National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
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The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) is a leadership organization of elected and appointed Latino public officials in the United States. It claims a membership of about 6000.
The idea for NALEO was conceived in the summer of 1976, when U.S. Representative Edward R. Roybal, Robert Garcia, and others recognized the need for a national network of Latino office-holders aimed at bringing together Hispanic and Latino Americans of all national origin groups, political affiliations, and levels of government. On September 29, 1976, the National Association of Latino Democratic Officials was incorporated. The group adopted its current name on May 11, 1978, to reflect the nonpartisan nature of the organization.
Roybal served as NALEO president from 1976 to 1991, when the board of directors named him president emeritus.
NALEO develops and implements programs promoting the integration of Latino immigrants into American society, developing future leaders among Latino youth, providing assistance and training to Latino elected and appointed officials and by conducting research on issues important to the Latino population.
- See also: Congressional Hispanic Caucus
