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Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement on Appointment of Alex Padilla to Serve as U.S. Senator from California

December 22, 2020

WASHINGTON — Today, December 22nd, 2020, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Chair-elect Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following joint statement on the selection of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla as California's next U.S. Senator:

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is proud to welcome Alex Padilla to Congress and the CHC — the first Latino United States Senator from California. Despite Latinos comprising over 40-percent of the state's population, Californians have never been represented by a Latino in the U.S. Senate. This historic appointment represents a new milestone in the generational struggle for Latino inclusion in the American Dream.

"The son of Mexican immigrants and a graduate of MIT, Alex Padilla embodies the dreams, achievements, and aspirations of millions of Latinos. Padilla's record of results in local and state government and his advocacy for voting and civil rights, the environment, economic justice, and immigrant communities will make him a critical voice in the United States Senate.

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus thanks California Governor Gavin Newsom for meeting this moment and helping to write the next chapter of California and American history. We also wish to recognize the outgoing Senator of California, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, both for her trailblazing election and her dedication to working for Latino communities, particularly her advocacy for farmworkers, domestic workers, and Dreamers.

"As our nation confronts an ongoing pandemic and an economic crisis, both of which have disproportionately harmed Latino families, it is more important than ever for Latino perspectives to not only be heard, but to have the power to shape policy at the highest levels. We are confident that Alex Padilla will be a powerful advocate for working families in California and for all Americans."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.