its decision making power. He elevated the organization's 26 corporate partners to "Corporate Activists" because of their individual leadership "in improving society while creating a better future for generations yet to come." Mr. Martinez shared his deep belief that "leadership is about responsibility and not privilege" and how this will drive the work of the organization with corporate America.
The reception culminated with Mr. Martinez making an important call to action. He called for at least one Hispanic in all Fortune 500 boardrooms by the year 2010; work with corporate America to ensure all Fortune 500 companies actually track and then grow their minority procurement spending; work with corporate America to improve its acquisition, its retention, and the upward mobility of Hispanic talent commensurate with the available labor pool; and work with companies to target more philanthropic efforts to community-based organizations that directly serve the interest of the Hispanic community.
For more information, please contact:
Omar Velarde-Wong
Director of Communications
Phone: 202.835.9672
Fax: 202.457.0455
ovelarde@hacr.org
|
