President Obama and First Lady to Attend CHCI's 34th Annual Awards Gala

PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- CHCI Chair Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez announced today that President Barack Obama, joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, will address the largest Latino gala in the country at CHCI's 34th Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This marks the fourth consecutive year President Obama has addressed the CHCI Gala, going back to when he was a presidential candidate in 2008.

"CHCI is honored to have the President and First Lady join us again this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize the tremendous leadership we have in the Latino community," said Gonzalez.

Also at the gala, Gonzalez will present the 2011 CHCI Chair's Award to the Honorable Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, and the Honorable Ken Salazar, Secretary of Interior. The 2011 Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service Awards will be presented to entertainer Vikki Carr and former NASA astronaut and engineer Jose Hernandez, in recognition of their contributions to the Latino community.

GRAMMY®-winning salsa artist Luis Enrique will headline gala entertainment with tropical music legend Gilberto Santa Rosa performing at the post-gala concert. Latin music sensation Prince Royce will open the show and sing the national anthem while Teresa Rodriguez, Univision television anchor, will serve as the celebrity host for the evening's events.

CHCI's Hispanic Heritage Month theme for 2011, "Keeping the Promise: Unity, Strength, Leadership," reflects the strength and immense contributions of Latinos to the United States while focusing on the unity and leadership we must continue to develop to ensure the future success of this great nation.

Press Credentials: Please register for credentials online at
http://www.chci.org/events/page/2011-hhm-media-credential-

CHCI Annual Awards Gala
CHCI's 34th Annual Awards Gala will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2011, and is the largest and most prestigious gathering of Hispanic bipartisan, public and private sector leaders in the nation. National leaders, elected officials, corporate executives, educators, and entertainers gather to celebrate the achievements of the Latino community. As the hallmark event of Hispanic Heritage Month, the evening provides supporters and friends of CHCI an opportunity to network while honoring the annual Chair's Award(s) and the CHCI Medallion of Excellence honorees.

About CHCI
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci) and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

CONTACT: Scott Gunderson Rosa, +1-202-548-5876, sgrosa@chci.org