Lawrence Romo: The Latino Tasked to Remove Confederate Names From U.S. Army Bases

Lawrence Romo, a Latino, is now among the eight assigned to a bipartisan commission responsible for creating a plan to remove Confederate names, symbols, and monuments from military properties.

According to NBC News, Lawrence Romo is the national commander of the American GI Forum, a veterans' civil rights group formed in 1948 to protect Mexican Americans from discrimination.

The report said Romo is the only Latino in the commission. The Defense Secretary picked four people, and members of Congress appointed the other four.

Lawrence Romo and Members of the Panel

Adam Smith, House Armed Services Committee chairman, announced Romo's appointment to the renaming commission on Monday. My San Antonio reported that the retired Lt. Col. from San Antonio would fill the vacancy left by Lonnie Bunch III.

The National Defense Authorization Act was passed by both chambers of Congress last December by large enough margins to override former President Donald Trump's veto, and it became law in January.

The legislation mandates the removal of Confederate names from a Department of Defense property within three years and tasks the eight-member commission with devising a plan to carry it out.

The Commission's Tasks

Al Día reported that there are now 10 military bases in the U.S. named after Confederate generals. But it would likely change in the coming days with Lawrence Romo among those in charge in renaming the bases.

Smith said that Romo's history of service would bring the necessary viewpoints and perspectives significant or vital in performing his role. Smith further noted that it was critically important that the commission members "represent the diversity of our great country."

Lawrence Romo, an Air Force veteran, became the Selective Service System head during the Obama administration. Romo told NBC News that each appointed commissioner "brings a wealth of diverse experiences and knowledge to the table."

He assured that they would be diligent in their efforts "to create a fair, diverse, and detailed plan as required by the law."

According to Al Día, the naming of Army installations after Confederate officers cannot be separated from the country's history of racism.

The report said four of the Confederate-named bases were established at the start of World War I, and the others at the beginning of World War II when the Army was in recruitment mode and appealing to young, Southern white men.

NBC News added that the Confederacy and its loyalists also targeted Mexicans and their descendants, and its monuments and symbols still embody that racism to Latinos.

One example would be the base Fort Hood situated in Killeen, Texas, which was named after Confederate officer John Bell Hood who led the "Texas Brigade."

Fort Hood is among the active military installations that were targeted to be renamed. However, the list of assets under review is not only on base but also extends on the street, facility, building, aircraft, ship, plane, equipment, weapon, or any other property.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, also from San Antonio, praised Lawrence Romo for his dedication to public service and civil rights. Castro said he hoped the commission would honor Latino service members by naming a base for a Latino "who contributed greatly to the defense of our nation," NBC News reported.

WATCH: Elizabeth Warren on Why We Need To Rename Confederate Military Bases - from Elizabeth Warren