CONGRESSWOMAN MCKINNEY URGES THE LATINO COMMUNITY TO EXERCISE RIGHT TO VOTE

July 2, 1999

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), Member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, says that the Latino community must be counted and she praised the voting registration initiative laid out by the Atlanta Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during a news conference.

"We as Americans are blessed with the power of the ballot box," says Congresswoman McKinney.  "While we have earned the right to vote, it is important that we use it judiciously and with great care.  The time is now to galvanize your collective political power and ensure that your voice is heard on all levels of government."

 During the news conference, Governor Roy Barnes also mentioned Latino 2000, an initiative involving Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Governor Barnes.  Latino 2000 seeks to strengthen the bonds of Brotherhood and Sisterhood between Congresswoman McKinney, the Governor, and the Latino community.  The Congresswoman and the Governor have pledged to work with leaders of the Latino community to foster economic development, intensify political participation, and encourage social cohesion and we head into the new millennium.

Latino 2000 will address the following issues:  immigration, education, economic development, political activism, census, human rights in Latin America, and Latinos in the U.S. and Georgia.

"It is time to plant the seeds of change and forge ahead with a closer relationship.  I am committed to ensuring that the Latino community has a voice and a friend in the U.S. Congress," concludes Congresswoman McKinney.