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| Saturday, June 28, 2008 |
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Bush Well-Received at National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
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Bush Well-Received at National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast
By Kaitlynn Riely
CNSNews.com Correspondent
June 27, 2008
(CNSNews.com) - President Bush was warmly received Thursday morning at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference, where he was lauded by the top organizer and spent about a quarter of an hour after his speech shaking hands and chatting one on one with audience members.
Latinos of faith are proud of President Bush's accomplishments during the past eight years, said the Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., president and CEO of Esperanza, the largest Hispanic faith-based evangelical network in the United States.
While introducing the president, Cortes lauded his "commitment to comprehensive immigration reform" and U.S. aid to the economies of Hispanic countries.
The National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference was a three-day event held at the J. W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.
"We are proud that you have, and have had, the largest bilingual education budget in American history," Cortes said. He also praised the president for his defense efforts and his HIV/AIDS policy in Africa.
Bush called the gathering an "important event." He cited his administration's support of faith-based and community groups like Esperanza, and he credited them with providing hope to people that the government cannot give.
Bush said he was impressed by the work done by Esperanza Trabajando -- "Hope Is Working" -- a program that helps at-risk youths and former prisoners improve their lives and become self-sufficient. This is the type of program that Bush said his administration supports.
"We've lowered the barriers that kept government and faith-based groups needlessly divided -- and ensured that America's armies of compassion are at the center of our nation's efforts to make our society more hopeful for every individual," Bush said.
Groups like Esperanza must always have a "strong and reliable partner in government," Bush said.
To the mostly Hispanic audience, Bush honored those struggling against oppressive regimes, and he welcomed the brother of a Cuban lawyer and human rights activist who is under surveillance by the Cuban government.
"The United States must always stand squarely with those who struggle for their human rights against tyranny," he said.
Much of Bush's remarks focused on prayer.
"Each one of you here this morning is here to celebrate a simple and powerful act -- prayer to an almighty God," the president said.
He asked the audience to pray that God will strengthen American families and for every child to grow up in a loving and stable home.
"We pray for the day when every child in America is welcomed in life and protected in law," he said.
Cortes started the first National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in 2002 as a way for Hispanic faith and community leaders to meet with national policy makers and business leaders in Washington, D.C.
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