Committee to Address Education Policy and Programs Impacting the Hispanic Community
CHICAGO — May 31, 2011 — President Barack Obama last week announced his appointment of Chicago business and community leader, Manny Sanchez to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. The Advisory Commission is made up of 16 members that will provide real-time input and advice on the development, implementation and coordination of education policy and programs that impact the Hispanic community.
“The extraordinary dedication these men and women bring to their new roles will greatly serve the American people,” said President Obama in announcing new members of the Commission. “I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics director Juan Sepúlveda said the Commission will chart ways to increase Hispanic educational attainment, which is important for the country’s economy.
“The Commission will identify ways to strengthen our country. Hispanic students have graduated at lower rates than the rest of the population for years, making America’s progress impossible if they continue to lag behind,” said Sepúlveda. “Strengthening and improving educational excellence in this community isn’t just a Hispanic problem. It’s a challenge for our entire country.”
“I am honored and humbled to be selected by President Obama and the Department of Education to collaborate with this group of talented leaders from across the country,” said Manny Sanchez. “I believe this Advisory Commission will play an integral part in creating a long-term impact on education for millions of children.”
On Oct. 19, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13555, renewing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. This historic event demonstrated the President’s strong support for the critical role Hispanics play in the overall prosperity of the nation and highlights the Administration’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities and improving education outcomes for all students.
Other elements of the executive order include:
- Working directly with communities nationwide in public-private partnerships, linking together key individuals and organizations from within and outside the education system to increase capacity and announce communitywide education initiatives.
- Forming a Federal Interagency Working Group to exchange resources and address issues impacting the lives of Hispanics nationwide, including housing, health, finance, employment and education, among others.
Other individuals appointed by President Obama to the Commission include Eduardo J. Padrón (chair) and César Conde of Fla.; Francisco G. Cigarroa, Ricardo Romo, Sylvia Acevedo and JoAnn Gama of Texas; Darline P. Robles and Patricia Gándara of Calif.; Alicia Abella and Marta Tienda of N.J.; Luis R. Fraga of Wash.; Maria Neira and Lisette Nieves of N.Y.; Daniel Cardinali of Va.; and Alfredo J. Artiles of Ariz.
Sanchez is the Founder and Managing Partner of Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP, a civil litigation defense law firm founded in 1987.
Click on the following links to read the White House Press Release and the U.S. Department of Education Press Release.
