[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5860-S5861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATINO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PUEBLO

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize the 35th anniversary of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of 
Pueblo and its history of serving Latino-owned businesses in Pueblo 
County, CO. Created in 1979 by an influential group of Pueblo 
businessmen, the Latino chamber was organized to harness the Pueblo 
Latino community's significant economic force.
  Demonstrating vast community representation, the Latino chamber's 35 
inaugural members included influential local leaders such as Judge Joe 
Ulibarri, Dr. Tom Autobee, Dr. Thomas Duran, Dr. Joe Roybal and Victor 
Tony Navarro. This diverse and respected initial membership consisted 
of architects, attorneys, business owners, medical professionals and 
others.
  Since 1979, the Latino chamber has expanded in big ways. With nearly 
1,000 members today, the Latino chamber is a respected, dynamic 
business organization in the area. Its resources and expertise help the 
organization serve as a launching pad for Latino leaders. Willing and 
eager to respond to its community's challenges, the Latino chamber 
played instrumental roles in the development of the Pueblo Hispanic 
Education Foundation, the El Pueblo Inter-development Corporation, the 
Southern Colorado International Trade Center and the Human Relations 
Commission.

[[Page S5861]]

  Moreover, the Latino chamber has developed longstanding and 
successful collaborative relationships with state and federal entities, 
as well as with the Greater Pueblo chamber and the Pueblo Economic 
Development Corporation. In addition, it established the Latino Chamber 
Development Corporation Foundation in 1997 to advocate and promote 
leadership development in Pueblo with an emphasis on the Latino 
community.
  The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo has spent 35 years 
advocating for small businesses, networking its partnerships, 
developing members professionally and growing alongside its community. 
Pueblo--and the State of Colorado--are truly fortunate to have such a 
world-class organization to assist businesses and build our economy. On 
behalf of Pueblo and all of Colorado congratulations, and thank you to 
the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo and its board members. You 
have left a lasting legacy that will continue to help the community for 
generations to come.

                          ____________________