PRESS RELEASE

First National Annual Meeting PAPO-USA
July 21-22, 2008
Washington, DC

The Peruvian American Political Organizations (PAPO USA) had its First Annual Convention to commemorate its first anniversary with a two-day agenda held in Washington D.C. on July 21 and 22. The event started with the welcome remarks of the Vice-President of Peru Dr. Jorge del Castillo and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Jorge Belevan. There were also workshops with the presence of noted panelists specialists in social, political and economic affairs such as Orlan Johnson, advisor to the Finance Committee of Senator Barack Obama’s campaign, Myles Frechette, former U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Joel Atlas-Skirble, member of the Executive Committee AIPAC and Manuel Talavera, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Peru in the U.S.

During the second day, members of PAPO-USA visited senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, and senior staffers of Senators Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez of Florida. They also met with Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, and the senior staffers of Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Jim Moran of Virginia and Xavier Becerra of California. The objective of these visits was to establish a dialogue between PAPO-USA and different members of the Senate and the House of Representatives in areas where PAPO-USA has representation..

After two days of intense work to become a more visible force on Capitol Hill, the Peruvian American Political Organizations (PAPO-USA) wrapped up their activities with a Gala Dinner at Acadiana Restaurant in Washington DC. PAPO-USA along with its members and friends were honored with the presence of Congressman, Bill Pascrell from the 8th district in New Jersey, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from the 18th district in Florida as well as the impromptu visits of Congressman Tim Ryan from the 17th district in Ohio and John Larson from the 1st district in Connecticut.

“This evening marks a historic event for PAPO-USA” noted exiting Chairman Sergio Massa . “We are here and we are here to stay”...Mr. Massa passed the Chairmainship to Norberto Curitomai. Dr. Aristo Carranza founder and Co-Chair said “the outcome was what we can expect from our communities” our vision to create PAPO-USA was not in vain. The founding Chairs also recruited new Peruvian-American members and advisors including Mateo Paz-Soldan, Political Affairs Advisor; Malena Tirado, Public Relations, Luis E. Lopez-Torres Paez, Immigration Affairs Liaison; and Liz Lopez, External Affairs Advisor.

There were also lighthearted moments at the event which included birthday cheers for Congressman Larson in both English and Spanish. Congressman Pascrell also shared words of wisdom with the members of PAPO-USA. "You must firmly plant your two feet in this country as Americans and commit yourself to your communities. This is the only way you will gain the recognition you deserve in your adopted home" noted Pascrell. In addition, Pascrell congratulated PAPO-USA for its efforts in involving Peruvian Americans on issues of interest in our nation's capital.