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Contracting Association
Host First
Convention
Building
Inclusion by Eliminating Exclusion
Photo By Paul Velazquez
Mayor Gus Garcia
cut the ribbon at the opening ceremonies for the First Annual
Hispanic Contractors Association Convention.
Photos
of the Convention.
AUSTIN — The United States Hispanic Contractor’s Association (US
HCA), a national, non-profit trade association based in Austin,
Texas concluded its first national conference on August 1 - 3, 2002.
Contractors from coast to coast participated in the premier event,
themed "Building Inclusion by Eliminating Exclusion."
Francisco Fuentes, Chairman of the US HCA, who is also the
current chair of the Hispanic Contractor’s Association de Tejas
expressed his extreme satisfaction with the attendance at this first
national conference and the opportunity to visit with contractors
from California to Florida.
"This year’s conference theme, Building Inclusion by
Eliminating Exclusion, represents the very foundation of the
core belief of our Association that regardless of race or gender, we
as Americans are asking that the doors of opportunity not be closed
based upon our heritage, our race, or our gender. All we expect is
full and fair access to the many opportunities that exist for our
membership so that we may prove our viability by the quality of our
work. The composition of our national board, which is inclusive of
both male and female representatives, as well as Hispanic and
African American members, reflects our commitment to inclusion for
all, based on capability, not social entitlement."
The hosting Hispanic Contractors Associations are making
significant strides in eliminating barriers to minority and women
owned business participation in procurement and contract
opportunities. Evidence of their commitment to inclusion was
represented by participation from various trade associations
including the Asian Construction Trades Association, the Texas
Center for Women Business Enterprises and the African American
Contractors Association.
"The Hispanic Contractor’s Association has been a friend to
everyone: African American, Asian American, male, female. The door
has always been open and everyone is welcome. Their conference
theme, "Building Inclusion by Eliminating Exclusion" is a motto
every minority and non-minority should embrace," said Ren Warmate,
Chairman of the African American Contractors Association.
Commitment and regard for these Associations from the various
levels of government and elected officials were reflected in broad
conference participation. Guest speakers included Ruben Barrales,
Deputy Assistant to President George Bush and Director of
Intergovernmental Affairs for the White House; Pancho Kinney,
Director of Policy and Plans for Homeland Security for the White
House; and Texas Governor Rick Perry. Texas based officials included
U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriquez, former Dallas Mayor and U.S. Senate
candidate Ron Kirk, former Austin Mayor and Texas Attorney General
Candidate Kirk Watson; candidate for Texas Lt. Governor John Sharp;
State Representative Pete Gallego; State Senators Gonzalo Barrientos
and Judith zaffarini; as well as Texas Insurance Commissioner Jose
Montemayor and Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs. This conference
also attracted out-of-state elected officials including Alabama
State Representative Thad McClammy and Broward County, Florida
Commissioner Diana Wasserman-Rubin.
This event also featured workshops on subjects such as access to
federal and state contracting opportunities, an expo that featured
exhibitors including government agencies and general contractors
interested in contracting and subtracting Hispanic contractors, and
top-quality entertainment including comedian Paul Rodriquez, who
entertained the crowd with his quick wit and personal contracting
experience.
The USHCA, while a young organization, has attracted membership
from 15 states and more than 5,000 member firms. The Association has
been highly successful in advocating the passage of legislation of
considerable significance, not only to Hispanic contractors but to
the construction industry as a whole. The USHCA also focuses on the
education of its membership and on the future of Hispanics and the
construction industry by awarding scholarships to deserving Hispanic
college students.
Next year’s USHCA conference will be held in Ft. lauderdale,
Florida. For more information, please call 512-445-7430.
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