The Benefits of U.S. - Latin America Trade for U.S. Hispanics

WASHINGTON, DC

- The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) will host a

Congressional Briefing, titled: "

The United States Hispanic Community's role in the Emerging

Common Market in the Western Hemisphere

" on Thursday, July 27, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30

a.m.

in the U.S. Capitol Room HC-5. Altria Group, Inc. is the sponsor of this briefing.

This event is part of a CHLI series of public policy briefings on key issues of importance to the U.S.

Hispanic community. Thursday's forum will discuss the importance of strengthening commercial

relations between the United States and Latin America, and the benefits of such trade to the U.S. Hispanic

Community.

Our confirmed keynote speakers are:

Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL), Chairman, CHLI

Israel Hernandez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director-General of the U.S.

Commercial Service

Tom Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Affairs

Our confirmed panelists are:

Anne Alonzo, Senior Vice President, National Foreign Trade Council

Ana Isabel Eiras, Senior Policy Analyst, The Heritage Foundation

Allen Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Al Zapanta, President & CEO, U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce

Moderator:

Octavio A. Hinojosa Mier, Executive Director, CHLI

WHEN: Thursday, July 27, 2006

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

(Program promptly starts at 8:30 a.m.; Please arrive by 8:15 a.m.)

WHERE: U.S. Capitol, Room HC-5