Verizon Executive Receives United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Top Honor

WASHINGTON - Verizon's Magda Yrizarry has earned the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation's highest honor, the President's Award, for her commitment to Latino youth and the Hispanic community. Yrizarry, vice president-public policy and strategic affairs, will receive the award at the USHCC Legislative Awards dinner here on Thursday (3/25).

"Magda has dedicated her career to education, minority business and community development," said Frank Lopez, USHCC Foundation president. "She has also been instrumental in strengthening corporate America's involvement in the education of Latino youth."

During this week's annual USHCC Legislative Conference, Yrizarry and other Hispanic leaders will discuss the 2003 Tomas Rivera Policy Institute report, "Closing the Achievement Gaps: Improving Educational Outcomes for Hispanic Children." The report examined factors that contribute to the educational disparities between Hispanic students and their non-Hispanic counterparts.

At Verizon, Yrizarry is responsible for key national stakeholder relationships and outreach to multicultural, senior citizen and disabled constituencies throughout the United States. Her team works with education organizations such as the National Education Association and the United States Distance Learning Association to help close the digital divide and ensure that underserved communities have access to emerging broadband technologies. She also works with the USHCC and other organizations to provide Hispanic small businesses with better access to capital and technology.

Yrizarry is a leader in several organizations dedicated to providing educational opportunities for Hispanic children. She serves as chairperson of ASPIRA of New York, a national nonprofit organization committed to the education and leadership development of Latino youth; executive board member of the ASPIRA Association; and board member of LULAC National Educational Services Centers. Yrizarry has also worked with volunteer programs like the New York State Mentoring Program, School-Based Management, and Junior Achievement. She served as trustee and president of New York City's Community School Board 9 and as a member of the Board of Education Committee on Bilingual and Special Education in New York.

Yrizarry is a founding member of 100 Hispanic Women, an organization that provides scholarships to Latinas and helps them succeed in their professional and personal lives; and serves on the corporate advisory boards of the USHCC, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and the National Council of LaRaza.

Yrizarry, her husband, Ray Medina, and their two children live in the Washington, D.C., area.

The USHCC Foundation is committed to the purpose of giving Latino youth alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture the entrepreneurship spirit. The Foundation will leverage corporate and public support to ensure that Latino youth gain access and achieve success in the world of business. More information about the USHCC Foundation and the USHCC is available at www.ushccfoundation.org.

A Fortune 20 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon's international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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