White House has Tall New Neighbor, The Raul Yzaguirre Building
Sonia Meléndez

The National Council of La Raza cemented a new chapter of its existence with the June 1 inauguration of the Raúl Yzaguirre Building, named after its civil rights leader of three decades who retired at the first of the year. The seven-story edifice stands in the heart of the lobbying corridor in Washington’s northwest quadrant.

"This is more than just a building. It is a symbol of our permanence and presence in the nation's capital," Yzaguirre declared at the dedication ceremony. He flew in for the event from Tempe, Ariz., where he recently accepted a post at Arizona State University to build its capacity to engage with the burgeoning Hispanic community in that state.

During the ceremony, he emphasized that housing La Raza's headquarters a mere four blocks from the White House was a matter of making a statement as a community, "Aquí estamos y no nos vamos," he told a crowd of some 300 well-wishers. We’re here and we’re not going away.

Among the many dignitaries who joined him at events that day was Sandy Butler Whtye, vice-president of the Business Women’s Network, who recounted to Hispanic Link earlier how a youthful Yzaguirre “shook things up” when he arrived on the Washington scene.

“I remember when he came to a meeting as a brash, assertive Hispanic man who said there would be a place for him at the table. Serape and all, he was there. Anything that is in the vanguard of change always requires assertive leaders who are willing to create discomfort so that we might have discourse,” she said.

While the festivity symbolized a culmination of Yzaguirre's political acumen, it also celebrated the Latino advances he has helped energize, such as the May 17 Los Angeles mayoral campaign triumph of Antonio Villaraigosa.

The mayor-elect also flew from Los Angeles to join in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. During his speech, Villaraigosa, who assumes office July 1, credited his own success to pioneers like Yzaguirre.

"Make no mistake. I stand here today on the threshold being mayor on the shoulders of Raúl Yzaguirre and people like him," he said.

Raúl returned the praise, crediting Villaraigosa's victorious campaign "for not just talking about obtaining power" but also talking about taking on the serious responsibility of serving every community in California’s polyglot City of the Angels.

NCLR president Janet Murguía commented on La Raza's move to a new stage: "The National Council of La Raza has transformed from a Hispanic organization into an American institution."

NCLR board chair Mónica Lozano praised both Yzaguirre and Villaraigosa for their dedication to the Latino community. Lozano is CEO of the nation’s largest Spanish-language daily, La Opinión. She, as well as L.A. City Council chairman Alex Padilla also traveled from Los Angeles to share in Raúl’s moment.

The new headquarters, located at 1126 16th Street NW, cost $13.9 million plus $21.9 million on renovations.

In addition to housing the organization's more than 80-member staff, it leased out some of its space.

Its building campaign involved dozens of corporate and community contributors.

The second phase of construction, to be completed next year, will include La Plaza de los Afiliados dedicated to the work of affiliates around the country. Its lobby will be designated La Galería del Movimiento. It will highlight the organization's milestones with pictures and cultural artifacts.

(Sonia Meléndez is editor of the national newsweekly, Hispanic Link Weekly Report. She may be reached by e-mail at soniam@hispaniclink.org. Hispanic Link political columnist Patricia Guadalupe contributed to this report.)

© 2005, Hispanic Link News Service
06/12/05
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