News Release

OPM's Diversity Advisor tells Hispanic Veterans, "Hispanic Hiring in the Federal Government is at an all Time High"

Washington, D.C. - Office of Personnel Management Diversity Advisor Dr. Jacob Lozada addressed Hispanic under-representation in the federal government at a recent Civil Rights Symposium at the 55^th National American GI Forum Conference in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Lozada presented the most updated status of Hispanic Employment in the Federal Government; lending information from the Statistical Information on Hispanic Employment in Federal Agencies. This "report card" provides the President with government-wide progress in the area of diversification.

"Progress is being made. Hiring amongst Hispanics is at an all time high with a 58.1% increase in Hispanic hiring in FY 2002 with 9.5% of new hires in 2002 being Hispanic - the highest percentage in history," said Kay Coles James, Director of OPM. "OPM is working on strategic diversity efforts which will target Hispanics including Hispanic Veterans. These men and women have served our country faithfully and are invaluable assets to the future federal workforce."

In addition to providing statistical information, Dr. Lozada also highlighted OPM sponsored activities, programs and recruitment efforts which have been responsible for the historical rate of Hispanic hiring over the past two years.

"Director James is leading the way by providing support and guidance to agencies and the effort is paying off." Dr. Lozada noted, "Director James is hosting symposiums, providing first class training on senior levels to ensure a more diverse cadre of leadership; we have recently revamped our USAJOBS website to make the opportunities available to everyone and we continue to make key partnerships through our outreaches and recruitment fairs. Our ability to recruit and retain Hispanics has never been better. We are aggressively fulfilling one of the President's top priorities; to reduce under representation of Hispanics in the federal workforce."

The American GI Forum was founded in 1948 as the lead national Veterans and family organization for Hispanics. The annual conference drew Hispanic Veterans, politicians and community leaders from all states, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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