January 9, 2015
The Black and Latino Caucus of the Connecticut General Assembly, a group made up of members from the House of Representatives and Senate, has announced its 2014/2015 leadership team.
Rep. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk), who is House deputy speaker, will lead the caucus as chairman, and Rep. Hilda Santiago (D-Meriden), assistant majority leader in the House, will serve as the caucus vice-chair. Rep. Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) will act as treasurer, and Rep. Matthew Lesser (D-Middletown), is secretary.
“The Black and Latino Caucus plays a very important role in shaping major policy initiatives, including education reform, and I am honored that my colleagues have chosen me to chair the caucus,” Morris said. “We have a significant number of experienced lawmakers, and our caucus takes its job seriously as we advocate for all people of Connecticut,” he said.
“It is a great honor to be selected by my peers for this position. I look forward to supporting our new chairman, as well as the entire caucus, as we build upon our past accomplishments and service to our communities and state,” said Santiago, who is also vice-chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
“The need to truly represent all people of Connecticut is greater than ever and I am eager to help our caucus use its influence to make our state a better place to live,” said Gonzalez, who is the House chief majority whip.
“I want to thank my colleagues for choosing me to be the caucus secretary,” said Lesser, who is House chairman of the Banks Committee. “I believe that this caucus is critical to addressing issues that affect hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents, particularly residents of our cities.”
The caucus has many members who also serve in leadership positions in the House and Senate.
House members in leadership positions are:
Patricia Billie Miller (D-Stamford), deputy speaker;
Larry Butler (D-Waterbury), co-chair of Housing Committee;
Ernie Hewett (D-New London), assistant majority leader;
Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven), deputy majority leader;
Douglas McCrory (D-Hartford), deputy majority leader;
Ezequiel Santiago (D-Bridgeport), deputy majority whip;
Robert Sanchez (D-New Britain), assistant majority leader and vice-chairman of the Education Committee;
Charles Stallworth (D-Bridgeport), assistant majority whip and vice-chairman of the Banks Committee;
Toni Walker (D-New Haven), co-chair of the Appropriations Committee;
Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford), deputy majority leader;
Brandon McGee (D-Hartford), assistant majority leader;
Angel Arce (D-Hartford, assistant majority leader;
Edwin Vargas (D-Hartford), vice chair of Commerce and Executive and Legislative Nominations committees;
Victor Cuevas (D-Waterbury), vice chair of Labor and Public Employees Committee.
Senate members in leadership positions are:
Eric D. Coleman (D-Bloomfield), deputy president pro tempore, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and vice-chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee;
Gary Holder-Winfield (D-New Haven), assistant majority leader and co-chairman of the Housing Committee and Labor and Public Employees Committee;
Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport), majority whip and co-chair of Human Services Committee.