WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar, a Democrat representing the 28^th District of Texas, is now Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI). Congressman Cuellar was voted in by the CHLI Board of Directors at its July 9^th private meeting. He fills a spot that has been vacant since February 2009 when Raquel "Rocky" Egusquiza, then with the Ford Motor Company Fund, stepped down.

“The CHLI Board of Directors is extremely pleased that Congressman Henry Cuellar, a colleague and personal friend, has agreed to take on this important leadership role at CHLI,” said Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21), CHLI Board Chairman. “Congressman Cuellar has the energy and talent to help CHLI continue into the future as a key organization promoting and supporting Hispanic leadership at all levels. I thank him for his dedication.”

Congressman Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas,originally from Laredo, TX was first elected to represent the 28th District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005. He is widely recognized as a leader on trade issues for his support for the Central American Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. He also authored the Prosperous and Secure Neighbor Alliance Act of 2007 to combat drug trafficking along the border, and he passed an amendment in the 2008 Farm Bill to address cattle fever ticks, making it the first federal bill to specifically address this major South Texas concern.

He currently serves on three powerful committees in the U.S. House of Representatives: the Homeland Security Committee, which oversees the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which ensures the efficient and effective operation of the U.S. government.

Prior to serving in Congress, Mr. Cuellar served as Texas Secretary of State and a State Representative for 14 years.

“I want to thank Congressman Diaz-Balart and the CHLI Board of Directors for this opportunity; I feel honored to serve CHLI in this new leadership role. It’s a privilege to represent our Hispanic and Portuguese communities at a time when diversity is becoming increasingly embraced,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I’ll continue to work hard in promoting our communities and advancing fair opportunities for all minorities. As a board member, and now Vice-Chair, of CHLI, I share a fundamental belief in supporting Hispanic leadership at all levels of society and I look forward to advancing this cause.”

CHLI’s Board of Directors includes many prominent members of Congress and corporate representatives. The newest members are: Congressman Pedro Perluisi (PR) and Belinda Garza of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The CHLI Board of Directors also includes the following Congressional members: Hon. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Chairman (FL-21), Hon. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18), Hon. Albio Sires (NJ-13), Hon. Devin Nunes (CA-21), and Hon. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), as well as the following corporate members: Eduardo J. Negron-Mendez, Esq., Treasurer; Susan I. Santana of AT&T; John Hoel of Altria Client Services, Inc.; Cindy Colenda of the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation; Rudy Beserra of the Coca-Cola Company; Bert Gomez of Univision Communications, Inc.; Pepe Fanjul, Jr. of Florida Crystals; and Cris Turner of Dell, Inc.

About CHLI:

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI, pronounced “chili”) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, based in Washington, D.C., that advances the diversity of thought in the U.S. Hispanic community in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as in the international community. For more information, please visit www.chli.org. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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