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LULAC VOWS TO BE AT THE CENTER OF LEGISLATIVE POWER IN TEXAS AS THE NEW SESSION GETS UNDERWAY

January 8, 2023
For more information, contact
David Cruz at (818) 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Its Members are Ready to Testify and Ensure the State's 11.4 Million Latinos Are Represented on Critical Issues

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) says the organization will be in the house as the Texas Legislature convenes the 88th regular session from January 10 to May 29, 2023.

"There is a great deal at stake in one of the nation's bellwether states for Latinos," said Domingo Garcia, LULAC national president. "2023 marks an important milestone in Texas as Latino voters reach record numbers, and the 2024 presidential campaign is already on the horizon. The state's Republican-led legislature has shown it is willing to do whatever it takes to retain power, and this session will be critical to its plans. The road to the White House next year runs through this statehouse, and LULAC is here to make sure Latino voter rights are protected," said Garcia.

Education is center stage for LULAC during this session, according to veteran LULAC leaders who have been involved in legislative policy for decades. "It is disheartening at times, and even my children wonder why I keep doing this work, but we can and must," says Gloria Sasser, Texas LULAC chief-of-staff and former League of Women Voters state official. "It is critical to make sure that funding for our Latino school children is protected, especially for dual language programs, and to ensure students with special needs have the resources they need. Also, educational programs should not be infringed upon for teaching historically accurate accounts," said Sasser.

LULAC says it is monitoring planned legislative actions on other vital issues, including expanding Medicaid for children and families, healthcare for women, gun law reforms, programs impacting veterans, and the rights of the LGBTQ community. "I live the reality daily of being in a state where the law operates on a double standard between its straight and gay taxpayers," said Rodolfo Rosales Jr., Texas LULAC state director and the organization's first openly gay elected officer. "This legislature is packed with individuals who claim to love God, but they can't love their fellow gay neighbor, forcing even some of them to remain in the closet," added Rosales. "LULAC pledges to fight for LGBTQ rights,” he added.

Texas LULAC and chapters across the United States are creating coalitions to monitor legislative activity and track bills better as they make their way through the deliberation process. "Recently, we participated in a comprehensive legislative briefing with other community-based legacy civil rights organizations in Texas," said Gabriel Rosas, Texas LULAC legislative director. "We understand well that there is strength in numbers. Also, it is evident to us that we must be present in both chambers of the legislature this session to have our voices heard and our views expressed. That is exactly what we are prepared to do," said Rosales.

About LULAC

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC's programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/