CANF, NCLR, AND LULAC URGE SENATE TO CONFIRM DR. ARTURO VALENZUELA
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 7:00 am By: CANF
October 8, 2009
The Honorable Harry Reid
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Reid and Senator McConnell:
We are writing to urge the immediate confirmation of Dr. Arturo Valenzuela as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, nominated to the post by President Obama on May 12, 2009. We believe it is critical for the continuity of U.S. policy in the region that Dr. Valenzuela’s nomination move forward; thus far his absence in the position has created a vacuum that has affected the State Department’s ability to carry out a cohesive Latin America strategy.
Dr. Valenzuela brings with him a plethora of experience and knowledge about the region and its players that would be invaluable to the position, particularly now when there are several emerging issues that require our nation’s immediate attention and participation. Further delaying his confirmation will only hurt our standing with our Latin American neighbors and our ability to effectively contribute to solving the varied issues facing our hemispheric counterparts.
As three of the nation’s most prominent Hispanic/Latino organizations, representing the interests of millions of Americans of Hispanic/Latino origin, we urge you and your colleagues to move forward with a vote in the Senate. It is our understanding that Dr. Valenzuela’s outstanding public record and years as a renowned scholar of the region have gained him the support of the overwhelming number of Senators and should his nomination be placed up for a vote, would more than likely be confirmed unanimously.
We respectfully request that you and your colleagues urge Senator DeMint to remove the procedural hold on Dr. Valenzuela’s confirmation for the good of our nation and our future relationship with Latin America.
Sincerely,
Francisco J. Hernández Janet Murguía, Rosa Rosales,
President, CANF President, NCLR National President, LULAC
