WASHINGTON - Texas Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union Address:
“In meetings with the President and his staff, and again in his State of the Union Address, it is clear that the Administration’s priorities- creating jobs, investing in education, and promoting innovation and global competitiveness - are not only what’s best for our country , but what’s best for the Hispanic community.
Latinos in the United States are among the most innovative members of our society. Whether you look at Hispanic-owned small businesses or Hispanic participation in key industries such as the manufacturing or construction industries, their success is intricately tied to our country’s success. Latinos are also the youngest ethnic group in the United States and depend on public education more than others. The educational investments the President outlined are, again, critical for the future of the Latino community, and for the future of our country. And the President also addressed the need to reform our broken immigration system in a way that not only benefits our economy, but a way that is consistent with our values as a nation.
Tonight, the President provided our country with a blueprint for growth, and a vision for a future that we’ll be proud to pass on to future generations. As the President said “we measure progress by the success of our people.” The Hispanic community is poised and ready to progress, and their success, is America’s success.”