Eddie Prado, president of the local LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) announced this week that the local LULAC council, #4897, received their official charter certification in August.
Local officers are Eddie Prado, president; Pauline Villarreal, vice president; Maria Segura, secretary; and Dora Rangel, treasurer.

The local LULAC Council, with their charter certification. Front, left to right, Rosa Segura, Lila Reyna, Eddie Prado (president), Nellie Prado and Pauline Villarreal(vice president). Back row, left to right, Leslie Landa, MaryAnn Martin, Fama Cordova, Elsa Pacheco, Bertha Moreno, Maria Segura (secretary). Not pictured, Dora Rangel, treasurer.

According to the LULAC website, the mission of the League of United Latin American Citizens is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States. LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic organization in the country, dating back to the 1920s, and has more than 100,000 members throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Locally, LULAC members are planning to become more involved politically.

“We plan to attend council meetings and school board meetings,” Pauline Villarreal said. “And hopefully, to run for office. We want to put our faces where the community can see us. We want to make a difference -- we want to help people.”

According to organizers DeLeon LULAC Council #4897 is committed to the principles of the organization and will promote community service and advocacy projects to better serve local Hispanics.”
Organizers state that anyone is welcome to join, adding “Together we can strengthen DeLeon.”

Local LULAC meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, at 5:30 p.m. at Prado’s Restaurant.