by Mary Gordon

With emphasis on leadership development, building inclusive communities and immigration issues, NLC?s Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO) constituency group convened for the Fourth Annual HELO Summit, which welcomed HELO members, NLC colleagues and other local government officials from around the country.

Serving as this year?s host of the Sept. 28-30 conference was HELO President Joseph Maestas, mayor of Espa?ola, N.M.

?It is important to be a member of HELO because I can network with Hispanic colleagues to serve as a catalyst for shaping national municipal policy in response to issues facing the Hispanic community,? remarked Maestas.

New Mexico Mayors David Coss of Santa Fe and Bobby Duran of Taos co-sponsored the summit and offered greetings to attendees along with Albuquerque, N.M., Mayor Martin Chavez.

?I am encouraged by what HELO represents and the agenda for this year?s gathering,? said Mayor Chavez. ?I?m sure it will advance our efforts in the upcoming year and beyond, and many years ahead.?

The Cities of Taos, Espa?ola and Santa Fe are working to become partners in NLC?s Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities.

NLC President James Hunt, councilmember, Clarksburg, W.Va., offered remarks via call-in to attendees. Hunt strongly encouraged HELO members to become more involved in the leadership and governance structure by applying for positions as chairs and vice chairs of committees and applying to serve on the NLC Board of Directors.

HELO First Vice President Carol Alvarado, councilmember, Houston, introduced keynote speaker Ruben Barrales, deputy assistant to President Bush and director of intergovernmental affairs at The White House, at the ?Forward Focus: A White House Briefing? session. During the session, Barrales urged members to stay connected to the Administration and keep in communication with his office so that their words can be heard.

A key plenary session, ?What Will Comprehensive Immigration Reform Mean for You as a Municipal Leader?? featured keynoters Ben Altamirano, president pro tem of the State Senate, New Mexico Legislature; Ben Lujan, speaker of the House, New Mexico Legislature; and Marcela Diaz, director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, an organization advocating for the northern New Mexico immigrant community.

Evelyn Woodson, HELO past president and councilmember, Columbus, Ga., moderated the session. It was co-sponsored by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). NALEO Deputy Director for Constituent Services Cielo Castro remarked, ?NALEO, HELO and NLC continue to work as strong partners to help our Latino communities.?

NLC corporate partners Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Freddie Mac also offered sessions, which were moderated by HELO Second Vice President Julie Ruiz Raber, mayor pro tem, Carson, Calif.; and HELO Board Member Karen Avilla, city treasurer, Carson, Calif.

Preston V. Lee Jr., director, Industry and Trade Relations; and Christina Diaz-Malone, director, National Initiatives, Freddie Mac, spoke on the subject of ?Credit Smart: Strategies for Strengthening Your Constituents? Financial Base.? Stuart Kanchuger, assistant vice president, Latino/Hispanic segment manager, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; and Timothy Sandos, president and CEO, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, spoke at the session, ?Educating Your Constituents about Home Ownership.?

?These were some of the best sessions that I have ever attended,? said Mayor Pro Tem Julie Ruiz Raber. ?They were excellent, and I am glad that I came and learned a great deal about financial matters that affect my community.?

Luncheon keynote speakers included Raymond Sanchez, former speaker of the House of the New Mexico Legislature, who spoke about ?Latinos Today: Diverse, Creative, Entrepreneurial, Political and Powerful;? and Martha V?zquez, chief U.S. district judge, District Court of New Mexico, who highlighted the issue of ?The Hispanic Immigrant: The Power of Determination.?

In addition, Edward Lujan, chairman of the New Mexico Hispanic Cultural Center Board, former chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, and member of the Republican National Committee, spoke about ?Why Leadership Matters.? He said that local officials have a great deal of influence with their constituents and with other government entities, and he urged attendees to exercise good judgment when making decisions that affect their communities.

The New Mexico Municipal League and Executive Director William Fulginiti were honored for the outstanding support provided to the HELO Summit.

Details: For more information on HELO, call (202) 626-3169 or visit www.nlc.org. For 2007 membership in HELO, register for the upcoming Congress of Cities and Exposition in Reno, Nev., Dec. 5-9, and check off the appropriate HELO dues and fees along with payment of the conference registration.