[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9407-S9409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I join with 
my colleagues in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
  Since 1968, we have formally recognized and celebrated the tremendous 
contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the history, strength, security, 
and development of our great nation. This year, we once again embark on 
this

[[Page S9408]]

month-long celebration. It is right to honor more than five centuries 
of contributions by Hispanics to the development not only of our great 
nation, but of the Western Hemisphere and the world.
  As I look back on the history of my own State I see the many great 
contributions Hispanics have made to its development and progress. It 
was Father Escalante who first chartered the territory of what is now 
Utah and made way for the major trade routes that followed. It was 
through the determination, sweat, and dedication of Mexican-Americans 
and other Hispanics, working alongside nonHispancs that our railroads, 
great steel plants, and mining industries were established, making our 
State competitive in national and global markets. And our State is home 
to many great Hispanic-Americans, past and present, including Antonio 
Amador, former Vice-chair of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board; 
Judge Andrew Valdez, Maria Garciaz, the executive director of 
Neighorhood Housing Services, Inc.; and John Medina, chair of Utah's 
Coalition of La Raza.
  My experience has shown me that Hispanics are a strong and proud 
people, loyal, patriotic, courageous, and dedicated to their families, 
their country, and their communities. Hispanics have a strong work 
ethic and tremendous faith in the American dream. They have made great 
contributions to the advancement of all people in every area, to music, 
the arts, science, engineering, mathematics, and government.
  I am thrilled to see so many wonderful Hispanic role models help 
light the way for Hispanic youth to attain the American Dream.
  Jaime Escalante, the Garfield High School mathematics teacher, helped 
an unprecedented number of Hispanic students prepare for and pass the 
advanced placement tests in calculus. And, Amalia V. Betanzos, 
president of the John V. Lindsay Wilcat Academcy, an alternative high 
school with tremendous success rates, has helped us all to see what 
faith and encouragement can do for the soul.
  Such great recording artists as Los Lobos, the late Selena, Freddy 
Fender, and Gloria Estefan have brought joyous latin rhythms into our 
homes and our hearts. Great authors, like Luis Valdez, Victor 
Villasenor, and Nicholasa Mohr, and great screen artists like the late 
Raul Julia, Andy Garcia, Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, and Rita 
Moreno have entertained while they inspired us. And the leadership and 
foresight of Permanent United Nations Representative and former 
Congressman Bill Richardson, and Carmen Zapata, director and cofounder 
of the Billingual Foundation of the Arts, helps pave the way for our 
children as they enter the 21st century.
  And, of course, Nancy Lopez, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Pedro Morales, Gigi 
Fernandez, and Trent Dimas are but five of the great athletes who have 
shared with us the pride and success born of great sacrifice and a 
hunger for perfection. We are proud of their accomplishments. It is 
important that, when they win, all America cheers.

