Esther Aquilera, President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, delivers an inspiring address to Georgetown University's graduating Latino class of 2013. She called upon them to seize the opportunity as the future success of the United States relies on their success. This is Latino's time to ensure a strong America for us all. Delivered on Thursday, May 16, 2013 in historic Gaston Hall. For more information, please visit www.chci.org.

1. Developing the Next Generation of Latino Leaders®
OUR TIME:
A Strong America

2. Despedida Chicano/Latino
Commencement Ceremony
Georgetown University
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Esther Aguilera
President & CEO, CHCI

3. www.chci.org
 It is an honor to be on the campus of historic Georgetown
University.
 Thank you Kevin for the kind introduction. To
you, Anthony and the entire committee, thank you for
including me you your Despedida Chicano/Latino
commencement send-off ceremony.
 To the University leadership, Provost Bob Graves, Dean of
Student Life Todd Olson and so many others, thank you
for supporting this important ceremony.
 Today is a proud day. I am proud of your
accomplishment. Dorothy Height, a key figure in the civil
rights movement said, “No one will do for you what you
need to do for yourself.” You all have taken charge of
your trajectory in life.

4. www.chci.org
 It is a proud day to be Latino. Not only for the 45
graduates here this evening and all their family
members, but for the more than 52 million U.S. Latinos
and a proud day for the nation.
 You are a different person today than when you stepped
foot on this campus, for many of you, four years ago. You
have benefited from being located in the nation’s capital
– the center of power.
 This is the city I have called home for more than 22 years.
The common thread of my professional career has been
to advance the Latino community and open the doors of
opportunity.

5. www.chci.org
 I moved here at your age, soon after graduating from
Occidental College in Los Angeles. I was raised in San
Fernando, California. [Let’s not do the math on my age – I
am still your age at heart!]
 I studied public policy in college and landed my first job
with the National Council of La Raza – I moved to the
opposite end of the country from where I grew up.
 From there, I assumed the role of executive director of the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus, working with the Latino
members of Congress on the Latino legislative agenda.
 I was appointed to serve as senior advisor to Energy
Secretary Bill Richardson. Prior to joining CHCI, I worked
for the Dewey Square group on strategic policy and
legislative initiatives for Fortune 100 companies and top
associations.

6. www.chci.org
 For the last eight years, I have led the growth strategy for
CHCI, a high-performing and impactful national nonprofit
organization. In this role and many past roles, I have
been privileged to work with the top leaders from every
sector, from members of Congress to top executives in
corporate America, and labor unions. I have met several
US Presidents, Cabinet Members and worked with top
officials.
 Now, my path to these roles was not an obvious one. I
am an immigrant and child of farmers and ranchers – hija
de campesinos. I was born in rural, northern
Jalisco, Mexico. My family moved to the United States
when I was four along with my five brothers and sisters.
We were undocumented – we moved here to reunite the
family.

7. www.chci.org
 My father worked as a landscape laborer. At our dinner
table, we did not have conversations about politics or
receive advice on education and career. My parents focused
on providing for the family. They sacrificed a great deal so
that we could one day advance.
 My eldest sister was valedictorian of her high school class
and undocumented when she was applying to colleges. She
was lucky that our immigration paperwork was finally
approved after a 10-year struggle. We all advanced to
attend college.
 My story is like that of many of yours, or your parents.
Dorothy Height also said, “Greatness is not measured by
what you accomplish, but by the opposition [you]
overcome.” Your parents or grandparents strived for a better
life so that you would have the opportunity to strive for
greatness.

8. www.chci.org
 In that path, remember to be grounded. “As we move
forward, let us also look back…” (Dorothy Height). Honor
your heritage and history with all if its humility, hardship
and glory. The glory of reaching this day – a proud day.
 I have seen a lot in the 22 years here in Washington, D.C. –
some positive change for the Latino community, and some
things that remain the same.
 One thing is certain today. You represent the hopes, dreams
and aspirations of your family, community and the nation.
Let me tell you why.
 You represent the dreams and aspirations of your family.
You have overcome obstacles to get here. Your parents
sacrificed a great deal – as with my dad, he proudly cut grass
and dug ditches to plant trees… So that I would not follow in
his footsteps.

