EVA LONGORIA (�DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES�) WILL HOST AND PRODUCE �THE 2006 ALMA AWARDS,� AIRING MONDAY, JUNE 5, ON ABC

�The 2006 ALMA Awards,� featuring the hottest stars from the worlds of film, television and music, will air as an all-new 90-minute special MONDAY, JUNE 5 (8:00-9:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Eva Longoria (�Desperate Housewives�) will host the event as well as be a producer.

�I am honored that NCLR has asked me to host this important television special,� said Longoria. �As a past ALMA recipient, it�s even more meaningful for me to play such a major role in highlighting our Latino talent in Hollywood.�

The show is organized by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. The annual ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Awards recognizes and celebrates Latino artistic achievement in American film, television and music.

Janet Murguia, President and CEO, NCLR, said: �The National Council of La Raza is very excited to relaunch the NCLR ALMA Awards. The show provides an opportunity for the Latino community to celebrate excellence in the entertainment industry, while educating others about the contributions of Hispanic Americans to this country.�

The Awards will feature celebrity appearances (to be announced at a later date), as well as an eclectic mix of performances, spanning the worlds of pop, rock and Latin music in both English and Spanish.

Among the highlights of the 2006 Awards ceremony will be presentations of The Entertainer of the Year Award and the NCLR Vanguard Award.

Jeff Margolis, Janet Murguia and David Chavez are executive producers of �The 2006 ALMA Awards.� The show, from Jeff Margolis Productions, will tape on May 7 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Producers are Eva Longoria, Tisha Fein, Gloria Fujita O�Brien and Mick McCullough. The director is Ron De Moraes.