SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, released the following statement on yesterday’s swearing-in of California’s first Latino United States Senator, Alex Padilla:
“Yesterday was a historic day for our nation and our state.
“The swearing-in of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was particularly monumental to the progress of Latinos in the State of California. For the first time, we have seen a Senator who looks like us, has a similar story to us, and shares our experiences.
“I cannot overstate how meaningful and influential this is to Latinos in our State, particularly for young Latinos who make up 54 percent of our K through 12 public school students and are now seeing what is possible. Senator Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, has shown that Latinos can represent all Californians - and when young Latinos see that, they aspire to lead like him. They aspire for more.
“Senator Padilla has forged a pathway to a position that was previously unattainable, and I have the utmost faith in his ability to champion issues that will benefit not just the Latino community but all Californians.”