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Presiding Officer Norma L. Gonsalves recently held the first Meet and Greet breakfast at the Legislature for the Long Island Hispanic Pastors Association (LIHPA). The Breakfast was an invitation to personally introduce the legislators with the Hispanic clergy leaders and advocates that surround our communities in Nassau County.
The Legislature was honored to have the Pastors Association attend this Meet and Greet at the Executive building. “I am pleased to have such an important gathering to see how we all as public servants can better help our communities.” said Presiding Officer Gonsalves “As Clergy and Government we are both here to find ways to best help our communities.”
The Meet and Greet was a great opportunity to bring to light certain topics of importance to the Hispanic community in Nassau County. Pastor Derek Garcia in representation of his father Apostol Salvador Garcia (President of LIHPA) presented the questions to Presiding officer Gonsalves and Legislators. LIHPA a nonprofit organization with ministerial character is put together by Christian pastors and churches on Long Island.
Following the breakfast, LIHPA held a brief prayer for our local officials and their families. The Meet & Greet was hosted by Presiding Officer Gonsalves on August 4, 2015 and it was held at the Executive & Legislative Building 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola NY 11501.
Pictured: Nassau County Community Liaison Relations Vanessa Diaz, Caleb Kim (member of LIHPA), Leonardo Valdivia (member of LIHPA), Miguel Arias (New Life Communications M.A, Inc), Wendy Pichardo (Pastor), Julio Pichardo (Pastor), Hugo G. Barragan (Freeport Bible Center), Legislator Francis X. Becker, Jr., Legislator Denise Ford, Legislator Richard J. Nicolello, Derek Garcia (Pastor), Martir Benavides (Pastor), Pastor Luis Ayala, Angel Cepeda (Entrepreneur), Legislator Vincent T. Muscarella, Carlos Marroquin (Pastor ), Legislator James Kennedy, Legislator Donald MacKenzie, Osman Penalba (Pastor), Sandra Escobar (Entrepreneur), Debora Arias (LIHPA secretary), Marina Vinberg (The Christian Voice newspaper), Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves, Legislator Laura Schaefer, Legislator Rose Walker, and Iris Marroquin (Pastor).