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The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund is seeking the next generation of Latino policymakers to participate in the 2006 NALEO Ford Motor Company Fellows Program.

Each year, college seniors, recent graduates and graduate students are selected to become NALEO Ford Fellows to participate in a five-week placement in the office of a Member of Congress or federal agency in Washington, D.C. During their placement, Fellows may research legislation, monitor hearings, handle constituent casework, assist with media related projects, and prepare briefing materials, as needed. Ford Fellow placements have included the offices of U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Representative Robert Menendez, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Prior to the five-week summer placement, participants will travel to Dallas, Texas, for the NALEO 23rd Annual Conference to take part in three days of intensive professional, leadership and cultural development workshops while learning about local government and advocacy groups. NALEO Ford Fellows will then take part in the NALEO Annual Conference, where they will have the opportunity to interact with Latino appointed and elected officials from across the United States while discussing key policy issues affecting the Latino community. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Ford Motor Company.

To apply, applicants must:

-- Be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents of Latino origin;

-- Be residents of (but need not attend college in) the following states or regions: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Texas or Puerto Rico (additional participants are selected from a national pool of applicants);

-- Be rising seniors, graduate students or recent graduates;

-- Submit a completed application form, personal statement, resume, two letters of recommendation, two work references, transcripts, 2 x 3 photograph; and

-- Must be 21 years of age by June 19, 2006.

Application Deadline: Friday, March 3, 2006

Compensation:

-- Air fare to and from Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C.;

-- Housing accommodations during Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C., stay;

-- $1,500 stipend.

For more information regarding the NALEO Ford Motor Company Fellows Program, please contact Rosa Hernandez at (213) 747-7606, ext. 112, via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit http://www.naleo.org .

About the NALEO Educational Fund

The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading organization that promotes the participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.