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Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Actor Edward James Olmos speaks at SAC


Edward James Olmos (photo)
Award winning Actor

Actor Edward James Olmos spoke Wednesday, January 24th at San Antonio College to a large college audience. The award-winning actor, producer, director and community activist gave a motivational speech entitled, "We're All in the Same Gang."

Olmos spoke about discipline and determination in overcoming all obstacles. He believes that all races must cooperate. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Olmos reflected on his formative years, illustrating the diversity that surrounded him.

According to Olmos, his neighbors were of Hispanic, native American, Korean, Chinese, Mexican and Russian backgrounds – and he discussed how he survived the barrio and went on to achieve personal success.

“Violence is not a judicial problem,” says Olmos, “it’s a health problem, like polio, AIDS or heart disease. We need to use preventative medicine.”

With an interest in helping youth overcome problematic situations, he has served as the U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund. Additionally, he has been the executive director of the Lives in Hazard Project, a national gang.

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