La Raza is backing Alberto Gonzales --- Impressed with Torture Policy, Skin Tone

On the eve of a Senate committee vote, the nation's largest Hispanic rights group on Tuesday urged confirmation of White House counsel Alberto Gonzales of Texas to be the first Latino attorney general of the United States. The National Council of La Raza urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote for Gonzales' confirmation today when the panel meets to discuss President Bush's nominee to the attorney general post. Gonzales, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, is opposed by human rights groups for his role in providing a legal basis for Bush administration policies that critics say led to torture of prisoners in the war on terror. But the former Houston lawyer, who was born to migrant workers in San Antonio, has drawn bipartisan support from Latino leaders and organizations.  Janet Murguia, National Council of La Raza president, said that while "we have had our policy differences with the Bush administration, we are confident that Judge Gonzales is someone who will serve his country with distinction." If confirmed by the Senate, Gonzales, 49, would become the first Hispanic attorney general and the first Latino to serve in one of the four top Cabinet posts that also include secretaries of state, defense and treasury. Murguia said Gonzales not only is qualified, but "will also be accessible and responsive to the concerns of the Hispanic community." [more]

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