DOWNEY — Downey Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Frometa was nominated and unanimously approved by the NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected Officials) Board of Directors to serve on the NALEO Board.

Frometa’s three-year term became effective Aug. 17, after NALEO’s Board of Directors meeting. Her term expires in June 2023.

The NALEO Educational Fund provides national leadership on key issues that affect Latino participation in the political process, including immigration and naturalization, voting rights, election reform, the Census and the appointment of qualified Latinos to top executive and judicial positions.

About her nomination and appointment, Frometa said, “I am excited to serve on the NALEO Board. This nonpartisan organization is well recognized and respected nationally. I look forward to working together with elected officials from across the country to advance key issues impacting our communities.”

“As I’ve often said, strong communities are engaged communities, whose leaders are actively advocating for representation and education. Such is the case with the Census education campaign we have carried out and supported in the City of Downey throughout 2020. As a member of the Census Ad-Hoc Committee for our city, I, along with Mayor Blanca Pacheco have made it our priority to ensure Census information, education and be counted campaign is carried out.” 

“Again, I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the City of Downey as a new Board Member for NALEO and work alongside Arturo Vargas NALEO’s CEO and the rest of the Board, including California’s Insurance Commissioner and NALEO’s President, Ricardo Lara.”

This is the first time an elected official from the City of Downey serves on the NALEO Board of Directors.

NALEO Educational Fund is the nation’s leading 501(c) (3) non-profit, nonpartisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

NALEO was founded in 1976 by U.S Representative Edward R. Roybal. In 1978, the organization changed its name to NALEO to reflect nonpartisan status and inclusion of all Latino public officials.

NALEOs Educational Fund was founded in 1981, with a mission to formulate strategies to increase the effectiveness of Latino policymakers, mobilizing the Latino community to engage in civic life and promoting policies that advance political engagement.