Democratic Presidential Candidate Martin O'Malley to Deliver NCLR Keynote

By Michael Oleaga First Posted: Jul 06, 2015 01:31 PM EDT

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democratic presidential candidate, will deliver the keynote address at the National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) annual conference.

O'Malley has been confirmed to address Latino advocates and leaders on July 13, where he is expected to discuss the issues confronting the electorate. As Latino Decisions told Latin Post, the economy, education and immigration have been top issues for Latinos. According to NCLR, the former Maryland governor will also speak about jobs and civil rights.

"Governor O'Malley is the only candidate in the race with a proven record of helping Latino families," said Gabi Domenzain, the O'Malley campaign's Director of Public Engagement, in a statement to Latin Post. "From championing drivers licenses for New Americans, passing the DREAM act in the legislature and leading Maryland to become the first state to defend it at the ballot box, to increasing government contracts to latino owned businesses by 157 percent and making Maryland public schools the best in the nation five years in a row."

"From the start he has engaged the Latino community through its media, appearing on both Univision and Telemundo national networks, and its organizations; in fact his first event after launching his presidential bid was before the USHCC (U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)," added Domenzain. "We look forward to continuing to engage Americans and New Americans alike at the National Council of La Raza to highlight Governor O'Malley's record of leading on the most pressing issues affecting them todayand putting forth his vision for new leadership that gets results."

The 2015 NCLR Annual Conference will occur in Kansas City, Missouri, from July 11 through July 14. According to a statement from NCLR, the annual conference "promises to highlight the area's increasingly diverse community, as well as the tremendous accomplishments and growing influence Latinos have throughout America's heartland."

O'Malley announced his candidacy on May 30, from Baltimore, Maryland. As Latin Post reported, O'Malley said he has entered the presidential race to focus on various levels of the country's inequality, improving the status quo, increase the minimum wage and immigration reform.

O'Malley has been vocal about immigration since his entry for the White House, stating, "For the sake of our country's security, and our country's well-being, and our country's economic growth, we must also bring 11 million of our neighbors out of the shadows by passing comprehensive immigration reform."

He later added, "We are a nation of immigrants. We are a compassionate and generous people. And if we act according to our principles -- and the better angels of our nature -- if we return to our true selves, the dream will live again."

While speaking with the USHCC, O'Malley said he will "absolutely" address immigration during his first 100 days in office.

According to NCLR, the annual conference provides workshops on critical issues facing the Latino community. Its previous conferences included speakers ranging from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, 2008 Republican presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain, then-New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton and former Mexico President Vincente Fox.

The event will also comprise training and networking for Latinos, corporate representatives and government officials.

NCLR has been regarded as the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.