FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
              (239) 335-2777

LATIN AMERICAN DELEGATION TO ATTEND COUNTY RECEPTION FRIDAY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 5, 2003) - The Board of Lee County Commissioners and Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a reception Friday (June 6) for a visiting delegation of Latin American officials.

The Latin America delegation will be representing the countries of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The reception is at 9 a.m. in the first floor meeting room of the Lee County Administration Building, 2115 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers. Commissioner John E. Albion will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Commissioners will be joined by representatives of the county's Hispanic community, including the Lee County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board.

After welcoming remarks and short speeches from several officials, there will be a ceremonial gift exchange and "meet and greet" session.

Speaking during the ceremony will be Commissioner Albion, Lucy Quinones, president of the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Armando Sori, Dominican Republic, Raul Santiago, Puerto Rico, and Jacqueline Garzon, Colombia/Argentina.

Every year the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites the Latin America Delegations to Lee County for a visit. Their visits are aimed at increasing trade & business between Lee County and Latin America. This reception is an attempt to give local officials an opportunity to meet and interact with the Latin American Delegation.