WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) President & CEO Javier Palomarez has been recognized by the Bnai Zion Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to humanitarian initiatives in both Israel and America, as a recipient of their Distinguished Humanitarian Award for his commitment to the improvement of Judeo-Hispanic relations.
Bnai Zion has been in existence for over a century and supports humanitarian projects in Israel that serve those in need across the economic, social and religious spectrum. The organization operates a variety of programs and facilities including hospitals, clinics and counseling centers for at-risk youth that benefit thousands of people across Israel every year; serving society's most vulnerable members without regard to race, religion, language or economic background.
"In his role as President & CEO of the USHCC, Javier has made significant strides to broaden the reach and alliances of the association and in particular to build enduring ties between our nation's Jewish and Hispanic communities. We share his belief that our country's future will be built only with the help of friends and bolstered by shared feelings of mutual purpose. We are proud to recognize Javier and honor him as our Distinguished Humanitarian," said Bnai Zion's Executive Vice-president, Jack Grunspan.
Mr. Palomarez is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. Under his leadership, the USHCC has advocated for policies intended to benefit American small businesses such as the passage of free trade agreements between the U.S. and South Korea, Colombia and Panama as well as the Small Business Lending Fund Act – which according to the U.S. Treasury Department, has increased access to capital for small businesses by $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2012.
In addition to his advocacy efforts in the public sector, Palomarez actively represents the interests of the Hispanic business community – the fastest growing minority business segment in the U.S. – in the private sector as well; Palomarez is a member of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Board, Aetna's Latino Advisory Council and the Comcast-NBC Universal Joint Diversity Advisory Council.
"On behalf of the USHCC and its members and partners throughout the country, I am proud to congratulate Javier on this achievement and for his continued efforts to expand the reach and mission of our organization," said USHCC Chairman Marc Rodriguez. "We have found kindred spirits through our work with the Jewish community here and in Israel - communities that exhibit an extraordinary talent for entrepreneurship, innovation, and more importantly, for a collaborative approach and building relationships. Through our partnership with the Bnai Zion Foundation we hope to find new and creative ways to unite for the benefit of our communities and our nation."
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.