Congressman Xavier Becerra endorses Obama

This is great for California and reaching the Latino vote.

Congressman Xavier Becerra today endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his ability to unite Americans to lead our country in a new direction. Becerra serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and as the Assistant to the Speaker of the House is the highest ranking Latino in the House.

"Senator Obama is the most qualified candidate to lead our country in a new direction," said Congressman Becerra. "Throughout his 20 years in public service, Barack Obama has united and inspired people from all walks of life and from all parties to bring change we can believe in. As war rages abroad and Americans worry about what the struggling economy means for their families, we need a leader who will tell us not what we want to hear but what we need to hear about the challenges we face. Barack Obama is our strongest candidate for president because of his great crossover appeal that spans parties and regions and his unique ability to rally the American people behind a common purpose."

"Congressman Becerra has spent his career taking on the special interests to put the American Dream back in reach for working families, and I'm grateful for his endorsement," said Senator Obama. "Xavier Becerra knows that to get things done, we must reach across the aisle and bring people of all parties together to find common ground. Xavier Becerra's inspiring story demonstrates what is possible in America, and he will be a great help in our effort to build a broad coalition to solve the complex challenges that lie ahead."

Congressman Becerra represents the 31st Congressional District of California in the city of Los Angeles. Becerra is the son of working-class immigrants and was the first in his family to graduate from college. On the Ways and Means Committee, Becerra has worked to restore fairness and balance to the economy and to strengthen Social Security for women and minorities. Becerra is a former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.