Congressional Hispanic Caucus Welcomes Senator Alex Padilla

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) welcomed Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to the CHC. Senator Padilla marks history in becoming the first Hispanic to serve California in the U.S. Senate. Though Hispanics comprise nearly 40 percent of California's population, the state has never been represented by a Hispanic in the United States Senate. Chairman Ruiz released the following statement as he welcomed Padilla to the CHC:

"It is my honor to welcome Senator Alex Padilla to the CHC. Senator Padilla joins the Caucus at a pivotal moment in history, as we prepare to tackle threats to our economy, environment, and public health," said Chairman Ruiz. "Our outcomes are better when our leaders in government are representative of the people they serve, and I am confident that Senator Padilla will be a powerful advocate for working families in California and for all Americans. I look forward to working with him to advance policy that creates meaningful change for Hispanic families."

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.