SAN DIEGO.- The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) touts itself as one of the few organizations in the country that unites for the common cause of supporting hispanic communities' advancement in the United States. Tomorrow is the final day of the 31st Annual NALEO San Diego Conference, a series of conferences and meetings that unites some of the most important hispanic leaders in the country.

The Loews Coronado Bay Resort is hosting the three day conference, which will also include workshops and discussions about current issues involving elected latino officials, and will address urgent needs for the community including everything from immigration to employment.

Erica Bernal, Program Director for NALEO stated that "we are living in historic times" in the country, given the rise in the number of elected latinos in important positions throughout the government, at all levels.

Guests of the event receive extensive literature discussing electoral participation by latinos in each one of the states, and discussing what steps are being made toward the Association's goal of increasing hispanic participation in politics, a topic of increased importance during the upcoming federal elections.

According to Bernal, "as a community, we must continue to be involved and participate in the political and electoral processes so that the world can see that as leaders we are furthering our country's advancement."

Other topics covered included the impact of this administration's Affordable Care Act on the hispanic community, and the current immigration reform bill currently at a standstill in Congress, the massive humanitarian crisis along the Southern border, and the importance of small and medium businesses in the hispanic community.

Today, California Governor Jerry Brown assisted a luncheon and conference, as did California Attorney General Kamala Harris. Contrary to previous editions, this year President Obama was not in attendance at the event.

Other guests included Dolores Huerta, activist who collaborated with Cesar Chavez; Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet; State Senate Leader Kevin de Leon; and Eduardo Medina Mora; Mexican Ambassador to the United States Eduardo Medina Mora.

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