"Fifty years ago, five Latinos came together to create the first ever Chicano Legislative Caucus. At the time, the lawmakers, all male and of Mexican descent, made up 4% of the Legislature. Though a small group, the establishment marked a turning point for California’s then-14% Latino population. Over the next five decades, the caucus grew, diversified and became an influential group in the Capitol. That progress coincided with the Latino community exploding to 40% of the state population."