By Olivia Madera
From April 26-28, California’s League of United Latin American Citizens held their state convention that focused on workshops, speakers, and their annual State LULAC elections. This year the convention took place at Zachari Dunes Resort in Oxnard. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, was the main speaker at the well-attended Gala Dinner event on Saturday evening.
The convention, highlighted community leaders and businesses from the Oxnard and Ventura communities including Ventura County District Five Supervisor Vianey Lopez, VIDA Newspaper Publisher Manuel Muñoz, Policy Advisor and Community Activist Michaela Perez, and Director of Teacher Recruitment for the California Department of Education Karen Sher.
Other speakers included California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Vice President of Far West for LULAC, Jose Barrera, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for California Labor Federation AFL-CIO Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, National Education Association Executive Committee Member Gladys F. Marquez, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
The Military and Veterans Luncheon on Friday, April 26 had Office of the Navy Chief of Staff Christopher Diaz and Military and Veterans Committee Chair Roman Palomares for LULAC National speak.
On Saturday, April 27 a Youth and Young Adult Empowerment breakfast was held with guest speakers such as LULAC National Vice President for the Far West Jose Barrera. The Powerful Women, Women in Power Luncheon was also held and featured guest speaker and State Council Delegate of the California Teachers Association Karen Sher. Later that night, the Gala Awards Dinner was held and complete with a mariachi and cocktail hour beforehand. The Pledge of Allegiance and LULAC Prayer were presented along with two keynote speakers.
After, the California LULAC Special Recognition and Awards were presented with acknowledgement and respect for California LULAC State Director Jacob Sandoval, Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the California Labor Federation (AFL-CIO) Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, National Education Association Executive Committee Gladys F. Marquez, and Manuel Muñoz Publisher of VIDA Newspaper.
There was also a special recognition of Mendez ET AL. Court Case families which included.
William and Virginia Guzman and their son, Billy Guzman from Santa Ana School District. Also included were Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez and their daughter Sylvia Mendez from Westminster School District, Thomas and Ma Luisa Estrada and their daughter Clara and Syria Estrada from Westminster School District, Frank and Irene Palomino and their children Artur and Sally Palomino from Garden Grove School District, and Lorenzo and Josefina Ramirez and their sons, Ignacio, Silvino and Joe Ramirez from El Modena School District.
The convention ended with a Sunday breakfast on April 28.