By Walter Pacheco
Sentinel Staff Writer

Hispanic chambers of commerce from across Florida joined Gov. Jeb Bush and his family Saturday in Orlando for a few words about education, the boom of
Hispanic businesses in Central Florida and to crack a few jokes.

"I know many of the women in the room are really here to see my son George," the governor joked in Spanish to more than 300 of the Hispanic community’s
movers and shakers at the Portofino Bay Hotel.

Raíza Tamayo, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, greeted Bush, who attended the dinner with first lady Columba Bush and their
son.

"This is something we’ve been working on for over 18 months since we formed over a year ago," Tamayo said.

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded last February as a statewide umbrella organization for the local Hispanic chambers.

"In 10 years there has been an incredible growth in Hispanics in our state, and I see a tremendous future," Bush said. "You are all the future of the state of Florida."

Census 2000 figures show that Hispanics total 2.7 million in Florida, or 17 percent of the population. In Central Florida, the Hispanic population soared even higher
-- averaging 152 percent across the area.

In Orlando, there are more than 10,000 Hispanic-owned businesses.

Bush addressed his One Florida initiative that eliminated racial and ethnic preferences in college admissions.

"Two years ago, One Florida was controversial, and many said it would not work. However, after two years, we see the effects as promised with more Hispanic
enrollment," Bush said.

Presidents of Florida’s state universities recently announced that most schools would have increases in Hispanic enrollment this fall. "We can do this the right way and
guarantee that those number will go up next year," the governor said.

Beside education reforms, Bush hailed that involvement in civic, economic and political life would bring more power to Hispanics.

"Hispanics own more than one-in-eight businesses in our state," Bush said.

"I absolutely see more money flowing in to support those businesses and maintain Florida as the unique gateway to Latin America."

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