The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) welcomed Hispanic American members of the 112th Congress at a reception in early January at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The event gathered a bipartisan crowd in support of the organizations’ missions to develop the next generation of Latino leaders and advance the diversity of thought in the Hispanic community, respectively.
“I look forward to working with these two superb organizations on the issues that matter to Hispanics, because our issues of importance are also the issues that matter to all Americans,” said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, CHLI Board Member and CHCI Advisory Council Member.
“As we begin a new session in Congress, it is critical that we rededicate our support for CHCI and CHLI as they promote education, public service and civic engagement among Latino youth,” said CHCI Chair Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez. “As the Latino youth population continues to grow, we must rise to the challenge to meet its needs and shape the Latino community leaders of tomorrow.”
The beginning of the 112th Congress equals the largest number of Latinos in history, with 31 members in the House and the Senate, the same number that entered the 111th Congress.
New Hispanic American members include: Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), Rep. Francisco Canseco (TX-23), Rep. Bill Flores (TX-17), Rep. Jaime Herrera (WA-3), Rep. Raúl Labrador (ID-1), and Rep. David Rivera (FL-25).
Returning members include: Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ), Rep. Joe Baca (CA-43); Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31); Rep. Dennis Cardoza (CA-18); Rep. Jim Costa (CA-20); Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28); Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-21); Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez (TX-20); Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-7); Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-4); Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15); Rep. Ben R. Luján (NM-3); Rep. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA-38); Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-21); Rep. Ed Pastor (AZ-4); Res. Comm. Pedro Pierluisi (PR); Rep. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16); Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18); Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34); Del. Gregorio Sablán (NMI); Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-39); Rep. Loretta Sánchez (CA-47); Rep. José E. Serrano (NY-16); Rep. Albio Sires (NJ-13); Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-12).
