In The News

Cincuenta años atrás, los entonces cinco miembros latinos de la Legislatura de California en Sacramento crearon su grupo parlamentario. No había entre ellos ninguna mujer. Pero el grupo creció, tomó conciencia, se diversificó. La membrecía se extendió, su influencia creció y sus raíces se profundizaron.

Hoy, como uno de los grupos más poderosos en la vida política californiana, el Caucus Legislativo Latino se prepara para festejar su medio siglo de acción y anunciar su nueva agenda legislativa para el próximo período, lo que probablemente hará el 28 de este mes. 

Assembly member Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, will be the new chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

The lawmaker is a trailblazer in the California Legislature. She is the first open LGBTQ female, first Latina millennial, and first Inland Empire lawmaker to chair the caucus.

Assembly member Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, will be the new chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

The lawmaker is a trailblazer in the California Legislature. She is the first open LGBTQ female, first Latina millennial, and first Inland Empire lawmaker to chair the caucus.

When Martha Escutia was elected to the Assembly in 1992, she was one of seven Latinos in the 120-member California Legislature, part of the small but growing Latino Caucus that would eventually become a powerful force in the state Capitol.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In 1973, five Latino legislators formed the California Latino Legislative Caucus (CLLC) to address the social and economic issues affecting the Latino community.

“Members that are not just identifying as Mexican, but Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, so it’s wonderful to be able to lead a caucus of this diversity. And with a Latina majority for the first time in history with 21 Latina members,” Cervantes said.

The California Latino Caucus has recognized 11 outstanding Latinos who are inspiring younger generations as part of the 21st Latino Spirit Awards.

These awards consist of a ceremony that recognizes the awarded for their talents and contributions to the community. This year, the list included athletes, journalists, authors, and human rights activists.

ABC30 anchor Graciela Moreno was honored Monday afternoon in Sacramento with the Latino Spirit Award for her achievements in journalism and media. Moreno, an Emmy Award-winning journalist at ABC's Fresno affiliate, was one of eleven Latino pioneers recognized during the California Latino Legislative Group's 21st annual Latino Spirit Awards at the State Capitol. Moreno was escorted by Assemblymembers Esmeralda Soria, D-Merced, and Liz Ortega, D-Bayward. The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Moreno grew up in Newman.

Joel Diaz compared the jitters he felt leading up to Monday’s Latino-focused award ceremony to the feeling before a big fight. “It’s nerve racking for us,” said Diaz, who attended the event with his two younger brothers Antonio and Julio. “It feels the same as when you’re in the dressing room getting ready to walk into the ring. We’re not really prepared for it.” Like many of those big fights, the brothers, who were born in Mexico and spent years as professional boxers, walked out winners.

"A punto de cumplir cinco décadas de haberse creado la bancada o caucus latino de la legislatura de California, alcanzó un número récord de miembros en su mayoría mujeres latinas.

Al mismo tiempo dos legisladoras latinas del sur del estado se convirtieron en las nuevas líderes del caucus latino de la legislatura estatal.

La asambleísta de Riverside, Sabrina Cervantes y la senadora de Long Beach, Lena González prestaron juramento este mes como presidenta y vicepresidenta de la bancada latina legislativa de California por un periodo de dos años."