March 07, 2005

Latino group hosts second speaker

The Business Journal

Ruben Hernandez

Pro drag racer Frank Pedregon will slow down long enough to explain "What it Means to be Latino" as part of the Arizona Latino Research Enterprise speakers' series on Wednesday. The recently formed ALRE will host the second of the Rachel B. Rivera Speaker Series from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wyndham Downtown Hotel in Phoenix. The group is led by Mario Diaz of Mario E. Diaz and Associates and Sal Rivera, an attorney with Fennemore Craig law firm. Pedregon, who competes in the highly visible nitro-burning Funny Car ranks, is one of a handful of Latino drag racers in America. Pedregon will focus on his career as a Latino athlete and what opportunities or challenges that role posed for him. In addition, the group will begin dialogue with participants through a series of questions. "It's imperative for us to fully understand what Latinos throughout the state feel are the critical issues of the day," said Rivera. "We want to hear what your views are and how we can begin shaping topics for research and the Latino October Town Hall." ALRE was formed with a mission to unite Latino leaders in a professional environment to analyze issues facing Arizona and the Latino community. For more: 623-332-1556.

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