LULAC Calls Selecting Native American For Cabinet Post Historic

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Affirms Rep. Deb Haaland, of New Mexico, to lead Interior Department

Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today issued the following statement on President-elect Biden’s pick of U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM) for Secretary of the Interior. If confirmed, she will become the first Native American ever to serve as secretary in a cabinet position.

Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
“LULAC is honored to add its voice in a strong and resounding YES vote for Representative Haaland, who is Native American and represents the best of America. Secretary Haaland promises to honor the sacred love of the Native American nations for our natural resources and the preservation of our lands for all to enjoy and experience, not simply exploit for profit with little or no regard for the damage left behind. I personally know her and strongly urge the Senate to quickly confirm her historic nomination.”

Sindy Benavides - LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
“We are truly blessed to be alive at this very time to witness such an historic moment when America turns away from the deep divisions and hate-based discourse to again reclaim a vision for what is possible in this country we share and love. Secretary-designate Haaland is a respected leader and advocate for doing the right thing as stewards to whom much has been entrusted; the care of our resources for our children and their children plus the many more generations that will follow. Good and beneficial does not have to be at odds with progress or the balanced use of our resources so long as we are mindful that we are also bound to restore and replenish the precious land we call home. The Department of the Interior is far too important to be used for political deal making or handing out of contracts to special interests. LULAC is confident that it will see a revitalized agency in which pride is restored and its voice once again respected.”

Paul "Pablo" A. Martinez, National LULAC Treasurer and former NM LULAC State Director
"This is a proud and most historic day that our good friend Congresswoman Debra Haaland of Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, our Secretary of Interior designate. LULAC is most pleased by this news. She will be the first Native American and woman to hold such a post. Our indigenous people and communities will now have an advocate and will make us all very proud!"

Fred Baca, NM LULAC State Director
"NM LULAC is elated to know that Congresswoman Debra Haaland has been selected for our Secretary of Interior in the Biden-Harris Administration. She will do an excellent job as she has done representing New Mexico in Congress."

###

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/