Pelosi Announces Jaime Zapata as Reading Clerk for the House of Representatives – First Hispanic Ever in This Role

Speaker Nancy Pelosi today announced that Clerk of the House Lorraine Miller has named Jaime Zapata as the new Reading Clerk for the House of Representatives, the first Hispanic to serve in that role. Zapata, who currently serves as Communications Director for the House Committee on Small Business, will begin his new duties on July 28.
As Reading Clerk for the House, Zapata will be responsible for ensuring that legislative measures debated in the House are clearly articulated to Members of Congress, the American people, and around the world.
“As Reading Clerk, Jaime will be the voice of the House of Representatives and will play an integral role in the daily operations of Congress,” Speaker Pelosi said. “One of my highest priorities as Speaker is to promote the tremendous diversity and talent of the Members and staff of the House Democratic Caucus.”
Miller was appointed by Speaker Pelosi in 2007 as the first African-American Clerk of the House, and first minority officer in the history of the House.
“Jaime will be an incredible asset to the Clerk’s office,” Miller said. “His talent and experience in communications is a perfect fit for this critical position.”
“It is a historic moment for Hispanics across the country, as they will now have a sense of pride when they tune in to C-SPAN and see someone from our community playing an integral part in the proceedings of the United States Congress,” said Congressman Joe Baca, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “I applaud Speaker Pelosi for her leadership within the Latino community, and commend her for setting an example in the U.S. House that has led to this appointment.”
Congressman Xavier Becerra, Assistant to the Speaker, said: “When Speaker Pelosi appointed Lorraine Miller, the first African American to serve as Clerk, it was a sign that Congress, at all levels, was growing more representative. The appointment of Jaime Zapata as Reading Clerk demonstrates further proof of the Speaker’s commitment to ensuring that the highly qualified staff members serving in the people’s house come from all the diverse communities represented by Congress.”
Zapata earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a master’s degree in Media and Public Affairs from the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Media and Public Affairs.
Zapata succeeds Mary “Kevie” Niland, who was recently promoted to Deputy Chief of Legislative Operations in the Clerk’s office.
SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House “

• LVL Letter to Congressman Baca Supporting H.R.2681, the PROUD Act
• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus applauds the United States Senate for confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor as Associate Justice on the nation’s Supreme Court.
• Latino leaders promote immigration reform; Baca holds ‘Family Unity’ event at church as protesters rally outside – California
• Democrat Joe Baca is heading into his sixth congressional term with high hopes following his party’s Election Day sweep. Baca, D-Rialto, said he plans to introduce more than 20 bills and resolutions, including initiatives to fight gangs, cut down on home foreclosures and ensure access to food stamps for the poor.
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Swearing-In Ceremony to Honor Hispanic American Members of the 111th Congress
• Why Becerra rebuffed Obama – turned down the U.S. trade representative gig because he was concerned that trade would not be a big priority in the new administration. But the Obama team may have already soured on Becerra thanks to his hemming and hawing over the post, according to people close to the situation
• Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) will remain in Congress as vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and will not join the Obama administration as its lead trade negotiator, Becerra announced Tuesday.
• The race for Democratic caucus vice chairman inched forward Tuesday, with bumper-to-bumper traffic stalled behind Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.).
• Rep. Hilda Solis (Calif.) is strongly considering a bid for the Democratic Caucus vice chairmanship if the position becomes available with the departure of her home-state colleague, Rep. Xavier Becerra, according to sources.
• Representative Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat who once declared U.S. trade policy was broken completely, has been offered the job of President-elect Barack Obama’s top trade official, two Democrats close to the transition office said.
• Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, said immigration reform will be “one of our top priorities” after Obama takes office Jan. 20. During the congressional recess, Latino leaders plan to meet in Chicago with Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, to discuss immigration, Baca said.
• NALEO Congratulates U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra on Election to Vice-Chair of House Democratic Caucus – Yahoo! News
• Could Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) be the next chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)?
• US Rep. Joe Baca of California makes Esquire Magazine’s “10 Worst Members of Congress” for being “corrupt and venal” – (click through slide show to #8 of 11 – ouch!)
• Rep. Joe Baca used his growing clout in Washington to swing enough votes in the House to defeat the $700 billion financial bailout bill. The Rialto Democrat and chairman of the House Hispanic Caucus said enough caucus members followed his no vote that if they had voted in favor of the bill it would have passed by one vote.
• CHCI 31st Annual Awards Gala Program Update – Letter from McCain regarding missing the event
• Presidential Candidates McCain and Obama Headline CHCI’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events
• Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, is helping students eager to apply to the United States service academies by hosting a military academy night.
• 2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Xavier Becerra, U.S. House of Representatives, California
• US Rep Joe Baca rises as influential player