9. www.chci.org
 You represent the dreams and aspirations of your
community. Many people have fought for a free
education, the right to vote, and promote the best ideals of
the United States, always advancing a more perfect union.
 Latinos faced segregated schools and signs that read “No
Mexicans or dogs allowed”. We continue to face negative
stereotypes, like we are all immigrants who arrived
yesterday.
 You represent the dreams and aspirations of your country.
Latinos today will be prominent players in all aspects of
society. Latinos are increasing in population share while
other minority groups are decreasing or staying the same.

10. www.chci.org
 We are over 50 million strong. We represent one in six
Americans and one of every three children. And it is
important to note that 9 out of 10 Latino children in the
United States are born here.
 We are the current and future
customers, employees, employers, entrepreneurs, and
leaders.
 According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics are
projected to account for 74 percent of the growth in the
nation's labor force from 2010 to 2020, a much higher rate
than in the previous two decades.
 Hispanic purchasing power is close
to $1.5 trillion, equivalent to the 12th largest economy in
the world.

11. www.chci.org
 If you think we had an impact on this last presidential
election with over 11 million voters, wait until you see what
happens over the next few election cycles. You haven’t seen
anything yet!
 More than 50,000 Latinos turn 18 each month and are
eligible to vote.
 According to the 2012 Nielsen report, Hispanics are the
cornerstone of future growth. The strength of the United
States is tied to the success of the Latino population. We
are all in it together.
 22 years ago, when I moved to DC, we were half the size.
The America you live in today and will lead tomorrow is very
different from the one I grew up in. We can no longer feel
or act like a minor segment of society.

12. www.chci.org
 With greater numbers comes greater responsibility. We
need to prepare ourselves for positions of leadership on our
chosen fields.
 My vision for you is that we stop talking about breaking the
glass ceiling.
 In our hands, we hold the power to shape not only our own
but the nation’s future. Dorothy Height said these same
words to minority men and women in the 60’s. This is our
reality today.
 Our power and influence only truly exist if we choose to be
involved, exercise our right to vote that many fought for, and
prepare ourselves as leaders.
 That is where all of you come in.

13. www.chci.org
 I don’t want to put too much pressure on your
shoulders, but the world you all step out into as you
graduate from college needs you and it will help you
succeed if you help yourself.
 Nothing will be given to you; you will need to earn it. Strive
for excellence and use today as your launching pad to dream
big.
 So now you begin your journey in becoming the leaders you
were born to be.
 As you carry the torch for your family, for your community
and ultimately for the nation, you must look behind you and
pull up those that are looking for the opportunities that you
had.

14. www.chci.org
 THIS IS OUR TIME. Latinos have been leading the way and
making great contributions at every stage – the city of Santa
Fe was founded over 500 years, and this year Florida
celebrates its Quincentennial – both are older than
Jamestown. Latinos have fought and been decorated in
every war, from the civil war to the Iraq and Afgan battles.
 THIS IS YOUR TIME.
 The next few decades we will see more Hispanic
CEOs, Hispanic elected officials, and University Presidents.
 And finally, you will elect the first Hispanic president of the
United States, perhaps one of you in this room.
 Any success we have as a nation moving forward will be in
great part due to your own success.

15. www.chci.org
 I am passionate about my work as CHCI because I know the
difference it makes to open a door through internships and
fellowships.
 In 2004, my first year, we served 93 students directly. Over
the past two years, I’m proud to say we now average 1600
students per year.
 So being here today is an extension of the passion I have for
seeing the Latino community grow in strength and
influence.
 It has been a special honor to speak to you here this evening
and I know you all embrace the hopes and aspirations of
your family, community, and nation.

16. www.chci.org
 Know that we are all very proud of you, we love you, we will
be here for you, and we will be watching you!!
 Thank you and have a great evening.

17. OUR TIME: A Strong America
www.chci.org