PBS will include Latinos in “The War’ documentary.

PBS President and CEO, Paula Kerger, has announced the inclusion of Latinos in Ken Burns’ documentary THE WAR. The documentary will be shot and re-edited to include additional content that focuses on stories of Latino and Native American veterans of the Second World War. This addition will also be included in the educational outreach materials. “This is a great victory for the Latino Community,” said retired Congressman Esteban Torres, Chairman of the National Latino Media Council. “The Defend the Honor Campaign moved thousands of Latinos in this nation to take action to demand that PBS include our participation in this important documentary. We owe the campaign leaders enthusiastic accolades for leading us to this victory.”

“It is even more gratifying to learn that Native American veterans will also be included in this film,” said Moctesuma Esparza of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. “The Congressional Hispanic Caucus played an important part in this campaign as well,” added Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “It was a unified effort by our national leadership as well as from individuals from every corner of the nation to include Puerto Rico.”

PBS’ plan includes the following specific elements:

· The New Latino and Native American narratives to the documentary will be included as well in THE WAR’s DVD, website and PBS’ educational outreach materials.

· A Latino producer will be hired by Burns’ production company, Florentine Films, in consultation with PBS, to be part of the production team that will create the additional content.

· THE WAR will premiere on September 23, 2007 during Hispanic Heritage Month as scheduled with the inclusion of the new content.

· Additional programming will be aired on World War II that will include and focus on the Latino contributions to the war.

“This is a victory not only for Latinos and Native Americans, but it is also a victory for all Americans regardless of color or creed. We will all now learn the contributions of two groups that have long been ignored and regulated to the sidelines,” said Alex Nogales.

“Paula Kerger and Ken Burns are to be congratulated for hearing our voices and acting on them to make sure our concerns were addressed,” concluded NLMC Chairman Torres.

World War II was a defining moment in the nation’s history. 500,000 Latinos fought in this war earning the most Medals of Honor proportional to our population. This show of patriotism defines who we are and our commitment to the principles of our nation.