Mickie Luna is the new president of the LULAC far west region.
Mickie Luna, long active with the League of United Latin American Citizens at the local and state levels, has been elected as the national vice president of the far west region of the organization, a move that could give her added influence on controversial immigration matters.
Luna was elected in mid-July to the post, which serves as a national vice president, she said. Her election came at a convention in Albuquerque, N.M. and she won with 74 percent of the vote. It follows her four years of service as president of the San Benito County LULAC chapter. Luna also served as state president from 2000 to 2004, and she formed the local chapter in 1987. Overall, she has been with LULAC for 27 years.
She said the immigration issue helped motivate her for the role, while others in the state membership encouraged her to run. She noted how Arizona and Utah are in the far west region - it also includes Hawaii and Nevada, along with California - in reference to debate surrounding immigration policies and considerations in those two states. There are four other regions in the national LULAC organization.
As the federal government continues its lawsuit challenging the state law, Luna called the legislation unjust, racist and a form of profiling.
"We have a lot of work to do," said Luna, regarding the immigration issue, adding how she will get the chance to spend time on Capitol Hill representing LULAC's interests because the group's office is nearby.
Luna said this is an "immigration country" and noted how the issue is "very important for our communities" and region. She also said education is an important topic for her - how it is at the "forefront".
Ana De Alba will succeed Luna as the incoming president of the San Benito County chapter.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
POST A COMMENT
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.
The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
