WASHINGTON, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Latino Coalition (TLC), one of the largest membership and advocacy organizations for Latino-owned small businesses, commemorated 20 years of building partnerships and strengthening America’s small business community with the 2015 Small Business Summit and Anniversary Gala Dinner on Wednesday at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC.

“TLC continues its two decades of commitment to the economic and social development of Latinos,” said Hector Barreto, The Latino Coalition’s Chairman and Former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.  “With influential leaders and entrepreneurs from across the nation, attendees at the 2015 Small Business Summit learned that a competitive America requires sustained economic growth, creation of good-paying jobs and effective policy in the key areas of healthcare, technology and cyber-security.”

TLC 2015 Small Business Summit attracted top government leaders and business executives from around the nation, including keynote speaker New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Executive Director of Health Policy U.S. Chamber of Commerce Katie W. Mahoney, Senior Public Policy and Government Affairs Analyst Google, Inc. Jennifer Bernal, Director of Cyber Cooperation, Embassy of Israel, Amir Becker and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05).  The event also featured remarks by Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Congressman Jeff Denham (CA-10), Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-07), Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03), Congressman Will Hurd (TX-23) and Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21).

“The annual TLC Small Business Summit is a tremendous resource for all entrepreneurs.  We must advance a positive course of action for our economy and our country, and we can do this with organizations like The Latino Coalition, which provide the tools necessary to help these businesses start, grow and succeed in the long term,” said Governor Christie.

A significant deliverable was the release by TLC of AltaMed’s “Why Latinas Matter” study, which emphasizes the importance of Latina health and well-being as critical to the overall entrepreneurial success of this nation.  With more than one million Latina-owned businesses in the U.S. today, the TLC 2015 Small Business Summit focused on the dynamic leadership in business and entrepreneurship that Latinas bring to the table and how they are a force in our economy.

The day also included corporate recognition for longstanding, active partners of The Latino Coalition and their support of Hispanic-owned small businesses.  The awards were bestowed on: Altria, AT&T, the Coca Cola Company, Google, Herbalife, Intuit, Mastercard, MyWireless, PG&E, Verizon and Walmart.

Founding TLC Member, Dr. Tirso del Junco was presented The Latino Coalition’s prestigious Leadership Award for his vision and significant contributions to the Latino business community.  Previous TLC Award winners include U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Congressman Xavier Becerra, Senator John Cornyn, AltaMed President and CEO Castulo de la Rocha and U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.

Chairman Barreto also announced new partnerships formalized by Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with leading groups such as the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI), the National Latina Business Women Association (NLBWA) and the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC).  These agreements signal the expansion of an influential national network of over 70 organizations dedicated to economic development, healthcare and education opportunities.

“We are grateful for an impactful 20 years, and we’re focused on the positive future of this great organization.  This Fall at the TLC West Coast Economic Summit we will continue to connect, discuss and share successful strategies that will revitalize our economy and keep America thriving for future generations,” added Barreto.

The Latino Coalition would like to thank the following Title Sponsors: Wal-Mart and Google.  In addition, TLC acknowledges: Sands Corp., Herbalife, Centene Corporation, Master Your Card, PG&E, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Honda, Master Card, MyWireless, American Express Open, Comcast Universal, Altamed, Intuit, UnitedHealth Group, PhRMA, Coca-Cola, Tributo Tequila, The Latino Coalition Foundation, the Hispanic Business Roundtable, Univision, Job Creators Network, Travelers, CapitalWirePR, Impacto News and DiversityInc.

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos.  TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico.  Established to address and engage on key issues that that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC’s agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos.  Visit www.thelatinocoalition.com.