Washington, DC – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) tonight elected Congressman Joe Baca (D-California) to serve as its next Chair.  Rep. Baca will lead the group, which includes all Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate of Hispanic descent. 

Rep. Baca issued the following statement:

“I am truly honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me to lead this distinguished group during the next Congress.  I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of some of the greatest Latino leaders in our country’s history and pledge my unwavering commitment to serve the interests and needs of all Hispanic Americans.” 

“There is still much work ahead of us: improving access to quality education, protecting our senior citizens, providing affordable healthcare, employment opportunities, corporate diversity, civil rights, comprehensive immigration reform and others.  Under my leadership, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue its advocacy work on these important issues while casting a bold new vision of inclusion, unity and cooperation.  I hope to work closely with other national Hispanic organizations, Democratic leadership, and my counterparts in the Congressional Black and Asian Pacific American Caucuses to advance our common goals.” 

“I have spent my life fighting for an America where Latinos are respected for their hard work, vibrant culture, and patriotism to this country.  As the next Chair of the CHC, I hope to take this lifelong passion and transform it into real policies and initiatives – such as the creation of a Latina Task Force that will examine the unique needs of women in our community.” 

Rep. Baca represents a predominantly Latino district in San Bernardino County, part of California’s Inland Empire.  Since arriving in Congress in 1999, Rep. Baca has served in several leadership capacities for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Second Vice Chair, Whip and most recently, First Vice Chair and Chair of the CHC Corporate America Task Force. 

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-California), the current CHC Chair, said, “I am delighted and give hearty congratulations to my friend Joe Baca as he assumes the leadership role of the CHC after many years of work as a CHC Officer.  Hispanic Americans are counting on members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to continue to be their voice in Congress and ensure priorities and concerns are acted upon.  I look forward to assisting him in any way to continue the work of the CHC.”

The CHC was established in 1976 to address the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life.