LULAC forms three new councils in Iowa

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DES MOINES – The League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa has continued its outreach to Latinos across the state with the recent formation of three new LULAC councils.

There are now 10 councils in the state. Six have formed within the past two years.

“The formation of these new councils shows that our community is united and stronger than ever,” said Joe Enriquez Henry, state director of LULAC of Iowa. “We will continue to broaden our reach across Iowa to areas of the state where we need stronger representation and a stronger voice.”

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The three new councils are in Columbus Junction, Dubuque and Ames.  Iowa’s other LULAC councils are located in Davenport (Quad Cities), Des Moines, Fort Madison, Iowa City, Storm Lake, West Des Moines and West Liberty.

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Enriquez Henry said state LULAC officials will work with individual councils to register more Latinos to vote. U.S. Census data indicate there are potentially 73,000 Latinos of voting age in Iowa. Iowa LULAC has previously identified 35,000 voters through an examination of state voting records. 

LULAC of Iowa will host its third annual Latino Legislative Day from 7 to 9 a.m., with lobbying efforts to follow, Feb. 17 at the Iowa State Capitol. The event will serve as a kick-off to efforts to energize the Latino community to participate in the 2016 presidential caucuses and to preview the organization’s work that will lead up to the caucuses.

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State LULAC leaders will continue to work with Latinos in other communities throughout Iowa that have large Latino populations or have an interest in forming a LULAC council. Efforts are under way to form new councils in Ottumwa, Mason City and Sioux City.

Founded in 1929, the League of United Latin American Citizens is the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. There are more than 2 million members in more than 1,000 local LULAC councils, which hold voter registration drives, provide awareness to residents about language and immigration issues, sponsor programs and advocate for Latinos. 

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For more information, contact Joe Enriquez Henry at 515.208.7312 or [email protected]; or Melissa Walker at 515.681.7731 or [email protected]

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