Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute

The Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute (HAPI) claims to be a grassroots organization but its Board of Advisors and Policy Board are made up of high-level Republican political operatives with deep ties to various Republican administrations. As part of the "National Coalition To End Judicial Filibusters," HAPI— in conjunction with the Committee for Justice, Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform, James Dobson's Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and others— supported the use of the so-called "nuclear option" to eliminate Senator's ability to filibuster against President George W. Bush's right-wing judicial nominees.

Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue - Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004
Website: www.haprogressinstitute.org

Chairman: The Honorable Manuel Lujan, Jr. [Former GOP U.S. Representative, New Mexico, and Secretary of the Interior under the Bush I Administration; Founder, Excellence in Education Scholarship Foundation, New Mexico]
Board of Advisors: Mr. Adrian Arriaga, Texas; Mr. Andres Bande, New York; Mr. Elias Behar-Ybarra, Florida; Mr. Cesar A. Cabrera, Puerto Rico; Mr. Jose Canchola, Arizona; Mr. Lupe Cruz, California; Mr. Ted Cruz, Texas; Mrs. Patricia Diaz-Dennis, Texas; Mr. Robert A. Estrada, Texas; Hon. Lou Gallegos, New Mexico; Hon. Raul A. Gonzalez, Texas; Mr. Abel Guerra, Florida; Hon. Jimmy Gurule, Indiana; Ms. Margaret Martin, Texas; Mr. Jacob Monty, Texas; Mr. Jose Nino, Maryland; Mrs. Rita Nunez, New Mexico; Hon. Bob Pacheco, California; Mr. Raul Romero, DC; Mr. Louis Sanchez, Florida; and Dr. Josh Valdez, California.
Policy Board: Mr. Juan Carlos Benitez, DC; Mr. Rudy Beserra, Georgia; Mr. Troup Coronado, DC; Mrs. Ann Costello, DC; Mr. Henry Gandy, DC; Mr. Mike Hernandez, Texas; Mr. Juan Carlos Iturregui, DC; Mr. Joseph Samora, DC; Mr. Scott Styles, Virginia; and Mrs. Bobbie Kilberg, Virginia.
2005 Corporate Members: Altria Corporate Services, Inc., American International Group (AIG), Bellsouth Corporation, Ford Motor Company, IBC Bank, National Association of Realtors, and R.J. Reynolds.

Purpose

The Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute (HAPI) claims to be a grassroots organization but its Board of Advisors and Policy Board are made up of high-level Republican political operatives with deep ties to Republican administrations (Reagan, Bush I and Bush II). HAPI's boards are composed almost entirely of Republican players, including lobbyists, donors, and political appointees. Lujan and his former boss, President George H.W. Bush, launched the organization at a 2004 gala in New York City.

Activities

Supports the nomination of Priscilla Owen to the Supreme Court of the United States.
As part of the "National Coalition To End Judicial Filibusters," HAPI— in conjunction with other conservative organizations such as the Committee for Justice, Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform, the Free Congress Foundation, Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and the Liberty Legal Institute— supported the use of the so-called "nuclear option" to eliminate the ability to filibuster judicial nominees.
Supports CAFTA, claiming it would lower tariffs and promote job growth, allowing more growth in the textile industry, "a huge helping hand at a time when China is sucking up textile manufacturing jobs." HAPI launched a fundraising and phone-calling campaign to promote legislation that would pass CAFTA in Congress.
Corporate Member, CoMPASS— Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America's Social Security— an organization formed to promote Social Security reforms proposed by President George W. Bush such as personal retirement accounts.
The Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute has awarded its "American Dream" award to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) for their efforts on behalf of Hispanic Americans.