President Obama Addresses 2011 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast

President Barack Obama delivered a memorable keynote address at the ninth National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference Thursday morning to a crowd of more than 600 Hispanic faith and civic leaders gathered at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

"When you lend your voice to the cause of creating jobs and opening opportunity for all communities, I hear you," said President Obama. "When you lend your voice to the cause of educating all of our children, not just some, to succeed in the 21st century, I'm listening. And when you lend your voice to the cause of immigration reform, I am listening."

Along with President Obama, speakers at Thursday's Prayer Breakfast included U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, U.S. Sen. Charles "Chuck" Schumer, D-NY, and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Award-winning gospel artists Frankie Negron, Julissa, Danilo Montero, Marco Barrientos, Jessica, and Lilly Goodman gave inspiring performances throughout the Breakfast, which featured Marcos Witt as its Master of Ceremonies.

Esperanza also presented two key awards: the Image Award was given to Eduardo Garcia Valeca and Jayne Rager for their bravery in surviving a harrowing kidnapping in Mexico, and the Mujeres de Esperanza "A Certain Woman" Award was presented to Rev. Eve Nunez for her groundbreaking work with children and commitment to pursuing immigration reform policies in Arizona.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all sponsors, speakers, performers, and participants who made the 2011 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast a great success.

Visit our Facebook page for photos and videos of this year's event and make sure to share your own photos and stories of your experience at the 2011 NHPBC!




Related Stories:

NHPBC Highlights - Day One
NHPBC Highlights - Day Two