WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the country's largest Hispanic business association, applauded the confirmation of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State. Confirmed unanimously by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and by a near unanimous vote (94-3) of the Senate, John Kerry will succeed outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
"In the 21st century, emerging powers are increasingly putting economic development and international business engagement at the center of their foreign policies," said Javier Palomarez, President & CEO of the USHCC. "During her tenure, Secretary Clinton pursued the building of economic statecraft. She understood that America's economic strength and its leadership in the world are inseparable. As the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry supported this sound strategy."
The USHCC has worked with the State Department recently to improve economic statecraft, primarily through growing business opportunities in Latin American and Europe. Mr. Palomarez traveled to Spain late last year and met with U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont regarding new economic opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses and further developing Spanish investment in the USA. The USHCC has also worked to increase student exchanges, to develop international business to business matches, and to build American export capacity.
"John Kerry has been one of the strongest proponents for America's economic strength abroad," said USHCC Chairman Marc Rodriguez. "He has shown that he understands how America's power has increasingly been exercised in economic ways. The country's Hispanic business community looks forward to working with Secretary Kerry to continue bolstering America's standing as a global leader."
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.