Discuss Issues Critical to Latino Success 
 
(Syracuse, N.Y.) Friday, Senate President Malcolm A. Smith and Senator David J. Valesky toured the 2009 Upstate Latino Summit where they met with various leaders of the community and discussed vital issues to ongoing Latino success and empowerment in New York.
 
The Spanish Action League of Onondaga County Inc. has been serving the needs of Hispanics in Onondaga County since its creation over 40 years ago. Over the past four decades they have provided a diverse array of services to members of their community such as: career services; domestic violence assistance; family support services; housing assistance; language services and youth leadership and development services.
 
“This annual meeting is an excellent opportunity for leaders from across the state to come together and discuss the issues that matter most to the Latino community in New York,” said Senate President Malcolm A. Smith. “The Latino community is growing nationally, and Upstate New York is no exception. We will take the valuable information learned at today’s summit back to Albany with us to ensure that Latino’s receive the support necessary to thrive in the 21 st century, and beyond.”
 
“I am very pleased that Syracuse served as host city for The Upstate Latino Summit this year,” said Senator David J. Valesky. “Central New York’s rich cultural diversity is a real strength for the region and it is something we must remember as we work to improve education, expand health coverage and create jobs.”
 
In November 1968 five community members with a vision to enhance and enrich this community joined together to create what is now the Spanish Action League. These groundbreaking community members are: Carlos Mend ó za; Rafael Gonz ález; Evelyn Pagán; Juan Fonceca- Gonz ález and John R. Varney.