Paterson, NJ — June 26, 2009 — The Conference on Dominican Affairs (CODA) applauds the appointment of Camelia M. Valdez as Passaic County Prosecutor.

Valdes, an assistant federal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, will become the first Latina to hold the office of county prosecutor:

“Today is a historic day for the state’s Dominican community and all Latinos of Passaic County as we see Camelia Valdes occupy her position. The state of New Jersey is one of the most diverse, and the combined talents of its citizens make it a stronger state.  Ms. Valdes certainly has the talent for this job”, stated Maria Teresa Feliciano, President of CODA.

Ms. Valdez has dedicated her professional life to serving  New Jersey her home state. She graduated from Seton Hall University. She received her law degree from Rutgers Law School in 1996 and master of law degree from Temple University in 2001.  She is the former president of the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Association.  She has been deputy attorney general with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, Narcotics Task Force; assistant counsel to the Governor for the Office of the Governor’s Counsel and a deputy attorney general with the Division of Criminal Justice, Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

Valdes’ appointment is significant on two fronts: In a year when Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, Valdes, appointment is another step forward for Latinos as they move from the political margins to the mainstream. She joins Luis A. Valentin in Monmouth County, appointed in 2005, as one of two Latino prosecutors in the state.
“In a country that has recently elected its first African-American president and has witnessed the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor who, if confirmed, would become the first Hispanic justice of the Supreme Court, New Jersey must similarly recognize the growing population of Hispanics in one of the most diverse states in the country,” Feliciano said. “The confirmation of Camelia M. Valdes is one more step in our nation’s pursuit of equality and diversity.   Passaic County is privileged to have someone with her background and experience at the helm of its prosecutor’s office.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts