AG McKenna headed to Pasco to support Latino business and consumer events

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PASCO – Attorney General Rob McKenna, who will travel to Pasco this weekend, said he believes a first-of-its kind Latino Business & Consumer Expo comes at an important time.

“Bringing Latino businesses and consumers together is a great opportunity to foster a fair and competitive marketplace,” McKenna said. “As Washington’s Hispanic population has quickly grown, so has Hispanic buying power. Latinos are a formidable economic force and are reshaping the character of our country.

“Along with the great benefits our state reaps from this changing landscape comes the challenge to ensure that Latino communities are well-served by government. Statistics show that Hispanic consumers, compared to the general public, are more likely to become fraud victims. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division is stepping up its outreach efforts to help change that trend,” McKenna continued.

McKenna will give a keynote speech Sunday, April 6, during the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber Gala Dinner Awards.

The Attorney General’s Office will share a booth at the expo with the state Traffic Safety Commission. Mary Gould, outreach and education coordinator for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, will be on hand to share tips for buying cars, for example, and avoiding scams such cons who pose as attorneys offering immigration assistance. The expo is 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 6 at TRAC in Pasco.

The Attorney General’s office has been involved in many initiatives to better serve Latino families.

McKenna hosted a bilingual Town Hall meeting in February in Pasco where he invited the Latino community learn more about the office’s work on consumer protection issues. The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Mexican Consulate’s Office also participated.

McKenna and the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division conducted two statewide Latino Consumer Education Summits in fall 2006 to identify the biggest problems Latino consumers face and the most effective ways to reach them.

The Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honored McKenna with the President’s Award last year for his “dedication and efforts on behalf of the Latino community.”

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Media Contact: Kristin Alexander, Media Relations Manager, (206) 464-6432