[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10448-S10450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 
in America, I believe it is utmost in our minds and hearts to remember 
the horrendous attack on our nation's financial center in New York 
City, and on the Pentagon, on September 11, 2001. Hispanic Americans I 
speak with are anxious to support our nation's every effort to rid this 
world of the incredible evil that carried out such an attack.
  Hispanic Americans have answered our country's call to arms in every 
previous war, and they have distinguished themselves as some of our 
nation's most heroic fighters. As President George W. Bush recently 
reminded us, ``Hispanic Americans served with heroism in every major 
American military conflict.''
  Many of my colleagues might not be aware of the fact that Hispanics 
in World War II were over-represented among Medal of Honor winners. I 
would like to remember two of these distinguished medal winners from 
New Mexico.
  Joseph P. Martinez, born in Taos, New Mexico, gave his life for our 
country during World War II. In the Aleutians, finding himself in snow 
covered trenches, he chose to advance against the enemy in the face of 
severe hostile machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire. His example 
inspired others to advance in this difficult and dangerous climb.
  After successfully and personally silencing several enemy trenches, 
he reached the rim where he was fatally wounded. The U.S. Army 
recognized Joe Martinez's valor beyond the call of

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duty by awarding him the United States Medal of Honor.
  In Vietnam, 22-year old U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Daniel 
Fernandez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sacrificed himself to save four 
of his comrades. Fernandez vaulted over his wounded sergeant and threw 
himself on a grenade that was not noticed in time for the men around 
him to save themselves. This action cost him his life. Fernandez also 
received the United States Medal of Honor.
  There are many more stories about Hispanic Medal of Honor winners. 
Our nation is proud to have men and women like these in our ranks.
  This month, I want Americans to remember Hispanic veterans from World 
War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. I can 
predict with great confidence that Hispanics in every service will earn 
more Medals of Honor, Distinguished Service Crosses, and Silver and 
Bronze Stars for valor in combat.
  If these wartime contributions by Hispanics have been and will 
continue to be remarkable, those made on the homefront through lives 
invested in communities are equally deserving of our recognition and 
gratitude. On August 15, President George W. Bush visited Albuquerque 
for the grand opening of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce's Barelas Job 
Opportunity Center, a facility meant to help tear down barriers faced 
by Hispanics and others in finding employment or starting a new 
business.

