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LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS National Office |
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 610 PRESS RELEASE |
| For Immediate Release November 19, 2002 |
Contact: Lorraine Quiroga |
Washington, DC--The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), praises the U.S. Senate for confirming Antonio Garza as Ambassador to Mexico.
"We are enthusiastic about having a Hispanic in this important position, especially at a time when our two countries, the United States and Mexico, face important major issues of common interest and immediate concern," said Hector Flores, National LULAC President. "Since September 11th, our world has changed tremendously and Tony Garza is someone who acutely understands the challenges the two neighbors now face along our southern border. The challenge is to ensure homeland security while not shunning an important and longtime friend," he added.
Garza, a second generation Texan whose grandparents are from Mexico, has a long and distinguished record of public service. His public service career has included several positions including becoming the first Hispanic Republican elected to statewide office in Texas history as railroad commissioner with oversight over the state's energy sector. In 1994, then Governor George Bush appointed Garza as Texas Secretary of State. During his three-year tenure, Garza was Texas' chief election officer, as well as lead liaison on border and Mexican affairs, working on a diverse range of issues including free trade, the environment, and border affairs.
"LULAC is hopeful that Tony Garza, who has lived and worked his entire life along the border, will work to ensure improved border relations between the two countries. He brings insight to the job and understands we have to strike the right balance between protecting our border and fostering continued commerce and relations with Mexico which will benefit our economy," said Flores. Flores said he is hopeful that Garza will seek out new ideas and continue to be inclusive in dealing with increasingly sensitive and complex issues such as undocumented immigrants and disputes over water needs affecting millions on both sides of the border.
"These are not partisan matters, they are challenges all Americans face at an important time in our history when we must be willing to come together to find solutions. Since 1929, LULAC shares that history and we look forward now to working with Ambassador Garza," concluded Flores.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide.