[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 545 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 545

 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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 15, 2014

Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Begich, 
  Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, 
  Mrs. Hagan, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nelson, Mr. 
 Reed, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Udall of 
    New Mexico, Mr. Warner, and Ms. Warren) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 from September 15, 2014, through October 15, 2014, the United States 
        celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
Whereas the Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population in the United States 
        at over 54,000,000 people, making Hispanic Americans 17 percent of the 
        population of the United States and the largest racial or ethnic 
        minority group in the United States;
Whereas Hispanic Americans are also the largest racial or ethnic minority group 
        in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and 22 individual States: Arizona, 
        California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, 
        Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New 
        Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, and 
        Wyoming;
Whereas in 2013, there were 1,000,000 or more Latino residents in the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and each of the following 8 States: Arizona, 
        California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and 
        Texas;
Whereas Latinos grew the United States population by 1,100,000 between July 1, 
        2012, and July 1, 2013, accounting for nearly half of all population 
        growth during this period;
Whereas the Latino population in the United States is projected to grow to 
        128,800,000 by 2060, at which point the Latino population will comprise 
        31 percent of the total United States population;
Whereas the Latino population in the United States is currently the second 
        largest worldwide, exceeding the size of the Latino population in every 
        country except Mexico;
Whereas there were 11,900,000 Latino family households in the United States in 
        2013, and Latino children under the age of 18 represent approximately 
        \1/3\ of the total Latino population in the United States;
Whereas 1 in 4 public school students in the United States is Latino, and the 
        total number of school-age Latino children in the United States is 
        expected to reach 28,000,000 by 2050;
Whereas 18 percent of all college students between the ages of 18 and 24 years 
        old are Latino, making Latinos 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 a record 11,200,000 Latinos voted in the 2012 Presidential election, 
        representing a record 8.4 percent of the electorate in the United 
        States;
Whereas an estimated 23,500,000 Latinos are eligible to vote in the 2014 midterm 
        elections, and the number of eligible Latino voters is expected to rise 
        to 40,000,000 by 2030;
Whereas more than 2,000 Latino citizens turn 18 and become eligible to vote 
        every day, and an average of 900,000 Latino citizens will turn 18 and 
        become eligible to vote every year between 2014 and 2028;
Whereas the annual purchasing power of Hispanic Americans is an estimated 
        $1,200,000,000,000 and is expected to grow to $1,500,000,000,000 by 
        2015;
Whereas there are more than 3,200,000 Hispanic-owned firms in the United States, 
        supporting millions of employees nationwide and contributing more than 
        $468,000,000,000 in revenue to the economy of the United States;
Whereas Hispanic-owned businesses represent the fastest-growing segment of small 
        businesses in the United States, with Latino entrepreneurs starting 
        businesses at more than twice the national rate;
Whereas, as of August 2014, more than 25,000,0000 Latino workers represented 
        16.3 percent of the total civilian labor force in the United States, and 
        the share of Latino labor force participation is expected to grow to 
        19.1 percent by 2022;
Whereas Latinos have the highest labor force participation rate of any racial or 
        ethnic group at 66 percent, compared to 62.8 percent overall;
Whereas in 2013, there were 298,000 Latino elementary and middle school 
        teachers, 65,000 Latino chief executives of businesses, 55,000 Latino 
        lawyers, and 35,000 Latino physicians and surgeons contributing to the 
        United States through their professions;
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 31, 2014, 163,636 Hispanic active duty servicemembers served 
        with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States;
Whereas, as of July 31, 2014, a total of 88,709 Hispanics had served in 
        Afghanistan;
Whereas, as of September 2014, 675 United States military fatalities in Iraq and 
        Afghanistan were Hispanic;
Whereas more than 80,000 Hispanics served in the Vietnam War, representing 5.5 
        percent of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United 
        States in the conflict, even though Hispanics comprised only 4.5 percent 
        of the population of the United States at the time;
Whereas 140,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Korean War;
Whereas, as of September 2014, there are an estimated 1,386,000 Hispanic 
        veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States;
Whereas 61 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 Armed Forces of the United 
        States;
Whereas Hispanic Americans are dedicated public servants, holding posts at the 
        highest levels of government, including 1 seat on the Supreme Court, 3 
        seats in the Senate, 33 seats in the House of Representatives, and 3 
        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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 
        from September 15, 2014, through October 15, 2014;
            (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 celebrate the contributions of Latinos to 
        American life.
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