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Base Renaming Commission Adds Latino Civil Rights Leader

Nation’s Leading Latino Civil Rights Organization Applauds Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Secretary Lloyd Austin for Including Air Force Veteran

Washington, DC - Domingo Garcia, National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) today announced LULAC’s strong support for the action of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He appointed Mr. Lawrence Romo, the National Commander of the American G.I. Forum, to the Base Renaming Commission. The panel was created with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021. Romo’s appointment followed his nomination by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus after a vacancy occurred recently. Romo becomes the only Latino selected to serve on the eight-member commission. “Larry is well-respected in civil rights circles and among other veterans’ organizations making him an outstanding choice for this important work,” says Garcia. “This critical undertaking to rename bases after American heroes will now include a Latino voice, as should be the case given our historic and heroic service in defense of America. We thank the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for its leadership in this important matter,” he added.

LULAC honors America’s heroes including Latinos who served during the civil war. Among them are Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Joseph H. De Castro who volunteered at 16-years old and served during Pickett’s Charge at the battle of Gettysburg, PA in 1864. Our nation’s history is filled with Latino Medal of Honor recipients. One of the best-known accounts of bravery in battle is that of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, a Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam War.

“Recognizing our Latino war heroes in the base-renaming process must be an objective of this commission. Our Latino community across America and Puerto Rico can think of no better outcome than to have Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas renamed Ft. Roy P. Benavidez,” said Garcia.

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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/