Bush campaign announces Latino leadership

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- The Bush-Cheney '04 re-election committee officially launched its Latino outreach efforts at a Monday rally in Orlando, Fla.

The Viva Bush coalition, which rolls out nationally on Tuesday, kicked off with a keynote address from presidential brother Gov. Jeb Bush.

"I am honored to be here to highlight the president's impressive record of achievement with the Hispanic community," Bush told the crowd of more than 300 supporters, "and to contrast his positive agenda with that of John Kerry, which hurts Latinos and is out of touch with their values."

The Via Bush coalition currently consists of Latino supporters in 30 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, campaign aides said. The coalition's 63-member national steering committee includes former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marín, GOP U.S. Reps. Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Illeana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, and Dr. Antonia Novello, the New York state commissioner of health and a former U.S. surgeon general.