LOS ANGELES -- Legendary Dodgers left-hander Fernando Valenzuela on Thursday was appointed a Presidential Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization by President Obama.
Valenzuela, a native of Mexico, became a U.S. citizen this summer. His appointment is part of the "Stand Stronger" Citizenship Awareness Campaign. According to the Dodgers, Valenzuela will work with the White House and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in promoting the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship among eligible lawful permanent residents, and he will help the "Stand Stronger" campaign break down the barriers for eligible immigrants and refugees to become U.S. citizens.
"We congratulate one of the greatest Dodger icons, Fernando Valenzuela, on his White House appointment," said Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten.