Southwest Airlines Invests in Future Leaders Through Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Partnership

DALLAS, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines today announced a commitment to the future through a partnership with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). As the official airline for the Public Policy Fellowship Programs, participants in CHCI's educational and youth leadership development programs will receive complimentary Southwest Airlines travel to achieve a higher education, gain leadership skills, and grow as professionals. Most importantly, the participants will not be burdened with the worry of travel expenses.

"We know the leaders involved in CHCI's programs have a lot to offer our communities and future. We applaud this next generation of leaders who will carry us forward," said Lidia S. Martinez, Southwest Airlines' Corporate Community Affairs Manager. "I am proud Southwest Airlines is investing in their success and helping them reach their full potential. For us, success is making things happen for others."

"Our young leaders represent diverse communities across the nation. The expense of their travels should not hinder their access to all that Washington, DC, offers, and all that they have to offer Washington, DC," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President and CEO. "Thanks to Southwest's generous in- kind support, our Fellows will not only continue to grow as strong, effective professionals in our nation's capital, but also return to their home communities armed with the leadership skills to carry them forward."

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit leaders and corporate executives. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org.

Southwest Airlines is one of the most honored airlines in the world. Among Southwest's recent honors was being named to Business Week's first ever list of "Customer Service Champs," which ranks the best providers of Customer Service. For eight years in a row, Southwest Airlines was named to Business Ethics magazine's list as one of America's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" for excelling at serving a variety of stakeholders and for leadership roles in corporate citizenship. In September of 2007, Southwest Airlines ranked in the top 100, number 31 to be exact, on the 2007 InformationWeek 500, an annual listing that honors the most innovative business technology organizations. And, for an impressive eleven consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine recognized Southwest Airlines as number five among America's Top Ten most admired corporations.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 33,000 Employees nationwide.