Former US Treasurer Rosario Marin honored by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

More Than 800 People Attend the Chamber's 36th Annual Awards Gala
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
On Saturday night in downtown Sacramento more than 800 people
celebrated at an awards dinner sponsored by the Sacramento Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce that was highlighted by the presentation of an
impassioned keynote address by the former Treasurer of the United
States, Rosario Marin. Marin, the first foreign-born individual ever
to hold the Treasurer's post, is currently serving in the
administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the secretary of
the California State and Consumer Services Agency.

Secretary Marin's words about empowerment and belief in the
American dream of opportunity for all who are willing to work hard
were well received by the resplendent crowd of business owners,
politicians, labor leaders, and other community representatives. Her
keynote comments about hard work, overcoming obstacles, and helping
others to overcome barriers were very much in line with the focus of
this year's dinner: "Latinas, La Siguient Ola - Latinas, The Next
Wave."

One of the other women honored last night as an outstanding Latina
business owner was the Chair of the Board of the Chamber, Griselda
Barajas-Keolanui, owner of Griselda's Catering and Tex-Mex Restaurant.
Griselda was honored as the incoming chair of the Board of the
Chamber.

Barajas-Keolanui's restaurant recently re-opened after a forced
shut-down last year because of the city's efforts to take her landlord
Moe Mohanna's K Street properties away via eminent domain. She echoed
Secretary Marin's calls for unity, "if it weren't for the support we
receive from our fellow members of the Chamber, and my landlord and
business partner Moe Mohanna, I know that I could not possibly still
keep my restaurant open."

Developer Moe Mohanna, who was also in attendance at the awards
dinner, when asked about his involvement with the Tex-Mex Restaurant,
said, "I am proud to have worked with the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce and its member businesses for years. I feel that my
relationship with my business partner Griselda has brought me closer
to the Hispanic community. As an immigrant myself, I am inspired by
the words Rosario I believe ultimately the people of Sacramento
believe in opportunity for all, human rights, and property rights."

For more www.OBSNews.com/shcc.html

OBS News
Jeff Smith, 916-868-3033

Copyright Business Wire 2008