Civil Rights Commission Gets 1st Latino Chair

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has designated Marty Castro as the Chairperson of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. A unanimous vote of the Commission approved the President's designation of Mr. Castro as the Chairperson at its regular business meeting.

Mr. Castro becomes the eighth chairperson of the Commission since its inception in 1957, and the first Latino chairperson in the Commission's history. Mr. Castro was appointed by President Obama to the Commission on January 27, 2011.

Chairperson Castro said, "I am humbled by the confidence that President Obama and my fellow Commissioners have shown in me by elevating me to Chairperson of the Commission. As the son and grandson of immigrants from Mexico who came to this county for the hope it offered, and as a proud American, I am honored to serve my country in this important capacity. I believe the Commission has an important role to play in ensuring that the American Dream continues to be available to allpersons in the United States. I also look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners and our staff to ensure that the Commission renews its mission to be our Nation's conscience on civil rights issues."

Chairperson Castro is President of Castro Synergies, LLC in Chicago, and Chair of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.