PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2015
LATINO LEADERS URGE CONFIRMATION OF RAFAEL J. LOPEZ FOR HHS COMMISSIONER ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
Nominated in January, Lopez Wait for Confirmation Vote Approaching 120 days
WASHINGTON, DC—The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 39 leading national Latino nonpartisan civil rights and advocacy organizations, today sent a letter to the United States Senate Finance Committee leadership urging a confirmation vote for Rafael J. Lopez to be Commissioner on Children, Youth and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The full text of the letter can be viewed here.
The letter, addressed to United States Senators Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), in part stated: "We believe Mr. Lopez is highly qualified to lead this agency and we urge you to schedule a confirmation vote on his nomination...Born and raised in Watsonville, California, Mr. Lopez and his family embody the American dream. His family's immigrant experience is one that has propelled his desire to excel and shaped his interest in public policies to better his community. Mr. Lopez brings to this nomination his mother's spirit and work ethic; as he is the first in his family to graduate from high school and college, earn a graduate degree and work for the President of the United States."
The confirmation of Mr. Lopez is a top priority for NHLA through its Federal Latino Appointments Program. In today's letter, Latino leaders stated they plan to include any activity, or non-activity, on this nomination in their NHLA Congressional Scorecard. In the scorecard, the public can see how their Senators voted when given the chance to confirm outstanding Latino leaders to important posts that ultimately influence public policy and shape the work of the federal government.
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Established in 1991, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and follow @NHLAgenda.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
| Teresa Acuña | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 508-6919 |
| Lia Seremetis | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 587-4936 |
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