LULAC SUPPORTS THE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF XOCHITL TORRES SMALL FOR ASSISTANT U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says the Ruling Is Counter to America's Constitutional Guarantees of Equality
July 7, 2023
For more information, contact David Cruz at (818) 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization, proudly announces its support for the Senate confirmation of Xochitl Torres Small as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Raised in Las Cruces, Torres Small has served as the USDA's Under Secretary for Rural Development since October 2021. In February, Torres Small was nominated as deputy secretary, second in command to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
As the nation's agricultural industry grapples with the historical effects of climate change and unprecedented attacks on essential workers who cultivate and harvest our nation's food, LULAC recognizes the critical importance of having a qualified, experienced Latina like Torres Small to help lead a large and sprawling agency. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees nearly 100,000 employees, 29 agencies, and 4,500 locations in the United States and abroad.
"LULAC strongly supports the confirmation of Torres Small at a time when our nation's agricultural industry is dealing with the historic effects of climate changes," said Domingo Garcia, LULAC's National President. "Also, we are seeing unprecedented attacks on essential workers who cultivate and harvest our nation's food. They deserve our thanks and policymakers who understand the challenges they confront daily in their lives."
Torres Small's impressive track record includes her prior role in elected politics, where she won New Mexico's Congressional District 2 seat in 2018. The granddaughter of farmworkers, she grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico and understands both the virtues of and the challenges faced by our rural communities. Her firsthand experience and deep understanding of the agricultural sector make her an ideal candidate for the Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture position.
"LULAC urges the Senate to move urgently in this confirmation process," added President Garcia. "Critical decisions at hand affect working conditions in our nation's food industries, including meat and protein production. Also, educational outreach on nutrition and managing our food subsidies for millions of low-income individuals and families. Equally critical is the agency's role in overseeing our country's natural resources and home loan programs. Torres Small brings that knowledge and sensitivity to the job."
LULAC calls upon the Senate to recognize the significance of this moment and swiftly confirm Xochitl Torres Small as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Her leadership and expertise will be instrumental in advancing the agricultural industry, protecting the rights and well-being of essential workers, and ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all Americans.
###