Washington, DC (CapitalWirePR) July 18, 2008-- The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) hosted its highly successful Second Annual Future Leaders’ Conference at the Organization of Americans States (OAS) where more then 250 Washington, D.C. summer interns and young professionals attended. Conference participants listened to remarks from the OAS Secretary General, Ambassadors and Members of Congress who each addressed the importance of democracy, the Rule of Law, and American leadership in the Western Hemisphere.
 
The CHLI Future Leaders’ Conference provides a unique opportunity for Washington, DC summer interns and young professionals to hear from leading experts, public officials and diplomats on the current challenges and opportunities within the region. This year’s conference theme “Advancing Democracy and Strengthening the Rule of Law,” provided an opportunity for student leaders to hear from policy experts about economic development, political trends and public/private partnerships in the Americas. Registration is free and open to the public.
 
“I was pleased to see such a strong presence of young leaders at the Second Annual CHLI Future Leaders’ Conference.  CHLI will continue with its mission of advancing the Hispanic community’s diversity of thought,” said Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), CHLI
 
“CHLI is proud of its accomplishment of bringing student leaders from diverse backgrounds together for a unique leadership conference, which highlights the increasing need for leadership in the international field in the private, public and non-profit sectors,” said Octavio Hinojosa, CHLI Executive Director.
 
"Today in the Americas, there is a common purpose -- a hemispheric consensus -- that centers on a commitment to democracy.  We are committed to the idea that 'democracy is essential for the social, political, and economic development of the peoples of the Americas,' A commitment enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter," said Ambassador Hector E. Morales, Jr. Permanent Representative of the United States of the OAS. "You represent our future: the future of democratic, economic and social opportunities to address the challenges we face.  As tomorrow's leaders, I know that your experience today at the CHLI Future Leaders conference will have a profound impact on you, our country and our region for many years to come."
 
“I am honored to address the Second Annual Future Leader’s Conference in Washington. I look forward to meeting young leaders from the Hispanic community, and I congratulate CHLI on their success,” said Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28).
 
“I am delighted to participate in CHLI’s Annual Future Leader Conference, which promotes the need for U.S. Hispanic leadership in the international arena so that we can achieve our goals as a community both here at home and abroad,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25).
 
Other speakers for this year’s conference included: Ambassador Federico Humbert of Panama; Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan of Mexico; The Honorable Anna Escobedo Cabral, United States Treasurer; as well as U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (NY-17), Chairman of House Sub-Committee on the Western Hemisphere,
  
Sponsors of the Second Annual CHLI Future Leaders’ Conference include: Altria Client Services, Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, Comcast, Freddie Mac, Fundación Azteca América, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.