2011 Sponsors

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2011 Minority Legislative Breakfast:

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

Holy Cross Hospital

SILVER SPONSORS

Adventist Healthcare, Inc.
Montgomery College
Johns Hopkins University

GOVERNMENT SPONSORS

Montgomery County Public Schools

COMMUNITY SPONSORS  

Asian American Political Alliance

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County

African American Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County

Hispanic Business Foundation of Maryland

Asian American Education Association

Montgomery County Collaboration Council

Identity

2011 Legislative Priorities

We promote social justice, equal employment opportunity, fair treatment and full participation for all members of Montgomery County’s minority communities as they grow and develop.  We further seek to create a supportive environment for strengthening these diverse communities. We recognize the County’s investments in foreclosure education and assistance, the progress of education in the County, and investments in bridging the gap in access to health care, as well as the County’s investment in youth programs. However, vigilance and persistence are critical to ensure continued improvement.

We are cognizant of a changing economic and demographic landscape.  Over the past decade, the immigrant population is thriving, significantly contributing to the growing diverse racial and ethnic mix in the County.  These demographic shifts will continue to enrich all our experiences and present new challenges, requiring the creation of more appropriate social models.

Gainful employment for our people is again a top priority. This priority requires better access to opportunities and entrepreneurial options, affordable post secondary education and the enactment of policies similar to the DREAM act, family friendly neighborhoods, affordable housing and healthcare and low cost, accessible public transportation.

 We ask that our elected officials take action on the following priorities that represent our combined legislative agenda: 

 

• The achievement gap in K through 12 education in the County needs to be closed and should be addressed in legislation that impacts resources allocation within the local education system and programs targeting youth and families.

 

• Support after-school programs that address the economically disadvantaged populations and that foster parental involvement in the lives of their children.  Continue supporting access to work-study opportunities and ensure inclusion of open spaces for community and family recreation in neighborhoods.  Enhance the network and affordable access to public transportation.

 

• Access to affordable housing in the County is important to our communities. Foreclosures and homelessness are still challenges.  Assistance through education, incentives to financial institutions for refinancing, and alternative affordable housing are required to provide family stability and community well being.  There is a continuing need to improve and expand emergency assistance programs for families in need of housing.

  

• Eliminate disparities in health care access. This is often exacerbated by artificial barriers related to aging, economic circumstances, language and cultural issues.  Maintain budget levels and establish authorities in law for the operations of minority health initiatives in the County.  Support availability of healthcare and dental clinics in the under-served areas of the County, including the funding for temporary clinics, health fairs, and Mobile Med Vans. 

 

• Maintain funding as well as administrative and technical support to non-profit organizations that serve the County’s diverse racial and ethnic communities in positive youth development, education, health care and housing.  These critical non-profit services are usually provided by trusted community-based organizations often operating on a shoe-string budget.  Streamline and simplify grant and procurement processes including evaluation, funding and monitoring, and emphasizing the partnership between the public and private sectors.

 

• Sustainability of minority and woman-owned businesses and attractive, well paying career opportunities are of paramount importance to our communities. We ask that you support investments in career development and business management, as well as legislation that supports incentives for investments in small business and facilitates small business growth through less taxing fees, streamlined permitting and compliance processes, affordable legal support and reduced barriers to procurement awards. Support the continuation and promotion of existing programs for minority and woman owned small businesses, such as the WSSC SLMBE program and the State ofMaryland MBE program.  Strengthen small business reserve and minority business procurement and explore incentives for county-based businesses to source more services and products from local small minority-owned businesses.

 

We appreciate the dedication and hard work of our legislators in responding to the will of the people. 

 We look forward to working collaboratively with you to overcome the challenges ahead.

2010 Order of Program

Master of Ceremonies:
Henry Montes, Co-chair, Latin American Advisory Group

Welcoming Remarks:
Janice Freeman,  President, African American Chamber of Commerce
Ben Cardin, Member, U.S. Senate
Chris Van Hollen, Member, U.S. House of Representatives
Donna Edwards, Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Presentation of Joint Minority Legislative Priorities:
Carmen Ortiz Larsen, Vice President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County

Response:
Isiah “Ike” Leggett, Montgomery County Executive
Valerie Ervin, President, Montgomery County Council
Kumar Barve, Majority Leader, Maryland Assembly
Richard Madaleno, Chair, Montgomery County Senate Delagation
Chris Barclay, President, Montgomery County Board of Education

Closing Remarks:
Michael Lin, President, Asian American Political Alliance