Serrano Statement on Gonzales Nomination

November 10, 2004,
Washington, DC
--Today, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee that funds the Justice Department, made the following statement in reaction to President Bush’s nomination of Alberto Gonzales for the position of Attorney General:

“This is an historic appointment.  As a Hispanic, it is tremendously exciting to see one of our own nominated for so important a position.  If confirmed, Alberto Gonzales will be one of the highest-serving Hispanics in our nation’s history, and that is something of which all of us can be proud.

“But while we celebrate the historic nature of this nomination, there are many questions that remain to be answered about both Gonzales’ and the Bush administration’s commitment to protecting our civil liberties and civil rights.  Attorney General Ashcroft is leaving office with a disturbing legacy, and I hope that the Bush administration turns over a new leaf with his departure. 

“Unfortunately, much about Gonzales’ recent record raises concerns that his Justice Department might continue Ashcroft’s appalling approach to civil liberties.  His memo related to prisoner treatment in
Guantanamo
is seen by many to have formed the legal basis for the infamous abuses in Abu Ghraib that shocked our national conscience and scarred our image overseas. 

“So, it is with mixed feelings that I view this nomination.  While I am proud and excited to see a Hispanic nominated for so high a position, I would urge whoever is eventually confirmed to return the position of Attorney General to its core role—that of careful and responsible law enforcement and upholding and protecting the Constitution, particularly our people’s civil rights and liberties.”

# # #

Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the
Bronx
,
New York
, in Congress since 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from
New York City
on the House Appropriations Committee and serves as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments.  Congressman Serrano served as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 1993-94.