Washington, D.C. U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley will join Race Advisory Board members Angela Oh and Bob Thomas to host the Race Initiative's third regional corporate forum on Friday, January 30, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan will deliver opening remarks at the Forum, and White House director of Public Liaison Maria Echaveste will help lead a roundtable discussion with corporate executives.

The forum will bring together regional, corporate executives to discuss the economic value of diversity, ways to effectively build relationships between majority and minority-owned businesses, and best practices for fostering productive, racially diverse workplaces.

"Minority businesses full participation in the national economy is essential to America's success in the global marketplace of the 21st century" said Secretary Daley. "Limited opportunities equal limited growth. Diversity -- in market selection, industry penetration, information dissemination and business capitalization -- is vital to our country's economic growth and well being as we enter the next century."

Corporate leaders scheduled to participate in the Los Angeles meeting include the following: Judy Belk, Vice President, Levis Strauss; Guy Rounsalville, Executive Vice President & Chief Counsel, Wells Fargo Bank; Luchus P. Smith, Senior Vice President Corporate Human Resources, Home Savings of America; Sharon K. Faltemier, Vice President People & Communications, Boeing, Rocketdyne, Faltemier Propulsion and Power Los Angeles; Lemel Daniels, Vice President, Merrill Lynch; Sue Hagen, director of Human Resources, Dole Food Company; Rosa Wong, President and CEO, Far East National Bank; Paula S. Mack, Diversity Consultant, Pacific Bell; Steven A. Soto, President & CEO, Mexican American Grower's Association Los Angeles; Martha Diaz Azkeneazy, President, Pueblo Construction Service; and Vivian Shimoyama, President, National Association of Women Business Owner.

WHAT:
Race Initiative Regional Corporate Forum

WHEN:
Friday, January 30, 1998, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Regal Biltmore Hotel
650 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California

COVERAGE:
Press availability during the opening and at the conclusion of the forum.

The President's Initiative on Race is a year-long effort to create a stronger, more just, and more united American community. For additional information, write the President's Initiative on Race at: New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20504 or visit the One America website: www.whitehouse.gov/Initiatives/OneAmerica