Public Policy - Business - Energy - Health - Insurance - Education - Civic Engagement - Politics - Finance

SELECT STORIES - Week of May 5, 2020


Kudos to the 91-year-old League of United Latin Americans (LULAC) Town Hall on COVID-19 Protecting Essential Workers Live yesterday, on May 4, in partnership with Univision.
  • Domingo Garcia, President, National LULAC
  • Sindy Benavides, Executive Director
  • Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi (Dist 2)
  • Rep. Zoe Lofgren, California (Dist 19)
  • Rep. Joaquin Castro, Texas (Dist 20)
  • Rep. Filemon Vela, Texas (Dist 34)

COVID-19

Business

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

ENERGY

Mexico

TECHNOLOGY

WORLD'S RICHEST MAN - Cuban-American Jeff Bezos personal wealth near $145 billion

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL
HIGHLIGHTS - CLICK IMAGE
Commissioner Valerie Espinoza
New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission
New Mexico's Commissioner Valerie Espinoza has served on the Public Regulatory Commission since 2012, the same year Hispanics In Energy was formed. Valerie is the most senior of the five Hispanics serving as utility commissioners in America. New Mexico is one of the few states that elects its utility commissioners. Espinoza completes her term in that powerful position in 2020 and she has been contemplating her next move. A local elected official and advanced educated engineer, Joseph Maestas, has entered the race to replace her. New Mexico's primary election is this summer.
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Congressman Henry Cuellar was tapped to serve on President Trump's task force to reopen the American economy. Cuellar, a moderate, has championed business and energy policies in Congress. He represents a community that stretches from San Antonio to Laredo, Texas. He recently overcame a primary challenge by leftist elements tied to New York's Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio Cortez (D-NY). Cuellar was supported by the House Democrat leadership in his re-election effort. He won the re-election because the District is overwhelmingly Democrat. They say, "Don't mess with Texas." Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) was also assigned to the task force and both are outspoken advocates for the best interest of Texans.
TELACU Education Foundation Gala
David, Priscilla and Michael Lizárraga
The successful "Annual Building the Dream Gala" scheduled for June 12, 2020 has been cancelled by TELACU due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In a thoughtful and compelling letter, the Lizárraga family recognized the efforts of their supporting stakeholders. TELACU helps to successfully prepare 2,000 students throughout their academic career to graduation. The Lizárragas are grateful to all those supporters over the last 37 years. This exemplary program is one of a kind in America that includes producing graduates with advanced degrees in STEM occupations.
Esther Aguilera, Latino Corporate Directors Assn.
Have you ever wondered how well the energy sector is doing by way of including Hispanics in its top ranks and most influential positions? Thanks to Esther Aguilera and the Latino Corporate Directors Association, we can now review how energy and other industries are faring with respect to this highly important topic. Check out the information.

According to Fortune 1000 board data collected from the  LCDA Latino Board Tracker , of the 118 companies in the Energy Sector, 74 percent still lack Latino/a board representation with 27 companies having one Latino/a Board Director and 4 companies having two Latino/a Board Directors.

Great service, Esther! Keep up the good work!
 
Careers On The Move - Congratulations!
Andy Carrasco
V.P. Strategy & Engagement & Chief Environmental Officer
SoCalGas
Los Angeles, CA
Jared Hawes
Manager, Federal Affairs
Public Service Enterprise Group
New Jersey
Jesus Soto
Chief Operating Officer
Mears Group, Inc.
Houston, TX
Hispanic Americans Would Hold 18 Seats In The United States Senate If ... All Things Were Equal
Hispanics Americans are 18% of the population of the United States. That is the benchmark for equity and inclusion for Hispanics at the national level. Today, Hispanics only have four members in the powerful 100-member U.S. Senate. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ); Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX); Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL); and, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

So, how will Hispanic American increase their number by 14. Short term: Three more Hispanic U.S. Senators likely if Puerto Rico achieves statehood (two more Senators) and New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Lujan replaces Democrat Senator Tom Udal who has announced he is not running for re-election 2020. Long-term: California is behind the eight ball and needs to come up with two, Arizona with one, Colorado with one, New Mexico already mentioned, New York, North Carolina, Illinois should all be considered.

HISPANIC U.S. Senators - CLICK IMAGE
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Cuban-American Senator Menendez has served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has championed diversity and inclusion in America's corporate board rooms. He joined the Senate in 2006 after serving in the House of Representatives since 1992. Menendez is the elder-Latino-statesman and highly experienced in the ways of Washington D.C. He speaks Spanish fluently.
Senator Ted Rafael Cruz (R-TX)
Cuban-American Senator Cruz was elected to the Senate in 2012 and is the first Hispanic American to serve as a U.S. Senator from Texas. He graduated from Harvard Law School and held various government positions and advisor to former President George W. Bush. He ran for president in 2016 and was the first formidable candidate who lost to Donald J. Trump.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D- NV)
Mexican-Italian-American Senator Masto's father, Manny Cortez, was a successful attorney from Las Vegas and good friend of former Senate leader Harry Reid. She is the first Hispanic to be elected to the U. S. Senate in 2018. Masto is also a successful attorney in both Nevada and Washington D.C. In 2006 she defeated Don Chairez to become the first Laitna Attorney General in Nevada. She serves on the Senate's powerful Energy Committee and a champion in education.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Cuban-American Senator Rubio, was elected to the Senate in 2010. He chairs the Senate Small Business Committee and was highly influential the setting forth resources to mitigate the impact coronavirus had on small businesses. Wikipedia says "Due to his influence in U.S. policies in regard to Latin America he has been described as a 'virtual secretary of state for Latin America." Rubio's base includes close relationships with former Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. He became a member of Congress in 2000.
www.latinojournal.net