  Helping open this business development center, the President drew 
attention to the spirit of the facility, that of citizens asking what 
they could do to improve their community, and what they could do to 
help a neighbor in need. The President accurately and eloquently 
concluded that this was ``the spirit of America, captured right here in 
Albuquerque, New Mexico.''
  I believe our President has it right. I am proud that the lives of 
Hispanic New Mexicans are vital evidence of the spirit of America as 
they invest themselves in families, schools, businesses, and churches. 
And New Mexicans recognize that these modern achievements build on a 
centuries-long legacy of Hispanic history in our state, earning us a 
peerless role in our nation's diversity.
  In New Mexico, we know that Hispanics were on the scene even before 
the Mayflower set sail. The Hispanic influence in New Mexico shaping 
our architecture and culture has been significant since the arrival of 
Spanish explorer Don Juan de Onate near San Juan Pueblo in 1598, 22 
years before the landing at Plymouth Rock.
  When the national media today talks and writes a lot about the recent 
``arrival'' of Hispanics on our national scene, they're recognizing a 
talented, spirited people New Mexico has known for a long time.
  I have mentioned the opening of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of 
Commerce's Barelas Job Opportunity Center, marking the start of its 
important work to rebuild the economic viability of a deteriorated 
neighborhood and increase job opportunity.
  I would like to mention other examples of commitment to community 
around our state, such as the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce of 
Roswell, New Mexico. This group has been a unifying force in their 
community's economic development issues, and have long supported the 
Character Counts program to see that the six pillars of character, 
Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Fairness, and 
Caring, are taught early in the classroom.
  On September 24, Mr. I. Martin Mercado, President of Mercado 
Construction in Albuquerque, received the national Small Business 
Administration's Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award. The 
son of Mexican immigrants, Martin is a wonderful illustration of the 
American dream, and of the important contributions that Hispanic-owned 
small businesses make to our economy.
  Achievements of this kind throughout New Mexico have helped increase 
the number of minority-owned businesses in our state by more than 50 
percent in the last five years. There are now more than 22,000 
Hispanic-owned businesses in New Mexico.
  As Hispanics gain long-overdue national recognition as a force that 
cannot, and should not, be ignored, we are reminded of countless 
stories like those I have mentioned. I believe that there is no better 
time to work for federal policies that ensure that small businesses, 
community organizations, and schools have the support they need to make 
decisions in favor of economic success and strong families. This is the 
spirit of America.
  Finally, I appreciate the opening for a new era in U.S.-Mexico 
relations as Presidents Bush and Fox work to develop a partnership for 
prosperity across our shared border. Both nations have much to gain 
through the implementation of win-win policies on trade, immigration 
and the war on drugs. As we celebrate New Mexico's and America's 
Hispanic heritage, I hope we will continue to capitalize on our common 
ground with Mexico, making the most of new opportunities for trade and 
cooperation with our neighbor.
  New Mexicans regularly enjoy and celebrate the centuries-long 
influence of Hispanic culture and traditions on our society. This month 
in which our nation recognizes the special contributions of Hispanic 
Americans finds our country united as never before to rebuild and 
defend this great land after a devastating attack. This in mind, there 
could be no better time to honor Hispanic Americans for valiantly 
serving the needs of nation and community, defending our freedom, 
bettering our economy, and building strong families, for this is the 
spirit of America.
  New Mexico's largest newspaper recently rendered a broad tribute to 
Hispanic Americans. I ask unanimous consent that this September 23 
Albuquerque Journal article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             [From the Albuquerque Journal, Sept. 23, 2001]

           List a Source of Pride for Hispanics and Americans

                            (By Dan Herrera)

       The national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which 
     for some odd reason runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, has 
     been obscured by the overwhelming shock and sorrow created by 
     the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
       But Hispanic Heritage Month has never been that big a 
     public spectacle, at least in these parts; instead, as 
     elsewhere, the weekend-long beer-company-promoted Cinco de 
     Mayo celebration has taken center stage among Hispanic-
     oriented celebrations.
       In fact, it's hard to find many special Hispanic Heritage 
     Month events in Albuquerque. Most notable is the free 
     Chautauqua series now under way at the National Hispanic 
     Cultural Center. Its opening performance, Jean Jordan as 
     Queen Isabella, had to be delayed because of the attacks on 
     the East Coast. History buffs can still catch several other 
     shows. Call the center at 246-2261 for more information. I 
     had a long conversation the other day with Ruben Salaz, 
     author of ``New Mexico: a Brief Multi-history,'' about 
     Hispanic Heritage Month. He believes New Mexico could reduce 
     its shamefully high Hispanic student dropout rate by putting 
     a greater emphasis in history classes on our state's long, 
     proud past.
       He's got a point. Learning about important figures with 
     names like Juan de Onate, Diego de Vargas and Juan Bautista 
     de Anza, all early governors of the Spanish colony of New 
     Mexico who played especially important roles, alongside names 
     like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln 
     couldn't hurt. Students also might like learning more about 
     historically important Indians like Pope and Cuerno Verde 
     while they're at it.
       New Mexico has always been much more than a stop along the 
     trail ultimately leading to California and Manifest Destiny. 
     But Hispanics also have played important roles in American 
     history outside of New Mexico.
       So, in recognition of this special month, here is an 
     assortment of Americans you may not have known about or may 
     not have known were Hispanic. There was a time not too long 
     ago that nobody was counting, after all.
       Most of the information was compiled using Salaz's 
     information-packed book and another wonderful book called 
     ``Hispanic Firsts: 500 Years of Extraordinary Achievement'' 
     by Nicolas Kanellos, which contains a 372-page listing of 
     accomplishments. Both belong in every library in New Mexico.
       Joseph Hernandez: In 1822, the Whig party member from 
     Florida became the first Hispanic representative in the U.S. 
     Congress.
       Octaviano Larrazolo: A New Mexico Republican, Larrazolo 
     became the first Hispanic U.S. Senator in 1928.
       Dennis Chavez: In 1944, the New Mexico senator, a Democrat, 
     introduced the first Fair Employment Practices bill, which 
     prohibited discrimination because of race, creed or national 
     origin. The bill was defeated, but it was an important step 
     toward the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
       Bernardo de Galvez: A governor of Louisiana and brigadier 
     general during the Revolutionary War, he fought British 
     forces for

