A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Statement by the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans Vice Chair Ana "Cha" Guzman Regarding the Resignation of Commission Chair Raul Yzaguirre

Mr. Yzaguirre has provided valuable leadership in his tenure as commission chair and it is with regret that the president has accepted his resignation.

The commission consists of 24 distinguished Hispanic Americans from across the country, including college presidents, teachers, elected officials, parents, and civic and business leaders. To date, the commission has implemented a comprehensive inventory of federal agencies, conducted public hearings to involve the community, convened two panels of experts, established a federal interagency working group and established a process and structure for preparing a comprehensive report. The report, which will be presented to President Clinton in June, will include an overview of Hispanic demographics, the educational status of Hispanic Americans and recommendations to bring about excellence in education to Hispanic Americans.

In leaving, Mr. Yzaguirre has raised questions about the work of the commission and I will work with the commissioners and staff to review them. At the same time, we have made significant progress and as a result, we are advancing the president's charge to better serve the education needs of Hispanic Americans. This important work must and will continue.