Yesterday, Saturday July 12, 2008, The National Council of La Raza convened for their annual conference. “The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, whose stated mission to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.” This year’s conference is important for two reasons, as President and CEO of NCLR Janet Murguia pointed out. She felt that since this was the 40th anniversary of NCLR, the conference held a special place in many hearts whose popularity continues to grow.

Second, since this year is an election year, this conference holds a special place in its attendees minds because Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will be speaking to the conference later this week.

President Janet Murguia opened the welcome lunch on Saturday by saying ” I was invited to two events today, to see shamu, or have breakfast with Lou Dobbs, I choose shamu.”

The conference will hold workshops featuring topics from immigration to teen pregnancy. Headline speakers include the two presumptive presidential nominees. There is also a large expo full of booths, free for the community of San Diego.

This conference is supposed to be a huge start in the race for the Latino vote, and while the NCLR is pushed into the national spotlight many Latinos will be listening.