Raul Yzaguirre, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza, Speech Before the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, July 28, 2004 BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a speech by Raul Yzaguirre, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza, before the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, July 28, 2004: My name is Raul Yzaguirre, president of the National Council of La Raza, a nonpartisan civil rights organization working with three hundred local community-based organizations to improve opportunities for the nation's 43 million Hispanics. A recent poll commissioned by the National Council of La Raza confirmed that, despite our diversity, Latinos have a shared public policy agenda. Like all Americans, we desire a government that stays off our backs, but stands by our side. Hispanics believe in a fair government that guarantees equal opportunity for all by reducing discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and education by ending racial profiling -- by making sure working families, and not just the wealthy, get a tax cut. Latinos want a humane government that maintains our traditions as a nation of immigrants by passing the Dream Act so that immigrant children can attend college. By enacting the AGJOBS bill to provide better wages and conditions for farmworkers. By working toward comprehensive immigration reform, including an earned legalization program. Hispanics need a compassionate government that helps people in difficult circumstances get back on their feet by providing job training to those who need it, by working toward a health care system that works for everybody, by passing the Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act, and by increasing support for homeownership programs, and other asset-building strategies. Latinos support a smart government that invests wisely in its young people today to ensure our country's economic prosperity tomorrow by making preschool universal so all kids start school ready to learn by fully funding the No Child Left Behind Act, so all students, rich or poor, get the same opportunities, by supporting community-based education programs, to prevent dropouts and help those who do fall through the cracks. Above all Hispanic Americans want to live in a society where they are judged by their actions not by their accents. Unfortunately, our poll shows that nearly two-thirds of Hispanics do not believe that candidates are addressing the issues that concern them most. But be forewarned, we will not be inspired by message alone. A few phrases in Spanish won't work anymore. Promises can be broken in Spanish as well as in English. Like other Americans, Latinos will vote on issues-for candidates who deliver. And, like other Americans, we will hold elected officials and all political parties accountable for actions, not just words. Hispanic Americans believe in the American dream. We are determined to make it real for all Americans. Source: Democratic National Convention Committee CONTACT: Peggy Wilhide of the Democratic National Convention Committee, +1-617-366-3100 Web site: http://www.dems2004.org/