October 1, 1999

Education: The USMC's Major Message at

the National Council of La Raza Conference

The United States Marine Corps demonstrated their commitment to excellence and community involvement during this year's National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Conference in Houston, TX. High-ranking Latino Marine Corps officers spoke consistently of leadership and education as crucial elements to the future of the Latino people.

Brigadier General Michael Aguilar and Lieutenant Colonel Ismael Ortiz noted that Hispanics will soon be the largest minority group in the United States., but they added that without adequate knowledge, the increased numbers are meaningless.

During a luncheon of the NCLR's National Student Leadership Summit, Lieutenant Colonel Ortiz stated that only 54% of Hispanic students graduate from high school and only 8 to 10 percent of Hispanic students graduate from college.


Brigadier General Michael Aguilar presented the 1999 US Marine Corps Leadership Award to Andy Brescia, who will enter her junior year at California State University at Haywood, during the National Student Leadership Summit’s luncheon.

"Those are horrible numbers," declared Brigadier General Aguilar. Both officers noted the Marine Corps prides itself on leadership, but General Aguilar said, "It is important that the United States be led by educated men and women."

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