WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring two leaders of Maryland’s Hispanic community at the 2006 Hispanic Leadership Summit on Capitol Hill. Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA of Maryland, Inc., and Lisa Knickmeyer, Director of Adelante Familia, will meet with Senator Mikulski this afternoon (photos available upon request).

“I take great pride in representing Maryland’s increasingly diverse population. The Hispanic community plays an active and important role in Maryland and enriches us with their work ethic and family values,” said Senator Mikulski. “I am so proud to work with Maryland’s Hispanic leaders to improve our nation. Together we are standing up for what America stands for – an agenda of empowerment, inclusion and opportunity.”

Gustavo Torres, originally from Colombia, moved to the United States in 1991. He is nationally recognized for his advocacy on behalf of the Latino community and immigrant rights. In addition to leading CASA of Maryland, located in Prince George’s County, Torres was the founding president of the Maryland Latino Coalition for Justice. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Prince George’s County Chapter of the NAACP and on numerous task forces and leadership groups addressing issues of diversity, immigrant rights and multiculturalism across the Washington, D.C., metro area.

Lisa Knickmeyer has been the Director of Adelante Familia in Baltimore for the past five and a half years. Under her stewardship, Adelante Familia has grown to a staff of 11 and has become a regionally recognized leader in culturally competent domestic violence prevention and crisis intervention services to the Spanish-speaking community. Adelante Familia offers victim support services, abuser intervention, health education and community education.

The Hispanic Leadership Summit allows community leaders to connect with their elected representatives and other local leaders. This year’s Hispanic Leadership Summit takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is September 15 – October 15. Since its inception in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the extraordinary achievements of Hispanic Americans and the vitality of the Hispanic community in the United States. This year’s nationwide theme is “Hispanic Americans: Our Rich Culture Contributing to America's Future.”

263521