Interest Group Essay, Research Paper

Diana Rodriguez

State & Local Government

November 30, 2000

Interest Groups

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus was organized in 1976 by five (5) Hispanic Congressmen: Herman Badillo (NY), Baltasar Corrada (PR), E. ?Kika? de la Garza (TX), Henry B. Gonzalez (TX), and Edward Roybal (CA), to monitor legislative and other government activity that affects Hispanics.

The Caucus was originally formed to serve as a legislative organization through which legislative action, as well as executive and judicial actions, could be monitored to ensure that the needs of Hispanics were being met. The founders? goal was to work in conjunction with other groups, both inside and outside Congress, to strengthen the Federal commitment to Hispanic citizens and heighten the Hispanic community?s awareness of the operation and function of the American political system.

It was the intention of these five (5) congressmen to develop educational programs and other activities that would increase the opportunities for Hispanics to participate in and contribute to the American political system. To carry out such programs, the Members of Congress established a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization. In 1978, the members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHS) established a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to serve as an educational institute whose programs would serve the national Hispanic community.

The mission of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is to develop the nest generation of Latino leaders. Their vision is an educated and civically active Latino community who participates at the local, state, and federal policy decision-making levels. CHCI seeks to accomplish its mission by offering educational and leadership development programs, services, and activities that promote the growth of participants as effective professionals and strong leaders. In the spirit of building coalitions, CHCI seeks to establish partnerships with other Latino and non-Latino organizations.

Today the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc. has developed into an organization whose programs are designed to increase the participation of young Hispanics in both public and private sectors and to foster a network of young Hispanic leaders in government-related areas through the CHCI Alumni Association.

CHCI has succeeded in achieving the original goal of its founding members. It has grown steadily throughout the years, and its small staff works enthusiastically to create new and innovative programs. They challenge corporate America to join in the Institute?s efforts to provide young Hispanics the opportunity to explore new areas of development, both at the private and public levels.