We welcome our brother, US Senator Robert Menendez, as this year's Keynote Speaker.

Bob Menendez's story is a quintessential American story. He grew up the son of immigrants in a tenement building in Union City and has risen to become one of 100 United States Senators and a member of the Senate leadership. He has earned the reputation of a fighter for New Jersey families who puts their economic security and hometown security ahead of powerful special interests.

A product of New Jersey's public schools and a graduate of the state's universities, Bob learned early on the importance of standing up for what's right, no matter how powerful the opposition. He first entered public service as a 19-year-old college student when he witnessed shortcomings in the public education system and launched a successful petition drive to reform his local school board. He stood up to corruption in Union City as a witness against the political machine in a Federal trial.

He has served as a school board member, a mayor and a state legislator. Since 1993, he has been standing up for New Jersey families in Washington, where he rose to become the third highest ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives and has taken on a prominent leadership role in the U.S. Senate.

In Congress, Bob is working to make a real difference in the lives of New Jerseyans. That includes working to achieve economic security for families by creating jobs, promoting clean energy development, providing tax relief, investing in education, making health care more affordable and protecting consumers.

Bob was sworn in to the Senate on January 18, 2006, having been appointed by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to fill the remainder of his term. Later that year, New Jerseyans elected Bob to serve a full six-year term as United States Senator.

He currently serves on the Senate Committees on Finance; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Energy and Natural Resources; Budget; and Foreign Relations. Bob is also the Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development; and the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection.

In November 2008, Bob was chosen to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a top position of national leadership.

His first book, Growing American Roots, was released in October 2009. It examines the deep influence of the Latino population on American society and, from his unique perspective as the only Latino member of the Senate, lays out his vision how for the Latino community can help America prosper.

To read more please visit Senator Robert Menendez at http://menendez.senate.gov