Rising star in Democratic Party to speak at UF Sept. 24

September 20, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — ACCENT Speakers Bureau at the University of Florida and Hispanic Heritage Month will bring Texas Mayor Julian Castro to campus on Sept. 24.

Castro delivered the keynote speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, making him the first Hispanic to do so. He is widely considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.

A native of San Antonio, Castro has been mayor since 2009. He is credited with guiding San Antonio’s transformation into America’s seventh largest city.

In March 2010, Castro joined Google and Twitter executives on the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders list. Time magazine placed him on its “40 Under 40” list of rising stars of American politics.

Castro will participate in a conversation about his experience in politics and Hispanic heritage.

The program starts at 7:30 p.m. at the University Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free and open to the public. All tickets are available at the University Auditorium for pickup at 5 p.m. the day of the show. Only two tickets per person. Photography is not allowed during the program, but press may record and photograph during the first five minutes of remarks.

The University of Florida hosts the largest student-run Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the nation. This organization aims to bring Hispanic and Latin American cultures closer together and be a voice for the Hispanic and immigrant communities. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hispanic Heritage Month at UF.