WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) announced today that it will honor Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti with its prestigious "American Business Champion" award. Garcetti, the youngest Los Angeles mayor in over a century with more than a decade in public service, will receive the accolade at the USHCC Foundation's "Celebrating Hispanic Business - America's Business Future" networking reception, set to take place May 20th at the City Club of Los Angeles, California.
The USHCC's "American Business Champion" award pays tribute to an elected official or community leader who actively champions the interests of business owners as a means to serving the public good. Since taking office in 2013, Mayor Garcetti has launched numerous pro-business initiatives, including plans to raise $2 billion in private and public investments to create 20,000 local clean energy and clean water jobs during his first term. Under his administration, the Los Angeles unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in four years, and the county's $570 billion economy continues to outpace those of Sweden, Norway, Poland, Belgium and Taiwan.
"The USHCC is proud to honor Mayor Eric Garcetti – a visionary leader and Navy Reserve Lieutenant with over 13 years in elected office – for championing American business as a catalyst for economic growth," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "From partnering with federal agencies as contractors, to spurring cutting-edge technology, to providing a myriad of services that keep Los Angeles up and running, Mayor Garcetti understands and supports the critical role small firms play in local and national government affairs."
To further amplify the county's economic approach to environmental sustainability, Mayor Garcetti hosted Former President Bill Clinton in Los Angeles last month for the Clinton Global Initiative's "21st Century Infrastructure and Innovation for a Resilient Economy Forum." During the conference, the mayor outlined his efforts to bolster green-tech business, reduce carbon emissions, and save taxpayer money by retrofitting 140,000 street lights and modernizing the county's outdated infrastructure.
"I am humbled to receive this prestigious honor from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which has been a valuable partner in my work to help businesses succeed and create jobs in Los Angeles," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Hispanic-owned businesses make an enormous contribution to our economy and our community, and I look forward to continue working with the USHCC to make City Hall more business friendly and to improve workforce development so the next generation can succeed in our workforce."
Last week, Mayor Garcetti launched the "Entrepreneur In Residence Program" in partnership with Ernst & Young LLP, assigning two experienced business advisers to develop policies that will support small businesses, create jobs, and grow L.A.'s economy.
USHCC Chairman of the Board Marc Rodriguez said: "What makes Mayor Garcetti an effective leader is his ability to govern with pragmatism and passion. His capacity to foster relations with the likes of President Clinton, Ernst & Young, and other iconic thought leaders to implement innovative business policies is commendable, and our organization is delighted to present him with the 'American Business Champion' award."
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $468 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 220 major corporations.
For more information, visit www.ushcc.com .
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Ammar Campa-Najjar USHCC Communications Manager 619-721-5148
