Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)

Former Rep. Bob Garcia (D-N.Y.)

Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez of the Hispanic Federation

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) gave the keynote address at the Latino Leaders Luncheon series at the Capital Hilton Wednesday. The luncheon, hosted by the Latino Leaders Network (LLN), also included remarks by Tom Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF and Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, president of the Hispanic Federation. The quarterly event provides a platform for Latino leaders to share their personal story of obstacles overcome to achieve success.

Mickey Ibarra, founder and chairman of the Latino Leaders Network, said that the luncheon is a unifying force among Latino leaders. "It was created with a focus on a simple mission---bringing people together," he said.

— Report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

Mickey Ibarra, Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS and Norma Vega

 Lonnie Johnson of Exxon Mobil

 Denisse Lopez-Pierluisi and Maria Moreira

Edward Allard and Col. James Saenz

Lawrence Romo, Reynaldo Vichareli Casas, Kristian Ramos

Patricia Gaitan and Osvaldo Gomez Martinez

Andrea Zuniga, Santos Sanchez and Jessica Valenzuela

Nadia Gonzalez and Rudy Gonzalez III