[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8765-H8766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 277) recognizing the important
contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 277
Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the United
States has had a significant impact among Hispanic
businesses, and in the business community in general;
Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has served in a
key support role, not merely as a business group but also as
a civic organization working in the Hispanic-American
community; and
Whereas the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has helped to
bring entrepreneurship to the Hispanic community as well as
helping to pool the resources and talents of Hispanic
American entrepreneurs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that it is
important to the promotion of the free market process of the
United States, to the future success of Hispanic Americans,
and to society at large that the special role of the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce of the United States be recognized and
further cultivated to the benefit of all Americans.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin).
General Leave
Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 277.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Louisiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution
277, recognizing the important contributions of the United States
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The Hispanic community is booming in this country. In fact, it has
become the fastest-growing segment of our Nation's population; and by
the year 2010, Hispanics will become the largest minority group in the
United States and by 2050 will comprise nearly 25 percent of the entire
U.S. population.
One sector within the Hispanic community that has been experiencing
especially rapid growth over the past few years is the small business
community. At present, it is estimated that there are over 1.5 million
Hispanic-owned small businesses in the country.
Created in 1979 by a handful of dedicated Hispanic leaders, the U.S.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has helped to realize the enormous
potential of the Hispanic business community in these United States,
and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has worked tirelessly to
bring the issues of the Nation's Hispanic-owned businesses to the
national economic agenda and drives the engine of economic growth.
Today, we thank them for increasing their contribution to the
strength of this country.
It is a good resolution. My mother, Ms. Enola Martinez Tauzin,
appreciates it personally; and I urge the House to adopt it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of this resolution, H. Con. Res. 277, which
recognizes the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce. The chamber's mission, to actively promote the economic
growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs, is important to the
free market process and the success of Hispanic Americans. Especially
during these times of economic hardship, I fully expect that the
Hispanic business community will be an engine for growth and recovery
benefiting our whole economy.
In the 5-year period from 1992 to 1997, Hispanic businesses across
the Nation grew about 82 percent. The programs, services and support
that the chamber continues to offer the more than 200 local chambers
across this Nation have been integral to the success and vitality of
these Hispanic businesses.
I have seen the effects of the chamber's initiatives in my own 10th
Congressional District in Brooklyn. The Hispanic community has produced
some of the most exciting entrepreneurial initiatives, enriching
Brooklyn for all of its residents. From small stores and bodegas to
supermarkets like Compare Market and ABC Beverages to large
construction companies like Park Avenue Building and Roofing Supplies,
Hispanic-owned businesses
[[Page H8766]]
employ hundreds of residents as well as adding to the economic
viability of our neighborhoods.
Since its formation in 1979, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has
represented the interests of more than 1.2 million Hispanic-owned
businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition to its
annual convention featuring hundreds of domestic and international
exhibitors, the chamber also supports Hispanic businesses with
legislative and governmental affairs services, business development and
marketing services, and active promotion of international trade by
networking with Latin American governments.
Through its Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship Initiative, the
chamber has also established a $20 million venture capital fund and, in
partnership with the Ford Motor Company, has formed a bilingual
National Director of Hispanic Businesses. It has also sewn the seeds of
entrepreneurship by sponsoring programs for Hispanic youth such as
Bizfest and funding Hispanic scholarship programs.
The chamber's contributions to the Hispanic business community have
and will continue to enrich all of our lives. I urge my colleagues to
join me in giving the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the recognition that
it deserves.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 277. I am very pleased to see that we are recognizing the
important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As a
former businessman from the lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, I
can personally attest to the invaluable assistance that the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce provides for the Hispanic business community.
The rapid growth of the Latino population has made our community a
more crucial part of the American economy than ever before. The
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has provided the vision and the leadership
to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship and an ethic of competitiveness
in the Hispanic business community. It has also served as an effective
advocate by communicating the community's concerns in the greater
business and political arena.
I want to thank the Hispanic Chamber for all of the hard work it has
put into achieving economic progress for our community, and I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. In south Texas, we
are members of the Texas Association of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce,
and we have had lots of meetings and we have had lots of successful
gatherings, and so that is why I am here to show our support for this
group.
Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res.
277, recognizing the important contributions of the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce.
From top-level corporate positions, to Mom and Pop corner stores,
Hispanics in America make tremendous contributions to the nation.
Minority owned businesses are growing and creating jobs faster than
other companies.
In 1979, realizing the enormous potential of the Hispanic business
community in the United States and the need for a national organization
to represent its interests, the United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce (USHCC) was incorporated in my home state of New Mexico,
creating a structured organization aimed at developing a business
network that would provide the Hispanic community with cohesion and
strength. Since its inception, the USHCC has worked towards bringing
the issues and concerns of the nation's more than 1.2 million Hispanic-
owned businesses to the forefront.
Throughout the years, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce has
improved the quality of life in the Middle Rio Grande corridor by
promoting economic and education activities, with an emphasis on small
business.
This has also been a great year for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber
of Commerce. The Chamber officially opened the doors to their Barelas
Job Opportunity Center. This center houses a state-of-the-art
technology lab and will focus on work force development and
entrepreneur opportunities. The facility is also home to the U.S. Small
Business Administration Business Information Center and the Senior Corp
of Retired Executives. This Center is a hub for consultations on how to
grow a business, start a business, manage a business or capitalize a
business.
Over the past 26 years the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
has experienced change and growth that would rival any successful
business. I am grateful to the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
for helping to make Albuquerque a better place and improving the
quality of life in New Mexico.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I want today to address my resolution, H. Con.
Res. 277 to recognize the important contributions of the Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, the United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce was founded in New Mexico in 1979. Headquartered in
Washington, DC the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce currently has a network
of more than 200 chapters in the United States and its territories. One
of those active chapters is in my district, in fact the San Marcos
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce just held its successful Turkey Trot Golf
Tournament during our Thanksgiving break.
The importance of this national organization cannot be overstated,
Hispanics have an annual purchasing power of approximately $500 billion
and the Chamber effectively represents the more than 1 million
Hispanic-owned businesses. The organization's recent growth has shown
its influence in communities not traditionally considered centers for
Latino development, locations such as Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte,
North Carolina and Minnesota's Twin Cities area.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides important recognition to
its members and supporters through an annual awards program. Moreover,
the organization furnishes its membership with a host of critical
services, ably guided by the leadership of its President and CEO George
Herrera, Chair Ms. Elizabeth Lisboa-Farrow, who also chairs the DC
Chamber of Commerce; and Vice Chairman J.R. Gonzales, President of a
communications firm in Austin, Texas.
Importantly, the Chamber has maintained international trade as one of
its top long term priorities, even maintaining an office in Mexico
City. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides and promotes the kind
of private sector trade initiatives and assistance that I believe all
of us can support.
Mr. Speaker, I am gratified to be able to bring to the Floor today
this resolution to recognize the important contributions of the United
States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and ask for the support of members
in passing this item.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 277.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________