A&M International Students Hold Social Issues Mini-Conference

Two Texas A&M International University student groups, Progressive Alliance and Latinas United for Cultural Heritage and Advancement (LUCHA) will hold a mini-conference on social issues affecting Laredo at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11 in Canseco Hall room 101 on the A&M International campus, 5201 University Boulevard.

The mini-conference, "Texas A&M International University Speaks Out For Laredo: Issues Affecting Our Community," will focus on issues that are important to a proper and effective form of community development.

The event is free and open to the general public.

Progressive Alliance member Esther Gomez said the mini-conference was organized to call attention to social issues that are largely ignored in other venues.

"We want to face these issues head on, and demonstrate to the community that Texas A&M International University is interested in talking about poverty, the environment, and other dilemmas facing Laredo and Nuevo Laredo," explained Gomez.

The mini-conference will feature presentations by special guest speakers with expertise in the environment, social work, labor, community housing and development, and nutrition.

Scheduled guest speakers include biology instructor Dr. James M. Earhart, Laredo Community College; Tony Vedia, AFL-CIO; Rafael Torres, Centro de Servicios Sociales Aztlan; and Robert Huber, Laredo Regional Food Bank.

An extended question and answer session will follow the presentations.

For more information on the social issues mini-conference at A&M International Sept. 11, please contact Progressive Alliance sponsor Dr. Michael Yoder at 326-2634 or LUCHA sponsor Virginia Garcia, 326-2260.

Information may also be obtained by email at myoder@tamiu.edu or vgarcia@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu