Hispanic Chamber Honors NY Lawmaker
WASHINGTON -- Ambassadors from Latin America gathered at the Washington Convention Center to honor New York Congressman Eliot Engel for his commitment to the issues facing Latin America at a dinner hosted by the GWHCC.
Engel received the 2010 Public Service Award from the GWHCC for his accomplishments as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee under the Foreign Affairs Committee during the current Congress. During his tenure as chairman, he took initiatives to promote trade with Latin America, improve the counternarcotics strategy in the region, and advocate for assistance to Haiti. In his acceptance speech, Engel emphasized the economic growth of Latin America and stated that nations of the Americas should work more closely to become a greater influence in the international economy. Furthermore, he pledged to continue working with the new congressional leadership for immigration reform and other policies that will benefit the Americas. Angela Franco, President and CEO of the GWHCC, said, "We're very pleased with what Rep. Engel has done for the Hispanic community. He has pushed forward the concept of Hispanics in the US strengthening economic and cultural ties not just with their countries of origin, but with all Latin and Central America as natural allies united by ties of language and culture." Dr. Arturo Valenzuela, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, was the keynote speaker at the dinner. Valenzuela stressed the importance of successful democratization and stabilization of many Latin American countries from the regimes of the past. He commended the U.S. for refocusing its partnerships in Latin America towards more equal exchange and participation. Valenzuela also highlighted the importance that Hispanics in the U.S. play in the economies of Latin American nations, as their approximate 50 billion dollars in remittances surpass the aid provided by the U.S. government. The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce organizes the Embassy Celebration Dinner Series in conjunction with the Washington Convention and Sports Authority. Future plans include inaugurating the Expo of the Americas, with the purpose of promoting commercial and cultural exchanges between Latin American countries and Hispanic businesses in the metropolitan region. The proposed event will take place at the Washington Convention Center in the near future. This year, seven ambassadors and other dignitaries from Latin America attended the Second Annual Embassy Dinner Series representing 13 countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Korea,Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. About the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington metropolitan area by facilitating the success of Latino and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education, and access to capital. The Chamber was founded in 1976 and is 501(C) 6.
