Vilma Goes to Washington
Vilma Dominguez, minority business development coordinator of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 20-21 to participate in the National Hispanic Leadership Summit. The National Hispanic Leadership Summit is a forum to facilitate a policy-based dialogue between government leaders and outstanding Hispanics from across the United States.
Along with networking opportunities, the interactive program focused on securing America’s competitiveness in a global economy, including educating our children, creating more jobs, ensuring affordable, accessible health care, and providing comprehensive immigration reform.
Conference attendees were treated to a congressional reception hosted by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) and Sen. Mel Martinez (FL), with guest speaker Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), the Senate minority leader. A Senate briefing was offered by Sen. Hutchison and Sen. Martinez. An important discussion on immigration reform, border security and a guest worker program was led by Sen. Martinez and Emilio T. Gonzales, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) and Under Secretary Sara Martinez Tucker of the Department of Education spoke on helping students overcome barriers in education. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez was the keynote speaker for the conference, focusing on his personal story of immigration from Cuba.
Increasing affordable access to health care was the topic for Sen. Michael Enzi (WY) and several doctors from the National Institutes of Health. Economic growth, including increasing jobs, accessing capital and home ownership were the topics of a discussion with Sen. John Cornyn (TX) and Michael Barrera, the president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The conference ended on a high note with a surprise appearance by U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, noting that the room was filled with the future leaders of the country, and encouraging them to work together.
“It was an honor to represent northwest Arkansas at this important conference. I met many community leaders from across the country, and found that we are all facing the same issues: education, housing, immigration and health care among others. The key will be for everyone to work together to find solutions,” said Dominguez
Dominguez was nominated to attend the conference by Rep. John Boozman. Her trip was generously sponsored by Toyota of Northwest Arkansas, The Alex Martinez Foundation, Charles Cervantes of CRATES, Inc., and LULAC Council #754.
Vilma Dominguez greets Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Teresa Dawson of Duluth, Minn.
Vilma Dominguez enjoys visiting the White House.
A view of the U.S. Capitol from the National Mall.
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