Pelosi Statement on John A. Perez as New Speaker of California State Assembly;

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today following the announcement of John A. Perez as the new Speaker of the California State Assembly:

"I offer my warmest congratulations to the new Speaker of the California State Assembly, John Perez. As the first LGBT Speaker in state history, Perez will serve as a symbol of progress for California and a tribute to the ideal of equality nationwide. His election is a sign of our hope for a future where people of all backgrounds, races, religions, and sexual orientations can enjoy the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

"As a California labor leader and member of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, John Perez and I have worked together on a number of issues critical to Californians. He will follow in the footsteps of a great leader for our state, Speaker Karen Bass. She has exhibited courage, conviction, and strength during challenging times. I look forward to working with Speaker Perez to continue this legacy and build a better California for generations to come."