NALEO Congratulates U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra on Election to Vice-Chair of House Democratic Caucus

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the nation's preeminent Latino leadership organization, congratulates U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) on his election to serve as Vice-Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. As Vice Chair, Rep. Becerra becomes the 5th ranking Democrat in the House, and works with the Caucus Chair to develop the Caucus' legislative and policy agenda.

Rep. Becerra, who is a former Board member of NALEO, comes to his position with over two decades of experience in public service. Prior to his election to Congress in 1992, he served one term in the California State Assembly. Rep. Becerra has served as Assistant to the Speaker of the House and is the first Latino to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means. As a committee member, Rep. Becerra has used his position to increase opportunities for working families, to improve the Social Security program for women and minorities, to combat poverty among the working poor, and to strengthen Medicare and ensure its long-term viability.

Rep. Becerra is a member and past Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. At the international level, he serves as Vice-Chair of the U.S.-Korea Interparliamentary Exchange, and is Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus. Rep. Becerra also serves on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, the panel which oversees the Smithsonian Institution's expansive collection. He was an important leader in the fight to pass legislation establishing a federal commission to explore the viability of creating the "National Museum of the American Latino."

"U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra brings a wealth of invaluable experience to the Democratic Caucus leadership," said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of NALEO. "Throughout his career, he has been a strong voice for inclusion and political access for the Latino community. His election as Caucus Vice-Chair demonstrates that Latinos continue to attain key leadership positions at every level of governance where they shape the policies that affect all Americans."

Rep. Becerra's election comes as the NALEO Educational Fund welcomes 60 newly elected officials toWashington, D.C. for the NALEO National Institute for Newly Elected Officials. This political "boot camp" is designed to help newly elected officials acquire the skills needed for effective governance and establish professional networks needed to succeed in public office. They have the opportunity to witness firsthand the possibilities for leadership available to them as they begin a career in public service.

About NALEO

NALEO is a non-partisan membership organization whose constituency includes the nation's more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials.

SOURCE National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)

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