WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) congratulates San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro on his Senate confirmation today to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With this confirmation, Sec. Castro will join the top ranks of Latino appointees including Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, and Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta, among others.

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Castro will also be the third Latino to serve as Secretary of HUD since the department named its first secretary in 1966. He follows in the footsteps of Henry Cisneros, who also served as San Antonio mayor before serving in President Bill Clinton’s administration as the Secretary of HUD, and Mel Martinez, who served as Secretary of HUD under President George W. Bush.

“I am thrilled that the nation will benefit from Mayor Castro’s talent and skill as our next HUD Secretary,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. “In this important role in our nation’s government, Castro will serve as an excellent role model to all young, emerging Latino leaders behind him. CHCI applauds the Senate for recognizing his great achievements as a visionary leader and for taking swift action to confirm his nomination.”

Mayor Julián Castro, a San Antonio native, earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University with honors and distinction and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School. In 2001, at the age of 26, he became the youngest elected city councilman at that time in San Antonio history.

In 2009, Castro was elected mayor and became the youngest mayor of a Top 50 American city. Among his accomplishments as a three-term mayor, Castro focused on revitalizing the city’s urban core, attracting 21st century jobs to the region, positioning San Antonio to be a leader in the New Energy Economy, and raising the educational attainment of youth of all ages – with a particular focus on working to expand quality pre-kindergarten education. He is the identical twin brother to CHCI Board of Directors member, Rep. Joaquín Castro.

About CHCI
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c) (3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771, visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter (chci), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute