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Hispanic Print Network
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Past LULAC National President and co-founder of MALDEF, Obledo also served as California Secretary of Health and Welfare and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The League of United Latin American Citizens, the nations largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization, mourns the passing of a great leader, Dr. Mario G. Obledo, who died Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento, California, at the age of 78 with his wife, Keda Alcala-Obledo, by his side.
Known as the "Godfather of the Latino Movement," Obledo, held local, district, state and national offices at LULAC including the position of LULAC National President from 1983 to 1985. He was a leader of the Latino community for more than fifty years.
"Mario Obledo was a champion of civil rights and a trailblazer for the Latino community," said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "His tremendous leadership and uncompromising defense of the Latino community is legendary. Under his leadership, LULAC grew into a progressive force for change...a legacy of advocacy that we carry on to this day."
Obledo was one of the co-founders of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and served as its President and General Counsel until 1973. Under Obledos leadership, MALDEFs funding level and full-time staff grew dramatically as he opened new offices in Denver, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
In 1975, Obledo was appointed Secretary of Health and Welfare for the state of California by Governor Jerry Brown, a position he held until 1981. In this capacity, he was instrumental in bringing thousands of Hispanics into state government which he believed to be the greatest accomplishment of his life.
Obledo served as Chair of the National Rainbow Coalition from 1989 to 1993, and he was co-founder and President of the National Hispanic Bar
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