Pelosi: 'With the Leadership of the Hispanic Caucus This Will Be a New Age of Achievement

"Last November, the American people made history and demanded change. As the largest minority group in this nation, the Hispanic community will play an essential role in bringing change to our country.

"Today we have sworn in 25 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including two new Members.  Congressmen Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Delegate Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico will join the rest of the Hispanic Caucus as the national leaders of the Hispanic community. Their new energy will strengthen our work in Congress.

"Last Congress, I was so proud to appoint Congressman Xavier Becerra of California as Assistant to the Speaker. This Congress, as Vice Chair of our Caucus and a valued member of leadership, Congressman Becerra will help lead our efforts to pass an economic recovery package to bring jobs and needed relief to the American people.

"While the Congress and the CHC will no longer have the services of one of our most talented members in the 111th Congress, we can all celebrate President-elect Obama's nomination of Congresswoman Hilda Solis of California as the next Secretary of Labor.

"The daughter of immigrants, Congresswoman Solis has been in the lead fighting for environmental justice, for better wages and safer working conditions. She joins Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado in an Obama cabinet that is committed to delivering change for the American people.

"We are proud to have two Hispanic members at the helm of full committees. Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Chair of the House Committee on Small Business.

"Finally, I would like to thank the outgoing CHC Chair, Congressman Joe Baca of California, and the outgoing leadership team for their service in the 110th Congress. Congratulations to the new Chair, and a close friend, Congresswoman Velázquez of New York - I look forward to working with her.

"Our nation is in the midst of a serious economic crisis. Unfortunately, it seems that Hispanic families throughout the nation bear a significant burden of this crisis. However, with a new Congress and a new President this is also a time of great promise and hope for the Hispanic community.

"With the leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, this will also be a new age of achievement on behalf of Hispanics and all Americans who yearn for new leadership for our economy, for education, for health care, and for our environment.

"Congratulations to the new and returning Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus."