Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 783) recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the United States.

The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

The text of the resolution is as follows:

H. Res. 783

Whereas from September 15, 2009, through October 15, 2009, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;

Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America predates the founding of the United States, and, as among the first to settle in the New World, Hispanics and their descendants have had a profound and lasting influence on the history, values, and culture of the United States;

Whereas since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and women have come to the United States from Mexico, Cuba, and other Caribbean regions, Central America, South America, and Spain, in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity;

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have contributed throughout the ages to the prosperity and culture of the United States;

Whereas the Bureau of the Census now lists Hispanic-Americans as the largest ethnic minority within the United States with a population of 46,900,000, comprising 15 percent of the Nation's total population;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, 16 States have at least a half-million Hispanic residents, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, Hispanics are the largest minority group in 20 States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are 1,600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses operating in areas including construction, administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, and retail and wholesale trade that generated $222,000,000,000 in revenue in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, the rate of growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 tripled to 31 percent compared with the national average of 10 percent for all businesses;

Whereas Hispanic-Americans serve in all branches of the United States Armed Forces and have fought valiantly in every war in the history of the United States;

Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are 1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed Forces;

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest United States military distinction, awarded since the Civil War for ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty'';

Whereas 43 men of Hispanic origin have earned this distinction;

Whereas many Hispanic-Americans are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, including Cabinet Secretaries, Members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court; and

Whereas Hispanic-Americans have a deep commitment to faith, family, and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to succeed: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month;

(2) celebrates the vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the United States; and

(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts?

There was no objection.

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as you may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am proud to present House Resolution 783 for consideration. This resolution recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrates the vast contributions of Hispanic Americans to the strength and culture of these United States.

The measure before us was introduced on September 29 by my colleague and friend Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and enjoys the support of nearly 60 Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, each year Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 in celebration of the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to our Nation. This observation began in 1968, following President Lyndon Baines Johnson's designation of a Hispanic Heritage Week, and was expanded to cover the 30-day period of September 15 to October 15 by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Notably, September 15 marks the anniversary of the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, the 30-day period of observance also covers the anniversary of the independence days of Mexico and Chile, as well as the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas.

Mr. Speaker, according to the most recent United States Census Bureau estimate, the Hispanic American population in the United States is roughly 47 million people, which is about 15 percent of the Nation's population, making American citizens of Hispanic ancestry our Nation's largest ethnic or racial minority. Moreover, the Census Bureau has also recognized our Nation's Hispanic population as the fastest-growing minority group and notes that 16 States, including California, New York, Florida, Texas, and my home State of Massachusetts, currently include at least a half million Hispanic residents. The Census Bureau additionally estimates that there are approximately 1.1 million Hispanic American veterans, proud veterans, of the United States Armed Forces.

Over the course of several generations, American life has been deeply enriched by Hispanic contributions in the fields of government, the arts, sports, education, and countless other areas. Within the past 2 years alone, we have witnessed historic firsts for Americans of Hispanic heritage that evidence the historical, cultural, and social significance of Hispanic Americans as a vital part of our Nation.

Founded in December 1976, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus currently consists of 24 Members of Congress. In August of 2009, the United States Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic American to serve on the United States Supreme Court. In February of 2009, the United States Senate also confirmed Hilda Solis as the Nation's first Hispanic American woman to serve as our Secretary of Labor. And in April of 2008, renowned Hispanic American author Junot Diaz became the first Dominican American author to receive the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and only the second Hispanic American author ever to win the prestigious award.

Hispanic American activists such as Cesar Chavez have fought tooth and nail to organize workers and attain the basic rights that all Americans deserve. Baseball greats, including Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, and Rod Carew, have helped to make America's pastime the great international sport it is today. Musicians such as Tito Puente and Carlos Santana have delighted millions with their music. And actors such as Benicio Del Toro and Jimmy Smits continue to entertain us in films and television. And celebrated authors, including Richard Rodriguez and Sandra Cisneros, continue to advance America's rich literary history with their works.

Mr. Speaker, let us take this opportunity to honor the contributions of these and all Americans of Hispanic ancestry to the historical, cultural, and social fabric of our Nation through the recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 783.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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