FREE ESSAY ON HISPANIC CAUCUS

HISPANIC CAUCUS

Diana Rodriguez
State & Local Government
November 30, 2000
Interest Groups
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus was organized in 1976 by five (5) Hispanic Congressmen:
Herman Badillo (NY), Baltasar Corrada (PR), E. "Kika" de la Garza (TX), Henry B. Gonzalez
(TX), and Edward Roybal (CA), to monitor legislative and other government activity that
affects Hispanics.
The Caucus was originally formed to serve as a legislative organization through which
legislative action, as well as executive and judicial actions, could be monitored to
ensure that the needs of Hispanics were being met. The founders' goal was to work in
conjunction with other groups, both inside and outside Congress, to strengthen the
Federal commitment to Hispanic citizens and heighten the Hispanic community's awareness
of the operation and function of the American political system.
It was the intention of these five (5) congressmen to develop educational programs and
other activities that would increase the opportunities for Hispanics to participate in
and contribute to the American political system. To carry out such programs, the Members
of Congress established a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization. In 1978, the
members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHS) established a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization to serve as an educational institute whose programs would serve the national
Hispanic community.
The mission of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is to develop the nest
generation of Latino leaders. Their vision is an educated and civically active Latino
community who participates at the local, state, and federal policy decision-making
levels. CHCI seeks to accomplish its mission by offering educational and leadership
development programs, services, and activities that promote the growth of participants as
effective professionals and strong leaders. In the spirit of building coalitions, CHCI
seeks to establish partnerships with other Latino and non-Latino organizations.
Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. has developed into an
organization whose programs are designed to increase the participation of young Hispanics
in both public and private sectors and to foster a network of young Hispanic leaders in
government-related areas through the CHCI Alumni Association.
CHCI has succeeded in achieving the original goal of its founding members. It has grown
steadily throughout the years, and its small staff works enthusiastically to create new
and innovative programs. They challenge corporate America to join in the Institute's
efforts to provide young Hispanics the opportunity to explore new areas of development,
both at the private and public levels.