Nationwide search for a new LULAC CEO and Gloria Leal, Analuisa Tapia and Vanessa Guillen Joins
The First Ever Women Named: Gloria Leal, a Texas attorney, as LULAC General Counsel
Analuisa Tapia, the heroine of the Vanessa Guillen movement for justice as LULAC's first national Sergeant-at-Arms
Sara Walker from Chicago LULAC named special national advisor to the president
Leaders of Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Holding the Official Governance Meeting in Dallas, Texas Say the Changes Signal the Start of a New Era for LULAC
Leaders Climax Historic Meeting with Call for Unity and Commitment to the Mission of LULAC
LULAC NATIONAL BOARD AND LULAC INSTITUTE NAME THREE WOMEN TO TOP POSTS IN AN HISTORIC MOVE
LULAC FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE AFTER NEW MEMBERS ARE NAMED TO ORGANIZATION'S LEADERSHIP
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) board of directors issued a statement on its decision to terminate the remainder of its contract with LULAC Chief Executive Officer Sindy Benavides. LULAC will now launch a nationwide search to select a new CEO for America's largest and oldest Latino civil rights group, founded in 1929. The board then voted to authorize the national president and his designees to oversee all matters related to LULAC operations and activities.
"LULAC today is making it very clear that our organization is moving forward as we have for 93 years, with new leadership and a bold agenda," said LULAC National President and Chair Domingo Garcia. "We are proud to announce that today, Gloria Leal, a Texas attorney, has been appointed to hold the position of LULAC General Counsel, the first woman to do so in our more than nine decades of existence. In another first, we appointed Analuisa Tapia, the heroine of the Vanessa Guillen movement for justice, LULAC's first national Sergeant-at-Arms. Additionally, Sara Walker from Chicago LULAC was named special national advisor to the president."
Leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued a statement following a two-day national board meeting pledging to members, corporate partners, and community allies to stay focused on the organization's mission of serving the 66 million Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico.
"We want to report that we have come out united, committed, and stronger than ever with one voice that includes elected LULAC representatives from all corners of the country," said Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President.
In relation to misinformation that references former LULAC National President Roger Rocha as the LULAC National Institute (LNI) chairman, Mr. Rocha has emitted the following statement:
"Fellow LULAC members and friends, I was notified this afternoon that there is false information being distributed stating that I was elected the Chair of the LULAC National Institute (LNI); however, the position I hold within the LNI is as its Vice Chairman. There is only one LULAC National Institute (LNI), and that is the one that is officially recognized by the LULAC National Board (LNO). The Chairman of the LNI is Mr. Domingo Garcia, and as such, the rest of the LNI Board members and I work with him for the betterment of our community."
Garcia says the fake claims are being led by a group of five national board officers removed and impeached, with one of the officers expelled from membership in the league. The action was taken after considering an array of violations of the organization's constitution. The decision means the individuals cease to be members of the national board. Also, refunding their membership dues ends their participation in the organization. Any future involvement in the league by these individuals requires re-applying for membership and acceptance of their dues by local, state, and national LULAC officials. Impeachment charges against President Garcia were dismissed.
In a separate, related action, the board removed Linda Chavez, National Vice-President of the Southwest, as ineligible to serve in that capacity according to constitutional requirements following an expulsion. On Friday, the LULAC national board voted to terminate the contract of Sindy Benavides as CEO.
"Our eyes are on our work ahead and we are committed to working together on the urgent needs facing our people," said Garcia. "We will not be distracted by bogus claims from a makeshift, tiny group of individuals falsely claiming the LULAC shield and banner. These people were removed and impeached for violating the LULAC constitution, guiding our organization for 93 years. They do not represent LULAC, now or in the future," he added.
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/
For more information, contact David Cruz – 818 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org