Washington, DC – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) new Board Chair, Rep. Linda Sánchez, begins her seventh term in Congress with a focus on providing opportunities for young Latinos to achieve the American Dream.  Sánchez is only the fourth woman to serve as chair of CHCI in its nearly 40 year history.

As a champion for Latinos, she is committed to leading the community to greater success and prosperity.  Today Sánchez shares her vision for CHCI and the future of the Latino community in a statement and video message.

CHCI Chair Rep. Linda Sánchez 2015 Message

“On behalf of the CHCI Board of Directors, Advisory Council, alumni and staff, welcome to 2015!

It is an honor to be selected as CHCI’s chair for the next two years. I look forward to building on the great work of Congressman Rubén Hinojosa.

My goal for CHCI is simple: empower the next generation to realize its potential.  For nearly four decades, CHCI has worked tirelessly to develop the next generation of Latino leaders. Through our educational and leadership programs, CHCI reached the highest number of young Latinos in our history last year– more than 1,700! I know we can do more.

One of every four children in America is now Latino and 66,000 Latinos turn 18 every month. These numbers are a sign of our community’s potential. As Chair, I will work hard to make sure our award-winning programs reach more future leaders over the next two years.

In my life, I was fortunate to have mentors who taught me not to accept others’ limited expectations for what I could be or achieve. I want CHCI to offer that kind of inspiration and “I can do it” attitude to young Latinos. There are so many talented Latino youth who need a door of opportunity to open for them. CHCI can help open that door.

This year, we will move into our 21st Century Leadership Center and launch a new era for CHCI.  We will also focus on increasing our online presence and developing a more vibrant relationship with the young Latinos we hope to empower.

I want to thank all of you who have invested your funds, time and efforts in our young leaders.

Your support makes our work possible. I look forward to working with all of you. I thank you for supporting CHCI and its mission.

In 2015, I challenge each of you to educate, empower, and connect with the next generation of Latino leaders.  Thank you.”

CHCI would like to thank the team at Comcast for their in-kind support of this year’s video message.

About CHCI

CHCI is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) leadership development organization in the country that educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services. CHCI directly impacts the lives of more than 1,700 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships,  congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L^®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program. CHCI NextOpp is its latest resource allowing young Latinos to save, search and share life-changing opportunities for Latinos across the United States.

The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. Visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.