COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: Special guests Globe award winner, actor Benito Martinez from the television series, The Shield, on FX and Retired Lt. Colonel, Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch will help Nationwide Insurance and the National Latino Children's Institute observe El Dia de los Ninos and speak to children about the pressures of school, leadership, and how to serve their communities. These guests will assist Nationwide Insurance and the National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) host the third annual El Dia de los Ninos "Celebrating Young Americans" event at Cooper Stadium on Saturday, April 26. The event calls attention to important safety issues, including child safety seats and bike and fire safety for our children. El Dia de los Ninos, or Children's Day, is celebrated throughout Latin America. On October 9, 1998, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution declaring April 30 as El Dia de los Ninos Celebrating Young Americans. In subsequent years, the U.S. Senate has signed a similar resolution declaring the day a commemorative holiday, and NLCI works to ensure that the resolution is passed annually. WHEN: April 25, 2003, 1:30 -2:30 at Norton Middle School (Lt. Kickbusch) 2:15 - 3:15 at Westland High School (Benito Martinez) WHERE: Norton Middle School - 215 Norton Rd. Westland High School - 146 South Galloway Rd. Background on special guest
Globe award winning actor Benito Martinez plays Captain David Aceveda; the young precinct chief that has sights set on a political career. A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Martinez is most recognized by audiences for his performances in the film Mi Familia and opposite Dustin Hoffman in the hit film, Outbreak. His television credits include NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Chicago Hope. Martinez has also starred in numerous stage plays throughout his career.
Martinez is involved with children's groups and the Latino community. Martinez began helping children in his community through The Educational Theater Company and the Will and Company, two theater groups geared toward youth. Through these organizations, he was able to perform over twenty different original works for more than a million students. His involvement helped change the direction of some of the student's lives, some even becoming peer counselors for their schools. He performed in plays that cast Latinos, African-Americans and others to play traditionally Caucasian roles, giving him the ability to show children that they can do what they put their mind to. He is also involved with the National Latino Children's Institute where he speaks at their annual Promesa event.
"These experiences with the youth keep the blood pumping in my chest. I seem to have gravitated toward people or organizations that look into the eyes of the children and say, 'I see you.' As a Latino I have my cultural perspective that I see through, but as a father and participator in my communities, I endeavor to remember and learn over and over again the simplest lesson: We must take care of all our children. That's our job. Period," said Martinez.
Retired Lt. Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch was born and raised in a tiny barrio in Laredo, TX where she overcame the fierce challenges of poverty, discrimination and illiteracy. She has become a successful leader and role model for her community. She has been breaking barriers and setting records in the military and became the highest-ranking Hispanic Women in the U.S. Army's combat support field.
Because of her strong dedication to saving the youth of America living in the same barrios she did as a child, Kickbusch has worked with over one million children, their parents and educators, in the roughest neighborhoods in America, covering 43 state. She inspires these young "diamonds in the rough" by encouraging them to believe that "we can all make our dreams come true, to not give up hope, but rather to take charge of your lives, make a real difference in your families/communities and follow a disciplined road map to success." To assist them she produced a well-received video entitled, "Porque No - Why Not?" which provided practical techniques that helped Consuelo leave the barrio, develop self-esteem and achieve her personal success. She is currently writing a book for young readers, "Journey to the Future," a primer providing young people with a framework for early leadership development.
Kickbusch has earned numerous illustrious decorations including the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four times), the Army Achievement Medal (twice) and the National Image's Uniformed Service Award for significant contribution in the areas of civil/human rights, race relation, equal opportunity, human resources, and public service. In 1996, she was selected out of 26,000 candidates to assume a command post, which would put her on track for General officer rank. Kickbusch respectfully declined the honor, retired as a twenty-year veteran and founded Education Achievement Services Inc. (EAS) to realize her personal dream and mission of preparing tomorrow's leaders today. Through EAS, she shares her years of leadership experience, success techniques and motivational messages to empower people of all ages in all environments (schools, corporation, government and non-profits). More information can be found at http://www.latinaspeaker.com/ .
Nationwide Insurance, a Fortune 500 company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the country's largest auto and homeowners insurers.
Media Contacts: Ramona Reyes (614) 677-7252 Cell, (614) 563-0035 Bob Cunningham (614) 249-3091Nationwide Insurance
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