Excerpts from DNC Chairman Howard Dean's Address Before 22nd Annual NALEO Conference

San Juan, PR - The Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Howard Dean, today addressed the 22nd annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). The following are highlights from his remarks as prepared for delivery:

"I'm proud that the Democratic Party is the party of minority empowerment. The Democratic Party has led the way in promoting minority leadership at the local, state and national level, that's why 92% of Latino elected officials here today are Democrats, and Democrats will continue to lead the way..."

"Democrats are done running 18 state Presidential campaigns. We will compete everywhere. We will also compete in every community...The truth is there are no red states, there are no blue states. There are only American state..."

"Taking care of the weak and the poor, helping people succeed, making sure our children have health care, a sound energy policy, making it easier for people to take care of their families, a strong national defense...These are the values of the Democratic Party, these are the values that we will fight for..."

"It is a moral value to balance the budget and not leave massive debt to our children...It is a moral value to ensure that all Americans can have access to affordable health care...We believe that it is a moral value to ensure that if you work hard all of your life, you ought to be able to look forward to a secure retirement, in dignity- these aren't just democrat's values, they are American values..."

"And it is a moral value to have a strong national defense. Look, there's no question America faces some serious challenges today. And I couldn't be prouder of the brave men and women in uniform who risk their lives daily to help us meet the challenges we face overseas and on the battlegrounds of..."

"And I want us to take a moment to thank our brave soldiers for their valor, their patriotism, and the sacrifices they have made for our country. They have performed their duties with great courage and skill and we are deeply in their debt..."

"Karl Rove and the GOP spin machine are going back to the most reliable of their cynical political attacks: dividing the country over the war on terror. Americans deserve more than this kind of cheap trick. They're doing this to distract attention from the administration's failures in Iraq..."

"And while we're talking about moral values...it's not a moral value to scapegoat undocumented immigrants. President Bush won't stand up to the anti-immigrant forces in his own Party."

"...The Republican leadership looks for ways to divide us. It was African-Americans in 2002, gay marriage in 2004, and it's gonna be immigrants in 2006, you wait and see..."

"As I've said all along, our strategy for victory is a simple one. Show up. Not just in a battleground state. Not just in 18 of 50 states. Not just show up in blue areas, and not just show up around election time. Show up in every state, in every election, in every community..."

"Today I'm pleased to announce that from August 5th through 7th, the Democratic National Committee will host its third annual Hispanic Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas..."

"The summit will provide an arena for important dialogues on how to build and maintain a lasting national Democratic Party network within the Latino community..."

"Our moral values, Latinos and Democrats, are much more similar than some would have us believe…”

“Democrats offer more. Democrats can do better. And we will…”

“We will show up. We will speak out. We will transform our party. And we will win…”

“But we need your help. We need you to talk to your friends, neighbors and co-workers about what we stand for. And together… election by election... state by state… precinct by precinct, door by door… we will take our country back.”