Washington, D.C., January 8, 2003 - Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA), participated today in a news event in support of affirmative action in the case under review in the Supreme Court concerning the University of Michigan's admissions process. This press conference brought together leaders of the nation's most prominent Latino organizations, who have formed a coalition to address this issue. The leaders signed an open letter to President Bush urging him to support the conservative affirmative action legislation that is being challenged.

At issue are two Supreme Court cases currently under review: Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger that challenge the University of Michigan's right to consider race as a plus factor in its law school and undergraduate admissions processes. The outcome of the decision may have a significant impact on Hispanics and their ability to obtain higher education. Of the 35 million Latinos in the United States, only 11 percent have obtained postsecondary education.

The proportion with a bachelor's degree or more is much lower for Hispanics (10.6 percent) than for non-Hispanic Whites (28.1 percent), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than one-third of the Hispanic population is under 18 and approaching college age.

Ms. Riojas addressed members of the press and others at the press conference. "We do not seek quotas and we do not want to keep minorities from competing with others. In the absence of a level playing field, Hispanics merely ask to have fair access on college admissions through programs such as that provided by the University of Michigan", Ms. Riojas stated.

"In rejecting Michigan's admissions programs and the Baake Supreme Court case, minority populations are not the only ones who will lose. The loss would be suffered by members of the majority populations who will be learning in an unrealistic environment void of the diversity essential to comprehensive learning. Diversity enriches the educational experience for all students. Research has shown the educational benefits of diversity for students in and outside the classroom and its lasting impact on their lives after graduation", argued Ms. Riojas.

At the press conference, the Latino coalition signed a letter to President Bush calling on him to support Affirmative Action in this case. Ms. Riojas signed this letter, and made a statement encouraging the President to respond. "In many ways, President George W. Bush has demonstrated his belief in diversity and his sense of fairness. As the growth of the Hispanic population and its implications are felt, it is both timely and opportune for President Bush to further demonstrate his policies of inclusion and to show that he stands with Latinos in expressing support for moderate approaches," Ms. Riojas stated.

Other groups present at the conference included National Council of La Raza, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, LULAC, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, along with many other national Latino organizations.

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MANA, A National Latina Organization, is a nonprofit, advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital, Washington, D. C. With chapters across the country, it is the oldest National Latina membership organization in the United States. MANA, whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy, envisions a national community of informed Latina activists working to improve the quality of life for all Hispanics. MANA also has the only national young Latina's mentoring program for girls 11 to 17, "HERMANITAS®" which brings over 100 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives Information on MANA can be obtained at the web site: www.hermana.org or send an e-mail to hermana2@aol.com