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WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Bush recently announced the appointment of Adam Chavarria as executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans at the United States Department of Education.

Chavarria joined the White House Initiative in June 2001 as Associate Director. In that capacity, he worked closely with the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans in an effort to help the Department of Education and other federal agencies improve educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans from early childhood to postsecondary education and under the historic No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Regarding the announcement Secretary of Education Rod Paige said, "Every child deserves a quality education, regardless of their skin color or accent, which is why the No Child Left Behind Act and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans are so important. I know Adam will continue to do a great job in his new role as executive director, and I look forward to our continued close working relationship."

Prior to joining the White House Initiative, Chavarria served for more than eight years as the Executive Director of the Hispanic College Fund (HCF), a national non-profit organization founded by Hispanic business leaders in 1993. Under Mr. Chavarria's leadership, HCF awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to over 600 deserving Hispanic students enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the country.

A native of Harlingen, Texas, Adam was the first in his family to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree. He received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Minnesota.

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans was established on October 12, 2001 when President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13230. The only office of its kind, the Initiative is charged with strengthening the nation's capacity to provide high quality education while increasing opportunities for Hispanic American participation in federal education programs. In addition, the Initiative serves as a resource for information related to closing the educational achievement gap for Hispanic Americans and advises Secretary Paige on carrying out his responsibilities under this order.

More information about No Child Left Behind, may be found at the U.S. Department of Education web site www.ed.gov/nclb and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans web site located at www.yesican.gov.

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