Latino Coalition’s Annual Economic Summit – May 23, 2012

The Latino Coalition, the leading Latino non-profit small business organization founded in 1995 with a commitment of building communities and partnerships for a stronger America, announced today that U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida will provide a keynote address and receive the annual Tributo Award at its Annual Economic Summit to be held at Noon on Wednesday, May 23 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce building at 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20062.

The event, held during National Small Business Week (occurring May 20-26 this year), will focus on procurement, business development, and trade opportunities. Each year The Latino Coalition’s Annual Economic Summit attracts a who’s who of U.S. policymakers and national business leaders as well as hundreds of Latino small business owners from across the country.

“Senator Rubio has emerged in the U.S. Senate as an honest, thoughtful and steady voice for small businesspeople across the nation,” said Hector V. Barreto, The Latino Coalition’s Chairman and the former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (2001-2006). “His track record of work in Congress and his remarkable personal story serve as inspiration for all Americans and a reminder of the great opportunity America has provided to millions of Latinos. He knows that policies affecting small businesses are critically important to our nation’s ability to strengthen the economy and create jobs.”

This year The Latino Coalition’s Annual Economic Summit comes on the heels of its annual participation in America’s Small Business Summit, an event organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This year The Latino Coalition will host hundreds of delegates from throughout the United States as well as international small business delegations from Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia.

In 2011, The Latino Coalition presented the prestigious Tributo Award to the U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA), in recognition of significant contributions to the Latino Community and the Leadership Award to U.S. Senator John Cornyn (TX), in recognition of his contributions and outreach to the Latino Community and for years of exemplary public service to this country. Prior Tributo Award recipients include AltaMed President and CEO Cástulo de la Rocha and U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.