CHC, Secretary Cardona and Administrator Guzman Highlight Resources for the Latino Community During Latino Prosperity Tour Launch

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) hosted their second CHC on the Road event in Austin, Texas, in collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration, for the launch of the Administration’s Latino Prosperity Tour.

The launch event was hosted by the CHC and Chair Nannette Barragán along with newly elected CHC member Congressman Greg Casar, SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, CHC member Delia Ramirez, several other members of Congress, local business owners and education and community leaders took part in a roundtable and launch of the Latino Prosperity Tour at a local restaurant – Tamale House East.

“It was great to partner with SBA Administrator Guzman and Secretary Cardona in Austin to officially launch the Administration’s Latino Prosperity Tour. The CHC is on the road this year, going to different parts of the country to talk about all the amazing accomplishments that have happened in the past two years because of the Biden-Harris Administration and their partnership with Congress, from the American Rescue Plan to the recent budget that invested in Hispanic Serving Institutions, to making sure there are dollars and capital access for small businesses. Over the past 10 years, Latino entrepreneurs have continued to start small businesses at a faster rate than any other group, so these dollars and access are critical to Latino communities,” said Chair Nanette Barragán. “Part of this tour is to go on and continue to engage Latino communities and continue to let them know what we have done, what we are doing, the resources out there and to make sure that their engaged and we hear them because the work is not done yet.”

“Being here today with the Congressional representatives and Secretary Cardona is a commitment to continue to deliver for all communities and ensure that pathways to prosperity can be delivered,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman. “For so many in the Latino community, pathways to prosperity means a great education, it means an opportunity to pursue the American dream, business ownership, entrepreneurship. The rates of entrepreneurship that are cited are over indexed with women and people of color who are seeking an opportunity to grow wealth in their communities and families.”

“The reality is that all of you are who we represent and all of you, your stories, are what want to put behind these policies,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Let’s fight. There are people out there with tremendous potential that just need to be tapped on the shoulder and be told ‘hey, these doors are open for you now too.’ Because whether it is our generation or our parents’ generation or our grandparents’ generation, sacrifices were made so we could have these opportunities today. Let’s not waste them.”

“I’m proud that the Biden Administration kicked off their Latino Prosperity Tour in my district, in the heart of Texas,” said CHC member Rep. Greg Casar. “Central Texas is a hub for growth, education, and community, and we are working to ensure that growth benefits everyday people, not just those with connections. Democrats will work to ensure that wherever you are black, white, or brown, working Texans and small businesses can get ahead.”

The launch of the tour was led by Administrator Guzman, the highest-ranking Latino official on the economy in President Biden's Cabinet, and also included Congressional Black Caucus members Jasmine Crockett and Lauren Underwood, as well as Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

Guzman will be touring the country with fellow Cabinet members to highlight the work of the Biden-Harris Administration to support, uplift, and invest in Latino communities, as well as underscore the Administration's ongoing commitment to expanding pathways to prosperity in Latino communities across the nation. The CHC will partner with the Administration throughout the tour to drive home the message that the Caucus, and Democrats in Congress, continue to work every day to provide for a better future for Latinos.

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