NHMC Supports Nomination Of Thomas Perez

Chides Racist And Extremist Smear Campaign Being Perpetuated By Some Media Outlets

Mr. Perez, the current Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, has dedicated his career to serving the public. He has served in various capacities, including as Secretary of Maryland's Department of Labor, Montgomery County Council Member, Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Special Counsel to the late Senator Edward Kennedy.

"President Obama could not have selected a better equipped individual to lead the Department of Labor and sit in his cabinet. Mr. Perez has devoted a career to public service and civil rights and his record is beyond reproach. I hope that his confirmation will proceed without delay. It is unfortunate, though not unexpected, that some in the media would oppose the nomination of Mr. Perez not on his record, but by using misinformation and thinly-veiled rhetoric that disparages Latinos, immigrants, Muslims, and a host of other groups. As NHMC has demonstrated time and again, this type of rhetoric is harmful to us as a society and has no place in public discourse. We hope that outlets that have resorted to these type of attacks will change course immediately and correct any inaccurate stories," said Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition.