CARECEN Mourns the Loss of Its President, Saul Solorzano

Saúl Solorzano 

Washington, DC [CapitalWirePR] August 19, 20011 – With profound sorrow, the Board of Directors and staff of CARECEN (Central American Resource Center) announce the loss of our President and outstanding community leader Saul Solorzano, who passed away, Wednesday, August 17, at 49 years of age.

For over 20 years, Saul fought for the well-being and development of the Latino community in our region, to protect civil rights of immigrants. Since the late 1980s, Saul coordinated local and national efforts to protect Salvadoran and other Central American refugees fleeing their war torn countries. As an activist, Saul played an imperative role in the passing of legislation benefitting the immigrant and Central American population such as the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

In 1992, Saul assumed his role as Associate Director of CARECEN and in 1994 he was named Executive Director, a position which he held until the end of last year. As the leader of CARECEN, Saul fought tirelessly for fair laws and treatment of Central Americans and other Latinos. Starting in 2000, Saul led community efforts to ensure the preservation of affordable housing and protect the rights of Latino tenants in DC that were at risk of being displaced. He was strongly involved with various committees, networks and coalitions aiming to advance the Latino Community in the areas of education, health, affordable housing, citizenship and civic engagement, language access and economic development. Examples include: DC Latino Civil Rights Project, the National Capital Area Immigration Coalition, the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing Development, and more recently Delegate Eleanor Norton’s DC Congressional Latino Council and the US Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic Population.

“We regret to inform our community that a compassionate leader and Latino rights activist passed away earlier today. Saul Solorzano formerly served on the DC Mayor’s Commission on Latino Community Development and his dedication to his work has had a profound and lasting impact to the underserved population. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Solorzano family in this time of great loss”, said Mayor of Washington DC, Vincent C. Gray.

On several occasions Saul took leadership in organizing and coordinating efforts in the D.C. metro area to raise funds for the victims of natural disasters in Central America (Hurricane Mitch in 1998, 2001 Earthquake in El Salvador, Hurricane Stan in 2005 and Hurricane Ida in 2009).

At the beginning of 2011, as a result of a succession planning process, the Board appointed Saul the President of CARECEN, in which role he continued to plan the strategic development of CARECEN into neighboring states and dedicated more time to advocating and writing policies to benefit our community. At the end of 2010, Saul ran for a temporary seat on the District of Columbia City Council as a Member-At-Large. During his candidacy, the activist signaled the lack of political representation of the Latino Community in our city. Although not appointed, Saul was extremely enthusiastic about his political endeavor as his next big step in the fight for protecting and developing the local Latino community.

Because of his dedication and commitment to the Latino community, Saul was always available and willing to listen to anyone who asked for help or advice, despite of his busy schedule.

The sudden death and loss of this outstanding leader will leave a deep void in our hearts. Please join us in praying for his wife, daughter and other loved ones. In the next few days we will be announcing the details of the funeral services.

Rest in peace, Saul! You will be dearly missed.


CONTACT:

Milly Rodriguez

202 436-1790

rodrim@afge.org

Raquel Guerricagoitia

202 328-9799 Ext 13

rguerricagoitia@carecendc.org

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