III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 582 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 22 (legislative day, September 21), 2012 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Cornyn, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Begich, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Rubio, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Casey, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Reed, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Warner, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Brown of Ohio, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Latinos in the United States and the immense contributions of Latinos to the United States.

Whereas beginning on September 15, 2012, through October 15, 2012, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month; Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population in the United States at over 52,000,000 people, making Hispanic Americans the largest racial or ethnic minority group within the United States overall and in 25 individual States; Whereas Latinos accounted for over ½ of all population growth from July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011; Whereas the Hispanic population in the United States is projected to grow to 132,800,000 by July 1, 2050, at which point the Hispanic population will comprise 30 percent of the total population in the United States; Whereas nearly 1 in 4 United States public school students is Hispanic, and the total number of Hispanic students enrolled in public schools in the United States is expected to reach 28,000,000 by 2050; Whereas 16.5 percent of all college students between the age of 18 and 24 years old are Hispanics, making Hispanics the largest racial or ethnic minority group on college campuses in the United States, including both 2-year community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities; Whereas the purchasing power of Hispanic Americans was $1,000,000,000,000 in 2010 and is expected to grow 50 percent to $1,500,000,000 by 2015; Whereas there are approximately 2,300,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the United States, supporting millions of employees nationwide and greatly contributing to the economic sector, especially retail trade, wholesale trade, food services, and construction; Whereas as of June 2012, nearly 25,000,0000 Hispanic workers represented 16 percent of the total labor force in the United States, with the share of Latino labor force participation expected to grow to 18 percent by 2018; Whereas Hispanic Americans serve in all branches of the Armed Forces and have bravely fought in every war in the history of the United States; Whereas as of July 2012, 143,054 Hispanic active duty service members served with distinction in the United States Armed Forces in fiscal year 2012; Whereas as of June 30, 2012, there were 19,752 Hispanics serving in Afghanistan; Whereas as of May 7, 2012, 645 United States military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been Hispanic; Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam War, representing 5.5 percent of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in that conflict even though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent of the United States population at the time; Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War; Whereas as of September 2012, there are approximately 1,300,000 living Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas 44 Hispanic Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed on an individual serving in the United States Armed Forces; Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, including 1 seat on the Supreme Court, 2 seats in the Senate, 29 seats in the House of Representatives, and 2 seats in the Cabinet; and Whereas Hispanic Americans harbor a deep commitment to family and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to succeed and contribute to society: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15, 2012, through October 15, 2012; (2)esteems the integral role of Latinos and the manifold heritage of Latinos in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States; and (3)urges the people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities that appreciate the cultural contributions of Latinos to American life.