THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS


Zuleyka Rivera Named International Ambassador of Latino Commission on AIDS

New York City – September 21, 2006 - Miss Universe® 2006 Zuleyka Rivera, was appointed the International Ambassador for the Latino Commission on AIDS.  She will support local, regional, national and international initiatives in the areas of prevention, health education, capacity building and advocacy. Miss Universe will work to promote the efforts of the Commission's awareness campaign: Saber es Poder, Knowledge is Power.

"When we selected HIV/AIDS Awareness as the official cause for Miss Universe nine years ago, the purpose was to truly make an impact every year with each titleholder," said Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization. "As the International Ambassador of the Latino Commission on AIDS, Zuleyka can help urge the Latino community to learn about prevention and help to remove the stigma that goes along with testing."

The Latino Commission on AIDS notes that cultural taboos are just one of the pressing issues preventing Latinos from getting tested. Ms. Rivera will work to diminish that perception by publicly taking an HIV/AIDS test at the Latino Commission on AIDS headquarters in Manhattan on October 15th, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. The public is encouraged to participate in the event.

"The bold efforts taken by Miss Universe will encourage Latinos to get HIV testing", said Dennis DeLeon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. "We anticipate that this alliance will help to influence Latino men and women everywhere to get tested on a regular basis".

The 18-year-old former Miss Puerto Rico has continually expressed her passion for the fight against HIV/ AIDS and has supported organizations that advocate education, research and legislation.

"I want to encourage awareness and education for my peers, but more importantly, I want to be an example for everyone who is afraid of being tested," said Ms. Rivera. "Together we can all work toward the mutual goal of protecting our loved ones and communities."

Rivera will also be the official spokesperson for the Commission's annual fundraising gala, Cielo Latino. She will endorse a pendant; the proceeds of which will raise funds for Cielo Latino.

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The Latino Commission on AIDS is a national and regional nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving and expanding health promotion, research, treatment and other services to the Latino community through organizing, education, model program development, capacity building and training. The Commission was created to improve the health of the Latino community. Using its extensive network of members and sister organizations, the Commission is mobilizing effective community responses to the diverse health challenges faced by Latinos. The objective of all Commission programs is the same - care, health promotion, awareness, education and advocacy.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness and women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

CONTACTS:

Arcos Communications / Latino Commission on AIDS
Deborah V. Garcia
(212) 807-1337 ext. 20
(646) 515-9465 mobile
dgarcia@arcos-ny.com


Miss Universe Organization
Lark-Marie AntÛn
(212) 373-4999
lanton@missuniverse.com


Rubenstein Public Relations
Dara Busch
212 843-8097
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com