Welcome to our First LULAC Florida Newsletter, The LULAC

Florida Pulse: La Voz del Futuro!

By: Gustavo Rivera
Council # 7258

In these difficult times which our community faces, it is imperative that we not only maintain our means of communication, but enhance them. That is why LULAC Florida is launching this newsletter: The LULAC Florida Pulse: La Voz del Futuro. At heart, LULAC is a community organization based on common interest across 33 states with over 325,509 members and close to 535 councils. Our mission to protect the civil and human rights of Latinos in the US, which began in 1929, and continues to this day, and which has expanded over the decades to encompass a wide variety of issues, is predicated on a robust means of communication. We feel that the launching of this newsletter advances that tradition.

In Florida, the Latino population has grown, as it has in the rest of the nation. As a percentage of the population in Florida, Latinos now make up approximately 27% which translates to roughly 6.1 million people. This is concomitant with the growth of the Latino population in our country which now numbers roughly 66 million or about 19.5% of the total population. Latinos are and will continue to be for the foreseeable future the largest ethnic minority in the US. As the Latino population grows, so does a growing wave of xenophobic attacks by a small but vocal and influential number of our own fellow citizens. As these attacks grow, so does the voice of LULAC Florida councils and the need for a more rapid response to these threats. When designing our newsletter, we were conscious of identifying the various issues of concerns for our councils, so that we could provide our members a forum in which they can inform, educate, advocate, and ultimately call for action.

In this issue we begin our endeavor to do precisely that and raise our voices in order to address the increasing attacks on the civil and human rights of our Latino community. Giving voice to these concerns several of our council leaders have contributed their thoughts on the many issues that concern them, starting with our State Director, Asia Claremont who shares with us her vision for LULAC Florida and a call for action, as well as an invitation to the community at large to participate in a mental health program designed to address issues to individuals impacted by recent natural disasters and other challenges.

On the issue of immigration, Dr. Lydia Medrano addresses LULAC’s history and priorities on the issue as well as resources. Karen Patricio shares with us an empowerment initiative designed to offer a comprehensive training to defend immigrant rights.

LULAC has been at the forefront of women empowerment since the 30’s of the last century, and again, Dr. Lydia Medrano provides us with background and new information, as well as Ana Rivera with an inspiring call to action.

On the issue of environmental protection, climate change and its impact on our communities and what we can do about it, David Sinclair gives us a thorough background and how to become involved.

On the very important issue of education, Mari Corugedo shares with us the importance of school funding and the critical role the US Department of Education has in supporting our communities. Dr. Ryan Pontier shares with us the critical role his council in particular plays in informing and advocating for our students and our alliance with other educational organizations.

These issues will be presented and discussed in our LULAC Florida 2025 Convention appropriately titled, “Strengthening Florida Latino Citizens Through Leadership and Advocacy”. Our Convention Chair, Dr. Jose Hernandez tireless efforts organizing all the elements of the convention and assuring that we have the opportunity to learn and participate will assure all attendees a memorable experience. Please make sure to register and read the press release providing further detail.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank our newsletter team, Asia Claremont, Nikki Rivera, and Clarence Claremont, for their efforts to bring you this publication. Please be sure to subscribe if you haven’t yet, and encourage your colleagues and fellow council members to do so.