  But for all their contributions to the strength of our Nation, many 
Hispanics have not yet fully shared in the dream. The national dropout 
for Hispanics exceeds 30 percent--for nonHispanics the rate is 11 
percent, and for blacks, the rate is 12 percent--the highest for any 
ethnic group, and their educational attainment levels are among the 
lowest for any ethnic group. Hispanic children are most likely to be 
among America's poor, even though Hispanic males have the highest labor 
participation rates. Hispanics are most likely to lack health insurance 
and access to regular health care, yet suffer disproportionately from 
certain diseases. We must do better.
  As the youngest and fastest growing minority community in the Nation, 
Hispanics must share equally in the benefits and opportunities of this 
great Nation, so that our country might grow stronger and compete in 
global markets.
  For this reason, in 1987, Senator John Chafee and I established the 
U.S. Senate Republican Conference Task Force on Hispanic Affairs, which 
now numbers 24 Senators. The task force provides a unique forum for 
Hispanic leaders to raise awareness and support on the national level 
for key issues facing the Hispanic community in the areas of education, 
economic development, employment, and health. The task force is aided 
by a bipartisan, volunteer advisory committee, for whose service we are 
very grateful.
  We have made great strides and we continue to progress. But I long 
for the day when a task force on Hispanic affairs no longer exists 
because there is no longer a need; because Hispanics will have 
succeeded in full measure in joining the ranks of the public officials, 
the managers, the CEO's and presidents of corporations, the teachers, 
doctors, lawyers, the U.S. Senators, Congressmen, and Presidents of the 
United States. As we gather this month to celebrate Hispanic Heritage 
Month, let us celebrate the accomplishments of this year's Hispanic 
Heritage Awards: Andy Garcia, Nancy Lopez, Amalia V. Betanzos, 
Nicholasa Mohr, Bill Richardson, and Carmen Zapata.
  And, let's also give a nod to those many, many other Hispanic-
Americans, whose daily contributions often go unrecognized, but whose 
legacy continues to demonstrate the viability of the American dream.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I join my friend and colleague 
from Utah, Senator Hatch, and other colleagues in recognition of 
Hispanic Heritage Month and to offer a few remarks regarding the 
Hispanic tradition in my home State of Colorado and their many 
contributions to our great country.
  To begin with, Colorado is the Spanish word for red, thus we owe the 
name of our State to Hispanics. The town where I live is Ignacio which 
is Spanish for Ignatius, and the county I live in is La Plata which is 
Spanish for silver. To the east you will find Alamosa, San Luis, Monte 
Vista, Antonio, Las Animas and La Junta, to name but a few towns in 
Colorado.
  As you can see, Mr. President, in my State it is next to impossible 
to look in any direction without being reminded of Hispanic heritage 
and influence. More than two thirds of the territory of the 48 
contiguous States was discovered, settled or governed by Spanish 
speaking people. The Hispanic tradition in the United States is as new 
as the families who enter every year in search of a better life and as 
old as 1513 when Ponce de Leon landed on the east coast of the 
peninsula he called La Florida.
  Hispanics have enriched us with their cultural traditions and their 
commitment to la familia, the family. Their language, art, music, 
literature and food are today very much part of the American landscape. 
These contributions help make America stronger.
  Let us not forget their contributions in defense of our country. 
Hispanic blood has been spilled in every conflict and war since the 
Civil War when John Ortega of the U.S. Navy was awarded the 
Congressional Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864, and as late as May 
24, 1970 when it was awarded to Louis Rocco of Albuquerque, NM, for 
service in Vietnam. In between these two distinguished soldiers, 
Hispanics have been awarded 36 more medals making them the most 
decorated minority in our history proportionate to their numbers. Jose 
P. Martinez of Ault, CO, is also a past recipient of this highest honor 
we can bestow on our fighting men and women.
  Equality is a value central to the promise of America, and we must be 
conscious and proactive in insuring that equal opportunity is available 
to all who serve and contribute to the betterment of our country. 
Hispanics have fought for the idea and ideals of America and are 
deserving of an equal share of all of its rewards, not more, not less, 
but equal. That is the promise of America, and it is the promise we 
must make, and keep, to America's Hispanics.
  Mr. President, throughout my life, both personal and public, 
Hispanics have honored me with their friendship and support. It is with 
great pleasure I honor them here on the floor of the U.S. Senate in 
recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to speak today as co-chair of 
the Senate Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs about this month's 
festivities honoring Hispanic heritage. Although this special month has 
been celebrated every year at this time since 1968, Hispanics have been 
making

[[Page S9409]]

