Secretary Perez Stumps for Barack Obama

Secretary Perez Stumps for Barack Obama

Thomas Perez, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and a nationally recognized civil rights lawyer and consumer advocate, continued his national efforts on behalf of Senator Barack Obama by representing Senator Obama at a town hall meeting on health care reform in San Diego on July 13 as part of the annual conference of the National Council of La Raza.  NCLR is the largest Latino advocacy organization in the nation, and the town hall meeting followed a luncheon address by Senator Obama in which he outlined his vision for ensuring that Latinos can realize the American dream.

Secretary Perez debated Senator John McCain’s national policy director on the candidates’ competing health care reform proposals, as well as their competing visions for assisting and empowering Latinos. The ranks of the uninsured have swelled by seven million on George Bush’s watch, and of the 47 million people who lack health insurance, one third are Latino.  In addition, Latinos comprise 40 percent of the nine million children who lack health insurance in America.  

“Senator Obama has a comprehensive plan to ensure that every person has access to health care; he believes that every family should have access to a family doctor,” said Secretary Perez at the forum.  “Senator McCain voted twice in 2007 against a bill to expand coverage for uninsured children.  He wants to continue the abysmal Bush health care policies that have failed so many Americans.”      

On the candidates’ positions on immigration reform, Secretary Perez again drew a stark contrast between Senator Obama and Senator McCain. “Senator Obama strongly supports comprehensive immigration reform, while Senator McCain has flip-flopped and said that he would no longer support his own immigration bill that he once co-sponsored with Senator Kennedy.  Senator McCain tries to talk the moderate game, but on immigration reform, health care reform, and so many other pressing issues affecting Latinos and all Americans, he is a Bush clone.” 

Latinos are a critical voting bloc in this year’s election and have the opportunity to make a real difference, particularly in swing states such as Virginia, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado.  Secretary Perez will continue to work closely with the Obama campaign on a range of critical issues.