LULAC chapter officially welcomed in Quincy

Community comes together to bridge cultural barriers and advocate civil rights for Hispanics

QUINCY — If there was ever an evening of a community coming together to show support for one another, Saturday at the Anda Luz Night Club in Quincy was such an occasion.

Local families and attendees from out of town came for the inauguration of the Quincy chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"This is a historic moment for this community," said LULAC national vice president Maria Salazar.

In 1929 LULAC was founded after several service groups began advocating for Hispanic civil rights. The groups met in Corpus Christi, Texas and merged into what is known today as LULAC. LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the U.S.

Pete Smith, who ran and lost in the 2005 elections for the Quincy mayoral position, came out of a growing concern for the Hispanic community in Quincy.

Smith said he would like to see the city of Quincy address racism issues and establish a youth center to provide a place for young people to go rather than on the streets or behind bars.

Salazar also mentioned the possibility of starting a youth leadership conference in Quincy.

The main issue inhibiting Quincy from overcoming racial barriers are the labels people put on each other, Smith said, adding that he feels the opening of a LULAC chapter in town will help to eliminate barriers across cultures.

During her presentation Salazar made it clear LULAC is not just a civil rights organization.

"We are a active and social group with a focus on education," she said.

Salazar touched on the importance for teachers to recognize the role they have in shaping the nation's leaders, calling for people from all sectors of the community to take up a role in educating children.

Latinos have the highest dropout rate and are failing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests, Salazar continued.

At the inauguration, the following Quincy LULAC officers were inducted: Esmeralda Blancas, president; Ana Medina, vice president; Isabel Salda-a, secretary; Pedro Davalos, treasurer; and Hermeregildo Perez, sergeant at arms. A portion of the proceeds raised from ticket and dinner sales will be used to start a student scholarship fund for Hispanic students.

Hispanic and white cultures may be different, but they have one thing in common, Salazar said. "They love their children and want them to have a good education."