tremendous contributions to our Nation and to my State of Arizona for 
many generations.
  American culture has been enriched by numerous Hispanic influences. 
Many Americans claim Hispanic culture as their own in everything from 
food to music, and even celebrate their holidays. This month, set aside 
by Presidential proclamation, marks several historical events including 
Independence Day for Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, and Nicaragua and El Dia de la Raza.
  It is important to recognize the rich variety of backgrounds that 
make up this burgeoning segment of society. All too often the various 
groups that make up Hispanics are lumped together and non-Hispanics 
forget the dynamic differences between Mexicans and Puerto Ricans or 
Salvadorans and Cubans, for example. But when Hispanics come together--
tied by social and cultural similarities--they form a powerful group 
that we need to listen to closely.
  With more than 22 million Hispanics living in the United States, 
their importance cannot be understated. The number of Hispanic children 
is only exceeded by the number of non-Hispanic white children. This 
generation of children will enter all sectors of public and private 
life and shape the course of the Nation. And our Nation will be a 
better place for it.
  Their contribution to the economy is significant, with studies 
indicating that Hispanic businesses remain the fastest growing segment 
of the small business community. In Arizona alone, the current Hispanic 
buying power is approximately $6.8 billion with an expected growth of 
2.3 percent annually.
  While these statistics are compelling, surprisingly, there is much 
more to be done. The Hispanic dropout rate has hovered around 30 
percent for the past 20 years, and Hispanics are the minority least 
likely to have health insurance. The negative reprecussions of these 
conditions are not acceptable and are detrimental to America's future.
  To further the social and economic well-being of Hispanics we must 
address their needs with conscientious policy and remember these in all 
our legislative efforts. That is why I am co-chair of the Senate 
Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs. The task force helps ensure 
that the needs of the Hispanic community are represented in Federal 
policy. Through meetings and forums, I speak with Hispanics both in 
Arizona and from all over the country.
  Some of the Hispanics we will be hearing from and recognizing this 
month include Sandy Ferniza, president of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber 
of Commerce [AHCC], who recently received the Exemplary Leadership 
Award. She is credited with turning AHCC into an agency that provides 
technical assistance and training to small businesses across the State. 
Also there is Mr. William Y. Velez, a mathematics professor at the 
University of Arizona, who this month received the Excellence in 
Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring Presidential Award. He 
recruits Hispanic and native American students to study mathematics. We 
thank them for their contributions to America's future.
  During Hispanic Heritage Month we will learn about the colorful and 
proud heritage of the Hispanic people who are dedicated to their 
families, communities, and country. And when this month's celebrations 
have come to a close, let us not forget that the success of Hispanic 
Americans is critical to the future of the United States.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I am very pleased to join my colleagues 
here today in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.
  Americans of Hispanic descent are in this country because they, their 
parents, or grandparents, or great-grandparents, or even more distant 
ancestors, made a choice. They were decisive, motivated individuals who 
made an act of faith in America.
  They came here, much as my own great-great-grandfather, Denis DeWine, 
did back in the 1840's--because they wanted a chance at a brighter 
future. And in return, they were willing to work hard to build up this 
country.
  That same spirit lives on in today's U.S. Hispanic community--and we 
ought to look at that spirit as an inspiration to ensure that America 
remains the kind of place people would want to come to.
  There's one area of law I'm working on that is especially important 
in this context. I'm talking about the attempts to change America's 
immigration law and make it more restrictive. I read one article in 
which advocates of restriction repeatedly called new Americans 
``aliens''--not ``immigrants'' but ``aliens,'' as if they were a 
different kind of people from us, who come from someplace as strange as 
outer space.
  I call these people something else. I call them Americans.
  Now, we all know that there's nothing new about anti-immigrant 
movements. We've had them again and again, throughout American history. 
But we have established a proud tradition in this country of overcoming 
them, of resisting the temptation to turn inward to ourselves--of 
welcoming new people and new ideas, and choosing hope over fear.
  When Franklin Roosevelt reminded America that even those who came 
over on the Mayflower were immigrants--when John F. Kennedy wrote a 
book called ``A Nation of Immigrants''--when Ronald Reagan moved the 
Nation with stories about how the light from Liberty's torch was 
keeping hope alive for millions of people in oppressed countries--they 
were expressing something truly fundamental about what it means to be 
an American. And make no mistake about it--that same spirit is still 
alive and well in today's America.
  Ohioans of Hispanic ancestry have helped build the Buckeye State into 
an economic and cultural powerhouse. We are grateful to these fellow 
Ohioans, because they took the talents they or their ancestors were 
born with to a foreign land, and chose to bestow their benefits to us.
  In fact, next week the Hispanic Youth Foundation [HYF], an 
organization that provides financial assistance to undergraduate and 
graduate students seeking degrees in areas of political science or 
other fields related to government of public service, will meet in 
Washington, DC, to distribute scholarships to only seven outstanding 
students. I am proud to announce that one of the seven students 
receiving this scholarship award is from the great State of Ohio.
  I join all my fellow citizens in saying thank you--and saluting 
Ohio's Hispanic community on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month.

                          ____________________