State Sen. César Blanco seeks to strengthen Texas Hispanic communities as caucus leader
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State Sen. César Blanco, D-El Paso, was named vice chairman of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus, which was established in 1987 as a way to ensure Latino priorities were being heard and addressed within the Texas Senate.
"For years, the Caucus has been the leading voice for the Hispanic community in Texas,” Blanco said in a news release. “Hispanics make up 40% of the state’s population, 53% of students, and own 30% of all small businesses in Texas, and are driving our state’s population and economic growth. The success of our state is directly linked to the success of our Hispanic families and communities."
The senator added that he looks forward to using his caucus position "to strengthen our Hispanic communities for a stronger Texas."
Blanco was appointed by Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus Chairman state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, who praised him for being a "strong advocate ... working for the betterment of all Texans."
"Our community has been the backbone for our economy, labor, and progress of our State," Menendez said in the news release. "As Hispanics continue to grow as the majority in Texas, it is long overdue for additional representation at the state level. This session we have unprecedented opportunity to invest back into the people. Together, we will continue to prioritize the needs and protections of all Hispanic communities in our State.”
A number of local Hispanic organizations released statements praising Blanco's appointment, including Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber and the Borderplex Alliance.
“Senator César Blanco is a champion of our district, Latino families and individuals in El Paso and Far West Texas," Las Americas Executive Director Marisa Limón Garza said in a statement. "His legislation is based on strong community engagement and demonstrates an effort to address the unique challenges faced by our community. He will be a strong voice as Vice Chair of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus."
In her statement, El Paso Hispanic Chamber CEO Cindy Ramos-Davidson praised Blanco for being an "invaluable leader" in tumultuous times, during which "his response has always been swift and unwavering: go above and beyond for your constituents."
"The Senator has always taken an active interest in the business community, always reaching out to us to ensure our business community’s needs are being addressed in Austin and sitting down and pulling up his sleeves to work with business owners directly to understand their issues," Ramos-Davidson said in the release.
Borderplex CEO Jon Barela echoed her sentiments, calling Blanco "a true friend of business" who "understands the importance of economic development in our region."
"His voice and experience will be an invaluable asset to the Hispanic Caucus," Barela added, "and we are proud to have him representing the Borderplex region.”
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Blanco plans to strengthen Texas Hispanic communities as caucus leader
