PRESS RELEASE
March 27, 2014

LATINO LEADERS PRAISE UNANIMOUS SENATE VOTE CONFIRMING MARIA CONTRERAS-SWEET AS SBA’S NEW LEADER

Latina business and community leader is now the second Latino in President's Cabinet and highest-ranking Latina in the Administration

Washington, DC—The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), the coalition of 37 preeminent national Latino organizations, today praised the United States Senate for the unanimous confirmation of Maria Contreras-Sweet to lead the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). In particular, NHLA is pleased with the bipartisan support of the former Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chair, Mary Landrieu (D-LA), her successor Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Ranking Member, Senator James A. Risch (R-ID). Their leadership facilitated the unanimous committee support that brought this nomination forward to the floor for final consideration.

NHLA first recommended Contreras-Sweet for a Cabinet-level post in President Barack Obama’s administration in a letter to the President on January 16, 2013. Nearly one year later, the President formally nominated her to serve as SBA Administrator and on March 5, 2014 the Senate’s Small Business Committee voted unanimously to move her nomination forward for a full Senate vote. A record of NHLA’s letters and statements of support can be found at http://nationalhispanicleadership.org/confirmmaria.

With yesterday’s confirmation, Contreras-Sweet fills the final slot in the president’s second term Cabinet and becomes the highest ranking Latina in the Obama Administration among the eight women and two Latinos who have Cabinet or Cabinet-level posts this term.

Since creating its Latino Appointments Program in January 2013, NHLA has worked tirelessly to increase the representation of Latinos in the Administration, specifically at the Cabinet-level. Its stated goal was to ensure that the second-term Obama Cabinet consisted of at least three Latinos that would best represent the diversity of the nation, and as such has rigorously advocated on behalf of Contreras-Sweet.

NHLA member organizations offered the following responses to her confirmation:

“We look forward to Maria Contreras-Sweet bringing her wealth of experience to D.C. as the nation’s next SBA Administrator. Her extensive background in business and public service -- from her leadership at ProAmerica Bank to her service as former California Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing -- will serve America’s businesses and economy well,” said Hector E. Sanchez, NHLA Chair and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “Her confirmation also helps shed more light on the power of Latina entrepreneurship in our nation. The estimated 944,000 Latina-owned businesses in the U.S. employ 408,100 workers and generate an estimated $65.5 billion in revenue.”

“Now more than ever, it's critical that our leaders reflect the rich diversity of our vibrant Latino/a community,” stated Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. “We are pleased to see the confirmation of Maria Contreras-Sweet move forward and look forward to this eminently qualified professional serving as the nation's next Small Business Administration Administrator.”

"We welcome the confirmation of Maria Contreras-Sweet to lead the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and applaud the Senate for its bipartisan support of this well deserved Latina," said Brent Wilkes, LULAC National Executive Director and NHLA Vice Chair. "As founder and chairman of a Latino-owned community bank in Los Angeles, Maria Contreras-Sweet clearly understands the challenges faced by small businesses including gaining access to capital. Ms. Contreras-Sweet will bring the kind of compassion and leadership that the Small Business Administration needs in order to help the economy grow."

"We congratulate Maria Contreras-Sweet on her confirmation to serve as the next leader of the Small Business Administration,” stated Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director. “A dedicated public servant with a wealth of experience working in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors, we know Contreras-Sweet will be a strong asset to the agency and our nation’s small businesses from her first day on the job. We applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming this accomplished nominee to lead the SBA and join Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez as the second Latino and only Latina member of the President’s cabinet.”

“Maria Contreras-Sweet's entire life is a model of professionalism, dedication, integrity, and public service. She exemplifies the success and potential of all women but especially of Latinas,” said Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO, MANA, A National Latina Organization. “We thank President Obama for the appointment and the Senate for unanimous confirmation of a true champion of small, woman owned, minority, veteran, and persons with disabilities owned and led businesses. Knowing that these same businesses are responsible for the largest segment of national employment it is reassuring to know that Ms. Contreras-Sweet will be at the helm. It is equally reassuring to see our constitutional ‘advise and consent’ process demonstrated so effectively in the interest of what is best for our nation."

“The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) looks forward to working with Maria Contreras Sweet to increase awareness of business loans to health providers caring for new insured Hispanics,” said Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, President & CEO, NHMA.