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     three years along the Gulf of Mexico and captured Mobile and 
     Pensacola in 1781, forcing the British to fight the war on 
     two fronts. Galveston Bay in Texas is named after him.
       Jorge Farragut: A Revolutionary War hero who fought at the 
     battle of Savannah and at the second defense of Charleston, 
     he would be outdone by his son, David.
       David G. Farragut: He became the first admiral of the U.S. 
     Navy in 1866. As a Union commander during the Civil War, 
     Farragut gained immortality during the victory at Mobile 
     where, after being warned that the bay was filled with mines, 
     said, ``Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!'' Today, a 
     guided missile destroyer bears his name.
       Philip Bazaar: In 1865, he became the first Hispanic 
     American to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.
       Marcelino Serna: He was a soldier from Albuquerque who 
     became the first Hispanic to win the Distinguished Service 
     Cross in 1918 after single-handedly capturing 24 German 
     soldiers. He reportedly was not recommended for a Medal of 
     Honor because he was just a buck private and also could not 
     read or write English well enough to sign reports.
       Guy Gabaldon: The 1960 movie ``Hell to Eternity'' is based 
     on this California's heroism in World War II, which led to 
     the surrender of 2,000 Japanese soldiers on Saipan Island.
       Luis Walter Alvarez: Alvarez was one of the most 
     distinguished physicists in U.S. history. A member of the 
     Manhattan Project, he is credited with the development of the 
     triggering device for the first plutonium bomb. He flew in a 
     B-29 following the Enola Gay to observe the atomic bomb 
     explosion over Hiroshima. Among his many awards are the Nobel 
     Prize and the National Medal of Science.
       George Santayana: The poet-philosopher in 1889 became the 
     first Hispanic writer to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard. In 
     1927 he became the first U.S. Hispanic to be awarded the Gold 
     Medal from the Royal Society of Literature in London.
       Lucrezia Bori: She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera 
     in New York in 1912 and became an operatic diva. She led the 
     effort credited with saving the Met during the Depression.
       Esteban Bellan: In 1871, Bellan became the first Hispanic 
     professional baseball player in the United States. He was a 
     black Cuban. Around the turn of the 20th century, when blacks 
     were no longer allowed to play in the majors, teams often had 
     to prove the ``racial purity'' of Hispanic players. Hispanics 
     from Vernon ``Lefty'' Gomez, to Juan Marichal, to Rod Carew, 
     to Sammy Sosa have long played star roles in professional 
     baseball.
       Jim Plunkett: Of German, Irish and Mexican descent, 
     Plunkett was the first Hispanic Heisman Trophy winner and the 
     first to start as quarterback in the National Football 
     League.
       Desi Arnaz: The first Hispanic television star and a 
     network broadcast pioneer, along with his wife Lucille Ball, 
     created one of the most popular series of all times: ``I Love 
     Lucy.''
       The entertainment industry is packed with stars who either 
     had names that were not Spanish or changed their names to 
     mask their heritage during times of prejudice. Some are 
     Raquel Welch, Rita Hayworth, Anthony Quinn, Joan Baez, Linda 
     Ronstadt, Vicki Carr, Richie Valens, Mariah Carey and Freddy 
     Fender. I had one friend, a Deadhead, who never realized that 
     Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead was Hispanic until I told 
     him.
       The list could go on and on, but you get the picture.
       One thing to remember, though: While it may be Hispanic 
     Heritage Month, that heritage is being celebrated by 
     Americans.

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