Rialto - Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) on Thursday participated in the grand opening of a new home loan center in Rialto, a facility that will help district residents get free information and assistance to qualify for home loans. Congressman Baca joined former basketball star Magic Johnson and other business and community leaders at the event.

As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and as the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Corporate America Task Force, Rep. Baca has encouraged America’s corporations to recognize the size and economic importance of the Hispanic population. Outspoken in calling on Corporate America to recognize its responsibilities, Baca said, “I want to commend Washington Mutual and JDC for your commitment to serving the Hispanic community.”

The home loan center is a partnership between Johnson’s business venture, the Johnson Development Corporation (JDC), and Washington Mutual designed to increase homeownership among underserved communities. Together they have opened more than 20 home loan centers in urban areas throughout the United States, including 3 near Los Angeles. The Rialto facility marks their entrance into the Inland Empire and reflects an expansion of Johnson’s mission beyond African American communities to also provide opportunities for Hispanic and Asian communities.

The Washington Mutual Rialto Home Loan Center, located at 1154 North Riverside Avenue, will offer free financial education courses in Spanish and English, and its employees will be bilingual residents of the community.

Rep. Baca, who serves on the Financial Services Committee, which oversees banking, housing and consumer credit, said, “I am committed to making sure that working families have increased access to affordable credit and to improving financial literacy so you can have a better future for yourself and your children.”

He added that Rialto is great place to raise a family. “I am so proud not only to represent Rialto but also to live here.”