Chuck Grassley: “Also at that press conference, remarks were made that one had to have more than a Hispanic surname to be considered…”

“Also at that press conference, remarks were made that one had to have more than a Hispanic surname to be considered Hispanic. I find these remarks do not make any sense. What they are saying is, unless you think as they do, you are not really Hispanic. In other words, if you do not think as they do, you cannot possibly be Hispanic. What an outrageous idea in 21st century America. The tag line that Mr. Estrada 'isn't Hispanic enough' is code words for 'he isn't liberal enough.' Yet at this Democratic press conference, participants describe the underrepresentation of Hispanics in the legislative and executive branches of the Federal Government. The President has nominated one of the most qualified attorneys in the country to be a judge on the second highest court of the land, and this person, of outstanding capabilities, with degrees from Columbia and Harvard, happens to be a Hispanic. Not only is he Hispanic, but he is an immigrant to this country who at the age of 17 came here from Honduras speaking little English. He learned the language, worked hard, rose to the top of his legal profession. One would think these groups would be happy with this nomination. But no, they stand in firm opposition to Mr. Estrada. You see, these groups believe a person is only Hispanic when he or she believes what these groups believe. That is intellectual prejudice.…”