The IDC hosted Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes to give a speech on Hispanic Heritage month On Wednesday October 6th 2010.
Camelia Valdes talked about demographics of Hispanics, which makes up about 15% of the nation’s population. She talked about her childhood, her education and experience as a prosecutor. As a child Camelia Vades wanted to become a lawyer. Her parents were happy but afraid; they didn’t expect a woman of a different minority that was not financially prepared to become what she wanted to be. She also shared some of her childhood experiences where she was always helping people out, her dreams of becoming a prosecutor came true.
Camelia Valdes also talked about how Passaic County is a very diverse county but at the same time is suffering problems like gang violence and drugs. Recently her office partnered up with the Clifton police dept and looked into the prescription drug abuse. They arrested 71 people over the past summer that was involved in the trade.
At the end of her presentation she talked about the importance of understanding different cultures and she shared some of her experiences with us.
The audience included officers from different law enforcement offices, police chiefs, mayors and others from different walks of life. They all enjoyed homemade Turkish food before the speech.
Some Pictures from the Luncheon:
