Texan Castro Sworn In as New Housing Secretary.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/ap

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro has been sworn in as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The official ceremony makes Castro one of the highest-ranking Hispanics in the government.

The brief observance took place Monday at HUD headquarters and was administered by Chief Judge Richard W. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

President Barack Obama chose Castro to replace Shaun Donovan as housing secretary. Obama picked Donovan to become White House budget chief.

Obama called Castro "a champion for safe, affordable housing and strong, sustainable neighborhoods."

Castro takes over an agency with 8,000 employees and a $46 billion annual budget. Castro got national exposure two years ago when Obama selected him as keynote speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2014/07/28/us/politics/ap-us-housing-secretary-swearing-in.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=WireFeed&module=pocket-region&region=pocket-region&WT.nav=pocket-region

[libdem4life]

1. Yeah! Now where do we get to Joaquin? Mama Castro is a mighty proud Latina about now.

[Brother Buzz]

2. Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) is right where he needs to be right now.

[libdem4life]

4. If you're from Texas I understand. But this family is destined for greater things. Kind of like

the Latino version of Elizabeth Warren...outstandingly relevant to the national progressive hopefuls as examples and mentors.

[Brother Buzz]

6. Unerstood, but he is right where he needs to be right now

He needs to learn the DC ropes before he can lead. Patience, Grasshopper, the brothers are destined for greatness.

http://castro.house.gov/

[libdem4life]

8. Yes they are. What a family story they have...almost like the European immigrants.

[LoisB]

11. Agree.

[Brother Buzz]

18. Cripes, my 'D' key is working intermittently

It appears the keyboar gremlin migrate over from the 'S' which was sticking yesteray. Anyone got a fix? An on't tell me to stop eating my covete burnt toast over my keyboar.

[hamsterjill]

23. I so totally agree!

And I live in San Antonio.

[Brother Buzz]

25. San Antonio?

What are your thoughts on your new interim mayor? Ivy looks pretty impressive on paper.

[hamsterjill]

27. Yes, San Antonio.

I'm not a fan of Ivy Taylor's myself. Yes, her credentials look pretty impressive, but my personal crusade here in San Antonio is for animal welfare. Ms. Taylor has previously indicated on several occasions that she doesn't care about animals. Julian Castro (as a city councilman; prior to becoming mayor) had been the one who called the first ever stakeholder's meeting in the city back in late 2004 when the San Antonio Express published an expose on Animal Control and that article outraged many people and, essentially got the City on its way to changing the way it handled animals.

That said, I'm willing to give her a shot and withhold judgment to see what she can and cannot accomplish during her short tenure. My understanding is that she's not planning to run for re-election.

[awoke_in_2003]

17. +1000

We need him here

[TBF]

3. Photos from Facebook - Good luck Mr. Secretary!

Meeting new friends:





Ready to work:



New office:

[elleng]

5. THANKS for the pics!

[joshcryer]

7. Getting the great executive experience he needs.

Good stuff. Wonder why it's not showing up on my FB feed.

[TBF]

19. It's his official San Antonio page -

"Mayor Julian Castro" - he hasn't changed the title but someone is keeping it up. Maybe there's a new one now for Washington?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. I didn't get a chance to take a pic this morning, but I met him several times over the years

...very friendly guy.

These pics make HUD look gorgeous. The building is not that nice looking.

[TBF]

20. You'll have to keep us posted -

if you hear anything interesting about him in Washington. I'm just a fan here in Houston. I know a few people personally who have met him but I haven't met him myself. He was very popular in San Antonio and I've never heard anything negative so I hope that continues.

[freshwest]

9. K&R!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. He welcomed all of us at work this morning, smiling, shaking hands, taking pics...

Very kind man.

[elleng]

13. GREAT to hear!

Keep us informed, day to day, please!!!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

16. Will do!

[L0oniX]

14. I hope I live long enough to see him as the POTUS.

[ReRe]

15. K&R

Julian Castro... he's a well-spoken young man, as I learned when PO nominated him for the position, and of course from the keynote speech at the convention. Good people. Thanks for this OP in his honor, elleng.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. We got this welcome message this morning...

#t=24

[hamsterjill]

24. I was sad to lose him as mayor, but happy to see him in a national role.

I think he's awesome!

[elleng]

26. Thanks!

[flamingdem]

22. Felicidades to Julian Castro

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

28. HUD got a two-fer this week: First, Secretary Castro's Town Hall yesterday and now...

Mr. President just finished his morale-boosting speech today here at HUD. I didn't get a ticket and wasn't able to attend, but my colleagues were there. Prez only spoke for about 10 minutes, though. He's now shaking hands with lucky folks.